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Enter for a chance to win tickets to see Disney’s live action adaptation of the animated film ‘Moana’
Aloha State Daily has partnered with Pacific Media Group to send several of you to a special screening of Disney’s live action adaptation of the animated film, “Moana,” at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 18 at Consolidated Ward Theaters.
Kady PascualJuly 10, 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
Hush Hush is a new speakeasy in Pint + Jigger
The speakeasy is currently open Fridays to Sundays for cocktails. The entrance is hidden in plain sight inside Pint + Jigger. The speakeasy’s menu now features a New Orleans-style theme with drinks like Sazerac, Grasshopper, and libations with absinthe.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJuly 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
Top Hawai‘i prospects prepare for MLB Draft decisions
Scouts view the 2026 draft as a potential down year in the Islands due to the lack of players expected to sign.
Christian ShimabukuJuly 10, 2026
Mahalo Noodle Waikīkī offers Okinawan soba
The eatery focuses on Okinawan soba, which includes a wheat-based noodle instead of buckwheat. Other menu items include tan tan Okinawan soba and traditional seasoned rice bowls.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJuly 09, 2026
HoMA announces new director and CEO
The Honolulu Museum of Art has announced its next director and CEO, who will assume the role on Sept. 1. Learn more about the executive, who grew up in Kailua.
Katie HellandJuly 09, 2026
State AG to investigate alleged Sylvia Luke campaign finance violations
A complaint by the Campaign Spending Commission alleging 12 campaign finance violations has been referred to the state Attorney General for possible prosecution.
Michael BrestovanskyJuly 09, 2026
Max Holloway, Conor McGregor take to the mic and reflect ahead of UFC 329
The two mixed martial arts stars and Saturday's headliners were the main attraction of UFC 329's media day at T-Mobile Arena on Wednesday.
Christian ShimabukuJuly 09, 2026
Anna O’Brien’s under new management
Learn what will and won't change as this Irish pub — not far from the campus of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa — soft opens under new management on Friday, July 10.
Katie HellandJuly 09, 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
Pipikaula Corner: Hawai‘i's fraudulent vape ban
On Tuesday, Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green signed into law a ban on "99.9% of disposable vapes." It's a move totally at odds with the harm reduction strategies the state uses for all other vices, argues ASD Editor in Chief A. Kam Napier. And it's in response to a non-existent crisis, in that teen smoking and vaping is the lowest it's ever been in a quarter century.
A. Kam NapierJuly 08, 2026
North Shore farm aims to expand opportunities for immigrant farmers, strengthen local food systems
Nonprofit Pacific Gateway Center has launched PGC Farms Hale‘iwa, a new 80-acre agricultural hub on land owned by Kamehameha Schools.
Stephanie SalmonsJuly 08, 2026
This Wahiawā coffee shop is tucked away behind a tattoo shop
Hideaway Coffeeshop opened in Wahiawā at the beginning of May. Business owner Steph Maldonado describes the space as a “speakeasy-like coffee shop” and features customizable drinks with housemade syrups.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJuly 08, 2026
Hamada: Hawai‘i not to blame for losing Sony Open
We fret locally about what Hawai‘i might've done wrong to lose major golf tournaments, but ASD opinion columnist Rick Hamada says that changes within the golf industry itself made the loss inevitable.
Rick HamadaJuly 08, 2026
What 1,800 words can’t tell you about the OHA lawsuit
The disputed court filing at the center of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ board war runs 42 pages and costs $4.31 to download. Almost no one will ever read it. ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa on why we meet every public story halfway through — and why we have to judge anyway.
Sterling HigaJuly 08, 2026
Huaka‘i Pō at Pu‘ukoholā
It is said that Kamehameha himself helped build the Pu‘ukoholā heiau, a massive undertaking that involved a human chain 20 miles long passing stones from Pololu Valley to Puʻukoholā. Once completed and consecrated, Kamehameha's kahuna had said, the heiau would mean the successful end to Kamehameha's wars of conquest. Naturally, tales of night marchers — Huaka‘i Pō — still haunt the area.
Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiJuly 08, 2026
Excitement for Max Holloway is 'through the roof,' says strength coach Darin Yap
Holloway's strength and conditioning coach, Darin Yap, believes his 15-pound jump to face Conor McGregor on Saturday will be a seamless one.
Christian ShimabukuJuly 08, 2026
Community Voices: SNAP disaster imminent
The good news is that we don’t have the worst error rate, and Hawaiʻi was just slightly above the national average. The bad news is that our error rate was 10.92% in 2025. Double digits mean triple penalties, and don’t expect anyone to cut us some slack when they take effect.
Tom YamachikaJuly 08, 2026
'99.9%' of vapes to be banned under new laws
A pair of new laws Gov. Josh Green signed Tuesday will strongly curtail what e-cigarette products are permitted to be sold in the state.
Michael BrestovanskyJuly 08, 2026
Disney’s live action 'Moana' sails into theaters and more: Oʻahu weekend guide
Ready to make weekend plans? Catch Disney’s live action version of “Moana,” which opens in theaters on Friday, July 10. The Honolulu Surf Film Festival, the Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival, and the International ʻUkulele Festival of Hawaiʻi will also be happening this weekend on Oʻahu.
Katie HellandJuly 08, 2026
Tickets for Made in Hawai‘i Festival go on sale Aug. 1
The annual event will be held Aug. 20 to 23 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center.
Stephanie SalmonsJuly 07, 2026
Neko Koneko is a Tokyo-meets-Hawaiʻi café
The café — whose name derives from the Japanese word for “cat” — opened in October 2021, and is inspired by its owners’ love for coffee, travel and Japanese heritage. While the business is known for its 16-ounce bottled cold brews, it also offers a traditional menu with in-store drinks.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJuly 07, 2026
Green signs new Marine Affairs office into law
New state office will govern ocean and aquatic resources and policies.
Michael BrestovanskyJuly 07, 2026