ASD Staff

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

[{"text":"The bystander effect, Hilo edition!","type":"text"}]

Hawaii Island, map

Today's social post from ekahi808 will help you prepare for Hawai‘i's upcoming graduation season.

Firefly graduation cap and Hawaiian lei 73612

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Reading local names at graduation

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

Firefly traffic cones on an island 81689

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

<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Comedian's response to Facebook group posts</title>

Today's social post comes to us from @jason.nomoa, who spent some time scrolling on Big Island Thieves, Hawaiʻi Island's "No. 1 source of theft, news and information happening in [the] community." Good Times Comedy Club will host Jason, among other comedians, in Hilo next month.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Comedian's response to Facebook group posts

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Culture

Entertainment

When Oʻahu-based singer and songwriter Henry Kapono Kaʻaihue, who goes by Henry Kapono, sings “Sailing,” he is performing a song he wrote for his father. The lyrics describe a man who is “skipper of the sea” and calls sailing “his first love, it keeps him so free.” The Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning artist just released the extended play 

” on July 11, and has several upcoming performances on Oʻahu.

“I always say that ʻSailing’ has been my favorite because I wrote it for my dad,” Kapono told Aloha State Daily. “When I was coming up, I was wanting to write a song for my dad because he taught me so much, and ʻSailing’ would probably be the song.”

 has six songs, including “Summertime,” “Lahaina,” and “Island Love,” among others. It was named by his wife who drew inspiration from the song by that name, he said.

Kapono grew up in Kapahulu and walked Waikīkī regularly with his father and brother where they would surf and say hello to the beach boys, including Duke Kahanamoku’s family.

“In the song ʻSummertime,’ I'm kind of mixing both past and present,” he said. “I love summer. Hawaiʻi is summer for me every day, all year long.”

Kapono performed for many years with Cecilio David Rodriguez, before launching a solo career. Now, he performs regularly from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Duke’s Waikīkī as part of a series called “Duke’s on Sunday.” For the last hour of each performance, music is livestreamed on Facebook. This weekend, Kapono will perform A Tribute to Jimmy Buffett on Sunday, Aug. 24. 

The performance falls just ahead of September, which Mayor Rick Blangiardi declared 

 in 2024. Next month, is the foundation’s 

Today, Kapono is helping the next generation of artists get their start through the Henry Kapono Foundation, which runs the On the Rise program to help launch the careers of young entertainers based in Hawaiʻi with professional shows, mentorship, masterclasses and publicity opportunities.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"His advice for young artists?"}]

“Be passionate about what you want to do,” he said. “Just listen to your heart. Anything is possible, and dreams do come true, but you need to put in need to put in the work and the effort to really be who you want to be.”

 and get more information about upcoming performances on his website: 

Henry Kapono

<title>Henry Kapono reflects on new music, ahead of concerts</title>

The Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning singer and songwriter shared the inspiration for his well known song “Sailing,” ahead of several upcoming concerts, including a tribute to his friend Jimmy Buffett on Aug. 24. Next month, the Henry Kapono Foundation will also host its “We Are Friends” fundraiser on Sept. 28.

Henry Kapono reflects on new music, ahead of concerts

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

KAHUKU — As much as Kahuku wants its 2025 season to be business as usual, returning to normalcy won't come without growing pains. 

Saturday's game day atmosphere on the North Shore has been one that 

 fans have come to expect — full bleachers, blaring music and excitement surrounding one of the state's top teams. One glaring omission: 

, who had been the head coach for the Red Raiders since 2018 but was removed on March 31 following a Department of Education investigation. 

 a motion to return to his former duties immediately but was denied by O‘ahu Circuit Court Judge Jordon J. Kimura on Aug. 1. Carvalho and his attorney, Eric Seitz, 

have decided to continue their legal battle

 against the DOE. Meanwhile, interim head coach Nihoa Pule will coach the Red Raiders in 2025.

In a rematch of the 2024 HHSAA Open Division championship game, Kahuku hosted Saint Louis on Saturday night and 

"A learning moment for us as a staff and our kids," Pule said after the game. "We didn't do as well as we thought we should have, but we'll get there. I believe in our kids. I believe in our staff and we'll be OK. We just got to clean up on a lot of stuff. It's the first game. ... We just got to keep going."

Saint Louis held a 13-0 lead at halftime and didn't score again until a two-yard Nainoa Lopes touchdown with 15 seconds remaining. Despite returning just two starters on defense, Kahuku's talent on that side of the ball was on clear display. In his Kahuku debut, USC commit and Orange Lutheran (California) transfer Talanoa Ili had seven tackles with a sack. Meanwhile, UCLA commit Malaki Soliai-Tui had a game-high 13 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and half a sack. 

Offensively, the Red Raiders struggled. Quarterback Matai Fuiava was contained all night, completing just four of his 16 passes for a total of 17 yards and two interceptions. 

Pule, who graduated from Kahuku in 1995, has been an assistant coach with the Red Raiders since 2007. He has coached every single season since then, with the exception of one under Vavae Tata, who was the head coach in 2015 and 2016.

Other Kahuku head coaches Pule has been an assistant under include 

, Makoa Freitas and Carvalho. For the most part, Pule has coached defensive backs for Kahuku, the same position he played for the Red Raiders himself. Under Carvalho, he was promoted to defensive coordinator when play resumed in 2021 following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Carvalho's removal surprised many in the Red Raider community, including Pule himself. 

"It was a very abrupt change for all of us," Pule said. "I sat down and talked to my wife about it, and we always came back to the same thing. It's something that coach Sterling also really enforced, was the kids. Kids first, and so that we tried to keep that mantra, because if we don't have kids, we're not coaching here. 

"We want to make sure that the kids are OK. In the beginning, I'm not gonna lie, they were hesitant, right? We just lost our leader. When they named me interim, then they're like, OK, at least it's someone we know, he's been here every day. It's not someone totally new, right? So, it's been really good. You know, these kids are awesome."

Pule and Carvalho have been in consistent communication since Carvalho's removal. The two share the common goal of wanting to see Kahuku's kids become the best version of themselves regardless of who is in charge. 

"We've actually talked almost every week, sometimes two or three times a week. Just checking in to see if I need help, I check in to see if he needs anything from us," Pule said. "We're still really good friends, and I respect the hell out of the guy, so I'm not gonna push him away just because of everything that's going on. I have no control over it."

Being in the spotlight as the head coach is new to Pule, who kept a low public profile as DC. 

"I was the defensive coordinator for four years, and not too many people knew, because I'm more of a behind the scenes kind of guy. I love it. I like just being able to work with the kids," Pule said. "And now, you know, taking over the whole thing, I'm able to work with all the kids on both sides of the ball, JV and varsity, and it's just been a blessing to be able to be out here with these kids every day. They're so inspiring with everything that they've been through, and just being able to keep up and keep pressing on with all the outside things going on.

"Our staff and our kids, we met with them. What I told them was we can only control what we have control over, and that's what happens in between these lines, anything that happens outside that we got no control over, that's up to whoever the decision-makers are. We just want to make sure that we take care of our stuff here and in school."

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Kahuku football 080925

<title>Kahuku football remains united despite offseason turbulence</title>

Interim head coach Nihoa Pule says the Red Raiders have remained committed to the team through an offseason coaching change that in which former coach Sterling Carvalho was removed.

Kahuku football remains united despite offseason turbulence

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

[{"type":"text","text":"When was the last time you held a CD or VHS tape?"}]

, a limited-time ’90s-themed pop-up bar now open in Central Oʻahu.

Cosmic Records just opened in the former space of Chili’s Grill & Bar at Pearlridge Center. The pop-up is open from 6 p.m. to midnight Fridays to Sundays until Aug. 31. No reservations are accepted — walk-ins only — and individuals must be 21 years or older to enter.

Cosmic Records is the latest creation by 17A Productions, the company behind other pop-ups like Halloween-themed Nightmare Honolulu (at Ala Moana Center), ’80s-themed Alpha Video Honolulu (in downtown Honolulu) and The Christmas Lodge, which debuted in the same Pearlridge Center space last holiday season.

For someone growing up in the ’90s, the whole pop-up is a trip down memory lane. For starters, the interior is inspired by Tower Records, which had a location in Pearl Kai Shopping Center across the street.

As soon as you enter the pop-up, you’ll see a wall of hanging headphones — you can wear them for a fun photo opp — and a VHS display with popular movies of the era like “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie,” “Pokemon: The First Movie,” and “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.”

Speaking of movies — you can also easily spot the pop-up from the outside by the movie posters hanging in the window. You’ll see everything from “The Goonies” to “Labyrinth.” Inside the pop-up, if you look closely, you’ll also see VHS tapes that line the walls.

When you enter the pop-up, to the left is the majority of the seating area (if you remember the Chili’s restaurant layout, it’s similar). There’s also an arcade game where customers can play “Mortal Kombat.”

When you enter the pop-up, the bar area is to the right, next to a dance floor with a live DJ who’s playing ’90s hits, of course. The bar menu features mostly drinks with fun names, though one snack is included — the Fanny Pack ($15) contains assorted candies and Pringles, and guests can take the keepsake home.

Popular drinks include Orange Bangarang ($15) — Tito’s and Orange Bang topped with whipped cream — and Neon Spritz ($15). The latter features Tito’s and Harders Hawai

i tropical sparkling water with Blue Vanilla or Green River. Saturday Morning Toons ($15) — a mix of RumChata, Tanduay Silver and Cinnamon Toast Crunch milk — is an especially fun option.

If you’re there with a group, getting the Rum Punch Cooler ($45) makes for a fun, photogenic opportunity. The drink comes in an iconic Igloo cooler — remember those? — and features a mix of passionfruit, orange and guava puree, and Koloa Kaua‘i white rum. It’s complete with huge straws to use for drinking.

Stay tuned — we’re told after this pop-up ends, a 2000s-themed one will take its place. 

Open from 6 p.m. to midnight Fridays to Sundays until Aug. 31

Cosmic Records headphones 072325

<title>Cosmic Records is a limited-time ’90s pop-up bar</title>

Located in the former space of Chili’s Grill & Bar at Pearlridge Center, the themed pop-up is around until the end of August.

Cosmic Records is a limited-time ’90s pop-up bar

Musician Kazuyuki Sekiguchi is known for his role as the bass guitarist for Japanese rock band, Southern All Stars. He also performs as a solo ʻukulele artist. And if you live in Honolulu, you might have seen him perform before.

In 2009, Sekiguchi’s nonprofit, ʻUkulele Foundation of Hawaiʻi, launched the ʻUkulele Picnic in Hawaiʻi, a free all-day music event, which rebranded as the International ʻUkulele Festival of Hawaiʻi, last year. 

On Sunday, July 20, the nonprofit will host its second annual International ʻUkulele Festival of Hawaiʻi at the Kapiʻolani Park Bandstand. Among the headliners is 

r, a Hawaiʻi-born ʻukulele virtuoso, who just completed a tour in Europe. Other featured performers include Herb Ohta, Jr., and, of course, Sekiguchi. There will also be performances from ensembles from Canada and Japan, along with keiki from Roy Sakuma ʻUkulele Studios, ʻUkulele Hale, and more. Check out the

One of the goals of the ʻUkulele Foundation of Hawaiʻi, is to build an 

, which would include not just exhibit space but a concert hall and builders’ workshop.

The one-day music festival is free. In the past, this event has drawn 5,000 to 6,000 people. This year, organizers are anticipating a crowd of closer to 10,000. The festival is still seeking 

Previously, Roy and Kathy Sakuma hosted the ʻUkulele Festival of Hawaiʻi for more than 50 years. Now, Sekiguchi is reimagining that event. One thing that will be new this year is the gala dinner, which will also include a concert. Na Leo ʻUkulele: The Voices of the ʻUkulele, starts at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 18, at Rock-A-Hula within the Royal Hawaiian Center, and features performances from Taimane, Kalei Gamiao, Ian OʻSullivan, Brittni Paiva, and Kazuyuki Sekiguchi and friends. There will also be a silent auction. 

For Sekiguchi, picking up the ʻukulele started after he watched a movie called “The Purple Rose of Cairo” 

that starred Woody Allen with Mia Farrow.

“Seeing that, he thought it was cool, and he was like, ʻI could play that,’" said translator Isaac Peters for Sekiguchi, who spoke to Aloha State Daily in Japanese. “He went to an instrument store. The ʻukulele wasn't as popular as it is now. He went to one of the biggest music stores in Tokyo but there were only three ʻukuleles hanging [there].”

Sekiguchi bought one that was pineapple shaped, along with an instruction booklet and proceeded to teach himself how to play the ʻukulele.

“Playing the instrument, he liked the sound of it,” Peters explained.

That was about 35 years ago. In August of 2022, Sekiguchi released 

 an album with 14 tracks of music, starring the ʻukulele. He has released a total of seven ʻukulele-themed albums and four ʻukulele-themed books.

 ʻukulele case rested on the table and a fan came up to say hello.

“I teach beginning ʻukulele at ʻUkulele Puapua at Sheraton Waikīkī,” she said, her ʻukulele earrings dangling as she shook her head to emphasize a point. “You are so good!"

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