Haley Lehman
Decisions made by city and county councilmembers impact the quality of the roads you drive on, how your neighborhood is zoned, what your property taxes cost, how easy it is to obtain a driver’s license, and more. While Aloha State Daily is based in Honolulu, I’ll cover the four counties and their governments statewide. I aim to hold civic leaders accountable for their actions and keep readers informed on the impacts to their daily lives.
I grew up in Virginia and received a bachelor’s degree from James Madison University. I got my start in journalism covering everything from crime and court to the state Legislature at the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner in Alaska. My time at the News-Miner taught me that local journalism is all about people: telling their stories and reporting news most relevant to them.
As a newcomer to the Islands, I am looking forward to getting to know the Rainbow State and its residents.
Haley Lehman can be reached at Haley@alohastatedaily.com.
Latest from Haley Lehman
Nurse, educator honored for life-saving work
The City and County of Honolulu named Oct. 20 Pamela Foster Day in honor of the head of AED Institute of America Inc., which has distributed more than 10,000 automated external defibrillators, or AED, in Hawaiʻi.
Haley LehmanOctober 28, 2026
Daniel Volpe selected as next Hawaiʻi Fire Department chief
Daniel Volpe has lived on Hawaiʻi Island for 23 years and has served in the department for 21 years, most recently as the interim fire chief.
Haley LehmanOctober 24, 2026
From driver to the driver’s seat: Brandi Saragosa reflects on her journey to CEO of Maui Food Bank
After seven years at Maui Food Bank, Brandi Saragosa stepped into the role as Chief Executive Officer in July. Aloha State Daily sat down with Saragosa to learn about the lessons she’s learned and her goals for Maui Food Bank’s future.
Haley LehmanOctober 23, 2026
Sunset Beach surf family sues over pedestrian-vehicle collision
A lawsuit filed by the Briley family alleges that the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaiʻi knew about an unsafe parking area on the North Shore and failed to do anything about it. In 2025, 20-year-old Dakota Briley was hit by a car and sustained serious injuries.
Haley LehmanOctober 21, 2026
Maui County seeks volunteers for boards and commissions
The County of Maui is looking for applicants to fill vacancies on 30 boards and commissions.
Haley LehmanOctober 20, 2026
Nakasato, Bode sworn in as HPD deputy chiefs
Brandon Nakasato, who oversees field operations, and Parker Bode, who oversees administrative operations, were sworn in as deputy chiefs of Honolulu Police Department Friday morning at Honolulu Hale.
Haley LehmanOctober 17, 2026
Hawaiʻi County to buy Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach Park
Hawaiʻi County announced plans to purchase the Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park six weeks after the County lost access to the land in August.
Haley LehmanOctober 15, 2026
New EMS station aims to lower ambulance response times, increase medical coverage in Kaimukī
The City and County of Honolulu Emergency Medical Services Department opened a new EMS station in Kaimukī this month and hosted a blessing ceremony Tuesday afternoon.
Haley LehmanOctober 14, 2026
ʻDisaster doesn't discriminate': Emergency food distributions increase due to storms
Food banks across the Islands significantly grew distributions in the wake of Hurricane Lala, Hurricane Lowell, Tropical Storm Moke and Hurricane Nolo over past months. Aloha State Daily talks with local food banks and community-led organizations seeking solutions for food insecurity in the future with the help of statewide government agencies, local farmers and producers, and volunteers.
Haley LehmanOctober 05, 2026
City compost program grows islandwide
Thousands of Oʻahu residents can now put food waste in their green compost carts, thanks to The City and County of Honolulu's expanded its GROW program.
Haley LehmanOctober 01, 2026
'Archives change lives': Archives Month kicks off this week
The Hawaiʻi State Archive kicks off American Archives Month on Thursday with a five-week long virtual program about Waikīkī. Aloha State Daily sat down with State Archivist Adam Jansen to learn more.
Haley LehmanSeptember 29, 2026
Punahou School senior earns Congressional Award Gold Medal
Jessica Lee, a senior at Punahou, was awarded the highest honor presented to young people by the U.S. Congress in August for her achievement in voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness and leadership.
Haley LehmanSeptember 26, 2026
UPDATED: Chinatown Cultural Plaza to be razed, redeveloped
The center, owned by the Taiwan government, will be demolished and redeveloped after a years-long push by the City and County of Honolulu to improve the site. Over the past 50 years, Chinatown Cultural Plaza has “carried forward our unique cultural traditions and preserved the shared memories of Honolulu,” said the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Honolulu. Its tenants received end of lease termination notices and must vacate the premises by the end of March 2027.
Haley LehmanSeptember 25, 2026
20 questions: Oʻahu voters to decide on updating the City’s charter in November
City and County of Honolulu voters will vote on 20 questions proposed to amend the city’s governing document in the November general election. Here’s a look at what’s on the ballot and how the process works.
Haley LehmanSeptember 24, 2026
Hawaiʻi County to select new fire chief this week
The Hawaiʻi County Fire Commission will hold public meetings on Thursday and Friday to interview six candidates for fire chief, succeeding Fire Chief Kazuo S.K.L. Todd, 45, who died in December 2025.
Haley LehmanSeptember 23, 2026
Joshlyn Sand retires as Honolulu Botanical Gardens director
After 36 years with the Honolulu Botanical Gardens, Sand will retire at the end of the month.
Haley LehmanSeptember 22, 2026
Pacific Fashion Week unites Islanders through culture and design
Pacific Fashion Week brought designers and creatives to Waikīkī at Kaimama Beach Hotel on Friday to discuss challenges in the industry, priorities for the future and what authenticity looks like in their art.
Haley LehmanSeptember 19, 2026
Hawaiʻi Supreme Court affirms decision to re-do House District 43 primary
Kanani Souza and Sheila Medeiros will remain on the general election ballot in November under a section labeled “Republican Party Voters Only” in House District 43, while the Senate District 20 tiebreaker result will remain in place.
Haley LehmanSeptember 18, 2026
Honolulu Hiking Club founder combines recreation with respect and community
Shilo Garner founded Honolulu Hiking Club in 2024 to build community among outdoor recreationists. Today, he wants hikers to take home a sense of pride and responsibility for the beauty of Hawaiʻi.
Haley LehmanSeptember 17, 2026
Cultural nonprofit spearheads bill to 'huli the system'
Stewards of the Kūʻīlioloa Heiau in Waiʻanae successfully advocated for Bill 31 to establish a framework for stewarding cultural sites around the island.
Haley LehmanSeptember 16, 2026
Bill passed by City Council would allow farmers markets in underutilized parks
The Honolulu City Council passed a bill on Wednesday that would allow the Department of Parks and Recreation to permit nonprofit organizations to host farmers markets and food distribution events in underutilized public parks.
Haley LehmanSeptember 15, 2026