Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How will HPD’s new deputy chiefs change policing in Honolulu?
You won't want to miss Honouliuli - A History Awakened 80th Commemoration on the Honolulu Patch calendar
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:
- How will HPD's new deputy chiefs change policing in Honolulu?
- How Skyline's third birthday could change your Honolulu commute
- How Honolulu's new MH-3 teams will respond to homeless crises
Today's riddle: What did the bartender say to the jumper cables when they walked in? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Wednesday: An a.m. shower, then breezy, with a high of 89 and low of 76 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Thursday: A few showers, temps: high: 88, low: 75.
- Friday: Partly sunny and breezy, with a high of 87 and low of 76 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
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.
📸 Around Honolulu
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Honolulu
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Honouliuli - A History Awakened 80th Commemoration →
Hawaii Theatre, 1130 Bethel St, Honolulu
4:00 pm
Sunday September 27
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Labor Day - Holiday
University Laboratory Honolulu, HI 96822 - GR 3 HTY Tenney Theater FT
Noelani Elementary Honolulu, HI 96822
8:30 am - GVB: Roosevelt vs Kalaheo
Roosevelt High Honolulu, HI 96822
5:00 pm - FB: Roosevelt @ Radford
Roosevelt High Honolulu, HI 96822
6:30 pm
Monday September 7
Wednesday September 9
Friday September 11
📣 Honolulu Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Bowling @ K-Bay
Kaiser High K-Bay Lanes, 1666 5th St, Kailua, HI 96734, USA
5:00 pm - Lady Cougar Volleyball vs. Waianae @ Kaiser
Kaiser High School Gym, 511 Lunalilo Home Rd, Honolulu, HI 9682
5:00 pm - Koʻolau to CTAHR (2 Vans)
Malama Honua PCS Waimanalo, HI 96795 - Papa Mahina Hoaka CTAHR
Malama Honua PCS Waimanalo, HI 96795 - Cross Country @ Mililani
Kaiser High Mililani High School, 95-1200 Meheula Pkwy, Mililani, HI 96789\
8:30 am - Pearlside Food Distribution (Sept 2026) →
Youth Outreach Community Center, 98-780 Oihana Pl # C-1, Aiea
10:30 am - Labor Day - No School →
Malama Honua PCS Waimanalo, HI 96795
Thursday September 3
Friday September 4
Saturday September 5
Monday September 7
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Hi, posting on behalf of my aunty.
She found a kayak and we're wondering who it belongs to. Please tell us where you lost it, color, and any other relevant details so we can get it… (Nextdoor Hahaione Valley) - Hello all my neighbors in Kalama Valley.
This sign will soon be posted at the intersection by the Hawaii Kai Fire station. If you can commit to participating in our community yard sale send… (Nextdoor Kalama Valley)
- Whole Foods posted a job opening for Produce Team Member (Clerk, Floor Service) - Part Time in Honolulu. Apply here.
- Hawaii State Department of Education posted a job opening for School Custodian II - Pearl City High in Honolulu. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Honolulu here.
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!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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