Kam Napier Headshot

Born and raised on Oahu, I’ve been very fortunate to have built a career as a writer and editor right here at home. Most recently, I was editor in chief of Pacific Business News for 10 years, from April 2014 to August 2024. Before that, I worked at Honolulu Magazine for 19 years, the last eight of which I served as editor, leading the publication to General Excellence Awards from the City and Regional Magazine Association. Along the way, I’ve accumulated a box full of award plaques from the Hawaii Publishers Association, the Society of Professional Journalists Hawaii Chapter and more for my articles on everything from architecture to zoology, as well as for my column writing, my first love in journalism going back to the Cane Tassel, the school paper of Waipahu High School. As a freelance writer, I’ve appeared in the Honolulu Weekly, Hawaii Business, Hana Hou and Civil Beat.

Throughout my career, I’ve been blessed to be a part of local publications with long and distinguished histories. Honolulu Magazine, for example, dates back to 1888, when it was founded under a royal charter by King David Kalakaua. With Aloha State Daily, I’m thrilled at this opportunity to be the first editor of something Hawaii hasn’t seen in years — a new news publication! One that is independently owned and locally operated.

Our goal is to inform, delight and surprise you. In our journalism, we will strive for true neutrality, telling you what happened, not what to think or how to feel about what happened, believing that the best journalism comes from curiosity and intelligence. There is a place for strong, opinionated voices at ASD, and you’ll find them among our regular columnists and community voices pieces.

Hawaii has some big challenges, which we’ll cover from the perspective of how they impact you. Hawaii is also full of amazing people doing incredible things and we’re looking forward to telling you their stories as well. The Islands are full of inspiration and, of course, aloha!

<title>🚧 A. Kam Napier | Aloha State Daily</title>

A. Kam Napier

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Aloha, I am ASD’s senior editor reporting on local nonprofit and community news. Know of any organizations and people making a positive difference in Hawaii? Please reach out to me at 

I am Native Hawaiian and reside on Oahu with my husband. I have volunteered with various organizations such as One Love Ministries, 808Cleanups, Keiki O Ka Aina’s Board and Stone, March of Dimes Hawaii and more.

I previously worked as associate editor of Pacific Business News, editing and writing business stories for online and print. Prior to that role, I served as a copy editor and reporter for a daily newspaper in California. I have received multiple awards for my writing over the years. 

I hold a bachelor’s degree in communications from The Master’s University in California, where I also played soccer. 

I am excited to build ASD as your go-to reputable and fun news source. Happy reading!

<title>🚧 Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros | Aloha State Daily</title>

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

What topics/beats will you focus on for Aloha State Daily?

I'm Aloha State Daily's senior reporter and I'll cover business, tourism, the economy and general news across the Islands.

[{"text":"Why are you excited to join Aloha State Daily?","type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}]}]

I'm excited to be a small part of building something awesome from the ground up! And I believe in the mission of Aloha State Daily! Regardless of where you live, the role of local news doesn't change -- it's important in keeping our communities informed about the things that impact our daily lives and holding people in positions of power accountable. Not to mention, Hawaii has a lot of awesome stories to tell and I'm beyond grateful and excited to be able to share them.

What’s your professional background in journalism or related fields?

A lifelong writer and storyteller, I graduated from Murray State University with a degree in print journalism in 2007 and have spent the better part of the past 17 years working as a reporter. For most of my career, I've worked at community-focused papers in North Carolina, Kentucky and Hawaii, covering communities big, small and in between, telling stories important to the people who live there. That's a big reason why I'm so passionate about community journalism and the role of hyperlocal news within the places we live, work and play.

What’s your connection to or interest in the community Aloha State Daily will serve?

Originally from Kentucky, I've lived in Hawaii for almost seven years now -- including 3.5 years in Hilo on Hawaii Island and another 3 years in Honolulu. I now live in Palolo Valley with my husband, who was born and raised here and whose family is from the Islands. I'm interested in the community served by Aloha State Daily because it's home.

What topics or stories are you most passionate about reporting on?

Business, tourism and the economy are all important facets of life in the Islands, but nothing can happen on those beats without people. I love telling the stories of your friends and neighbors, your coworkers and leaders, people who are making the decisions that affect your life and cool people who are doing cool things. Like most reporters, I'm nosy. I like to know about people -- what they're doing and why, what makes them tick.

<title>🚧 Stephanie Salmons | Aloha State Daily</title>

Stephanie Salmons

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Why are you excited to join Aloha State Daily?

Getting in on the ground floor for a new venture is something I always found intriguing and with Aloha State Daily, it's something I'll be able to do for the first time. Additionally, ASD's commitment to journalism comes at a time where I believe it is more important than ever in our world to support local and quality journalism. 

I got my start in journalism covering sports for Ka Leo O Hawaii, the student newspaper at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. I was also a sports clerk/sports reporter at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser for a total of about four years. After graduation, I interned at the Sporting News in Charlotte, N.C. in the summer of 2018 before returning to the Star-Advertiser. In November 2019, I joined KHON2 News in Honolulu as a digital sports reporter for five years. 

Although I didn't move to Hawaii until after high school, I have been connected to the islands and followed Hawaii sports my entire life. My father was born and raised on Oahu, and my family would come to Hawaii for Christmas to visit his family members on an annual basis. Deep down, I always knew it's where I wanted to spend my life. The last 11 and a half years have only reaffirmed that. 

The sports scene in Hawaii as a whole is robust and at times, complex. I truly believe Hawaii is home to some of the world's greatest people and athletes. Being able to tell their stories for the last decade has been an honor and a blessing. I can't wait to do the same for ASD.

<title>🚧 Christian Shimabuku | Aloha State Daily</title>

Christian Shimabuku

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

I want 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.

I received my bachelor’s degree (Biola University), as well as my master’s degree (University of Southern California) in journalism. I was the associate editor of Frolic Hawaii (2017-2021) under Honolulu Magazine, and then worked most recently as the dining editor of Crave with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

“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.

<title>🚧 Kelli Shiroma Braiotta | Aloha State Daily</title>

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Katie Helland Headshot

Arts, culture and entertainment! I look forward to sharing stories to help you plan fun things to do for date nights and family time in Hawai’i.

I’m excited to help bring a brand new source of news to the state!

I started working at the city newspaper when I was still in high school through summer internships. Since then, I have worked for the community newspaper in my college town, as well as The Santiago Times when I lived abroad in Chile. Most recently, I worked for Pacific Business News in Honolulu.

Hawaii is home. I look forward to sharing stories with our community. I also can’t wait to talk story, which is how reporters hear some of the best news tips!

I love sharing stories about the people behind events and organizations. Hawai’i has such an incredibly rich culture. I look forward to sharing stories about hula, music, museums, comedy, concerts, art and so much more!

News

Government & Politics

Sports

Business & Tourism

Real Estate

Food & Dining

Entertainment

Arts & Culture

Aloha Spirit

Hawaii History

Opinion

Daily Features

News

Government & Politics

Sports

Business & Tourism

Real Estate

Food & Dining

Entertainment

Arts & Culture

Aloha Spirit

Hawaii History

Opinion

Daily Features

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Team

A. Kam Napier

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Stephanie Salmons

Christian Shimabuku

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Katie Helland