AdvertiseGet Free Daily Edition
AdvertiseGet Free Daily Edition
SS
Senior Reporter

Stephanie Salmons

Business, tourism and the economy are all important facets of life in the Islands, but nothing can happen on those beats without people. I love telling the stories of your friends and neighbors, your coworkers and leaders, people who are making the decisions that affect your life and cool people who are doing cool things. Like most reporters, I'm nosy. I like to know about people — what they're doing and why, what makes them tick, etc.

At Aloha State Daily, I'm excited to be a small part of building something awesome from the ground up. And I believe in our mission! Regardless of where you live, the role of local news doesn't change — it's important in keeping our communities informed about the things that impact our daily lives and holding people in positions of power accountable. Not to mention, Hawaiʻi has a lot of awesome stories to tell and I'm beyond grateful and excited to be able to share them.

Originally from Kentucky, I've lived in Hawaiʻi for almost seven years now — including 3.5 years in Hilo on Hawaiʻi Island and another three years in Honolulu. I now live in Honolulu with my husband, who was born and raised here.

A lifelong writer and storyteller, I graduated from Murray State University with a degree in print journalism in 2007 and have spent the better part of the past 17 years working as a reporter. For most of my career, I've worked at community-focused papers in North Carolina, Kentucky and Hawaiʻi, covering communities big, small and in between, telling stories important to the people who live there. That's a big reason why I'm so passionate about community journalism and the role of hyperlocal news within the places we live, work and play.

SPJ Hawai‘i 2025 Excellence in Journalism Awards: First Place, Best Overall News Site, for “Aloha State Daily,” by the ASD Newsroom in the Internet Division; First Place, Breaking News Reporting, “Tsunami warning canceled,” ASD Staff, in the News Media division, open to all print and digital; Second Place, Breaking News Reporting, “Lawsuit filed against Maui Land & Pineapple;" First Place, Headlines, by Stephanie Salmons, Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros, and Katie Helland, for "Snakes (hopefully not) on a plane," and "If can, can: AIA Honolulu Celebrates 20 years of CANstruction."

Stephanie Salmons can be reached at stephanie@alohastatedaily.com.

Find Stephanie Salmons

Latest from Stephanie Salmons

Maui interior designer aims to support Lahaina homeowners rebuilding after wildfires

Maui interior designer aims to support Lahaina homeowners rebuilding after wildfires

A new one-on-one advisory service, Lahaina Rebuild Design Guidance, was created as an alternative to full-service interior design and offers "focused professional support during key phases of rebuilding."

Stephanie SalmonsAugust 12, 2026

Lahaina banyan tree to remain fenced off for two more years

Lahaina banyan tree to remain fenced off for two more years

The 153-year-old tree was damaged by the heat produced in the August 2023 wildfires but remained largely unburned.

Stephanie SalmonsAugust 08, 2026

Three years after wildfires, here's what's changed at Maui Emergency Management Agency

Three years after wildfires, here's what's changed at Maui Emergency Management Agency

Maui Emergency Management Agency Administrator Amos Lonokailua-Hewett stepped into the role in January 2024, just months after wildfires devastated parts of the Valley Isle in August 2023.

Stephanie SalmonsAugust 08, 2026

Other Authors

Center for Family Business & Entrepreneurs helps businesses plan for growth, transition

Center for Family Business & Entrepreneurs helps businesses plan for growth, transition

The new center was launched earlier this year by Bank of Hawai‘i, created for family-owned and closely-held businesses. CFBE Director Agatha Viernes-LeGros told Aloha State Daily that the center aims to provide education, advice and hands-on execution of planning services to clients in a confidential manner.

Stephanie SalmonsJuly 03, 2026

Zippy's Kāhala location to reopen

Zippy's Kāhala location to reopen

The restaurant will reopen next week, following four months of renovations.

Stephanie SalmonsJuly 01, 2026

Pilot program aims to support North Shore businesses affected by Kona Low storms

Pilot program aims to support North Shore businesses affected by Kona Low storms

Hawaiian Council, in partnership with the Hawai‘i Visitors & Convention Bureau, E Noa Tours and Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, this week launched North Shore Huaka‘i, connecting visitors and kama‘āina to businesses in Hale‘iwa and Waialua.

Stephanie SalmonsJuly 01, 2026

Construction Industry of Maui awards scholarships to three isle students

Construction Industry of Maui awards scholarships to three isle students

The CIM Bob Poulson Scholarship encourages local students to pursue a degree in the construction and design industry — away from Maui — then bring their knowledge and skills back to the Valley Isle. Three students each received a $20,000 scholarship this year and shared with Aloha State Daily their plans after college.

Stephanie SalmonsJune 30, 2026

Looking to buy a home in Hawai‘i? Here's what you should know.

Looking to buy a home in Hawai‘i? Here's what you should know.

Aloha State Daily talks with Aaron Tangonan, president of the Honolulu Board of Realtors, to learn more about the home-buying process, how feasible it is to become a homeowner, what opportunities are available and more.

Stephanie SalmonsJune 26, 2026

Kaua‘i Coffee Co. secures 15-year lease

Kaua‘i Coffee Co. secures 15-year lease

The brand's parent company, Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA, negotiated a new 15-year lease for the 3,100-acre farm on which it has been operating with property owner Brue Baukol Capital Partners. Kaua‘i Mayor Derek Kawakami shares what this means for the Garden Isle community.

Stephanie SalmonsJune 26, 2026

Former director of Smithsonian National Zoological Park selected to lead Honolulu Zoo

Former director of Smithsonian National Zoological Park selected to lead Honolulu Zoo

John Berry, who started in his new role as Zoo Director on Tuesday, has held several senior leadership positions in the federal government and also brings experience in conservation, having previously served as the director of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and director of the Smithsonian National Zoological Park.

Stephanie SalmonsJune 10, 2026

Maui architect seeking national AIA leadership role

Maui architect seeking national AIA leadership role

David Sellers, principal and co-founder of Maui-based Hawai‘i Off Grid, is running for 2027 president-elect of the national design organization. The election takes place this month.

Stephanie SalmonsJune 06, 2026

New chancellor for UH Mānoa selected

New chancellor for UH Mānoa selected

The University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents unanimously approved the appointment of longtime UH leader Vassilis Syrmos to the role on Thursday.

Stephanie SalmonsJune 05, 2026

West O‘ahu redevelopment breaks ground

West O‘ahu redevelopment breaks ground

A blessing ceremony was held Thursday for the redevelopment of the former Paradise Cove Lū‘au site near Ko Olina.

Stephanie SalmonsMay 27, 2026

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue continues Mainland expansion

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue continues Mainland expansion

The Hawai‘i-based restaurant chain has recently opened new locations in Washington and California.

Stephanie SalmonsMay 25, 2026

Honolulu launches AI training program for O‘ahu businesses, nonprofits

Honolulu launches AI training program for O‘ahu businesses, nonprofits

The city's Office of Economic Revitalization, in partnership with Māpunawai and Skilled Tomorrow, is set to launch "AI for Everyone at Work: Training Trainers to Teach Across Generations." The program aims to help organizations on the island introduce artificial intelligence "in practical, responsible and accessible ways for a multigenerational workforce."

Stephanie SalmonsMay 23, 2026

Load more