ASD Staff

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

[{"text":"We think this is why the Super Big Gulp was invented.","type":"text"}]

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<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Sharing is caring</title>

In today's social media find, kingkennyslay and kili_so_silly celebrate the joy of friendship.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Sharing is caring

We think this is why the Super Big Gulp was invented. 

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

[{"type":"text","text":"Is your curiosity brewing about a new career? "}]

Hawai‘i Island Economic Development Board

, will showcase career opportunities with Kona Brewing Co.

The open house will be held from 4:30 to 8. p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, at Kona Brewing Co. in Kailua-Kona on Hawai‘i Island. There will be facility tours, career conversations with professionals and networking, as well as appetizers and drinks — and there's 

Friday's event is open to early- to mid-career professionals 21 and older and will highlight industry careers such as mechanical engineering, manufacturing, sales and marketing, a recent announcement from Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i noted.

[{"type":"text","text":"It's part of the chamber's Kama‘āina Come Home initiative."}]

The Kama‘āina Come Home program — a job placement program that's 

trademarked by and used with permission from the Hawaii Island Economic Development Board — 

. It "reconnects Hawai‘i-raised professionals with career opportunities in-state to address the shortage of skilled professionals," the announcement said. 

"This event and partnership with Kona Brewing came directly from Kona, one of our chamber members, who shared that they were experiencing workforce challenges and looking for solutions to source local talent for their engineering, manufacturing and other behind-the-scenes operations roles," McKenna Dale, associate director of Workforce Development at the chamber, a statewide nonprofit that advocates for businesses in Hawai‘i, told Aloha State Daily in an email. "That need aligns perfectly with the goals of Kama‘āina Come Home, which began with a focus on engineering through our Sector Partnership work.

"We’re especially proud to be co-presenting this event with the Hawai‘i Island Economic Development Board, the original visionaries behind the Kamaʻāina Come Home program," she continued. "Together, we’re excited to highlight Kona Brewing as a model for how local employers can build a sustainable workforce by offering meaningful, long-term careers to Hawai‘i Island residents."

As far as what the organizers hope people take away from Friday's program, "We hope people walk away knowing that Hawai‘i Island offers meaningful career opportunities that allow them to stay, grow and thrive in their own community," Dale says. "Kona Brewing is showing that you don’t have to leave home to build a fulfilling career, whether in engineering, manufacturing, sales or other roles, and that local companies are committed to investing in kama

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Kona brewing Chamber of commerce hawaii kamaaina come home

<title>Chamber event will showcase careers at Kona Brewing Co.</title>

A workforce open house hosted by Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i, in partnership with the Hawai‘i Island Economic Development Board and the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce — is open to early- to mid-career professionals 21-plus, and will highlight careers in Hawai‘i's brewing industry such as mechanical engineering, manufacturing, sales and marketing.

Chamber event will showcase careers at Kona Brewing Co.

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

Tucked away within Buho Cocina y Cantina in Waikīkī, 

 — which opened in 2022 — is known for its affordable price point (it’s always $90) and fusion omakase experience. The omakase has two seatings at 5:30 and 8 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays.

We were recently invited to try the eatery’s summer menu, which is available until the middle of September.

The 12-course omakase always features seasonal ingredients, and many of the courses in this summer menu are light and refreshing.

The omakase starts with tako with watercress, followed by the eatery’s signature dish. The tako is paired with the eatery’s signature ume sesame dressing that’s drizzled on top, garnished with sesame seeds, bonito flakes and kizami shiso leaf. Underneath the tako is a bed of locally grown baby watercress that’s blanched and marinated in dashi. The dish overall boasts a strong ume flavor, thanks to the dressing. 

Sushi Fukurou’s signature dish is its zuke maguro nigiri, but this isn’t your traditional nigiri. Sushi rice is wrapped with shoyu-marinated bluefin tuna (from Nagasaki), tied neatly with a garlic chive, and topped with a quail egg, wasabi oil and bubu arare.

“There’s a drop of wasabi oil for spice, and the tiny rice cracker balls on top have a nice crunch,” says chef Miki Yanagihara.

Next come amberjack with deep-fried ogo and takabe, or yellow striped butterfish. The local amberjack are brushed with shoyu and finished with a spritz of yuzu oil, and garnished with locally grown limu.

“The yuzu oil also has a nice aromatic smell,” notes Yanagihara. “The deep-fried ogo adds a bit of saltiness to pair with the kampachi.”

The yellow-striped butterfish is lightly seared to release its natural oil, and according to Yanagihara, it’s peak season right now for these small, silvery fish.

“They’re one of my favorite summer fishes,” she says. “It’s garnished with a sprinkle of red Hawaiian sea salt topped with ginger scallion to balance the oiliness.” 

This locally caught ama ebi (shrimp) is prepared two ways. The nigiri is brushed with calamansi ponzu sauce and topped with smoked trout caviar. It’s paired with a crispy ama ebi head, which is deep-fried in potato starch, lightly salted and served in a ponzu sauce that can be used for dipping. shrimp duo.

Of the two, I’m partial to the nigiri, which boasts a pleasing smoky flavor. The trout roe caviar delivers a nice, popping texture that pairs nicely with the tender shrimp.

The crispy rice topped with spicy hamachi tartare is one of my favorite courses. It features a base of deep-fried sushi rice — complete with a crispy exterior and spongy, mochi-like interior — topped with hamachi yellowtail mixed with spicy sauce, wasabi guacamole, habanero masago, micro cilantro and garlic flower petals.

The wasabi guacamole is really wasabi mixed with avocado. The whole combination of flavors and textures worked really well in this dish, and I wouldn’t have minded two more pieces. 

Next comes another favorite — chutoro with caviar. This medium fatty tuna from Nagasaki is brushed with shoyu and garnished with golden Kaluga caviar. The buttery, fatty fish has a creamy texture that’s complemented nicely by the saltier, briny caviar.

[{"type":"text","text":"In the words of Yanagihara: “Chutoro, caviar — classic combo.”"}]

Wagyu is always a highlight, and this course features A5 Miyazaki wagyu presented in three ways — one with Hokkaido uni, shoyu and kizami wasabi on top; one in homemade shiso butter and topped with bubu arare and lime zest; and one sprinkled with black lava sea salt and garnished with deep-fried shallots.

All boasted that buttery texture that’s a hallmark of A5 wagyu. While it was difficult to pick a favorite, I especially enjoyed the A5 wagyu topped with sea salt and fried shallots best. Its simple presentation allowed the beefy flavor to shine, and the crispy shallots added crunch.

The next course is perfect for summer. Somen noodles from Japan are paired with the eatery’s homemade somen tsuyu, or soup base. It’s served with zuke-marinated tomatoes and garnished with micro greens, and served in an ice bowl.

“It’s literally ice cold, and ensures that the somen noodles are cold and refreshing, perfect for summer,” Yanagihara says. 

She encourages diners to be careful when lifting the slightly slippery bowl to sip the broth.

The somen is followed by grilled anago (saltwater eel) — paired with homemade anago tare, or sweet eel sauce, and garnished with locally grown finger lime — and a torotaku hand roll. The finger lime delivers a refreshing, popping burst of lime juice that complements the anago tare nicely. Meanwhile, torotaku (toro and takuan) hand rolls never disappoint, due to their contrasting creamy-and-crunchy textures.

Dessert is in the form of churros dusted with kinako sugar and served with Roselani vanilla ice cream drizzled with matcha-infused honey and topped with sea salt. It was the perfect sweet-and-salty ending: the Japanese roasted soybean powder has a nutty flavor that’s reminiscent of peanut butter, and the sea salt sprinkle balances the dessert’s overall sweetness. 

Not only is the dessert tasty, but it’s also a cheeky way to pay homage to the omakase’s location — it’s within a rooftop Mexican restaurant, after all.

Two seatings 5:30 and 8 p.m., Tuesdays-Fridays

Sushi Fukurou chef Miki 082025

<title>A taste of Sushi Fukurou’s summer menu</title>

Feast on seasonal specialties like somen in an ice bowl, A5 wagyu presented three ways, and chutoro with caviar in this affordable Waikīkī-based omakase.

A taste of Sushi Fukurou’s summer menu

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Aloha Spirit

Plans are underway for the development of five new cabins at Scouting America, Aloha Council’s Camp Pupukea, designed pro bono by Honolulu-based architecture firm 

The local scouting chapter has used the 70-acre hillside property overlooking Oahu’s North Shore for overnight camping and recreation since the early 1960s. Prior to that, the site was a military training camp, according to Blake Parsons, an Eagle Scout who has served as Scout Executive and CEO of Scouting America, Aloha Council

The camp improvements aim to serve scouts, business and nonprofit organizations and community groups, as well as those seeking refuge during natural disasters.

“This is unlike any other project that we’ve done before,” Parsons told Aloha State Daily. “Most of the types of buildings and projects that we've done have been more utilitarian, and I think this project is meant to appeal to a greater audience than just scouts. And [G70 helped] envision the ability to bring more people to our property and generate revenue to support our mission, which is really commendable.”

He continued, “Our properties are being opened to greater community use year-round. We have all kinds of groups go up there that really want to get out in the great outdoors from scouts to homeschool groups to church and yoga groups.”

, which was approved by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources in 2014. Still in the planning and design phase, the Aloha Council has secured a permit and completed an Environmental Assessment for improvements to the site, with plans to complete construction by 2028, Parsons said.

On-site amenities, such as the camp’s dining hall, commercial kitchen, swimming pool, chapel, amphitheater and hiking trails, will remain open once construction begins, he noted.

“When the architect met [with us], our parameters were that we wanted something that was going to fit into the conservation use of our property,” Parsons said. “We're trying to disturb the ground as little as possible, using natural woods, yet hardy material. 

We wanted people to be able to walk into these [cabins] with their boots on, so it’s durable, but still looks and feels nice.

“Maybe shabby chic would be a good description for it,” he said with a laugh.

The new cabins, designed to “maximize airflow and connect the interior directly to the natural surroundings,” will sleep a total of 125 overnight guests, the Aloha Council noted.

The cabin design was selected from an internal competition by G70, which sought to “protect tree roots and avoid ground disturbance through an elevated design,” while also featuring deep overhangs, sliding doors and screened openings for natural airflow and “a strong connection to place,” according to the Aloha Council.

Charles Kaneshiro, G70 chairman, told ASD in emailed responses to questions, “I am most proud that Scouting America wanted to push the envelope on what these cabins could be and embraced the idea a design competition to explore potential solutions. In the past, we had built very functional, low-cost cabins that served its purpose, but this new direction represents our aspirations to create a cabin design that is deeply rooted in place.”  

, Aloha Council board member and member the Aloha Council’s Properties Committee.

“My top priority as a board member is to promote scouting, support fundraising and lend my experience and knowledge to capital projects on our properties,” he said. “The Properties Committee is made up of volunteers from the construction industry including developers, architects, engineers and contractors. We regularly discuss, coordinate and implement projects at all Scouting America properties throughout the state.

When asked what skills as a scout he still uses today, Kaneshiro said, “Many!”

“The Scout law is ingrained in how I try to [be] …Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent. As for practical skills, I often use fire starting talents when grilling and knowing how to tie a taut-line hitch comes in very handy.”

Parsons added that funding for construction will come through a capital campaign launching later this year. “We expect this project to be in excess of $5 million, including all the infrastructure work.”

He noted that “there is still some [funds] coming” coming from previous capital campaigns across Aloha Council’s properties statewide, though monies are going toward “mainly finishing up existing projects.”

“We’ve already started discussions with some of our key donors over the years,” Parsons said. “Moving forward, it’ll be filling them in on a solid schedule and budget and showing the value for the scouts, their businesses, local communities, and how this can be something for generations to come. There will likely be naming rights provided for these buildings, as well.”

The Aloha Council has diversified its funding overall through registration fees, scout shop sales, fundraising, property rentals and more, to generate revenue, he said.

“We stretch every dollar and donation that comes to us,” Parsons said. “It means the world to us when someone does donate and we make sure we use it wisely.”

To learn more about or to support the Camp Pupukea project, 

[{"type":"text","text":"Ongoing construction at other camp sites and membership updates"}]

Parsons oversees a team of 20 staff members and thousands of volunteers, managing a multimillion-dollar operating budget and 500 acres of camp properties statewide.

“Weʻre building about a $2.5 million dining hall at 

 [on Maui] and replacing five bunkhouse cabins there, and an office and medical lodge,” Parsons said.

Trading Post pavilion is being built, thanks to a state grant-in-aid received in 2022, he said, adding that on Hawaiʻi Island, the Aloha Council is currently working on a conservation district use permit and the master plan for Camp Honoka'ia.

When asked how membership is trending, Parsons said, "We

’re staying stable at about 4,000 scouts. There’s a lot of activities out there for youth to be apart of, so making sure we’re providing a great experience is what we’re focused on ... ensuring that our camps and properties are high-quality, high-adventure places people want to go see."

"One of the biggest spikes we’ve seen is girls participating in the program," he continued. "This started in 2019 and now 20% of our membership is female. Seeing that type of enthusiasm for the program is amazing. I think it has really opened up a lot of opportunities for us, and down the road, it’ll create even more opportunity for family camping.

Scouting America, Aloha Council will host its annual 

 on Thursday, Oct. 30, at the Sheraton Waikīkī. This year’s fundraiser with honor Hawai‘i Community Foundation. Individual tickets are available for purchase, with proceeds directly supporting the Aloha Council’s programs serving more than 3,500 youth across Hawaiʻi, Guam and American Samoa. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Aloha Council’s Camp Pupukea rendering

<title>North Shore Scout camp reenvisioned for community use</title>

The planned improvements to Camp Pupukea aim to serve scouts, business and nonprofit organizations and community groups, as well as those seeking refuge during natural disasters, per Scouting America, Aloha Council.

North Shore Scout camp reenvisioned for community use

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

[{"type":"text","text":"Peter Manuma has waited his entire football career for a senior year. "}]

COVID-19 wiped out what was meant to be his senior year of high school football at Campbell. The HHSAA did not hold any championships for any sport in the 2020-2021 academic year. The Sabers, led by Manuma, star receiver Titus Mokiao-Atimalala and quarterback Blaine Hipa, were poised to make a run at the state title, something the proud program from ‘Ewa Beach has still yet to accomplish despite the 

For Manuma and countless other athletes across the state, the pain of never knowing far outweighed the pain of if they were able to let the season play out and lose. 

"If we were able to play, I think we would have been one of the best in the state," Manuma recalled to Aloha State Daily. "I mean, there's only so much we could say, but we just hoped that we could have got that year back, but we couldn't. So, it is what it is."

Manuma was the first 2021 recruit to commit to the University of Hawai‘i's recruiting class, choosing the Rainbow Warriors over another scholarship offer from Central Michigan. Because the 2020 season did not count against anyone's eligibility, a logjam was created in the team's roster. Manuma was asked to grayshirt, delaying his enrollment until the spring of 2022. 

With a full semester off between high school and college, Manuma spent his days working at a KFC in his hometown of ‘Ewa Beach. When he was off the clock, he was consistently working out in preparation for college football. 

"Fresh out of high school, I just worked out, staying in shape and whatnot, and I was working at KFC at the time. I was working over there, just getting money, training when I had time," Manuma recalled. "I ate a lot (of KFC). Chicken is one of my favorite things to eat, so I was grateful for it. It was really good."

When Manuma arrived in Mānoa, he more than made up for lost time. He saw immediate playing time at safety in 2022, becoming one of the few bright spots for a team that went 3-10. The then-freshman stuffed the stat sheet with 70 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, four pass breakups and three tackles for loss, including a sack. Manuma followed that up with a team-high 87 tackles in 2023, starting all 13 games. 

Although he was limited to nine games in 2024, Manuma was already a proven commodity in the college football world. His hard-hitting style and free-flowing hair was the envy of countless Power Four programs. Following the season, a multitude of programs toted six-figure offers to Manuma, although he never publicly announced his intention to leave the program. 

"There's people that supposedly are agents or whatever, and they try to text you," Manuma explained. "I don't know how the agent world works, I guess somebody hits them up to try to hit me up. So I mean, I just get texts that they want me to come to their school for this or that. For me, it's all about family and loyalty. It wouldn't have been easy for me to just up and leave just for a paycheck or whatever they're trying to offer."

Count UH safeties coach Nick Locher as one of those relived when Manuma announced he was coming back in 2025. 

"I think it says a lot about Pete and his character and how strongly he feels about representing the state of Hawai‘i, and how much he cares about this program, this team and this state," Locher said. "Not only has he decided to come back and play for us, but Pete's a guy who does everything right. He's always one of the first ones in every drill. He sets the standard for how we want to practice, how we want to study, how we want to conduct ourselves as a room. 

"It was a big relief for me when he announced that he was going to come back and stay home, and that hasn't led to him having any complacency. He's trying to get better every single day. I think he's on the path to have another really great year for us."

Family has continued to be a core tenet in Manuma's life. He lost his mother, Kuinileti, to breast cancer in 2022. Following the 2024 season, he married his wife, Relina. Last month, just days prior to training camp, the couple welcomed their first child. 

"Shout out to my wife. She barely sleeps. I try to let her sleep when she can, and she lets me sleep throughout the night so I'm rested for the next day at practice," Manuma said. "I try to go home after practice and meetings and just watch baby so she can rest. We have kind of a routine or a schedule that we try to run on. But babies are unpredictable, and sometimes I need her help, sometimes she needs my help. It's really good that we have each other and Baby. Baby is really good. We love her."

On Tuesday, Manuma was announced as one of UH's two team captains for the 2025 season, along with starting left guard Zhen Sotelo. Kickoff for the 2025 season is steadily approaching, with Hawai‘i hosting Stanford on Saturday at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex on Saturday. 

"That first game is coming real close. You can feel it all around here in this facility," Manuma said. "Everybody means business.

"It's super exciting to finally have a senior year to cap things off. With COVID my senior year (of high school), I feel like we missed out. We missed out on some things, but I'm just grateful that I get a senior year this year."

Peter Manuma 082025

<title>Peter Manuma planning to solidify legacy heading into senior season</title>

UH's star safety turned down six-figure offers from other schools in order to return to the Rainbow Warriors this fall.

Peter Manuma planning to solidify legacy heading into senior season

Lopaka and Tanya Kapanui

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya Kapanui

Hawaii History

Columnists

Behind an ornate iron gate, adorned with gilded crowns and seals, lies Mauna ʻAla, the Royal Mausoleum of Hawaiʻi. It is the final resting place of kings, queens, princes, and princesses who once shaped the destiny of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

Today, a weathered, old kamani tree stands as a guard just behind the gates, branches reaching low across the driveway, seeming to hold back unwanted visitors. The manicured lawns roll gently across the grounds, tended with care to preserve both their beauty and gravity. The sound of birdsong and the scent of flowers invoke a sense of calm and dignity.

But beneath the tranquility, the ‘āina, the land, whispers stories upon the breeze. These are tales of sacred duty, moonlit processions, and a people’s most profound respect for their ali‘i.

In the Hawaiian tradition, the iwi, the bones, of aliʻi were not merely human remains; they were vessels of mana, carrying one’s spiritual essence and power. To ensure that one’s enemies could not dishonor or desecrate one’s bones, or use the iwi for their own power, the highest priority lay in safeguarding them once the ali‘i has passed. Only a few people were chosen to carefully conceal the bones of an ali‘i, an action that was veiled in secrecy and strict protocol. This tradition continued even up to the death of King Kamehameha I.

After his death in 1819, his iwi were hidden in a secret location to protect his immense mana from falling into the wrong hands. According to oral tradition, the two brothers entrusted with this sacred responsibility were Ho‘olulu and Ulumaheihei, also known as Hoapili. Both were among Kamehameha’s closest advisors and companions, chosen because of their loyalty and courage. They carried out the secret ritual of concealing his bones, and the location of his final resting place remains one of the most closely guarded mysteries in Hawaiian history.

After Kamehameha’s death, the remains of Hawaii’s subsequent ali‘i rested at Pohukaina, a sacred royal burial site, off-limits to most people, on the grounds of ʻIolani Palace. By the mid-1800s, however, Pohukaina was becoming overcrowded. Western-style coffins took up more space than the traditional burials of earlier times. King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma envisioned a new resting place that would be both secure and fitting for the dignity of their ali‘i status. They chose a site in lush Nuʻuanu Valley, where cool mountain breezes and the sound of flowing water created a serene sanctuary. This place would be named Mauna ‘Ala.

In October 1865, the remains of 21 Ali‘i were transferred in a midnight ceremony from Pohukaina to Mauna ‘Ala. The quiet procession, lit by flickering kukui torches that cast long shadows, was flanked by the Royal Guard and led by kahu who knew the proper chants and prayers. Thousands of people accompanied the movement of their ali‘i as the silent march wound its way through the streets of Honolulu up into Nuʻuanu Valley. At the front walked King Kamehameha V himself, accompanied by his father, Governor Mataio Kekūanāoʻa, guiding the solemn parade on foot through the darkened streets.

When they reached Mauna ʻAla, the new mausoleum stood ready to accept its dignified occupants. As the caskets were placed inside, the torches were extinguished one by one until the valley was once again wrapped in darkness.

Mauna ‘Ala has a reverence about it. Whether you’re there day or night, there’s a constant haunting presence that is palpable.

Former Kahu of Mauna ‘Ala, William Kaihe‘ekai Maioho, affectionately called “Uncle Bill,” once told me that the kūpuna come out at night, and there were things he had to do to malama them. He never explained what he had to do. He never really said much more than that, but his smile shared volumes.

There’s a heaviness there that, if you’re open to it, will leave you in tears. But we don’t tell ghost stories here. There is no need because the place and the chicken skin you feel will tell you all you need to know. Here, we share the mo‘olelo of the ‘āina, of each of the ali‘i who lie in eternal repose here, of the kuleana shouldered by the one chosen to be kahu, the keeper of Mauna ‘Ala.

The kuleana of guarding ali‘i iwi did not end with the brothers Ho‘olulu and Hoapili. There have been keepers of Mauna ‘Ala since its inception. Up until 2024, the Kaihe‘ekai ‘ohana, lineal descendants of High Chief Ho‘olulu, have continued this sacred duty, serving as caretakers of Hawaii’s ali‘i. For seven generations, the Ho‘olulu family has preserved this tradition, ensuring that the resting places of Hawaii’s ali‘i remain protected, dignified, and treated with the reverence their mana deserves.

The stories of our ali‘i are never told with fear, but with reverence. For Hawaiians, the presence of the aliʻi is not something of which to be frightened. It is a reminder of the responsibility they carried, the sacrifices they made, and the enduring connection between the land, the people, and their leaders.

Mauna ʻAla is not just a cemetery. It is a place where history lives in stone and shadow, in lei placed gently at the tombs, in the quiet conversations between visitors and the spirits they honor. Descendants of the aliʻi still come to pay respects. Cultural practitioners visit to chant and offer hoʻokupu, gifts of lei, mele, or hula.

[{"type":"text","text":"The air here is different, thick with the weight of memory."}]

The name Mauna ʻAla means “Fragrant Hill,” and perhaps that is fitting. For though time and politics have changed the islands, the fragrance of respect, tradition, and aloha for our aliʻi still lingers here. If you come in the daytime, you’ll realize that chicken skin, those goosebumps that run up your back, are not caused by the wind.

And perhaps, if you find yourself walking past its gates on a moonlit night, you’ll remember that torchlit procession of long ago—the one that carried Hawaii’s rulers to their final home. The flames may be gone, but their light has never truly gone out.

Mauna ‘Ala is now managed by the State of Hawai‘i as a state monument. For information on visiting, click 

Mauna Ala Royal Mausoleum Large

<title>Ali‘i are ever-present at Mauna ‘Ala</title>

In October 1865, a solemn procession of ali‘i moved 21 sets of royal remains from the grounds of ‘Iolani Palace to a then-new final resting place in Nu‘uanu Valley, Mauna ‘Ala, the Royal Mausoleum.

Ali‘i are ever-present at Mauna ‘Ala

Atmos Rewards, the new joint loyalty program offered by Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, takes flight today.

As of Aug. 20, Alaska Mileage Plan members are now Atmos Reward members. They'll retain their existing account numbers with no interruption to their benefits, a Wednesday announcement from the airlines notes.

HawaiianMiles members and their miles will transition into Atmos Rewards 

. If you don’t link your HawaiianMiles account to a Mileage Plan account, you’ll receive a new account number.

Miles will be converted 1-for-1 into Atmos Rewards Points and will hold the same value in the new program, Alisa Onishi, managing director of Hawai‘i marketing for Hawaiian Airlines, told Aloha State Daily ahead of Wednesday's announcement. No one will lose any miles.

"My only concern would be that people might feel like they have to do something right now and really they don't," Onishi said when asked about any concerns the airline might have about the rollout. "Our HawaiianMiles program will transition, again, on Oct. 1, and again, if you only have a HawaiianMiles account and you don't do anything, you don't touch your account until Oct. 1, it's just going to seamlessly transition into Atmos Rewards."

While the new program offers some new benefits for HawaiianMiles members, Onishi says there are some changes to be aware of.

For instance, HawaiianMiles member will be able to redeem miles for first-class and business-class upgrades on Hawaiian Airlines-operated flights through Sept. 25, another airline spokesperson told ASD in a follow-up email, but noted that first-class upgrades using points won't be available in Atmos Rewards.

Elite members, though — Pualani Platinum is equivalent to Atmos Titanium, Platinum or Gold, and Pualani Gold is equivalent to Atmos Silver — are eligible for unlimited complimentary first-class upgrades on Alaska Airlines and American Airlines flights starting Oct. 1 and on domestic Hawaiian flights next spring, the spokesperson noted.

All elite members are eligible for complimentary first-class upgrades on all Neighbor Island flights. And all members can redeem points for a first-class ticket or pay for an upgrade.

According to the spokesperson, there are roughly 2.1 million active HawaiianMiles members who have earned or redeemed miles within the last 18 months.

[{"type":"text","text":"Here are a few more things you should know about the new program:"}]

— One Mileage Plan or HawaiianMiles mile is equal to one Atmos Rewards point. The value of points doesn’t change and they don’t expire. You can still redeem points for travel on Alaska, Hawaiian and their global partners. Elite-qualifying miles are now "status points."

— Starting in 2026, members can choose how to earn points: by distance traveled, earning one point for every mile flown; by the price paid, earning five points for every $1 spent when buying a flight, including airfare and upgrades purchased in premium cabins; or by segments flown, earning a flat 500 points for each flight segment flown. You can change your preference once a year. Points can be redeemed for travel to more than 1,000 destinations on both Alaska and Hawaiian — and 30-plus global airline partners, the announcement noted.

— Have an airline credit card? Alaska Airlines Visa cards are being rebranded as Atmos Rewards Visa cards, but account numbers and benefits remain the same. There's no action for you to take. The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard, however, will keep its name and the benefits will remain the same. There's no action for these cardholders to take, either.

A new premium credit card also will be available, the Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite card. Earn one status point for ever $2 spent but note that there’s an annual fee of $395. 

Alaska Air Group, Inc. and Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. 

 that Alaska Airlines would acquire Hawaiian Airlines in a deal that was valued at approximately $1.9 billion, including $900 million of Hawaiian’s net debt, according to an announcement at that time. The acquisition was 

The distinct Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines brands will be maintained but it was previously announced that the loyalty programs from both will be combined into a singular program.

 of Hawaiian Airlines in September following its combination with Alaska Air Group.

ASD sat down with Sprague earlier this year to talk about the merger and future plans. You can 

Alaska Air Group last month announced a Honolulu leadership team that will oversee Hawaiian and Alaksa's combined operations in Hawai‘i once the carriers receive a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration. Read 

Atmos Rewards lockup ASHA presskit 02 Atmos Rewards ASHA spbl Alt 01

<title>Alaska,  Hawaiian airlines launch joint loyalty program</title>

As of Aug. 20, Alaska Mileage Plan members are Atmos Rewards members while HawaiianMiles members and their miles will transition into the new loyalty program on Oct. 1

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