Aloha Spirit
It’s all about giving back.
ASD’s Aloha Spirit beat covers the kama‘āina who are making a positive difference in people’s lives. This is where volunteers are heroes and non-profit leaders are Hawai‘i’s navigators. We also cover Hawai‘i’s diverse faith community, and the religions which so deeply tie the Islands together.
News
Ziggy Marley reflects on benefit show, new album
The eldest son of Bob and Rita Marley is about to release his first studio album in eight years, “Brightside.” The nine-time Grammy winner spoke with Aloha State Daily about the new music, which releases on April 18, as well as his benefit concert this weekend at The Republik in Honolulu.
Katie HellandApril 10, 2026
Kumu Hula Micah Kamohoalii blends tradition and fashion at Merrie Monarch
With the 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival underway, Kumu Hula Micah Kamohoalii reflects on the festival, the invitational craft fair, and rain in Hilo.
Katie HellandApril 11, 2026
Donate blood, help support disaster recovery
For every blood donation made through the end of April, Blood Bank of Hawaiʻi will make a monetary contribution to Hawaiʻi Community Foundation’s Stronger Hawaiʻi Fund. The fund provides grants to nonprofits on the frontlines of disaster and emergency-related preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation and resilience.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 11, 2026
Physician Ira Zunin seeks successor for clinic in Honolulu
Zunin, the medical director at Manakai O Malama Integrative Healthcare Group and Rehabilitation Center along Ala Moana Boulevard, founded the integrative health care practice in 2002 with wife and acupuncturist, Alia Zunin. With hopes of semi-retiring by the end of May, he is looking for the next person or entity to take over the facility and continue “to move this kind of medicine forward.”
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 09, 2026
Uncles and Aunties: Kate Johnson, the cycling clarinetist of the Royal Hawaiian Band
Kate Johnson has been a clarinetist with the Royal Hawaiian Band for 25 years, and has competed in numerous triathlons. She still gets in 60 miles of cycling a week in between performances.
Cheryl Chee TsutsumiApril 09, 2026
Merrie Monarch, steel guitar and Ziggy Marley: Friday, April 10, to Sunday, April 12
With a third Kona Low storm in the forecast, Aloha State Daily rounded up some things to do this weekend. Stuck at home? Watch the livestream of Merrie Monarch or enjoy movies featuring local actors and the Islands. Or venture out to catch reggae star Ziggy Marley’s show, which benefits the Waikīkī Community Center. This weekend, readers can also enjoy free admission to ʻIolani Palace for Kamaʻāina Sunday.
Katie HellandApril 08, 2026
Community Voices: Help Hawai‘i farmers recover
An anonymous donor secured by Aloha State Daily will match dollar-for-dollar, up to $100,000, donations made to the Hawai‘i Farmers Union Foundation's Hawai‘i Flood Response Fund.
Christian ZuckermanApril 08, 2026
Zippy's and Kahala unveil exclusive aloha shirt
Both companies will mark milestone anniversaries this year with a new aloha shirt collaboration.
Stephanie SalmonsApril 07, 2026
Benefit concert with Jason Momoa, Jack Johnson, Kolohe Kai, The Green and more
Hawaiian Council has teamed up with nine acts, including The Mākaha Sons and others, to host a benefit for those impacted by the recent Kona Low Storms. The list of performers includes artists who are regular headliners at various events.
Katie HellandApril 07, 2026
Public input sought for proposed $1.2 million community center in West Maui
G70 and Maui County Department of Parks and Recreation have partnered to bring community spaces and facility programs back to West Maui. Residents can submit feedback in-person and online starting May 19 to June 14.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 07, 2026
Brick Fire Tavern launches specials to support Kona Low storm victims
The Kaimukī eatery — which recently launched its spring menu — is donating 100% of the proceeds from two specials this month to help support those affected by the Kona Low storms. The proceeds from the eatery’s garlic tide pizza and Care Package cocktail will be donated to Chef Hui’s Kona Low flood relief fund.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaApril 07, 2026
Symphony sets sail with ode to Hōkūleʻa
Navigators, stars and a whole lot of ocean are in this symphony score coming to Honolulu for the first time in its entirety on Sunday, April 19. Michael-Thomas Foumai, the composer of the piece, discusses how he wrote music that shares the story of Hōkūleʻa.
Katie HellandApril 07, 2026
Faith-based nonprofit aims to bring hope amid disaster
Convoy of Hope, a global humanitarian and disaster relief organization headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, continues to provide food, supplies and services to residents on Oʻahu in response to recent flooding.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 04, 2026
How to watch Merrie Monarch
The Merrie Monarch Festival returns this year with hula competitions from Thursday, April 9, through Saturday, April 11. Activities and events for the weeklong festival also include an invitational Hawaiian arts fair, along with hula shows and a grand parade.
Katie HellandApril 04, 2026
Hawai‘i surfing community comes together for Kona low storm relief
Multiple raffles, in addition to a Saturday giveaway, aim to help those affected by March's devastating Kona low storms.
Christian ShimabukuApril 03, 2026
Irie Love shares musical journey on Saturday in Waikīkī
The Kailua-based Queen of Island Reggae just returned from Aotearoa where she performed for the first time in more than 10 years. This weekend, she will share classics, new music from her album “Reflections,” and archive throwback songs on Saturday, April 4, in Waikīkī.
Katie HellandApril 03, 2026
CIM funds scholarships for construction students at UH Maui College
The Construction Industry of Maui has donated $44,000 to the school, which will provide 12 scholarships for students enrolled in its construction vocational program. Meanwhile, the deadline is approaching for another scholarship opportunity.
Stephanie SalmonsApril 02, 2026
Johnson ‘Ohana Foundation, Kōkua Hawai‘i Foundation donate to flood recovery
Musician Jack Johnson and wife Kim Johnson, who reside on Oʻahu’s North Shore, have teamed up with GoFundMe to give directly to ʻohana impacted by the recent Kona Low storms. The pair is pledging $500,000 in total, some of which is being dispersed to local nonprofits, and plan to host a fundraiser this Friday at the Kōkua Learning Farm in Haleʻiwa.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 02, 2026
Hamada: Answers to bullying, good and bad
When growing up on the Mainland, ASD columnist Rick Hamada confronted boyhood bullies the old fashioned way. Here and now in the Islands, a local organization is doing great work solving the problem positively. Here's how you can help.
Rick HamadaApril 01, 2026
What’s next for Otake Camp?
Some residents of Otake Camp are still in the dark. Farmers lost crops. Families lost homes. And everywhere, the mud prevails. They are seeking generators, lumber and funds to restart.
Katie HellandApril 01, 2026
Nonprofit provides paid, work-based learning to residents seeking careers in technology
Aloha State Daily caught up with Carlo Liquido, executive director of Pi’ikū, whose mission is to create opportunities for emerging tech talent. He shares his personal and professional background, as well as his vision for the organization’s future. Cohort participant Zelda Cole also describes her experience and how it prepared her for the workforce in Hawaiʻi.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosApril 01, 2026
Native Hawaiian author Malia Maunakea to release next book
The Colorado-based writer of intermediate school fiction is set to launch “The Shark Prince” on May 5. As part of the pre-order campaign, Penguin Publishing Group will donate up to 500 copies to Hawaiʻi Literacy, a local nonprofit that provides free reading and writing programs.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMarch 31, 2026
Community Voices: The first coconut grove planted on Maui in over 100 years
The idea for Uluniu o Kapuawailana emerged about two years ago when Collier crossed paths with Niu Now members Indrajit Gunasekara, Kekaula Hanohano and Jesse Mikasobe-Kealiinohomoku. Together, they envisioned a way to reconnect people with coconut as a cultural responsibility and a foundation of food sovereignty.
Annabelle Le JeuneMarch 30, 2026
The buzz: Hawai‘i Beekeeper Legacy Project open on Hawai‘i Island
You'll find the exhibit at the Anna Ranch Heritage Center, 65-1480 Kawaihae Road in Waimea, through May 30. The exhibit was previously housed at the Kona Historical Society, where it welcomed more than 2,000 visitors and 250 students.
Stephanie SalmonsMarch 28, 2026