Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros
Aloha, I am Aloha State Daily’s senior editor reporting on community news. Know of any organizations and people making a positive difference in Hawaii? Please reach out to me at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
Originally from Los Angeles, I am Native Hawaiian with roots from Maui, residing on Oahu with my husband. Since moving to the Islands in 2019, I have volunteered for various local organizations such as 808 Cleanups, Keiki O Ka Aina’s Board and Stone, March of Dimes Hawaii and more.
Most recently, I was the associate editor of Pacific Business News for nearly six years. Prior to that role, I served as a copy editor and reporter for a daily newspaper, as well as a freelance writer for a lifestyle magazine, in California. Over the years, I have received multiple awards for my writing. I hold a bachelor's degree in communications from The Master's University, where I played soccer.
I am excited to build ASD as your go-to, reputable and fun news source for Hawaii. Happy reading!
Latest from Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros
Hunt invests millions in new tech
ʻOhana Military Communities has begun to roll out new platforms that aim to improve operations, benefiting both staff and service members and their families that reside at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and Marine Corps Base Kāneʻohe, among various communities on O‘ahu and Kauaʻi. We spoke with Hunt’s leadership at the corporate and local levels to learn about its overall impact.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosFebruary 12, 2026
There’s still time to enter the National Civics Bee Hawaiʻi
Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi is hosting its second annual civics competition for intermediate students. To enter, students must first write an essay exploring a community issue of interest while offering a thoughtful solution. Last year, topics ranged from strengthening elderly care services to increasing access to swim education in the state, and more. The deadline to submit for 2026 has been extended to Tuesday, Feb. 17.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosFebruary 11, 2026
Local floral designer presents the ‘Spirit of Aloha’ on global stage
Sue Tabbal-Yamaguchi, who owns Kakaʻako-based business SU‑V Expressions, set out to share "the aloha spirit through flowers" at IPM Essen 2026, the world’s largest trade fair for horticulture in Germany.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosFebruary 06, 2026
Love to eat poi? This contest could be for you
There’s still time to enter this Poi Eating Contest on the Big Isle put on by Hilo-based businesses So Juicy Hawai’i and Mokuwai Piko Poi. Entrepreneur Kwai-Chang Publico shares about his latest venture and some more context around the competition. "May the best poi pounder win," he said.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosFebruary 04, 2026
How to get discounted tickets for this Honolulu museum
Hawai‘i residents, active-duty service members, military dependents and veterans can visit the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, including the USS Bowfin, for $5 per ticket over Presidents Day weekend from Saturday, Feb. 14, to Monday, Feb. 16. Ticket pre-registration is now open.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosFebruary 03, 2026
Chef from Honolulu competes in cooking show
Watch Mililani High School grad Hunter Gentry on Fox’s newest season of “Next Level Chef," judged by celebrity chefs Richard Blais, Nyesha Arrington and Gordon Ramsay. Gentry shares with Aloha State Daily about the experience, his cooking journey and style, and favorite restaurants to eat at when visiting home.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosFebruary 02, 2026
Nonprofit advocating for Hawaiʻi keiki appoints new leader
John-Paul Chaisson-Cárdenas, who joined Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network earlier this month as executive director, brings more than 20 years of leadership experience to the role. He spoke with Aloha State Daily about the organization’s 2026 legislative priorities and goals ahead, as well as how he approached preparing for this job by connecting with Native Hawaiians living in the diaspora.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJanuary 30, 2026
Nonprofit works to restore watershed in Mākaha Valley
Mohala I Ka Wai and its various partners including Ka’ala Farm, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply and state Department of Land and Natural Resources, among others, aim to provide a space for the community to participate in ʻāina restoration, while creating opportunities for sustainable food production in Waiʻanae. Longtime volunteer and resident William Aila Jr. shares about the group’s history and purpose in this place.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJanuary 29, 2026
Where to find cow cuddling, bull safaris on the Big Island
James Narayan Higgins of Krishna Cow Sanctuary in Hilo took a leap of faith to save cows from slaughter in 2019. Now responsible for more than 250 bovines, he shares how he incorporates his Hindu beliefs into daily operations, which include popular and new experiences for visitors and kamaʻāina alike.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJanuary 28, 2026
Kaiser volunteers at Kaʻala Farm in Waiʻanae
Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi’s Annual Day of Service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day spanned nine cultural sites on four islands. We joined its hundreds of employees statewide, some of which worked in Waiʻanae Valley to restore ancient taro terraces and maintain a heiau. Learn more from physicians who look forward to this event every year, as well as the team who stewards this land daily.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJanuary 24, 2026
Maui-based brand aims to give back to native ecosystems
Roselani Aiwohi, owner of Waiwaolani, a local clothing business featuring prints of Hawaiian plants, shares how the venture got started and what community initiatives its spearheading today.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJanuary 23, 2026
Hilo’s Kevin Hopkins to be honored by ALS Network
A retired UH Hilo aquaculture professor, Hopkins serves as member of the nonprofit’s Community Research Committee, which aims to advance research, support and advocacy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, nationwide. He was a dedicated caregiver to his wife, Margarita “Dayday” Hopkins, who died in 2021 after battling ALS for four years. The pair was married for 48 years, with three children and 11 grandchildren.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJanuary 17, 2026
Walk to support library services in Waikoloa
Hosted by Friends of the Library Waikoloa Region and Kohala Coffee Company, the annual 5K Walk/Run for Literacy is set for Saturday, Feb. 7, at Waikoloa Plaza. Proceeds from the fundraiser – which this year includes two auctions, both online and in-person, will go toward programming.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJanuary 16, 2026
Aulani Scholarship recipient first to land job at resort
Born and raised in Nānākuli, Nawahine Nascimento recently graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in both hospitality and Hawaiian Studies. She received aid from the Aulani Scholarship and went on to pursue full-time work at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, in Ko Olina – the first recipient to do so. Learn more about Nascimento’s career path and how to apply for the scholarship.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJanuary 15, 2026
JABSOM aims to create AI that will help recruit physicians
One solution to Hawai’i’s physician shortage, particularly in rural areas, is being tested thanks to a recent grant awarded to The John A. Burns School of Medicine Native Hawaiian Center of Excellence from the American Medical Association. Meet the team of researchers who will be carrying it out.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJanuary 14, 2026
Maui recovery nonprofit plans to scale services
Rhonda Alexander-Monkres, executive director of Ho‘ōla iā Mauiakama Long Term Recovery Group, reflects on the past year and shares how the organization is gearing up for an increase in case management cases with the Hawai’i Disaster Case Management Program set to close at the end of the month.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJanuary 12, 2026
Alzheimer’s Association Hawaiʻi fundraises over $1M for continued outreach statewide
The local chapter’s Executive Director LJ Duenas shares updates from the 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s Hawaiʻi campaign, which raised more than $1 million dollars across the Islands to support its programs. He also discusses priorities for the new year such as raising awareness about the disease and recruiting more volunteers who are vital to the organization’s mission.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJanuary 08, 2026
Nonprofits receive grants to continue mental health services on Maui
A hui of funders including the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, the HMSA Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund and Maui United Way committed more than $2.7 million to organizations providing support to survivors of the 2023 Maui wildfires.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJanuary 08, 2026
Sentry gifts $1M to Maui nonprofits
Three local nonprofits benefited from The Sentry Insurance Foundation’s donation on Tuesday.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJanuary 07, 2026
Small business owner with Hawaiʻi roots to open first store in Seattle
Born and raised on Oʻahu, Isaiah Corpus plans to launch Shop Kainalu, a Hawaiʻi inspired lifestyle and apparel brand, in Washington where he now lives. Corpus, a self-described ocean and beach enthusiast, discusses the details leading up to its spring debut, as well as his hope to open another retail store in his island home.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJanuary 03, 2026
6 nonprofits to watch in 2026
Aloha State Daily will be keeping an eye on these six nonprofit executives in the New Year.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJanuary 01, 2026