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.
News
When music meets ʻohana: In tune with the Lau family
Anne and Milton Lau have organized slack key guitar festivals across Hawaiʻi for more than 40 years. The festival founders share how three generations of family celebrate the tradition of kī-hōʻalu, or slack key guitar, and keep a musical tradition alive.
Katie HellandOctober 24, 2026
Adventist Health Castle invests in new surgical, stroke equipment
The Kailua-based hospital is now utilizing the da Vinci 5 surgical system, the latest and only model on the island. Meet one of the doctors operating it and learn more about its recent advancements in both surgical and stroke care.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosOctober 24, 2026
Community Voices: Remembering Kamaki Kanahele, a visionary Hawaiian leader
Thomas “Kamaki” Awa Kanahele III was many things: a cultural practitioner, a traditional healer and priest, a kumu hula, a teacher, a businessowner, an administrator, community leader, and a politician. He is remembered by the community as a beloved kupuna who advocated for and served his people.
Puanani Fernandez-AkamineOctober 23, 2026
From driver to the driver’s seat: Brandi Saragosa reflects on her journey to CEO of Maui Food Bank
After seven years at Maui Food Bank, Brandi Saragosa stepped into the role as Chief Executive Officer in July. Aloha State Daily sat down with Saragosa to learn about the lessons she’s learned and her goals for Maui Food Bank’s future.
Haley LehmanOctober 23, 2026
Local designer Rocket Ahuna teases next fashion show inspired by UH Mānoa
Ahuna took to Instagram on Thursday to preview his MĀNOA Spring/Summer27 Fashion Show — which pays homage to the valley, the university campus, and, of course, sports — set for Nov. 13 at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosOctober 22, 2026
St. Andrew’s Schools’ Ruth Fletcher on integrating a co-educational model
For the first time in the school’s nearly 160-year history, both boys and girls joined the 2026-27 academic year across all grade levels from pre-school and up. Aloha State Daily spoke with Fletcher, president and head of school, about the significance of this transition, among other happenings around campus.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosOctober 22, 2026
Largest cohort graduates from Movers and Shakas' Hawai‘i Talent On Boarding Program
Forty leaders recently completed HITOP, a six-week acculturation program that introduces business leaders and executives who have recently relocated or returned to the Islands to Hawai‘i's culture, history and community.
Stephanie SalmonsOctober 22, 2026
Meet the team behind new book set at Sacred Hearts Academy
“Ghosting Aloha,” a newly released young adult coming-of-age novel written by a hui of teens explores themes of friendship, fear, love and lore from the school, which includes ghost stories set at the Kaimukī campus and surrounding neighborhoods on Oʻahu. Aloha State Daily recently attended a book celebration recognizing the young writers and adults who helped make this project possible.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosOctober 21, 2026
Cemetery improvement project to develop grave database
An ongoing $2.3 million project to improve cemeteries statewide seeks to identify unknown burial sites.
Michael BrestovanskyOctober 20, 2026
Online training available for Psychological First Aid
Local trainer Deborah Bear Barbour invites the public to “be an asset to your community in times of crisis.” Registration for the last class of the year on Nov. 7 is now open, in partnership with Kāneʻohe/Kahaluʻu Community Emergency Response Team and Vibrant Hawaiʻi's Koʻolau Resilience Hub Network.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosOctober 19, 2026
Community Voices: From a grassroots gathering to a puʻuhonua
The organizers of this annual pau hana are Indigenous tech professionals Sage Keʻalohilani Quiamno, Evan Naiʻaomana Castro, Lia Ikeda and Leimomi Bong, who are clear about what Pasifika in Tech is not: a networking event with a Hawaiian-shirt theme slapped on it. It’s a hui, sustained by people who show up when it’s hard.
Pasifika in TechOctober 19, 2026
'Chief of War' actor Kaina Makua, community leaders talk culture, workforce wins and woes
Hawaiʻi Workforce Development Council in partnership with Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi put on its fifth Future of Work Conference 2027, which focused on preparing the state’s workforce for the future, while staying rooted in the Islands. The day was packed with speakers and presentations across industries, as well as networking, awards and solutions for moving forward.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosOctober 19, 2026
Winners named for Hula O Nā Keiki Competition
The Hula O Nā Keiki Competition was held on Maui and has named its winners for Miss Hula O Nā Keiki 2026 and Master Hula O Nā Keiki 2026. Read the full list of honorees.
Katie HellandOctober 17, 2026
Aloha Tower reopens after five years
Historical landmark closed in 2021 because of Covid, but reopens this week during its centennial celebration.
Michael BrestovanskyOctober 16, 2026
Dare to go 'Over the Edge' to support Special Olympics Hawaiʻi?
The 17th annual fundraiser invites individuals on Oct. 17 to rappel more than 400 feet down the side of the Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort & Spa to raise funds for athletes with intellectual disabilities. “Every participant is able to face and overcome their fears and challenges, much like our athletes do every day,” says a spokesperson for the local nonprofit.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosOctober 15, 2026
Sonny Lim reflects on new album, upcoming festival
Born and raised in Kohala, Sonny Lim, a slack key guitar master, will be one of more than a dozen artists sharing music at the 29th Annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival – Kona Style on Hawaiʻi Island this weekend. His newest solo album, “Hoene,” recently won the Nā Hoku Hanohano Award for 2026 Slack Key Album of the Year.
Katie HellandOctober 15, 2026
Kids, community embrace new name for Damien Memorial School
Following a ceremonial mass over the weekend, students and staff celebrated the recent name change from Damien Memorial School to Saint Damien School in honor of Father Damien of Molokai, who was canonized 17 years ago by Pope Benedict XVI. The Kalihi private school’s President and CEO Walter “Wally” Marciel and Board Chair Lanson Kupau discuss the significance of this decision now and how it will shape future generations.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosOctober 14, 2026
Aloha Tower, Pride parade and ʻukulele tune-ups: 10 things to do on Oʻahu this weekend
Ready to make plans for the weekend? From celebrating 100 years of Aloha Tower to the Honolulu Pride Parade, there are lots of opportuntities to get outside this Friday, Oct. 16, Saturday, Oct. 17, and Sunday, Oct. 18. Don’t miss the guide for spooky season activities, and get ready for some Halloween fun.
Katie HellandOctober 14, 2026
Trini Clark reflects on time with Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi, looks ahead to role at HMSA
Clark will depart from her role as president and CEO of the nonprofit at the end of this month after more than seven years in the role. Chief Development Officer Madalyn Kenney Bumanglag will step up to serve in the interim to continue the organization’s “work of creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses across the state.”
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosOctober 14, 2026
Aiana Swim’s latest drop makes a splash
UH West Oʻahu student Zeidalyn Templado just released her second collection of swimsuits featuring hand-drawn designs inspired by the Hawaiian Islands, including a print that honors the memory of her childhood dog. She shares the story behind her brand and the greater purpose that drives her.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosOctober 12, 2026
Spooky season with Taimane at Hawaiʻi Theatre
The ʻukulele virtuoso will play her newest album “Liʻulā,” along with some of her greatest hits, and Halloween medleys at Hawaiʻi Theatre later this month.
Katie HellandOctober 12, 2026
Kalama Kim named 2026 Realtor of the Year by Hawai‘i Realtors
Each year, the trade organization recognizes a member for their achievements within their local board, community, state association and the National Association of Realtors.
Stephanie SalmonsOctober 12, 2026
Community Voices: Catholics prepare to celebrate 200 years in Hawaiʻi
The missionaries, members of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, departed Bordeaux, France, in 1826 on a nine-month journey to Hawaiʻi. When they arrived in Honolulu in July 1827, they faced opposition from Protestant missionaries who had arrived seven years earlier and who had gained considerable influence with Kuhina Nui Queen Kaʻahumanu. Those difficult years also represent a formative period that helped strengthen and shape the faith in the Islands.
Donalyn Dela CruzOctober 12, 2026
31 things to do for Halloween on Oʻahu
Ready to get in the mood for Spooky Season? Here are 31 events happening between now and Halloween, which is Saturday, Oct. 31.
Katie HellandOctober 09, 2026