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Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

See this is our problem. When auntie says, "I tole you what for do but you nevah like listen to me!" she's usually right.

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<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Auntie Therapy</title>

Pashyn gives local style advice in today's social media find.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Auntie Therapy

See this is our problem. When auntie says, &quot;I tole you what for do but you nevah like listen to me!&quot; she&#039;s usually right. 

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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

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

[{"type":"text","text":"This Kapahulu eatery specializes in charcoal-grilled skewers."}]

 is soft opening on Saturday, Aug. 15; it’s in the former space of Yakitori Glad. The modern Chinese tavern features quality meats that are grilled over charcoal to achieve a smoky flavor.

We’re told “enkari” refers to smoke and fire in Chinese; this restaurant is similar to a Japanese izakaya, but features Northeastern Chinese cuisine.

Skewers are priced a la carte. Choose from options like chicken thigh (two pieces for $8), spicy beef (two pieces for $9), chicken skin (two pieces for $7), pork belly ($4) and lamb ($4).

There are assorted spices like chili powder and barbecue seasoning customers can use to dip the skewers in.

The eatery also features shareable appetizers — ranging from unique options like braised duck head ($6) and braised duck wings ($12) to marinated crawfish tails ($12) and marinated edamame ($5) — and teppanyaki-style dishes like Northeast Chinese-style grilled cold noodles ($12). This dish comprises a flat sheet of noodles cooked on a hot grill, resulting in a chewy texture.

Customers can also opt for clay pot specialties like the eatery’s spicy hot pot ($16) and seafood rice soup ($22).

Enkari also offers housemade shave ice in flavors like peach or watermelon for dessert.

The restaurant will be open from 5 p.m. to midnight every day except Wednesdays. The biz is still waiting for its liquor license, and is aiming to celebrate its grand opening in late August or early September.

Street parking is available; customer parking is also available in the paid public lot behind the restaurant.

Open 5 p.m. to midnight Thursdays to Tuesdays (closed Wednesdays)

Enkari beef skewers 081026

<title>New skewers spot opening in Honolulu</title>

Enkari, a modern Chinese tavern, is soft opening on Aug. 15 in the Kapahulu neighborhood. The eatery is known for its charcoal-grilled skewers; choose from pork belly, lamb, chicken thigh and more. Enkari will be open from 5 p.m. to midnight every day except Wednesdays.

New skewers spot opening in Honolulu

Lopaka and Tanya Kapanui

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya Kapanui

Hawai‘i History

Prior to Western contact, the Waiākea Peninsula at the edge of Hilo Bay sustained a thriving Hawaiian community for generations. As Hilo gradually developed into an important port for the sandalwood trade, supply replenishment, and the whaling industry, the area began to change.

Although the traditional stewardship of the ʻaina ensured the loʻi kalo (taro fields) and the loko iʻa (fishponds) continued to provide food for the area, the peninsula slowly took on a different purpose. Then, the introduction of private ownership through the Great Mahele of 1848 forever changed how Waiākea would be managed.

With the expansion of Hilo Harbor, the wetlands were drained, and fishponds fell into disuse. To accommodate larger ships, the bay was dredged, and the fill from the bay was used to create new land along the shoreline. Ancient canoe landings disappeared beneath that newly created land, and much of the ceremonial landscape surrounding Kūakaʻananuʻu Heiau was erased. Roads, homes, and public buildings gradually spread across the shoreline, covering many of the features that had defined Waiākea for centuries.

Due to the harborʻs continued growth and change, today’s shoreline bears little resemblance to the one that greeted the first Western merchant vessels. During the early 1900s, a new public park was created to honor the last reigning monarch. Liliʻuokalani Gardens, with its walking paths, decorative bridges, and ornamental gardens replaced the loʻi kalo and loko iʻa, creating a space where residents and visitors could enjoy the shores of Hilo Bay.

In 1933, the Hilo Parks Commission invited director Cecil B. DeMille and other celebrities from the film "Four Frightened People" to plant banyan trees along a new roadway. Later that year, Babe Ruth planted a tree, and the road was formally designated the following year in time for a visit from President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who planted his own tree. Over time, nearly 50 trees were planted by aviators, entertainers, politicians, and other notable visitors, and the Banyan Drive became known as “Hilo’s Walk of Fame.” In 1939, the Naniloa Hotel opened its doors on the site of a former yacht club, welcoming visitors to its tranquil location by the sea.

Like the rest of Hilo, the Waiākea Peninsula has had to face the destructive power of the sea. Tsunamis in 1946 and 1960 devastated the coast, destroying homes, businesses, and facilities along the waterfront. While many of the banyan trees survived, a new infrastructure once again reshaped the landscape and Banyan Drive soon became the center of Hilo’s visitor industry.

By the 1970s, Banyan Drive was already established as the center of Hilo’s visitor industry. The Naniloa and the new Hilo Hawaiian, along with other new hotels, welcomed travelers from around the world, while nearby golf courses, parks, and public spaces drew both residents and visitors to the bay.

Although centuries of development had transformed nearly every part of the peninsula, places like Mokuola (Coconut Island) continued to preserve a connection to an older Hawaiʻi. The landscape may look different from the days of loʻi kalo, loko iʻa, and Kūakaʻananuʻu Heiau, but its mana cannot be erased.

Perhaps that is why, despite decades of change, stories continue to emerge from Banyan Drive, describing experiences that seem to be connected to a long-lost past. Former staff have mentioned doors of empty rooms rattling for no reason, and housekeeping staff talk of the water faucets in one of the rooms turning on by itself.

However, the scariest stories are the ones about a group of visitors who turn up during specific moon phases, without reservations. One security guard said it starts with the sound of drums. It’s distant, but the sound is a consistent beat that doesn’t change like modern music. As the drums get louder, a mist appears on the building’s mauka side and moves through the wall and the hotel rooms, exiting through the wall on the opposite end of the building on their way to the ocean.

“I know it’s not my imagination,” he said. “The lights dim and flicker, pictures on the wall shake or fall to the floor, sometimes the furniture moves.”

The guard said that the employees at the hotel know to make themselves scarce during that time, but no one really talks about it with each other.

Grand Naniloa Hilo

<title>Night Marchers at the Naniloa</title>

Babe Ruth and President Franklin D. Roosevelt are among the Mainland luminaries who planted banyan trees along Banyan Drive. The history of the Hilo area surrounding the Naniloa Hotel goes back to ancient times, and as hotel staff tell it, on some nights the old days come marching through in a mist.

Night Marchers at the Naniloa

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

It's the end of an era for Hawaiian Airlines.

 that Alaska Airlines would acquire Hawaiian Airlines — and just over a year after 

 — the last Hawaiian Airlines flight to the use the HA call signal arrived in Honolulu early this morning from American Samoa.

The move comes after Alaska Airlines on Wednesday received a single operating certificate, or SOC, from the Federal Aviation Administration. It’s a major milestone in the continued efforts to integrate the operations of the two airlines.

The distinct Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines brands remain, but this means the airlines are now operating under a single call sign, AS, which pilots and dispatchers use to communicate with air traffic control, Alaska Airlines explained in an 

According to that announcement, this is an FAA regulatory requirement that “marks the successful integration of training, policies, procedures and manuals across both airlines.”

Alex Da Silva, regional communications director — Hawai‘i for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines

, told Aloha State Daily it was a smooth transition, and that there are no material changes for guests.

“The most notable change is that we are assigning new HA flight numbers to avoid duplication with AS flight numbers, but the HA code preceding the flight numbers will remain in place until we reach a single passenger service system in late April.”

Once the airlines transition to a single passenger service system — the main technology guests use to plan trips, book tickets and on the day of travel — all flights will use an AS code, the announcement notes, but adds that travelers can still view and book Hawaiian Airline flights, which will be branded across its digital channels with an image of the Pualani aircraft tails.

The adoption of a single passenger service system next spring is the next big milestone in the merger and integration process, Da Silva says, noting that’ll be followed by the combination of collective bargaining agreements with the airlines’ unionized teams in about 12 to 18 months.

Another key milestone, however, was marked at the start of the month with the transition from HawaiianMiles to a joint loyalty program offered by both Hawaiian and Alaska airlines, 

“We're very pleased with the transition of HawaiianMiles to Atmos Rewards and excited for our members to experience the full benefits of the program,” Da Silva told ASD. “At the same time, we recognize there is a learning curve as our members familiarize themselves with the features of the new program. We remain engaged with our members and always appreciate their feedback, and we are honoring several legacy HawaiianMiles benefits through the end of the year.”

Additionally, with the single operating certificate secured, Wednesday also marked the changing of the guards, so to speak, at Hawaiian Airlines, with several Honolulu-based leadership roles formally taking effect.

Diana Birkett Rakow, formerly the executive vice president of public affairs and sustainability at Alaska Airlines, became CEO of Hawaiian Airlines Wednesday. The first woman to hold that position, she succeeds 

, who has held the position since the acquisition was completed in 

Jim Landers, Hawaiian Airlines senior vice president for technical operations, is now head of Hawai‘i operations and Shelly Parker, Horizon Air’s vice president of station operations and inflight is now head of Hawai‘i guest operations, Wednesday's announcement noted. Read more about the 

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

Alaska Hawaiian Airlines 1920

<title>Alaska, Hawaiian airlines reach merger milestone</title>

Alaska Airlines on Wednesday received a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration, allowing it to operate alongside Hawaiian Airlines as two separate brands.

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Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Auntie Therapy

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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

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