Kelli Shiroma Braiotta
“Where should I go to eat?” Is a question I get a lot — whether it’s in person or via Instagram, from both friends and acquaintances via social media. I’m excited to share my findings and adventures with our community — not necessarily to tell them where to eat, but to give an accurate representation of what’s available out there. I love covering the new restaurants and new, local businesses popping up. Limited-time offerings (holiday cocktail bars, weekend pop-ups, etc.) are also exciting because sometimes they’re the result of fun collabs between local businesses.
I received my bachelor’s degree from Biola University, as well as my master’s degree in journalism at the University of Southern California. I was the associate editor of Frolic Hawaiʻi from 2017 to 2021 under Honolulu Magazine, and then worked most recently as the dining editor of Crave with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
My goal is for ASD’s dining section to be the premiere guide for the state. I’m excited to cover the food and dining scene, and to help our readers stay updated with all things food-related. It’ll be a fun, fresh start and I’m excited to be able to cover everything.
SPJ Hawai‘i 2025 Excellence in Journalism Awards: First Place, Best Overall News Site, for “Aloha State Daily,” by the ASD Newsroom, and Second place, Online Feature Reporting, for “An exclusive tour of Sumida Farm,” in the Internet Division.
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
Latest from Kelli Shiroma Braiotta
Preview of Stillwell’s Bakery & Cafe’s second location
Stillwell’s Bakery & Cafe, which has been located in Wailuku for more than 30 years, is opening its second location soon. The second store will be inside the Central Pacific Bank building in Kahului. It’s scheduled to open around mid-November, and will offer the bakery’s bestselling treats, along with exclusive menu items. Aloha State Daily got a preview of the new space during a recent trip to Maui.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaOctober 26, 2026
Chee Hoo Patisserie features festive Halloween treats
The bakery/cafe, located in the main lobby of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort, has transformed into “Chee Boo Patisserie” for spooky season. Customers can enjoy limited-time desserts, ranging from decorated croissants with fillings to Jack-O-donuts and pumpkin "crookies," along with the bakery’s trompe-l’oeil pastries, which are available all year long.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaOctober 23, 2026
Danjah Dog serves up hot dogs, hamburgers with unique sauces
The business name comes from its signature Danjah sauce, made with different peppers and spices. Danjah Dog’s menu features “the kind of food we grew up eating in Hawaiʻi,” according to owner Turk Cazimero, who says Danjah sauce has been part of his family’s story for years. Customers can find the Danjah Dog truck in the parking lot of Lowe’s Home Improvement in the Iwilei neighborhood.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaOctober 22, 2026
Yakiniku Haretoke is opening in Honolulu
The Japanese yakiniku restaurant’s original location is in Kawagoe, Japan. Yakiniku Haretoke — expected to open this winter in the Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa — will be the only restaurant in Hawaiʻi to serve Joshu wagyu, which is raised exclusively in Japan’s Gunma prefecture. Aloha State Daily got a preview of what’s to come for the Honolulu restaurant by visiting the Kawagoe location.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaOctober 21, 2026
Stripsteak, A Michael Mina Restaurant, launches new bar-exclusive experiences
The restaurant, located in International Market Place, recently launched its Mina Meals — adult “happy meals” with a steakhouse twist — and wagyu and whiskey pairing menu. The steakhouse also revamped its happy hour menu with new dishes like bone marrow prime beef burger and fries, and fish and chips.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaOctober 21, 2026
Matcha Pop is Hawaiʻi’s first luxury mobile matcha bar
The business, which started in July, is known for its to-go, nitro matcha latte cans. The business features a first harvest Uji matcha Okumidori blend, sourced directly from Kyoto, Japan. Matcha Pop focuses on private events, ranging from weddings to corporate gatherings, but also participates in wellness pop-ups around Oʻahu.
Kelli Shiroma BraiottaOctober 20, 2026
