Las Vegas isn’t just neon, blackjack, and buffets.
It’s Aloha in the Desert.
Over the last few decades, Vegas has become home to one of the largest Hawaiian communities.
Estimates range from 40,000 to more than 50,000 Hawaiians living in the Valley.
That’s why you’ll hear Vegas locals say proudly:
“Welcome to the Ninth Island.”
Keep reading here as we will showcase some of the Hawaii locations we’ve hit that make Vegas the 9th Island.
And make sure to subscribe to our Channel here to see all of our Vegas and Hawaii segments.
And keep in mind our strong Jetsetter 9th Island Connection. Susan grew up in Hawaii after her family moved from Australia for her parents’ Pan Am careers. And now she’s living in Las Vegas, where the island ties run deeper and make it easy for us to explore and explain.
How the Ninth Island Happened
It all started in the 1970s when casino legend Sam Boyd opened the California Hotel & Casino — “The Cal.”
Business was slow, so Boyd marketed directly to the islands with irresistible travel packages, Hawaiian food, and island-style hospitality.
Today, The Cal is still a Hawaiian hub — a place where pidgin flows, malasadas appear at potlucks, and visitors bring gifts from home for their favorite dealers.
But many Hawaiians later became more than just Vegas visitors.
By the 1990s, domestic and international travel to Hawaii boomed. That was great for Hawaii tourism. But as more wealthy travelers arrived, relaxed, ate, and drank up the tropics — the cost-of-living on the remote islands also skyrocketed.
That forced some Hawaiian families to relocate to less costly places.
Vegas was perfect.
Its eclectic and accepting ways allowed Hawaiians to live a good life, while holding onto their cultural traditions – even in the desert.
That gave rise to Hawaiian civic clubs, schools, and festivals – that thrive today.
Families moved here for opportunity, affordability, and community.
The result was a cultural migration that also reshaped Vegas.
As we’ve witnessed — the aloha spirit didn’t just travel here — it thrives here.
Why Being the 9th Island Is So Good for Vegas Too
The Hawaiian influence has brought so much to Sin City. As we show you, Vegas didn’t just absorb Hawaiian culture — it embraced it.
• A stronger sense of community in a city known for transplants.
• Cultural festivals, hula studios, and civic clubs that enrich local life.
• A tourism pipeline between Hawaii and Vegas that keeps both economies humming.
- A booming food scene with authentic island flavors.The Hawaiian Foodie Takeover
Hawaiian flavors have become a full-on foodie force, influencing everything from plate lunch joints to poke bars to tiki lounges.
There are plenty of other standout Hawaiian-linked spots include:
• Aloha Kitchen — beloved for saimin, loco moco, and island comfort classics.
• Zippy’s — the iconic Hawaii chain bringing chili, zip packs, and malasadas to the desert.
• Island Sushi & Grill — sushi meets plate lunch in true Ninth Island style.
• Paina Cafe — fresh poke bowls with that unmistakable Hawaii flavor.
• 9th Island Grill — a direct nod to the nickname itself.
• Grinds 2 Da Max — hearty plate lunches that feel straight out of Honolulu.
• Aloha Specialties — located inside The Cal, serving the dishes that started the Ninth Island wave.
These restaurants — and dozens more — have helped shape Vegas into a city where Hawaiian cuisine isn’t niche. It’s part of the culinary identity.
Jetsetter Takeaway
If you can’t make that 5-hour flight from the West Coast to Hawaii, then you can still enjoy Hawaii in The Desert.
The Ninth Island identity is seen as overwhelmingly positive — a cultural bridge that keeps the aloha spirit alive far from the Pacific.
It’s also another reason to explore Vegas beyond the Strip.
Find the saimin.
Hear the ukulele.
Taste the poke.
Feel the aloha.
Because the Ninth Island isn’t just a nickname.
It’s a vibe.
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John Daly and Susan Anzalone are the Co-Creators and Co-Hosts of Undercover Jetsetter, a show on travel, food, wine, and booze. Join them for tips and hacks on the road, at home, or in the kitchen, and all over the world. Susan is an expert in food and wine since her childhood days in Australia and then Hawaii and the United States, being the daughter of two lifelong employees of Pan Am Airlines. John is also a world traveler starting when he studied in Italy through his alma mater Providence College. John is also a Nevada Hall of Fame Broadcaster during his years as a Las Vegas news anchor at KTNV. He gained international fame as the host of the first all-video news magazine show, Real TV while also securing his bartending and mixology credentials from the Harvard Bartending School. Together, they co-authored the book, The TV Studio In Your Hand: How to Shoot, Edit & Deliver the Easy Way on Your iPhone so you can document your Jetsetting adventures. Follow them on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, X, and Instagram, and on the free Wingding app.