We’re honoring 39 outstanding business and community leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, health care workers, creatives and others for their impactful contributions to our community. After readers submitted nominations, the women were selected by HONOLULU editors. We asked our award winners to tell us more about their goals and sources of inspiration. Here’s what they said in their own words.
We chat with the multitalented boy mom about ways to sneak in family time, what drives her Muthaship podcast and diving into new passions, from acting to comedy.
Named a most anticipated book by Debutiful, Oprah Daily and Vulture, Extinction Capital of the World is Rigg’s debut collection of short stories.
After 50 years of taiko drumming, Hawai‘i’s master taiko ambassador remains as passionate as ever, and he’s celebrating his golden anniversary with concerts, workshops, demonstrations and more.
Thunderstorm Artis, a singer-songwriter from Hale‘iwa, won raves for his soulful American Idol performances.
Local grinds that top the list when the North Shore-born artist arrives for a concert at Blue Note.
Revisiting that time we found an off-the-beaten-path stall selling top-line handmade knives and everyday knives at City Square’s open market.
Over malasadas and lettuce wraps, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter talks about his bold path as a Hawaiian, from Pana‘ewa to Carnegie Hall.
Now in her mid-70s, Margaret Okimoto discovered her true self on the dance floor.
Kathleen O’Dell shares her vision for the Hawai‘i State LGBTQ+ Commission.
We caught up with the rising star on the UH women’s soccer team.
In Waimānalo, Aunty Blanche McMillan houses people at a kauhale, or community of tiny homes, through her nonprofit.
Sheldon Nagata transformed his weed-filled Punchbowl property into a green wonderland, finding his passion in the process.
“While I’m physically putting those puzzle pieces back together, it recreates a beautiful connection between the things we use and each other.”
Thankfully, Hawai‘i state Sen. Brenton Awa’s colorless lunch didn’t keep him from saying some colorful things.
Dr. Christina Marzo, a family physician, wants to help her patients make the right decisions for themselves and their ‘ohana.
Meet our cover doctor, Dr. Jerald Garcia, who offers comprehensive, one-stop chronic pain management at the Hawai‘i Institute for Pain.
In her third try, in 2024, Kim Coco Iwamoto finally defeated longtime incumbent Scott Saiki to represent District 25 in the Hawai‘i House of Representatives, which includes Ala Moana, Kaka‘ako and Downtown. We check in as part of ongoing discussions with local leaders.
As Hōkūle‘a celebrates 50 years of sailing, female navigators carry a message of cultural resilience and hope to a worldwide community.
Hurley’s upcoming book has been named a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard and earned a starred review from the School Library Journal.
Meet Skye Yonamine of Earth & Skye Ceramics whose art balances striving for perfection while embracing disruption.
Hawai‘i author Virginia Loo channels her great-grandmother as she reflects on her journey on becoming a single mother.
Jonathan Pascual finished the Ironman while battling terminal cancer, an act that resonated around the globe.
Wendy Hensel plans to travel to all UH campuses to learn how to better serve the college community and elevate the university’s reputation.
