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.

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

New rodeo highlights Hawaiian cowboy heritage on Hawaiʻi Island

“Paniolo Legends Under the Lights” is produced by third-generation paniolo Aki Smith, owner of Paniolo Culture Co. Presented in partnership with 1832 Hawaiʻi Living Co. and Waikōloa Stables, the evening includes rodeo events in the historic arena, a meal from Chef Nakoa Pabre of Umekes, live music and time to talk story with cowboys.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 26, 2026

Pālolo proud: Jayden Maiava doesn't shy away from his roots along football journey

Maiava, the first Polynesian quarterback to start for USC, took some time back home before the most consequential season of his young football career

Christian ShimabukuMay 26, 2026

Community Voices: The people who will save Hawai‘i

Katie Chang, executive director of Center for Tomorrow's Leaders, talks about why she's bullish on Hawai‘i's future. She sees a thousand reasons each year — the number of student leaders in CTL's programs who are going to fight for their Hawai‘i.

Katie ChangMay 25, 2026

Community Voices: From resistance to regeneration at Waipā

Waipā’s efforts have expanded beyond growing food. They are also raising future farmers and community advocates. The valley serves as an outdoor classroom, providing educational programs for schools, families and community members.

Philamer FelicitasMay 25, 2026

Windward Community College professor named Guggenheim Fellow

Kapulani Landgraf, a professor of art at Windward Community College was recently named a Guggenheim Fellow. She spoke with Aloha State Daily recently about her work.

Katie HellandMay 25, 2026

KCC’s summer culinary cohorts to get cooking

Kapiʻolani Community College’s Culinary Institute of the Pacific, in partnership with Culinary Institute of America, is offering two culinary training programs at no cost for high school students and culinary professionals in June. The deadline to apply is through Friday, May 29.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 23, 2026

Flowers, volunteers needed ahead of Memorial Day

Girl Scouts Hawaiʻi is collecting flowers and ti leaves for lei to honor the more than 10,000 service members at the Hawaiʻi State Veteran’s Cemetery in Kāneʻohe. On Saturday, May 23, members of the public are invited to join them in creating lei.

Katie HellandMay 23, 2026

Kumu Earl Kawaʻa, haumana recognized for Board and Stone

Born and raised on Molokaʻi, Kawaʻa has offered Board and Stone to ʻohana across the Islands since 2010. The cultural classes teach families how to carve a wooden board (papa kuʻi ʻai) and shape a stone poi pounder (pōhaku) using only hand tools, while perpetuating Hawaiian traditions, language, moʻolelo and more. Last month, the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives honored him and his team for their dedication to community.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 22, 2026

Backset drops new single “Up Late”

The ‘Āina Haina-based band Backset is releasing its first single from a six-song extended play this week. Aloha State Daily caught up with Gabriel Goes, who also performed on NBC’s “The Voice,” Hawaiian Council’s “Hawaiʻi to the World,” and more, about his inspiration for the new music and how to listen.

Katie HellandMay 22, 2026

Taimane, Los Lobos to headline Maui Music and Food Experience

Music and food are on the menu for the third annual Maui Music and Food Experience, which will host several days of performances in Kāʻanapali in August. The event’s headliners were announced this week. Proceeds of the two-day event will benefit Hua Momona Foundation, which is working to feed the community, help Lahaina rebuild and foster a youth music scene on Maui.

Katie HellandMay 20, 2026

What to do on Oʻahu for Memorial Day weekend

From sewing lei for service members to the Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi, there are lots of events happening on Oʻahu this weekend. Aloha State Daily rounded up some of the ceremonies and activities, so you can make plans.

Katie HellandMay 19, 2026

Boys and Girls Club of Hawaiʻi’s annual fundraiser kicks off

Since 2017, Great Futures Day has aimed to raise awareness and funds for the nonprofit, which is celebrating 50 years of serving youth in the Islands. Throughout the dubbed the “Week of Aloha,” which runs from May 18 to 22, donors can double their impact thanks to various partners.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 19, 2026

Exhibit on Robert Cazimero extends through next week

A special exhibit honoring the work of legendary musician and Kumu Hula Robert Cazimero has been extended due to popular demand. Catch it at Gallery ‘Iolani at Windward Community College.

Katie HellandMay 19, 2026

Jarod Hester now oversees Oʻahu’s Polynesian Cultural Center

Earlier this month, Hester succeeded P. Alfred Grace as president and CEO of the cultural attraction in Lāʻie and in his role plans to prioritize people — workforce, guests and community members. Hester, who previously served as PCC's chief operating officer and chief financial officer, is originally from New Zealand and shares what initially drew his family to Hawaiʻi nearly 13 years ago, pleasant surprises in the role so far, and his vision to continue to enhance experiences at PCC.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 18, 2026

'Groundbreaking' film combines Chile, Hawaiʻi and hula

The short film “Pilina” combines cultural influences from Chile and Hawaiʻi with a common language: dance. Chilean American Filmmaker Carolina Espiro and Mānoa-based Producer Jana Park spoke with Aloha State Daily about the production, which will debut in early 2027.

Katie HellandMay 16, 2026

And the Nā Hōkū Hanohano finalists are…

The Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts has released the list of finalists for its prestigious Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. Nominees were selected for each of almost 30 categories. Awards include Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and more.

Katie HellandMay 15, 2026

Mākaha waterman receives lifetime achievement award

Brian Keaulana got his start in the movie industry as a stuntman. Recently, the waterman was a producer for Apple TV’s “Chief of War,” which stars his cousin, Jason Momoa, and Fox’s “Rescue: HI-Surf.” Keaulana reflects on the ocean, plus opportunities for youth to grow into careers in the film industry, where he has worked for more than three decades.

Katie HellandMay 15, 2026

'Play with a purpose' at this kids gym in Honolulu

Owner of We Rock the Spectrum Honolulu John Ross shares the intention behind his first venture inspired by his son with autism and the families who are navigating a similar path. He describes it as "a place where every child, neurotypical or not, is genuinely celebrated."

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 15, 2026

Hawai‘i Realtors Charitable Foundation offering grants to residents affected by March storms

The foundation — the charitable arm of Hawai‘i Realtors — will distribute a total of $200,000 in grants to aid in storm relief.

Stephanie SalmonsMay 14, 2026

Fundraiser for farms surpasses goal

Thanks to you and an anonymous donor, we raised more than $200,000 for the Hawai‘i Farmers Union Foundation's Hawai‘i Flood Response Fund. The GoFundMe page remains open as more donations come in that will help Hawai‘i’s farmers and rural communities devastated by recent Kona Low storms.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 14, 2026

Biodynamic farm on Maui seeks support after storms

Lokelani ʻOhana, a Wailuku farm that offers therapeutic programs rooted in Hawaiian culture for adults with developmental disabilities, is fundraising via GoFundMe and its website to aid in rebuilding following the back-to-back Kona Low storms in March. Donations to the nonprofit will also go toward bringing on an organic farmer, according to Farm Director Christina Chang.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 12, 2026

Uncles and Aunties: Ron Montgomery, finds 'thrill' repairing planes

Ron Montgomery served in the Navy for 28 years as an aircraft mechanic and air crewman, and shortly after worked a 25-year career with Hawaiian Airlines. Now, you can find him volunteering to restore a variety of vintage planes, mostly World War II-era, at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. On May 23, the museum will hold a community event, themed Armed Forces Appreciation.

Cheryl Chee TsutsumiMay 12, 2026

Molokaʻi-based nail art business owner's tips for design

Līhau Willing, founder of Hawaiʻi-born brand Iwi Nails, talks about the evolution of her business since 2021.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 11, 2026