HONOLULU Magazine’s Top 10 Stories of 2023
The stories that drew the most readers this year covered events, holiday celebrations, awards and the Maui fires.
Of the many, many stories we published this year, some drew you in with the promise of fun, while others kept you coming back for the latest on topics you care about, from the best places to eat to the businesses supporting Maui wildfire relief. Here are our top stories of 2023.
SEE ALSO: Frolic’s Top 10 Food Posts of 2023
Photo: ABC/Raymond Liu, Courtesy of Kanoa Goo
10. Getting to Know Kanoa Goo
Published Feb. 6, 2023
Honolulu-born actor Kanoa Goo has had a big year, from landing the role of assistant district attorney Chris Sanford on ABC’s The Rookie to starring in the Hallmark Channel’s summer romance film Aloha Heart as Manu. It’s the latter film that captured hearts and brought new fans to this story, which outlines highlights of Goo’s acting journey, months after it was published.
SEE ALSO: Here’s Where You Can Get a Lucky Fukubukuro Bag on O‘ahu
Photo: Courtesy of Hilton Hawaiian Village
9. Your Guide to 4th of July Fireworks Shows and Entertainment on O‘ahu
By Andrea Lee
Published June 29, 2023
Everyone wanted to know where to watch the holiday fireworks and have the best summer weekend.
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
8. Best of HONOLULU 2023: The Best Food and Drinks on O‘ahu
By Mari Taketa, Stacey Makiya, Robbie Dingeman, Jasmine Chagnon, Martha Cheng
Published July 1, 2023
Our annual Best of HONOLULU awards spotlight a range of local businesses with editors’ and readers’ picks. Since we live in a foodie hotspot, the Food and Drinks section always gets the most attention. Find out who won in categories like Best Variety of Matcha Drinks and Best Bakery.
SEE ALSO: The Best Things We Ate in Hawai‘i in 2023
Photo: Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Foster
7. What’s With the Underwhelming Military Response on Maui?
By Don Wallace
Published Aug. 22, 2023
The August wildfires on Maui devastated the island community, yet the U.S. military’s mobilization did not seem to come close to matching the scope of the catastrophe nor their historical natural disaster response in Hawai‘i. Our contributing editor Don Wallace reconstructs what happened on Aug. 8 and 9 and scrutinizes the following government actions.
SEE ALSO: Hawai‘i’s Soul Is at Risk
Photo: Courtesy of Royal Hawaiian Center
6. Where to Celebrate Chinese New Year in 2023
By Maria Kanai
Published Jan. 5, 2023
With a huge Asian population in Hawai‘i that celebrates the Lunar New Year, festivities abound across O‘ahu. In 2024, the Lunar New Year falls on Saturday, Feb. 10, so look out for next year’s guide coming soon.
Photo: Ross D. Hamamura/ SONY
5. Everything You Need to Know About the “Aloha to Aloha Stadium” Event
By Maria Kanai
Published Feb. 21, 2023
Earlier this year, we said goodbye to Aloha Stadium as it closed to make way for the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District. To commemorate the stadium’s 47 years, it hosted a well-attended closing event that featured food, live music, giveaways and stadium memorabilia walks.
Photos: Courtesy of Jack Soren x Mahalo Shoots, Kolohe Jewelry
4. These Hawai‘i Designers and Boutiques Are Donating 100% of Proceeds to Maui’s Recovery
First published Aug. 11, 2023; last updated Sept. 8, 2023
In the wake of the Maui fires, local businesses quickly organized fundraiser sales to contribute to ongoing relief efforts. With so many new ones coming out, our style editor Brie Thalmann updated this story several times to keep up with the wave of support.
SEE ALSO: Donations to Maui Are Flowing In
Photo: Maria Kanai
3. Your Ultimate Guide to the 2023 Punahou Carnival
By Maria Kanai
Published Jan. 23, 2023
This annual Punahou event attracts thousands of people with its rides, games, art gallery, secondhand goods, carnival foods and fresh malasadas. The next carnival is set for Feb. 2 and 3, and we’ll have an updated guide ready for you leading up to it.
From left to right: Thomas Obungen, Mari Taketa, Donna Kodama-Yee, Fête Executive Chef Emily Iguchi, Robynne Maii, Chuck Bussler and Bill Weeshoff of First Hawaiian Bank. Photo: Katrina Valcourt
2. 2023 Hale ‘Aina Award Winners: The Best Restaurants in Hawai‘i
By HONOLULU Magazine Team
Published June 6, 2023
After compiling more than 15,000 votes, the 2023 Hale ‘Aina award winners in more than 40 categories were unveiled in June.
SEE ALSO: Hawai‘i’s Best New Restaurants of 2023
Photo: Courtesy of Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest
1. O‘ahu Bon Dance Schedule 2023
Published June 1, 2023
Summer in Hawai‘i means beach days and bon dance nights, of which there were many across the island.
From all of us at HONOLULU, mahalo for joining us for another year of local stories written by and for people who love Hawai‘i.
