In this Pearl City Local Issue:

🌤️ Pearl City Weather

💸 Mortgage Rates Hit 2-Year Low

🛂 Pearl City Residents Can Now Renew Passports Online

📷 Ring Cameras Seek Ghostly Sightings in $100,000 Halloween Contest

🏓 Shop and Play Pickleball

🎁 Waimalu Plaza Craft & Gift Fair

📆 Upcoming Events

Mortgage Rates Hit 2-Year Low, Sparking Refinancing Boom

Mortgage rates dropped to a two-year low of 6.13%, prompting a rise in refinancing. Homeowners are taking advantage of the reduced rates, which have decreased by over 1.75 percentage points since their October 2023 peak. Refinancing applications now account for 57% of all mortgage activity, as rates continue to fall in response to the Federal Reserve's recent rate cut.

Pearl City Residents Can Now Renew Passports Online, Simplifying the Process

Hawaii residents can now renew their passports online, eliminating the need for the cumbersome mail-in paper process that often led to delays. The State Department announced that the online system is fully operational after pilot testing, allowing adult passport holders whose passports have expired within the past five years or are set to expire in the next year to renew through a secure website. However, it is not available for child passports, first-time applicants, those living abroad, or expedited renewals.

This new service is expected to streamline the renewal process, building on improvements made following the COVID-19 pandemic, which had caused major staffing shortages and long wait times. The department has since increased staffing and introduced technology upgrades, reducing average wait times by about a third. In 2023, 40% of the 24 million passports processed were renewals, and the new system is expected to further expedite processing for millions of Americans.

Despite the new online option, passport renewal fees remain the same at $130. In the future, the State Department hopes to expand the service to include renewals for Americans living abroad, second passports, and children’s passports.

Ring Cameras Seek Ghostly Sightings in $100,000 Halloween Contest

Ring cameras are typically known for capturing everyday moments like package deliveries, visits from friends, and the occasional cute animal encounter. However, this Halloween season, the home surveillance company is encouraging users to capture something out of the ordinary—paranormal activity.

Ring is inviting its users to submit videos featuring ghostly or supernatural phenomena for a chance to win a grand prize of $100,000. According to the company, any form of paranormal occurrence is welcome, from eerie apparitions and floating orbs to mysterious shadows and inexplicable events.

Whether it's a spooky encounter or friends and family in Halloween costumes, Ring is encouraging a wide range of video submissions. "If you happen to capture a ghost, we want to see it," the contest website stated.

Have an event to add? Let us know! [email protected]

 Sports:

• Shop and Play Pickleball - The event is open to players of all levels and the Oahu Pickleball Association will provide all equipment. Three courts will be open to play America's fastest-growing sport or to get pointers from experienced instructors. Aloha Stadium - Sections 8a to 9b (next to the food court) - Sunday, Sept. 29 at 10:00am

 Crafts:

• Waimalu Plaza Craft & Gift Fair - Pop Up with local crafters, makers, jewelers, Japan and Korean imports, toys, DIY crafts, direct sellers, resellers & more! Saturday September 28, 2024 from 10am-2:30pm.

• Vegas Lucky Frog - Learn the basics of working with UV resin and some simple jewelry making techniques to make an adorable shaker charm for your Vegas loving friends! Friday, September 27, 2024 • 10:30am-12:30pm More Info

• Lefties Red Heart Granny Square - Join us for this brand new Crochet workshop for our ! Come and learn how to use the new granny square yarn. You will also be showed how to assemble the granny squares. Thursday, September 26, 2024 • 10:30am-12:30pm. More info

 Business:

• 2024 Hawaiʻi Small Business Fair - 13th Annual Hawaiʻi Small Business Fair held at Leeward Community College on Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM!

 Food:

• What the Truck - Pearl City High Schools Food Truck Fundraiser on Friday, September 27, 2024 at Pearl City High School between 4:00pm-8:00pm. Please support this fundraiser for PCHS Class of 2025 Project Graduation.

• The Village Market has arrived at Pearlridge Center! Every Saturday, indulge in a variety of food trucks, browse through craft and retail vendors, and have fun with your friends and family! Don't forget to visit the beer garden featuring signature spirits and cocktails, relax in ample seating, and enjoy live entertainment! Stop by from 5-9 p.m in the Mauka parking lot fronting TJ Maxx.

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We Want To Spotlight Local Businesses!

Would you like us to spotlight your local business in front of thousands of Pearl City area residents in an upcoming issue of Pearl City Local? Apply Here. Not a business owner, but love a local business? Tell us all about it - send us an email at [email protected]