Aloha Spirit
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Bon dance, 'Les Misérables,' and laughs: what to do on Oʻahu this weekend
Ready to plan your weekend? Aloha State Daily can help! From a Bon dance in Waipahu to a Comedy U and Consolidated Theatres collaboration in Kapolei, there are lots of events happening across Oʻahu this Friday, July 31, through Sunday, Aug. 2.
Katie HellandJuly 29, 2026
Here's the 'Best in Hawai’i Architecture' in 2026
AIA Honolulu's 68th annual Design Awards, which took place July 24, recognize excellence in architectural design.
Stephanie SalmonsJuly 28, 2026
Oʻahu hālau wins top awards at Queen Liliʻuokalani Keiki Hula Competition
An Oʻahu-based hālau took top honors at the Queen Liliʻuokalani Keiki Hula Competition, while one from Maui captured the Hawaiian Language Award. Check out the full list of winners.
Katie HellandJuly 28, 2026
Frank De Lima is still making everyone laugh
The legendary Island comedian, who recently celebrated his 77th birthday, now resides in Las Vegas and still writes new material.
Christian ShimabukuJuly 24, 2026
Uncles and Aunties: Vicky Holt Takamine, legendary kumu hula
“My mother was my inspiration,” Takamine told ASD. “I used to watch her dance on the ‘Lucky Luck’ TV show in the 1950s. I begged her to let me go to hula classes, but she said I was too young and that I would quit after a year. I proved her wrong!” In 2025, she was recognized as a Living Treasure of Hawai‘i for her accomplishments — one of several accolades, both local and national, she has received over the years for her contributions to hula and Native Hawaiian arts and culture.
Cheryl Chee TsutsumiJuly 22, 2026
30th annual Walk in the Country Gala is coming this August
The fundraiser, which benefits the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaiʻi, will be at the Four Seasons Resort Oʻahu at Ko Olina on Aug. 8. This is one of the highlights for BGCH, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJuly 22, 2026
DKT Jesus & Coffee opens its first storefront in Wahiawā
The business — which stands for “dessert kine thingz” — has a trailer in Kapolei, but just celebrated the grand opening of its new storefront in Wahiawā. The faith-based café features drinks named after books of the Bible, according to owners Janey and Ray Decena.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJuly 21, 2026
Maui's Milaniakai Padilla wins national beach volleyball honor
Padilla was named the Amateur Athletic Union's Beach Volleyball Player of the Year on Monday.
Christian ShimabukuJuly 21, 2026
Lahaina's Front Street set to reopen Aug. 1
Repairs and rebuilding in the area have been ongoing since wildfires driven by high winds struck on Aug. 8, 2023, including a blaze that destroyed much of Lahaina Town.
Stephanie SalmonsJuly 21, 2026
Here's what's new at the 32nd annual Made in Hawai‘i Festival
Hawaiian Airlines presents the 32nd Annual Made in Hawai‘i Festival returns to Honolulu in August and organizers say it'll be the biggest festival yet, with more than 800 vendor booths spanning nearly 300,000 square feet across two nights and two full days.
Stephanie SalmonsJuly 21, 2026
Hawaiʻi Island hālau returns for Queen Liliʻuokalani Keiki Hula Competition
Keiki from 15 hālau across the state, including Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island, will compete in the Queen Liliʻuokalani Keiki Hula Competition this week. Kumu Kenneth “Aloha” Dean Alohapumehanaokalā Victor shares how he helps the students of Hālau Kala’akeakauikawēkiu embrace fun and dream big.
Katie HellandJuly 20, 2026
Native Hawaiian Convention returns to Honolulu
Following a convention in Washington last year, the Native Hawaiian Convention hosted by Hawaiian Council has returned to Oʻahu. Learn about the speakers, hands-on cultural workshops and panel discussions planned for this year’s event. There will also be special dedicated events to remember the 50th anniversary of the first landing on Kahoʻolawe.
Katie HellandJuly 17, 2026
Chick-fil-A Kamokila to host fundraiser for River of Life Mission
On Monday, July 20, patrons of Chick-fil-A Kamokila in Kapolei can help support the local, faith-based organization, which for more than 40 years has served neighbors across Oʻahu who are experiencing homelessness, poverty and crisis. Learn more about how to participate in the upcoming Community Care Event.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 17, 2026
Hawai‘i's Mountain West representatives soak up Las Vegas homecoming
Micah Alejado, Cam Barfield, Jamih Otis and Elijah Palmer all played high school football at Bishop Gorman High School, a national powerhouse in Vegas.
Christian ShimabukuJuly 16, 2026
Hawai‘i's Bretman Rock makes 2026 Time100 Creators list
The list recognizes 100 of the "most influential digital voices" of 2026.
Stephanie SalmonsJuly 16, 2026
Lahaina homecoming planned; Front Street to reopen in near future
Nearly three years after deadly wildfires destroyed much of the West Maui community, 103 former residents are set to return this weekend — and the public is invited to help celebrate the community's spirit.
Stephanie SalmonsJuly 14, 2026
Community Voices: Molokai is ready for another option
Lānaʻi Air will begin flying between Oʻahu and Molokai in September.
Philamer FelicitasJuly 14, 2026
Free soil, plant testing for Kona Low-affected farmers ends July 21
Three months of free testing offered by the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa's Agricultural Diagnostic Service Center ends soon. Tests can identify soil and plant health issues and shifts in pest populations since the storm.
ASD StaffJuly 14, 2026
And the Nā Hōkū Hanohano winners are ...
The winners of Female Vocalist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year, as well as many other Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards have been announced. These artists took home the top awards on Saturday, July 11.
Katie HellandJuly 12, 2026
Kamaka ʻUkulele celebrates 110 years
The ʻukulele company which makes instruments played by ʻukulele virtuosos and movie stars is celebrating more than a century of business. The instruments will be featured at the International ʻUkulele Festival of Hawaiʻi, a free event that returns to the Kapiʻolani Park Bandstand, this Sunday, July 12.
Katie HellandJuly 12, 2026
Maui-based apparel brand to debut at Made in Hawaiʻi Festival
Jared Nagura, owner of Aloha Ke Akua Clothing Co., “fell into business” during college and credits God to its success over the past decade. The faith-based company, known for designs that blend Hawaiian language and culture with biblical messages, will for the first time be at Hawaiʻi's annual celebration of locally made products come August.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 11, 2026
'Haagua' featured at Honolulu Surf Film Festival
The 15-minute film features Kaliko Kahoonei, who grew up on the Oʻahu's West Side on a paipo board. The short explores Indigenous knowledge of the ocean and surfing and will screen at the Honolulu Surf Film Festival.
Katie HellandJuly 10, 2026
New law increases access to colorectal cancer screenings and treatment statewide
House Bill 1969, which became a law on July 1, aims to reduce colorectal cancer — the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in Hawaiʻi — by providing $1.8 million in state funding over the next fiscal year to the uninsured for screening and follow-up tests. Aloha State Daily caught up with Rep. Cory Chun, who reintroduced policy from 2012 into this year's legislative session, as well as Mark Vasconcellos, a colorectal cancer survivor and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteer.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 10, 2026
Community Voices: By Restoring Our Reefs We Restore Ourselves
When corals are ripped out, we lose more than coral — we lose shelter for reef life, habitat for fish, and part of the reef’s natural ability to take the punch out of waves before they reach our shoreline. That loss affects our food systems, livelihoods and community health, says Alika Peleholani Garcia, executive director of Kuleana Coral Restoration.
Alika Peleholani GarciaJuly 08, 2026