ASD icon blue inverse lighter

ASD Staff

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Arts & Entertainment

[{"text":"\"A honu world!\" had us dying.","type":"text"}]

Screenshot 2025 03 28 at 2 34 22 PM

<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

Lopaka and Tanya Kapanui

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya Kapanui

Hawaii History

Columnists

For thousands of years, this stretch of the Nu‘uanu ahupua‘a lay at the edge of a tidal flat, where the sea mingled with fresh water from upland streams, creating a low, marshy basin. In those ancient days, the area was called Kou, where people would gather to watch ali‘i play games like kōnane and ‘ulu maika.

When foreigners began arriving, they found the naturally deep channel created by Nu‘uanu Stream accommodated their large ships. The port’s popularity grew as Pacific trade increased, leading to the rapid development of the surrounding community. As foreign ships began crowding Honolulu Harbor in the 19th century, the Kingdom’s need for a modern port was clear, and dredging began, carving deeper channels into the harbor floor. The displaced sand, coral rubble, and sediment were spread over the marshy land, burying the tidal basin with layers of man-made fill. What had once been an intertidal landscape was transformed into dry, level ground ready for a new wave of the growing city.

Beneath this fill, however, the old lagoon did not entirely disappear, and archaeologists continue to uncover a past that had been buried for nearly a century.

When the Harbor Court site was excavated in the early 1990s, crews found traditional Hawaiian artifacts, including ornaments and tools made of bone, shell, and stone, indicating that the area was inhabited as early as A.D. 1000-1200. Other layers produced artifacts such as ceramics and bottle glass, introduced in the late 1700s by merchants and sailors.  

One deposit pulled from the excavation site revealed a line of post molds believed to be the remains of the wooden palisade, the protective wall of upright posts, that once surrounded Kamehameha’s compound, mere steps away from the ancient Pakaka heiau. For centuries, this heiau was a gathering place for kāhuna to learn and train in their respective arts. In one description, it is said that the walls of the heiau were adorned all around with the heads of men offered in sacrifice.

And, as is common throughout Honolulu’s older districts, they uncovered ancient burials. The quiet presence of iwi kūpuna confirmed that this ground had been lived upon, worked upon, and returned to for generations, long before Harbor Court was ever imagined.

By the time engineers prepared the site for building, the land had shared numerous tales of ancient life and buried history. The construction itself was not uneventful. Workers and foremen spoke of soft pockets beneath the surface that caused piles to drop farther than expected, disappearing into unseen spaces below. Others spoke of whispers in their ears while they worked, soft voices that were lost in the construction racket but real enough to make the workers pause and rub the chicken skin away.

Tenants and office staff have their own stories that they’ve shared over the years. Some spoke of odd shifts in perception and visual distortions, such as shimmering in the corner of their vision. Others reported sudden drops in pressure, dimming hallway lights, and objects floating across the room on their own. The most common spooky theme, though, is the seemingly haunted elevators.

A few months ago, I received a call from former newscaster Diane Ako. She had recently visited friends located on a high floor in the luxury condo/office building, and after her meeting, she caught the service elevator to leave. As she took note of the doors at both the front and back of the car and the moving blankets lining the walls, Diane stepped in, pressed the L button, and headed for the lobby.

Although no other buttons on the panel were lit, the elevator car stopped at the 28th floor, and the rear doors opened onto a short hallway. The dingy, off-white hall was dimly lit and seemed abandoned. Then, in typical “haunted house” fashion, the lights flickered and the doors slid closed. The elevator finally made its way down to the lobby as the blankets on the walls fluttered, adding to the creepy effect.

The ride seemed much longer than it should have been, and Diane called her friend that she’d just left to explain her strange experience in the elevator.

Her description was met with a chuckle, and her friend asked, “Did you catch the far one?”

Apparently, this is a common occurrence for building regulars, and maintenance workers can’t find anything wrong.

Some think it might be ghosts, others believe it’s because the tower was built over old burials. Although strange events occur frequently, especially with the elevators, many still find it unsettling. Life goes on at Harbor Court. But far beneath the tower’s foundation, the buried landscape continues to cradle old stories, waiting for whoever cares to listen.

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Harbor Court Large

<title>Ups and downs of haunted Harbor Court</title>

Long ago, the land under Harbor Court in Downtown Honolulu hosted a heiau and generations of Native Hawaiians. Layers of landfill and modern architecture may have covered the area, but they can't erase the lingering traces of the past.

Ups and downs of haunted Harbor Court

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

In his keiki days, Dean Connors would watch VHS tapes of his father, Brian, compete as a running back for the University of the Pacific. One of the games in rotation was the Tigers taking on the University of Hawai‘i at Aloha Stadium. Watching those replays convinced Connors that playing collegiate football one day was the ultimate goal. 

Born in Bend, Ore., Connors moved to the Big Island as an elementary schooler, playing youth football under his dad for the Waimea Cowboys and the Honoka‘a Dragons. 

During high school, Connors dormed at Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy, one of the state's most prestigious and 

 schools. Clinging to his dream of playing collegiate football, Connors relocated to California midway through high school, staying with his mother and grandmother, to play for Murietta Valley High School. 

"My dad played high school football in Southern California and he understood kind of what it took to get recruited, so he gave me that advice," Connors recalled to Aloha State Daily. "He stayed in Hawai‘i and got to enjoy the amazingness of the Big Island while I went to California. But I don't blame him. I would have done the same thing.

"Leaving Hawai‘i in general, every time you leave, you get a little sick to your stomach that you're leaving paradise."

A solid freshman season at Riverside Community College in which he ran for 516 yards and seven touchdowns was enough to get Connors on the radar of Division I coaches. Citing his desire to play for an academically prestigious school, he chose Rice University, where he bonded with the likes of other teammates from the Islands in kicker Tim Horn (Punahou), wide receiver Matt Skyes (Saint Louis), and punter Conor Hunt (HPA). 

In his three seasons at Rice, Connors ran for 1,679 yards and 16 touchdowns, as well as 912 receiving yards and an additional six touchdowns. After head coach Mike Bloomgren was fired in 2024, Connors was seeking a fresh start. 

With one season of collegiate eligibility remaining heading into 2025, Connors decided to enter the NCAA Transfer portal. He chose Houston of the Big 12 Conference, which was coming off consecutive 4-8 seasons. 

"It was just really wanting to play Power Four football," Connors recalled. "I always had the goal of doing that. Although Rice gave me amazing opportunities and amazing academics, a big part of [departing] was our coach getting fired. But, just seeing that opportunity that I would have had to play P4 football, I couldn't let that pass me up, because it has always been a goal since I was a little kid, and I'm doing it."

Through 10 games in 2025, the Cougars are 8-2, the No. 23 team in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, and one of the biggest turnaround stories in the sport under head coach Willie Fritz. Connors has contributed 725 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 158 carries, as well as two receiving touchdowns on 173 yards. 

"I tell everyone all the time that if you doubt coach Fritz, you don't know what you're watching, because that dude knows how to rebuild a program, and he's been around for a while, so everyone in the locker room trusts him and just follows his lead," Connors said. "He's got a great plan to win, and we just keep doing that. The rest of the season should be successful."

Connors' collegiate track record should be enough to get some looks on the pro circuit once the season is over, but he says he has not looked that far into the future yet. 

"I've seen people make the mistake of just looking ahead too much and not be the present," Connors said. "I want to win these two games, go to our bowl game, and once that's done, I'll see what happens." 

In each of Connors' collegiate stops, he has continued to list Hawai‘i as his home state. 

"I remember my my first neighbor was this old Filipino man, and he made amazing food, and he'd bring it over," Connors recalled. "It was just really awesome to experience a culture like that, of people caring about each other, and being friendly enough to just walk over and knock on someone's door and offer food. And then going to middle school, I would walk to school with some of my friends. That was another great dynamic. It's so safe there. That's not really something you hear about. ... The Big Island, it's so community oriented. I think that's where I saw the biggest differences."

Wherever Connors' football journey takes him next, he hopes to one day be in a position to help other kids from the Big Island reach the levels of college football that he has. 

"I loved it in Hawai‘i, and there's some good players that I think go unnoticed, just because maybe they don't get the exposure they deserve," Connors said of Island youth. "I would tell them to reach out to me and I would help them out as much as I could. That's something I want to do moving forward. Number one is you have to be academically eligible. Number two is put out great film. 

"The truth is, if you're able to play at a high level and Division I or even Division II or III, the coaches will find you. There's great networks for that. Social media and the internet has helped out with that a lot, giving exposure to athletes, and there's some great coaches, mentors in the state of Hawai‘i who are also 

. So, keep your head down, keep working and when the timing's right, you'll get noticed."

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Dean Connors 111825

<title>Dean Connors goes off the beaten path from Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy to big-time…</title>

Connors relocated to California midway through high school in order to gain more exposure, but he'll never forget his home Island.

Dean Connors goes off the beaten path from Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy to big-time college football

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Government & Politics

In an effort to aid Native Hawaiians who are still feeling the impacts from the government shutdown, applications are now being accepted for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs' emergency assistance program.

 launched Nov. 10 and offers one-time assistance for Native Hawaiians who lost or had their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits reduced, as well as Native Hawaiian federal civilian workers who were furloughed or experienced pay interruptions because of the shutdown.

According to an announcement Tuesday from the Hawaiian Council, formerly known as the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, the OHA Board of Trustees approved the $6.1 million emergency assistance plan during its Nov. 6 meeting in Hilo and announced a partnership with the Hawaiian Council to implement the program.

Up to $350 will be issued to verified Native Hawaiian SNAP beneficiaries with no dependents who are excluded from the state’s relief program, the announcement noted.

Foodland gift cards will be provided to residents on O‘ahu, Maui and Kaua‘i, while gift cards to KTA Super Stores will be provided to residents on Hawai‘i Island. However, residents on Lāna‘i and Molokai will receive a direct assistance check because of limited store availability, the council notes.

Meanwhile, checks up to $1,200 will be issued to verified Native Hawaiian federal civilian employees who were furloughed or did not receive pay during the shutdown, and who earn no more than 400% of the federal poverty level, the Hawaiian Council notes. You can find those 

, but for a household of four, that’s $147,936, according to the Hawaiian Council.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Ready to apply?"}]

; by calling the Hawaiian Council at 808-596-8155 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturdays to fill out an application over the phone; or by submitting an application in person at 91-1270 Kinoiki Street in Kapolei during regular office hours.

To apply, you’ll need proof of Native Hawaiian ancestry, a government-issued photo ID showing residency in the state, a benefits verification letter for SNAP recipients; and an official letter or statement from your federal agency, the announcement says.

Those on the Neighbor Islands can get help this weekend, when the Hawaiian Council’s community outreach team travels to Maui, Molokai, Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i Island to provide in-person support.

“We know that even temporary interruptions in income or benefits can have a lasting impact,” Kūhiō Lewis, CEO of the Hawaiian Council, said in the announcement. “Our team is mobilizing statewide to make sure relief reaches families as quickly as possible — especially those on our Neighbor Islands who may have limited access to services.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Here’s where you can find outreach team:"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Molokai"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Kaua‘i"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Hawai‘i Island"}]

Hawaii Island, map

<title>Hawaiian Council outreach team will travel to Neighbor Islands</title>

There, they'll help Native Hawaiian beneficiaries with completing applications for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ $6.1 million emergency assistance program

Hawaiian Council outreach team will travel to Neighbor Islands

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

. One of Asia’s largest convenience store chains, CU’s first location in Hawai

i commemorates its debut in the United States.

 is located in downtown Honolulu at 1088 Bishop Street. The brand has more than 18,500 stores across South Korea and 730 locations globally.

The Honolulu store is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Here’s what you’ll find:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"A gourmet line of grab-and-go dishes"}]

i partnered with local celebrity chef Sheldon Simeon to create a gourmet line of hot entrees. Its Ho‘ina line features popular grab-and-go items, ranging from kalbi and smoked ‘ahi onigiri to Simeon’s famous garlic noodles.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Onigiri, gimbap and more"}]

Speaking of onigiri, you’ll find flavors ranging from Spam mayo and baked salmon to kimchi rice Spam musubi and egg and karaage chicken. 

Gimbap options range from tuna mayo and egg to vegetable and beef bulgogi.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Popular Korean street food"}]

i offers popular Korean street foods and some viral snacks. The tornado potato — located in the hot foods section by the cash register — is a hot commodity.

The Yonsei cream buns (in the refrigerated section) are also a customer favorite, as are the Knotted vanilla cream donuts.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Exclusive snacks and customizable drinks"}]

Keep an eye out for CU’s exclusive PBick snacks like the churro cookies with chocolate sauce for dipping, crispy shrimp chips, chili butter corn chips and more.

The Delaffe station is also popular — customers can grab empty cups filled with ice, and proceed to make their own drinks using flavored pouches. Mixing and matching flavors is popular, and the iced coffee with banana-flavored milk came highly recommended.

Ramyun wall and a huge selection of instant ramen

i offers a huge selection of ramen, featured in a colorful “ramyun wall” display. Customers can purchase instant ramen and use the store’s cooking stations to prepare their meals on-site.

Simply scan the bowl’s barcode at the machine, and follow the labeled instructions to add hot water and seasoning packets.

The store also offers tteokbokki (a popular Korean dish consisting of rice cakes in a spicy red sauce) that customers can prepare.

There are a few standing tables — designed to look like large instant ramen cups — within the store, and a designated seating area outside.

CU Hawaii partnered with renowned local designer Sig Zane, who created exclusive design elements in the store. The CU Hawai

i x Sig Zane collab also features specialty products like stainless steel water bottles, totes and mugs.

Customers can also find lei from Lin’s Lei Shop and coffee from Island Vintage Coffee at the downtown Honolulu location.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Korean beauty products"}]

Of course, no Korean convenience store would be complete without K-beauty products. CU Hawai

i features everything from toners to moisturizing face masks.

CU Hawaii sign 111725

<title>Here’s what you’ll find at the new CU convenience store</title>

CU, one of Asia’s largest convenience store chains, recently celebrated the grand opening of its downtown Honolulu store. Here’s everything you’ll find, from a ramyun wall and Korean street food to exclusive snacks and Sig Zane x CU Hawaiʻi merchandise.

Here’s what you’ll find at the new CU convenience store

Real Estate

With a groundbreaking and blessing ceremony on Thursday, James Campbell Co. marked the start of construction on Nāliko, its newest residential community in Kapolei. The $170 million development will bring 300 rental homes to the West O‘ahu community.

, president and CEO of James Campbell Co. since 2024, says the project is “more than new construction. It is an investment in people, in community and in the future of West O‘ahu.”

It’s also a historic moment for the company.

“Over many decades, our lands have supported thousands of homes across Kapolei and West O‘ahu,” he told the crowd gathered Thursday. “This is the first time we are developing a housing community that we intend to own as part of our long-term portfolio.”

The project can be found on 2.7 acres across from Kapolei Regional Park, at the corner of Kama‘aha Avenue and Manawai Street. It’ll feature five stories of residences built around a six-story parking garage, according to an announcement Friday.

TCA Architects designed the project and Moss & Associates is leading construction, which is expected to be finished in 2027.

Penn told Aloha State Daily that there will be a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units, but a bulk of those — 175 — will be one-bedroom.

Matthew Caires, vice president of development affairs for the company, told ASD after the groundbreaking that there’s a critical need for rentals, especially affordable rentals.

Of the 300 units in the new development, 80% will be market rate while 20% will be reserved for households earning 80% of the area median income or below, he says. Income limits vary depending on the household size, but you can see the City and County of Honolulu’s 

A project that has been several years in the making, Caires says the company is “incredibly grateful” to get to this point.

Housing continues to be a major challenge in the Islands. Hawai‘i Housing Finance and Development Corp.'s 

, found that Hawai‘i will need an estimated 64,490 additional housing units by 2027 to meet demand.

“This project reflects our deep, ongoing commitment to building communities that meet Hawai‘i’s real housing needs,” Penn said in the announcement. “Every element of this development was created with the community in mind — from its walkable design to its access to parking, schools, and jobs. This project represents another step in our shared kuleana to meet Hawai‘i’s housing needs and to create opportunities that allow West O‘ahu families to build their futures right here at home.”  

James Campbell Co. is a Hawai‘i-based, nationally diversified real estate company with a portfolio that spans 11 states and Washington D.C. It has played a pivotal role in the development of Kapolei.

James campbell co groundbreaking kapolei 111325

<title>James Campbell Co. breaks ground on Kapolei rental project</title>

Nāliko is the real estate company's newest residential community in Kapolei, a $170 million development that will bring 300 rental homes to the West O‘ahu community.

James Campbell Co. breaks ground on Kapolei rental project

Business & Tourism

You’ll find even more options for familiar food in the Ninth Island next year, when Zippy’s Restaurants opens two more locations in Las Vegas.

Zippy’s Summerlin at 10810 W. Charleston Blvd. and Zippy’s Camino Al Norte at 5485 Camino Al Norte are set to open in early 2026, the restaurant chain announced Friday.

“These two locations are a testament of our commitment to our Zippy’s guests here in Las Vegas. We hear you and we’re committed to serve our ‘ohana in the north side of the city,” Regional Operations Director Belma Soliven said in Friday’s announcement. “Zippy's is committed to providing our guests with exceptional service through the spirit and hospitality of Hawai‘i. We cannot wait to welcome our guests on the north side of Las Vegas and invite them to try a taste of Hawai‘i comfort-food.” 

 in 1966, brothers Francis and Charles Higa opened their first restaurant on King Street in Honolulu. There are now 25 locations on O‘ahu, Maui, Hawai‘i Island and in Las Vegas.

Zippy’s currently has three locations in Las Vegas — its only locations on the Mainland, a restaurant spokesperson confirmed to Aloha State Daily.

, the first Zippy’s outside of Hawai‘i, opened in October 2023. Zippy’s 

 opened in March of this year, while Zippy’s 

Zippy’s also is hiring for all positions at its new Summerlin and Camino Al Norte restaurants, including back-of-house, front-of-house and management roles, the announcement noted. Hiring events for the Las Vegas community will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 9 and 16, at the Sahara West Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave. in Las Vegas. You can find 

 about how Zippy’s Restaurants is using technology to help bring kama‘āina home.

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social: Making up all any kine

ASD Staff

More in Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Gotta catch ‘em all — at Ala Moana Center: voices from Pokémon GO’s “Wild Area: Global” event

Starbucks holiday launch draws crowds for limited-edition cups

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Dreams do come true

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Going big

Most read

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social: Making up all any kine

Authors

ASD Staff

More in Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Gotta catch ‘em all — at Ala Moana Center: voices from Pokémon GO’s “Wild Area: Global” event

Starbucks holiday launch draws crowds for limited-edition cups

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Dreams do come true

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Going big

Most read