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Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

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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

Hawai'i Skies

Today's Hawai‘i Skies was captured by Carol Sears in Mililani Mauka. "

We get stunning rainbows because of the frequent rains and sunshine at the same time. Especially during the winter months."

To submit your Hawai'i Skies photo, visit us 

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Carol Sears 26 1 29 3

<title>Hawai‘i Skies: Stunning rainbows</title>

Today's Hawai‘i Skies was captured by Carol Sears in Mililani Mauka.

Hawai‘i Skies: Stunning rainbows

Letters to the Editor

. I was really delighted to read his Jan. 14 column about 

. Bob was my husband's cousin and we would see him every three years or so when he attended family reunions on the Mainland. I am a former and now retired journalist and was always very interested in Bob's career and subjects. It's amazing that Bob passed away 20 years ago but that people still remember him and the concepts and background that he articulated about Hawaiʻi's political and economic development and the support for its culture. So interesting! Thank you so much for your column.

[{"type":"text","text":"Kristy Liercke, Virginia"}]

Krauss HI Observer Image 1975 16x9

<title>Letter to the Editor: Remembering Bob Krauss</title>

Krauss had influence on Hawaiʻi politics, culture and more, including family.

Letter to the Editor: Remembering Bob Krauss

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Aloha Spirit

Lunar New Year, also called Chinese New Year, starts Tuesday, Feb. 17. To mark the event, there are parades, parties and more. Kung Hei Fat Choi!

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"MONDAY, FEB. 9"}]

 A new Sig Zane design called “Hoʻohei,” which means “to lasso,” or figuratively, “to fascinate,” according to the alohawear clothing brand, released in stores on Monday, Feb. 9. The design features two color schemes: one where the horse is orange and the other where it is black. The shirts will be available online starting Wednesday, Feb. 11.

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Chinatown 808’s Chinatown Festival and Parade, presented by American Savings Bank, returns for its 50th year. The all-day event runs from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. and takes place in ʻAʻala Park on N. Beretania Street, between Maunakea and ʻAʻala streets. The parade starts at 4:30 p.m. along Hotel Street and goes from the Hawaiʻi State Capitol through Chinatown. Look for lion and dragon dances, martial arts demonstrations, activities for keiki, live entertainment and vendors with crafts and food. There will also be a pony and donkey petting area. 

The District is hosting a Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day party, which is located one block from Ala Moana Center. The event features DJs, two rooms of music and opportunities to get table service or private karaoke rooms. Enjoy a mix of hip-hop and top 40 hits, as well as dance music. The event runs from 9 p.m. until 4 a.m. Business casual or standard night club dress code applies. The cover charge is $20. 

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. This free yoga class is designed to help attendees start the Lunar New Year with a fresh start. Wear red, if possible. Bring a mat or towel. The class starts at 8 a.m. at the Lululemon store at Ala Moana Center. Water is provided. Afterward, shop the Lunar New Year collection. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"MONDAY, FEB. 16"}]

This event will have attendees building a 2026 mini bingo card, which can be turned into a magnet or key chain. The goal is to get the group back on track with New Year’s resolutions for 2026. Attendees must be at least 18 years old. No artistic experience is needed. Craft as golden hour settles over the North Shore at LPN Farms. Tickets start at $55. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"TUESDAY, FEB. 17"}]

. From Chinese food to coffee and pastries, Food and Dining Reporter 

This challenge asks participants to join a virtual challenge and commit to 2.026 miles, 20.26 miles or 202.6 miles in the year of 2026. Registration for the virtual race costs $25. It includes a commemorative medal and bib, plus 15% of the registration fee goes to the nonprofit Soles4Soles, which takes donated used shoes and creates business opportunities for low-income families across the world. 

 Head to the Royal Hawaiian Center to catch a lion dance from the Lung Kong Physical Culture Club, which will visit The Royal Grove and participating stores. The event starts at 5 p.m. 

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Waikīkī Beach Walk Welcomes Lunar New Year. 

There will be a pole-jumping performance at 5 p.m. at Waikīkī Beach Walk Plaza. Lion dancers will visit retail stores and restaurants after that. 

 Watch an acrobatic lion dance from the Wah Ngai Lion Dance Association at The Royal Grove within the Royal Hawaiian Center. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"SUNDAY, FEB. 22"}]

 will share traditional Chinese folk dance at The Royal Grove within the Royal Hawaiian Center. The performance starts at 3:30 p.m. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"SATURDAY, FEB. 28"}]

This all-day event includes live entertainment, food and craft vendors, and a keiki zone. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Palama Settlement. Parking is available at Likelike Elementary School. Free. 

Chinese New Year with Mahjong Social Club. 

This monthly competitive mahjong community is meeting to celebrate Chinese New Year. The friendly competition is for experienced players only. The event includes a nightmarket with food and vendors. Dress your best. Arrive promptly at 4 p.m. to play. The winner takes home a grand prize. Mahjong costs $15 and includes a complimentary herbal mocktail. 

 Catch calligraphy with Ina Chang at The Royal Grove within the Royal Hawaiian Center. The event runs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Chinatown Festival and Parade

<title>What to do for Lunar New Year on Oʻahu: parades, lion dances, and more</title>

Across Oʻahu, residents are preparing to usher in the year of the fire horse, which starts Tuesday, Feb. 17. Events in the next few weeks include parades, lion dances and opportunities to set intentions for the new year.

What to do for Lunar New Year on Oʻahu: parades, lion dances, and more

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

[{"type":"text","text":"A new sandwich shop is opening tomorrow in Kapolei."}]

 — whose original location is in Kāhala — is opening its second location in Kapolei tomorrow, Feb. 10. The business is located next to Daiichi Ramen in the same plaza as Consolidated Theatres Kapolei. 

The menu at this location is the same as the business’s Kāhala store. Customers can choose from a variety of hot and cold sandwiches in mini, small, medium or large sizes. (During our media preview, menu prices were not yet available.) 

Popular hot sandwiches include The Hot Bobbie — the eatery’s signature dish, made with turkey, cranberry, stuffing and mayo — classic cheesesteak, and Capastrami. The latter is a combo of pastrami, Swiss, coleslaw and Russian dressing.

Meanwhile, popular cold subs include Cap’s BLT and American wagyu club. The latter features Snake River Farms wagyu, turkey, bacon, provolone, onions, lettuce, tomato and mayo.

Customers can also look forward to plant-based options; sides like loaded cheesesteak fries; and salads.

[{"type":"text","text":"The store will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m."}]

Capriottis Kapolei wagyu club 020926

<title>New sandwich shop opening in Kapolei</title>

Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop is opening its new Kapolei location on Tuesday, Feb. 10. The business is known for its loaded hot and cold subs; bestsellers include Cap’s BLT, classic cheesesteak and The Bobbie.

New sandwich shop opening in Kapolei

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

 A storm system bringing severe weather to the Islands has prompted a number of closures across the state.

In advance of the severe weather conditions, Gov. Josh Green issued an emergency proclamation effective through Feb. 11 unless extended “to mobilize state resources and support response efforts.”

“The safety of our residents and visitors is our top priority,” Green said in an announcement Sunday. “We know this storm system could bring conditions that make travel unsafe and threaten property. Please take this time to secure your home, check on loved ones and heed guidance from emergency officials. Hawaiʻi is strongest when we look out for one another – and that starts with being prepared.”

You can find preparation guidelines, as well as links to sign up for alerts from your own county’s emergency management agencies, on the 

Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency website

·      All state offices and the state Department of Education schools across all islands will be closed Monday, Feb. 9, the Governor’s Office notes. Affected state employees will receive administrative leave for the day, but essential personnel and emergency response workers should follow guidance from their supervisors.

·      All University of Hawaiʻi campuses will be closed Monday and all in-person and online classes are canceled. Employees critical to health, safety and recovery operations should check with their supervisors regarding reporting requirements, the university says.

·      The Hawaiʻi State Legislature will be closed Monday.

·      The Judiciary also will close all courthouses and operations on Monday. Filing deadlines have been extended to Tuesday and all hearings will be rescheduled, the governor’s office notes.

·      All Division I boys basketball regional first-round games originally scheduled for Monday have been postponed and will be held instead on Tuesday, Feb. 10, according to 

Hawaiʻi High School Athletic Association

 for more information and for specific site-by-site tip-off times and location updates. 

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

·      The City and County of Honolulu will close all non-essential offices and services through at least Monday. Non-essential personnel should not report to work, the city said in an announcement Sunday.

·      The Honolulu Zoo closed Sunday in an effort to protect visitors, staff and the animals. In an announcement, the city says it will monitor weather conditions and work with city emergency management officials to determine a reopening date. Updates will be posted to the zoo’s social media.

·      All Honolulu municipal golf courses are temporarily closed.

·      The city’s park facilities are closed for public use through Feb. 9, including athletic fields, pools, outdoor courts and other outdoor park facilities. According to the Department of Parks and Recreation, all  permitted activities and park classes are canceled. All Honolulu Botanical Gardens will also remain closed through Monday. The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is regularly closed on Monday and Tuesday, DPR noted.

·      Overnight camping at all city campgrounds was suspended Saturday night, with the closure lasting through Wednesday, Feb. 11, the city says.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"On Neighbor Islands:"}]

  noted that its solid waste facilities and most county park facilities, including all beach parks, were closed. All non-essential county services will be closed Monday.

As of 3 p.m. Sunday, shelters have opened at Waimea Community Center, 65-1260 Kawaihae Road, Waimea; Ikuo Hisaoka Gymnasium, 54-382 Kamehameha Park Road, Kapaʻau; Honokaʻa Sports Complex Gym, 45-541 Lehua St. Honokaʻa; and Papāʻaloa Park Community Center, 35-1994 Government Main Road, Papāʻaloa.

Waipio Valley Road will be closed through 8 a.m. Tuesday, with access only for valley residents and farmers.

, Kauaʻi County Emergency Management Agency noted that emergency refuge areas were on standby and locations will be announced if needed and as they become available. Meanwhile, refuse transfer stations and the Kekaha Landfill may close with little or no advance notice because of weather conditions.

Kūhiō Highway near the Hanalei Bridge may also close with little or no advance notice, particularly if a flash flood warning is issued, the county notes.

·      On Maui, Hāna Highway via Haʻikū and Kaupō has been restricted to local access only due to safety concerns from fallen trees and landslides, the county said in an 

Those who are unsheltered and seeking dry shelter during the story can go to Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Center in Wailuku and must sign in at the operations desk for assistance.

Kepaniwai Heritage Park in ʻĪao Valley also was closed Sunday due to rising waters and rain safety concerns, the announcement noted.

, northeast winds from 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph are expected Sunday night, along with showers and isolated thunderstorms.

Monday is expected to be very windy with showers and isolated thunderstorms “windward and mountains.” Locally heavy rainfall is possible. East winds are expected to reach 25 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph.

As of Sunday afternoon, a high wind warning is in effect for all islands until 6 p.m. Monday and a high surf warning is in effect until 6 a.m. Tuesday for the east-facing shores of Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokai, Maui, Kahoʻolawe and Hawaiʻi Island.

 that a gale warning is in effect until 6 p.m. Monday for all Hawaiian coastal waters, and a flood watch in in effect for all islands through 6 p.m. Monday.

And on the Big Island, a winter storm warning is in effect for  summits above 11,000 feet in elevation through 6 p.m. Monday, with snow accumulations of 10 to 16 inches expected on the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.

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Storm damage Feb 2026

<title>Storm closures across the Islands</title>

High winds Sunday have led to a range of closures Monday, from schools to the Legislature.

Storm closures across the Islands

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Government & Politics

After passing a controversial budget bill on Monday, U.S. Congress had a quiet week, with only a handful of bills progressing through either chamber.

Only one of the four other bills Congress passed this week proposes any new government policies: the 

, which the House voted to pass Wednesday, promotes the expansion of mineral harvesting on federal land.

The bill requires the Department of the Interior to provide a report on how much the U.S. relies on foreign mineral imports and to expedite approvals for permits or other applications relating to domestic mining projects on federal land.

The bill also requires the department to identify all federal lands where hardrock mineral mining — which includes precious metals, gems and other minerals, but not coal, oil, sulfur or gas — is possible and to review all existing regulations for those that “impose an undue burden” on potential domestic mining operations.

The House voted 224-195 in favor of the bill, with all but 10 Democrats in opposition. Hawai‘i reps Ed Case and Jill Tokuda were among those voting against the measure.

The other three bills Congress passed this week simply authorized President Donald Trump to issue the Medal of Honor to three U.S. Armed Forces veterans.

Two of those measures would honor Vietnam War veterans. One would grant the award posthumously to Marine 

, who previously was awarded the Navy Cross for demolishing a bridge during the war, while the other would honor 

 for saving his unit from an ambush in 1967.

The third bill would honor Afghanistan Army vet 

 for his actions in 2012, where he rescued an unconscious soldier while under fire.

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