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
Save the date for 2026 Irasshai: Eat, Drink, Kanpai!
2026 Irasshai: Eat, Drink, Kanpai! by Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi is coming up April 3. Attendees can look forward to Japanese street food-inspired dishes, live music and refreshing beverages.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 18, 2026
Middle Eats brings its authentic flavors to Keʻeaumoku
Middle Eats features a variety of Middle Eastern dishes, ranging from hummus and falafel to kebabs and shawarma. The business recently opened within Midtown Eats food hall, located at The Park on Keʻeaumoku.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 18, 2026
Kaua‘i Poke Fest named one of 10 Best Specialty Food Festivals
The sixth annual Kaua‘i Poke Fest returns to Kōloa Landing Resort in June.
Stephanie SalmonsMarch 17, 2026
Where to celebrate Easter 2026 – part 1
Get egg-cited for a variety of dining options.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 17, 2026
Ono-Ya Ramen Kapahulu is offering a BOGO ramen deal
The Kapahulu location is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a buy-one-get-one-free ramen deal from March 18 to 20. This offer is valid for dine-in only.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 17, 2026
Hawaiʻi Kai ice cream shop spreads joy during storm
Trang Hammond, owner of Hammond’s Gourmet Ice Cream, took it to Instagram on Saturday during severe weather to share some good news with customers stuck at home: Free ice cream until supplies last! She told Aloha State Daily about making the call and how the community showed up.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMarch 17, 2026
Kona Low’s impact on local farms
Aloha State Daily talks with several farms on various areas of Oʻahu to learn about the storm’s impacts and how the community can support.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 17, 2026
Stop by and say aloha to Aloha State Daily at Hawaiʻi FoodieCon & Spring Expo
Explore more than 200 vendors — including 100 food vendors — from March 28-29 at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. Plus, enter for a chance to win prizes from ASD like a staycation at White Sands Hotel in Waikīkī and a Wai Kai Ultimate experience for four, and more.
Kady PascualMarch 13, 2026
Kapiʻolani Seafood Restaurant moves to new location
The eatery’s new location on Amana Street is just steps away from its former spot on Kapiʻolani Boulevard. The restaurant’s menu is the same, so customers can look forward to signature dim sum staples and shareable dishes like peking duck, honey walnut shrimp, Hong Kong style wonton noodles and more.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 13, 2026
Elotes business Corn Onoz Hawaiʻi opens its first store
The business, which specializes in creative dishes centered around corn, pops up at night markets and events across Oʻahu. It just celebrated the grand opening of its new storefront in Pearl City.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 13, 2026
Le Petit Chef dinner experience available in Honolulu
This creative experience features a combination of 3D projection technology and culinary excellence. The dining experience is available nightly at Romer House Waikīkī.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 12, 2026
Preview of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaiʻi’s new Honolulu store
The biz is officially opening its first Honolulu store in Kaimukī on March 13, but its soft opening is tomorrow. The menu features a variety of hot and cold drinks.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMarch 12, 2026