Aloha Spirit
Itâs all about giving back.
ASDâs Aloha Spirit beat covers the kamaâÄina who are making a positive difference in peopleâs lives. This is where volunteers are heroes and non-profit leaders are Hawaiâiâs navigators. We also cover Hawaiâiâs diverse faith community, and the religions which so deeply tie the Islands together.
News
Donna Apisa named 2025 Realtor of the Year
Since 1967, Hawaiâi Realtors â a statewide professional trade organization â has annually recognized an outstanding Realtor in the state for their work in the interest of fellow Realtors, the profession and the community.
Stephanie SalmonsSeptember 30, 2025
Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra offers free ocean-themed concert
Want to take your keiki to the symphony? Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra is teaming up with the University of Hawaiʻi on this free concert themed around the ocean that includes animations, storytelling and hula.
Katie HellandSeptember 26, 2025
Meet this Maui Humane Society volunteer and the pets she cares for
Cassondra âCassieâ Christman, a volunteer at Maui Humane Society who wears many hats, loves working with animals â dogs in particular. Christman has used her own social media platform to advocate for adopting and fostering furry friends, in addition to sharing the organizationâs needs from wishlists for specific pets to relocating dogs from Molokai and LÄnaÊ»i.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosSeptember 25, 2025
Nonprofit aims to uplift Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students
Since 2020, The Kamery Lee Jr. Scholarships awarded by The Hoâomau Foundation honors the life and legacy of an entrepreneur known by those he loved for his cultural pride, commitment to community and deep love for his family. His daughter, JoNelle Sood, established the foundation to empower Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students pursuing higher education, while staying rooted in their values. Learn more about the program from Sood and one of this year's returning recipients, Christina Young.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosSeptember 24, 2025
Reader Submissions: Aloha State Daily wants to share your sky photos
Whether you live here or are visiting, weâd love to share a recent photo that you have captured while enjoying views of the Hawaiian Islands.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosSeptember 23, 2025
Community Voices: Geothermal energy â solution or sacrilege?
The subject of geothermal energy has long divided the Native Hawaiian community. Proponents cite energy sovereignty and decreased reliance on foreign oil. Opponents point to the genealogical, cultural and spiritual ties that many Hawaiians have to Pele.
Cedric DuarteSeptember 23, 2025
5 questions with Pastor Mark Mohr of Christafari
Amid the Gospel reggae bandâs Hawaiian Island Tour: Sounds of Salvation, Aloha State Daily talks story with Mohr about the groupâs early beginnings and current goals, which include sharing a new album and biblical message to the masses worldwide, while uplifting the next generation of musicians.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosSeptember 19, 2025
Hawaiâi scientist discovers "Chewbacca" coral
Shaggy new coral species found off Molokai given name of Star Wars character.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 18, 2025
Hamada: Fixing what's wrong in America
A lot of people feel like America is running off the rails, following the assassination of Charlie Kirk last Wednesday. The solution could be as simple as getting back to some basic rules we all agree on â don't kill anybody, don't lie about them, don't covet.
Rick HamadaSeptember 16, 2025
Hawaiâi conservatives mourn Charlie Kirk
Scores gather on Friday for a vigil in memory of slain conservative commentator.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 15, 2025
Uncles and Aunties: Joanne âCookieâ Fujio's fight against ALS
When Gary âBlackâ Miyashiro was diagnosed with ALS, he and his wife, Joanne âCookieâ Fujio immediately became champions of the ALS Network. It's work Joanne has continued to do, a decade after his death. The next Hawaiâi Walk & Roll to Cure ALS is coming up on Saturday, October 11, at Kapiâolani Park
Cheryl Chee TsutsumiSeptember 15, 2025
Catch Henry Kapono and other legends in September concerts
Henry Kapono will join well known and up-and-coming singers and musicians for the Home in the Islands Music Festival, hosted by the Henry Kapono Foundation. Among the events is the foundationâs inaugural In the Key of Aloha fundraiser gala, which features Kapono, Jerry Santos, Brother Noland, KimiĂ© Miner, Tavana, and artists from the On the Rise program at the Ê»Alohilani Resort WaikÄ«kÄ« Beach.
Katie HellandSeptember 12, 2025
Windward Community Collegeâs Paniolo BBQ fundraiser celebrates culture and community
Supported by the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, the fundraising event is slated from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, at the collegeâs Great Lawn, and will feature live music from Ê»Alewa and HawaiÊ»i Loa, a mechanical bull, petting zoo, Texas Hold 'Em, roping competitions and more. It is free to attend though pre-orders for BBQ meals are encouraged to help raise money for student scholarships at the college.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosSeptember 12, 2025
âFirst real opportunityâ for public input on Ford Islandâs future
Now through Oct. 4, The National Park Service is seeking public feedback for the sites it manages on Ford Island, which include six bungalows and the USS Oklahoma and USS Utah memorials. Pearl Harbor National Memorial Superintendent Tom Leatherman shares why the proposed long-term site management plan is needed now and how community members can weigh in via in-person and virtual meetings, as well as an online survey.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosSeptember 12, 2025
LahainaTown Action Committee to host cleanup event
Community volunteers from keiki to kĆ«puna can lend a hand at the 21st annual Lahaina Town Cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 27, as part of International Coastal Cleanup Month. Tambara Garrick, director of LahainaTown Action Committee, the organizer of the event, shares what sheâs most looking forward to, the overall impact and what day-of participants can expect.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosSeptember 11, 2025
Auction supports surfer Dakota Brileyâs recovery from pedestrian-vehicle collision
Now through Sept. 15, bid on items like signed Kelly Slater and John John Florence surfboards, signed guitars and Ê»ukuleles to golf and stays at The Ritz-Carlton O'ahu, Turtle Bay, gift cards to local restaurants and tour excursions, art and more â all benefiting Brileyâs journey toward healing.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosSeptember 10, 2025
Frank Orrall reflects on Poi Dog Pondering and his new cookbook
The Henry J. Kaiser High School graduate is the founder of Poi Dog Pondering. Now, he is also the author of his first cookbook.
Katie HellandSeptember 09, 2025
Month-long fundraiser to support Kunia farmers, businesses
Nonprofits Kunia Village Development Corp. and the Hawaiâi Agricultural Foundation, along with local businesses including KĆ Hana Distillers and Nalo Farms, have launched the âKĆkua Kunia" campaign to support farmers in the area affected by the recent brushfires. A fundraising event is slated for Saturday, Sept. 20, at KĆ Hana Distillers, which will feature a three-part rum tasting, food from various vendors in the neighborhood and a chance to meet first responders.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosSeptember 09, 2025
Catch this Gospel reggae band in Hawaiʻi for free this month
Christafari, a band of âmusical missionariesâ who have performed across more than 85 nations since 1989, are set to play across three islands in September as part of its Hawaiian Island Tour: Sounds of Salvation. Learn more about the group, its members and mission, as well as where to watch them for free.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosSeptember 08, 2025
Empty Bowl Hawaiʻi returns after six-year hiatus
Proceeds from the event â set for Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Hawaiâi Convention Center â will benefit Chef Hui and Aloha Harvestâs program, Feed the People Hawaiâi, which combats food insecurity statewide. HawaiÊ»i Pottersâ Guild has contributed more than 3,000 hand-thrown bowls for guests to eat from and take home. Chef Mark Noguchi shares why he has participated in it for over a decade and the deeper meaning behind a bowl.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosSeptember 06, 2025
Audition for Dukeâs Ukes
Dukeâs WaikÄ«kÄ« is looking for young musicians to perform in its annual Ê»ukulele competition. Interested musicians can audition now through Sept. 10. First-place winners of the competition take home an Ê»ukulele made from koa.
Katie HellandSeptember 06, 2025
The Jabbawockeez donate and dance benefiting youth at Liliʻuokalani Center
The iconic white gloved and masked dance group made a pitstop in Hawaiʻi this week to perform at the new 97,000-square-foot building on Ward Avenue owned by Liliʻuokalani Trust. Aloha State Daily also took a tour of the eight-story facility, which includes a rooftop garden, fitness center and gym, commercial kitchen, collaborative and creative spaces and studios for dance, film production, broadcast media, and more, that serve Native Hawaiian youth ages 12 to 24.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosSeptember 05, 2025
Psychiatric practice born out of Mililani to expand
Fields Psychiatric Consultants Owner Dave Fields, who is a psychiatric nurse practitioner from Mililani and law student at the University of HawaiÊ»i at MÄnoa, shares how he got into private practice, what sets his business apart and plans for expansion on OÊ»ahu this year. Fields aims âto combine clinical credibility with legal leverageâ to better represent patients and help them heal.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosSeptember 04, 2025
Art, aloha and steel guitar: Friday, Sept. 5 â Sunday, Sept. 7
Enjoy live music, tour Ê»Iolani Palace and participate in a festival honoring the KĆlea, also known as the Pacific Golden Plover. Check out these events and more happening this weekend on OÊ»ahu.
Katie HellandSeptember 03, 2025
Hawaiâi Island nonprofit âstabilizesâ thanks to recent grant
Kumukahi Health + Wellness received a $1 million grant from the Stupski Foundation to create a key position, as well as a new transitional housing program for the LGBTQ+ community in Hilo. CEO Peter âTuiâ Silva says the gift âshores us up from the immediate funding cuts" from the federal government. He shares more about how the monies will be spent and what is next for the organization.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosSeptember 03, 2025
Mysteries of Hawaiâi competes for nation's Best Ghost Tour
"We're humbled and excited to be running for Best Ghost Tour in the nation for the third year in a row," the Kapanuis told Aloha State Daily.
A. Kam NapierSeptember 03, 2025
Honolulu event draws crowd to end overdose
Organized by Hawaiʻi Health & Harm Reduction Center, the public showed up in purple Friday afternoon, in front of the Hawaiʻi State Capitol, waving signs in honor of International Overdose Awareness Day, which is observed on Sunday, Aug. 31.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosAugust 30, 2025
3 things on BYU-HawaiÊ»i presidentâs mind for the first week of school
John âKeoniâ Kauwe, president of Brigham Young University of HawaiÊ»i since July 2020, discusses ongoing construction and sustainability projects, as well upcoming events and community outreaches in LÄÊ»ie. He also shares how faith creates a powerful sense of worth, belonging and connection for students and faculty â and even shows us around his office bookshelf.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosAugust 30, 2025
Naiwi Teruya is starting a music school in West Maui
The Ê»ukulele player used to borrow his siblingsâ instruments as a child. Now, he is preparing to start the Maui Music Youth Program, which will share Ê»ukulele lessons with the next generation in West Maui.
Katie HellandAugust 30, 2025
Keʻalohi International Piano Competition announces winner
In the audience for a competition highlighting pianists from around the world were several special guests from Osaka, Japan. Learn more about the winner of the Keʻalohi International Piano Competition, and the exchange students from Japan who got to see the finalists perform.
Katie HellandAugust 29, 2025
âSharing Alohaâ in theaters Aug. 29
The documentary features a behind-the-scenes look at life for students who work at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Several of the featured students are part of PCCâs signature show, âHÄ: Breath of Life.â
Katie HellandAugust 29, 2025
Kailuaâs Gnarwall Surf Shop rides final wave
The Oʻahu-based business that opened six years ago with a mission to empower local shapers, while supporting surfers at every level, plans to close shop by the end of this month. Surfer turned business owner John Ingari shares insights about the industry, what heʻll miss most about serving the community and whatʻs next.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosAugust 29, 2025
âTinÄâ opens in HawaiÊ»i theaters today, Aug. 28
Miki Magasiva, the writer and director of âTinÄ,â shares a behind-the-scenes look at the movie, ahead of the filmâs arrival to theaters on OÊ»ahu and Maui.
Katie HellandAugust 28, 2025
Actor Beulah Koale shares âTinÄâ behind the scenes
Actor Beulah Koale has been in the television shows âHawaiÊ»i Five-0,â âNCIS: HawaiÊ»i,â and âMagnum P.I.â Recently, he played a pivotal role in the movie âTinÄ.â Now, he is asking Dwayne Johnson to see that movie, which celebrates Samoan culture, mothers and community.
Katie HellandAugust 28, 2025
Former Blue Angels pilot John Hiltz leads local nonprofit museum
Get to know the new CEO of Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, who was appointed by the board of directors in June to take the organization into its next phase.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosAugust 27, 2025
Community Voices: Canoe clubs, guardians of our nearshore fisheries
Hawaiâi's canoe clubs can take a tradition up a notch by leveraging their expertise to guide fishing practices in the Islands.
Toby MorrisAugust 27, 2025