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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
Amy Miller reflects on five years at Hawaiʻi Foodbank
The nonprofit's president and CEO shares more about the operations and ongoing partnerships at the food bank with warehouses, staff and support on both Oʻahu and Kauaʻi. Her top priority is to expand the organization’s mission of nourishing ʻohana and ending hunger.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJune 23, 2026
James Campbell Co. acquires West O‘ahu apartment complex
Built in 2020, The Element offers 318 rental apartments, 20% of which are reserved for households earning no more than 80% of the area median income.
Stephanie SalmonsJune 23, 2026
Supreme Dumplings is now open in Ala Moana Center
The business, which originated in Washington, specializes in handmade xiao long bao, or soup dumplings. Dumplings are folded by hand and are steamed fresh to order; customers can choose from fillings like pork, wagyu beef, truffle and chicken and more. Customers can currently make reservations via Yelp.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJune 23, 2026
Community Voices: Legislative outcomes underscore the need for continued advocacy
Only one of the six OHA package bills introduced to directly benefit the Native Hawaiian community was ultimately transmitted to the governor for signature. Here's a rundown of the victories and losses from the 2026 legislative session, per the organization that aims to protect Native Hawaiian rights.
Leināʻala LeyJune 22, 2026
A hui hou, Kalihi's Kam Bowl Restaurant
The Kalihi-based restaurant is closing this Sunday, June 28, at 3 p.m. It’s reopening on July 1 at 10:30 a.m. under new management and a new name — Aliʻi Diner. Kam Bowl Pearl City is set to open in mid-July at Times Square Shopping Center.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJune 22, 2026
Free meals fuel keiki for the summer
Aloha State Daily visited Salt Lake Elementary School’s summer program during lunch time, where about 120 Kindergarten through 6th grade students enjoyed a ready-to-eat meal with milk, some even going back for seconds. The school serves as one of 20 meal sites across Oʻahu and Kauaʻi through the Hawaiʻi Foodbank’s SUN Meals program, which partners with the state DOE’s Hawaiʻi Child Nutrition Programs, Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network, and more.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJune 20, 2026
Q&A: Wendell Look reflects on his ‘Iolani career
Look is retiring as the school's athletic director and head football coach on June 30 after spending over four decades at the school.
Christian ShimabukuJune 20, 2026
Two lawsuits against state retirement system go to Supreme Court
Two retirees have sued the state over disability benefits, in separate cases now going to the state's highest court.
Michael BrestovanskyJune 20, 2026
Why Hawaiʻi locks up the honey
The honey is locked up and cameras watch the lot. ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa on what Hawaiʻi bought when it stopped paying for justice.
Sterling HigaJune 20, 2026
Oʻahu-based artist drops debut full-length album
8RO8 talks about his debut full-length album, “Hammajang,” which releases this month. The singer and songwriter, who grew up in Mākaha, shares behind-the-scenes moments from capturing a recent music video, which was filmed in a surprising spot: along the Ala Wai Canal.
Katie HellandJune 20, 2026
Pipikaula Corner: Hawai‘i dodged a library bullet
Hawai‘i tried very hard to be the home of Barack Obama's presidential library. Now the thing exists in Chicago, open to the public, over budget and overwrought. ASD Editor in Chief A. Kam Napier recaps Hawai‘i's doomed quest to secure this building and gets into what the architecture of the finished project tells us.
A. Kam NapierJune 19, 2026
Hala Tree Café is opening in Waikīkī
The business closed its original Kaʻaʻawa store and is soft opening today in Waikīkī. It’s known for serving 100% Kona coffee, and this new location also features an in-house bakery. Hala Tree Café’s grand opening will be on July 1.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJune 19, 2026
Governor designates state orchestra for Hawaiʻi
Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra has a new title, which comes with statewide recognition. Amy Iwano, president and CEO of the nonprofit, shares what this means for the organization. Aloha State Daily takes a closer look at the symphony's finances over recent years.
Katie HellandJune 19, 2026
Hawai‘i baseball set to reshuffle coaching staff
The Rainbow Warriors will need a new pitching and hitting coach after recent departures.
Christian ShimabukuJune 19, 2026
Boys and Girls Club of Hawaiʻi celebrates 50 years of legacy
The nonprofit, which includes several after-school clubs and centers across Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, is celebrating 50 years of caring for youth. Aloha State Daily caught up with president and CEO Paddy Kauhane to learn more about its programming and plans for expansion over the next 50 years.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJune 19, 2026
Wahiawā Dam in state hands
The State Agribusiness Development Corp. signed off Thursday on a transfer agreement to take over ownership of the Wahiawā Dam and other related parcels.
Michael BrestovanskyJune 19, 2026
New laws coming in second half of 2026
Several new laws are set to take effect beginning July 1. Here are some highlights.
Michael BrestovanskyJune 19, 2026