Aloha Spirit
News
New shelter prioritizes brain and behavioral health
The Kumu Ola Hou Iwilei Transitional Shelter is a collaboration between the city, which owns the the Iwilei Center, where the shelter is located, and the state, which is providing funding to the Institute for Human Services to manage the facility.
Stephanie SalmonsMarch 01, 2025
HANO’s Melissa Miyashiro navigates federal funding concerns, prepares for local impacts to nonprofits
Meet the executive director of Hawaiʻi Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations, who is tracking changes happening at the federal and state levels, to help strengthen the local sector by providing information and resources.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosFebruary 28, 2025
Keiki take Ōlelo Hawaiʻi to Disneyland
This hui marked Hawaiian Language Month with a trip to Southern California.
Katie HellandFebruary 27, 2025
3 strategies to address childhood homelessness in Hawaiʻi
Family Promise of Hawaiʻi held its first-ever Childhood Homelessness Symposium on Tuesday, which brought together nearly 200 local and national experts and stakeholders to help inspire solutions for childhood homelessness statewide. Topics included homelessness among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, early childhood education, affordable housing and more.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosFebruary 26, 2025
Why this mom is advocating for water safety statewide
On Feb. 28, which is the 21st anniversary of her daughter's death, Allison Schaefers Dubovsky will visit the detention pond where 5-year-old Charlotte “Sharkey” Schaefers drowned rescuing her friend. The bereaved mom shares how advocating for legislation and developing a water safety plan this year will help prevent drowning in Hawaiʻi.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosFebruary 24, 2025
Aloha Freedom Coalition rallies against vaccine bill HB1118
The grassroots organization hosted a rally at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol on Thursday opposing legislation that would bar new non-medical exemptions to vaccines at schools.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosFebruary 22, 2025
Hawaiʻi’s Vivia Cares expands to Washington
Executive Director Racheal Lynch on bringing a senior care model developed in Honolulu to Olympia. She shares hiring tips and more about her focus on ‘keeping the aloha mentality.’
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosFebruary 20, 2025
Vibe turns 5, celebrates by giving $5,000 worth of free marketing services to one local nonprofit
In 2020, founder and CEO Erica Mau-Schank branched out from her family’s business to create her own Hawaiʻi-based marketing agency, which caters to more than 30 small- to medium-sized companies and nonprofits. Today, her mission to boost business, while increasing community impact, continues.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosFebruary 19, 2025
Family business based in ‘Ewa Beach creates clothing that captures ‘working with aloha’
For Shane and Corry Ahlo, the owners of Ahlo’s Apparel, family and faith are what drive their passion to promote the aloha spirit in work environments. In addition to their full-time jobs in construction and as parents, the couple creates HI-Vis safety aloha shirts and other items, for those who want to rep Hawaiʻi wherever they are.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosFebruary 14, 2025
Bronson Chang, co-founder of Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha, reflects on closing the ‘Āina Haina shave ice shop and living Pure Aloha
“It’s a time to honor and celebrate the legacy of HOPA with the people who made it special,” Bronson said. “This is why we were so determined, never threw in the towel for so many decades, even when I think most would have.”
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosFebruary 13, 2025
5 reasons why Micah Kāne decided to move to Waimea’s Parker Ranch
Kāne has led Hawaiʻi Community Foundation for nearly 10 years, in addition to serving on its board seven years prior. Now, he’s preparing to move to Hawaiʻi Island in September, where he will lead Parker Ranch Inc., home of the paniolo since 1847.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosFebruary 13, 2025
Solomon Kaimimoku connects culture and community in Waikīkī
Kaimimoku became general manager of the Waikīkī Business Improvement District’s Aloha Ambassador program last August.
Stephanie SalmonsFebruary 13, 2025
Great Aloha Run road closures and get to know the local graphic designer behind this year’s swag
The main event, which includes three races for keiki to kūpuna, will culminate on Monday, Feb. 17, from 7 to 10 a.m. Volunteers and those registered will receive a T-shirt designed by local artist Nurry Kwan, who shares with us his inspiration. For non-runners, try to avoid certain streets – like Middle Street and Dillingham Boulevard – in Downtown Honolulu on Presidents Day morning.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosFebruary 11, 2025
Meet Project Dana’s new executive director
Maria Morales was promoted after more than 10 years of service at Project Dana, which focuses on elderly care. Recently, she has helped rollout a new electronic data system for volunteers and program recipients on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosFebruary 11, 2025
Hawaiʻi Black Chamber of Commerce to host expo in Kapolei
To celebrate Black History Month, Hawaiʻi Black Chamber of Commerce is hosting a family-friendly event this Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Kapolei Heritage Center. It will showcase local businesses, culture, art and more.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosFebruary 08, 2025
Kahu Anela Rosa prepares to welcome ʻohana back to Lahaina’s Waiola Church
This congregation will gather in-person for the first time since its historic structure was destroyed by the 2023 Lahaina fire. As church leadership looks to rebuild, local families and visitors can plan to reconnect at a casual, outdoor service on Sunday, March 2.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosFebruary 07, 2025
Honolulu Zoo’s elephants make 2025 Super Bowl pick
On Wednesday, the Honolulu Zoo’s two Asian elephants predicted the outcome of Sunday’s Super Bowl 59 game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. Find out which team it chose to win and how it happened.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosFebruary 06, 2025
Mary Kawena Pukui featured on new $1 coin
The coin features an image of Pukui wearing a hibiscus flower, a kukui nut lei and a mu‘umu‘u with an aloha print, and “stylized depictions of water” in the background.
Stephanie SalmonsFebruary 06, 2025
Adorable pets up for adoption, plus other services the Hawaiian Humane Society offers
What does a dog named Goose, Sassy the cat, and a tortoise called Greased Lightnin all have in common? These animals were rescued by Hawaiian Humane Society and are looking for a new home. The nonprofit aims to help pet owners with everything they need from medical support and microchipping to supplies, dog-walking, meetups and more.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosFebruary 05, 2025
Where to park, what app to download and other fun things for Punahou Carnival
Hereʻs what you need to know to enjoy the ride at this weekendʻs Pā‘ina Paniolo: A Country Carnival!
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosFebruary 04, 2025
U.S. Vets Hawai‘i expands West O‘ahu operations
Executive Director Tanya Brown shares what it will take to run the state-funded kauhale project, which will aid Wai‘anae residents – veterans and civilians alike – who are experiencing homelessness.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJanuary 31, 2025
Nonprofit delivers food to Windward O‘ahu and beyond
In partnership with Hawaiʻi Foodbank, Giving Hope Hawaiʻi provides food and goods to families in need along the Windward Coast. Violette Ishikawa runs the operation founded two years ago by Jerry Romano of Jerry V’s Auto Group.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJanuary 30, 2025
Hawaiʻi dietician cares for community, starts business
Kristen Salles, a licensed dietitian nutritionist based on Oʻahu, has begun taking on new clients of her own. She aims to work with individuals and businesses on their health goals.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJanuary 25, 2025
Nonprofit director reimagines interfaith organizationʻs next steps
Rev. Estela Chao-Reza sees her role at Faith Action for Community Equity as a liaison for mobilizing causes that align with the grassroots organization’s mission "to act justly and speak boldly for all of the divine's creation in Hawaiʻi." Practically, her job entails partnering with like-minded nonprofits to offer resources and support with social justice issues.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJanuary 24, 2025