Good morning to you Honolulu! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Today's riddle: What did the bartender say to the jumper cables when they walked in? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Honolulu Police Chief Lazar names permanent HPD deputy chiefs (staradvertiser.com) — Honolulu residents have two new permanent deputy chiefs helping lead HPD, as Chief David Lazar elevates longtime veterans Brandon Nakasato and Parker Bode to oversee field and administrative operations. City leaders say the appointments are key to stabilizing a department facing vacancies, morale issues, and ongoing reforms that directly affect policing across Honolulu neighborhoods.
2. Skyline celebrates 3rd birthday as public transit progress gains speed in Honolulu (hawaiipublicradio.org) — Honolulu commuters are being urged to consider the Skyline rail, as the city marks its third year and promotes time and cost savings versus driving. Transit director Jon Nouchi details new electric buses, additional Handi-Vans, and hundreds of incoming Biki bikes, while also explaining service decisions during Hurricane Lala and ongoing efforts to recruit more local transit workers.
3. City expands homeless mental health/substance use response program across Oahu (kitv.com) — Honolulu is expanding its Mental Health 3 (MH-3) program island-wide, coordinating CORE teams, Honolulu police, and health professionals to respond to homeless residents in mental health or substance use crises. Backed by state law, teams can now more easily connect people to emergency psychiatric evaluations and appropriate care, and residents can submit non-emergency concerns through HNL311 or by phone.
4. New AI tool could slash Honolulu building permit times (khon2.com) — Honolulu residents planning new homes, additions, or ohana units now face a mandatory AI plan-check step called CivCheck for many residential permits, which could cut approval times to weeks or days. The city's Department of Planning and Permitting says humans will still review applications, but the new system should reduce backlogs and streamline permitting before expanding to commercial projects later.
5. Honolulu Zoo reopens exhibit with 8 new penguins and 2 hippopotamuses (kitv.com) — Families in Honolulu now have a refreshed reason to visit the Honolulu Zoo, which has reopened its African penguin and hippopotamus exhibits with new glass, shade trellises, and upgraded water systems. Eight new penguins and two resident hippos, Mara and Louise, are enjoying cleaner, healthier habitats as city leaders highlight long-term care and visitor experience improvements.
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Ok Honolulu! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Don't you 2 start anything (Thank you Mary L. for sending it in!)
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