Business & Tourism
News
Maui Frozen features affordable, chilled treats
The business, which specializes in Maui slush and pineapple scoop ice, originated as a food truck in 2024 and recently opened its first storefront in Kīhei. According to Maui Frozen owner Jason Kashtan, all desserts do not feature any dyes, flavorings or extracts, or high fructose corn syrup, and are kept at a $4.75 price point to serve the community.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaOctober 01, 2026
Hawaiian Airlines to launch Leihōkū
The Leihōkū experience will be anchored by updates to Hawaiian's Airbus A330 fleet.
Stephanie SalmonsSeptember 29, 2026
Rainbow Drive-In is celebrating 65 years with $6.50 chili plates
The eatery is offered discounted chili plates on Friday, Oct. 2, all day at its Kapahulu location and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its Pearlridge Center location. Customers will also have the chance to win prize giveaways and meet Rainbow Drive-In third generation owner Chris Iwamura. The business’s 65th anniversary shirts will also be for sale starting that day at its Kapahulu location and online.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 29, 2026
The Kini Room is open in this redesigned Waikīkī resort
The Kini Room is the new signature restaurant at renovated Ka La‘i Waikīkī Beach, LXR Hotels & Resorts. The 86-seat open-air space features a refined dining experience inspired by global culinary traditions and modern Hawaiʻi. Customer favorites so far include the lemongrass lamb shank, double rainbow roll, and Kini Kini Pie — along with the eatery’s daily sunset happy hour.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 28, 2026
Brown Butter Delights is a new porch bakery
Business owner Kristy Caldwell has always loved baking, and started Brown Butter Delights in 2024. Her goal was to create familiar treats, but to use brown butter to give them “something extra.”
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 28, 2026
Third Hui Kapili cohort launches
Hui Kapili began in 2024 and works to address the state's construction labor shortage and foster sustainable growth in the industry. The 11 companies selected for the third cohort represent a range of construction-related specialties across the Islands.
Stephanie SalmonsSeptember 28, 2026
Oakberry Hawaiʻi is opening its newest location with free acai bowls
The acai bowl business is celebrating its grand opening on Sept. 26 at Waiānuenue at Kapaʻakea in Mōʻiliʻili. The store — which opens at 10 a.m. — is the first business to open at newly revitalized Waiānuenue at Kapaʻakea (formerly known as Varsity Center). The first 100 customers will get free acai bowls; customers can also enjoy 50% off for the remainder of grand opening day.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 25, 2026
These Hawai‘i coffee shops, distilleries are nominated for 10Best lists
The USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards aim to rank the 10 best in several areas of travel and lifestyle. Nominees are chosen with the help of a panel of experts but the final 10 will be determined by voters.
Stephanie SalmonsSeptember 25, 2026
Zarina Dessert Studio’s viral fruit desserts are now in Kapolei
The online dessert shop’s fruit-shaped confections are now available at HI Cravings’ Co-Op in Kapolei. The fruit desserts feature a white chocolate crunchy shell with a ganache filling inside; popular flavors include mango, pina colada, pistachio, banana and coffee caramel.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 25, 2026
Cae’s Smash and Grindz is a new smashburger biz
The business, which pops up at events across Oʻahu, celebrated its grand opening in July. Cae’s Smash and Grindz is known for its smashburgers with ube buns; the business’s bacon and mushroom smash is its bestseller and most popular dish.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 25, 2026
Storms and war, make for gloomy economic forecast, UHERO reports
State's economic future uncertain as interest rates and fuel costs soar.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 25, 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
Mele for Maui gets encore broadcast on Hawaiʻi News Now
Did you miss the free concert featuring Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra’s first performance on Maui in a decade last weekend? This Sunday, you can catch the encore broadcast of the event, which features guest artists, such as Keola Beamer, Amy Hānaiali‘i and John Cruz, on Hawaiʻi News Now.
Katie HellandSeptember 25, 2026
Honolulu's next story is not about rail. It is about jobs.
Could a Skyline station become the center of a local economy where people live, work, shop and build businesses in the same neighborhood?
Ray TsuchiyamaSeptember 24, 2026
Pipikaula Corner: Bowfin leads the way
In Pearl Harbor, the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum is celebrating its 45th anniversary with the debut of $4 million worth of new exhibits. This comes just five years after a $20-million overhaul of the entire museum to bring it into the 21st century. ASD Editor in Chief A. Kam Napier explains why this is possible for a small, historic ship nonprofit.
A. Kam NapierSeptember 24, 2026
Mana Up showcase will highlight Hawai‘i entrepreneurs
Eleven businesses selected to be part of Mana Up's Cohort 11 will be introduced during a television broadcast and livestream that premiers on Sunday Oct. 18. An in-person marketplace will follow from Nov. 5 at Bloomingdale’s in Ala Moana Center.
Stephanie SalmonsSeptember 24, 2026
Vendor applications open for interim Lahaina marketplace
‘Ulu O Lele will be the first project to bring storefronts back to Lahaina's Front Street.
Stephanie SalmonsSeptember 23, 2026
Nobu Grand Wailea celebrates one-year anniversary
The restaurant, located at Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, opened last April. Aloha State Daily caught up with chef Nobu Matsuhisa when he was on Maui for the resort’s “An Evening with Chef Nobu” anniversary event. Matsuhisa talked more about his cooking style, recent projects, and what makes the Grand Wailea restaurant special.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 23, 2026
Blue Bird Kauaʻi reopens in Līhu‘e
After being temporarily closed due to Hurricane Lowell, Blue Bird Kauaʻi — which opened its Līhu‘e storefront last November — recently reopened its doors. The locally owned and operated business got its start as a trailer in 2023, and encourages the community to support one another.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaSeptember 21, 2026
Shop Macy’s Waikīkī, round up to raise money for Mālama Maunalua
There’s still time this month to help support community efforts to restore native forests and coral reefs in East Honolulu's Maunalua Bay through a new partnership.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosSeptember 20, 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
American Savings Bank goes public
ASB stock is now being traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ASBH.
Stephanie SalmonsSeptember 19, 2026
AIA Honolulu continues to build community with Architecture Month
October is AIA Honolulu's annual Architecture Month and the organization has events planned on O‘ahu and Hawai‘i Island throughout the month.
Stephanie SalmonsSeptember 18, 2026
Pacific Media Group launches 'Culture'
CULTURE by Pacific Media Group offers up local podcasts, social media shorts, YouTube shows and documentaries, bringing new media platforms together with legacy media.
Stephanie SalmonsSeptember 17, 2026