ASD icon blue inverse lighter

ASD Staff

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

[{"text":"No need post bail, when cell phones exist in jail.","type":"text"}]

Firefly funny illustration of a bald man in prison giving advice on a cell phone 125937

<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: A comedy crime saga in two parts</title>

Today's social posts come from howsdisguy: Part one and two of talking story with your roughboy philosopher relative.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: A comedy crime saga in two parts

No need post bail, when cell phones exist in jail.  

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Crime & Courts

A man’s blurted apology to a police officer arresting him has overturned his conviction for assaulting that officer, the Hawai‘i Supreme Court decided.

Henry Tolentino told a Honolulu Police officer “I’m sorry, I was just trying to get a Zip Pac” one night in September 2019.

The officer had pulled Tolentino over for speeding, but after Tolentino left his vehicle, the traffic stop escalated into a brief pursuit: Tolentino fled, the officer followed, and Tolentino reportedly kicked and punched the officer in the struggle. In turn, the officer reportedly punched Tolentino in the face repeatedly to subdue him until a second officer reached the pair and ended the scuffle.

As the officers handcuffed Tolentino, he reflexively said his apology. But, as a prosecutor later told a jury, “[he] knew he did something wrong by saying ‘I’m sorry.’”

Tolentino’s “unsolicited excited utterance” was used to suggest admission of guilt and contributed to him being found guilty of second-degree assault of a law enforcement officer, a misdemeanor offense for which he was sentenced to 30 days in jail and fined $155.

Tolentino appealed the ruling, arguing that a reflexively spoken phrase is not admissible in court without proper hearings on whether it was voluntarily made, hearings that did not happen in Tolentino’s case.

The state, meanwhile, argued that “excited utterances” may be involuntary, but not compulsory. That is, because Tolentino was not forced to say “I’m sorry,” it was still admissible, even if he didn’t mean to say it.

Tolentino also protested that prosecutors had stated during his trial that he was drunk during the 2019 incident, using only circumstantial evidence like the smell of alcohol and the redness of his eyes.

But it was the question of the reflexively spoken phrase that reached the Supreme Court. And on Tuesday, the court 

 that the guilty verdict against Tolentino was reached in error.

Writing for the opinion of the court, Associate Justice Todd Eddins concluded that, because there was no evidentiary hearing to determine whether Tolentino’s apology was voluntarily made, his conviction must be vacated and the case remanded for a retrial.

“An inculpatory statement must flow from the defendant’s free and voluntary choice,” Eddins wrote. “Custody or no custody. Interrogation or no interrogation.”

Associate Justice Lisa Ginoza wrote her own opinion partially dissenting with Eddins’ majority opinion. While Ginoza agreed that the lower courts had erred in allowing Tolentino’s apology to be admissible as evidence without an evidentiary hearing, that does not mean the case should be retried right away, she argued.

Only after a voluntariness hearing is conducted that determines Tolentino’s apology was involuntary should the case be retried, which Ginoza said is the constitutionally recognized procedure.

Ginoza added that the majority ruling now requires trial courts to hold voluntariness hearings for any known statement by a defendant that might admit guilt, which she wrote will be “a tremendous burden on our already overburdened trial courts.”

Nonetheless, with the Supreme Court verdict, Tolentino will get a new trial, although a court date has not yet been scheduled.

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

I Stock 178835830 16x9 Large

<title>Supreme Court: 'I'm sorry' doesn't mean you're guilty</title>

Honolulu man's reflexive apology to a police officer in 2019 shouldn't have been admissible in court, the Hawai‘i Supreme Court ruled.

Supreme Court: 'I'm sorry' doesn't mean you're guilty

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Food & Dining

Arts & Entertainment

This week, the U.S. is celebrating its semiquincentennial, or 250 years of being a nation. There are many local celebrations, including parades and events with food and live music.

The City and County of Honolulu is providing partial sponsorship for fireworks shows at 8 p.m. at Kailua Beach Park and 8:30 p.m. at Kapi‘olani Regional Park/Kūhiō Beach Park. The North Shore Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a fireworks show at 8:30 p.m. at Haleʻiwa Beach Park.

Here are some of the upcoming semiquincentennial celebrations. Items with an asterisk feature fireworks.

Eat pop-up barbecue at Wai Kai (ʻEwa Beach). 

Celebrate with hot dogs, burgers and ribs as part of a pop-up barbecue on the wave deck 

. Spend the day in the water and enter for a chance to win a full day adventure pass for two people. 

Attend the PHAMily Fun Day: Freedom to Fly (Pearl Harbor). 

Go to the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum for a day of family fun in collaboration with Hawaiʻi’s America250. The event starts at 10 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. There will be opportunities to meet a 103-year-old WWII B-17 pilot,  patriotic demonstrations, live entertainment, activities for keiki including crafts and a bounce house, a vintage book sale, a photo booth and open cockpit experiences. Free popsicles will be given out to the first 250 guests. Tickets for kamaʻāina and military guests are $5 in advance or $10 at the door. 

*Visit the USS Battleship Missouri Memorial (Pearl Harbor, FIREWORKS). 

The Picnic on the Pier event is back after a six-year hiatus. Guests can gather between the USS Arizona Memorial and the Battleship Missouri —  where World War II came to an end. There will be live entertainment from Jai & The Tones, ship tours, and more. The event starts at 6 p.m. with fireworks at 9:20 p.m. Families can bring food and drinks. For security reasons, some items are not permitted, so check the list before arriving. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for keiki, if purchased in advance. 

Oʻahu Country Club will celebrate Independence Day with its annual Fourth of July Family Festival, which includes professional fireworks. The event is not open to the public, but fireworks will be visible and audible beyond the club property. The fireworks are scheduled for between 8:45 p.m. and 9 p.m. 

Party at The Gatsby Hawaiʻi (Kakaʻako). 

This party features three live bands, 12 DJs and food vendors. It starts at 8 p.m. and runs until 2 a.m. Early bird tickets are $20. 

 at 6 p.m. at Centerstage at Ala Moana Center. Hui Pu will take the stage starting at 4:30 p.m. Before the performances, attend a meet and greet with High Watah from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Hawaiʻi’s Finest at Ala Moana Center. There will be keiki activities and games, and special shopping offers. Ala Moana Center is also partnering with Blood Bank Hawaiʻi to host a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Atkinson Trolley Depot. Free. 

*Listen to Kapena + Anuhea (Waikīkī, FIREWORKS). 

Prince Waikīkī will host two nights of live Island music performances in Waikīkī. On Friday, July 3, Kapena will take the stage. On Saturday, July 4, Anuhea will perform. There will be cocktails, smoky barbecue, and fireworks on the 

, which is Prince Waikīkī’s poolside venue. 

Celebrate at Hilton Hawaiian Village, Waikīkī Beach Resort (

Enjoy barbecue, including kiawe smoked ribs with guava barbecue sauce and huli huli chicken skewers along with Dole Whip cups. The event starts at 11 a.m. and runs until 9 p.m. at the resort’s Great Lawn. The featured entertainers include The Jasmine Kaleihiwa Band, Ben Kama Band, DJ Mastermind and Nesian Nine. Validated self-parking is $15. The event is open to resort guests and kamaʻāina. 

*Catch Stars, Stripes & Grindz (Waikīkī, FIREWORKS). 

Head to Waikīkī Beach Walk,which will have a live DJ and food vendors, including Joja Burgers, Cosmic Tacos, Neha's Kitchen, Chillex Pops and Sugarless Bites. There will be family friendly activities and games. The event starts at 3:30 p.m. Fireworks are scheduled for 8:30 p.m. 

Eat barbecue by the beach (Waikīkī, FIREWORKS). 

At Kaimana Beach Hotel, head to the second floor for Hau Tree inspired food and drinks. Catch a panoramic sunset on the oceanfront balcony along with beats from Aloha Got Soul's DJ O'Spliff. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. The fireworks are scheduled for 8:30 p.m. No cover. Valet is $10 per car.

Enjoy Tiki’s 4th of July Rooftop Bash (Waikīkī, FIREWORKS). 

Ditch the crowd on the beach and head upstairs to the Coconut Club, on the 21st floor of The Twin Fin Hotel. Tiki’s Grill & Bar is throwing this rooftop bash, which includes music from DJ Soulrenity and panoramic views of Waikīkī Beach. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $50. 

Head to the Decades Day Drinkin’ Pool Party (Waikīkī). 

Head to the pool atThe Ambassador Hotel of Waikīkī, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. DJ James Coles will provide music for this Decades Day Drinkinʻ Pool Party. The event starts at 1 p.m. and there will be games and barbecue. VIP cabanas are also available for $50 per person, up to four people, and include one round of drinks. Free valet parking is available for up to three hours. General admission is free. 

 at ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach for BBQ & Beats and enjoy barbecue, a full bar, and music from a DJ. No cover. Open to guests and kamaʻāina. Food and beverages available to purchase. Self parking or valet with validation up to four hours. 

*Watch fireworks (Waikīkī, FIREWORKS). 

 are partnering with Southwest Airlines to celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary with a fireworks show launched from a barge positioned 

, facing Halekulani Hotel and Moana Surfrider, 

A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikīkī Beach, at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Free. Details.

Head to the Mōʻiliʻili Summer Fest (Mōʻiliʻili). 

 are expected to gather to celebrate culture, cuisine and more in Mōʻiliʻili, according to permits filed with the City and County of Honolulu. Enjoy the Bon Dance, find ʻono food and shop from local retailers and artisans. Mōʻiliʻili Summer Fest is presented by the nonprofit Mōʻiliʻili Festivals with support from Kamehameha Schools and Waiānuenue at Kapaʻakea, a shopping center set to open in 2026, as well as community partners such as the Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai’i, Mō’ili’ili Community Center, and the University of Hawaii at Mānoa. Free. 

Enjoy the Hawaiʻi Kai Independence Day Market & Concert (Hawaiʻi Kai). 

Start the celebrations early at Hawaiʻi Kai Shopping Center on Friday, July 3. Catch a free concert that features 

, Hawaiian Style Band and Maunalua, as well as Henry Kapono Foundation’s On the Rise artists. Free. 

Rock the 4th with Henry Kapono and Duke’s on Sunday Band (Hawaiʻi Kai). 

This party features Henry Kapono and the Duke’s on Sunday Band at 

 on Saturday, July 4. That same evening, Nick Laʻa, a Henry Kapono Foundation Next Level Artist will be performing two shows upstairs at The Velvet Monkey. Each artist will have performances at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35 for each show. 

Celebrate with live country music, trains, and a petting zoo (Waimānalo). 

DLT Ranch is celebrating July 4 with live country music, train rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, a bounce house, sparklers and more. Tickets are $25. Keiki who are younger than 2 years old can enter free. 

Catch the Kailua 4th of July Independence Day Parade (Kailua). 

Hosted by the Kailua Chamber of Commerce, this event will have 45 vehicles, 20 floats and three bands, according to permits filed with the Department of Transportation Services. The route starts at Kainalu Dr. and Omao St. and proceeds along Kainalu Drive until it ends at Kailua Intermediate School. 

*Watch the fireworks show (Kailua, FIREWORKS). 

The City and County of Honolulu is providing partial sponsorship for a firework shows at 8 p.m. at Kailua Beach Park. Alexander & Baldwin is the event’s platinum sponsor and will provide complimentary shuttle runs from its shopping centers in Kailua Town to the beach park in 30-minute rotations, starting at 4 p.m. The event is expected to have 

, according to permits filed with the Department of Transportation Services. Free. 

Watch “The 100th, Seeds of Aloha” (Kāneʻohe and Pearl Harbor). 

 “The 100th: Seeds of Aloha” — which shares the story of the 100th Infantry Battalion unit that fought in World War II — will be featured across Oʻahu. Five of the screenings are at private retirement communities, but the film will also be shown at the First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu in Kāneʻohe on Sunday, July 5, and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum on Friday, July 17. 

*Listen to live music at Hukilau Marketplace (Lāʻie, FIREWORKS). 

At the entrance to the Polynesian Cultural Center is Hukilau Marketplace, which will offer live performances from Pohaku, Kawao, Johnny Suite, and Wavvy in Lāʻie. The community event starts at 4 p.m. There will be vendors with food, as well as fireworks. Free. 

The Ritz-Carlton Oʻahu, Turtle Bay is holding its annual barbecue cookout on Saturday, July 4. Enjoy Island-style barbecue made with fresh local ingredients, along with live music from Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning artists Kalae & Kalena, lawn games and family friendly activities with ocean views. There will be a fireknife performance and opportunities to hang out with goats and mini horses at The Stables. The menu includes Kahuku garlic shrimp, Kalbi short ribs, kiawe grilled bone-in ribeye, beer can chicken and spicy ʻahi poke, among other items. Tickets are $165 for adults and $75 for keiki. 

*Haleʻiwa 4th of July (Haleʻiwa, FIREWORKS). 

Enjoy food vendors, live entertainment and activities for keiki and celebrate America’s 250th anniversary at the Haleʻiwa Beach Park. The event headliner is The Elevations Hawaiʻi. The North Shore Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a fireworks show at 8:30 p.m. at Haleʻiwa Beach Park. 

Watch an aerial show, sky divers and live music at Schofield Barracks. 

The event, held at Weyand Field, includes an aerial show with skydivers, a patriotic salute and live performances from the Scooter Brown Band, the 25th Infantry Division Band, the 312th Army Band and country singer Chris Young. At 8:45 p.m., the 25th Infantry Division Band and the 312th Army Band will play the “1812 Overture” written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The fireworks show is scheduled for 9 p.m. and the event will have food vendors. The event is open to Department of Defense personnel and their guests. 

Do you know of a July 4 event not on this list? Email 

Fireworks

<title>25 things to do on Oʻahu to celebrate the semiquincentennial</title>

Looking for ways to celebrate 250 years of the U.S. being a nation? Aloha State Daily has compiled a list of events — including firework shows — happening for the semiquincentennial. From ʻEwa Beach to Waimānalo, here are some of the events happening across the Island this weekend.

25 things to do on Oʻahu to celebrate the semiquincentennial

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

 at Halekulani just launched its Aha ‘Aina Plantation Pāʻina, which is available every Sunday for dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. The dinner buffet costs $95 per adult and $55 per child (ages 10 years and under). The buffet, which started on May 24, will be weekly until Sept. 6.

The buffet celebrates Hawaiʻi’s diverse cultures, with designated buffet stations representing each one.

“I wanted to do something to represent the plantation era and figures that made the food scene here in Hawaiʻi,” explains House Without a Key chef de cuisine Jarrin Otake. “I tried to combine a little bit of everything, something that represents each country or ethnicity. All these countries influence the food we eat today; without them, we wouldn’t have the Pacific Rim flavors.”

“[At House Without a Key], we have beautiful Hawaiian music and the education of Hawaiiana through the song and mele; now, we have the food to match,” Otake says.

Buffet guests can look forward to a carving station with slow-roasted and carved proteins, inspired by Hawaiian and plantation traditions; a Japanese station with a variety of tempura and made-to-order hand rolls; a Chinese station with Peking duck, char siu chicken and steamed pork and shrimp dumplings; and Korean station with bulgogi, kalbi and tteokbokki.

There’s also a plantation market table with Island-inspired starters — including inari, California rolls, spicy nairagi poke, ‘ahi poke with ogo, and watermelon and tomato salad with feta cheese and balsamic glaze — and fresh garden selections.

The dessert station includes a variety of unique offerings, ranging from Tahitian fruit pudding with coconut cream and coconut butter mochi to banana lumpia, malasadas and chocolate haupia tarts.

Guests can not only enjoy the island-inspired cuisine, but also live Hawaiian music and hula, which House Without a Key is known for.

Buffet guests will also have the chance to try the legendary KONG burger, available as sliders. Originally created in partnership with radio icon Kamasami Kong, this signature burger includes a beef patty topped with grilled pineapple, beanless chili and melted cheese in a soft potato bun.

The sliders are a throwback to the original KONG burger, which started in 1977 when Kong was working at KKUA. It was served by local eatery MeatBun and was given away on-air, according to Kong.

“In 1977, I was working at KKUA wand we needed a promotion to get more listeners,” Kong recalls. “I said, ‘Let’s create a promotion that’s a win-win for everybody involved. Let’s make a burger and we’ll give away free burgers on the air every night.’

“It has to have some Hawaiian essence,” Kong adds, when asked about the burger’s elements. “[I said], 'Let’s cook the burger up through a thin slice of pineapple to give it a little bit of Island sweetness. We’ll have the burger on top of that; homemade chili on top of that; and a little bit of cheese to give it a little extra flavor.' It had to be topped with a toasted bun to give it a little bit of crunch.”

Every night, Kong would call the MeatBun restaurant, and the burger giveaway would be live.

“The first five people to run up to the window and say, ‘I’m hungry!’ would get a free KONG burger,” Kong remembers. “We would hear people over his telephone, screaming and yelling, ‘I’m hungry! I’m hungry!’ It was wild; it was crazy. We gave away these KONG burgers every night from 1977 to 1980.”

The KONG burger sliders at House Without a Key’s Aha ‘Aina Plantation Pā‘ina are similar to the original burger, according to Kong.

Halekulani chef de cuisine Melissa Kaniki "did such a great job at improving the original KONG burger by adding her own little touches with the cheese and the chili; it’s her own homemade chili,” Kong says. “She got the buns toasted to perfection. It’s just a little bit different from the one we started with.”

halekulani.com/dining/house-without-a-key/

House Without a Key Kamasami Kong 060826

<title>House Without a Key launches new Sunday dinner buffet</title>

The Halekulani eatery’s Aha ‘Aina Plantation Pā‘ina is a new Sunday dinner buffet that will run until Sept. 6. It celebrates Hawaiʻi’s diverse cultures, and guests will also have the chance to try the legendary KONG burger, created in partnership with radio icon Kamasami Kong.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: A comedy crime saga in two parts

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 comedy crime saga in two parts

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