The Honolulu City Council is encouraging residents to provide input for what the city should focus on in the coming years through the Oʻahu General Plan.

Employees of the Royal Lahaina Resort on Maui will have to apply for jobs once new operators of the hotel take over later this year. Hawaiʻi real estate investment firm BlackSand Capital said last week that it would buy the hotel from Pleasant Travel Service.

Since 1946, the Aloha Festivals has showcased Hawaiian culture, offering events encompassing music, dance, and history to educate and inspire an appreciation for native customs and heritage. This year is the 75th Anniversary of Aloha Festivals, and while the major live events have been cancelled again due to the pandemic, those involved still take immense pride in the history of the celebration.

Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino tested negative for COVID-19 this past weekend after meeting in person with several unvaccinated Maui residents — two later tested positive for the virus.

The number of students enrolled at the University of Hawaiʻi’s 10 campuses increased this fall for the first time in a decade. The school's flagship Mānoa campus led the way with a 6% increase. The university's first-year class is its largest ever.

A Hawaiian monk seal found on Oʻahu in critical condition was transported to the Marine Mammal Center in Kailua-Kona for further treatment.