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

Food and fireworks: Your guide to the weekend on Oʻahu

From a patriotic sing-along to a new happy hour, there are lots of events happening on Oʻahu this weekend. Get your calendar ready to make plans for this weekend!

Katie HellandJuly 02, 2026

Local high school students learn to cook under Chef Thomas Wong

As part of a scholarship-supported summer culinary cohort at Kapi‘olani Community College’s Culinary Institute of the Pacific, Wong — who is from Oʻahu and is now based in California as a professor at Culinary Institute of America at Greystone — created this custom curriculum to challenge teens in an intensive five days of training. Teamwork, timeliness, organization and having a good attitude were among the lessons learned by students.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 02, 2026

How to celebrate July 4 on Kauaʻi, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island

Looking for ways to celebrate the semiquincentennial of the U.S. becoming a nation this long week weekend? Aloha State Daily has you covered. From poolside barbecues to a chili cook-off, which will be judged by Lahaina firefighters, to a helicopter flower drop at the Flowerworks Festival, there are lots of events happening across the Neighbor Islands.

Katie HellandJuly 01, 2026

After over a decade in the NFL, Marcus Mariota continues to share his gift

On Monday, Mariota's Motiv8 Foundation held its 10th annual golf tournament, a key fundraiser for the organization's mission in supporting local communities, underserved youth and homeless populations, among other initiatives.

Christian ShimabukuJune 30, 2026

Construction Industry of Maui awards scholarships to three isle students

The CIM Bob Poulson Scholarship encourages local students to pursue a degree in the construction and design industry — away from Maui — then bring their knowledge and skills back to the Valley Isle. Three students each received a $20,000 scholarship this year and shared with Aloha State Daily their plans after college.

Stephanie SalmonsJune 30, 2026

ʻDivine disruption’ at heart of HoMA exhibit

This new exhibit by Tsherin Sherpa at the Honolulu Museum of Art features deities in unconventional poses and places. It tackles tough issues, such as displacement and immigration, and will be on display through January 2027.

Katie HellandJune 30, 2026

Hawaiʻi says ‘No can’ to Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C.

Hawaiʻi government officials will not be present at the Great American State Fair, put on by Freedom 250 now through July 10, along with at least 10 mostly Democratic-led states citing cost, staffing and for some, political reasons. Gov. Josh Green says no funds were earmarked for the fair by the state or Congress and instead, has thrown support behind local celebrations.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJune 29, 2026

Music video filmed at Hanalei Bay gets world premiere in Hollywood

Actress turned filmmaker Carolina Espiro created a music video for four-time Grammy Award winner Kalani Peʻa’s song “Hanalei I Ka Pilimoe.” Shot entirely by moonlight at Hanalei Bay, its world premiere debuted on Friday, June 26, at Dances with Films Festival in Hollywood, California.

Katie HellandJune 27, 2026

David Earles to step down from Junior Achievement of Hawai‘i

Earles, who has called the Islands home for nearly 30 years serving in various leadership roles across the nonprofit sector, plans to move to Nevada with his family after more than four years at the helm of JAH. The organization, which provides financial literacy and entrepreneurship programs to K-12 students statewide, is looking to hire its next president and CEO. The deadline to apply is Friday, July 3.

Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJune 26, 2026

Kumu Hula Kalani Viloria heads hālau in California

Since 2023, Kumu Hula Kalani Viloria and wife Hiwa Gacutan-Viloria have operated Kapiliwaiokeao, a hālau in Southern California that offers traditional and contemporary hula classes to haumāna (students) ages 3 and older. Viloria shares more about his upbringing in dance and the Hawaiian culture, the hālau’s evolution and recent hōʻike, future goals, and more.