Aloha State Daily

Articles

Aloha State Daily | Five takeaways from UHERO's Q2 forecast

2 days ago | alohastatedaily.com | Stephanie Salmons

In the wake of changing federal policies — which will impact the visitor industry and many aspects of life in the Islands — Hawai‘i is poised to enter a "mild" recession next year, according to a second-quarter economic forecast from the University of Hawai‘i Economic Research Organization. You can read the full report online.
Aloha State Daily | Pipikaula Corner: Sen. Schatz drops f-bomb, contradictions

3 days ago | alohastatedaily.com | A. Kam Napier

The senator is mad, folks, really mad!A. Kam NapierMay 12, 2025less than a minute readNo one locally is reporting on this, but in case you were out having a lovely Mother's Day weekend and a real life, you might have missed knowing that one of Hawai‘i's two U.S. senators is so upset that he's dropping f-bombs on X and apparently endorsing elected officials interfering with the work of federal agents. What he's referring to are reports that the Trump administration is weighing arrests of Reps.
Aloha State Daily | State rejects Army's Pōhakuloa Training Area lease extension

5 days ago | alohastatedaily.com | Michael Brestovansky

The Board of Land and Natural Resources rejected a plan by the U.S. Army to retain land on Hawai‘i Island for training purposes after hours of impassioned opposition by residents. The Pōhakuloa Training Area is a 132,000-acre military complex on the Big Island between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. The U.S. Army leases about 23,000 acres of the land from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, with the majority of the remainder owned directly by the U.S. Government.
Aloha State Daily | Waterman Mike Field's art is on display at Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa

5 days ago | alohastatedaily.com | Katie Helland

Swimmers surrounded by dolphins under giant clouds. A whale jumping for joy and viewed from the ocean looking toward land. A paddler in an outrigger canoe with palm trees in the background. All depicted in hues that could be the colors of a sunset or water: blue, orange, red, yellow, green. For waterman Mike Field, most of his art is focused on water. The Hawaiʻi Island-based artist was born in Guam. He started with swimming, which led to surfing, paddling and eventually racing and coaching.
Aloha State Daily | Hawai‘i water polo advances to Final Four with win over Cal

5 days ago | alohastatedaily.com | Christian Shimabuku

For the second year in a row, the University of Hawai‘i water polo team advanced to the Final Four with an 8-7 win over Cal in Indianapolis on Friday. The Rainbow Wahine improved to 22-4 overall for the 2025 season and advance to play No. 1 Stanford on Saturday at 6 a.m. HST. UH jumped out to a 4-0 lead on Friday, only to see the Golden Bears take a 6-5 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Aloha State Daily | For sale in the iconic Ilikai

5 days ago | alohastatedaily.com | Stephanie Salmons

Want to own your own slice of Waikīkī's iconic Iliakai? Check out Unit No. 223 — a fee-simple steal at just $475,000. Fully renovated about eight years ago, the studio unit is a total of 420 square feet with a 116-square-foot lānai, and city and mountain views. Maintenance fees total $895 a month, plus an additional $57 for cable. The Ilikai is located at 1777 Ala Moana Boulevard. It’s currently the lowest-priced unit for sale within the renowned building, according to the HiCentral MLS.
Aloha State Daily | Hawai‘i County aims to increase affordable housing

5 days ago | alohastatedaily.com | Stephanie Salmons

Hawai‘i County is seeking organizations that can help build new affordable housing on the island or support what it already has. The Office of Housing and Community Development this week issued a request for proposals for its Affordable Housing Production Program, which receives at least $5 million a year for such projects.
Aloha State Daily | This scenic restaurant in Kaʻaʻawa just celebrated its one-year…

6 days ago | alohastatedaily.com | Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Located in Kaʻaʻawa, The Crouching Lion Restaurant & Bar just celebrated its one-year anniversary. Boasting picturesque views of Kahana Bay, the eatery offers modern Hawaiian cuisine and dishes with Korean-inspired flavors. If the one-year anniversary seems confusing, that’s because the original Crouching Lion was in business for more than 60 years (it’s been open since the 1950s). The building was initially a private residence, but was eventually sold and converted into an inn.
Aloha State Daily | Honolulu’s newest speakeasy is inside a pawn shop

6 days ago | alohastatedaily.com | Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

In true speakeasy style, Honolulu’s newest hidden gem is tucked away within a pawn shop in Waikīkī. RM 38 recently opened its second location within The Imperial Hotel Resort in Waikīkī. Walk through the hotel lobby, look for the pawn shop, and ring the bell to be transported to the speakeasy. Similar to RM 38’s Kakaʻako location (on the second floor of Indochine), the décor of this Waikīkī spot is inspired by Southeast Asia, according to Noa Aoki, marketing director at Aoki Group Restaurants.
Aloha State Daily | Ban on life sentences without parole could be extended

6 days ago | alohastatedaily.com | Michael Brestovansky

Hawai‘i's most severe prison sentence will no longer apply to convicted criminals below 21 years old. House Bill 103, which is on the verge of becoming law, prohibits offenders younger than 21 from being sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Currently, that sentence is prohibited for offenders 18 or younger. Life imprisonment sentences in Hawai‘i are reserved for those convicted of first- and second-degree murder, or attempted first- and second-degree murder.