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Okome Ten-don & Poke now offers Korean fried chicken
The Kakaʻako eatery, known for its tempura and poke bowls, opened last December. The business recently expanded its menu to include Korean-style fried chicken, kalbi and tteokbokki.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMay 29, 2026
Cat Café Maui nominated for 10Best list
Several other Hawai‘i businesses are also up for spots on various other 10Best lists.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 29, 2026
Bird calls, retro Waikīkī in spotlight at upcoming HSO concert
The modern exotica ensemble Waitiki 7 will perform at several venues, including with the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra in a one-night performance at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall in June. The group will also give a special performance with the legendary Harold Chang — the original drummer and percussionist in the Martin Denny and Arthur Lyman groups that started the genre — in a cocktail lounge at Halekulani Hotel.
Katie HellandMay 29, 2026
Hawaiian Airlines moving to pre-paid meals in main cabin for most Mainland flights
Travelers will be able to pre-order from a menu curated by Maui-based chef Sheldon Simeon starting July 1.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 29, 2026
Brandi-Ann Uyemura releases first book about Obon festival
In late March, the Kailua-based writer launched children’s book, “I am a Bon Dancer,” inspired by her own experiences with her grandfather attending Obon festivals in Hanapēpē. The author is hosting a couple of events open to the public at Kaimukī Library on May 31 and June 2, with more to be announced.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 29, 2026
Octogenarian sues Honolulu over $600,000 fines
Sandra May was told she owed the city hundreds of thousands of dollars over an improper online rental listing.
Michael BrestovanskyMay 29, 2026
'Memory Beads' premieres at Kumu Kahua Theatre
Memory, aging and identity are at the heart of this play from retired public school teacher Diane Aoki. A story that came out of a challenge at a festival for playwrights is now finding its way to the stage for the first time in its entirety at Kumu Kahua Theatre.
Katie HellandMay 29, 2026
Goofy Café & Dine opens second location
This popular brunch spot — whose original location is near Hilton Hawaiian Village — opened a second location at The Twin Fin Hotel. This new location features brunch, lunch, happy hour and an expanded dinner menu. The café’s grand opening is Friday, May 29.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMay 28, 2026
Kimberly Agas promoted to new leadership role at Aulani
Agas, who has been general manager of the Disney resort in Ko Olina for the past decade, is now executive director, a newly created position.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 28, 2026
Volunteer at fire restoration nursery in Kula this Friday
The Rotary Club of Upcountry Maui is hosting a community volunteer service day from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, May 29, at the Kula Community Watershed Alliance’s Community Restoration Nursery. Participants will plant and propagate Native Hawaiian species, which are helping to restore the Kula burn area from the August 2023 wildfires.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 28, 2026
Lytvynchuk pleads 'not guilty' in monk seal case
Igor Lytvynchuk will be barred from O‘ahu beaches as his court case over an alleged attack on a Hawaiian monk seal continues.
Michael BrestovanskyMay 28, 2026
Hilton Grand Vacations, Honolulu Habitat work to finish Waimānalo home
Mitch Yokoyama, general manager of Hokulani Waikīkī, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club, reflects on the rewards of volunteering with HGV Serves, a corporate social responsibility program with several community partners, including Habitat for Humanity International. Yokoyama and colleagues recently joined Honolulu Habitat on a home build project in Waimānalo. Aloha State Daily also checked in with two Honolulu Habitat employees — Shana and Feta Petelo, the mother-daughter team that works directly with local families and volunteers.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 28, 2026
Hawaiʻi Food and Wine Festival announces line-up
The festival features renowned chefs across three Islands this year. Learn about the 11 events the festival announced on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island and Maui.
Katie HellandMay 27, 2026
Hamada: Road rage justice served
Hawai‘i has a reputation for being soft on crime but recently, victims of a multi-state road rager in California held a press conference to thank Hawai‘i for serving a tougher sentence on him than their own state had. Now, can we do something about the road ragers still among us?
Rick HamadaMay 27, 2026
Everest Grill offers Indian and Nepali cuisine in Windward Oʻahu
The eatery, located in the former space of Kogi Aina in Kāneʻohe, opened earlier this year. Customers can enjoy a variety of popular Indian dishes, ranging from chicken momo and vegetable samosas to biryani and tandoor specialties.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMay 27, 2026
The Sweet Stand is a new bake stand in Kapolei
Business owner Ivy-Ann Fernandez, who originally opened home café Midori Matcha last year, decided to pivot and start a walk-up bake stand. Customers can enjoy a rotating selection of baked goods — ranging from cinnamon rolls and banana bread loaves to focaccia bread — and look forward to matcha and coffee bottled lattes in the future.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMay 27, 2026
The news according to OHA
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has shown an interest in purchasing a television station. ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa thinks this might not do for OHA what the agency would like in terms of controlling the message.
Sterling HigaMay 27, 2026
Ghosts Run This Gulch
From ancient battles to modern car crashes, a lot has happened around Roosevelt Bridge, where Kamehameha Highway crosses over Kīpapa Gulch. Is it any wonder it has a reputation for hauntings?
Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya KapanuiMay 27, 2026
CONGRESS WATCH: Firework laundering
Hawai‘i lawmakers introduce bill making fireworks trafficking prosecutable under money laundering laws.
Michael BrestovanskyMay 27, 2026
Luna’s Tex-Mex Cantina is open in Ward Village
The restaurant opened about a week ago and is still in its soft opening phase. Customers can expect dishes like ceviche, housemade tortilla chips and guac, elotes, steak and chicken fajitas, and Baja fish tacos. The eatery is planning to extend its hours to include lunch service.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaMay 27, 2026
West O‘ahu redevelopment breaks ground
A blessing ceremony was held Thursday for the redevelopment of the former Paradise Cove Lū‘au site near Ko Olina.
Stephanie SalmonsMay 27, 2026
Laughs, science and more: What to do on Oʻahu this weekend
Already dreaming of the weekend after three days off? Aloha State Daily can help you make plans for Friday, May 29, through Sunday, May 31. From a women in rap party in Waikīkī to stand-up comedy in Kapolei, there are lots of events happening this weekend on Oʻahu.
Katie HellandMay 27, 2026
Community Voices: A good lesson in curtailing government growth
Kudos to Councilmember Val Okimoto and the Honolulu Budget Committee, which made the fiscally responsible decision this week to ax most of the funding for the city’s Office of Economic Recovery.
Keliʻi AkinaMay 26, 2026
New rodeo highlights Hawaiian cowboy heritage on Hawaiʻi Island
“Paniolo Legends Under the Lights” is produced by third-generation paniolo Aki Smith, owner of Paniolo Culture Co. Presented in partnership with 1832 Hawaiʻi Living Co. and Waikōloa Stables, the evening includes rodeo events in the historic arena, a meal from Chef Nakoa Pabre of Umekes, live music and time to talk story with cowboys.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosMay 26, 2026