Retail Merchants of Hawaii

10/31/2026

10/21/2026

Congratulations to new Honolulu Police Department deputy chiefs, Brandon Nakasato and Parker Bode! RMH was honored to attend the swearing-in ceremony at Honolulu Hale last week.

Safe stores and safe communities go hand in hand. Mahalo to Chief Lazar for choosing two excellent leaders and for the ongoing partnership between HPD and our RMH Security Committee. Honolulu is in great hands 🤙

📸 Slide 2: Aloha State Daily

10/17/2026

It’s official: the 2026 Hoʻokela Awards & 125th Anniversary Celebration is SOLD OUT! 🌺 Mahalo to everyone who has already saved a seat and to our sponsors for helping make this milestone year extra special. On Friday, October 30, we’ll gather at Limelight Hawaii to celebrate Hawaiʻi retail and the people who move it forward, honoring this year’s outstanding teams and leaders.

Presented by Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines, our program features special remarks from CEOs Diana Birkett Rakow (Hawaiian Airlines), Aaron Sala (Hawai‘i Visitors & Convention Bureau - Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau), and Paul Kosasa (ABC Stores Hawaii).

We’ve got plenty of other surprises in store, so if you and your team are still interested in attending, email [email protected] to join the waitlist. We’ll reach out if space open up.

📅 Friday, October 30, 2026
🕥 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 LIMELIGHT Hawaiʻi at Ala Moana (410 Atkinson Dr.)

10/15/2026

What does it take to grow a Hawaiʻi brand into an internationally recognized name? Join the Future of Retail Merchants (FORM) Committee tomorrow, October 15 at 9:00 AM via Zoom for a special “Talk Story” session with ALOHA Collection co-founders Heather Aiu and Rachael Leina’ala Soares.

Inspired by their love of Hawaiʻi, travel, and the ocean, Heather and Rachael launched ALOHA Collection in 2014 with a single bag, a Kickstarter campaign, and a vision to bring the spirit of aloha to the world. Twelve years later, their signature Splash-Proof® travel bags and totes can be found in stores across Hawaiʻi and beyond, with national media features in Forbes and Travel + Leisure. Guided by their shared passion for creativity, community, and giving back, they continue to build a brand that celebrates connection, adventure, and living the good life.

Don’t miss the chance to learn about their journey and what it can teach the next generation of Hawaiʻi retailers. To register, see link in bio.

📅 Thursday, October 15, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM HST
💻 Online via Zoom

RetailMerchantsOfHawaii

08/19/2026

Every year, the Hoʻokela Awards recognize the retailers, teams, and individuals raising the bar for Hawaiʻi’s entire retail industry. This year, winners will also become part of a milestone moment as RMH marks its 125th year.

Nominations close this Monday, August 24. We’re looking for people who don’t always seek recognition, but certainly deserve it. The employee who makes every single person walking through the door feel genuinely cared for. The manager who mentors as fiercely as they drive results. The team that built something from the ground up and consistently reimagines the customer experience.

Categories:
🏆 Retail Team of the Year
🏆 Community Team of the Year
🏆 Retail Manager of the Year
🏆 Retail Employee of the Year

Winners will be honored on October 30 at Limelight Hawaii, during RMH’s 125th Anniversary Celebration & 2026 Hoʻokela Awards, proudly presented by Hawaiian Airlines.

👇 Know someone deserving? Tag them below, then fill out the nomination form at our link in bio.

08/01/2026

Mahalo to all of the members and friends who joined us for the RMH Summer Pau Hana Mixer. Between the pickleball courts, the pupus, the golf simulator, and the good company, it was a smash hit! Event photos are now live on our website (see link in bio).

Special thanks to our incredible partners for making it all possible.
🏟️ Venue Sponsor: Pickles At Forté
🌴 Smash Sponsor: Ward Village
🎯 Dink Sponsor: Target
🏓 Prize Sponsor: JOOLA Pickleball
🍺 Craft B**r: Aloha B**r
🍹 Bar Services: the Exhibition Grid
📸 Photography: Stay Awhile Studio
🤝 Event Volunteers: Gourmet Events Hawaii | GEH AlohaHP, Lana Rapoza
⛳ Golf Simulator: Hawaii Business Magazine

If you missed this one, stay tuned! We’ve got more RMH events on the horizon.

07/22/2026

Almost go time 🏓 See you all tomorrow, July 23, for our RMH Summer Pau Hana Mixer in downtown Honolulu. Swipe to see everything you need to know before the event, including what to bring, where to park, and what to expect when you arrive.

Haven’t registered yet? Last chance to grab one of the remaining spots at the link in our bio.

📍 Pickles at Forté (1032 Fort Street Mall)
📅 Thursday, July 23 @ 4:30–7:00 PM

This event was made possible with the generous support of our amazing partners: Pickles At Forté, JOOLA Pickleball, Ward Village, Target, Aloha B**r, the Exhibition Grid, Stay Awhile Studio, Gourmet Events Hawaii | GEH, Hawaii Business Magazine, AlohaHP

07/22/2026

Breaking news: it’s okay to leave the office early this Thursday 🤙 Our RMH Summer Pau Hana Mixer is just a couple of days away, and we still have a few spots open.

Come mingle with the local business community, find your next pickleball partner, or use this as an excuse to practice your swing (courts and golf simulator included). You might even take home a special prize. Either way, there will be plenty of food and drinks for all!

🎟️ Tickets: see link in bio
📅 Date: Thursday, July 23 @ 4:30–7:00 PM
📍 Location: Pickles at Forté (1032 Fort Street Mall)

Mahalo to all of the partners supporting this event: Pickles At Forté, JOOLA Pickleball, Ward Village, Target, Aloha B**r, the Exhibition Grid, Stay Awhile Studio, Gourmet Events Hawaii | GEH, Hawaii Business Magazine, AlohaHP

07/17/2026

Our Summer Pau Hana Mixer is almost here — are you in? 🌴 Join us next Thursday, July 23, at Pickles at Forté for an event worth showing up early for. Limited spots remaining, so don’t wait! See our link in bio for tickets.

🎁 FREE GIFT JUST FOR YOU
First 10 ticketed guests through the door take home a special gift from JOOLA + sponsor merch. Can’t make it until later? No worries, you’ll receive 2 complimentary drink tickets just for showing up.

🛍️ GIVEAWAYS ALL NIGHT LONG
Prizes up for grabs all evening, including two JOOLA Magnus Pro Pickleball Paddles.

🏓 NETWORK OVER THE NET
Mingle with local retail professionals and business leaders while enjoying open pickleball play, beginner instruction with a pro, and access to the golf simulator all night.

Even if you’re not a pickleball player, come connect with members over great food and drinks, including light bites from Fig & Ginger (Fig & Ginger Honolulu) and craft brews from Aloha B**r

📅 Thursday, July 23 @ 4:30–7:00 PM
📍 Pickles at Forté (1032 Fort Street Mall)
🚗 Parking included

Special thanks to our sponsors: Pickles At Forté, JOOLA Pickleball, Ward Village, Target, Aloha B**r, the Exhibition Grid, and Stay Awhile Studio

07/03/2026

RMH is taking over Pickles at Forté for our biggest pau hana mixer of the season and you’re invited! Serve, sip, and socialize with our local retail and business community on Thursday, July 23 at Hawaii’s only fully air-conditioned indoor pickleball facility.

Open to all ✨ Retailers, allied members, friends, family, or anyone looking to meet new people (maybe even a pickleball partner).

WHAT TO EXPECT
🏓 Open pickleball play + beginner instruction with a pro
⛳ Golf simulator access all evening
🍽️ Pupus + light bites
🍹 Two complimentary drink tickets
🎁 Prize giveaways, including 2 JOOLA Pickleball Magnus Pro Paddles
🤝 Networking with Hawaii retailers, suppliers, & business leaders
🛍️ Bonus for early birds: first 10 ticketed guests through the door will receive a special gift

EVENT DETAILS
📅 July 23, 2026 @ 4:30–7:00 PM
📍 1032 Fort Street Mall (Downtown Honolulu)
🚗 Parking included

Spots are limited; see link in bio to grab your tickets before they’re gone!

hawaiipickleball