Business & Tourism

Hawai‘i’s economy, in all its complexities.

What do we talk about when we talk about ‘the economy’ in the Islands? We talk about the cost of living, the cost of doing business, what it takes to make Hawai‘i a place where people can succeed, where they can build a career or a business and afford to raise a family. We cover such issues as Hawai‘i’s efforts to maintain a strong, sustainable tourism industry, but also its attempts diversify the economy. We look at everything from small business success stories to major players such as Hawaiian Airlines and the hotel industry.

Made in Hawai‘i Festival welcomes shoppers

The four-day event began Thursday and continues through the weekend. Aloha State Daily spoke with a handful of small business owners who set up shop.

Stephanie SalmonsAugust 22, 2026

Best of Hawai‘i Mākeke offers more ways to shop local

The three-day mākeke, presented by Hawai‘i's Finest, returns to the Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall this weekend with more than 300 local businesses.

Stephanie SalmonsAugust 21, 2026

What Pennsylvania and Florida know about sports tourism that Hawai‘i doesn't

Hawai‘i has plenty of sporting events that are, individually, successful and well known: Paddling, surfing, golf, triathlons and more. Here's how to take that collection to the next level and really elevate the Islands' sports stature.

Ray TsuchiyamaAugust 21, 2026

AM to PM Coffee is Oʻahu’s first kei cafe on wheels

The coffee café is usually at Hoalauna Park in ‘Ewa Beach. The business, run by husband-and-wife team Emil and Paula Corpuz, came from a vision to offer a friendly, welcoming place where people can enjoy a quality cup of coffee at any time of the day.

Kelli Shiroma BraiottaAugust 20, 2026

Tali’s Bagels & Schmear is reopening in Honolulu

The bagel shop, which used to be located in Ward Centre, is soft opening in its new location on Waimanu Street on Friday, Aug. 21. The business features bestselling dishes like the OG NYC bagel, along with new deli-style creations like the hot pastrami.

Kelli Shiroma BraiottaAugust 20, 2026

Kilo Summit brings intention, collabs to Made in Hawai‘i Festival

The largest-ever MIHF is set for Aug. 20 to 23 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. Kilo Summit will bring a curated collection of local artists, designers, musicians, brands and storytellers to the event.

Stephanie SalmonsAugust 20, 2026

Hawai‘i Island businesses impacted by Hurricane Lala

Some businesses in Kā‘u have lost nearly everything, officials with the Hawai‘i Island Chamber of Commerce say.

Stephanie SalmonsAugust 19, 2026

Hurricane Lala's impacts to Hawai‘i businesses

Island businesses are evaluating the damage after the hurricane brought heavy rain, winds and destruction to the Islands over the weekend.

Stephanie SalmonsAugust 18, 2026

Almond Tree is ‘meant to be shared’

The first-time Made in Hawaiʻi Festival vendor hopes to share its values of family, gratitude and aloha through its toffee, according to business founder Joanne Young. Almond Tree will also be debuting a new exclusive product — graham cracker matcha toffee — at this year’s festival.

Kelli Shiroma BraiottaAugust 17, 2026

Made in Hawaiʻi Festival to feature Mākia Market for the first time

Founder Taylor Yuen is a college senior and local entrepreneur who remembers helping at her dad’s booth at MIHF at a young age. This month, her business will participate in the festival, showcasing Hawaiʻi-based student makers — what she describes as a “full circle moment.”

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosAugust 15, 2026

Play pickleball in Downtown Honolulu to rally for a good cause

Stay out of the kitchen and paddle on at Northwestern Mutual Hawaiʻi’s charity pickleball tournament scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26. All proceeds will benefit Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women & Children’s new Martha B. Smith Cancer & Infusion Center, slated to open next year. Individual tickets start at $100 per person, and include round-robin play, lunch and more.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosAugust 14, 2026

Hawaiʻi’s next billion-dollar industry is not tourism — it is capital stewardship

Everyday people in Hawai‘i are, collectively, sitting on a vast source of wealth, mainly real estate. As Guild Consulting's real estate and finance expert Ray Tsuchiyama explains, the Islands' next big challenge — and opportunity — could be putting this wealth to work at the neighborhood level for positive change.

Ray TsuchiyamaAugust 14, 2026

Zippy's newest collaboration creates collection for humans and pets

The collab between the restaurant chain and local brand Coopmonsters includes hair claw clips and pet gear that commemorate Zippy's 60th and Coopmonster's 10th anniversaries.

Stephanie SalmonsAugust 14, 2026

AIA Honolulu celebrates 21 years of CANstruction

The annual event will move to a new home in Downtown Honolulu this year.

Stephanie SalmonsAugust 13, 2026

Green Times Matcha is bringing mango matcha to Made in Hawaiʻi Festival

The business, owned by Jinie Ho, recently celebrated its first anniversary. Green Times Matcha is a first-time vendor at this year’s Made in Hawaiʻi Festival. It will have two booths at the festival — a regular vendor booth, and the biz will also be at the Kilo Summit on the third floor.

Kelli Shiroma BraiottaAugust 13, 2026

Hawaiian Council acquires Sea Life Park near Waimānalo

"Sometimes you go looking for opportunities, and sometimes the kuleana finds you," Hawaiian Council CEO Kūhiō Lewis told Aloha State Daily of the acquisition. "This was one of those opportunities."

Stephanie SalmonsAugust 13, 2026

Save the date for The Best of Hawaiʻi’s Best Kitchens event

The 11th annual event is coming up Saturday, Aug. 29, at Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort & Spa. Attendees can look forward to specialty dishes from restaurants like Adez Steakhouse & Lounge, Arancino Ristorante Italiano, The Buffet at Hyatt, Solera Waikīkī and more.

Kelli Shiroma BraiottaAugust 12, 2026

What's new at, and coming to, Ala Moana Center

The shopping center has recently welcomed a number of new tenants with more coming soon.

Stephanie SalmonsAugust 12, 2026

Līhu‘e-based Melrose is reopen for business

The business is known for its signature beverages, fresh-baked pastries and aesthetic ambiance. Following the Kona Low storms this spring, the café’s ceiling caved in, forcing the business to close for almost two months. Melrose reopened to the public this summer with its signature offerings, along with new products.

Kelli Shiroma BraiottaAugust 12, 2026

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

Takagi Coffee is a new Japanese-style cafe pop-up in Honolulu

The pop-up is opening to the public on Thursday, Aug. 13, at 10 a.m. It’s within Royal Hawaiian Center’s TsuruTonTan, and for the first few days, the pop-up will be limited to the first 60 customers. Takagi Coffee is serving up sweet and savory Japanese souffle pancakes, omurice, wagyu hamburger steak and layered parfaits.

Kelli Shiroma BraiottaAugust 11, 2026

Aloha Stadium prepares for next round of milestones

New renderings for the 31,000-seat stadium are expected soon, while groundbreaking is targeted to begin towards the end of the year.

Christian ShimabukuAugust 11, 2026

Now streaming: 'ʻAuana' soundtrack

John Signor, band leader of "ʻAuana," Cirque du Soleil's first resident production in Hawaiʻi, shares his favorite song in the show and how lyrics in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi add levels of meaning to the storytelling.

Katie HellandAugust 11, 2026

Oʻahu-based family business is 'on a roll'

Hele Rolls, known for its homemade cinnamon rolls, started its business last June. The biz regularly pops up at events across Oʻahu and accepts pre-orders. Hele Rolls is also competing on the new season of Food Network’s "The Great Food Truck Race," which premiered on July 26.

Kelli Shiroma BraiottaAugust 10, 2026

Button Up Cafe is now open in a bigger space

The Pearl City brunch spot — known for dishes like strawberry cheesecake stuffed French toast, corned beef hash loco moco and Korean braised short rib eggs Benedict — has been open in Pearl City Plaza since 2016. The biz just relocated to a larger space within the same plaza, and reopened today.

Kelli Shiroma BraiottaAugust 09, 2026

We Heart Cake Co. has a new Honolulu store

The dessert shop — which used to be in Kaimukī — is now open in McCully. The biz is celebrating its grand opening on Saturday, Aug. 8, with free cake pops for the first 102 customers from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Kelli Shiroma BraiottaAugust 07, 2026

Specialty Okinawa soba pop-up coming to The Kāhala Hotel & Resort

Chef Eibun Nakamura, known for his specialty soba, is bringing his Okinawa soba to The Kāhala Hotel & Resort’s Plumeria Beach House. Soba will be available as part of the restaurant's seafood dinner buffet on Aug. 14 and 15, and as part of the a la carte dinner menu on Aug. 13 and 16.

Kelli Shiroma BraiottaAugust 07, 2026

Waikīkī resort opens entertainment center

Family bowling is possible in Waikīkī at this entertainment center, which opened in June. The 6,000-square-foot space also includes more than 60 arcade games.

Katie HellandAugust 07, 2026

Southwest launches nonstop flights between Hilo, Las Vegas

The service began Aug. 6.

Stephanie SalmonsAugust 07, 2026

Naks Cafe offers gourmet takeout meals in Pearl City

The business, which is located next to the Don Quijote Pearl City Food Court, has been open for one year. Business owner Nathan Wu strives to provide the community with affordable, high-quality meals for takeout.

Kelli Shiroma BraiottaAugust 06, 2026

A staple in the Lahaina community: Pizza Paradiso and Pineapple Robot

Pizza Paradiso, which has been open since 1995, was taken over by Hana Hou Hospitality Group three years ago. The restaurant became a community hub following the Lahaina fires. In October 2024, as a way to revitalize Lahaina's nightlife, Hana Hou Hospitality Group expanded the restaurant to include a karaoke bar called Pineapple Robot.

Kelli Shiroma BraiottaAugust 05, 2026

Tickets on sale for 32nd annual Made in Hawai‘i Festival

The largest-ever MIHF is set for Aug. 20-23. We've got more details about what you can expect during the event.

Stephanie SalmonsAugust 05, 2026

Toyota recalls certain airbag parts used as replacements in some Tundra, Tacoma models

About 4,100 service parts are involved in the U.S. recall, the company said.

Stephanie SalmonsAugust 03, 2026

The Kiwi Korner offers authentic meat pies

Mac and Angie Schwenke — who are from New Zealand — starting selling meat pies for extra income during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021. Now, five years later, their Kiwi Koner business has two locations and features meat pies in flavors like pepper steak, steak and cheese, chicken curry and more.

Kelli Shiroma BraiottaAugust 03, 2026

UPDATED: Spectrum, Charter Communications lay off several local employees

Spectrum’s local news division has recently laid off all of its journalists, per an employee, in addition to fewer than 10 employees at the Spectrum Store near Mililani Tech Park and neighboring corporate call center facility, officials with the company recently told Aloha State Daily.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 31, 2026

Kamitoku Ramen moves from Ward Centre to South Shore Market

The business — known for its beef bone broth ramen — just soft opened in the former space of Scratch Kitchen & Meatery. In addition to its popular ramen bowls, the biz also added new dishes — like wild oxtail soup and wagyu rib-eye katsu bowls — to its menu.

Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJuly 29, 2026

Here's the 'Best in Hawai’i Architecture' in 2026

AIA Honolulu's 68th annual Design Awards, which took place July 24, recognize excellence in architectural design.

Stephanie SalmonsJuly 28, 2026

Here's the best of Hawai‘i, according to the people

The best family attraction, cruise, lū‘au, resort, restaurant and tour company in Hawai‘i have been decided by voters in USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. Read on to see who made the lists.

Stephanie SalmonsJuly 25, 2026

Ala Moana Center to launch luxury shopping event

For two weeks in August, the popular shopping destination will offer shoppers exclusive experiences at 14 luxury boutiques.

Stephanie SalmonsJuly 25, 2026

Updated: Bayer to make changes to Hawai‘i operations

These changes include consolidating some of the company's farm activities on O‘ahu and Maui over time, which will affect more than 70 employees.

Stephanie SalmonsJuly 24, 2026

Matsumoto’s Okazuya by JV Kitchen is giving out free chow fun

The Kalihi okazuya is giving out complimentary chow fun with every purchase on Aug. 1 to celebrate its first anniversary under new ownership. Business owners Vanessa Pascua and Jay Palma also recently updated the business’s menu and renovated the okazuya interior.

Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJuly 22, 2026

Here's what's new at the 32nd annual Made in Hawai‘i Festival

Hawaiian Airlines presents the 32nd Annual Made in Hawai‘i Festival returns to Honolulu in August and organizers say it'll be the biggest festival yet, with more than 800 vendor booths spanning nearly 300,000 square feet across two nights and two full days.

Stephanie SalmonsJuly 21, 2026

This Pacific Northwest-inspired coffee shop is open on Oʻahu

Hawaiʻi locals Caameron and Monica Nakasone moved back to Oʻahu from Oregon about two years ago. Their new café, Third Space Coffee, features some of their favorite flavors from the Pacific Northwest; the shop is in a shared space with Cake M in the 808 Center.

Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJuly 20, 2026

Kimo's Restaurant set to return to Lahaina's Front Street

The restaurant was among the businesses lost in the deadly August 2023 wildfire that destroyed much of West Maui community.

Stephanie SalmonsJuly 18, 2026

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikīkī Beach to partner with Ladurée

The exclusive partnership will bring the French pâtisserie, known for its macarons, to Hawai‘i for the first time.

Stephanie SalmonsJuly 17, 2026

Where to find Tennessee-style barbecue in Honolulu

Bozie Jones Barbecue — with its signature red trailer on South King Street — has been serving Tennessee-style barbecue for about nearly 10 years. Owner Sean Paul Jones learned how to cook barbecue from his grandfather in Tennessee, and now serves up brisket, barbecue ribs and rib tips.

Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJuly 15, 2026

First look at Liliha Bakery's new Waikīkī restaurant

The business is opening its sixth location on Oʻahu this Friday, July 17. The Waikīkī Beach Walk restaurant will be open daily and features signature dishes like fried chicken, loco moco, Coco Puffs and poi doughnuts.