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Hawaiʻi remembers Dolly Parton and ʻMy Hawaiʻiʻ
The singer, songwriter and actress with Appalachia roots had a career that spanned seven decades. She also had a special love for Hawaiʻi, where she once owned a home, operated a restaurant, and performed.
Katie HellandAugust 26, 2026
City rolls out new permitting system for public fields
Sports teams across Oʻahu are adjusting to a new permitting system rolled out by the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation on Monday.
Haley LehmanAugust 26, 2026
Waikīkī late-night spot Sidequest revamped its food menu
The sports bar — located in the Waikīkī Monarch Hotel — offers shareable pūpū, plate lunch-style entrees and breakfast all day. Sidequest also recently launched a new happy hour menu that features discounted appetizers.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaAugust 26, 2026
Where's our Legislative Analyst?
An Office of the Legislative Analyst was created by law during Gov. Waihe‘e's administration, and was meant to be a non-partisan, data-driven office that could inform legislators about the potential benefits and harms of the laws they pass. And yet, the office has never actually been staffed — it's a phantom, existing only on paper. Yet as lawmaking gets more complex, we need someone to do this work and some lawmakers having been trying to make the office finally happen.
Perry ArrasmithAugust 26, 2026
Uncles and Aunties: Kumu Hula Pattye Wright to participate in Aloha Festivals Floral Parade
Wright, 91, founder of Nā Puakea o Koʻolaupoko in Kailua, is keeping busy teaching seven weekly classes across the globe, while volunteering at church. Come September, this will be the hālau's fourth year entering a float in the parade, which allows them to share their culture with spectators and grow closer with one another, says Shiori Kaʻimilani Koehler, another kumu for the hālau.
Cheryl Chee TsutsumiAugust 25, 2026
Kani Ka Pila Grille Talent Search names winner
This talent search had finalists perform at the Made in Hawaiʻi Festival. Learn which groups performed and who won a paid contract at Kani Ka Pila Grille at the Outrigger Reef Waikīkī Beach Resort.
Katie HellandAugust 25, 2026
Pū Kena is a new coffee trailer in ‘Aiea
The business — which opened earlier this month — is located along Kamehameha in ʻAiea. According to business owner Kawai Mielke, the biz was created to be a gathering place, and one of its goals is to support as many local businesses as possible.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaAugust 25, 2026
Kalihi's Andre Ilagan set to make history at U.S. Open
The Farrington and UH alum is the first former Rainbow Warrior to be invited to the U.S. Open.
Christian ShimabukuAugust 25, 2026
HPD investigating body found in Waikīkī dumpster
Jenny Lupton, 50, was found dead in Waikīkī last week.
Michael BrestovanskyAugust 25, 2026
Community Voices: Clean energy schizophrenia
Our state does a lot of giving and taking when it comes to energy use; when all the giving and taking is considered together, legitimate questions can be asked about who is benefiting and who is paying the price.
Tom YamachikaAugust 25, 2026
Ige wasn’t an insurgent. He was next in line.
A senator who chaired the most powerful committee in the Capitol waited quietly while a governor burned through every ally he had. ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa on what Hawaiʻi’s most famous “insurgency” proves about governing.
Sterling HigaAugust 25, 2026
These Kaua‘i resorts top recent 10Best lists
More Hawai‘i resorts have been recognized by voters in USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. Read on to see who made the lists.
Stephanie SalmonsAugust 25, 2026
Hawaiian martial arts master inaugurates “Warrior Women” exhibit at L.A. Museum
Michelle Manu presides over new exhibition paying tribute to female protectors, defenders and combatants at world’s only museum honoring international self-defense disciplines, including ancient Hawai‘i’s lua. She resides in California but returns to the Islands next month to lead a women's retreat on Hawai‘i Island.
Ed RampellAugust 25, 2026
Hamada: The hands that help when disaster strikes
In the wake of Hurricane Lala, we saw professionals who went above the call and neighbors who stepped up to help neighbors. Let's take a moment to appreciate the best of the aloha spirit.
Rick HamadaAugust 24, 2026
Vote to keep Oʻahu contestants on ‘America’s Got Talent’
Three singers with ties to the Islands are quarterfinalists on “America’s Got Talent.” You can help them advance. Learn more about their music and when they will take the stage.
Katie HellandAugust 24, 2026
Waikīkī Market and ‘Olili are reopening this week
The market and restaurant — located on the second floor of Lilia Waikīkī on Kūhiō Avenue — are celebrating their grand reopening on Tuesday, Aug. 25. Waikīkī Market had closed for construction earlier this spring, and now offers new features like a customizable loco moco station. ‘Olili has a new happy hour menu and features a revamped dinner menu.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaAugust 24, 2026
Community Voices: Waimea Valley, a cultural treasure preserved for community
Waimea is a wahi kapu with a storied history that dates back a thousand years. An understanding of this is what its stewards hope to share with those who visit the valley — and what they hope that those who visit will take home.
Puanani Fernandez-AkamineAugust 24, 2026
Ethiopian Love is now in Kakaʻako
The restaurant — which closed its Chinatown location during the Covid-19 pandemic — now pops up in the space next to Bevy Bar at SALT At Our Kakaʻako. The eatery is known for its vegetarian- and vegan-friendly dishes, especially its sampler platters.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaAugust 24, 2026
Made in Hawai‘i Festival welcomes shoppers
The four-day event began Thursday and continues through the weekend. Aloha State Daily spoke with a handful of small business owners who set up shop.
Stephanie SalmonsAugust 22, 2026
Kauaʻi County takes step to harden homes against wildfires
Kauaʻi County Council's Planning Committee this week took up Bill 2998, which, inspired by the loss of Lahaina, details ways to harden homes against wildfires. If adopted, the revised building codes would reduce the ways a fire can jump from fields to homes. At the same time, some attending the hearing worried the home modifications would make housing even more expensive.
Haley LehmanAugust 22, 2026
Former Hawai‘i star receiver John Ursua dives into coaching career
Following the end of his illustrious playing career, Ursua is now the receivers coach at Orem High School in Utah.
Christian ShimabukuAugust 22, 2026
Nonprofit that trains service dogs taps new leader
Former UH Athletic Director David Matlin joined Hawaiʻi Fi-Do Service Dogs in June as executive director, bringing more than 30 years of leadership experience to the role. A dog lover himself, Matlin spoke with Aloha State Daily about what attracted him to the role and his vision for growth.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosAugust 22, 2026
Couple pleads not guilty in child torture case
Jasmine Quiroz-Pele and James Heffernan were accused of physically abusing and imprisoning a 13-year-old boy for years.
Michael BrestovanskyAugust 22, 2026
Best of Hawai‘i Mākeke offers more ways to shop local
The three-day mākeke, presented by Hawai‘i's Finest, returns to the Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall this weekend with more than 300 local businesses.
Stephanie SalmonsAugust 21, 2026