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John Pritchett

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Super green

<title>Pritchett Cartoon: Supergreen!</title>

Pritchett Cartoon: Supergreen!

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Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

A new lounge is lifting off at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.

Hawaiian Airlines has started construction of its new, nearly 13,000-square-foot premium lounge, which will be located at the entrance of the airport's Mauka Concourse. The milestone was recently marked with a blessing ceremony.

"Our guests are increasingly looking for premium experiences throughout their journey, from the airport to our cabins, and across our network," Hawaiian Airlines spokesperson Alex Da Silva told Aloha State Daily in an email. "Our new Honolulu lounge will offer a relaxing and memorable experience that feels distinctly Hawaiian Airlines. It’s also part of our ongoing investments in lounges at our hubs in Seattle, Portland and San Diego so our guests can enjoy an elevated, premium pre-flight experience wherever their travels take them."

, the new lounge — set to open in the first half of 2028 — will welcome about 200 guests and offer an "elevated standard of preflight comfort."

Here, the airline says, travelers will find locally inspired food and beverages, a signature local coffee experience, a full-service bar with handcrafted cocktails, private workspaces and gathering areas, artwork and installations celebrating Hawai‘i artists and more.

"It will expand the company's existing HNL portfolio, which currently includes the Plumeria Lounge and six Premier Clubs across the Islands," the airline says. "The new lounge also complements Hawaiian's recently unveiled premium Leihōkū experience."

The lounge is part of Hawaiian's $600 million Kahu‘ewai Hawai‘i Investment Plan, announced 

. The plan also includes upgrades to Hawaiian's airport lobbies and gates across the Islands, a premium interior retrofit of its Airbus A330 fleet, technology improvements for travelers and exclusive deals for residents who are enrolled in Huaka‘i by Hawaiian, along with other sustainability and community investments, the airline said in the announcement.

Da Silva, however, says that that airline is not disclosing the cost of individual investments.

"The Honolulu lounge, along with the retrofit of our Airbus A330s and renovations to our airport lobbies and gate areas statewide, all represent significant investments within the broader Kahu‘ewai plan," he says.

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 

 to invest in the premium travel experience for both the Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines brands.

For Hawaiian, that means new interiors for its A330 widebody aircraft, a fleet of 24 that serves destinations in Asia, Oceania and select North America routes, an announcement from the airline noted at that time. That work begins in 2028 and includes 22 Leihōkū Suites for travelers on international business class and domestic first-class flights, ASD reported then. You can read more about Leihōkū 

As for the new lounge, Da Silva says Hawaiian doesn't anticipate any impact to the lobby flow during construction.

"The work area will eventually be enclosed so construction can take place out of view, and we look forward to unveiling the finished lounge when it's ready to welcome guests," he told ASD.

 of Hawaiian in September 2025 and stepped into the role on Oct. 29, 2025. ASD recently caught up Birkett Rakow to discuss the challenges and changes during her first year in the role. You can read that 

Hawaiian airlines lounge blessing 1026

<title>Hawaiian Airlines begins construction on new Honolulu lounge</title>

Located at the entrance to the Mauka Concourse at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, the nearly 13,000-square-foot lounge is expected to open in the first half of 2028.

Hawaiian Airlines begins construction on new Honolulu lounge

The people have voted and these local distilleries, tasting rooms and speakeasies are among the best in the nation, according to USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards.

The awards aim to rank the 10 best in several areas of travel, lifestyle and other categories.

 Tasting Room ranked No. 3 on the list of 

, joining others from Tennessee, Vermont, Maryland, Ohio, Utah, Oregon, Michigan, Nevada and Colorado.

"On the island of Kauaʻi, Kōloa embraces its history stemming from the old plantation days by recreating this timeless ambience for its tasting room," the list reads. "Open Monday through Saturday for scheduled tastings, visitors can try their variety of single-batch, premium Hawaiian rums neat or in craft cocktails. They also present rum cakes and rum fudge sauce for a unique culinary souvenir."

We are excited to be recognized by USA Today 10Best as one of the top tasting rooms in the nation! We take so much pride in our ‘ohana and in welcoming visitors from near and far to experience our delicious rums," the Kōloa Rum team said in a statement provided to Aloha State Daily. "Our newly improved tasting room is a place where we can share our craft, celebrate our island home and serve up the spirit of aloha to everyone who walks through our doors

[{"type":"text","text":"Here's who else made recent 10 Best lists:"}]

Koloa rum

<title>Hawai‘i distilleries, tasting rooms and speakeasies make new 10Best lists</title>

The USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards aim to rank the 10 best in several areas of travel, lifestyle and other categories. See where these Hawai‘i businesses landed.

Hawai‘i distilleries, tasting rooms and speakeasies make new 10Best lists

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

 on the second level of Waikīkī Beach Walk in July. This location recently launched a new happy hour that’s exclusive to Waikīkī Beach Walk.

Happy hour at Liliha Bakery’s Waikīkī Beach Walk restaurant is daily from 3 to 6 p.m. The menu features discounted dishes and 50% off beers and cocktails.

The eatery’s 16-ounce prime rib ($38.50, regular price $48.95) is a customer favorite. If you want surf and turf, go for the prime rib and lobster tail ($48.50, regular price $64.95).

The New York steak and shrimp ($35.95) is another popular option. It features a 10-ounce New York steak with four pieces of grilled shrimp. The restaurant’s 10-ounce New York steak ($29.50, regular price $37.95) is also available.

All entrees come with Liliha Bakery’s famous butter roll, rice, corn, and a choice of mixed green salad or potato-mac salad.

Diners can also enjoy 50% off beers and cocktails, including Asahi super dry ($3.50), Kona Brewing ($3.50), pina coladas ($8) and mai tais ($8).

Parking is available at Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikīkī Beach Walk. 

Liliha Bakery Beach Walk happy hour prime rib 101826

<title>Liliha Bakery's new happy hour includes prime rib</title>

The restaurant’s newest store at Waikīkī Beach Walk launched a happy hour menu that’s exclusive to this eatery. Enjoy discounts on dishes like prime rib and lobster tail, and New York steak and shrimp, along with 50% off select beers and cocktails.

Liliha Bakery's new happy hour includes prime rib

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

Aloha Spirit

Aloha State Daily rounded up a list of 26 New Year’s Eve events on Oʻahu so you can ring in 2026 in style. From live music presented by Hawaiʻi’s Finest at Wai Kai in ʻEwa Beach to three rooms of parties at Kapono’s at The Lounge in Hawaiʻi Kai, there are options to dance, sing, eat and drink as the new year — and you — slides into focus. ASD rounded up activities by neighborhood:

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Four Seasons Resort, Oʻahu at Ko Olina. 

Mina’s Fish House, Manalo Lounge and Noe are offering dining experiences for New Year’s Eve. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"ʻEWA BEACH"}]

Wai Kai x Hawaiʻi’s Finest (ʻEwa Beach). 

The party is open to all ages and includes live music and fireworks at midnight, as well as opportunities to sign up for night surfing. Hawaiʻi’s Finest will present entertainment on the surfside lawn, which will have free seating open to the public and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets for a VIP experience at The Lookout are also available for $100 per person. Check the website for the list of items not allowed at Wai Kai. 

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Start the party early at the Town Center of Mililani with the Noon Year’s Eve Pineapple Drop. The event features headliner 

, as well as haka and Tahitian dance performances, lion dances, and taiko drumming. Performances start at 10 a.m. and run until the pineapple drop at noon. Free. 

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Party with three DJs and two dance floors with a drag show that starts at 9 p.m. The event includes performances by Omnia Nova, Princess, Kelly Price, Apple Aday and Sardonyx Del Rey. Bottle service is available. Tables can also be reserved at 

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Live music, cocktails and tasty late night bites are part of this New Year’s Eve celebration. Riya Davis, a vocalist and saxophonist, will perform from 10:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. Tickets are $125 and include live music cover charge, snacks, party favors and a drink. 

“Dress to dazzle” and celebrate with the Gatsby New Year’s Eve Gala

. Tickets include live music and DJ sets and a champagne toast. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There is also a Whiskey VIP Room experience available for up to 12 people. Tickets start at $71.21. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"ALA MOANA"}]

Minutes from Waikīkī, The District is presenting Silver and Stars NYE 2026. The dress code is “New Year’s Eve festive.” There will be DJs, a 36-foot LED video wall, lasers and CO2 cryo cannons. Tickets start at $40 for general admission, which includes drink tickets, and $70 for VIP admission, which includes drink tickets, champagne welcome drinks, snacks, and party favors, plus an exclusive champagne room with a dedicated DJ. The event starts at 8 p.m. and runs until 4 a.m. 

Bad Decisions Ball features special guest DJ Hector Fonseca. There will be a champagne toast at midnight. The guest list is free until 10:30 p.m. The event runs from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. 

Celebrate Bye Bye 25 at Swell Restaurant and Pool Bar with beats by DJ Compose and DJ Mau and a ball drop illuminated on the Beachside Tower. Individual entry, which includes a signature welcome cocktail and a champagne toast at midnight is $40, if purchased in advance, and $50 at the door. A private luxury cabana for eight people, which includes bottle service with Grey Goose Vodka and Devant Brut Champagne along with charcuterie boards and New Years Eve swag and complimentary self-parking for one vehicle, is $750. 

The Honolulu New Year’s Eve Bar Crawl 2026, hosted by the national group 

, offers a digital map to spots across town, a celebratory champagne toast, beats from live DJs, drink specials and free entry to participating bars. Check-in runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and there will be an exclusive after-party event. Tickets are $30.65, if purchased in advance, with group discounts for parties of four or more. 

 This event, called “Fiesta into 2026” offers margaritas, tacos, fireworks and a rooftop celebration. Early dinner service, a NYE happy hour and VIP tables and bottle service are available. The live DJ starts at 7 p.m. Presale tickets at $40. Fast passes are $90. 

Cruise for fireworks (ocean views of Waikīkī). 

Star of Honolulu, a sunset dinner cruise, serves up views of Waikīkī timed to include the fireworks show. There will also be light pūpūs, party favors and a midnight toast. 

 Some other groups offering New Year’s Eve experiences on the water include the 

 catamarans (tours depart from Kewalo Basin or Waikīkī) and 

Halekūlani on the Beach at Waikīkī (Waikīkī).

 Say goodbye to 2025 and hello to 2026 with a chic afternoon at The Veranda, a rosé and caviar lounge. Book the 

 ($155 per ticket). There will also be a 

New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner at Orchids/La Mer

Make reservations for New Year’s Eve meals at Grand Lānai restaurants at International Market Place, including Crackin’ Kitchen, Eating House 1949, Herringbone, Moani Waikīkī Island Bistro & Bar, Shorefyre, Skybox Taphouse and Stripsteak Waikīkī. 

Shorefyre's Fire by Night Gatsby Party (International Market Place, Waikīkī). 

Dance the night away with DJ Al Grande, DJ Caldee and DJ Deuxces in this Gatsby-themed event which starts at 9 p.m., after regular dinner service. Festive 1920s attire recommended but not required. VIP service is available. 

Skybox Taphouse (International Market Place, Waikīkī). 

Sing in the New Year at this spot, which is hosting a karaoke party. Pizza and cocktails are available. 

Enjoy a rooftop experience at the “High Resolution – New Year, New Heights” party with skyline views, DJs and a coundtown until midnight at Sky Waikīkī. The music will be provided by DJ Compose and DJ Jem. Dress to impress. Attendees must be at least 21 years old. Tickets start at $60. 

NYE Paradise Bloom is a rooftop party, presented by House of Art Entertainment, with immersive decor, live performances and a complimentary glass of welcome champagne, plus a midnight toast. The event will include a live jazz band, acrobatic performances, DJs, live fire shows, and more. 

The Laylow Waikīkī, Autograph Collection (Waikīkī). 

DJ J.Esco will provide the music for Drip: A New Year’s Eve Celebration. Dress code is “dressed to impress.” General admission tickets, which includes party favors, appetizers from 10 p.m. to midnight and a champange toast at midnight are $85 pre-sale or $105 at the door. VIP tables, which include bottle service, reserved areas and a charcuterie board, start at $800. 

The Royal Hawaiian Resort, Waikīkī (Waikīkī). 

Celebrate fresh starts with a five-course dinner at Azure at The Royal Hawaiian Resort, Waikīkī.

Seatings begin at 6 p.m. or 8:15 p.m. ($275+. Wine pairings are $75+). There is also a New Year’s Eve lūʻau dinner show, which includes a three-course meal ($397+ for adults with tiered pricing for keiki). The resort will also host “Dreaming in Pink” with live DJ entertainment, handcrafted cocktails, oceanfront fireworks and views of Diamond Head on the lawn and in the nearby Monarch Room ($100 for adults and $50 for keiki). 

Enjoy a DJ and dancing, party favors, a midnight toast and views of the stars and fireworks from this spot with ocean views. Attendees must be at least 21 years old. Buy tickets for just the party, a four-course NYE dinner with entrance to the party, or a VIP package. 

Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach (Waikīkī). 

Glitter & Good Cheer is the focus of this party at Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikīkī Beach. The event will also be a celebration of the resort’s 125th birthday. The party will host three different NYE experiences: Cabana Suite, VIP Terrace, and Diamond & Pearls Party. The Cabana Suite includes an oceanfront celebration with access to a decorated pool deck from 8:30 p.m. to midnight. It includes premium pūpū platters, two bottles of Devant Brut Champagne (NV and Rosé), DJ entertainment and complimentary parking for up to six guests. The VIP Terrace includes a private lounge with bottle service tables and premium pūpū platters, plus two bottles (Taittinger Brut Champagne and Pau Vodka), DJ entertainment, and complimentary parking for up to six guests. The Diamonds & Pearls Party on the Diamond Lawn includes a gourmet dinner buffet, a no-host bar, a photo booth, tarot card reading, adult face painting and a champagne toast at midnight. 

Hawaiian Council is presenting this event featuring comedian Pashyn Santos, along with hula and mele from Nā Lei Aloha at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa. The evening starts at 9:30 p.m. with a DJ set. Performances, including stand-up comedy from Santos, fire knife dancing, mele and hula. There will be fireworks and a champagne toast. Attendees must be at least 21 years old. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"MCCULLY-MOIʻILIʻILI"}]

This dance school is celebrating the new year Vegas style! There will be tango, casino games, champagne and “nonstop sparkle,” according to event organizers. Activities start with a dance class, Tango 101 for Beginners, at 8:30 p.m. and then from 9:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. there is a tango dance party with traditional and new music. There will also be a casino games room with roulette, craps, poker and blackjack. Tickets are $60, if purchased early, and $75 at the door. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"KĀHALA"}]

The Kāhala Hotel & Resort (Kāhala). The Dom Pérignon New Years Eve Celebration includes fire knife dancing and a drone show. Tickets include access to premium poolside views of activities, plus live music and a Dom Pérignon champagne toast. The event runs from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Dress code is resort casual. Guests must be at least 21 years old. Tickets are $105.63. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"HAWAI’I KAI"}]

Kapono’s at The Lounge: New Year’s Eve on the Marina (Hawaiʻi Kai). 

, who has won more than 20 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, recently partnered with the Henry Kapono Foundation and The Lounge at Island Sound Studios on 

, which will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, starting Jan. 9. Kapono’s at the Lounge includes three performance spaces —The Lounge, The Velvet Monkey and Studio B — and will host debut performances featuring Kapono, Tavana and Ambrose

 in each of the spaces on New Year’s Eve. VIP passes are available for partygoers who wish to move between the spaces from 10:30 p.m. until midnight.

Atlantis Cruises

<title>26 places to party for 2026: New Year’s Eve on O’ahu</title>

Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou! Happy New Year! Looking to ring in 2026 on Oʻahu? Here are 26 events, listed by neighborhood, happening between ʻEwa Beach and Hawaiʻi Kai.

Pritchett Cartoon: Supergreen!

John Pritchett

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Pritchett Cartoon: Supergreen!

Authors

John Pritchett

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