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Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

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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.   

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Government & Politics

Why did the pedestrian cross the road? Because a newly opened bridge in Kaka‘ako makes it easier and safer to do so.

The $17.8 million elevated walkway, located on Ala Moana Boulevard between Ward Avenue and Kamake‘e Street, opened Thursday, a little more than three years after 

It spans six lanes of traffic, more easily and safely connecting Kaka‘ako to Ala Moana Beach Park and Kewalo Basin, the state Department of Transportation said in a May 22 announcement.

When construction started in May 2022, the DOT gave an estimated completion date of October 2023.

A department spokesperson told Aloha State Daily in an email Friday that unforeseen site conditions, mainly on the makai side of the street, led to a revised completion schedule.

These challenges included a communications line that was in a different location from as-built plans and reinforcing an old box culvert not in initial plans, and others, they said. A concrete shortage in 2022 also affected the time frame.

DOT Director Ed Sniffen said in the announcement Thursday that the bridge has been "eagerly anticipated by many."

"Our partners in this project have done a fantastic job of building a walkway that will not only serve as a pedestrian and bike safety measure but as an aesthetic addition to the corridor."

The spokesperson said the pedestrian bridge bridge reduces the potential of "vehicle-pedestrian conflict" for those crossing the busy roadway to reach Ala Moana Beach Park and Kewalo Basin

"One of HDOT's goals recently has been to improve pedestrian safety, especially on roads more than six lanes wide," the spokesperson said, noting that a pedestrian bridge can reduce the number of people using the street crosswalks and therefore the potential for vehicle-pedestrian collisions.

That stretch of Ala Moana Boulevard sees an average of about 49,000 vehicles per day, according to traffic counts from the DOT, which can be 

 An estimated 2,100 pedestrians and bicyclists are expected to use the walkway daily, the DOT said.

According to the DOT, the project was funded through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development, or BUILD, discretionary grant program and state highway funds — 80% of which was covered by federal funding and 20%, or about $4 million, was covered by the state — with other contributions from Victoria Ward Limited for land, design and environmental fees.

The bridge connects to Ward Village's Victoria Ward Park Makai, which 

. It's the first phase of the park named in honor of Victoria Ward, born in 1846. Ward Village is Howard Hughes' 60-acre master-planned community located between Downtown Honolulu and Waikīkī.

"Creating a walkable, connected neighborhood is central to our vision for Ward Village, which is why the new elevated walkway is such a meaningful addition," Ward Village said in a statement emailed to Aloha State Daily Friday. "In partnership with the state DOT and the Federal Highway Administration, the project enhances safe, direct access from mauka to makai, linking residents and visitors to nearby parks, open spaces and the waterfront. We look forward to expanding the neighborhood experience with upcoming improvements to Victoria Ward Park and other public spaces next year."

04 Elevated Walkway Courtesy of Ward Village

<title>Pedestrian bridge crossing Ala Moana Boulevard in Kaka‘ako is now open</title>

The $17.8 million elevated walkway, located between Ward Avenue and Kamake‘e Street, opened May 22, a little more than three years after construction on it started.

Pedestrian bridge crossing Ala Moana Boulevard in Kaka‘ako is now open

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Entertainment

Arts & Culture

As a kid, Mark Ellis saw the Hōkūleʻa, a double-hulled voyaging canoe. It sparked his imagination and inspired him to build a mini version of the vessel as a school project. Eventually, he joined the Polynesian Voyaging Society, which operates the Hōkūleʻa.

Today, he is training the next generation of navigators aboard the Iosepa, a traditional double-hulled sailing canoe, which sets out on a 31-day voyage of the Hawaiian islands on Saturday, May 24.

Ellis grew up “in the water” and “on the water,” he told Aloha State Daily. When he was seven years old, he saw 

coming home from a voyage to Tahiti and told his parents he wanted to sail on that vessel.

“That ʻboat’ is what I was called it, but now I know it's a canoe,” Ellis said. “Everything I did in my class projects was always to do with Hōkūleʻa and voyaging.”

 Kāne’s books and Ellis used to look through the pictures, he said. At around nine years old, his teacher asked students to make boats as part of studying density. Ellis decided to create a mini version of the Hōkūleʻa.

He asked his parents to take him to see the double-hulled voyaging canoe and remembers the crew explaining things.

Eventually, he started volunteering for dry dock work with the Polynesian Voyaging Society, which operates the Hōkūleʻa and its sister vessel, Hikianalia. The duo are named after sister stars that “break the horizon together at the latitude of the Hawaiian islands,” according to website for PVS.

“And then, it wasn't until after college that I was invited to sail on Hōkūleʻa,” he said. “And after that, I just started constantly sailing.”

Weather permitting, Iosepa’s voyage includes landings at Lāʻie, Pōkaʻī Bay, Haleʻiwa and Mauliola on Oʻahu; Lahaina on Maui, and Kaunakakai on Molokaʻi. Iosepa was built in 2001. It was designed as a working classroom to teach navigation and seamanship, as well as Hawaiian values, according to representatives of the Polynesian Cultural Center, which is where the canoe is housed when it is not on the water.

Ellis worked his way through the ranks as a crew member and watch captain.

“It was never my desire to become a captain,” he said. “It was just at one point that they said, ʻHey, we need help. Can you be a captain?’ ”

 has been part of legs of voyages across the world, including to California and the Galapagos Islands as well as legs from New York to Virginia, Florida to Virginia and Samoa to Aotearoa, according to the PVS website.

 birthday on March 8. The voyaging canoe has sailed 

across the Pacific, according to the website for PVS. On May 30, the Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia are scheduled to depart Hilo for French Polynesia to resume the Moananuiākea Voyage, which is a four-year circumnavigation of the Pacific Ocean.

At any time, the crew for Iosepa is usually 12 to 16 people, Ellis said. But different people will be part of the crew for each leg of the voyage. The crew will likely consist of about 70 or more people over the entire voyage, he said.   

“I’m grateful for my family for supporting me and allowing me to follow my dream and my passion,” he said. “And now we’re on Iosepa and we’re training the next generation and getting them all excited.”

Iosepa

<title>Iosepa starts 31-day voyage across Hawaiian Islands</title>

The double-hulled sailing canoe, Iosepa, is headed for a month-long tour of the Hawaiian Islands, starting Saturday, May 24. At its helm is Captain Mark Ellis, director of voyaging experiences at the Polynesian Cultural Center, where the canoe stays when it is not on the water.

Iosepa starts 31-day voyage across Hawaiian Islands

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

Known for its oceanfront location and relaxed ambiance, 

 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 14 (additional dates will be announced soon).

Mu‘u & Mimosas, A Kaimana Tea Party will take place monthly in Kapua Lounge (the hotel’s private dining room). It offers an elevated spin on afternoon tea with island vibes, ocean views, local flavors and — of course — mimosas.

The tea service invites guests to wear their favorite aloha shirt or mu‘umu‘u while enjoying an afternoon of refreshments, and the experience will be enhanced with local florals and live entertainment.

Two menus priced at $55 and $78 are available. Both include your choice of hot tea from Hobbs Tea Hawai

i. Options include green, black, spicy chai, mint, wild hibiscus, mamaki, sencha green teas and more.

The $78 menu also includes a Champagne Laurent-Perrier island mimosa. Guests can also opt for specialty iced teas featuring Pono Potions or Hau Tree craft cocktails.

The afternoon tea menu, created by pastry chef Joli Asano, features classic tea party fare blended with local flavors. The $55 menu includes a mix of sweet and savory dishes. Enjoy ham and cheese spirals with housemade Parmesan aioli, egg salad sandwich on housemade shokupan bread, cucumber dill sandwich, vanilla scones, Lē‘ahi coconut macaroons infused with green tea, guava chiffon cake and Kaimana banana bread. 

The $78 tea menu features the inclusions from the $55 menu, along with additional items like quiche tart, pistachio raspberry éclair, ube macarons with ube cream cheese filling, strawberry peach parfait and a mango fruit tart with mango curd in a sugar cookie crust.

The quiche tart is probably my favorite item from the savory offerings. It’s a cheesy mix of gruyere, spinach, feta and egg. The ube macarons with ube cream cheese filling were sublime, and the strawberry peach parfait — fresh strawberry and peach jelly in a milk pudding — features a texture similar to that of panna cotta. The desserts are light and refreshing with lots of fruity flavors.

If you want to enhance your tea experience, additional dishes like miso Caesar salad with pecorino and a savory crumble ($22), mini croissants with POG jam and whipped butter ($12) and Shokupan toast with POG jam, calamansi curd and whipped butter ($6) are available a la carte.

You can make reservations online for the afternoon tea experience at 

Kaimana Beach Hotel afternoon tea food 052125

<title>Save the date for the launch of this new Mu‘u and Mimosas afternoon tea</title>

Kaimana Beach Hotel’s afternoon tea service is starting in June

Save the date for the launch of this new Mu‘u and Mimosas afternoon tea

Lopaka and Tanya Kapanui

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya Kapanui

Hawaii History

Columnists

, Antionette Withington wrote about an interview with a man named George. She didn’t give a last name, but she stated that in his younger days, old George was an interpreter in King Kalākaua’s court. Everyone who knew George highly respected his experience and opinions.

In the interview, George said he saw a procession of ghosts when walking home in Waikīkī. It was early in the evening, just as the sky began to get dark, and he was alone. He said he saw a strange cloud of dust ahead of him, but it was silvery. Looking up, he saw just a sliver of a new moon, so he knew it wasn’t the moon that caused the dusty cloud to shine.

As he watched the cloud, he began to see figures of people, and he knew it must have been the huaka‘i pō, the night marchers, on their way to the old heiau on the slopes of Diamond Head. He crouched beside a boulder so the figures couldn’t see him. At first, all was silent as he watched the crowd of people, both young and old, walk toward the heiau. Then he heard the drums.

Standing as a sentinel at the far end of Waikīkī, Lē‘ahi is an iconic landmark that draws up to 3,000 daily visitors. Postcards, travel articles, and movies are plastered with the volcanic tuff cone’s silhouette whenever an image is needed to invoke the tropical allure of Hawaii’s sun-kissed shores. The mountain was once compared to the lae (brow) of the ‘ahi (yellowfin tuna) by Pele’s sister, Hi‘iaka, giving it the original name, Lae‘ahi. The distinctive mountain formation was later called Lē‘ahi.

Around the turn of the 19th century, Western explorers found shiny crystals in the rocks at the base of the mountain and believed they had found diamonds. As it turned out, they found calcite crystals of no value, but Diamond Head became the dormant volcano’s common nickname.

On the slopes of Lē‘ahi sat Papa‘ena‘ena, a heiau of po‘okanaka class (at which ancient Hawaiians offered human sacrifices). Papa‘ena‘ena heiau was once Kamehameha’s sacrificial temple dedicated to his war god, Kūka‘ilimoku.

Probably the last human sacrifice held at Papa‘ena‘ena Heiau was that of Kanihonui, Kamehameha’s nephew, who was hanai (adopted) to Kamehameha and Ka‘ahumanu. Historical accounts say that Ka‘ahumanu seduced the handsome 19-year-old, and when Kamehameha found out about their affair, he had no choice but to make an example of the young man.

After the fall of the kapu system, Papa‘ena‘ena heiau was destroyed. The property changed hands a few times before finally coming into the hands of Walter F. Dillingham, who built a home in the style of a villa he admired in Tuscany and named it La Pietra. After his death, the property was sold and is now La Pietra Hawai‘i School for Girls. But the mana of the past remains.

The building and dedication of a heiau involves a great deal of ceremony and protocol, which included long processions of men bound by strict kapu going to and from the heiau. During sacred ceremonies throughout the year, when the moon was in a particular phase and the ho‘ailona (signs) were affirmative, the men would march, sometimes carrying their ali‘i (chiefs) in a mānele (palanquin). The kapu of these marches was so severe that when the procession would pass, everyone in the vicinity would lie prostrate, ensuring their gaze did not fall upon the passing ali‘i. The punishment for breaking the strict kapu was a swift death. These processions are the basis of the legend of the huaka‘i pō, in which the warriors carry on in death the duties they performed in life.

The legend of Hawaii’s night marchers has endured over time, and the ghostly procession is still seen today all around the islands, even at Lē‘ahi.

In 2019, we hosted an evening picnic at Kapi‘olani Park. We ate, laughed, and shared ghost stories as our family and friends gathered near the bandstand. Later, I took about half of our group on a mini tour to a few spooky places in the immediate area. We walked to a group of three trees that seemed to hold the negative energy of past unfortunate events. I talked about how some unseen force attacked former police officers and literally dumped them out of their Cushman carts.

We walked along Kalākaua Avenue, and I pointed across the street where the Castle Estate used to be. I shared with my friends that in 1901, when workers were digging for a sewage system, they made a gruesome discovery. Ancient bones lay just a few feet below the sandy surface. In a three hundred foot long trench of four feet deep and less than two feet wide, over a dozen skeletons were found. Historians of the time believed that the bones must have been those of warriors, as some skeletons were six feet long. When I finished the story, I turned toward Lē‘ahi, and the group followed suit.

[{"type":"text","text":"Suddenly, someone shouted, “Look!”"}]

About twenty of us stood there in awe and wonder as we watched what appeared to be a line of torch lights coming down diagonally from the top of Lē‘ahi ridge to the base of the mountain, right near La Pietra school. For nearly a minute, no one spoke. We all just stared. A few people tried to take photos with their phones, but it was dark and the images were unclear.

Did we go closer to investigate? Of course not… my mother taught me better than that. But as a group, we collectively decided it was time to go home.

Diamond Head Evening

<title>Strange occurrences at Diamond Head</title>

The legend of Hawaii’s night marchers has endured over time, and the ghostly procession is still seen today all around the islands, even at Lē‘ahi, the Hawaiian name for Diamond Head.

Strange occurrences at Diamond Head

 just opened a permanent storefront next to The Curb Kaimukī. If you’re entering from Wai

alae Avenue, the shave ice spot is in the former Color Lounge space. If you’re entering from the parking lot behind the shop, look for the green door (the business’s sign isn’t up yet).

ako’s fishcake on Saturdays and at ISLAND-BOY in Kaimukī on Sundays, but now customers can enjoy its mountain-like shave ice treats every day starting from this Saturday, May 17. The business will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The biz is known for its light, fluffy shave ice, using syrups made with real fruits. Shave ice treats come in one size ($6-$8), but they’re easily shareable and you can choose up to three flavors. Now, with more flavors available at the storefront, decision-making will be more challenging. 

Classic flavors ($6) include options like strawberry, vanilla, banana, pineapple, root beer, orange cream, melona and Japanese grape. Japanese grape is reminiscent of a Japanese grape candy, and vanilla cream is probably one of my new favorite flavors. As its name implies, it has a sweeter, creamier flavor than standard vanilla.

House flavors ($7) include options like strawberry milk — the business’s signature flavor — coffee, POG, calpico, haupia, papaya and not hot chocolate. The latter was a seasonal flavor and includes real cacao powder, according to business owner Aaron Wong.

“We would only bring it out in the winter,” he says. "We would do Not Hot Chocolate with whipped cream.

“One (flavor) that people haven’t seen is the papaya, because we don’t take it to the pop-ups,” he adds.

Other unique house flavors ($8) include matcha, hojicha, mandarin orange and liliko

i. With more flavors come even more possible combos.

“The standard (combo) was matcha and strawberry milk,” Wong says. 

“Strawberry milk, haupia and Not Hot Chocolate is popular. If you do strawberry milk with mochi and azuki beans, it

’s like a Daifuku. Hojicha and lilikoʻi are actually really good together; the root beer with ice cream and condensed milk is really good, too. It’s like a root beer float.”

The shave ice shop will be closed today (Friday), but will be open to the public tomorrow, May 17.

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Daily Features

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