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Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

[{"text":"Itʻs so hard to stay on top of things!","type":"text"}]

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<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Curses, foiled again!</title>

Todayʻs social media find comes from jasonpolakaw, a collection of foil board fails.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Curses, foiled again!

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

Following a recent morning practice for the University of Hawai‘i football team, dozens of players stayed on the field for some extra work. Coaches even joined the players for up to half an hour of extra instruction. 

"Through six weeks, we've identified with all of our guys some things that they can work on," 

 coach Jared Ursua said. "Whether we get it post practice, pre practice, whether we get it in the afternoon window, we're just trying to continually get 1% better, like coach (Timmy) Chang preaches."

The Rainbow Warriors are 4-2 midway through their regular season slate in Year 4 of the 

 era. The 'Bows have inched closer to bowl contention each season that Chang has been at the helm. 

Hawai‘i has three regular season home games remaining, starting with Utah State on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. 

In order to get one win closer to achieving their goals, the Rainbow Warriors will have to get past a program that has dominated them for a decade and a half. Utah State has eight straight wins over the Rainbow Warriors dating back to 2011. In the most recent meeting of the series, the Aggies throttled the Rainbow Warriors 55-10 in Logan on Nov. 16, 2024, putting an end to UH's bowl hopes. 

"It's a big game for us last year. They embarrassed us. It was bad," co-captain Zhen Sotelo said. "So, we take this one personal. We're gonna have to go take it to 'em, and we just have to execute our plays and perform."

Added Chang: "They're a good football team. They done a great job since they've been in the Mountain West, I even remember them winning the Mountain West (in 2021). Even though last year they didn't have a great year, they kind of spoiled our hopes for a postseason down the end of the stretch. They pose a problem for us and we have to be at our best to beat a team like that."

competing in the Mountain West for the final time

 before departing for the Pac-12 following the season. 

UH's remaining home schedule in 2025 following Saturday will be spread out. After Utah State, the Rainbow Warriors will not play another home game until San Diego State on Nov. 8 before closing out the regular season at home against Wyoming on Nov. 29. The 'Bows are hoping to make each home game count. 

"We'd love to just pack this stadium, right? We have three opportunities, and this being one...we would love our fans to be out here," Chang said. "I love that the whole state 

 and we're good to go. But to have everybody here, their energy, it just means a lot to our players. They love playing in front of the packed stands and all the loudness and all the great things that happened here at Clarence T.C. Ching."

Entering Saturday, Utah State and Hawai‘i will both take the field following bye weeks. On UH's end, the Rainbow Warriors are anticipating the return of standout receiver Nick Cenacle, who has been sidelined with an injury and has not played since an Aug. 30 loss at Arizona. 

"He's ready to rock and roll. He's full go," Ursua said. "If we played last week, he would have played, and he was really close to playing at 

, but going into the bye it was just too much of a risk, and so we thought it was important to get that week. He is touching top speeds every day on his speed report, so we're excited to have him back full go."

 have accumulated over 100 receiving yards. 

"We're happy for the success that we've had. We still feel like there's another level to this," Ursua said. "The first part of that is we got to be able to be able to consistently throw the ball as we did at Air Force, which is just completing the football, being in our spots, making the right reads, being on the same page as a quarterback. 

"The second piece of it is really just getting the consistency and just being the same every single play. What we love is the depth. We've established some with the group of guys that are coming in and making good plays. Tama (Uiliata), Blaze (Kamoku), everybody knew about Pofele Ashlock and Cenacle from the jump. Koa Eldredge get his first catch. You see Nick Delgadillo jump in the mix and play, Max (Ware) is playing, Karsyn Pupunu, Jackson Harris, (Brandon) White, a lot of these new guys now are starting to establish themselves, and we're happy with the growth."

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Timmy Chang 100925

<title>Hawai‘i football set for pivotal home matchup against Utah State</title>

The Rainbow Warriors have lost eight straight matchups against the Aggies, a losing streak that dates back to 2011.

Hawai‘i football set for pivotal home matchup against Utah State

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

It is spooky season and multiple haunted houses are underway. Aloha State Daily rounded up a few of the scary events happening on Oʻahu this month. Several haunted houses will host tours Friday through Sunday this month. Another hosted by the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Parks 

Recreation will be a free one-night-only event on Halloween Night.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"October 10+"}]

Step inside the site of the old Buca di Beppo Restaurant at 1030 Auahi Street in Kakaʻako for a Halloween experience called Trial of Fears. The haunted space is presented by Waikīkī Trolley. The event includes sinister puzzles and pitch-black corridors. 

Oct. 10-12, 17-19, 23-26 and 30-31, as well as Nov. 1 and 2.

 Tickets cost $38. Early bird tickets with promo code FEAR5 are available until Oct. 13. 

 will host its Haunted Plantation experience 

in Waipahu. The experience is recommended for attendees who are at least 13 years old. Tickets cost $21, including the reservation fee.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Friday, Oct. 17+"}]

 will share ghost stories at Paradise Park in Mānoa. He will also share stories, accompanied by the 

, as part of a one-night-only performance called 

“Hapa Halloween: Mysteries of Hawaiʻi in Concert,”

 at Hawaiʻi Theatre. Kapanui and his wife, Tanya, started the ghost tour company 

, which was recently ranked the No. 1 ghost tour in the nation by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. The duo also writes a 

 offered by Mysteries of Hawaiʻi in October.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Friday, Oct. 24+"}]

The Hawaiian Railway Society will bring back the Spookapalooza with haunted train rides and trick or treat opportunities on 

 Costumes are encouraged. Reservations can be made by calling (808) 681-5461. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Friday, Oct. 31"}]

The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Parks and Recreation will host an inaugural haunted mansion from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the parking lot of the McCully District Park in Honolulu. There will be games, face painting and a haunted house suitable for all ages. There will also be opportunities to trick or treat in the parking lot. Limited parking is available at the King William C. Lunalilo Elementary School. The parking lot of the park will be closed for the event. High visibility clothes and lights are encouraged for traffic safety. Free.

Trial of Fears

<title>Haunted experiences on Oʻahu</title>

Ready to be scared? Aloha State Daily rounded up five options for haunted fun on Oʻahu at all different price points, from free to $38. Check out options in Kakaʻako, Waipahu and more.

Haunted experiences on Oʻahu

Lopaka and Tanya Kapanui

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya Kapanui

Hawaii History

Columnists

Before the marble and mirrored glass tower was built there, the corner of Kapiʻolani and Ke‘eaumoku was home to Kapi‘olani Furniture & Appliance Co. Throughout the years from the 1950s to the 1980s, newspaper ads printed “Bargains! Bargains! Bargains!” At the same time, customers tested the softness of the sofas and the sturdiness of the dining sets, while salespeople demonstrated the latest washing machines.

But as Honolulu’s skyline is ever-changing, so too was this parcel on the corner of this busy intersection. The old furniture showroom gave way to the Pacific Guardian Tower, an 18-story modernist block that many locals refer to as “the Ghostbusters building” due to its resemblance to the haunted tower made famous in the Ghostbusters movie. The fictional Shandor Building in the film is the real-life 55 Central Park West apartment building in New York City.

Today, the building hums with Honolulu’s professionals. Insurance teams (including Pacific Guardian Life’s home office), financial advisors, law practices, medical and wellness clinics, architecture and design studios, tech firms, real estate groups, and more form a vertical neighborhood with its sleek marble walls.

Yet beneath the polished marble facade and steady drone of professional life, whispers began to surface to suggest that something inside the Pacific Guardian Tower was amiss. While the building had become a symbol of Honolulu’s modern growth, stories from the people who worked there hinted at something older.

When the sun goes down and the halls grow quiet, the air seems to buzz with a different kind of energy and something otherworldly stirs. There are dozens of people who’ve spoken of papers fluttering where there’s no wind and general uneasy feelings. The most common theme is hearing children’s voices laughing and singing. Several people have also reported hearing someone calling their names when it is clear that no one else is around.

Our friend Theresa stated that she and her boss often worked early morning and late evening hours in the office when no one else was there. Many times, they both heard children’s voices laughing, singing, and calling out to them. Theresa was working alone one evening when a beautiful older Hawaiian woman appeared at her desk. She had tried more than once to write down what happened, but the details kept slipping from memory as if they refused to be pinned down. This much was clear: the exterior door was locked, the entry bell never chimed, and yet the woman stood right in front of her. In a steady, professional voice, the visitor identified herself as the manager and stated that she was checking on the building’s maintenance crew. Had Theresa seen anyone removing items? Were the building’s belongings being treated with respect? Nothing in the woman’s manner was threatening, only authoritative enough to make Theresa sit up straighter.

A soft clatter sounded somewhere down the corridor, and Theresa briefly glanced toward it. When she looked back, the woman was gone. The room hadn’t changed at all. The chair was where it had been, papers unmoved, the quiet of after-hours pressing in. Theresa tested the locks again. They were still secure.

In the morning, she reported the visit to the management office. They listened carefully, then assured her no one from their team had been on-site the night before and, for the record, both the department’s manager and supervisor were men. Theresa didn’t argue. She simply absorbed the information and chose not to work there alone again.

We briefly mentioned this building on our social media page and were surprised by the number of responses corroborating accounts like this with their own stories.

Although we’ve never actually found a specific cause for this building to be haunted, tenants and their employees have reported unusual activity for years. While a few people mentioned a rumor that iwi kūpuna (ancient bones) were found during the building’s construction, there is no public record indicating discoveries of burials or mismanagement of iwi at the site. However, given the documented presence of iwi kūpuna in the immediate vicinity, it is reasonable to acknowledge that adjacent parcels historically may have contained burials as well. Whether or not ancient burials were the case, perhaps this spot just attracts spirits.

Pacific Guardian Tower

<title>Hauntings at Honolulu’s “Ghostbusters” building</title>

At the corner of Kapiʻolani and Ke‘eaumoku stands a modern building with some possibly ancient nighttime visitors, according to people who have worked there late at night.

Hauntings at Honolulu’s “Ghostbusters” building

IMG 1445

Rick Hamada

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"I'd like to talk with you about golf."}]

When one mentions the game of golf, what comes to mind?

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Well, it's a few things:"}]

While reactions range from positive to not-so-positive, golf is the most popular participation sport in Hawai‘i.

There are nearly 100,000 "local" golfers playing on 75 public and private courses, according to the 

I suggest that other individual "ball" sports, such as tennis and pickleball, would fall short of these numbers.

The Hawai‘i golf industry has a direct/indirect economic impact of $3.4 billion on the state's economy, per the 

Hawai‘i Golf Industry – 2023 Economic Report Summary

A celebrated sub-section of Oahu golf is the Honolulu Municipal Golf Courses.

The six muni courses include Ala Wai, Ted Makalena, ‘Ewa Villages, The Pali, West Loch, and Kahuku.

The attractions include the cost value, online tee times, promotion of walking the courses, and accessibility to the entire island.

Golf is a game that teaches life lessons.

Junior golf programs are excellent in introducing the game to our local youth.

The teachings of discipline, commitment, goal setting, and respect are invaluable and are at the center of perpetuating the game for generations.

It's the only sport that relies on self-policing.

You call rule violations on yourself, you enter your own score, and you play the game without referees and judges.

Those who subscribe to these principles respect the game and remain stewards for others to follow.

The concept of sportsmanship has long been associated with golf.

You can learn a great deal about a person by playing a round of golf together, based on how they play the game and how they treat others on the course.

However, there are some players who show no respect, integrity, or sportsmanship at all. You may even find them in your own groups.

But sportsmanship is not only on the course but with those who are fans.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Ryder Cup 2025"}]

The recently completed Ryder Cup 2025 will go down in history as the 

and vitriolic event in golf's storied history. 

In 1927, British businessman Samuel Ryder established a British vs. American golf competition.

For years, and indeed, decades, America dominated.

To increase competition, the field expanded from simply the British to all of Europe.

It worked, and the biennial, three-day event has become one of the most watched and celebrated competitions worldwide.

And that is why what transpired at Bethpage Black, New York, will forever be a stain.

At the core, players are playing for pride and country.

But this time, the American team was promised more than honor and bragging rights. Only they were promised money.

A protest by one American player then led other players to demand compensation.

Should they have demanded monetary compensation for playing the Ryder Cup? No.

Qualifying to be on a Ryder Cup team is the literal dream of an American golfer. To play for your country on the world stage exceeds 

Two U.S. players refused the personal payment, but 10 more appeared to have accepted it.

However, it was not just the American players putting on a show.

In fact, it was the American spectators who truly betrayed the Ryder Cup by acting like buffoons.

During what was supposed to be an honorable and civil game of golf, the spectators hurled profane and personal insults at the European players. The unfair impeding of play and abysmal conduct was utterly disgusting and unilaterally unacceptable.

This boorish behavior escalated when, after the Europeans won the cup, a twisted idiot tried to hit European player Rory McIlroy as he was leaving the course with his wife.

Instead, whatever the spectator threw struck his wife.

Ironically, Erica, McIlroy's wife, is American, as is their young daughter. McIlroy has repeatedly sung his praises for America, which he calls home.

Is this how he and his family deserve to be treated?

U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Keegan Bradley never issued an apology for the abhorrent way our people acted.

It took PGA Hall of Fame member and former Ryder Cup Captain Tom Watson to step up when Bradley did not.

The scurrilous conduct of so many angered the legendary Tiger Woods, while others in the game denounced the play of the drunken and unruly "fans".

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"How do you fix this?"}]

You can never put the toothpaste back in the tube again.

However, the brutish atmosphere at Bethpage Black can never be allowed again. Clearly stated rules of conduct, with violations resulting in immediate discharge from the next Ryder Cup tournament grounds in four years, would be a start.

Ryder Cup Getty Images 2237626491

<title>Hamada: Golf gets a black eye</title>

Nearly 100,000 Hawai‘i golfers take to local courses every year, so a lot of kama‘āina likely saw what went down at the Ryder Cup. Not much aloha spirit on display in Farmingdale.

Hamada: Golf gets a black eye

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

 recently started its Spooky Bar and, for this week only, is offering a buy-one-get-one-free special.

From Oct. 6 to 12, customers can mix and match their favorite drinks and/or desserts at the Kaka

ako-based business. The free item must be of equal or lesser value.

The discount is valid on drinks like matcha lattes ($9), banana pudding matcha Einspanner ($13), Vietnamese ube coffee ($10) and ube cloud ($10). Aloha Mamacita owner Kimberly Nguyen explains the business recently revamped its matcha line-up.

“Now we’re sourcing matcha locally from AMI MEI,” she says. “It’s pretty much ceremonial grade. We have four different options for our cloud drinks, made with coconut water.”

The cloud series consists of flour flavors — matcha ($11), strawberry ($10), ube ($10) and pandan ($10) — and each has a flavored cold foam.

“The best way to drink these (the cloud drinks) is to mix it so everything incorporates,” Nguyen explains. “Mix everything to get every layer (in each sip).”

The matcha Einspanner ($12) and banana pudding matcha Einspanner ($13) are designed for those who enjoy a stronger matcha flavor.

“A lot of people come for the banana pudding matcha Einspanner; it’s served with our in-house banana pudding,” Nguyen says.

Desserts eligible for the BOGO deal include any banana pudding, Aloha Puffs and cheesecake cups.

The biz also recently launched its Spooky Bar. While the seasonal drinks are available all day, from 6:30 to 10 p.m., the lights dim and a fog machine is turned on to enhance the spooky vibe.

Themed drinks include options like vampire’s kiss ($16) — vodka, chambord, cranberry lemon juice and grenadine — witch’s blood margarita ($16) with tequila, lime juice, blood orange juice and triple sec; and pumpkin pie margarita ($16). The latter includes pumpkin puree, whipped cream vodka, pumpkin spice, honey, whipped cream and graham crackers.

There are also eyeball jello shots (three for $9) and a shareable 64-ounce witch’s brew ($35) — served in a cauldron — which consists of vodka, midori, orange juice, blue curacao, coconut cream and lychee eyeballs.

All drinks have alcohol, but mocktail versions can be made for those who don’t drink alcohol but still want in on the Halloween experience.

“Popular drinks right now include the witch’s blood margarita ($16), pumpkin pie martini ($16) and the witch’s brew to share,” Nguyen says.

The biz also brought back its seasonal pumpkin crunch ($9). It’s made with walnuts and pecans, according to Nguyen, and is topped with a non-dairy whipped cream.

Insider tip: Aloha Mamacita can also make pumpkin matcha drinks, but customers must request them.

Aloha Mamacita is partnering with The Row Bar Kaka

ako to host a Halloween Night Party from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Oct. 31. Attendees can look forward to live music, entertainment, themed drinks and a Halloween costume contest.

Open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-midnight Fridays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays

Aloha Mamacita Halloween drinks 100625

<title>Aloha Mamacita has a new Spooky Bar and limited-time BOGO deals</title>

From Oct. 6 to 12, customers and mix and match their favorite drinks and/or desserts at Aloha Mamacita to take advantage of a buy-one-get-one-free deal. The free item must be of equal or lesser value.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Curses, foiled again!

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Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Curses, foiled again!

Authors

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