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Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

[{"text":"We did not know this was even possible.  ","type":"text"}]

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<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: TACOMA FIGHT!</title>

Today's social media find comes from jensonkona, who keeps on truckin'.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: TACOMA FIGHT!

We did not know this was even possible.   

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Rick Hamada

Hawai‘i History

Columnists

"Yesterday, December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan." - President Franklin Delano Roosevelt addressing a joint session of Congress on December 8, 1941.

Those who lived in close proximity to that infamous date have vivid recollections of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. More contemporary generations leading to the present day do not. That's unfortunate. It is each proceeding generation's responsibility to perpetuate history and culture to the previous generations. Although there were attempts via the classrooms, film and TV, even here at home we have neglected to preserve a detailed and fact-based legacy of December 7 appropriate for perpetuity.

[{"type":"text","text":"There are exceptions."}]

I will cite The Pearl Harbor National Memorial, The USS Arizona Memorial, The Battleship USS Missouri, The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum and numerous other sites that preserve and present our remarkable role in history in arguably the most globally impactful event in history.

[{"type":"text","text":"The question is, when is the last time you paid a visit?"}]

When is the last time you shared these experiences with your family, especially with your children?

When is the last time you reflected upon and shared this vital history with others? With yourself?

This is not a criticism, but it is a reminder of the wealth of history ensconced in our collective communities, and we should all become educated on this history because this is our home.

Along these lines there was one glaring component of World War II that virtually everybody was aware of — concentration camps.

A simple mentioning of centers of such barbarism, brutality and violation makes one cringe. The documented prejudicial rounding up of men, women and children because of their faith was as despicable as could be. Further documentation proved that these innocents were housed in Nazi concentration camps and subjected to such atrocities that their virtually inevitable deaths seemed welcome. This was the manifestation of true evil.

The invocation of Auschwitz, Treblinka, Belzec, and other concentration camps elicit understandable outrage and shame. However, WWII was rife with actions of great exploitation and violations. Seizure of land, properties, belongings, assets, irreplaceable heirlooms and basic rights and freedoms unfortunately had a permeating presence.

[{"type":"text","text":"Did you know that we were infected with grievous violations here at home?"}]

Honouliuli National Historic Site is near Waipahu on the island of O‘ahu and is the location of the Honouliuli Internment Camp, Hawaiʻi's largest and longest-operating Japanese internment camp, which opened in 1943 and closed in 1946. 

The internment camp held 320 internees. In Hawai‘i, where more than 150,000 Japanese Americans comprised more than one-third of the territory's population, only 1,200 to 1,800 were incarcerated. The site also became the largest prisoner of war camp in Hawaiʻi with nearly 4,000 individuals being held. Of the 17 sites that were associated with the history of internment in Hawaiʻi during World War II, the camp was the only one built specifically for prolonged detention.

Hundreds of Germans and Italians and other nationalities were also arrested and detained for months at a detention facility on Sand Island. Among them, Austrian-born architect 

, who would go on to design the USS Arizona Memorial itself.

The attack on Pearl Harbor was an attack on the United States. However, Hawai‘i was a territory, so authoritative control of the Islands was bestowed upon the U.S. military immediately via martial law. This facilitated unilateral authority with demands of unquestioned compliance. Severe consequences were meted out if deigned necessary.

I want to make clear that the inhumanity demonstrated by Nazi Germany and other Axis nations are mostly proprietary to them although the actions of others are indefensible as well. The same level of abject violence, death and more associated with Axis concentration camps were not elements that dominated Honouliuli.

But it was still an egregious set of actions taken against Japanese American citizens and residents of Hawai‘i.

Those actions were founded in the combination of racial prejudice and basic fear.

[{"type":"text","text":"The logic employed was simple."}]

The Japanese attacked us. You are or look Japanese. You are now the enemy, and you'll be treated as such.

That treatment of Japanese American citizens included the rounding up and arresting those who may have had some status in the community. The presence of Japanese plantation workers along with immigration and, yes, naturalization, of Japanese over generations drove the Japanese American population into the 30% to 40% range. Imprisoning that vast number was logistically and financially impossible. Selective apprehensions took place and rarely entire families.

Let's not forget that individuals were separated from families, were corralled into makeshift prisons, were denied basic rights including due process, arbitrarily suffered public humiliation in a culture that holds honor as the definition of character, loss of income, revenue and assets with no knowledge or assurances of even surviving.

[{"type":"text","text":"These people, these families, were wronged."}]

In affirmation of this important statement, there were two post-war governmental efforts to clarify said wrongs, to offer redress and provide compensation.

On August 2, 1979, Hawai‘i Senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga introduced Senate bill 1647 to establish the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC). In 1980, Congress passed and President Jimmy Carter signed that bill into law. The CWRIC gathered archival sources, scholarship, and personal papers that explained the government’s decision and process for incarceration.  On February 24, 1983, the CWRIC issued its report 

 “was not justified by military necessity, and the decisions which followed — detention, ending detention and ending exclusion—were not driven by analysis of military conditions. The broad historical causes which shaped these decisions were race prejudice, war hysteria, and failure of political leadership.” 

The Civil Liberties Act of 1988 was signed into law on August 10, 1988, and implemented the recommendations of the CWRIC. Throughout his time in office, Senator Matsunaga supported civil rights for Asian Americans and was the primary advocate for the Civil Liberties Act. According to Leslie T. Hatamiya in 

Righting a Wrong: Japanese Americans and the Passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988,

 “Matsunaga’s efforts cannot be overemphasized.”

And signing The Civil Liberties Act of 1988 into law was President Ronald Reagan.

These legislative efforts do not exonerate the United States government of actions during World War II. But it is legal and public admission of wrongs committed and a small restoration of losses suffered by those who were innocent.

[{"type":"text","text":"This is the 80th anniversary of the closure of Honouliuli."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"I would recommend the following:"}]

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"italic"}],"text":" "}]

Honouliuli

<title>Hamada: Commemorating Honouliuli</title>

Events coming up this weekend recognize the 80th anniversary of the closing of the Honouliuli Internment Camp, where up to 1,800 Japanese and Japanese Americans were detained during World War II. ASD opinion columnist Rick Hamada gives an overview of the history of the site, and the steps taken in the years after to attempt to right that wrong.

Hamada: Commemorating Honouliuli

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

University of Hawai‘i star pitcher Isaiah Magdaleno intends to enter the NCAA transfer portal, sealing the end of his time with the Rainbow Warriors. 

Magdaleno confirmed his departure with a post on his personal Instagram account thanking his teammates, coaches and fans. 

"Thank you for the best 3 years of my life," Magdaleno's statement read in part. "I will forever be grateful for Hawai‘i and will be grateful to represent."

Magdaleno, a junior, earned a bevy of accolades for his 2026 season, which was highlighted by a pair of signature home starts in May. The righty from Los Angeles tossed one-hit shutouts against both UC Riverside and CSUN. On May 1, he struck out 16 hitters. Then on May 13, he 

As a sophomore in 2025, Magdaleno blossomed into one of the country's top relief pitchers, racking up 77 strikeouts and nine saves in 24 appearances. 

saw his role increase to staff ace in 2026

. All 15 of his 2026 appearances were starts for the Rainbow Warriors. In total, he went 7-5 with 116 strikeouts in 95.1 innings with a 2.36 ERA, earning third-team All-America honors from both Baseball America and Perfect Game USA, cementing himself as UH's first All-American since 

Although the college baseball season is currently ongoing, the NCAA transfer portal for baseball has already opened. The window of NCAA Division I notification for baseball began on June 1 and ends on June 30. 

The conclusion of the 2026 season and the events after it have marked the end of an era for the Hawai‘i baseball program. Hitting coach Dave Nakama parted ways with the program, while pitching coach/associate head coach Keith Zuniga recently accepted an offer to become USC's pitching coach. 

Additionally, the vast majority of UH-Mānoa's athletic teams, including baseball, are departing the 

Big West Conference in favor of the Mountain West Conference

, a move that becomes official on July 1.

Isaiah Magdaleno 061626

<title>Hawai‘i star pitcher Isaiah Magdaleno to enter NCAA transfer portal</title>

Magdaleno, a junior, is also eligible for the 2026 MLB Draft, which begins on July 11.

Hawai‘i star pitcher Isaiah Magdaleno to enter NCAA transfer portal

Kam Napier Headshot

A. Kam Napier

Government & Politics

Do lawmakers own computers? Do they ever go on the Internet and look things up? Things like, “The cost of owning and maintaining a convention center,” for example.

I ask because I’m looking at stories about the Hawai‘i legislature nickel-and-diming the Hawai‘i Convention Center's repair and modernization budget. The place suffered from chronic leaks pretty much since it was new in 1998. In January, the center closed to everything but local events for two years to finally fix the roof. As the costs for that project have grown to now $87 million, state lawmakers said no to funding an additional $55 million in related repairs and modernization.

As a result, the center is likely to reopen for business in 2028 and still leak. And this is really its first major renovation in 30 years.

, Jerry Gibson, president of the Hawai‘i Hotel Alliance, and Teri Orton, the Hawai‘i Convention Center general manager, have their say on the impacts of this legislative penny-pinching.

Its worth a read and it got me looking into what other cities spend on their convention centers.

Hawai‘i competes against the world for meetings and conventions, and what the competition is spending on their centers makes us look like we’re trying win an F1 race with a golf cart.

Take, for example, Orange County, Florida, centered on and around Orlando, with a population little bigger than Hawai‘i’s at 1.53 million.

 to expand the Orange County Convention Center, adding 1.15 million square feet of exhibit space. Our reps grumble and cancel $55 million, while one town in Florida says yes to spending half a 

Also in Florida, the Tampa Convention Center opened in 1990, just eight years before our convention center. Tampa itself has a population of 408,000 while the greater metropolitan area boasts 3.42 million, double Hawai‘i’s population. In 2023, the Tampa Convention Center 

 worth of work: new meeting rooms, upgraded ballrooms, upgraded restrooms and concession stands, improved lighting, painting and carpet throughout the facility and improvements to its riverside outdoor event space.

[{"type":"text","text":"How about California?"}]

Palm Springs is not big. Just 45,500 live in Palm Springs proper, while just over half a million live in in the larger Indio-Cathedral City-Palm Springs metropolitan area. Populationwise, it’s half of Hawai‘i. The region gets 14 million visitors a year, of whom 6.4 million stay overnight.

The Palm Springs Convention Center was built in 1984 and expanded just 20 years later in 2005. Today? It’s in the project approval phase of 

 to modernize the center between November 2026 and 2029.

“This $135 million project will ensure that the Convention Center continues to serve as the region’s premier gathering place for conferences, exhibitions, and community events,” say organizers at the project’s website.

Note the words “ensure” and “continues.” Palm Springs leaders aren’t sitting around wondering, “How come we have to keep paying for this thing?” They're saying, “of course we have to, or we’ll get left behind.”

Further north, we find San Francisco and its Moscone Center. That center had completed a capital improvement project 

 of $56 million (that’s $81 million in today’s dollars). The money was spent not only on the buildings but on a marketing campaign to enhance its reputation.

[{"type":"text","text":"Did San Francisco then say, “That’s it! We’re pau!”"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"No, and not just because they don’t say “pau” in San Francisco."}]

expanding and improving Moscone North and South.

“According to Tom David, executive vice president and chief sales officer for San Francisco Travel Association, the expansion was driven by the need to both keep and attract convention business,” wrote 

“The driving force from key convention groups was to modernize the building to keep it relevant,” David said.

[{"type":"text","text":"But that’s not all!"}]

“San Francisco has secured more than $40m in private-sector funding to revitalize its downtown core,” 

Conference & Meetings World last October.

“The initiative includes several measures to support business events. The city is redesigning its outdoor event permitting process. New entertainment zones will be created on Ellis Street, Maiden Lane, Jackson Square and Claude Lane. What’s more, the city reports that twenty new liquor licenses have been approved for the hospitality zone. This expands dining and nightlife options.”

That’s what San Francisco is doing for the neighborhood around its convention center. What are we doing?

Well, I’d just note that when you look out through the giant glass windows of the Hawai‘i Convention Center lobby, the most prominent nightlife option is … Club Rock-Za.

[{"type":"text","text":"A strip joint."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"What about the rest of world?"}]

Curious lawmakers might want to visit the home page of 

, the International Association of Convention Centres, which has 203 member convention centers members from 55 countries.

[{"type":"text","text":"As of May, it welcomed two new members."}]

 in Uganda, a $45-million public-private project that opened two years ago and is able to accommodate 19,000 attendees with “17 futuristic conference rooms.”

The other new member is the Sofia Event Center, in Bulgaria. Until 1989, Bulgaria was a member of the Soviet-led Warsaw pact, enemies on the opposite side of the Cold War from us. Now it has a convention center 

 where entire walls are floor-to-ceiling flat-screen TVs, like some kind of sci-fi holodeck.

[{"type":"text","text":"Can Hawai‘i compete … with recovering communists?"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Not with this track record. "}]

Lawmakers grumbling about the escalating costs of fixing the convention center in 2026 should look in a mirror. The center asked for $64 million for all this work 

, and all it got from the Legislature was a measly $15 million. Of course, the project costs more now. The water leaks, and inflation, have had four more years to do their damage.

By all means, lawmakers, expect the center to spend the money wisely. But you have to realize, this is a state facility competing in a global market. What the convention center is, and what it could be — that’s on you, not on Orton or Gibson. Our competitors are making investments of 

while you won’t spend a tenth that to keep the place from leaking when it rains.

If comedian Sebastian Maniscalco hasn’t trademarked the punchline by now, I have to ask, “Aren’t you embarrassed?”

A. Kam Napier is editor in chief of Aloha State Daily. His opinions in Pipikaula Corner are his own and not reflective of the ASD team.

I Stock Hawaii Convention Center

<title>Pipikaula Corner: State blowing it on convention center</title>

Hawai‘i lawmakers seem to think they own the only convention center on Earth, because their approach to investing in the Hawai‘i Convention Center ignores any sense of the marketplace. Towns the size of Hawaii‘i, in terms of population and visitor counts, are investing hundreds of millions in their facilities just to keep up with what the convention market wants, while we cheap out on the cost of fixing leaks.

Pipikaula Corner: State blowing it on convention center

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

More than 200 candidates are running for elected offices in Hawai‘i and will appear on ballots this year. See the candidates for city and county races, 

Tuesday marked the filing deadline for prospective political candidates to submit their nomination papers to run for office in the upcoming 2026 elections. The 2026 primary election will be held Saturday, Aug. 8, with the general election set for Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Here are the candidates for statewide races. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Governor"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Lieutenant Governor"}]

U.S. Representative candidates, District II

State Senator District 5 (Wailuku, Kahului)

State Senator District 8 (Kaua‘i, Ni‘ihau)

State Senator District 9 (Hawai‘i Kai, Diamond Head)

State Senator District 10 (Kaimukī, Kapahulu, Mō‘ili‘ili)

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"• Incumbent Les Ihara Jr., Democrat "}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"• Jackson Sayama, Democrat  "}]

State Senator District 11 (Mānoa, Makiki, Punchbowl)

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"• Incumbent Carol Fukunaga, Democrat "}]

State Senator District 13 (Liliha, Iwilei, Nu‘uanu)

State Senator District 14 (Moanalua, ‘Aiea, Fort Shafter)

State Senator District 15 (Kalihi, Māpunapuna)

State Senator District 17 (Mililani Town, Wahiawā)

State Senator District 19 (Pearl City, Waipahu)

State Senator District 20 (‘Ewa Beach, Ocean Pointe)

State Senator District 21 (Kalaeloa, Kapolei)

State Senator District 25 (Kailua, Waimānalo)

State Rep. District 3 (Hilo, Keaukaha, Kea‘au)

State Rep. District 4 (Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hawaiian Beaches)

State Rep. District 5 (Kea‘au, Mountain View, Volcano, 

Pāhala, Punalu‘u, Nā‘ālehu, Hawaiian Ocean View

State Rep. District 6 (Captain Cook, Kailua-Kona)

State Rep. District 7 (Kailua-Kona, Honokōhau)

State Rep. District 8 (Hawi, Waimea, Waikōloa)

State Rep. District 12 (Pukalani, Makawao)

State Rep. District 13 ( Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, Kaho‘olawe)

State Rep. District 15 (Hā‘ena, Hanalei)

State Rep. District 16 (Wailuā, Līhu‘e)

Kōloa, Po‘ipū, Kalāheo, Ele‘ele, Hanapēpē, Waimea

State Rep. District 18 (Portlock, Hawai‘i Kai)

State Rep. District 19 (‘Āina Haina, Niu Valley)

State Rep. District 20 (Leahi, Wai‘alae, Kaimukī)

State Rep. District 21 (Pālolo Valley, Wilhelmina Rise)

State Rep. District 23 (Mō‘ili‘ili, McCully)

State Rep. District 25 (Ala Moana, Downtown Honolulu)

State Rep. District 26 (Makiki, Punchbowl)

State Rep. District 27 (Pacific Heights, Nu‘uanu)

State Rep. District 28 (Sand Island, Chinatown)

State Rep. District 29 (Kamehameha Heights, Kalihi Valley)

State Rep. District 30 (Kalihi, Hickam Village)

State capitol 022725

<title>Here's who's running for office in 2026, part 1</title>

Tuesday marked the filing deadline for prospective political candidates. See who's running for state offices here.

Here's who's running for office in 2026, part 1

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

The Taste of New York ($83.95) is one of my favorite indulgences from the happy hour menu at 

, the famed steakhouse by Wolfgang Zwiener that is located in Royal Hawaiian Center.

This popular selection is now also available at the open-air terrace located right outside of steakhouse called The W Lanai by Wolfgang Zwiener. It’s designed to offer customers the same premium quality and service the steakhouse is known for, but at a lower price point and in a more casual ambiance.

“In the face of rising dining costs due to inflation and currency fluctuations, we created The W Lanai to provide a more accessible dining option in Hawaiʻi,” states Masahiro Kido, general manager of Wolfgang’s Steakhouse Waikīkī.

The W Lanai by Wolfgang Zwiener soft opened in June, but celebrated its grand opening on July 1. We were invited to check out the new space during a recent media event.

Besides a luxury drink collaboration with LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy), W Lanai’s beverage menu includes sparkling wines and premium champagnes by the glass (ranging from $10 to $65), along with original cocktails made with locally produced spirits like Ocean Organic Vodka and Kō Hana Rum. Choose from cocktails ($14 each) like Road to Hana with Ocean Vodka, pineapple, liliko

i and lychee; Papa Hemingway with Kō Hana Kea rum, grapefruit, lime, simple syrup and club soda; and Liliko

i Mo He Toe with Kō Hana Kea rum, tropical gomme, lime, mint and club soda.

The W Lanai’s food menu includes a few exclusive dishes. The venue’s fish ceviche ($18), cheese board ($26), USDA prime beef and fish tacos ($18), jumbo garlic shrimp ($24) and Wolfgang’s meatball ($18) are all exclusive items that you can’t get in steakhouse. We especially enjoyed the refreshing ceviche’s bright flavors; the succulent, tender garlic shrimp; and flavorful, juicy meatball.

While it’s not a W Lanai exclusive, the seafood combo ($26) is one of my favorite dishes (it’s also available during the steakhouse’s happy hour). It features six crostini topped with ‘ahi tartare, lobster and a lump crab mix. It’s the perfect indulgence for any seafood fanatic, since you get a sampling of spreads and the eatery doesn’t skimp on the lump crab.

As mentioned before, diners can still enjoy the Taste of New York ($83.95), which is a popular choice from the steakhouse’s happy hour menu. It includes a 12-ounce, bone-in, dry-aged New York sirloin, sides of creamed spinach and mashed potatoes, and a New York-style cheesecake for dessert.

If you order the Taste of New York, remember that the steak is still cooking slightly on the sizzling hot plate when it’s delivered to your table. Keep that in mind when choosing your desired level of preparation.

Customers who dine at The W Lanai by Wolfgang Zwiener can receive validated parking at the Royal Hawaiian Center parking garage. The first hour is free with restaurant validation; parking costs $3 per hour thereafter.

Open 3-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 3-10:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays

Validated parking is available at the Royal Hawaiian Center parking garage.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: TACOMA FIGHT!

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Hawai‘i Scene on Social: TACOMA FIGHT!

Authors

ASD Staff

Reporter

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