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Hawai‘i's love affair with Botswana — and why it ended
For most Mainland United States locations, the antipode — the place on the directly opposite side of the globe — falls right in the middle of an ocean. For Hawai‘i, the antipode is in Africa. That realization was the beginning of a 1960s relationship between Hawai‘i and Botswana as that nation gained independence. Hawai‘i Governor John A. Burns was America's official representative at the independence ceremonies.
Perry ArrasmithJune 10, 2026
King Kamehameha Day, High Watah and hula: your guide to the weekend
Ready to plan the weekend? Don’t miss contests for mele, hula and mango recipes. There will be King Kamehameha Day celebrations, a Mele Conference & Hula Festival and the opening late-night event for Limelight Hawaiʻi, which will feature performances from High Watah and Three Plus.
Katie HellandJune 10, 2026
The Corndog Company of Hawaiʻi offers savory, hand-dipped treats
The Kahuku-based business now pops up at events across Oʻahu. It’s most known for its Epic dog — a one-fourth pound all-beef corndog — that’s coated in sweet and savory, golden-brown batter. The business will be popping up at the Haleʻiwa Arts Festival on June 13 and 14.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJune 10, 2026
The Well Kailua just launched a new summer menu
The Kailua coffee shop — which opened last September — just started seasonal specials like mango sticky rice matcha lattes and tiramisu lattes. Its summer menu will be available until August.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJune 10, 2026
Uncles and Aunties: The Logan ʻohana serve up sweet treats
Paul Logan, who grew up in Wahiawā, is having the time of his life as the “Uncle” of Uncle’s Ice Cream Sandwiches, which wholesales its sweet treats to 150 retailers on the Mainland and close to 200 statewide, including Foodland, Whole Foods and ABC stores. His wife, Barbara, helps manage the finances for the business and enjoys sharing about his post-Merchant Marine ventures such as surviving a super typhoon in Saipan with their two-month-old son, renovating a 200-year-old chateau near Verviers, Belgium, and more.
Cheryl Chee TsutsumiJune 10, 2026
Community Voices: What preserving Papahānaumokuākea means below the surface
Marine debris from lost or discarded commercial fishing nets to plastic and other waste carried to the ocean by streams, rivers and lakes, does not simply disappear at sea. Much of the debris collected in the massive Great Pacific Garbage Patch north of Hawaiʻi eventually converges on our shores — especially in Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary. Despite relatively little of this waste originating in Hawaiʻi, our local community continues bearing the responsibility of ongoing cleanup efforts to protect one of the most sacred and ecologically significant places on Earth.
Philamer FelicitasJune 09, 2026
Community Voices: When Congestion Rules All
Honolulu DTS director of transit Jon Nouchi is set to lead a public discussion about human transit on June 27 at AIA Hawaiʻi's book club, which this quarter aims to examine how public transit influences connectivity, community planning and the future of Honolulu’s urban spaces. Nouchi gives ASD readers a taste of the upcoming conversation.
Jon NouchiJune 09, 2026
State Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole reactions to Act 11 lawsuit
SB2471 was the signature piece of legislation to emerge from the recent legislative session. Now it's a law, one that's already been challenged as unconstitutional. ASD reached out to the law's backers for comment.
A. Kam NapierJune 09, 2026
Gov. Green announces new DLNR leadership
Dawn Chang will retire as chairperson and director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources next month. Gov. Josh Green has announced her replacement.
Katie HellandJune 09, 2026
Community Voices: Navigating the 'NIL'e
University of Hawaiʻi's Athletic Director Matt Elliott is determined to find a way to get millions in resources for college athletes to be compensated for their name, image and likeness (referred to as NIL). Although the Legislature tried to sink NIL funding, UH’s ship stubbornly refuses to go down, per the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi.
Tom YamachikaJune 09, 2026
FEMA fraud co-conspirator sentenced to two years in prison
Daylyn Harris, who pled guilty for stealing disaster relief monies related to the Lahaina and Pacific Palisades wildfires, will face two years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay back more than $60,000 to FEMA.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJune 09, 2026
The sword that spares
ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa shares gratitude for the police we send toward the danger the rest of us flee, especially in light of the manhunts for Jacob Baker and William “Billy” Sinclair.
Sterling HigaJune 09, 2026
Hawaiʻi 4-H livestock events teach youth real-life skills
Local youth from across the state have started showcasing their business and leadership skills after months of caring for steers and heifers, goats, pigs, poultry, and more, while learning how to sell them to buyers. Representatives for The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience share with Aloha State Daily more about how Hawaiʻi 4-H livestock programs are preparing students for work, as well as what to expect at the free community events this summer.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJune 08, 2026
House Without a Key launches new Sunday dinner buffet
The Halekulani eatery’s Aha ‘Aina Plantation Pā‘ina is a new Sunday dinner buffet that will run until Sept. 6. It celebrates Hawaiʻi’s diverse cultures, and guests will also have the chance to try the legendary KONG burger, created in partnership with radio icon Kamasami Kong.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJune 08, 2026
'America’s Got Talent' has Hawaiʻi contestants
These North Shore brothers will be featured in Season 21 of “America’s Got Talent.” Tune in Tuesday, June 9, to catch their performance.
Katie HellandJune 08, 2026
Letter to the Editor: ʻPraise and accoladesʻ for speaking truth
An ASD reader, born in Honolulu who now resides in Louisiana, gives kudos to columnist Sterling Higa for his take on the May 30 beating on Oʻahu's North Shore. "His article was faith-affirming and much needed in these days of violence," she writes.
Letters to the EditorJune 08, 2026
Coco’s Cravings 808 offers sweet and savory Japanese milk breads
While the business is known for its Cocobonz — cinnamon rolls made from Japanese-style milk bread dough — and savory pastries, connection through food continues to be essential for business owner Colleen Bui.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJune 08, 2026
Pipikaula Corner: Lawsuit filed against Act 11
Lawmakers said the state would get sued, even as they pushed SB2471 into law as Act 11, seeking to nullify the U.S. Supreme Court decision known as Citizens United. Grassroot Institute of Hawai‘i filed its lawsuit Friday, challenging the law as unconstitutional.
A. Kam NapierJune 06, 2026
Maui architect seeking national AIA leadership role
David Sellers, principal and co-founder of Maui-based Hawai‘i Off Grid, is running for 2027 president-elect of the national design organization. The election takes place this month.
Stephanie SalmonsJune 06, 2026
No law can raise the dead
Maybe police crackdowns or stricter parental discipline might've prevented the now infamous North Shore beatdowns, writes ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa, but at heart, the cruelties of that night are evidence of a deeper spiritual crisis in Hawai‘i.
Sterling HigaJune 06, 2026
26 free activities for keiki in summer 2026
Wondering what to do on Oʻahu with the keiki this summer? Aloha State Daily pulled together this list of upcoming activities such as free movies at the beach, access to multiple museums and live music.
Katie HellandJune 06, 2026
Mālama ʻāina every Saturday morning with Kuilei Cliffs
Nonprofit Kuilei Cliffs meets weekly at its namesake located on the makai slope of Lēʻahi, or Diamond Head, in Honolulu. From 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturdays, volunteers work to remove invasive species, and overgrown grasses and tree branches, for current and future generations to enjoy more green space and ocean views.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJune 05, 2026
Big Island Candies and 88 Tees launch second brand collaboration
The limited-edition collaboration features and exclusive gift box, tote bag, T-shirt and stickers. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of the Big Island Candies x 88 Tees collaboration box from June 5 to 30 will benefit 808 Cleanups.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaJune 05, 2026
Making Sense of Hawai‘i’s Medicaid Fraud Conundrum
On Thursday, the federal government decertified and defunded Hawai‘i's Medicaid fraud unit in response to having spent millions on the unit for years while getting few results. ASD political historian Perry Arrasmith explains how we got here and what it means for Hawai‘i, where Gov. Josh Green had been on fairly good terms with the Trump administration on health matters.
Perry ArrasmithJune 05, 2026