Kelli Shiroma Braiotta
“Where should I go to eat?” Is a question I get a lot — whether it’s in person or via Instagram, from both friends and acquaintances via social media. I’m excited to share my findings and adventures with our community — not necessarily to tell them where to eat, but to give an accurate representation of what’s available out there. I love covering the new restaurants and new, local businesses popping up. Limited-time offerings (holiday cocktail bars, weekend pop-ups, etc.) are also exciting because sometimes they’re the result of fun collabs between local businesses.
I received my bachelor’s degree from Biola University, as well as my master’s degree in journalism at the University of Southern California. I was the associate editor of Frolic Hawaii from 2017 to 2021 under Honolulu Magazine, and then worked most recently as the dining editor of Crave with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
My goal is for ASD’s dining section to be the premiere guide for the state. I’m excited to cover the food and dining scene, and to help our readers stay updated with all things food-related. It’ll be a fun, fresh start and I’m excited to be able to cover everything.
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
Latest from Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Seattle-based Piroshky Piroshky is popping up in Honolulu
The Eastern European bakery’s flagship location is in Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market. It’s bringing its popular pastries to Honolulu Beerworks on June 11 from 4 to 6 p.m. While this event is in June, customers can already place pre-orders.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 22, 2026

The Pig & The Lady launches a pay-what-you-can dinner experience
The Kaimukī eatery’s new Only Good Vibes program supports food accessibility and local nonprofit organizations.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 21, 2026

New taiyaki spot in Honolulu
Boba Bing! is one of the newest vendors inside Midtown Eats food hall. The business specializes in boba, bingsu and waffle desserts. Its version of taiyaki — a Japanese fish-shaped pastry — features a selection of sweet and savory fillings.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 20, 2026

Da Burger Wing Hub opens second location in Kapolei
The eatery, whose original location is in Wahiawā, just opened at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Oʻahu Kapolei. Its menu is mostly the same, with the addition of a few new appetizers. The eatery will be launching its weekend brunch menu soon.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 20, 2026

Where to celebrate Mother’s Day 2026 – part 2
From prix fixe menus and specials to limited-time desserts, we’ve got your Mother’s Day plans covered.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 18, 2026

Tonkatsu Tamafuji is now open in an expanded space
The popular tonkatsu spot just opened on the first floor of Hee Hing Plaza (downstairs from its former location). The new space features 1.5 times the amount of seating, with both counter and table seating available. Tonkatsu Tamafuji is only accepting walk-ins for the month of April.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 17, 2026

Everything you’ll find at the 22nd annual Waikīkī SPAM JAM Festival
The 2026 festival features more than 40 food and retail booths, a line-up of creative Spam dishes, limited-edition Spam slippers for sale from OluKai, and a Spam-themed drone show.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 16, 2026

MF Burger Shop is a new smashburger pop-up in Honolulu
The pop-up is around once a week and located next to Jugo Life in the Ala Moana neighborhood. Business owner Tommy Oh is striving to make a “good, simple” burger, which he pairs with beef tallow fries.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 16, 2026

Istanbul Hawaiʻi launches its spring menu
The Kakaʻako eatery’s new spring menu features lighter flavors and seasonal ingredients. Enjoy revamped dishes like hand-rolled pasta filled with Miyazaki A5 wagyu, chicken tagine with Kula orange and lemon blossom oil, and aged steak with zucchini sauce.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 15, 2026

Flair European Steakhouse is reopening in Kakaʻako
The eatery, which was temporarily closed for about two months, is reopening this week with a new chef and revamped menu.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 15, 2026

604 Clubhouse revamped its brunch buffet
The eatery launched its brunch buffet in February. Since then, it’s made a few changes, and now features the buffet on both Saturdays and Sundays.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 14, 2026

Ginza Bairin Tonkatsu has a new, late-night happy hour
The Waikīkī eatery recently launched a new late-night kushikatsu menu. Feast on fried katsu skewers ranging from pork tenderloin and chicken to shrimp and oyster.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 14, 2026

Rise and Grind Coffee Bar expands
The business started in 2021 as a coffee trailer. Since then, it’s expanded to a brick-and-mortar storefront in Kailua — and recently expanded its space to include a larger kitchen and additional seating.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 13, 2026

New Girl Dinner in downtown Honolulu
The Dotted Line just launched an elevated meal called Girl Dinner, which includes chicken nuggets with crème fraiche, salmon roe and chives; Caesar salad; truffle fries and a filthy martini.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 13, 2026

Where to celebrate Mother’s Day – part 1
Whether you’re planning to dine-in or takeout, we’ve got you covered.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 11, 2026

Sumida Farm launches collabs to celebrate watercress season
The farm's watercress season was delayed as a result of heavy rains from the Kona Low storms in March. Sumida Farm is celebrating the start of watercress season this month with a series of collaborations with other local businesses.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 10, 2026

Kooks Coffee opens second location in Kakaʻako
The business opened its first location about one year ago at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Now, you can find its blue coffee trailer on Cooke Street in Kakaʻako as well. Kooks Coffee offers signature lattes with names inspired by surf terms.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 09, 2026

Alan Wong’s Restaurant officially opens at The Kāhala Hotel & Resort
Alan Wong’s new restaurant opens today in Kāhala. The menu features iconic dishes from the former King Street eatery, including ginger-crusted onaga with miso sesame vinaigrette, the whole tomato salad with li hing mui ume dressing, and “The Coconut” dessert of haupia sorbet in a chocolate shell.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 08, 2026

La Birria opens new brick-and-mortar restaurant
The eatery — known for its birria tacos — is opening its second storefront today in Pearl Kai Shopping Center. Its birria-centric menu includes queso birria tacos, birria ramen, and spicy hell fire tacos that feature a ghost pepper blend.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 08, 2026

Chef Jason Peel is launching a new weekend omakase
The new omakase is located in the new event space above Diamond Head Market & Grill. It’s weekends only with limited seating. Customers can look forward to dishes like ama ebi on crispy sushi rice, Tristan lobster in escargot butter with mochi bread, kanpachi confit with cabbage and wagyu atop mushroom truffle rice.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 07, 2026

Brick Fire Tavern launches specials to support Kona Low storm victims
The Kaimukī eatery — which recently launched its spring menu — is donating 100% of the proceeds from two specials this month to help support those affected by the Kona Low storms. The proceeds from the eatery’s garlic tide pizza and Care Package cocktail will be donated to Chef Hui’s Kona Low flood relief fund.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 07, 2026

Tandoori Express is now open in Ala Moana Center
The eatery is located in the former space of Himalayan Kitchen. It specializes in Pakistani-North Indian cuisine, and serves up dishes that were popular at the now-closed Bombay Palace.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 06, 2026

Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice has dirty sodas
These customizable, non-alcoholic beverages feature a carbonated base and the business’s signature housemade syrups and creams.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 06, 2026

Limited-time menu for ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’
The movie started playing at all Consolidated Theatres locations starting April 1. Customers can enjoy a themed menu until April 12; exclusive Mario merchandise is also available while supplies last.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 03, 2026

Halekūlani’s French restaurant has a new grand tasting menu
La Mer, known for its Neo-Classic French cuisine served in a pristine setting, recently debuted a new menu degustation. The course menu only changes a few times a year; highlights from this version includes seared scallop with caviar, poached Maine lobster, and duck foie gras topped with cotton candy.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 03, 2026

Budget Bites: Foodland Farm Pearl City’s $6 eats
Each weekday features various $6 specials, including kalua pork burritos (Mondays), loaded nachos (Wednesdays), and kalua pork mini bowls, select sandwiches and mini bentos (Fridays).
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 02, 2026

Zephanie’s Pizza is bringing its taro crust pizzas to a second location
The business — which opened in October 2023 — is known for its Asian-Pacific inspired Neapolitan pizzas. It recently announced it will be opening a second location at Hukilau Marketplace at the Polynesian Cultural Center. While the business did not experience extreme damage from the Kona Low storms, its owners encourage the community to volunteer and help out the North Shore community.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 02, 2026

Inside look at the largest Chick-fil-A in Hawai‘i
The restaurant — located at Kapiʻolani Boulevard and Kalākaua Avenue — opens on April 2, with set hours from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays. Aloha State Daily got a preview of the new space at a media event, where we spoke with owner/operator Kurt Milne.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 02, 2026

Nori Bar Hawaiʻi opens Waikīkī location
The hand roll spot — whose original location is in Ward Village — just opened a second location on Kūhiō Avenue, in the former space of Ice Monster. This store is bigger than the Ward Village one, but features the same menu. Nori Bar Waikīkī will be open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 02, 2026

Noods Ramen Bar is offering a BOGO ramen deal
The eatery’s Kaimukī and Hawaiʻi Kai stores are offering a buy-one-get-one-free ramen deal this Saturday, April 4, in honor of National Ramen Day. The BOGO offer is valid for dine-in only.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 01, 2026

Memories of Mariposa
Aloha State Daily talks with several customers and former staff members about their favorite memories of the iconic Ala Moana Center eatery, as they prepare to say “A hui hou” to Neiman Marcus and Mariposa.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 31, 2026

You can win free sandwiches for a month at E.A.R.L. Hawaiʻi
All three E.A.R.L. Hawaiʻi stores will be giving away bronze, silver and golden tickets (nine tickets total). Prizes include gift cards, goodie bags, and — if you get the golden ticket — a one-month sandwich pass that’s eligible for one sandwich per day for the month of April.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 31, 2026

Largest Chick-fil-A in Hawai‘i to open April 2
The restaurant — located at Kapiʻolani Boulevard and Kalākaua Avenue — will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays for dine-in, takeout, catering and third-party delivery. Guests who show up dressed in cow print on opening day will receive a free entree or kid’s meal.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 31, 2026

New lunch buffet at Polynesian Cultural Center
Polynesian Cultural Center’s new Hukilau lunch buffet debuts March 30. It costs around $25 per adult and includes options like slow-roasted kalua pork, Huli Huli chicken, chef’s catch of the day, creamy ulu mash and unlimited Dole Whip.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 30, 2026

Where to celebrate Easter 2026 – part 2
Hop to it — the holiday is coming up next weekend. Here are 21 options to consider.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 27, 2026

House of Sakura pop-up opens in Honolulu
This spring pop-up at Prince Waikīkī opens today. It will be open from 5 to 10 p.m. Thursdays to Sundays until May 31. Attendees can look forward to curated cocktails, premium sakes and shareable dishes in an aesthetic setting.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 26, 2026

Budget Bites: Zippy’s $10.99 Korean fried chicken and chili plate
The eatery’s popular Korean fried chicken and chili mixed plate will be discounted from March 30 to May 5. Limit five per person; this offer is available while supplies last.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 25, 2026

New taco carousels in Hawaiʻi Kai
Family-owned and -operated business Clau and Chui’s Cocina specializes in authentic Mexican food. The husband-and-wife team recently added new dishes to the menu, including a taco carousel and taco salad.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 24, 2026

Jamba Hawaiʻi is offering $2 lychee smoothies
$2 Lychee Day is coming up on March 24. Customers can enjoy a 16-ounce lychee smoothie for a discounted price from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Jamba Hawaiʻi stores, while supplies last.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 24, 2026