Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros
Aloha, I am Aloha State Daily’s senior editor reporting on community news. Know of any organizations and people making a positive difference in Hawaiʻi? Please reach out to me.
Originally from Los Angeles, I am Native Hawaiian with roots from Maui, residing on Oʻahu with my husband. Since moving to the Islands in 2019, I have volunteered for various local organizations such as 808 Cleanups, Keiki O Ka ʻĀina’s Board and Stone, March of Dimes Hawaiʻi and more.
Most recently, I was the associate editor of Pacific Business News for nearly six years. Prior to that role, I served as a copy editor and reporter for a daily newspaper, as well as a freelance writer for a lifestyle magazine, in California. Over the years, I have received multiple awards for my writing. I hold a bachelor's degree in communications from The Master's University, where I played soccer.
I am excited to build ASD as your go-to, reputable and fun news source for Hawaiʻi. Happy reading!
Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
Latest from Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros
Chick-fil-A Kamokila to host fundraiser for River of Life Mission
On Monday, July 20, patrons of Chick-fil-A Kamokila in Kapolei can help support the local, faith-based organization, which for more than 40 years has served neighbors across Oʻahu who are experiencing homelessness, poverty and crisis. Learn more about how to participate in the upcoming Community Care Event.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 17, 2026
Maui-based apparel brand to debut at Made in Hawaiʻi Festival
Jared Nagura, owner of Aloha Ke Akua Clothing Co., “fell into business” during college and credits God to its success over the past decade. The faith-based company, known for designs that blend Hawaiian language and culture with biblical messages, will for the first time be at Hawaiʻi's annual celebration of locally made products come August.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 11, 2026
New law increases access to colorectal cancer screenings and treatment statewide
House Bill 1969, which became a law on July 1, aims to reduce colorectal cancer — the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in Hawaiʻi — by providing $1.8 million in state funding over the next fiscal year to the uninsured for screening and follow-up tests. Aloha State Daily caught up with Rep. Cory Chun, who reintroduced policy from 2012 into this year's legislative session, as well as Mark Vasconcellos, a colorectal cancer survivor and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteer.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 10, 2026
New cancer clinical research center unveiled in Honolulu
The state’s first dedicated center for early phase cancer clinical trials — dubbed the Hoʻōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center — officially opened Monday at the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center in Kakaʻako. The new facility, which cost a total of about $19.5 million for construction and equipment, will allow local patients to receive specialized treatments closer to home.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 07, 2026
Olivet Baptist Church on Beretania Street turns 100
Senior Pastor Jamie McElrath shares about the church’s history in Honolulu and his hope for the congregation’s future: “A healthy body will grow.” Olivet Baptist will be celebrating this milestone with events open to the community over the weekend.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 03, 2026
Local high school students learn to cook under Chef Thomas Wong
As part of a scholarship-supported summer culinary cohort at Kapi‘olani Community College’s Culinary Institute of the Pacific, Wong — who is from Oʻahu and is now based in California as a professor at Culinary Institute of America at Greystone — created this custom curriculum to challenge teens in an intensive five days of training. Teamwork, timeliness, organization and having a good attitude were among the lessons learned by students.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJuly 02, 2026
