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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
New cancer clinical research center unveiled in Honolulu
The state’s first dedicated center for early phase cancer clinical trials — dubbed the Hoʻōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center — officially opened Monday at the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center in Kakaʻako. The new facility, which cost a total of about $19.5 million for construction and equipment, will allow local patients to receive specialized treatments closer to home.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 07, 2026
New law gives extra tax credit to film productions with local hires
Gov. Josh Green signed legislation Monday that will increase tax credits for movies and series filmed on the Islands if they include mostly local hires.
Katie HellandJuly 07, 2026
Sony Open joins the seniors’ tour — and so has Hawaiʻi
A pension check arrives in Hawaiʻi untaxed; a young family’s groceries do not. ASD columnist Sterling Higa on the golf rebrand that tells the truth about who these Islands are built for.
Sterling HigaJuly 07, 2026
Hawai‘i football sold short again in latest EA Sports release
EA Sports College Football 27 was released on Monday, the latest in an annual installment of college football video games.
Christian ShimabukuJuly 07, 2026
Budget Bites: $30 prime rib deal at Merriman’s Honolulu
This special entree is available starting at 8 p.m. for dine-in only on Sundays to Thursdays at the eatery. It features a 12-ounce, herb-crusted prime rib served with Maui green beans and garlic mashed potatoes.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJuly 07, 2026
Liliha Bakery to open new spot in Waikīkī
This will be the brand's sixth location on O‘ahu.
Stephanie SalmonsJuly 06, 2026
Sushi Ichika has a new, affordable omakase experience
The sister restaurant of Tempura Ichika is starting a new Makai omakase on July 6. This new course starts at $90 per person, and it will only be available on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJuly 06, 2026
Aloha Tower at 100 years old, Part 2: It seemed like a good idea at the time ...
In the early 1960s, the State of Hawai‘i invested millions in harbor upgrades that included modernizing Aloha Tower as a terminal for passenger liners. But jet planes soon replaced passengers liners, rendering the terminal obsolete. In the 1990s, those structure were torn down to create Aloha Marketplace, a shopping and dining destination that would never draw the anticipated crowds. ASD history writer DeSoto Brown brings us to the present day as Aloha Tower celebrates its centennial.
DeSoto BrownJuly 06, 2026
Community Voices: Are your trees ready for hurricane season?
As hurricane season unfolds, it's worth remembering that preparing for storms isn't only about what we store in our closets or garages. It's also about caring for the living infrastructure that surrounds us.
Daniel Dinell & Carol KwanJuly 03, 2026
CONGRESS WATCH: Schatz introduces bill requiring labels on AI content
U.S. Congress considered AI measures and other legislation last week.
Michael BrestovanskyJuly 03, 2026
Naks Pan is a new salt bread business on Oʻahu
The home bakery specializes in shio pan, or salt bread, and cream pan. The Japanese bread rolls are available in a variety of flavors, while the cream pan buns are filled with custard. The biz will be popping up at the Taste of Aloha market on July 11.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJuly 03, 2026
Ala Moana Center makes list of best shopping centers
USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards aim to rank the 10 best in several areas of travel and lifestyle. Here's where Ala Moana — and other Hawai‘i businesses — landed on several lists.
Stephanie SalmonsJuly 03, 2026
From Waipahu to Italy: Remembering Staff Sgt. Grover Kazutomi Nagaji
Born and raised in Waipahu, Nagaji joined the U.S. Army on March 25, 1943. He became a proud member of the 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), 34th Infantry Division, and trained at Camp Shelby in Mississippi. One year later, he was deployed to Europe, where he saw action in Italy as part of the Allied campaign against German forces.
John DekhaneJuly 03, 2026
Community Voices: Now you see it, now you don’t
There’s no magic involved here, only taxes. Taxes you can see, and taxes you can’t. Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi revisits the barrel tax.
Tom YamachikaJuly 03, 2026
Hawai‘i Athletics rings in new era
On Wednesday, UH officially became a full-time member of the Mountain West Conference after 14 years in the Big West. The athletic department's new TV rights deal kicked in that same day.
Christian ShimabukuJuly 03, 2026
David Lazar sworn in as new HPD chief
Lazar, former assistant chief for the San Francisco Police Department, is HPD's 13th chief, and the first to be hired from outside the department in 90 years.
Michael BrestovanskyJuly 03, 2026
Olivet Baptist Church on Beretania Street turns 100
Senior Pastor Jamie McElrath shares about the church’s history in Honolulu and his hope for the congregation’s future: “A healthy body will grow.” Olivet Baptist will be celebrating this milestone with events open to the community over the weekend.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 03, 2026
Sharing the Spirit of America heads to all 50 states
The birth of the United States started with the Declaration of Independence. Now, 250 years later, people will read the historic document in all 50 states, five territories and the Minor Outlying Islands, as well as across the world, through this initiative with Hawaiʻi America250.
Katie HellandJuly 03, 2026