Aloha State Daily

“Mala Ocean Tavern serves West Maui” and “Hale ‘O Ka La for sale.”

Views expressed in this Hawaii news summary are those of the reporters and correspondents.

Accessed on 16 June 2026, 1711 UTC.

Content and Source: “Aloha State Daily.”

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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsjournal.com).

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TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2026

A staple in the Lahaina community: Māla Ocean Tavern

The restaurant, located on Front Street, officially reopened in February 2024 after closing due to the August 2023 Lahaina fire. Māla Ocean Tavern was the first restaurant to reopen on Front Street following the fires, and continues to serve as a popular spot for brunch and dinner in West Maui. READ MORE

For Sale: Hale ‘O Ka La, a $17.5M home in a Big Isle resort community

The 5,358-square-foot home is located on 0.86 acres at 62-3916 Lanikeha Place, within Mauna Kea Resort’s Mauna Kea Fairways North community. READ MORE

Pipikaula Corner: State blowing it on convention center

Hawai‘i lawmakers seem to think they own the only convention center on Earth, because their approach to investing in the Hawai‘i Convention Center ignores any sense of the marketplace. Towns the size of Hawaii‘i, in terms of population and visitor counts, are investing hundreds of millions in their facilities just to keep up with what the convention market wants, while we cheap out on the cost of fixing leaks. READ MORE

Are elephants people? State Supreme Court to weigh in

Two Honolulu Zoo elephants, Mari and Vaigai, are at the center of a Supreme Court case about the rights of non-human animals. READ MORE

Hawaiʻi contestant competes tonight in ʻAmerica’s Got Talent’

This Army sergeant got his musical break when he recorded himself singing in a car. Now, Oʻahu resident Isaac Atkins is reflecting on the “America’s Got Talent” auditions that recently took him to California. READ MORE

Waimānalo entrepreneur organizes curated monthly pop-up markets

This month’s Puʻuhonua Mākeke — which is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, at Puʻuhonua O Waimānalo — will feature 24 local vendors, raffles and prizes, lei and pāpale making workshops, and its signature free eggs and bread for the first 100 ʻohana. Organizer Lehua Kanahele-Santos, who owns Kanahele Roots and Pohinahina Kinis, talks about the heart behind the mākeke and her businesses, and what’s in store next. READ MORE

Community Voices: Medicaid Fraud Control

Hawaiʻi’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit was recently called a “complete disgrace” by Vice President J.D. Vance and was decertified. In response, Gov. Josh Green announced that he would create an “independent Medicaid Fraud Strike Force” whose mission is “to help identify waste, fraud and abuse, recommend corrective actions, assist in the recovery of taxpayer dollars where appropriate.” READ MORE

Poke business K. Bay Bros. now has a food truck

K Bay Bros On the Go started about two weeks ago. The business is popping up around Oʻahu; its schedule for the week will be posted on Instagram. READ MORE

University of Hawai‘i sailing coach Andy Johnson retires

Johnson, the longest tenured coach at UH prior to the announcement, had been the school’s sailing coach since 1989. READ MORE

James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards happening today

Hawai‘i’s Neale Asato, owner of Asato Family Shop, honored at the 2026 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards

The awards took place Monday in Chicago, with Hawaiʻi’s own Neale Asato of Asato Family Shop among the finalists for the outstanding pastry chef or baker category. READ MORE

Reader Submissions: Send us your sky photos

Kindly submit your high-resolution, horizontal Hawaiʻi Skies photo that you own and/or have the rights to general@alohastatedaily.com. Additional details here: READ MORE

Hawaiʻi Skies: Lunar halo

Today’s Hawai‘i Skies was captured by Myra above Punchbowl area. READ MORE

Waikīkī Business Improvement District, Improvement Association to align management

The move aims to streamline operations, reduce overhead and enhance efficiency and goes into effect July 1. READ MORE

Molokaʻi or Molokai, and why? ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi speakers, community share manaʻo

Aloha State Daily revisits the Molokaʻi or Molokai debate over the spelling and pronunciation of the place name — with or without an ʻokina — initially for our own house style guide used across the website. Here’s what we learned from community members statewide. READ MORE

Where to celebrate Father’s Day 2026 – part 2

Father’s Day dining 2026 – part 2

Whether you’re looking to dine-in or celebrate Father’s Day at home, we’ve got you covered. This guide also contains some local fare on Maui. READ MORE

Daily Smile: Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Now let’s all enjoy the automatic dog ball launcher…READ MORE

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“Mala Ocean Tavern serves West Maui” and “Hale ‘O Ka La for sale.”

Views expressed in this Hawaii news summary are those of the reporters and correspondents.

Accessed on 16 June 2026, 1711 UTC.

Content and Source: “Aloha State Daily.”

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQgMVbTfvNzTbqXrwjmQWWNGJfr

URL–alohastatedaily.com.

Please check email link, URL, or scroll down to read your selections. Thanks for joining us today.

Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsjournal.com).

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“Mala Ocean Tavern serves West Maui” and “Hale ‘O Ka La for sale.”

Views expressed in this Hawaii news summary are those of the reporters and correspondents.

Accessed on 16 June 2026, 1711 UTC.

Content and Source: “Aloha State Daily.”

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQgMVbTfvNzTbqXrwjmQWWNGJfr

URL–alohastatedaily.com.

Please check email link, URL, or scroll down to read your selections. Thanks for joining us today.

Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsjournal.com).

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