ASD icon blue inverse lighter

ASD Staff

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

[{"text":"For those who sit in a lot of traffic on the Islands, this one's for you.","type":"text"}]

Firefly traffic cones on an island 81689

<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: A hot take on how roadwork planning gets done</title>

Ever wonder how Hawaiʻi handles an abundance of traffic cones? Check out this oldie but goodie from @kaitlyn.hoefling reposted by @808viral.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: A hot take on how roadwork planning gets done

For those who sit in a lot of traffic on the Islands, this one&#039;s for you. 

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Aloha Spirit

Hawai‘i History

When Senior Pastor Jamie McElrath joined Olivet Baptist Church nearly a decade ago, he says he was following God’s call.

He was raised in Indonesia by missionary parents and later went on to become a missionary himself, along with his wife and children, who spent about 20 years in North Africa before settling in Hawai

McElraths called the Islands home for two years before heeding the call to missions.

“It just kind of felt like God scooped us up and brought us back — to our shocking amazement — here. So, I

’ve been at the church for 10 years come September.”

The church’s former pastor, Timothy Morita, died unexpectedly shortly after announcing his retirement, McElrath explained, “So coming into the role of senior pastor, I became responsible for everything going on. … Scripture indicates we serve as teams, not individuals, so my priority was investing in other pastors and lifting others up to serve.”

At that time, he recalled being asked about his plan for the next 10 years. Admittedly, he had no idea; McElrath said he didn’t come in with preset notions and wanted to listen and get to know the people and the community.

 healthy body will grow’ (God makes us healthy spiritually, relationally, internally and certainly within community),” he said. “My experience is not so much leading, as much as having a front row seat to watch what God has been doing.”

Located at 1775 S. Beretania St., Olivet has served the neighboring communities of Makiki, McCully, Mānoa, Waikīkī, Downtown Honolulu and beyond.

“Geography is the mother of strategy,” McElrath said quoting scholars. “The church is planted here for a purpose right between two major arteries (Beretania and King streets). It’s centrally located in the city between five or six major college campuses.”

Today, the congregation is comprised of about 250 members on Sundays who attend various Bible studies and worship services in both English and Japanese. According to historical information compiled by church member Faith McFatridge, the Japanese congregation was founded by Edwin Dozier in the early 1940s, around the same time the English congregation at Olivet Baptist Church became affiliated with 

preschool is a ministry operated by church members, designed “to bless and encourage young families,” 

McElrath told ASD. It is staffed by nearly 50 teachers and administrators who look after no more than 75 kids at a time.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":" The church’s early beginnings"}]

The independent church at the corner of Young and Artesian streets, then called The Mission Church, was founded in 1926 by Joseph P. Tyssowski, an attorney and ordained Baptist preacher from Texas.

Fifteen years later, the church voted to become a Southern Baptist Church under pastor Victor Koon, rebranding as Olivet Baptist Church.

“’Olivet’ comes from the Kings James version of the Bible, referring to the Mount of Olives, which is right outside of Jerusalem. It was a place very significant during Jesus’ time on Earth; it’s the place from which he returned to heaven, it’s also the place to which he will return,” McElrath said. “So, it’s a wonderful thing to kind of keep our hearts’ gaze focused on his purpose until he returns.”

According to McFatridge’s research, the surprise military attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 impacted families in McCully that lost their homes, shut down schools and churches, and “four people in the neighborhood died.”

“Some McCully parents saw Olivet as a safe haven for their children and sent them to Sunday school,” she writes. “Others joined the congregation during those war years including Joe Bailey and J.C. Wilson. They were instrumental in getting the servicemen to attend Olivet, since it was the only Baptist church in the city.”

In 1943, Olivet paid off the original Young Street property and established a building fund to eventually purchase the Honolulu Vocational School facing Beretania Street in 1994, and the building across the Alexander Street extension for a new auditorium acquired in 1949, which was completed the following year.

“One Sunday in April 1954 was a record attendance with 1,016 in Sunday school and 217 in Sunday Training Union,” McFatridge noted.

In 1962, the church purchased the Alexander Street extension from the City and County of Honolulu, to open up parking and unify its two church buildings. Olivet celebrated its 22nd anniversary with Billy Graham, an evangelist who visited the Islands to lead the Hawai

Between the ’70s and ’80s were some shifts in leadership, and in 1986, Olivet purchased another property on Pāwa‘a Street. The church celebrated its 75th anniversary with a banquet at the Japanese Cultural Center and sent mission teams to Australia, Mexico and Japan.

Over the past 25 years, Olivet Baptist has hosted events for the community, including food and gift distributions, Easter celebrations, a Halloween Block Party, car washes and more.

“Olivet celebrated its 95th anniversary on July 4 with a virtual choir,” 

McFatridge wrote, adding that during the Covid-19 pandemic, it continued to find “creative ways for outreach and staying connected.”

The church offers pre-school and Sunday school, hula and music ministry, and transitional housing ministry, among other outreaches.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Celebrating 100 and looking ahead"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"McElrath says he’s excited for the future of the church."}]

How will Olivet sustain growth over the next century? “By continuing to seek spiritual health, being faithful and growing in our understanding of the Bible,” he notes.

On Saturday, July 4, the community is invited to join the church for a picnic featuring games and activities for keiki, door prizes, food and more. Then on Sunday, it will hold a joint worship service starting at 9 a.m. with guest speaker, John Brady, and Christian musician Bob Bennett. Later that evening, a banquet dinner will be held at the Japanese Cultural Center.

Olivet church 05

<title>Olivet Baptist Church on Beretania Street turns 100</title>

Senior Pastor Jamie McElrath shares about the church’s history in Honolulu and his hope for the congregation’s future: “A healthy body will grow.” Olivet Baptist will be celebrating this milestone with events open to the community over the weekend.

Olivet Baptist Church on Beretania Street turns 100

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

 — known for its lobster rolls — just started a new breakfast menu. Breakfast is served from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays to Sundays.

“We felt like in Mānoa, there aren’t a lot of places that had a local-style breakfast, so we wanted to offer that,” says chef/owner Jon Matsubara. “We serve breakfast all day at The Park on Keʻeaumoku; we serve our loco moco and corned beef hash. A lot of people buy it for dinner, so we’re doing breakfast all day.”

While customers can still get the eatery’s signature loco moco plate ($20) — wagyu beef hamburger steak, mushroom gravy, farm eggs and rice — and chef-made corned beef hash ($20-$22) at the Mānoa store, this location has a variety of exclusive breakfast options.

No Feast experience would be complete without the eatery’s signature lobster roll. Customers can opt for the lobster roll and eggs ($35) or lobster omelet ($35).

“It’s a quarter pound of lobster (in the omelet); it’s the same size as our lobster rolls,” Matsubara says. “Our corned beef hash is 10 to 12 ounces of corned beef; our loco moco has a homemade patty and gravy.”

Of the new breakfast dishes, the Hawaiian hammah ($24) has quickly become a customer favorite. The plate includes thick-cut bacon, Portuguese sausage, kalua pig, mushroom gravy, two eggs and rice.

The eatery’s “churro” French toast ($18), topped with Alae salt, maple butter, strawberries, graham “crack” and whipped cream, has also been popular — especially for those who prefer sweeter breakfast entrees.

“Our French toast is something different,” Matsubara says. “We do a churro-style with fresh berries and a maple butter. We call it (the topping) graham ‘crack’ because it's addictive; we use brown butter, vanilla and salt (to make it).”

If you want something more unique, go for chef Jon’s salmon chazuke ($22). The dish features Misoyaki salmon with rice and dashi, pickled ginger and scallions; it’s ideal if you want something lighter, yet flavorful and filling.

The eatery’s Island breakfast wrap ($14) consists of slow-roasted kalua pig, egg, cheese and crispy potatoes. It’s served with Guajillo sauce on the side, which is known for its vibrant color and smoky flavor. 

The eatery’s lunch menu starts at 11 a.m.; Matsubara encourages the community to “come support local.”

“It’s getting tougher and tougher in this economy,” Matsubara says. “I think more than ever, all the small businesses and small restaurants, we need the support.”

Breakfast from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays to Sundays

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

FEAST chef Jon Matsubara 062626

<title>Feast by Jon Matsubara has a new local-style breakfast</title>

The Mānoa eatery — known for its lobster rolls — is offering breakfast from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays to Sundays. Customers can look forward to dishes like lobster omelets, salmon chazuke, "churro” French toast, kalua pig loco moco and more.

Feast by Jon Matsubara has a new local-style breakfast

Daily Smile

Now, let's all enjoy watching Bowser the Bulldog play with the door-stopper thing...

Smile 26 6 30

<title>Daily Smile: Tuesday, June 30, 2026</title>

Daily Smile: Tuesday, June 30, 2026

 — owner of Jugo Life and new smashburger pop-up, the MF Burger Shop — first had the idea to create and sell smashburgers about a month ago.

“I was thinking about doing it, then I did a month of R&D and recipe testing,” he says. “I was just trying to find the right ingredients that I like.

“For smashburgers, you want a fatty beef,” he adds. “Wagyu is the fattiest beef that you can get, so I decided to use that.”

 did its first pop-up several weeks ago; the pop-up is in the space adjacent to Jugo Life in the Ala Moana neighborhood. Oh wanted the pop-up’s concept to be simple.

“I wanted to make a burger that I feel like I can eat often,” he says. 

The shop’s first pop-up was for walk-in orders only. Now, the business posts details about its next pop-up on Instagram with pre-orders open for customers. Pop-ups have been around once a week, according to Oh, who says he originally intended for the smashburgers to be a late-night concept.

Right now, the menu features two dishes — MF wagyu smashburgers ($15) and beef tallow fries ($6). All smashburgers feature double wagyu patties, American cheese, grilled onions, raw onions, pickles and a secret sauce.

To ensure freshness, smashburgers are always made to order when customers arrive to the pop-up. Check in at Jugo Life at your designated order time, then you’ll be directed next door to the pop-up. Limited seating is available.

The beef tallow fries ($6) are made with locally made beef tallow, resulting in an ultra-savory side. Oh recalls trying beef tallow fries on the Mainland. When doing R&D for his shop, he did a taste test to compare fries cooked in regular oil versus beef tallow, and said “there was a noticeable difference.”

“I saw other places on the Mainland doing it (beef tallow fries),” he says. “Even though it costs more, it tastes a lot better.

“For me, I’m going to make the food I want to eat; I care about quality,” he adds. “If you want a good, simple burger, give us a try.”

MF Burger Shop owner 041526

<title>MF Burger Shop is a new smashburger pop-up in Honolulu</title>

The pop-up is around once a week and located next to Jugo Life in the Ala Moana neighborhood. Business owner Tommy Oh is striving to make a “good, simple” burger, which he pairs with beef tallow fries.

MF Burger Shop is a new smashburger pop-up in Honolulu

 since June, signs off on all his emails, “Glad to be here.”

“That's the way we finished speaking to each other on the 

. It's a way to remind yourself how fortunate we are, despite the rigors and the demands of a job, to be able to live, work and contribute to our community in a place like this,” Hiltz told Aloha State Daily. “So, a culture of both gratitude and growth will be important for us as we chart the next course.”

With a passion for aviation and its history, Hiltz has held several leadership roles throughout is near 23-year U.S. Navy career, including as an instructor pilot, officer-in-charge of multinational exercises, the commanding officer for Navy recruiting in the Pacific Northwest, and most recently, as the executive officer and director of strategy for hypersonic and cruise missile systems within the Indo-Pacific region.

Prior to retiring from the military in March, he was also a Blue Angels pilot from 2012 to 2014, having flown the museum’s Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet, 

which was added to its collection in 2021

Hiltz said he aims to bring passion and a “service-based mindset” to the role, formerly held by Executive Director Elissa Lines, who retired in June 2024.

“I feel very grateful to stand on the shoulders of the men and women that founded this museum, and many of them are still working in various capacities,” he said.

“The good news is that I’ve got a passion for this based on my upbringing. I’m a product of museums like this; my dad took me to aviation museums, and I was able to sit in the cockpit of an airplane and go to airshows. And so, I definitely developed a love for aviation at a young age. I learned a lot of lessons in the military, one of which was in flight school, I got sick on my first nine flights. You quickly realize you can’t always control that, but you can control your preparation, attitude and energy you bring to it. Those things I try to bring to this role … and do a good job to steward this aviation battlefield into its next decade.”

As CEO, Hiltz will lead the strategic vision, planning and operations of the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum to advance its mission of preserving America’s World War II aviation battlefield. He is responsible for overseeing the museum’s budget and workforce, exhibit development and educational programming, among other areas, that strengthen its nationwide presence and partnerships.

“The museum is only 18 years old at this point,” he said. “The founding phase took a lot of hands-on effort from the board and staff to get it to where it is. Then, you have a transition phase where you continue to build on that, flesh out policies and procedures, that allow us to appropriately care for this place, and I think the board used this phase three as sort of an institutional phase. … They reimagined this CEO role to be the primary steward of management. The board is entrusting me and the staff to lead us into the next phase of this great institution.”

Hiltz currently manages 73 staff members, not including about 24 contracted support staff and more than 200 volunteers, he noted.

“We’re always looking to hire for passion, train for skill. It's a really unique organization and is very vibrant and fun,” he said. “I can tell you that each person is motivated by a patriotic sense of service to their community, to their country and to the men and women that were serving here on Dec. 7, 1941 – and we take great care to steward that appropriately.” 

His current priorities include expanding the campus, improving the visitor experience and education, and providing workforce development opportunities for future pilots.

“One thing that drew me to the role was the growth vector of this museum,” Hiltz said. “We just recently finished a renovation of our operations building of the control tower here, and you can take it right up. We recently added an aviation learning center where we can bring keiki students and educators in to help give them an experience about the science and physics behind aviation. We are about to undergo reimagination of America's aviation battlefield to make sure that our campus is displayed in a way that's befitting of its historical significance.”

He noted that the museum recently acquired a PBY-5A Catalina seaplane on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum. “It was here on Dec. 7, 1941; they were the long-range eyes and ears of the American Navy fleet the Japanese wanted taken out; therefore, the first target of the first wave of the attack.” The Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan, will complete the restoration over the next couple of years before bringing it to Hawai’i, he said.

Other acquisitions are underway that are not yet ready to be announced, he added.

Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum also supports two aviation pathways, one on-site pilot training program for ages 16-21 and an A&P program for high school juniors to become certified airplane techs. “Those two efforts we’re really proud of because it's a way to give back to the place where we live and work. I think many people connote Pearl Harbor as just a tourist destination, and we want to be clear that we are more than that."

"Aviation is an expensive business: the equipment, fuel and training is a real cost barrier to people,” Hiltz said. “It's one reason that I never did any flight training, despite my love of aviation as a kid. My family couldn't afford it, so I was lucky to be able to go and get that training through the Navy. But we went to provide kamaʻāina with that opportunity to get that first taste of aviation without the barriers to entry of it."

For more information about the programs and its sponsors, 

His advice to those interested in getting their wings? “

There are a lot of different avenues can lead to a cockpit. … I was fortunate to learn about the Navy ROTC scholarships, so the Navy paid for my University of Notre Dame degree, and then I returned that in-kind by serving in naval aviation. … Excellence opens doors. If you do a great job with whatever endeavor you’re pursuing, people are going to notice that and want to help you achieve your goals. I think excellence is a great way to open doors for yourself and others."

Within the first few months on the job, Hiltz introduced a daily open cockpit. “I got the spark to fly because I was able to visit museums and put my hands on the controls, flip switches and look at the gauges. So, I wanted to make sure that we offered that same experience to every single guest to maybe launch them to pursue their dreams, as well.

Hiltz added that the museum hosted the Blue Angels before 

. “It was fun to bring a lot of my new teammates to come see my old team fly the same place where I was flying when I met my wife 13 years ago. It was very poignant for me.”

Many people have helped him get to where he is today, Hiltz said, including his parents, wife, brothers and those he has served with.

Specific to landing this role, he credits his 

first Air Wing Commander Capt. Sterling Gilliam, who is currently executive director of the National Naval Aviation Museum. “He was very helpful in helping me understand the things that would make a successful career here. I owe him a lot in my previous and current professional life.”

“Additionally, the other person who alerted me to the position opening was my dad’s college roommate, Capt. Eddie Fishburne, executive director of the Navy Supply Corps Officer Foundation. … He’s also the same person that told me about that Navy ROTC scholarship, so twice in my lifetime, this one person really changed the trajectory of my life."

As a leader, Hiltz said he’s been learning to “trust the excellent staff” and “do what I can to empower them to be their best selves."

Having lived off and on the island over the past several years, he along with his wife – whom met in Honolulu in 2012 – and two daughters are settled in Kailua.

When asked what he enjoys most about living and working in Hawai

spirit of the Islands, the mana – the ability to blend all that together. My drive into takes me up the H3, which feels like you

’re stepping back in time with the beautiful vistas, then across the

 bridge to Ford Island, a reminder of the work we

’re called to do here. We’re really fortunate to call this our home, and just remind ourselves every day how lucky we are.”

This weekend, the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum will be hosting several free events in commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the end of World War II. More information about the festivities can be found 

Interested in sponsoring or attending the museumʻs annual "For Love of Country Gala," 

Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum CEO John Hiltz 16x9

<title>Former Blue Angels pilot John Hiltz leads local nonprofit museum</title>

Get to know the new CEO of Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, who was appointed by the board of directors in June to take the organization into its next phase.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: A hot take on how roadwork planning gets done

ASD Staff

Reporter

More in Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Hawai‘i Scene on Social meets Hawai‘i Skies

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Neighborhood weather updates

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Island vibes

Gotta catch ‘em all — at Ala Moana Center: voices from Pokémon GO’s “Wild Area: Global” event

Most read

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: A hot take on how roadwork planning gets done

Authors

ASD Staff

Reporter

More in Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Hawai‘i Scene on Social meets Hawai‘i Skies

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Neighborhood weather updates

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Island vibes

Gotta catch ‘em all — at Ala Moana Center: voices from Pokémon GO’s “Wild Area: Global” event

Most read