ASD Staff

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

[{"text":"Though we're stumped on what the heck an \"aloha T-shirt\" could be.","type":"text"}]

Firefly funny cartoon illustration of a goth kid standing under a small dark cloud in a sunny tropic

<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Growing up goth in Hawai‘i</title>

Today's social media find is from comedian Zak Toscani, looking back on his attempt to pull off tropical goth.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Growing up goth in Hawai‘i

Though we're stumped on what the heck an "aloha T-shirt" could be. 

Michael Brestovansky

Government & Politics

State and city lawmakers are grappling with the question of how to control Hawai‘i’s garbage.

State legislators introduced dozens of waste-related bills at the start of the year — ranging from regulations on municipal waste disposal to cesspool conversion measures and more — but today those measures have winnowed down to two.

, would allocate $3 million to the Department of Health to conduct a needs assessment in order to eventually develop a plan to reduce the amount of packaging waste sent to the state.

“We’ve tried for years to get a program like this going,” said Kailua-Kona Rep. Nicole Lowen, lead introducer of the bill. “But finally we realized we need to do this one step at a time.”

Lowen said the findings of the needs assessment would eventually be used to expand the state’s Extended Producer Responsibility Program, which puts requirements on manufacturers to account for the full lifespan of their products, to paper products and packaging materials. 

Hawai‘i currently has an Extended Producer Responsibility policy for certain electronic device manufacturers. Said manufacturers must register with the state Department of Health — paying a $5,000 annual fee to do so — and develop a recycling plan for their products.

For example, computer manufacturer Lenovo’s recycling plan allows consumers to freely drop off used products at various “e-cycling” collection businesses around the state. Most of the registered manufacturers in the state use plans similar to this.

Those manufacturers must also meet escalating recycling goals by collecting and recycling a certain amount of their own devices equivalent to a significant percentage of the total weight of their products sold in the state two years prior. As of January, that goal is 70%.

The specific methods of another EPR program for paper products and packaging materials would be determined by the needs assessment, Lowen said. Other states — including California, Maine, Minnesota and more — have established their own EPR programs for packaging recycling, with manufacturers required to pay fees or develop stewardship plans.

“(The EPR) puts responsibility for the full life cycle of waste onto producers,” Lowen explained, saying that establishing incentives or disincentives is often the only way to steer large manufacturers toward greener policies.

According to the City and County of Honolulu’s Refuse Division, O‘ahu alone generates more than 2.2 million tons of waste annually, much of which is recyclable paper or cardboard. 

But any EPR program for packaging goods will take a while. The $3 million allocated toward the program — taken from the state’s beverage container deposit fund — needs to be spent by 2029.

In the meantime, garbage continues to accumulate statewide, leading lawmakers to worry about the capacity of Hawai‘i's landfills. The text of the bill itself states that more than 400 tons of ash from Oahu’s H-Power waste-to-energy facility — which has a high concentration of heavy metals — are buried daily in the Waimānalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill, which also generates about 9,800 gallons of toxic leach water every day.

The Honolulu City Council on Wednesday narrowly passed on second reading 

 to limit the sale of certain single-use plastic bottles, but some council members were concerned it doesn’t do enough.

That proposal would prohibit the sale of single-use bottles containing less than one liter from vending machines at a city facility. Councilwoman Val Okimoto, who represents parts of ‘Aiea, Pearl City and Mililani Town, said this affects fewer than 30 vending machines on the island.

“Measures like this, though seemingly minor, contribute to a growing perception of regulatory overreach that can stifle entrepreneurship and economic growth,” Okimoto said. “If our goal is to meaningfully reduce plastic waste, we should pursue more comprehensive strategies that involve collaboration with businesses, investment in recycling infrastructure, and robust public education campaigns. Targeting a small number of vending machines does little to address the systemic issues at hand.”

Okimoto was one of three council members to vote against the bill, but it ultimately passed second reading. The council must vote again on a third reading of the measure at a future meeting.

The other waste-related bill still alive in the state legislature requires manufacturers of disposable wipes to make their “Do Not Flush” warnings larger.

Rep Lowen Headshot 16x9

<title>Garbage in, but not out: Slow progress on proposals to reduce waste</title>

City and state proposals to limit waste generation may not go far enough, fast enough.

Garbage in, but not out: Slow progress on proposals to reduce waste

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

Waimea fans filled the left side of Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium for the 2023 HHSAA Division II championship game between the Menehunes and Pac-Five. 

With two outs and the bases loaded in the top of seventh and final inning, Pac-Five was down to its final out but also had its best hitter at the plate: Star shortstop Milan Ah Yat. Waimea, buoyed by its spirited fan section that flew in from Kaua‘i, had a 12-9 lead and decided to pitch to Ah Yat instead of intentionally walking her. 

Ah Yat belted a no-doubt grand slam on the second pitch she saw, sending the crowd into a frenzy. The Wolfpack held on to win 13-12 in the bottom of the frame, carried by Ah Yat's two home runs and seven RBI. 

"It feels like it was just yesterday," Ah Yat said. "I still watch the video sometimes just to reminisce and think back to that moment and how I was feeling and preparing myself for the games coming up. When I step into the box, I don't necessarily think about that moment, but I think about how focused I was and just getting that hit and being very happy."

After enrolling at Loyola Marymount on a softball scholarship, Ah Yat played in 17 games as a utility player with nine starts as a freshman in 2024. Following the season, she entered the NCAA transfer portal and found her way back home, signing with the University of Hawai‘i. She's started all 39 games for the Rainbow Wahine in 2025, continuing to provide more winning plays on her home field. 

On Feb. 16, Ah Yat hit a two-run walk-off home run in an 8-6 win over Utah Tech. She also drove in the winning run in the team's 3-2 walk-off victory over UC Riverside on April 5, a game the Rainbow Wahine trailed 2-0 entering the bottom of the seventh. 

In all, Ah Yat is currently hitting .282 with four home runs and 31 hits, good for fourth on the team in both categories while carrying a fielding percentage of .964. The key to her success? 

"I think her dad is a key influence in the stands," UH head coach Bob Coolen said. "She really enjoys him there, and feeds off of his positivity in the bleachers. ... She's comfortable being home, and I think she's comfortable playing in front of front of family and friends."

Ah Yat's father, Paul, was a pitcher for the University of Hawai‘i baseball team from 1994 to 1996. After getting selected in the 21st round of the 1996 MLB Draft, Paul Ah Yat advanced as high as Triple-A in his six-year minor league career, but never reached the majors. His playing career ended following the 2001 season. A handful of years later, Milan was born.

It is not uncommon for star softball players to start off as baseball players at the youth level before joining their female counterparts on the softball diamond, as was the case for Milan Ah Yat. Although she didn't enjoy baseball at first, her talent was up to par with the rest of the dedicated players. 

"I remember her when she was little and she would be kicking and screaming not wanting to go to practice when she was about four or five years old," Paul Ah Yat recalled. "But it gave her a good foundation. She was able to compete with the boys. ... It really set the stage for when she was ready to transition over to softball. She had some really good coaches to help her along the way."

Milan Ah Yat shined in the diamond sports and in volleyball during her youth years. In 2018, her Honolulu Little League teammates won the Little League World Series while she opted to play at a volleyball tournament in Florida. Some of her former teammates such as Sean Yamaguchi, Aukai Kea, Jace Souza and Mana Lau Kong all drew pro interest before opting to play college baseball, with the exception of Lau Kong, who is a senior at ‘Iolani.

In addition to softball, Ah Yat blossomed into one of the state's best high school volleyball players. In 2021, her 32 kills and 19 digs in the HHSAA Division II championship match lifted University Laboratory School to a five-set win over Le Jardin. After graduating high school, she earned a spot in the HHSAA Hall of Honor's Class of 2023. 

Although there are currently 27 players on the UH roster, only 12 scholarships are allotted among NCAA Division I softball teams. Coaches must decide how much scholarship money to allocate to players. When Coolen initially recruited Ah Yat as a high schooler, "we offered her a really good scholarship," he recalled. "And I guess it wasn't good enough, because LMU trumped us."

When Ah Yat entered the NCAA transfer portal, Coolen says the decision to offer her again was a "no-brainer." 

Milan Ah Yat's first year playing for UH has meant more opportunities to play in front of her family and continuing her father's UH legacy. 

"He still gives me tips and coaches me throughout the season, but he took a little step back, and he's been there for me off the field and throughout everything else. And I really love him for that," Milan Ah Yat says. 

Coolen approaches his previously announced retirement,

 the Rainbow Wahine are attempting to make his last year a memorable one. The 'Bows are currently 25-14 overall and 11-6 in Big West play, good for second place in the standings. On Friday and Saturday, the Rainbow Wahine will host a total of three games against UC Santa Barbara, the team tied atop the conference at 24-18 overall and 13-5 in Big West games.

Paul Ah Yat beamed when asked about Milan's championship home run in high school, noting his daughter's propensity to deliver when seemingly everything is on the line. That home run was her first big moment at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. As she showed it her first year back home, it wasn't her last. 

"She just has an amazing way of handling the situation, the pressure moments, the big moments," Paul Ah Yat said. "She does it so differently than how I was as a player. I was pretty calm and all that, but I don't know. It just seems like the moment always grabs her. She's coming face to face with those moments, and figuring out a way to excel, and it's awesome to watch the the team she's on. 

"She's on a team where she's had her moments this year, but she's in good company. A lot of her teammates, they all find a way to step up for each other. It's a fun team to watch."

Milan Ah Yat 041625

<title>Milan Ah Yat continues family legacy in returning home for Hawai‘i softball team</title>

Ah Yat's father, Paul, was a pitcher for UH from 1994 to 1996.

Milan Ah Yat continues family legacy in returning home for Hawai‘i softball team

WBC's David Waxer Tipton

David "Waxer" Tipton

Aloha Spirit

Viewpoints

The Waikīkī Beach Chaplaincy (WBC) has benefited the local community since 1970, serving as a place for visitors to experience a Christian service on the beach, as well as for the residents of Waikīkī to have a place to gather. Founder Bob Turnbull felt led to bring his message of hope outside of the church walls and to the beach where the people were.   

For more than 55 years, WBC has served the community through homeless outreach, providing provisions, blessings and prayers for community members at canoe races and other public events. WBC has also hosted wedding and funeral services, along with annual holiday services for Easter and Christmas.   

But to do any of this, Turnbull sought out the proper permissions in the ‘70s from various entities including city and state government overseeing Duke Kahanamoku and Fort DeRussy beaches; Hawaiʻi police and fire departments; and neighboring hotels including the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waīkikī Beach Resort and Hale Koa Hotel. Former Gov. John Burns and former Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi granted permission for WBC to meet on public beaches and everyone else followed suit. About 400 people showed up its first day in operation.   

Today, we have maintained relationships with Hale Koa and Hilton Hawaiian Village. For them, the benefit is providing a positive experience and amenities, like a church on the beach, for guests.   

Since last month, we have continued to receive pushback from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, which aims to cancel this year’s Easter services, as well as hinder WBC’s weekly services on the beach. During the process of renewing our Right-of-Entry permit, as we’ve done for the past three years for this special event, we were told, “No, not possible and you can’t do anything else” because they “had never heard of the chaplaincy.”   

On March 25, DLNR sent WBC a “Cease and Desist Order,” for concerns about “weekly Sunday services being held on state public beaches.” WBC’s Wiki permit application from March 13 to conduct Easter sunrise service on April 20 was also denied due to exceeding the maximum event size of 30 persons and the time limit of two hours per event.   

After several attempts to contact DLNR, I reached out to Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, who helped contact Gov. Josh Green, from which I got a text the next day, “All set for Easter, then they will permanently reboot your regular permits after the holidays.”   

The “Cease and Desist Order” against WBC was rescinded a few days later, our ROE permit to use Duke Kahanamoku Beach from March 30 to April 27 was granted, and as of April 15, we’re working on finalizing paperwork for ROE permits for the rest of 2025.   

Despite all the setback this year, we will be there Easter morning at Duke Kahanamoku Beach with services starting at 6:30 a.m. and 9 a.m., which will include live worship music, dance performances and a heartwarming message. We will provide chairs and there is plenty of room to bring your own. Hope to see you there!

Pastor David “Waxer” Tipton is the director and president of Waikīkī Beach Chaplaincy. He is also the founding pastor of One Love Ministries. Edited for style, length and clarity.

<title>Community Voices: Persistence amid permit issues to hold services at Waikīkī Beach</title>

Waikīkī Beach Chaplaincy has served the community surrounding the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waīkikī Beach Resort for 55 years. Last month, the chaplaincy received a “Cease and Desist Order” from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources for its Easter and weekly services. Pastor David “Waxer” Tipton, director and president of the chaplaincy since 2021, shares how the organization is handling permitting pitfalls this year.

Community Voices: Persistence amid permit issues to hold services at Waikīkī Beach

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

 opened last December, crowds were waiting outside the restaurant for its popular soup dumplings. Now that the craze has died down a bit, the eatery just launched ‘sum’ thing new — dim sum service.

Dim sum is now served daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The regular lunch menu, which includes soup dumplings, starts at 11:30 a.m.

Once you’re seated at your table, scan the QR code to see the dim sum menu.

The dim sim selection is more limited, compared to that at other restaurants, but there’s still something for everyone. Options include crispy fried shrimp wontons ($7.99), har gow ($6.50), siu mai ($6.50), shrimp and chive dumplings ($6.50), seafood bean curd rolls ($6.50) and lo mai gai ($6.50). The latter features steamed glutinous rice with chicken.

Dim sum is made to order, so there might be a short wait, depending on the time of your visit. The pork hash ($6.50) and shrimp dumplings ($6.50) are my go-to orders, and these don’t disappoint — each piece was fresh and succulent, boasting lots of flavor. The crispy fried shrimp wontons come with a creamy mayo dipping sauce.

Pro tip: If you go for an early lunch around 11 a.m., you’ll get the best of both worlds and can order dim sum and those soup dumplings from the lunch menu once 11:30 a.m. hits.

Dim sum served daily, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.  

Mian and Bao dim sum spread 040725

<title>Mian & Bao expands menu with dim sum</title>

This popular soup dumpling restaurant in Honolulu just started serving dim sum.

Mian & Bao expands menu with dim sum

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Entertainment

This year, Easter is Sunday, April 20. Aloha State Daily is sharing some of the free and low-cost events happening on Oʻahu for kids of all ages:

[{"text":"Saturday, April 12","type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}]}]

La Keiki Spring Event: Royal Hawaiian Center is hosting La Keiki Spring Event with Easter-themed activities including an egg hunt at 2 p.m. and a meet-and-greet with Easter Bunny Aunty Lele at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 12. After that, there will be opportunities for face painting, egg decorating and candy lei making until 5 p.m. 

[{"text":"Sunday, April 13","type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}]}]

Scavenger hunt. Sea Life Park Hawaiʻi is hosting an inaugural scavenger hunt at 10 a.m. Keiki will also have a chance to meet Bob the Bunny and take a free photo. Admission is free for keiki 4 years old to 12 years old. Prizes include five Golden Eggs, which offer up-close encounters with dolphins and other animals. 

[{"text":"Friday, April 18","type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}]}]

Easter photos. Royal Hawaiian Center is hosting free Easter photos with Aunty Lele and Uncle Lapaki. The photographs will take place between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the Lei ʻOhu Hale, also known as Building B, Level 1. Each family will have a chance to receive one printed photo in addition to digital photos within 48 hours. 

[{"text":"Now – Saturday, April 19","type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}]}]

Egg Hunt. Wai Kai is hosting an egg hunt, which is free with activity bookings or $5 for without activity bookings. There will be separate groups for keiki of different ages. The Easter Bunny will also make an appearance for family photos. Easter photos. International Market Place is offering a chance to take photos with the Easter Bunny through its photo partner, Cherry Hill Programs. Photo packages start at $39.99. Reserve a time online 

Easter photos. Pearlridge Center is hosting photos with the Easter Bunny through Saturday, April 19. Walk-in visits welcome or 

[{"text":"Now - Sunday, April 20","type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}]}]

Easter photos. Ka Makana Aliʻi is offering photos with the Easter Bunny, which started Wednesday, March 26, and continues through Easter Day on Sunday, April 20. Book an 

Easter photos. Kahala Mall is hosting photos near Macy’s. Appointments are recommended but walk-ups are also allowed. Photo packages start at $35. 

[{"text":"Sunday, April 20","type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}]}]

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Aloha Spirit

Hawaii History

Opinion

Daily Features

News

Government & Politics

Sports

Business & Tourism

Real Estate

Food & Dining

Entertainment

Arts & Culture

Aloha Spirit

Hawaii History

Opinion

Daily Features

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Growing up goth in Hawai‘i

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Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Growing up goth in Hawai‘i

In case you missed it

Authors

ASD Staff

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