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UHERO report warns that nonprofit healthcare services are in particular danger.

$126 million for Hawai‘i nonprofits at risk from federal cuts, UHERO reports

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Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

Mālie — which founder Dana Roberts says, means calm, serene, tranquil — was founded on Kaua‘i in 2004.

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Mālie Organics opens new shop at International Market Place

Hawaii History

The first enclosed, air-conditioned shopping center in the Islands celebrates its 55th anniversary in October.

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55 years of Kāhala Mall

Aloha Spirit

Since 1967, Hawai‘i Realtors — a statewide professional trade organization —  has annually recognized an outstanding Realtor in the state for their work in the interest of fellow Realtors, the profession and the community.

Donna Apisa REALTOR of the Year

Donna Apisa named 2025 Realtor of the Year

UHERO forecast warns about rising costs, stagnant jobs as tariffs and federal government job cuts continue.

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"Bleak" economic report predicts recession

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Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

A third-quarter forecast released Friday by the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization notes that proposed federal cuts to SNAP and Medicaid benefits will impact thousands of low-income families across the Islands, especially those in rural areas. Though state tax relief in 2026 will provide some income support, the potential cuts "will be a growing weight" come 2027, UHERO warns.

UH Manoa West Maui wellness fest consultation

UHERO: ʻHawaiʻi could face a loss of $400 million in Medicaid spendingʻ

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Christian Shimabuku

The Rainbow Warriors will play at Air Force on Saturday, which features a stadium 6,621 feet above sea level.

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Hawai‘i football brushing aside mind games ahead of game at Air Force

The new Aloha Stadium remains on track to open in March 2029.

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NASED and AHDP sign first two agreements towards Aloha Stadium dismantling and construction

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Food & Dining

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The new cafe is inspired by traditions passed down from kūpuna, and emphasizes comfort, hospitality and family recipes. You’ll find some of Highway Inn’s signature dishes — including that famous Hawaiian plate with kālua pig — along with cafe exclusives.

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Tūtū’s Place by Highway Inn is a new cafe at Bishop Museum

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Katie Helland

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.

Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra offers free ocean-themed concert

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A deep dive into Gov. Josh Green's recent emergency proclamation defying federal rules on Covid vaccines.

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Pipikaula Corner: Dr. Gov. Josh Green, patron saint of perpetual pandemic

Fun fact: Meant to BE., one of the most popular drinks at 

 coffee trailer, was inspired by the first time that husband-and-wife business owners Cody and Kaitie 

“The first time we met was actually in Arizona at Dutch Bros Coffee,” says Kaitie Miyashiro-Carvalho. At the time, Cody was on a layover while working as a flight attendant, and Kaitie was training to become a teacher through Teach for America. 

“That’s the first drink he ever bought me — a chocolate macadamia nut latte," she says. 

s know that their passion for coffee and community would launch them into full-time business owners. 

The couple officially opened their coffee trailer, BE., last September. While the coffee’s trailer location can change by the week, frequent spots include Hoopili soccer park or Kapolei Regional Park. Follow the business on Instagram to see its featured locations and hours for the week.

The inspiration for BE. came to the couple in 2019 when they were at a café in Bali. Miyashiro-Carvalho

 says they wanted to “create and hold a space for 

kamaʻāina and kānaka to find belonging and connection.”

“Through powerful community experiences like going to Mauna Kea to fight against TMT and the healing practices discovered in our yoga community, contrasted by isolation during the global pandemic, we realized how vital community is for our own well-being, healing and liberation,” Miyashiro-Carvalho

 says. “Through this need, BE. was born. We always say that coffee and matcha are really just excuses to get us outside and in community.”

The business’s name, BE., has several different meanings. While its name is officially BE., many customers call it BE.kakou, according to Miyashiro-Carvalho

“To just BE. is a stance of empowerment, a reminder for you to be who you are and step into your power,” she says. “At the same time, we are also a space for you to just BE. and find BE.longing.

“Our hope for BE. is to help kānaka and kamaʻāina find BE.longing and connection through good food, locally inspired coffees and teas, and community workshops,” she adds. “When we take a moment to BE. in community, BE. in ‘aina and BE. ourselves, that’s where true liberation arises.”

kākou means “we,” inclusive for three or more people, in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.

“With that in mind, we wanted to elevate our language, as well as emphasize that our space is kākou created, meaning we create it together,” she says. “Kāua, in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, also means ʻwe,’ but for only two people. It truly emphasizes that this BE. is bigger than just Cody and I.”

The biz features lattes available year-round as well as seasonal specials. Its coffee features ChadLou’s Coffee Roasters — they roast and supply their coffee, according to Miyashiro-Carvalho

 — and the biz gets its matcha from Ami Mei Matcha. Meanwhile, Manu Brewing Co. supplies its m

Signature lattes — and the most popular options — include BE. Pono, a chocolate haupia latte, and Meant to BE., the business’s aforementioned chocolate macadamia nut latte. Other options include BE. maluhia (a vibrant ube matcha latte), BE. paʻa (cinnamon dolce latte) and BE. pumehana (apple cinnamon chai latte). The signature drinks were partly influenced by nostalgic dishes or flavors the couple grew up with, like chocolate haupia pies from Ted’s Bakery.

Seasonal specials usually change monthly, according to Miyashiro-Carvalho

. The couple usually thinks of a theme for the month, and the beverages align with the theme.

“In July, we celebrated Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea, which is Hawaiian Sovereignty Restoration Day (on July 31),” Miyashiro-Carvalho

 explains. “We had the Hoʻi hoʻi ea drink; we wanted to use local ingredients for it. The Summer of Love strawberry matcha was featured in June to celebrate pride month. That one was so ʻono that we brought it back for July.”

The trailer also includes a few dishes like avocado toasties ($13.50), coconut chia pudding ($8.50) turkey pesto wraps ($16.20).

, coming up Aug. 15-17 at Hawaiʻi Convention Center. BE. will be located at booth F-120 (all the way to the right by the wall, confirms Miyashiro-Carvalho

The biz will be featuring a special menu just for Made in Hawaiʻi. Customers can look forward to the popular BE. pono, Hoʻi hoʻi ea — a honey latte topped with macadamia nut and paʻakai (Hawaiian sea salt) cold foam — a secret matcha latte, and māmaki with a special twist, according to Miyashiro-Carvalho

“We are so excited about this because last year, we didn’t even dream to be at an event like Made in Hawaiʻi,” she says. “It feels so surreal to be at an event alongside such huge changemakers in Hawaiʻi, who are making an impact in their own way.”

While the business is mostly known for its specialty lattes and matcha, its owners are also passionate about its featured community workshops.

“We just wrapped up our summer series of self-care, where we created vision boards and did yoga in the park,” Miyashiro-Carvalho

 says. “We will continue the rest of the year with the debut of our monthly run club, yoga and brunch club, and other culturally focused workshops with community partners, artists and practitioners.”

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Be Kakou owners 081125

<title>🚧 Meant to BE: This coffee trailer is worth the drive to West Oʻahu</title>

BE. owners Cody and Kaitie Miyashiro-Carvalho created their business to be a space where “kamaʻaina and kanaka can find BElonging.” Plus — find out what they’re bringing to this year’s Made in Hawaiʻi Festival.

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