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ASD Staff

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Cavorting, or possibly frolicking — it's hard to tell with monk seals and we are not cetologists.

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<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: The secret life of monk seals</title>

Today's social media find comes from adventure_hawaii, with a bird's eye view of monk seals cavorting.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: The secret life of monk seals

Cavorting, or possibly frolicking — it&#039;s hard to tell with monk seals and we are not cetologists. 

Daily Smile

[{"type":"text","text":"Little girl has her dogs say grace before dinner..."}]

Smile 26 2 20

<title>Daily Smile: Friday, February 20, 2026</title>

Little girl has her dogs say grace before dinner...

Daily Smile: Friday, February 20, 2026

Hawai'i Skies

Today's Hawai‘i Skies was captured by Maia Rosen at Kāhala Beach. "We take the dogs to walk on Kahala Beach several times a week. We like to go late in the day when most people are gone or leaving. It always amazes us when this gorgeous beach is so quiet, especially so close to town and to our house. We've been coming here for years — actually with two other dogs who have since passed so we have a lot of memories of walking here. I love when there are just a couple of fishermen out or couples watching the sunset. They are always amused by our dogs who go racing down the beach together then charge into the water. The sunsets are glorious and perfectly framed by the trees and I love how the colors gradually go from blue to lavender to pink to yellow. Stunning!"

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Maia Rosen 26 1 29 16x9 jpeg

<title>Hawai‘i Skies: A perfect frame</title>

Today's Hawai‘i Skies was captured by Maia Rosen at Kāhala Beach.

Hawai‘i Skies: A perfect frame

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Aloha Spirit

Rachel Chai, who lives in Mānoa and is raising two keiki, has called the Islands home her whole life.

She graduated from Academy of the Pacific in 2013 then from Chaminade University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She's now pursuing a 

master’s degree in social work from Hawaiʻi Pacific University.

“I did want to get into social work for maybe five years or so, but after having kids I felt like it wasn

 then I figured no timing is going to be the right timing, so I might as well just do it now,” said Chai, who started at HPU last fall and is expected to graduate in May 2027.

She has worked as a caregiver since 2014 and prior to pursuing business, was a nursing major with a passion for geriatrics.

“I started working in a nursing home and loved it. I loved building relationships with our patients and we became really close. But the downside was when they would pass away, it was hard emotionally,” Chai said, adding that she took a step back and did private caregiving before joining 

She remembered hearing about the in-home care franchises

during orientation but wasn’t sure if social work would be covered, she recalled.

“My supervisor at the time suggested I apply; it wouldn’t hurt to just try, so I filled out a questionnaire and essay in July/August and had a final interview via Zoom in December,” she said.

, the program awarded 32 scholarships totaling more than $73,000 to those associated with Griswold offices nationwide. Chai was the only caregiver from Hawai’i.

“Being a divorced mom of two young children, I didn’t know how I was going to pay for school and living expenses, so finding out I got the scholarship really took a weight off my shoulders," Chai said when asked what this scholarship means to her. "I think having this scholarship will allow me to focus on my schooling and not worry about finances. I want to get my degree, so I can show up for my family, and help the community and other families.”

Finding balance as a mom, student and employee has been a learning curve, she added. “I don’t have everything figured out. I’m trying my best to manage my time. But learning as a student helps me be a better mom and person.”

One pivotal moment in caregiving, she shared, was during a Tsunami warning last July. “I was scheduled to work a double shift, but Griswold had canceled all shifts moving forward. I knew that client primarily relies on us for care and lived in a flood zone. I drove to his house, made him dinner, showered him, made sure he was OK, that he was aware of what was going on, etc. He told me go take care of my own family. [It] was second nature to me.”

For another client, Chai created a “girl’s night in” complete with her favorite dessert and spa treatment. “Little things like that are so special,” she said.

Her advice for future caregivers? “Treat them like your family and it won’t seem like you’re doing it as an occupation. … Show up and bring them dessert.”

“The most rewarding aspect of caregiving is that connection you build with clients and their families. Getting to know them as a person.,” she continued. “You see them at one of the most vulnerable seasons of their life, and being able to share that, protect and advocate for them.”

[{"type":"text","text":"Looking ahead, Chai is excited for her path in social work."}]

National Caregivers Day is on Friday, Feb. 20. Applications for Griswold’s summer 2026 scholarship cycle are open now through March 31. For more information about how to apply or nominate, 

Rachel Chai Caregiver Scholarship

<title>Honolulu’s Rachel Chai talks caregiving</title>

Chai, a mother of two, has more than a decade of experience as a caregiver, most recently with Griswold Home Care for Oʻahu. She was recently named a recipient of the company’s winter caregiver scholarship for National Caregivers Day, which will go toward her master’s degree in social work.

Honolulu’s Rachel Chai talks caregiving

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

Government & Politics

A new legislative session brings the possibility of new laws. Here are some that have been introduced this session and would impact the arts:

The legislation would appropriate funds to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts for its Artists in the Schools Program, which brings artists into the classroom at public schools. 

Karen Ewald, executive director of SFCA, submitted testimony in favor of the legislation and shared there was an increase in demand for the program,

 which is out-pacing funds. Keith Hayashi, superintendent of the Hawaiʻi public school system, also submitted testimony in favor of the measure. There was no testimony against the legislation. 

: It passed second reading, as amended, and was referred to the committee on finance. 

Establishes arts integration coordinator for Department of Education, HB2436: 

This bill would establish funds for an arts integration coordinator or specialists to support arts education within the state Department of Education. It also appropriates $600,000 for this work in the fiscal year of 2026-2027 to fund four full-time equivalent arts integration coordinators or specialists, including salary, fringe benefits and operational expenses. The legislation requires one position be established on each of the following islands: Oʻahu, Maui, Kaua'i, and Hawaiʻi Island. Status: Referred to committees for culture and arts, education, and finance. Scheduled to be heard by the committee on education on Feb. 19. 

Increases tax credits for film productions that hire local, HB1939.

 Amends the motion picture, digital media and film production income tax credit by providing additional credits to productions with at least 80% local hires. 

: The committee on economic development and technology recommended passage on second reading. Referred to the committee on finance. 

Music accessibility pilot program for Hawaiʻi State Public Library System, HB1764. 

Establishes a pilot program where the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System would provide access to public concerts and musical education across the state, including the counties of Hawaiʻi, Kauaʻi, and Maui. The program would support local musicians and cultural collaboration and encourage the commission of new works that reflect the unique heritage of Hawaiʻi. The state public library system would collaborate with the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra and other groups. 

: The committee on education recommended that the measure be passed without amendments. It has been referred to the committee on finance. 

State of Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra, SB2603 (companion bill HB1860). 

 as the State of Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra, which would allow the group to “regularly obtain state funds to help cover its general operating costs in exchange for other services to the State, to be mutually negotiated,” according to the text of the proposed legislation. HSO was founded in 1900 as the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra. The symphony has a 

history of financial instability, including filing for bankruptcy in 2009

. The bill highlights how the symphony provides a spotlight for local and international musicians and performing artists. It establishes $500,000 of funding for the fiscal year 2026-2027, which would include a stipulation of free admission for school faculty, staff and students who attend shows through the state Department of Education programs. 

: The committee on water, land, culture and the arts recommended passage on second reading, as amended. It was referred to the committee on ways and means. 

Surcharge for performing arts tickets, SB3330 (companion bill HB2604). 

The proposed legislation establishes a surcharge of $1 for the sale of performing arts tickets, with funds going to the performing arts grants special fund, which provides grants for the planning, promotion, marketing and execution of performing arts events. The surcharge is waived for any event with a ticket price of $35 or less. It will also be waived for ones run by Hawaiʻi-based nonprofits and performances by students enrolled in public schools or the University of Hawaiʻi system. The ticket provider will disclose the surcharge on a separate line item on tickets, receipts and invoices at the time of sale. 

: It has been referred to the committees for economic development and tourism; water, land, culture and the arts; commerce and consumer protection; and ways and means. 

Tax credits for film productions, SB3088 (companion bill HB2269). 

This bill would increase the qualified production tax credit in any county of the state with a population of more than 700,000 to 27%, an increase from the current 22%. For counties with smaller populations, such as Maui County, the production credit would change to 32%, up from 27%. The legislation also lifts the per-production cap of $17 million for productions with qualified expenditures of at least $60 million. The annual cap for tax credits for all productions would increase to $60 million, an increase from the current $50 million. 

Passed first reading.Referred to the committees for economic development and tourism; and ways and means. 

Works of Art Special Fund, SB1236 (companion bill HB1299):

 The proposed legislation amends existing law which established a works of art special fund that designates 1% of the construction costs of new state buildings go toward the acquisition of works of art. This bill would expand how that fund can be used and proposes it could also support new positions within SFCA as well as performing arts initiatives and programs at schools. 

: Carried over to the 2026 regular session and re-referred to the committees on ways and means; and water, land, culture and the arts. 

Here are some bills that have been deferred:

Artificial intelligence and music (HB2357). 

This bill would prohibit music streaming platforms from hosting, distributing or making available in the state of Hawaiʻi any music attributed to an artificial intelligence music artist. The department of the attorney general would have exclusive authority to enforce the law and violations of it would constitute an unfair method of competition and a deceptive act or practice. 

: It has been referred to the committees for economic development and technology; judiciary and Hawaiian affairs; and finance. On Feb. 18, the committee on 

 recommended that the measure be deferred. 

Increases the ceiling of the works of art special fund, HB2461.

 The bill would increase the ceiling of the works of art special fund, which is used to commission or purchase art. It also expands the uses of the fund, and would allow money to be used for the upkeep and preservation of the state’s public art collection, including the establishment of a collections manager position within SFCA. Status: Referred to committees for culture and arts; and finance. On Feb. 13, the committee on culture and arts recommended it be deferred. 

Are you following a bill that impacts arts and entertainment and should be on this list? Email: 

Hawaiʻi State Capitol

<title>AI music regulations, a state symphony, and more in these bills to watch</title>

Aloha State Daily rounded up some bills that lawmakers are considering this legislative session. Those measures include proposed laws that could bring musical performances to patrons of the public library system and students in public schools. There is also an initiative to designate the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra as the State of Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra.

AI music regulations, a state symphony, and more in these bills to watch

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, an Autograph Collection property on Hawai‘i Island’s Kohala Coast, has unveiled a new $180 million-plus renovation it says is the “most extensive transformation in the property’s 60-year history.”

The renovation, which spans both the hotel’s Main Tower and Beachfront Wing, includes 252 “fully reimagined” guest rooms and suites, along with a refreshed family resort pool with a new oceanfront hot tub and five private cabanas, a recent announcement noted.

Additions throughout both wings include handcrafted textiles, ceiling fans and plantation shutters, bedside lighting control panels, glass lānai doors, bathrooms with deep soaking tubs and more.

There’s also a new oceanfront wellness retreat with a state-of-the-art, 2,500-square-foot fitness center and an adults-only infinity lap pool along with refreshed public spaces with a curated gallery from the Rockefeller Art Collection.

According to the hotel, photovoltaic solar panels that supply about 45% of the resort’s overall electrical energy needs have also been added.

Other enhancements include the redesign of the Mauna Kea Golf Course by Robert Trent Jones Jr., the opening of the 28,000-square-foot 

, upgraded in-room amenities, and updates to the hotel’s restaurants, the announcement notes.

, for example, is a “re-concepting” of the resort’s beachfront dining venue, the announcement notes. Its lunch menu will include items like salads, burgers and Baja-style fish tacos, and evenings will feature contemporary regional Mexican dishes.

 restaurant also received a “refresh and introduced a new hyper garden-to-table menu” the hotels says is centered on local and seasonal ingredients that come from Big Island farmers, fishermen, ranchers and the resort’s new ‘Ulu Garden.

And coming this spring is The Spa at Mauna Kea, which will offer 11 treatment rooms, purification gardens, steam and sauna facilities, a pool and more.

“This renovation was always part of our long-term vision for Mauna Kea Beach Hotel,” hotel manager Kansas Henderson said in a statement provided to ASD. “Plans for the transformation were already underway prior to the [Covid-19] pandemic, and while it understandably paused our timeline, it did not pause our commitment. 

“As travel resumed around the globe, ownership recognized it was the right time to bring this long-planned vision to life, honoring our responsibility to preserve the hotel’s historic legacy and its culturally significant art collection while delivering the elevated and unforgettable experience today’s guests expect. The timing ultimately reflects both commitment and responsibility, ensuring Mauna Kea continues to create lasting memories for generations to come.”

Henderson says that on average, the hotel hosts approximately 25,000 visitors each year.

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel opened with 154 rooms in July 1965.

“It was while swimming in the turquoise waters of Kauna‘oa Bay, surrounded by a vast landscape of lava rock and ranchland with clear views of Maunakea’s summit, that American conservationist and venture capitalist Laurance S. Rockefeller decided to build Hawai‘i Island’s first resort,” a history on the 

. “His inspiration to capture the spirit of this special place and ensure the hotel conformed to, rather than intruded upon, these beautiful natural surroundings, became today’s Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.

Its $15 million build-out made the hotel the most expensive hotel ever built at the time, the site states. Room rates started at $43 per night and included breakfast and dinner. The hotel expanded in 1968 with the Beachfront Wing and has undergone other renovations over the years.

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel shares 1,839 oceanfront acres with The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort and Mauna Kea Residences, which together form the Mauna Kea Resort.

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Mauna Kea Beach Hotel 1

<title>Mauna Kea Beach Hotel debuts $180M renovation</title>

The hotel says this is the “most extensive transformation in the property’s 60-year history.”

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel debuts $180M renovation

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

A proposal to gradually remove the state’s tax on groceries has expired.

 would have reduced Hawai‘i's general excise tax on groceries and nonprescription drugs each year until removing it entirely in 2034, a House committee on Wednesday recommended that the bill be deferred, effectively killing the proposal.

At Wednesday’s hearing of the House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, committee chair Rep. David Tarnas said he “can’t in good conscience move forward with a bill that might have a quarter-billion dollars in fiscal impact,” citing estimates mentioned previously in the hearing by fellow Rep. Elle Cochran.

Cochran had told the committee that her office had projected an annual revenue loss of up to $250 million, but added that this was merely a “guesstimation.”

State tax research officer Baybars Karacaovali told Aloha State Daily 

 that, by 2034, revenue losses would reach more than $460 million, but that the first stage of the tax cutback — which would have reduced the GET from 4% to 3.5% in 2027 — would only lead to a reduction of about $17.4 million that first year.

However, no firm projection has yet been released, and possibly never will be. Eliza Watson, administrative rules specialist for the state Department of Taxation told the committee on Wednesday that a revenue impact statement was being prepared for the bill’s eventual appearance before the House Finance Committee; with the bill deferred, that hearing will likely not take place.

Tarnas said the Department of Taxation should work closely with lawmakers and the Hawai‘i Tax Foundation to better understand the proposal’s impacts. He said he was reluctant to defer the measure, and noted its wide popularity among individuals, organizations and state agencies alike.

Several people spoke in support of the bill Wednesday, touting its potential to save low-income families hundreds of dollars each year.

“It’s not important that we tax the struggling families on a basic necessity,” said Nate Hix, policy director for the Hawai‘i Public Health Institute. “We can move our tax structure to a different tax on something that’s much more progressive and not burdening the low-income families the most.”

HB1611 was not the only bill introduced this year that would remove the GET from certain essential purchases. 

 would exempt groceries eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program from the GET — regardless of whether the groceries were purchased via SNAP — along with nonprescription drugs, medical supplies, feminine hygiene products and baby diapers.

A Wednesday hearing of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services voted to recommend the bill’s passage, although no estimate about its potential revenue impact was discussed. The bill has been referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee but no hearing date has yet been scheduled.  

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Hawai‘i Scene on Social: The secret life of monk seals

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Hawai‘i Scene on Social: The secret life of monk seals

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