Food & Dining
Hawai‘i Cuisine: Food, Flavors, and Local Favorites
Exploring all your favorite Island dining, from cheap eats to high-end. Craving omakase? We’ve got you covered. Shave ice? Sure thing! Loco moco? Like we’d forget! We’ve got heaping bowls of poke, and acai. You’ll find pau hana deals, foodie cocktails and delicious mocktails. Of course, none of that would be possible without the chefs, bakers, and mixologists you’ll meet here. We also take you to the Hawai‘i farms that fuel our farm-to-table movement.
News
Where to celebrate Easter 2026 – part 2
Hop to it — the holiday is coming up next weekend. Here are 21 options to consider.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 27, 2026
Zippy's Restaurants celebrates 60th anniversary in 2026
Brothers Francis and Charles Higa opened the first Zippy's Restaurant in Honolulu's McCully neighborhood on Oct. 17, 1966. Aloha State Daily recently caught up with Jason Higa, CEO of Zippy's parent company, FCH Enterprises, to learn about the restaurant's origins, its legacy and more.
Stephanie SalmonsMarch 27, 2026
House of Sakura pop-up opens in Honolulu
This spring pop-up at Prince Waikīkī opens today. It will be open from 5 to 10 p.m. Thursdays to Sundays until May 31. Attendees can look forward to curated cocktails, premium sakes and shareable dishes in an aesthetic setting.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 26, 2026
Budget Bites: Zippy’s $10.99 Korean fried chicken and chili plate
The eatery’s popular Korean fried chicken and chili mixed plate will be discounted from March 30 to May 5. Limit five per person; this offer is available while supplies last.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 25, 2026
New taco carousels in Hawaiʻi Kai
Family-owned and -operated business Clau and Chui’s Cocina specializes in authentic Mexican food. The husband-and-wife team recently added new dishes to the menu, including a taco carousel and taco salad.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 24, 2026
Jamba Hawaiʻi is offering $2 lychee smoothies
$2 Lychee Day is coming up on March 24. Customers can enjoy a 16-ounce lychee smoothie for a discounted price from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Jamba Hawaiʻi stores, while supplies last.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 24, 2026
New Vietnamese café open in Honolulu
Banh Mi’licious — inspired by the word “delicious” — recently opened in Kapalama Shopping Center. It’s the sister restaurant of Vietnam Deli, but its menu is focused on pho, banh mi sandwiches and side dishes like spring rolls.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 23, 2026
WESTMAN CAFE is open for brunch in Kakaʻako
The eatery, which closed its Waikīkī location in 2024, just soft opened in Ward Village. The cafe is currently open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for breakfast and brunch. Feast on dishes like avocado toast, mahi mahi loco moco, and the restaurant’s signature souffle pancakes.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 21, 2026
Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, partners, launch farm damage survey
"If your ag operation was affected by the Kona Low Storm, we want to hear from you," the Bureau said. "Your responses will help identify needs to secure funding for recovery programs."
A. Kam NapierMarch 21, 2026
Sun Noodle deals with flooded streets
During heavy rains, street flooding becomes an issue for the Kalihi-based noodle factory. Aloha State Daily talks with Sun Noodle’s chief operating officer about the Kona Low’s impacts on the Honolulu business. The flooding is an issue the business has been raising with city and state officials for years.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 21, 2026
PEWA by Pono Potions is Chinatown’s newest cocktail lounge
Pono Potions’ new cocktail lounge features creative libations, along with lunch, pau hana and brunch menus.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 20, 2026
Makua Banana Bread’s next “mochi drop” is coming up
Orders for the business’s small-batch mochi banana bread only open once a month since it’s a limited item. The Haleʻiwa-based business also offers classic and chocolate chip banana bread, which can be ordered in-person or online.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 19, 2026