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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

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

Business & Tourism

, according to business owner Talia Bongolan-Schwartz. While the business's Kailua store has remained open, the bagel biz is soft opening another Honolulu location in a spot that's close to Ward Village.

Tali’s Bagels & Schmear is opening on Friday, Aug. 21, on Waimanu Street, at the new artist co-working/gallery venue called OurSpace. While the new space is conducive to takeout, customer seating is also available. 

“A bunch of the folks who started OurSpace came from BoxJelly,” Bongolan-Schwartz explains. “They asked us if we would be interested (in coming here) when we were still open at Ward.

“OurSpace is quite new; they’ve got an artist co-working space and they do a bunch of events, too,” Bongolan-Schwartz adds.

During the business’s soft opening, only in-person ordering will be available. The biz still features its most popular menu items, including the b.e.c. ($13.99) — crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, cheddar and muenster — and the OG NYC ($17.99), which features premium lox, classic schmear, local dill, capers, tomato and red onion.

Newer menu items feature turkey, ham and pastrami bagel sandwiches, according to Bongolan-Schwartz.

“We decided to step up the lunch game,” she says. “The biggest difference you’re going to see on the menu is a whole line of Boar’s Head meats and a bunch of homemade sauces — we’re making a horseradish Russian dressing, lemon caper remoulade and spicy brown mustard. We’re slicing the meat fresh, too; none of it’s pre-sliced.”

New options include the deli ($15.99) — Mesquite-smoked turkey, black forest ham, housemade lemon-caper remoulade, cheddar, Swiss, local lettuce, tomato and sprouts — and the Jewish deli ($16.99), which comprises fresh-sliced pastrami, Swiss, housemade spicy brown mustard and house pickles.

Bongolan-Schwartz expects the business’s hot pastrami ($18.99) — fresh-sliced pastrami, housemade Russian dressing, Swiss, sauerkraut and a side of house pickles — to become a customer favorite.

“That is a New York classic, kind of going for the Katz’s Deli (vibe),” she says. “We’re basically going from a bagel shop to slowly expanding into a delicatessen.”

All sandwiches are served on the customers’ bagel of choice; the Everything bagel is the most popular flavor, according to Bongolan-Schwartz.

“We’ll normally have our full assortment of bagels,” she says. “I really like the onion (bagel); it’s a good complementary flavor. I would add onion onto any sandwich anyway, so it kind of cuts out the need for that.”

The biz also features an expanded drink selection at this location. Besides sparkling water and soft drinks, customers can opt for Israeli iced coffee ($7.99) — a cold brew slushie with oat milk, local mac nut syrup and a honey-tahini drizzle — and Shaloha slush ($6.50), which is made with local liliko

Tali’s Bagels & Schmear will be open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays to Mondays (closed Tuesdays). The biz has extended its hours compared to its previous location, which was closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

“We’re definitely excited to see our old customers,” Bongolan-Schwartz says. “That was important to us — to stay close enough by that people who have been loyal to us for three years at Ward Centre would be able to hopefully just walk over here. We’re excited to see how the new menu does.

“We were nervous about the new menu because we made a lot of cuts,” she adds. “We cut a lot of things off the old menu that are pretty traditional, like our white fish salad, which is a New York deli staple. But I think this menu is going to suit the needs and desires of the people here.”

The biz will eventually do a grand opening. For updates, follow Tali’s Bagels & Schmear on 

Open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays to Mondays (closed Tuesdays)

Talis Bagels owner 081926

<title>Tali’s Bagels & Schmear is reopening in Honolulu</title>

The bagel shop, which used to be located in Ward Centre, is soft opening in its new location on Waimanu Street on Friday, Aug. 21. The business features bestselling dishes like the OG NYC bagel, along with new deli-style creations like the hot pastrami.

Tali’s Bagels & Schmear is reopening in Honolulu

, known for its affordable bentos, just opened its third location on Young Street. This store is in the former space of J-Shop.

U-Kitchen offers a variety of musubi, bentos, bowls and curry. The menu is the same here as its downtown Honolulu store, according to business owner Yudai Fukuda.

Popular bentos include butterfish ($13.99), mochiko chicken ($10.99) and chicken katsu ($10.99). The musubi selection ranges from salmon ($2.99) and spicy tuna ($3.19) to unagi ($4.79) and mentai mayo ($3.29).

U-Kitchen’s original location is in Kalihi; its downtown Honolulu store, which is in Topa Financial Center, is currently closed due a power outage in the building, according to Fukuda. He says the downtown Honolulu store — 

“Our peak time (at that location) was from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.,” he says, nothing the shop’s popularity with the downtown Honolulu lunch crowd.

He says that Topa Financial Center was supposed to reopen on Aug. 24, but says the re-opening was delayed further after Hurricane Lala.

U-Kitchen’s Young Street store is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays. Customer parking is available in the shop's lot.  

Open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, closed Sundays

U Kitchen Young Street worker 081826

<title>U-Kitchen opens a new bento and musubi cafe</title>

The business, whose original location is in Kalihi, just opened a third location on Young Street in the former J-Shop space. The business’s Downtown Honolulu store has been temporarily closed since July 23, according to U-Kitchen owner Yudai Fukuda.

U-Kitchen opens a new bento and musubi cafe

IMG 1445

Rick Hamada

Government & Politics

Columnists

[{"type":"text","text":"Lala has left the building."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Yes, her impact was profound."}]

Friends and families on the Big Island bore the brunt while the rest of the island chain took its lumps as well.

The anticipation of yet another major weather event may have given some fatigue, especially since recovery from the two recent Kona Lows was somewhat still underway. Honestly, fatigue wasn't the only effect. I would submit that fear was the dominant emotion and partly fear of the unknown.

I try to be as empathetic as possible with those who are so negatively impacted. My family and I live in a secured high rise with diesel generator backup to mitigate power loss; we live high enough above ground where flooding is not a major threat, and we've been blessed in literally weathering every storm for so many years. These statements are not intended to gloat or brag but to share perspective. We have not suffered as others have suffered, yet we're saddened for those who have and we are prayerful for a speedy recovery. It's truly heartbreaking.

It's important that in times of trouble that the collective objective is to learn and not to repeat. If that's an acceptable and reasonable policy goal, then what happened?

[{"type":"text","text":"Why is our infrastructure so fragile?"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"It's not like inclement to hurricane force weather is breaking news."}]

Since 1949 when storm tracking officially began, Hawaii has counted 69 tropical cyclone encounters. Yes, some are counted where a minimum amount of impact was made, but it also includes Hurricane Nina (1957), Dot (1959), Iwi (1982), Iniki (1992) and now you can count Lala (2026). Interestingly, there are documented reports of cyclonic activity in the Hawai‘i chain dating back to September 1843 and more so on August 9, 1871.

Again, this is not breaking news that we are susceptible to damaging storms. If we have foreknowledge that we are exposed to brutal elements, then what have we done to prepare ourselves?

[{"type":"text","text":"I mean we've had a 183-year heads up."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"OK, I can hear it already."}]

Hamada, you simply don't understand. Since when did you become a civil engineer? Do you realize how much money and how much impact to the community it would be to retrofit, replace or even repair vulnerable spaces? If it breaks, we fix it.

[{"type":"text","text":"That's one point of view."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Here's another."}]

In 1959, the first year of statehood, the total of all taxes paid in Hawai‘i was 

. That's everything; federal, state, county taxes, gas taxes, all of it. By 1969, annual total was $922 million. 

In today's dollars, that's $3.6 billion and $8.4 billion, respectively, just in those two bookend years of our first decade as a state.

[{"type":"text","text":"The issue is prioritization."}]

During that decade we had the opportunity to declare that, along with public education and health and human services (the two largest budget expenditures of the state), infrastructure preparedness would have received some love. 

The widely accepted notion is that the essential role of government is to defend her people and create a safe environment for all. 

[{"type":"text","text":"What is the essential life blood of a free society."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Infrastructure."}]

It's electricity. It's water. It's transportation. It's waste treatment and removal. 

[{"type":"text","text":"The same afflictions of the past haunt us today."}]

Post-Lala we have tens of thousands still without power. You're rendered virtually into seclusion. You cannot communicate, you cannot preserve your expensive food, you cannot have lights, or fans, or air conditioning in your home. No laundry, no dishes, no bathing or other water-centric needs. It takes a toll on your mental health. It exposes families to inordinate amounts to stress and oftentimes children are affected. Roads may be impassible, you may live in a "one-way in, one-way out" community or public and closures have an impact on your lives, too. And you pray that you can flush the toilet because the health implications are grave.

[{"type":"text","text":"The essential role of government is to keep her people safe."}]

Over the past several decades have the previous generations of leadership fulfilled this directive?

[{"type":"text","text":"I maintain that Hawai‘i does not have a revenue problem. Never has."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"But it's always had a spending and prioritization problem."}]

Government stresses that we must be prepared in times of great challenges.

But that siren call for preparedness extends to providing excellent infrastructure so we can live and survive during those challenging times.

If over the past century we invested in the best power generation and distribution, road construction and maintanence, quality upgraded water mains and sewers then perhaps we would not have to contend with such devastation. Rather our mutual preparedness would be complimentary in mitigating the suffering of so many, time after time.

Until that time comes we must acknowledge and celebrate those first responders, dedicated crews, volunteers and non-profits, public and private sector staffs and teams, small and large businesses taking care of so many and everyone else who graciously help those in need. 

Let's call upon excellence in our public policies but never waver in our support and appreciation for those who live aloha to so very many.

[{"type":"text","text":"There's no reason we can't have both."}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"italic"}],"text":" "}]

Tropical Storm Lala

<title>Hamada: Lack of investment in infrastructure taking a toll</title>

This state has never had a money problem, it's had a problem setting priorities to deliver the basics and we pay the price every time a storm strains the system.

Hamada: Lack of investment in infrastructure taking a toll

Lopaka and Tanya Kapanui

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya Kapanui

Hawai‘i History

When American missionaries arrived in Hawai‘i in 1819, they were given a parcel of land at Kawaiahaʻo, near the village of Honolulu, where they could live and carry out their work. They initially lived in hale pili (grass houses) and built a small thatched church on the property. That humble structure established Kawaiahaʻo as the oldest Christian church on Oʻahu.

Hawaiians called the early church Ka Hale Pule (the House of Prayer) and Ka Hale Halawai (The Meeting House). Because Hawaiian royalty attended services there, it also became known as the Kingʻs Chapel, but most non-Native residents simply called it the Stone Church or the Native Church.

For years, services were held outdoors, and the missionaries went through four iterations of thatched buildings they used as their church. It was during this period that the missionaries introduced the Western practice of graveyards, defined by boundaries, tombs, and headstones. Before this, Hawaiians did not bury their loved ones in designated spaces. Graves could be found along sand dunes, in and around heiau, or even near their homes.

In 1837, work began on gathering materials for a permanent church. Massive blocks of coral were cut from the nearby reef and transported to the site, eventually becoming the Kawaiahaʻo Church we know today.

The cemetery surrounding the church is one of the oldest Western-style burial grounds in Hawaiʻi. While there are 296 marked graves, an estimated 200 unmarked burial sites remain, with as many as 600 individuals identified within the cemetery. The oldest burial dates back to 1834, belonging to an unknown person whose name has since been lost to history.

Despite Kawaiaha‘o Church being included on the original National Register of Historic Places, its cemetery has not received the same protection. In 2006, plans were discussed to demolish an old structure and construct a wedding reception area over part of the churchyard.

After years of legal and cultural conflict, the church has permanently abandoned the controversial building project and finalized a burial treatment plan, approved by the Oʻahu Island Burial Council, to reinter the remains near their original resting place.

Years ago, my cousin had his wedding reception at the old Likelike Hall on the grounds of Kawaiahaʻo Church. At the back of the hall was the kitchen with a door that led out to the cemetery.

The reception was well attended, with nearly two hundred friends and family members gathered to celebrate the young couple. The bride’s wedding dance for her husband was exquisite. Everyone was captivated. As more speeches and dances carried on through the evening, the joy and happiness of the crowd took on a life of its own.

Suddenly, a commotion rose from the kitchen, and the noise began to overwhelm the celebration. Curious partygoers gathered in the small space to see Shaun, a mountain of a man, on his knees crying hysterically.

Once his mother calmed him down, Shaun said that as he was preparing to send out more food, he looked out the door and saw a haole woman in a white dress sitting on top of the tomb right outside the door. Her head was down, and she was weeping into her hands.

[{"type":"text","text":"Shaun put the food on the counter and asked the woman if she was okay."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"“My child,” the woman wept, “He died of the dropsy.”"}]

Shaun said her weeping was so bitter that it moved him to the point of chicken skin and pity. He told his mother he placed his hands on her shoulders to gently help her sit up and get a better look at her face. As she straightened and looked up at Shaun, her face was not flesh, but smoke slowly vanishing into thin air. Suddenly, the rest of the woman’s body followed, dissipating into nothing.

Word spread quickly, and people began leaving the reception, especially those who had parked in the cemetery lanes. Night was falling, and perhaps their paranoia made the wedding guests a bit panicked about spirits lurking in the graveyard.

A few months later, the security firm that patrolled the church grounds called my home at 3 a.m. I worked at the immersion preschool on the grounds of Kawaiaha‘o, and because I lived nearest the church, I was a security contact.

Security said they heard furniture moving in the classroom, then a woman’s voice. When I arrived, everything was in order. All the chairs were stacked on top of the tables so the janitors could sweep and mop. The desk hadn’t been moved, and the toys were all put away. Nothing seemed out of place. I called the security firm back to let them know everything was in order, turned the alarm back on, and locked the door from the outside.

[{"type":"text","text":"That’s when I saw her."}]

The haole woman dressed in white, standing next to the door, looking at me. 

[{"type":"text","text":"“My child died of dropsy,” she said."}]

Then her face became smoke. I didn’t wait to see what would happen next. I jumped over the fence, not even bothering to fiddle with the gate. I got in my car and sped off. The whole thing took a few seconds, but I felt like I was moving in slow motion. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

I’m sure I screamed out of fear. I can’t really remember. Either way, I never answered a late-night call from the security firm after that.

Kawaiahao Church Cemetery Large

<title>Among the Graves at Kawaiaha‘o</title>

Nearly 200 years ago, American missionaries at Kawaiaha‘o Church introduced the Western practice of graveyards with tombstones. While the living carry on with church services and wedding receptions and happy occasions, grief seems to bind some spirits to the graveyard — unhappy souls who make their presence known.

Among the Graves at Kawaiaha‘o

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Aloha Spirit

Situated on the lower slopes of Haleakalā, 

Pukalani Community Church of the Nazarene

has a modest congregation of about 70 members who desire to make a big impact in their own backyard and beyond.

, the church handed out essential supplies to the homeless and allowed families without power to use its charging bank. Already in place is its monthly event in partnership with Maui Food Bank’s Mobile Market to provide fresh produce and meals to ʻohana in need, which is slated from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Aug. 27.

The church had become a disaster relief center following the August 2023 Maui wildfires, though, it was “never expecting” to, according to Associate Pastor Dylan Nails.

“We are a small church in Upcountry Maui. But people began showing up, needs were everywhere, and we simply tried to respond to what was directly in front of us,” he said.

During the immediate emergency, Pukalani Community Church of the Nazarene expanded its role in response to widespread displacement, providing shelter to more than 50 Lahaina fire survivors; distributing more than 200,000 pounds of produce and food; and contributing more than $1 million in resources to the affected community.

“Those numbers are meaningful, but the people behind them matter much more to us,” Nails said. “As the immediate emergency began turning into long-term recovery, we realized that handing someone supplies was only one part of the answer. Families needed stability. They needed housing. They needed people who would continue walking with them after the cameras left and the emergency phase ended.”

. As of Aug. 13, 580 residential homes in Lahaina have been completed, 400 are under construction and 680 have issued permits, 

per the County of Maui recovery dashboard

With long-term recovery in mind, church leadership begun to develop a transitional housing model with some inspiration from the Mainland, which materialized as 

. Volunteers range from 30 to 40 people, with four paid staff between the church and the Compassion Village.

Located on its campus, the church built four new, two-bedroom homes that come furnished, and feature common areas like a community garden, chicken coop and water station, conducive for connection and healing, as well as practical services such as spiritual care and counseling, with therapists contracted from Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi, economic assistance, transportation services, and more. Rent for the first three months is free and gradually increases over time; and you do not need to attend church to 

This project is funded by individual donors, including tithes and offerings from the church; private donations from The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund totaling $660,000; and grants from World Vision and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, among other partners.

“Making those investments with the generosity that was entrusted to us allows us to build real lasting recovery for that community. And so, I’m really thankful we had the discipline to do that, but we also continue to listen and uplift the local leadership that is being demonstrated day in and day out,” said 

, HCF vice president of community resilience and strategic implementation, in a separate interview with Aloha State Daily. “That looks like the folks from Pukalani Nazarene Church, who had the vision to meet the community needs, and they had the boldness to design a solution and ask for support.”

HCF funding also went toward a Mobile Compassion Center, or vehicle that provides access to food and basic supplies for those in recovery,

Nails, who also took on the role of executive director of housing, estimates that the truck has already made over 150 trips to Lahaina, while 60 individuals have received direct housing support from the Compassion Village. 

 has joined the monthly outreach efforts through showers and laundry services, which aids more than 200 individuals and families.

“As a church, this is our mission field,” he told ASD on a recent visit to the roughly 3.5-acre campus in early August. “Program fees (for the Compassion Village) go right back into the program, which offers housing with dignity.

“We wanted people rebuilding their lives to live somewhere where they were known, supported, and surrounded by neighbors,” Nails said. “Some stayed for relatively short periods. Others needed longer. Some of the relationships that began during the fires continue today.

No matter how long the stay, The Compassion Village intends to make a house a home, with intentional touches evident in every room from rugs and throw pillows 

 even outside where two rocking chairs prompt cozy conversation and personal gardening beds have been popular among guests, he added.

However, no one is currently living in the four homes as the church and County of Maui navigate through permitting and infrastructure work, among other requirements. Meanwhile, the church is paying out of pocket for some residents to stay in homes at full-market value, according to Nails.

 “We believe God provided this property, the relationships, the resources, and the opportunity to serve our neighbors for a reason,” he said. “We are going to continue working respectfully through the challenges in front of us, continue pursuing compliance, continue advocating for a workable path forward, and continue serving Maui however we can.

Looking ahead, the church aims to expand housing with a purchase it made in November 2024 of two residential lots adjacent to its property. The goal is to build smaller homes and studios to support kūpuna, widows and single parents.

With a background in construction, Nails told ASD that he moved to Hawaiʻi from Washington state for a job and stayed after he met a local girl, his now wife, Emma. He recently traveled to Spokane to help establish relief centers in response to the wildfires there and was able to share some lessons learned through the Maui wildfires.

“Perhaps one of the things I am most thankful for is that what Maui taught us is now helping other communities,” he said. “There is something incredibly meaningful about seeing the generosity that was poured into Maui now being carried forward to another hurting community.

Nails asked for continued prayers and support as the church enters into this next season.

Contribute to Pukalani Nazarene Compassion Village's outreach efforts, 

PCV HERO 01

<title>Pukalani Nazarene Compassion Village combats Maui housing crisis</title>

Led by Rev. Mark Gudmunson, Pukalani Community Church of the Nazarene has a modest congregation of about 70 members who desire to make a big impact in their own backyard and beyond. Learn how the church evolved from being a disaster relief center to delivering affordable housing, while still meeting needs in the community, from Executive Director of Housing Dylan Nails.

Pukalani Nazarene Compassion Village combats Maui housing crisis

 just opened today in Waimalu Shopping Center. This is the business’s third and newest location. It features a full-service, sit-down dine-in experience, along with a takeout window. 

The biz is celebrating its grand opening tomorrow, Aug. 15, with a lion dance at 11:30 a.m.

Customers can expect a variety of manapua, along with dim sum, peking duck and plate lunches; this location features an expanded menu.

The business’s Hong Kong-style dim sum selection was crafted in partnership with its sister restaurant, Mei Sum Dim Sum. The dim sum menu comprises spring rolls ($4.95), potstickers ($6.35), shrimp pork hash ($6.35), half moon dumplings ($6.35), shrimp dumplings ($6.35) and more.

[{"type":"text","text":"The business’s classic char siu manapua is a bestseller."}]

Besides manapua and dim sum, customers can choose from a variety of local-style plate lunches. Entrees include ginger fried chicken, kalbi ribs, garlic butter shrimp, hamburger steak and more. Seafood and steak combo plates are also available. 

Island Manapua is re-branding its other two locations in Mānoa and Waipahu as Aloha Manapua.

“Over the years, we’ve grown from being a neighborhood manapua counter into a gathering place for families, friends and our community,” states Christy Tong, owner of Aloha Manapua. “Rebranding as Aloha Manapua celebrates our local roots, our commitment to serving our community, and the relationships we’ve built with our customers. While our name is changing, our dedication to the food and service our customers know and love remains the same.”

The ‘Aiea store will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. For the rest of August, customers can take advantage of a 10% discount.

Aloha Manapua shrimp dim sum 081426

<title>Aloha Manapua is open in Waimalu Shopping Center</title>

This is the business’s third and newest location; it’s celebrating its grand opening Aug. 15. Customers can enjoy its signature manapua, along with dim sum and plate lunches. The business is featuring a 10% discount for the rest of the month.

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social: Making up all any kine

ASD Staff

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Hawaiʻi Scene on Social: Making up all any kine

Authors

ASD Staff

Reporter

More in Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Enter for a chance to win tickets to see Disney’s live action adaptation of the animated film ‘Moana’

Hawai‘i Scene on Social meets Hawai‘i Skies

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Neighborhood weather updates

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Island vibes

Most read