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And the Wailuku Film Festival winners are...
It’s a wrap for the inaugural Wailuku Film Festival. Brian Kohne, the festival's director and the Maui film commissioner, reflected on the event and how it impacted local businesses. Read more to learn the festival’s winners.
Katie HellandJune 25, 2026
Q&A: New Hawai‘i women's volleyball head coach Joshua Walker hits the ground running
Walker, a former UH men's volleyball player and assistant coach, returns to his alma mater after four seasons on Baylor's staff.
Christian ShimabukuJune 25, 2026
DOJ awards $17 million to over 600 Red Hill plaintiffs
Military family members impacted by the Red Hill water contamination receive settlements, but the case continues as thousands more plaintiffs remain.
Michael BrestovanskyJune 25, 2026
Hamada: Let me be a warning to you
ASD columnist Rick Hamada gets personal with some health news, in hopes that you'll be inspired to take better care of yourself.
Rick HamadaJune 25, 2026
UBAE opens second location in Pearlridge Center
The business — which stands for “ube before anything else” — just opened in ‘Aiea. Its Pearlridge Center store has several exclusive treats, including ube slushies and ubaegato, or soft serve topped with a shot of hot espresso.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJune 25, 2026
Mid-Pacific Institute looks for next leader
The private school in Mānoa Valley has launched its search for president. The deadline to apply is Sept. 4, with the school hopeful to announce its new president on July 1, 2027. Outgoing president Paul Turnbull will head to North Carolina for a new role next summer.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJune 24, 2026
New from Maui Gold Pineapple Co.: Maui Pineapple Farm
The new brand launched this week, offering value-added products made from Maui Gold pineapples.
Stephanie SalmonsJune 24, 2026
Wehiwehi artists perform at Bishop Museum, Shangri La
Six Kānaka Maoli artists shared their work with the community at the Wehiwehi artist showcase on June 19 at Bishop Museum. This week, artists from the Wehiwehi residency program will also perform at Shangri La before an evening crowd of up to 200 people at the first event of its kind for the museum and cultural center, after an expanded conditional use permit went into effect this year.
Katie HellandJune 24, 2026
Hau Tree launches a refreshed brunch menu
Executive chef Chaz Wilmore and chef de cuisine Denecio Urias recently revamped The Kaimana Beach Hotel restaurant’s brunch menu. Diners can look forward to dishes like shakshuka and naan, an updated avocado toast, fish sandwich and more.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJune 24, 2026
Community Voices: The art of the tax deal
We, the people, have an interest in the deals that our government is making. Especially if tax money, or government resources paid for by tax money, is part of the deal.
Tom YamachikaJune 24, 2026
Northern California club brings artistic swimming to Hawai‘i
Walnut Creek Aquanuts, an artistic swimming club from Northern California, recently held an international event at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.
Christian ShimabukuJune 24, 2026
City loan program for first-time homebuyers nears passage
A Honolulu City Council committee discussed a long-gestating program that would allow prospective homebuyers to apply for a loan from the city to help cover a down payment on a home.
Michael BrestovanskyJune 24, 2026
Legends and Spirits of Polihale
At the end of an unpaved, 5-mile road on Kaua‘i's west side is Polihale Beach. It is many things — a treasured local hangout, a visitor attraction that's gaining popularity, and, in ancient Hawaiian tradition, it is a jumping-off place for souls seeking the afterlife. Eerie stories abound about it.
Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiJune 24, 2026
Turtle Bay Resort vs. a bee: Why the rules keep choosing luxury
An endangered bee could stall a Turtle Bay resort, writes ASD columnist Sterling Higa. A few miles down the coast, homes that start at $5.9 million are going up untouched.
Sterling HigaJune 24, 2026
Ocean House by Roy Yamaguchi is now open on Kauaʻi
The new eatery, which celebrated its grand opening on June 22, is located at Outrigger Kauaʻi Beach Resort & Spa in Līhu‘e. The restaurant is currently open for breakfast and dinner and features a locally sourced menu that highlights Kauaʻi’s farms and fishing communities.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJune 24, 2026
Haleiwa Joe’s wins 2026 Kauaʻi Poke Fest
The sixth annual Kauaʻi Poke Fest took place on June 20 at Koloa Landing Resort. Poke entries from more than 20 competing teams were judged by a panel of celebrity chefs. The event featured poke tastings, live hula, and a poke demonstration by chefs Sam Choy and Emeril Lagasse.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJune 24, 2026
Maui-based clothing shop now open at Kāhala Mall
Waiwaolani, a Native Hawaiian-owned alohawear business featuring prints of Hawaiʻi’s native species, has expanded to Oʻahu with the opening of its first retail store on the island.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJune 23, 2026
Festivals, a hui hou to Kam Bowl, and cinema: What to do on O’ahu this weekend
Ready to make plans for the weekend? Aloha State Daily can help. From saying a hui hou to Kam Bowl Restaurant, which closes Sunday, to checking out the Pacific Rim Festival or Hawai’i Beer Fest, there are lots of events happening on O’ahu this weekend. Looking to stay cool inside? Sign up for the Hawai’i State Public Library’s Summer Reading Challenge.
Katie HellandJune 23, 2026
Red Lobster closes Waikīkī location
The restaurant permanently closed on June 21, a company spokesperson confirmed.
Stephanie SalmonsJune 23, 2026
Community Voices: Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi turns 25, same year U.S. turns 250
A personal invite to Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi's 25th Anniversary Gala on Sept. 4. The theme of the evening is "The Freedom to Thrive," and will bring together Grassroot’s friends from around the Islands and the country to enjoy a meal, open bar, entertainment and more.
Keliʻi AkinaJune 23, 2026
Brug Bakery is celebrating its 13th anniversary with $3 pastries
The Japanese-style bakery’s popular annual pastry sale is back on Friday, July 3, at all six Brug locations. All pastries will be $3 each on a first-come, first-served basis; limit 12 pastries per customer. Six winners will also win a $130 Brug gift card.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJune 23, 2026
From Lāʻie to The League: Kahuku's Tolu Smith represents the Red Raiders along NBA journey
In 2025, Smith became just the second player who graduated from a high school in the Islands to appear in an NBA game, joining Hilo's Red Rocha, who debuted in the NBA in 1950.
Christian ShimabukuJune 23, 2026
Lawsuit calls for preliminary suspension of Act 11
A follow-up to the Grassroot Institute of Hawai‘i's lawsuit against the state over the new anti-corporate-spending bill urges the courts to prevent the enforcement of the law as the suit progresses.
Michael BrestovanskyJune 23, 2026
Hawaiʻi showcased at Smithsonian exhibit
In July, the U.S. will celebrate the 250th anniversary of its existence as a nation. In honor of the event, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History has launched an exhibit that includes items from all 50 states, including its youngest one: Hawaiʻi.
Katie HellandJune 23, 2026