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Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Arts & Entertainment

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<title>Hawaiʻi Scene on Social: Making up all any kine</title>

In today's social media find, @islandmagicmike riffs on Hulu, Disney and more.

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social: Making up all any kine

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Aloha Spirit

Business & Tourism

Isaiah Corpus, 25, who is from Wahiawā and raised in Waiʻanae, said that he knew as a teenager that he wanted to run his own retail store someday.

“I am the first member of my family to have a store on my own and am proud to have started this business by myself,”

I’ve always been an ocean and beach enthusiast: I taught myself to surf and kayak. I helped at beach cleanups and always want to give back to the ocean and marine life. That’s how I created my business.”

About a year ago, Corpus hatched the plan for 

Shop Kainalu, a Hawaiʻi inspired lifestyle and apparel brand, set to open this spring in Seattle, where he has lived since 2024. 

He added that the initial investment for the venture came from his savings.

said he took a few business classes and met mentors and coaches, who helped with the paperwork like applying for a state business license.

“I didn’t realize how long it would take to retrieve, but despite that, it all worked out in the end,” he said. "Iʻm excited to have my business out there and to launch soon."

While his primary job is with a major U.S. airline, Corpus said, he currently operates a one-man shop, overseeing the fashion and graphic design elements of its products, as well as renovating the new space located between Seattle's University District and Lower Queen Anne, which is expected “to take a couple more months,” he noted.

The store is slated to open in May, with a traditional Hawaiian blessing, he said. Other priorities for Corpus ahead of the launch include working on finalizing the website (currently down), hand drawing more designs to ramp up inventory, while recruiting brand ambassadors and, eventually, a team for the store.

When asked what makes Shop Kainalu stand out, he told ASD, “I use eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, recycled fabrics and renewable textiles that reduce waste, preserve resources and eliminate harmful chemicals, embracing innovative, slow impact production methods for my store. I want to ensure that every clothing item I make not only elevates modern style but also protects the ocean.”

The brand will soon offer tees, totes, swimwear, and a range of other everyday essentials for men, women, and the home, according to 

The biz’s name in Native Hawaiian means ocean wave, which he says “integrates my purpose behind my story. … On a personal level, [I'm] always surfing, going to the beach, so when you shop at my store, you shop to care for the environment, that’s how the name came up.”

In Seattle, he continues to volunteer at cleanups and noted that a portion of the proceeds from the shop with go toward local ocean conservation groups and nonprofits.  

As a new small business owner, Corpus said he’s "still in the learning process" but has already found support from Seattle- and Hawaiʻi-owned small businesses alike. 

Interested in connecting with Corpus? Email 

His plans for the future include opening up another retail store in the Islands. Fun fact: White Plains Beach in ʻEwa Beach is a must-visit whenever Corpus comes home, which is usually monthly.

i culture and community continue to shape who I am and what I build," he said. “Even while living on the continent, Hawai

i remains at the center of my work and purpose. This journey reflects many Hawai

i people building something away from home while staying deeply connected.”

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

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<title>Small business owner with Hawaiʻi roots to open first store in Seattle</title>

Born and raised on Oʻahu, Isaiah Corpus plans to launch Shop Kainalu, a Hawaiʻi inspired lifestyle and apparel brand, in Washington where he now lives. Corpus, a self-described ocean and beach enthusiast, discusses the details leading up to its spring debut, as well as his hope to open another retail store in his island home.

Small business owner with Hawaiʻi roots to open first store in Seattle

Kam Napier Headshot

A. Kam Napier

Government & Politics

Columnists

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson in Minneapolis 

 that half, or more, of $18 billion in federal funds may have been stolen. That's $9 billion or more.

To put that in perspective, in 2024, Hawai‘i residents and businesses 

 $11.4 billion in federal taxes. The Minnesota heist was so bad, it is as if someone stole 79% of all the money we kicked in to the federal pot that year.

Think of every paycheck you collected that year, and every withholding for federal taxes, and just imagine the sound of a vacuum cleaner hoovering your dollars away to empty daycare centers in Minneapolis.

Now, we're hardly the only victims. The whole nation was robbed blind. But consider this, the fraud is equal to or bigger than the entire federal tax payment of five states in 2024:

We can take a stab at what the Minnesota fraud cost us individually in Hawai‘i, too. We're a small state, so our contribution is equal to 0.22% of all federal tax receipts.

A little quick math: 0.22% of our $11.4 billion is $25 million. According to figures from 

, there are roughly 673,980 federal tax returns filed by Hawai‘i residents each year.

So, as far as I'm concerned, Minnesota owes each of us $37 to replace our share of the plundered funds.

I'd say I'd take a check, but really, under the circumstances, I'd prefer cash.

A. Kam Napier is editor in chief of Aloha State Daily. His opinions in Pipikaula Corner are his own and not reflective of the ASD team.

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<title>Pipikaula Corner: Minnesota fraud vs. Hawai‘i taxpayers</title>

It may seem far away, but if you want a sense of how massive the theft of federal dollars in Minnesota is, compare it to how much we in the Islands pay in federal taxes.

Pipikaula Corner: Minnesota fraud vs. Hawai‘i taxpayers

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

[{"type":"text","text":"There’s a new all-you-can-eat sushi spot in Honolulu."}]

Sumo AYCE Sushi recently opened in Azure Ala Moana. It’s located in the former space of Debu (the new restaurant sign isn't up yet). The all-you-can-eat experience costs $26.95 per person during lunch (Mondays to Thursdays) and $36.95 for the all-day menu.

The eatery is originally from Las Vegas; this is its first Hawai

i store. Since it’s in its soft opening, only walk-ins are accepted (no reservations).

The restaurant is currently open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. (last seating at 9 p.m.; last call for the kitchen is at 9:45 p.m.). There’s a 90-minute time limit for the all-you-can-eat experience. If customers leave leftover rice, they will be charged.

Customers also have the option to order a la carte, if they don’t feel like doing AYCE. All members of the same dining party must choose the same experience (either all-you-can-eat or a la carte). 

The menu features a variety of nigiri, appetizers, sushi rolls and all-day specials like salmon carpaccio, lobster garlic bread, poke nachos and more.

On the AYCE menu, certain dishes — like uni nigiri, ama ebi nigiri and salmon cut center steak — can only be ordered once.

Recommended appetizers include KFC — Korean fried chicken with Korean sweet and spicy sauce — chicken karaage and crispy rice. The latter features crispy rice topped with spicy tuna, jalapeno, garlic ponzu, spicy mayo and eel sauce.

Popular nigiri so far include seared salmon and yuzu yellowtail nigiri. Classic nigiri options include tuna, shrimp, yellowtail and more.

Choose from unique options like corn cheese garlic bread, bulgogi garlic bread and lobster garlic bread. The latter features soft garlic bread topped with crab, lobster, mozzarella cheese, eel sauce, spicy mayo and scallions.

While filling up on carbs is not usually recommended for AYCE experiences, these breads are trying at least once and are easy to share.

Customers can choose from a variety of four-piece and eight-piece sushi rolls; there are more than 40 options. Popular options include the Chanel roll (shrimp tempura, spicy crab and avocado topped with tuna and salmon); Lisa Lisa roll (shrimp tempura, avocado, crab and cream cheese topped with tempura crunch and eel sauce); and the lemon salmon roll (crab and avocado topped with salmon, lemon and ponzu).

End with desserts like honeydew or ube Melona bars, or vanilla mochi ice cream.

Customer parking is available at Azure Ala Moana; look for the designated retail parking stalls within the structure.

Open daily, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. (last seating at 9 p.m.)

Sumo AYCE Sushi dinner spread 122925

<title>New all-you-can-eat sushi spot opens in Honolulu</title>

Sumo AYCE Sushi just opened in Azure Ala Moana. The eatery — originally from Las Vegas — offers an extensive all-you-can-eat menu, along with an a la carte menu.

New all-you-can-eat sushi spot opens in Honolulu

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Three restaurants in Hawai‘i are vying for a place on the list of Best New Restaurants in the USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. The awards aim to rank the 10 best in several areas of travel and lifestyle.

Among the field of 20 restaurants opened in the past 18 months 

— chosen by a panel of food and travel experts — are:

 once a day until noon eastern (that’s 7 a.m. in the Islands) Monday, Dec. 22. Winners are set to be announced on Friday, Jan. 2.

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<title>Three Hawai‘i eateries among those nominated for Best New Restaurant</title>

You can vote for your favorite in the USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards until Dec. 22.

Three Hawai‘i eateries among those nominated for Best New Restaurant

Lopaka and Tanya Kapanui

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya Kapanui

Hawaii History

Kamapuaʻa, the wild and rebellious demigod, is usually found in Hawai‘i’s lush, rain-drenched forests and valleys. Part man and part pig, Kamapua‘a is a shape-shifter whose most common form is that of a large wild hog. His restless spirit drew the fury and disdain of Pele, the fiery goddess of the volcano, but he pursued her relentlessly.

With his boundless passion, the nature of the pig god’s affinity for cooling rains and verdant lands countered Pele’s tempestuous fire and her lava’s destructive creation. The relationship between the two was filled first with anger and violence and then with wild desire. Eventually, Kamapua‘a could never tame the goddess’ flames, and Pele could not cage the demigod.

In their final epic battle, the pair realized it was impossible to destroy one another. Kamapua‘a proposed a truce, and the pair agreed that Pele would remain on her side of the island where it is hot and arid, and Kamapua‘a would remain on his side, where it is cool and lush, and none shall trespass into the other’s domain. From this ancient feud comes the superstition of carrying pork from one side of the island to the other.

Locals on O‘ahu will be quick to tell you, “Don’t bring pork over the Pali!”

This is a warning that if you should bring pork from Kailua over the Nu‘uanu Pali, you are carrying the kinolau (the embodiment) of Kamapua‘a into Pele’s territory, angering her. Personal stories of car trouble, strange occurrences, and even ghostly encounters from people who had pork in their cars reinforced this belief, with the scary events only ceasing once the pork was removed.

The story of bringing pork over the Pali is just one layer of the complex and spiritual history surrounding this place. If you ask different people why the Pali is haunted, you’ll likely get several vastly different answers, and most of those answers might be true. This haunting, spiritually powerful place has a long and violent history. It’s not just one thing that haunts the Pali; it’s many. 

In 1947, ten years before the first Pali tunnel was completed, a group of young men and women had been discussing the supernatural and learned that, under certain conditions, “spooks” could be seen at the Nu‘uanu Pali. They initially took this information as a joke and decided to test the theory just after midnight. Upon the advice of their Hawaiian friends, they brought with them some raw pork and fish. The night was very dark, and there was no moon.

Just around midnight, they drove up to the lookout, parked their car facing the plaque dedicated to King Kamehameha I, and sat there in the dark, waiting for something to happen. After a short while, one woman alerted the group to a large figure that looked like a man sitting on the side of the hill with his arms locked over his knees.

The driver turned on the car’s headlights, and the figure moved. When the lights were turned off, it suddenly reappeared in a different place. Although the night was dark, the figure was clearly visible, and the group watched in horror as the ghostly man changed his shape to that of an animal. The group tossed the pork out of the car, and in that instant, the awful odor of death and decomposition enveloped them. 

Around 12:45 am, this group of young men and women entered the police station and excitedly shared their terrifying experience with the police lieutenant on the midnight watch. Although the story may have impressed the Lieutenant, his only comment to the newspaper was, “They threw away pork at $1 a pound!”

What or who did these five young adults encounter? Could the strange figure have been the demigod, Kamapua‘a? What is your experience in bringing pork over the Pali?

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social: Making up all any kine

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