HONOLULU (HI Now) - What started as a small merchandise brand has grown into a community-driven mission. Aloha Will Save the World, a Big Island-based small business, sells its signature hats and merchandise at Keaukaha General Store and Soul Community Planet Hotel in Hilo — but its impact extends far beyond retail.
Through a partnership with Hawaii Rise Foundation, Aloha Will Save the World has contributed more than $10,000 in scholarships to date. This year’s scholarship was art-based, inviting students to express what aloha means to them through their chosen art form. The 2026 winner is Ava Carlson of Maui, whose mosaic captured the spirit of the theme.
Hawaii Rise Foundation awards more than $50,000 in scholarships annually, with all proceeds supporting workshops, trainings and community events across the state. While this year’s scholarship cycle is closed, the foundation continues to create opportunities for Hawaii’s next generation.
To shop Aloha Will Save the World, visit Keaukaha General Store or Soul Community Planet Hotel. For more information on Hawaii Rise Foundation, visit hawaiirisefoundation.org.
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