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!
Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
Latest from Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros
'Play with a purpose' at this kids gym in Honolulu
Owner of We Rock the Spectrum Honolulu John Ross shares the intention behind his first venture inspired by his son with autism and the families who are navigating a similar path. He describes it as "a place where every child, neurotypical or not, is genuinely celebrated."
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 15, 2026
Fundraiser for farms surpasses goal
Thanks to you and an anonymous donor, we raised more than $200,000 for the Hawai‘i Farmers Union Foundation's Hawai‘i Flood Response Fund. The GoFundMe page remains open as more donations come in that will help Hawai‘i’s farmers and rural communities devastated by recent Kona Low storms.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 14, 2026
Biodynamic farm on Maui seeks support after storms
Lokelani ʻOhana, a Wailuku farm that offers therapeutic programs rooted in Hawaiian culture for adults with developmental disabilities, is fundraising via GoFundMe and its website to aid in rebuilding following the back-to-back Kona Low storms in March. Donations to the nonprofit will also go toward bringing on an organic farmer, according to Farm Director Christina Chang.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 12, 2026
Molokaʻi-based nail art business owner's tips for design
Līhau Willing, founder of Hawaiʻi-born brand Iwi Nails, talks about the evolution of her business since 2021.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 11, 2026
Native Hawaiian author makes debut as novelist this month
California-based writer Kauakanilehua Māhoe Adams is set to release her first Young Adult novel in verse, “An Expanse of Blue,” on May 19. The fiction story loosely drawn from the author's own life experience, follows a teen with ties to Hawaiʻi and Washington as she navigates faith, family and love.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 08, 2026
Bishop-elect Michael Castori appointed as Bishop Larry Silva's successor
Castori, a member of the Society of Jesus, took a moment to thank God, Pope Leo XIV, the Most Rev. Silva, staff of the Diocese of Honolulu and more, who gathered for his official appointment as Bishop-elect on May 6. Bishop Silva, 76, submitted his resignation in August 2024 with plans to stay in Hawaiʻi following the episcopal ordination and installation ceremony for Castori in July.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 07, 2026
Keep it Aloha Events brings together Pokémon card collectors and community
This past weekend, Kamaka Dias of Keep it Aloha convened Pokémon card traders and members of the community at its debut card show in Kakaʻako. For those who missed it, the free event with more than 50 vendors and live entertainment will return on June 5.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 06, 2026
Honolulu Habitat for Humanity builds affordable homes in Waimānalo
Meet the nonprofit affiliate’s new Executive Director Melissa Bruhl, who has lived on Oʻahu for more than two decades holding various leadership roles in the private sector, along with her team comprised of staff, contractors and volunteers.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 02, 2026
Debbie Cabebe to retire from Maui Economic Opportunity after 26 years
Aloha State Daily caught up with Cabebe, who joined the nonprofit in 2000 and took the helm nine years ago, about what she’ll miss most working alongside staff to serve its clients. Meanwhile, Executive Director Maggie Clark Batangan readies to become CEO in August.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 30, 2026
Conservation leaders rediscover several native species on Lāna‘i
Rachel Sprague, director of conservation at Pūlama Lāna‘i, and Zach Pezzillo, coordinator at Maui Nui Plant Extinction Prevention Program, share about their recent rare findings. In observance of Native Hawaiian Plant Month, they also discuss how community members can make a difference in their own backyards.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 29, 2026
Financial aid to be deployed to farmers impacted by floods
The Hawai‘i Farmers Union Foundation took it to social to share that the Hawaiʻi Flood Response Fund — for which Aloha State Daily secured a donor to match dollar-for-dollar, up to $100,000 — will open grant applications this week. As of Monday, the GoFundMe was 96% to goal with proceeds going directly to farmers, ranchers and fishers who are recovering from the recent Kona Low storms.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 28, 2026
RevoluSun and new cookbook author Kimi Werner bring community together
Maui-born freediving spearfisher and chef Kimi Werner recently signed copies of her new cookbook and shared her journey over lunch hosted by the Honolulu-based solar company.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 27, 2026
Come learn more about this author's journey
Meet Nancy Arcayna in-person this Sunday, April 26, at Ala Moana Center’s Barnes & Noble for a book signing of “Checked Out to Checked In: A Nomadic Journey to Self‑Love.” Through sharing her own experiences, she hopes readers will walk away encouraged to take steps toward living their best life.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 23, 2026
More ways to help with storm recovery
Looking to give back to organizations continuing to aid those impacted by severe floods last month? Here are some ideas of how to help farmers, teachers and other members of the community.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 21, 2026
Waialua family raises funds for home pottery studio
The Pearce ʻohana evacuated their home along Waialua Beach Road in waist-high water during a Kona Low storm last month. Now, they are waiting out the rain before rebuilding, which includes securing new permits for a lifted second dwelling. In the meantime, they’ve started purchasing items to revive their home pottery studio with monies raised from GoFundMe.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 17, 2026
Jack Johnson hometown tour tickets set to release
Following recent flooding across the Islands, the Haleʻiwa-based musician paused ticket sales for the film premieres and concerts on May 14 and 15 in Honolulu. Starting April 16, the presale for Hawai‘i residents will launch, while remaining tickets are planned to go live on Friday, April 17. Part of the proceeds will benefit nonprofit The Lāhui Foundation to support ongoing storm recovery and rebuilding efforts.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 16, 2026
Public input sought for Kauleolī plan in South Kona
Now through May 15, The National Park Service is seeking public feedback to help shape the long-term vision of the Kauleolī Unit of Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail on Hawaiʻi Island. A community meeting will be held on April 18 at the Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in Captain Cook, where trail managers will share preliminary concepts, gather ideas and answer questions.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 14, 2026
Donate blood, help support disaster recovery
For every blood donation made through the end of April, Blood Bank of Hawaiʻi will make a monetary contribution to Hawaiʻi Community Foundation’s Stronger Hawaiʻi Fund. The fund provides grants to nonprofits on the frontlines of disaster and emergency-related preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation and resilience.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 11, 2026
Physician Ira Zunin seeks successor for clinic in Honolulu
Zunin, the medical director at Manakai O Malama Integrative Healthcare Group and Rehabilitation Center along Ala Moana Boulevard, founded the integrative health care practice in 2002 with wife and acupuncturist, Alia Zunin. With hopes of semi-retiring by the end of May, he is looking for the next person or entity to take over the facility and continue “to move this kind of medicine forward.”
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 09, 2026
Public input sought for proposed community center in West Maui
G70 and Maui County Department of Parks and Recreation have partnered to bring community spaces and facility programs back to West Maui. Residents can submit feedback in-person and online starting May 19 to June 14.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 07, 2026
Faith-based nonprofit aims to bring hope amid disaster
Convoy of Hope, a global humanitarian and disaster relief organization headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, continues to provide food, supplies and services to residents on Oʻahu in response to recent flooding.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 04, 2026