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.

Waimānalo charter school honored for innovation

Mālama Honua Public Charter School recently won top honors – and a $20,000 grant – for The Educational Innovation Award presented by national nonprofit Building Hope. School Director Denise Espania shares about the school’s immersive programs, as well as plans for a new campus.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 29, 2025

Salvation Army’s Sam LeMar shares updates and plans for growth for Hilo shelter

Leadership of The Salvation Army Hilo Temple Corps says since its opening last September, the Hilo Overnight Safe Space “is doing well.” Looking ahead, the organization aims to expand bed and staff capacity, along with its services.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 28, 2025

Nānākuli teen competes for national title awarded by Boys & Girls Club of America

Young leader Ladayna Aranas will represent Hawaiʻi and her Nānākuli clubhouse at a regional competition next month, striving for the title of Youth of the Year. Here’s what makes her worthy of this recognition, according to those she serves with.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 26, 2025

Family in ʻEwa Beach has fostered local children for nearly 20 years

Since 2006, Maria and Rodney Sabado have participated in nonprofit Hale Kipa’s Transitional Family Homes program, having served more than 10 kids of varying ages, while raising two girls of their own. Program manager Greg Spangler discusses his strategy to be recruiting more foster parents to match the need in the community.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 22, 2025

New collection reimagines the legacy of Duke Kahanamoku

Mana Up and The Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation partnered on a limited-edition collaboration with seven Hawai‘i-based companies which offer exclusive products that pay homage to the waterman.

Stephanie SalmonsMay 21, 2025

Lahaina fire survivor Cesar Martinez looks to be part of the solution for housing

Since joining HomeAid Hawaiʻi in January, Martinez has helped place more than nearly 250 families in temporary housing on Maui, as part of a project called Ka La‘i Ola, which is on track to welcome 1,500 residents by the end of this year. The nonprofit's CEO Kimo Carvalho shares about its cost-effective approach and blueprint for the future.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 20, 2025

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hawaiʻi searches for new COO

With the help of the nonprofit’s board of directors, RMHC President and CEO Ed Nishioka seeks to hire a local leader who will oversee its annual budget, facility operations, human resources and more. He also provides an update on the organization.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 19, 2025

Hawaiʻi Water Safety Day brings ‘awareness, prevention and preparedness,’ says Gov. Green

Government and community leaders convened at the 2025 Hawai’i Water Safety Conference in Waikīkī to discuss priorities for the next legislative session and show appreciation for water safety champions statewide.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 17, 2025

Mental health hui helps ʻohana in Wai‘anae and beyond

Originally from Hawaiʻi Island, Social Worker Noelani Sagapolutele has served Oʻahu's Leeward Coast for more than two decades. She just launched startup Kākoʻo Hawaiʻi Mental Health Collective, or Waʻa Collective, to match providers with patients in a culturally conscious way across the country.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 16, 2025

Here's how the Construction Industry of Maui is supporting students

CIM recently gave tens of thousands of dollars in grants to construction vocational programs in Maui County high schools and will soon award three $25,000 scholarships to Maui students as part of an annual scholarship program.

Stephanie SalmonsMay 14, 2025

'Bow Buddy program brings positivity and perspective to Hawai‘i baseball team

After each Sunday home game, select UH baseball players participate in the 'Bow Buddy program.

Christian ShimabukuMay 14, 2025

Voting begins for American Idol’s Thunderstorm Artis to perform at the Waikīkī Shell

ASD gets an exclusive interview with American Idol contestant Thunderstorm Artis, who was raised in Haleʻiwa. Artis could come back home to Oʻahu for a hometown visit — and concert — as part of Season 23 of the television show, if the nation votes him one of their top three contestants tonight.

Katie HellandMay 12, 2025

Waterman Mike Field's art is on display at Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa

This Hawaiʻi Island-based artist was born in Guam and grew up on Oʻahu. He got his start when he went to the East Coast for college and found himself drawing the leaves, fish, flowers and coconut trees of home.

Katie HellandMay 10, 2025

Bud Pikrone to retire as GM of the Wailea Community Association after 25 years

Since 1987, the nonprofit corporation has stewarded the 1,500-acre master-planned Wailea Resort community on Maui, which today, has over 2,400 members and a budget of more than $3.5 million. A search for Pikrone’s successor is underway led by the board of director’s hiring committee and Inkinen Executive Search.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 10, 2025

Hawaiʻi Appleseed has a new executive director

Will White assumed the role last month, succeeding Gavin Thornton, who stepped down at the end of 2024. White aims to build from the organization’s "solid foundation" to advance its mission of advocating for economic justice for Hawaiʻi's people.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 09, 2025

Report: Honolulu has the cleanest air nationwide

Here’s how Hawaiʻi counties ranked among U.S. cities in air quality, according to the American Lung Association. Local Executive Director Pedro Haro shares what the findings mean for Isle communities and how it helps inform the organization’s priorities.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 08, 2025

North Shore-based duo of brothers set to perform at Ko Olina Children’s Festival

Nyjah Music & Zyah Rhythm are a duo of brothers set to perform at Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women & Children on Saturday, May 10. They have a personal connection to the medical center, which will benefit from the festival.

Katie HellandMay 07, 2025

Shred Shave Ice finds its niche in the local dessert business

Punahou School students Cassidy Crowley and Genevieve Iida share their journey as young entrepreneurs, with their latest venture paying homage to Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha. The pair have turned a profit in less than two months, serving sweet treats at private events and a pop-up.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 07, 2025

Sign up your keiki for summer classes

These summer programs provide entertainment and activities for keiki across Oʻahu, who are between 6 and 13 years old. Sign-up dates vary by district.

Katie HellandMay 06, 2025

What goes into making Genki Balls and why the Ala Wai is better for it

The Genki Ala Wai Project started in 2019 with a mission “to empower students, teachers and the community to work together to restore the ecosystem in Ala Wai Canal,” which runs through Waikīkī. Aloha State Daily lent a hand over the weekend toward its goal to deploy 300,000 Genki Balls, made of effective microorganisms, to make the water safe for fishing and swimming by 2026, while inspiring other waterway cleanups on Oʻahu and beyond.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 06, 2025

Meet Mighty Mo volunteer Chuck Malefyt

Malefyt, a licensed amateur radio operator, has volunteered for the Battleship Missouri Memorial for more than a decade – and recently, he was awarded for his efforts to keep its rich history alive.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 05, 2025

City and County of Honolulu announces winners of Lei Day contest

More than 130 lei were submitted to this contest, hosted by the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Parks and Recreation, on Lei Day, May 1, at Kapiʻolani Park. See photos of the lei entered in the contest and learn the winner of the Mayor’s Grand Prize.

Katie HellandMay 02, 2025

This Oʻahu-based choir is taking a message of hope to Carnegie Hall

Composer Erica Glenn wrote a requiem in eight languages for those who died in disasters in six different countries, which is now headed to one of the most famous stages in the world: Carnegie Hall. The assistant professor of music at Brigham Young University – Hawaiʻi is the guest conductor for the performance, which features the Hoʻolōkahi Chamber Choir.