Monday, April 27, 2026

Heads up for pet parents: An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.*

Big opportunities under one roof: Looking for work on Oahu? The 2026 Hawaii Career Expo will take place Wednesday, April 29 at Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall, with over 100 employers and a free resume workshop -- get all the event details.

Campus leadership search advances: UH Mānoa named three chancellor finalists. The first visits today and tomorrow, with an open forum at 10:30 a.m. Remaining finalists will be announced a week before their visits -- see visit dates and details.

Community support powers childhood wishes: Jamba Hawai‘i’s Blend It Forward campaign with Make-A-Wish Hawai‘i continues through the end of April, inviting checkout donations for local keiki. Jamba will match contributions up to $5,000 -- get all the donation details.

The bill everyone over 50 should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*

Retirees are making moves: After gold's best year in nearly five decades, more folks than ever are moving part of their savings into precious metals. Not all of it... just enough to hedge against inflation. AHG put together a free guide that explains how it works -- grab your copy here.*

K‑beauty without the wait: Beauty Touch Hawaii stocks lightweight sunscreens, hydrating toners, and glow-boosting serums, ready when island weather and office A/C do their worst. K‑beauty staples are on the shelf, not in a tracking portal... your routine minus the shipping limbo.

Local plate lunch fix: When the craving hits for real-deal laulau, kalua pig, lomi salmon, and a scoop of haupia to seal the deal, Da Ono Hawaiian Food shows up like your reliable auntie with the big pot. Simple, satisfying, and exactly the kind of comfort Honolulu runs on.

Instant party upgrade: From face painting and balloon twisting to glitter tattoos, henna, caricatures and even magicians, Magical Touch Hawaii - Party Entertainment turns keiki birthdays, grad parties and office pau hana into actual events. Local since 2014 and serving Oahu, they roll in with talent and leave behind grinning guests.

The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →

Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old).*See what it covers →

Selling your house doesn't have to take months: If you need to sell quickly — because you're downsizing, relocating, or just ready to close this chapter — Liz helps seniors sell their houses fast. As-is. No repairs, no showings, no drawn-out back-and-forth. You pick the closing date. *See how it works →

Unknown-number calls aren't random: Scammers don't just pick numbers out of a hat. They pay data brokers a few bucks and get everything they need to harass you, trick you, rob you, or steal your identity outright. Incogni removes all of your personal info from these data broker sites and keeps an eye out to make sure it stays gone for good. *Get protected →

For women who've been feeling off for years: The fatigue, the weight creeping up, the mood swings, the sleep that won't hold. Turns out most of those "it's just aging" problems are actually caused by hormones, and proper HRT can get you back to feeling like yourself. The catch? You can't get it without a full hormone panel and a doctor who understands what those numbers mean. Most women never get either, but Hone Health gives you both. *See how it works →

🧵 Quilt Show: Hands Stitching Together @ Nā Lama Kukui | Thursday (4/30) at 10:00 AM – This free Hawaii Quilt Guild show at Nā Lama Kukui stitches together heirloom-level artistry, local stories, and the kind of patience only aunties possess. Wander rows of handwork you can touch with your eyes, then debate which piece deserves your guest room.

🌺 Beneath Our Hawaiian Skies: May Day is Lei Day @ The Tom Moffat Waikiki Shell | Friday (5/1) at 7:00 PM – May Day, Lei Day under the stars at the Waikīkī Shell, with mele, hula, and more lei than your auntie’s hall closet. Expect beloved artists, hālau, and plenty aloha. Grab tickets early, then bring the crew, wear a lei, make one, give one.

🏷 Makiki Community Yard Sale @ The Episcopal Parish of St. Clement | Saturday (5/2) at 8:00 AM – Ready to level up your hale without big-box prices? St. Clement's Makiki yard sale gathers over 25 neighbors selling furniture, housewares, and the odd conversation piece, all in one spot. Come early, haggle politely, support the neighborhood, then reward yourself with coffee and bragging rights.

🐦 Manu o Kū Festival @ Iolani Palace | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – The Manu o Kū Festival is celebrating Honolulu’s official bird, the white tern, with free, family friendly fun under the trees they nest in. Expect bird nerds, kid activities, and plenty of local pride. Wear a hat, bring the keiki, and practice your respectful gawking.

🐾 Hawaii Pet Expo Pop-Up @ Blaisdell Exhibition Hall | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – Whether your pet’s a champion or just champions the couch, Blaisdell turns into critter central for the Hawaii Pet Expo. Expect rescue groups, clubs, and vendors, the Puppy Match, a cat show, and Hawaii Doggie Bakery exclusives, plus the temptation to bring home another "foster."

📅 First Saturday @ Ward Centre | Saturday (5/2) at 1:00 PM – First Saturday at Ward Centre, next to Fat Cheeks, is your park-once, snack-and-browse session. Off The Wall Craft Beer & Wine is slinging pork tacos, Village Books & Music has deals, and all is complimentary while it lasts, so bring appetite, restraint, and a tote.

🎖 Night Market / Military Appreciation Night @ Aloha Tower Marketplace | Saturday (5/2) at 4:00 PM – Aloha Tower’s night market salutes our military with music, food trucks, keiki activities, local makers, and sunset harbor views. Craving a feel-good evening that is more mahalo than mayhem? All are welcome, and military or veteran ID holders snag RSVP discounts at hpu.edu/mahalo.

The entire 27th floor at The Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head Tower, crowns the skyline, offering high ceilings and sunrise-to-sunset views of the Pacific, Diamond Head, and Waikiki. Ten units, from studios to two bedrooms, many furnished, maximize privacy and flexibility. Five-star extras include in-residence dining, concierge, valet, daily housekeeping, infinity pools, a fitness center, and a full-service spa.