In 2021, I visited Oahu, Hawaii for what was only supposed to be a few weeks. I wound up extending my stay at the hostel, getting a job at a smoothie shop, and living there all summer long.

I gained so much from that season of my life: new friends, a passion for traveling, and best of all, a reliable beach bag that I could keep buying again and again.

The Aloha Collection Beach Bag, dubbed the “unofficial bag of Hawaii,” is everywhere in the Aloha State. The collection was founded in 2014 by Rachael Leinaʻala Soares, a flight attendant, and Heather Aiu, a Kauaʻi native, and has since taken the travel bag world by storm. Today, Aloha Collection bags can be found in nearly every Hawaiian gift shop and even be bought in Disney World.

From weekenders to fanny packs, Aloha Collection sells bags for all types of travelers. One of my best friends owns every single bag that Aloha Collection sells, and I can guarantee that the bags are perfect for any sort of activity. See why below:

Aloha Collection Keep it Light Weekender

I’m a harsh critic when it comes to weekender bags. Generally, this type of personal item is meant to be compact enough to fit under the seat in front of you on a plane, while also offering enough space to fit enough clothes for weekend travel. However, I have never owned a weekender bag that I felt met all the marks until I got the Aloha Collection weekender.

The bag is water resistant, small enough to count as a personal item, and flexible enough to fit clothes, shoes, and a laptop. It also has a zippered pocket for easy access; I always use my Aloha Collection weekender as a personal item and am able to fit everything I need and more in it.

Aloha Collection Day Tripper

The Day Tripper is an Aloha Collection classic. The bag comes in several bright floral colors, as well as more monotone colors, so it can be used on the beach or in the city. The Day Tripper can fit everything you need for the whole day. Plus, it’s water resistant, has a top zipper, and a deep zippered pocket inside and out to protect all of your personal items.

If you’re looking for a smaller bag, you should look into the Mini Tripper.

Aloha Collection Mini Pouch

It’s a toiletry bag, a makeup bag, and a jewelry bag all rolled into one — it’s the Mini Pouch. And it’s exactly what it sounds like: a small pouch that can be used for all purposes. I own several and use both the mini, small, and medium sized pouches to hold my toiletries, makeup, and tech.

Whenever I have items that I want to keep dry at the beach I stick them in my small pouch. Plus, when checking my bags, I’ll put any liquids that might be at risk of exploding in my mini pouch to protect it.

Tropical Storm Lala is heading toward Hawaii and could be at hurricane strength as it moves through near the Big Island this weekend. Residents should be preparing for hurricane wind impacts, though most will see tropical storm force winds. Heavy rain will likely cause flooding as well. We’re also monitoring Hernan to the east, but impacts are not expected from that system.

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center determined that Tropical Storm Lala strengthened slightly Thursday, and is now expecting it to reach low end category 1 strength as it passes Hawaii on Saturday.

The system is expected to continue generally toward the west-northwest over the next several days. Central Pacific Hurricane Center believes conditions should support additional organization and strengthening.

While there is still some uncertainty about the system’s exact track, the GFS and Euro models indicate it is close enough to Hawaii for residents and visitors to prepare for impacts. A hurricane watch has been issued for the Big Island. Other watches/warnings may be issued in the days ahead. This is the first hurricane watch for Hawaii since Hurricane Hone moved through the area in August of 2024.

Tropical storm or even hurricane conditions could reach portions of the state as the system moves through, even if the center does not move directly over an island. If the eye of the storm stays south of the islands, the higher wind impacts will be felt on the east side of the Big Island, as the front right quadrant sees the strongest winds.

Flooding will likely be the biggest threat with this system, as terrain enhanced rain could top a foot of accumulation on the Big Island. When heavy rain saturated soils, trees can be toppled more easily. Tropical storm force winds could have bigger impacts in this scenario.

Beach conditions are also expected to deteriorate as Lala gets closer. Larger swells generated by the system could lead to increasing surf and dangerous conditions along exposed coastlines. 

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center emphasizes that the forecast could change as the disturbance becomes better organized. Small adjustments in the track or strength of the system could make a significant difference in which islands see the greatest impacts. 

People across Hawaii should continue checking forecast updates through the rest of the week and be prepared in case additional tropical alerts are issued. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center will continue issuing regular advisories as Lala moves toward the islands. 

WASHINGTON — As Washington once again wrestles with the question of how far the United States should go in supporting Ukraine, a resolution from one of the country’s most geographically distant states has added a new voice to the debate.

The Hawaii State Senate has urged President Donald Trump and Congress to provide Ukraine with weapons to defend itself against Russia and recover territory recognized as Ukrainian under international law.

Senate Resolution 179 passed in April, with three of the 25 state senators — all Republicans — voting against it. It was subsequently transmitted to federal officials and, earlier this week, was entered into the Congressional Record as a memorial from the Hawaii Legislature and referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

The resolution is nonbinding and cannot direct US foreign policy. But its arrival in Congress comes as bipartisan support for additional pressure on Russia is again being tested.

Hawaii’s measure also cannot appropriate money, order weapons shipments, or compel Trump or Congress to adopt a particular policy. Its significance instead lies in the message and the fact that it was formally delivered to federal officials.

In June, the US House approved a Ukraine Support Act authorizing more than $1 billion in assistance, up to $8 billion in military financing loans, reconstruction support, and new sanctions on Russia. The measure passed 226-195, with 18 Republicans joining Democrats.

In late July, the Senate voted overwhelmingly to advance legislation that would expand sanctions on Russia and Iran and give Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on major purchasers of Russian oil and gas.

Against that backdrop, Hawaii’s resolution illustrates that support for Kyiv is being expressed beyond Washington, including by state lawmakers with no direct role in foreign policy.

The resolution was originally introduced by Democratic state Senators Karl Rhoads, Lorraine Inouye, and Angus McKelvey. Rhoads, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, was its first sponsor.

Speaking to RFE/RL on August 12, Rhoads said he felt Hawaii had not spoken forcefully enough about Ukraine in recent years.

‘The Don’t Have Enough Ballistic Missiles’

One of his main concerns is Ukraine’s shortage of air defenses, particularly systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles. “One of the big problems, of course, Ukrainians face at this point is that they don’t have enough anti-ballistic missiles to keep Kyiv from being pounded every night,” Rhoads said.

That point was driven home by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said during a CNN interview on August 12 that Ukraine needs at least 5 percent of the current US stockpile of Patriot interceptor missiles to ward off surging Russian ballistic missile attacks, while 10 would be enough to stop all ‌Russian ballistic missile attacks.

The resolution says US assistance has helped Ukraine defend itself, conduct counteroffensives, and provide humanitarian relief. It calls for continued weapons supplies to defend Ukrainian sovereignty and recover territory recognized as Ukrainian under international law.

It also urges Trump to negotiate the withdrawal of Russian forces.

Rhoads’ call for more weapons comes as Washington’s debate has shifted toward the mix of military assistance and economic pressure that could change the course of the war.

He said Ukraine needs additional air defense systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles as well as longer-range weapons.

Rhoads also defended Ukrainian strikes against targets deep inside Russia, saying they had brought the war “home to Russia.” “I think more longer-range weaponry would be a good idea,” he said.

He acknowledged the disparity between Ukraine and Russia, which is larger and has received military assistance from countries such as North Korea and Iran. China’s relationship with Moscow, he said, has further complicated the strategic picture.

Rhoads said he was encouraged by growing recognition in Europe that European countries must assume more responsibility for their own security. He pointed to Finland and Sweden joining NATO after Russia’s full-scale invasion.

“I think they’re realizing that they have to play a bigger role than they have,” he said.

Rhoads said he hoped Europe would “pick up the slack,” but added: “We really should do more.”

Certified copies were sent to Trump, congressional leaders, members of Hawaii’s congressional delegation and the governor. The resolution was subsequently entered into the Congressional Record and referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Rhoads said Hawaii retains generally pro-Ukrainian sentiment among people who continue to follow the war. But he acknowledged that public attention could fade.

“Everybody’s moving on,” he said, noting that the war has lasted for years while Americans face other concerns.

Rhoads said he was unaware of polling that would allow him to compare Hawaii with the country as a whole. “My guess is it’s similar — that to the extent anybody’s thinking about it, they’re pro-Ukrainian,” he said.

‘The Russians Started This’

The resolution, then, is not necessarily evidence of a groundswell of public pressure. It is evidence that some state lawmakers still want Washington to hear an argument that has become increasingly contested at the federal level.

Mykola Murskyj, director of advocacy at Razom, a US-based nonprofit focused on Ukraine, told RFE/RL that Hawaii’s action reflects broader American support for Kyiv.

“Despite what one might see on the news, Americans still overwhelmingly support weapons for Ukraine’s defense and sanctions against Russia,” Murskyj said.

He argued that Ukraine can defeat Russia if given the necessary military tools and pointed to public support for weapons and sanctions.

Given that Hawaii was the site of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, Murskyj also invoked the state’s own experience of foreign aggression.

“Hawaiians know a thing or two about unprovoked attacks,” he said, arguing that the US should learn from history and give Ukraine the means to end Russia’s war.

Like Rhoads, he singled out air defense.

The appeal comes as Washington weighs military assistance against economic measures aimed at Russia’s war revenues. The Senate sanctions legislation, for example, seeks to increase pressure on Russia’s energy income and other sources of financing.

Hawaii’s message, however, is more direct: Ukraine needs weapons.

“Ukraine is an independent country,” Rhoads said. “The Russians started this, not the Ukrainians,” he said.