Aloha Spirit

Kāneʻohe Bay Air Show: 8 things to know

Planes and automobiles are just part of the attractions at the Kāneʻohe Bay Air Show, which will be held this Friday, Aug. 8, through Sunday, Aug. 10. The free event allows attendees the chance to explore military aircrafts and listen to live music. Here are tips for the event this weekend, which organizers estimate will draw 100,000 people over three days.

Katie HellandAugust 05, 2025

Behind the scenes of Kāneʻohe’s Aloha Animal Sanctuary

The Oʻahu-based nonprofit that rescues farm animals took to GoFundMe in April to solicit donations to help build its reserves and continue operations. Support from the community has been great, according to Executive Director Kristie LaRose, who shares more about fundraising, volunteer recruiting and plans for growth.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosAugust 05, 2025

Tickets on sale for Made in Hawai‘i Festival

Set for Aug. 15 to 17 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, the festival will showcase more than 700 local artisans, makers and entrepreneurs, and offer shoppers thousands of locally made products.

Stephanie SalmonsAugust 04, 2025

YMCA of Honolulu manages program waitlist through hiring initiatives

Vice President of People and Culture Kevin Patterson discusses the organization’s immediate staffing needs and current incentives for anyone – youth, teen or adult – looking for mission-driven work. To those questioning if they have what it takes to work with kids, he says, “You do!”

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosAugust 02, 2025

Doctor's office for Big Isle schools gets wheels

With the addition of a new mobile health clinic, partially funded by ‘Ohana Health Plan and the Centene Foundation, Hawaiʻi Island Community Health Center will begin service at DOE public and charter schools around the island. Funding supports HICHC’s Gateway to Health project to “expand access to essential health services for students in underserved areas."

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 31, 2025

Nonprofit serves up food and smiles amid tsunami warning

The Salvation Army Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division staff and volunteers prepared breakfast for 1,200 individuals across five shelters statewide, following a tsunami warning Tuesday.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 31, 2025

Meet Miss Hawai‘i 2025 Emalia Dalire

Born and raised in Kāneʻohe, Dalire, 19, was crowned by the Miss Hawaiʻi Organization in May and will soon be headed to The Miss America Competition. Those interested in supporting her journey are welcome to come out to a fundraiser this Friday, Aug. 1, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Bayview Golf Course, featuring live music, small bites and door prizes.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 29, 2025

UH Cancer Center program brings free workshops to community

Saturday's event focused on the science of mindfulness, part of a quarterly series presented by the Susan C. Hirano Cancer Community, Awareness, Research, and Emotional Well-Being (CARE) Community endowment fund. Learn more about Hirano and her vision to impact the lives of patients at the center and those touched by cancer through cultivating support, connection and community.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 29, 2025

Recent funding allocated to help Lahaina families rebuild

Hawai‘i Community Foundation in collaboration with Maui County and the Partnership to Rebuild Lahaina has earmarked $15 million in grants toward Maui’s long-term recovery from the August 2023 wildfires. The grants will support 77 median income families who are reconstructing their homes, providing access to affordable loans and additional financing resources.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 28, 2025

Chinatown resource hub ‘a place of respite’ for those in need

Malu Kou Community Connection Center operated by UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Hawai’i is focused on uplifting community by connecting ʻohana to services for health, housing and more. Its name means "shade from the kou tree" and the local team intends to help individuals "take a load off," says Recovery and Resiliency Manager Adrian Contreras.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 26, 2025

Big Island Candies’ newest collab will benefit HUGS

The business’s collaborative box features a design from local artist Lauren Roth. A portion of proceeds from every sale of this special box will benefit HUGS.

Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJuly 25, 2025

Domestic Violence Action Center board president shares next steps

Aloha State Daily spoke with DVAC Board President David Tumilowicz about the nonprofit’s recent leadership transitions, near-term priorities and overall goal to end domestic violence. He also shares his personal journey to help reduce stigma around the issue.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 25, 2025

GSF Foundation delivers on supporting local families

Leadership at Quality Custom Distribution in Hawai'i discusses Golden State Foods Foundation’s impact across the Islands from its Focus on Food program, which addresses food insecurity among ʻohana, to other yearly initiatives run and funded by its staff of associates nationwide.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 24, 2025

Relief for family of victims of fallen banyan tree in Hilo

A GoFundMe page, which identified the victims as Trisha and Michelle, is raising funds for their service planned for August.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 23, 2025

Native Hawaiian-owned design and manufacturing companies aim to ʻuplift communityʻ

Tanya Uyehara, owner and designer of Lahaʻole Designs, also runs Kāholo Manufacturing Co., both of which currently operate out of Chinatown. She shares how her products share stories that “add intention and purpose” in a fast-fashion age. As Uyehara eyes a new location to take on more manufacturing clients, she's also getting ready for an exclusive release at Made in Hawai'i Festival.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 23, 2025

Volunteers add final touches to family home in Waimānalo

Work is underway at the Keliinui ‘ohana's future home, where the multi-generational family will get to move into by the end of August. Aloha State Daily lent a hand over the weekend with Honolulu Habitat for Humanity. We share more about the nonprofit's mission for more affordable housing, as well as the many hands involved to pull this off.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 22, 2025

Weinberg Foundation VP Marisa Hayase on impact and leadership

Hayase was recently promoted to lead The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation’s $150 million in annual grantmaking nationwide and in Israel. She joined the organization in 2019 as program director for Hawaiʻi. Aloha State Daily spoke with her about how the foundation has evolved since then and its priorities for the future.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 19, 2025

Teach For America Hawaiʻi names new leader

Meilan Akaka Manfre became executive director of the organization this month, bringing more than 15 years of education experience to the role.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 17, 2025

Global philanthropy firm funds UH rural health efforts, policy solutions

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust has awarded more than $30 million to Hawaiʻi to date – here’s what its latest grants will fund.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 17, 2025

Community leaders continue celebrations for Obon and plan to commemorate Hiroshima

Obon season is well underway in Hawaiʻi. Learn more from past and current leaders of the United Japanese Society of Hawaiʻi, who share about the recent Obon Memorial Service, the nonprofit's mission and their own family ties to Makiki, the place where early immigrants lay to rest, and Japan.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 16, 2025

Ongoing auction will benefit Kāne‘ohe nonprofit

The fundraiser for Habilitat is happening now and open through 6 p.m. Aug. 1.

Stephanie SalmonsJuly 16, 2025

Ocean acidification study predicts bleak future for Hawai‘i corals

UH Mānoa study modeled effects of ocean acidification on Hawai‘i's marine ecosystems.

Michael BrestovanskyJuly 16, 2025

Local artist adds gyotaku art – Japanese fish printing – to portfolio

Oʻahu resident Jade Fernandez started Hapa Girl Studio in 2020 to showcase her digital prints of surfer girls, which grew to include Hawai’i flowers, plants and birds. Now, she’s working on an exclusive collection for Made in Hawai’i Festival, which will feature gyotaku art – a traditional Japanese fish printing method.