Aloha Spirit
News

Hawai‘i Leadership Forum expands its Leaders Lab to Neighbor Islands
The immersive one-day labs will be held Oct. 28 on Kaua‘i; Nov. 7 on Maui; and Dec. 3, on Hawai‘i Island. You have until noon Friday, Aug. 1, to apply.
Stephanie SalmonsJuly 14, 2025

Kauaʻi resort launches scholarship program
Leadership at Grand Hyatt Kauaʻi Resort & Spa share why they are investing in continued education of its employees and their dependents.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 14, 2025
Waimānalo Beach Parkʻs campgrounds get new name
Learn about the groundskeeper, George Keʻa Mahoe Jr., who was honored this week by the Department of Parks and Recreation for a 40-year career working at beach parks across East Oʻahu.
Katie HellandJuly 12, 2025

Community Voices: Built through brotherhood and meaningful moments
A personal essay by Makawao Eagle Scout Noah Kalehuawehe, who recently received the 2025 John Henry Felix Leadership Through Service Award.
Noah KalehuaweheJuly 12, 2025

Insect-A-Palooza flies into Honolulu
Do your keiki love insects? This event, presented by Patagonia Honolulu and the University of Hawaiʻi Insect Museum, gives kids of all ages a chance to learn about native bugs.
Katie HellandJuly 11, 2025

Medical distributor Henry Schein opens in Honolulu
The newly opened distribution center in the former R. Weinstein space on Oʻahu offers next-day delivery of medical products — vaccines, surgical supplies and equipment — for health care practitioners across Hawai’i.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 11, 2025

Giveaway: KHVH News Radio’s cash contest presented by Aloha State Daily
Listen to KHVH weekdays for your chance to win $1,000. Offer expires July 25.
Kady PascualJuly 11, 2025

"Sharing Aloha" documentary to premiere next month
The film shares the stories of student workers who perform at the Polynesian Cultural Center. The nonprofit attraction's ticket sales cover daily operations and support the education of student employees at the nearby Brigham Young University - Hawaiʻi.
Katie HellandJuly 11, 2025

Feast on burgers and Mai Tais for a good cause
For every featured burger and Mai Tai sold at resorts like The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort and Sheraton Waikīkī Beach Resort, $1 will be donated to the Children’s Miracle Network at Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women & Children.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJuly 10, 2025

Three-city benefit concert tour to kick off in Lahaina
From Aug. 15 to 16, the Hua Momona Foundation will host its second annual Maui Music & Food Experience at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, showcasing nationwide musicians and chefs. Proceeds from the tour will go toward the foundation’s efforts to address food insecurity and invest in youth music programs on Maui.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 09, 2025

How to help ʻohana following the Māʻili wildfire
A GoFundMe page has been created for the Ahuna family, which lost their dog, home and event business equipment, in the blaze this past weekend in Waiʻanae. A GoFundMe was also created for the family of a 94-year-old woman who died of fire injuries. Gov. Josh Green comments on fire response and Aloha State Daily lists a few resources for those who were impacted.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 08, 2025

Lānaʻi resident Vince Cabanilla bridges art and community
The Lānaʻi Art Center is a nonprofit art gallery offering spaces for keiki to kūpuna to create and come together. Aloha State Daily spoke with the center’s co-director Vince Cabanilla about challenges, upcoming events and how art has helped to heal those affected by the 2023 Lahaina fire.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 08, 2025

Jamba Hawaiʻi offers new program that supports local nonprofits
Owned and operated by Fresh Dining Concepts LLC, Jamba Hawaiʻi recently launched its Blend it Forward program to support nonprofits across the Islands. This month, the company will donate proceeds to Boys & Girls Club of Hawaiʻi for every Mango-A-Go-Go and Watermelon Breeze smoothies sold at participating locations.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 07, 2025

Royal Hawaiian Center's Sam Shenkus recognized
Shenkus recently received the 2025 ICSC Trustees' Distinguished Service Award, the highest volunteer recognition from the International Council of Shopping Centers. Aloha State Daily recently spoke with Shenkus about her award, career and community service.
Stephanie SalmonsJuly 07, 2025

Honolulu-based author wins national award
Alice Inoue is a life coach, business founder and astrologer. The award-winning author just added another accolade to her career, an award for her newest book “Daily Mindful Moments: A Year of Life Wisdom.”
Katie HellandJuly 04, 2025

Fundraising progresses for new documentary spotlighting Hawaiʻi soldiers who share aloha
Filmmaker Steve Sue, founder and chairman of ID8, which is the nonprofit producing “The 100th: Seeds of Aloha,” shares the story of the 100th Infantry Battalion unit that fought in World War II. Sue provides an update about this project and the trilogy it's part of that largely relies on donor support.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 04, 2025

Hawaiʻi Police Department is collecting new backpacks now through July 20
New and unfilled backpacks may be dropped off at any Hawaiʻi Island police station, as part of HPD's annual backpack drive for keiki getting ready to go back to school. This community initiative is in partnership with Hope Services Hawaiʻi, a nonprofit agency committed to ending homelessness.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 03, 2025

Romer House Waikīkī set to launch Après Surf
The hotel says the new community surf club — hosted by pro surfers Meg Godinez and Makoa Kaleiki Ho — is inspired by the "spirit of après ski culture," or the social activities after a day of skiing.
Stephanie SalmonsJuly 02, 2025

Meet this year’s grand marshals of the Kailua Village Independence Day Parade
Kona-based community leaders Frank and Laura Mallery-Sayre will proceed down the parade route starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 4. The pair founded The Daniel Sayre Memorial Foundation in 1997, which has raised funds for the fire departments on Maui and Hawai’i Island.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 02, 2025

Bloomberg Philanthropies selects Honolulu as finalist in global competition
The City and County of Honolulu will receive $50,000 to prototype a program that would add new rooftops and community gardens to public places, including its new rail line, as part of a plan to grow fresh produce for underserved populations.
Katie HellandJuly 01, 2025

Global Christian organization delivers housing to ʻohana in Lahaina
Samaritan’s Purse staff and volunteers, along with the local community, gathered Saturday to welcome three Maui families home. Since the 2023 Lahaina wildfire, the relief organization has donated 41 tons of supplies and equipment; rebuilt five homes, with 16 more underway; and deployed hundreds of volunteers to assist with ongoing recovery efforts.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 01, 2025

Mark your calendars for Mari’s Gardens Summer Fair on July 19
The summer event in Mililani will feature more than 50 vendors, keiki activities and, of course, plants. Mari’s Gardens Manager Mariko Lau shares what to expect, where to park and more about the family business.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJune 28, 2025

Hawai‘i experts disagree on interstate telehealth to solve doctor shortage — here's why
In this deep dive, Aloha State Daily spoke with Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi Policy Director Malia Hill and Wellness Partners Hawaiʻi President and CEO Bradley Kuo on the issue of permitting out-of-state physicians to treat local patients.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJune 27, 2025

Kauaʻi artisan has fun with feathers
Diane Mitsuyasu-Masumura, owner of Weslyn’s Creative Feather, has created traditional Hawaiian lei hulu, feather accessories, lauhala ornaments and more since 1989. She shares her process and about preparations for the upcoming Made in Hawaiʻi Festival, which sheʻs participated in since it started 31 years ago.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJune 25, 2025