Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

To celebrate National Smoothie Day on June 21, 

 is offering $1 smoothies from 3 to 6 p.m. This is an in-store offer only.

Enjoy $1 small Strawberry Whirl or small Mango-A-Go-Go smoothies (add-ons or extras are not included in the price); limit is one per person.

The deal is available at participating Jamba Hawai

Jamba Hawaii mango a go go 062125

Jamba Hawaii strawberry whirl 062125

<title>Jamba Hawaiʻi has $1 smoothies for National Smoothie Day on June 21</title>

You can get $1 Strawberry Whirl or Mango-A-Go-Go smoothies in-store from 3 to 6 p.m.

Jamba Hawaiʻi has $1 smoothies for National Smoothie Day on June 21

To celebrate National Smoothie Day on June 21, Jamba Hawaiʻi is offering $1 smoothies from 3 to 6 p.m. This is an in-store offer only. Enjoy $1 small Strawberry Whirl or small Mango-A-Go-Go smoothies (add-ons or extras are not included in the price); limit is one per person. The deal is available at participating Jamba Hawaiʻi locations while supplies last.   CONTACTJamba HawaiʻiVarious locationsjambahawaii.comInstagram: @jambahawaii

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Government & Politics

Crime & Courts

Prosecutors hope new Honolulu measures against illegal gaming rooms can cut down on crime islandwide.

On Thursday, Mayor Rick Blangiardi signed into law three bills — Bills 11, 12 and 13 — each of which are related to illegal gambling in the county.

The first, Bill 11, sets requirements on “electronic amusement devices” in public establishments. Operators of the establishment are now required to obtain a permit from the Honolulu Police Chief to use such a device on the premises, or else forfeit the device.

The Police Chief could deny a permit application if the proposed location of the device “would be reasonably likely to result in an increase in criminal activity, vandalism, litter, noise or traffic congestion,” according to the bill. The bill also requires anyone with a permit to allow a police officer to enter the premises and inspect the device and other records.

Meanwhile, Bill 12 allows the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting to deny permit applications for properties that have been cited for a gambling-related public nuisance within the previous two years.

And Bill 13 allows landlords to request a police escort while inspecting a private property for nuisance claims, with the accompanying officers authorized to document law violations or unsafe conditions, and to warn people not authorized to be there to leave.

In tandem, the three bills are meant to clamp down on illicit gambling rooms, which often become hotspots for associated complaints of criminal behavior.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Gabriel Huntington told Aloha State Daily that crimes associated with illegal gaming rooms range from prostitution and drugs to robbery and murder.

“Shootings happen when attempted robberies go wrong and either the robber or the security guard shoot at each other,” Huntington said via email. “Many of the armed security are felons such that they are prohibited from carrying firearm under any circumstances. … Many of the players in the illegal game rooms are illegal drug users, so that when they win money they can immediately spend it on illegal drugs.”

Despite this, gaming rooms are hard to keep down. Huntington said that, if HPD shuts down a game room, the operator can easily reopen it, while police need to conduct another investigation sufficient to obtain another warrant.

By allowing officers to inspect premises purely based on the presence of an “electronic amusement device,” Huntington said the barriers for obtaining a warrant are significantly reduced.

Currently, Huntington said, the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney has 16 active cases against illegal game room associates — cashiers and security guards — charged in the past three years. Most frequently, these people are charged with promoting gambling in the second degree, a Class C felony carrying a maximum possible sentence of five years’ imprisonment.

Huntington added that “the pace of prosecution is increasing,” and that a 2024 state bill that strengthened the legal case against owners of properties used as gambling dens has helped speed thing along.

ahu families have been feeling unsafe in their own neighborhoods with the proliferation of illegal game rooms throughout the island,” said Honolulu City Councilman Tyler Dos Santos-Tam in a statement Thursday. “Our communities have been saying loud and clear: no to game rooms, and no to the violence, drugs, and vices that they bring. It’s now the time to match our advocacy with action — let's take down these game rooms and reclaim our communities.”

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<title>New Honolulu laws clamp down on illegal gambling</title>

Prosecutors are hopeful new laws signed Thursday can shut down illegal gaming rooms more efficiently

New Honolulu laws clamp down on illegal gambling

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Business & Tourism

Aloha Spirit

Collaboration, care and community are a few of the values that newly formed nonprofit Molokai Alliance for Native Artisans, or MANA, holds.

In August, the hui of Molokai native product makers, artisans, crafters and small business owners will travel to Oʻahu for the Made in Hawaiʻi Festival. “We are proud to showcase makers from the Molokai Alliance of Native Artisans this year for the very first time … bringing more diversity and impacting our reach statewide,” festival organizers said in a statement.

From weaving lauhala to crafting jewelry, baby blankets, apparel and more, “every piece we create is rooted in culture, care and connection,” the organization said on Instagram. “We’re not just preparing for a festival. We’re continuing a legacy.”

As one might suspect, costs to travel from Molokai to other islands can add up. “

We only have one airline, and it costs a lot, so our airfare to O

on average $200 roundtrip. To go to Hawai

ʻi Island, we pay more. So, that’s one of the challenges we experience,” MANA interim president Solana Adachi told Aloha State Daily.

And on an island with 7,000 people (not including visitors), these makers are looking for ways to scale sustainably, while growing local partnerships.

Adachi said it’s worth it for them to be able “to grow, get exposure and experience.”

Several of MANA’s nine founding members have sold products at markets on Molokai and the Made in Maui County Festival. This weekend, 

Molokai business consultant and clothing brand owner of 

Tylor Tanaka, will be at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center for 

ASD spoke with Adachi to learn more about 

 – its members, funding and goals – as well as her background in business on the Friendly Isle.

How and why did Molokai Alliance for Native Artisans get started? What are your current priorities?

Some of our original members – we’re now at 11 – participated in an incubator cohort together, which made us family. It’s evolved into a community offering advice, resources and helping each other out rather than gatekeeping. We want to help grow Hawai

 economy however we can, become sustainable, create opportunities and collab with one another and other local businesses.

With help from Tanaka, we launched in March after establishing our founding members, creating our bylaws and mission and setting goals. I was voted interim president, having taken the initiative to research and get the nonprofit together. It’s something that I like to do – this is something that I feel is kind of like my child, my baby. For me, leading is making sure we’re all on track and having fun. We don’t want to lose focus of what our goals, mission, purpose are.

After Made in Hawai’i, we’re already getting ready for Merrie Monarch. Long-term, we

eventually host our own Molokai Made event featuring vendors from the Islands.

Everybody is naturally passionate and excited to be part of it, to have this hui, to collaborate and to support one another. It’s a bunch of like-minded people, basically, to carry this forward. 

Currently, vendors have to take care of their own travel, but we do aim to offer support. We’re still looking to diversify funding and apply for grants; it’s become more than just travel expenses to off-island events. We want to grow our community and encourage other hand-made, artisan businesses to join. Right now, funding comes from our members, who have the option to pay a small fee monthly or for the year. This is spent on event applications, workshops, things like that.

What are you most looking forward to at the Made in Hawai

 We’re excited for the experience, exposure and networking – just meeting new people or returning customers we know through social media, in-person. What we’ll be offering there are products from a generational lauhala weaver, along with an 

i teacher selling educational wooden toys. Plus, we

 culture-based apparel, jewelry, tablecloths, baby blankets, gifts and more.

Tell me more about your business ventures.

ahu from Mānoa. My family moved to Molokai 30 years ago when I was a freshman in high school. Later met my husband, who is second generation, born and raised here. Before Covid, I was a preschool teacher for 15 years up until 2019 when I had my twins. In 2022, I started my business 

, an affirmation brand for men and women that I mostly sell at markets. My husband Kenny was a groundskeeper before taking over his family

’s screen-printing business, and in 2021, he opened a storefront called, 

. It moved to a bigger location in 2024 after adding more vendors on consignment. Today, n8vbuilt apparel carries products from more than 25 small businesses on Molokai and is 

Made in Hawai‘i Festival is scheduled for Aug. 15-17 at 

Hawai‘i Convention Center. Ticket sales for the general public begin Aug. 1 at 

Molokai Alliance for Native Artisans

<title>Made in Hawaiʻi to feature Molokai Alliance for Native Artisans</title>

Molokai resident Solana Adachi shares the heart behind this new organization and what it means to be featured at Made in Hawaiʻi Festival on Oʻahu this year. Adachi volunteers as the nonprofit’s interim president, is a full-time business owner and mom to twins.

Made in Hawaiʻi to feature Molokai Alliance for Native Artisans

A Kapahulu man was charged Friday with reckless endangering after he allegedly shot at a vehicle in Waikīkī during a “road rage” incident.

Ezra Madali, 22, was indicted by an O‘ahu grand jury Friday following an incident on June 16 when he reportedly fired from his vehicle into another vehicle while driving in Waikīkī.

According to a report by the Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, another driver — identified in court records as one Travis Clemans — merged into Madali’s lane around 8 p.m. on the 16th. After the merge, Madali reportedly fired a handgun at the offending vehicle, but no injuries were reported by Clemans or his female passenger.

The Honolulu Police Department reported following the incident that Madali and his vehicle were located shortly thereafter without incident.

The grand jury indicted Madali with first-degree reckless endangering, first-degree terroristic threatening and improper keeping of a pistol or revolver. That third charge is actually the most severe, a Class B felony carrying a maximum possible sentence of 10 years in prison.

The other two charges are both Class C felonies, carrying a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment.

“The alleged conduct in this case was senseless and dangerous. Fortunately no one was injured,” Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm said in a statement Friday. “We will work to ensure justice in this matter to protect our community.”

Madali is free on a $50,000 bail, although judge Ronald Johnson subsequently increased his bail to $120,000.

Madali has no prior criminal record save for some non-violent traffic offenses over the last four years. His initial court appearance is scheduled for Monday at 8:30 a.m.

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<title>Kapahulu man charged after Waikīkī "road rage" shooting</title>

Ezra Madali allegedly shot at another driver on June 16

Kapahulu man charged after Waikīkī "road rage" shooting

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

As a freshman at the University of Hawai‘i, entrepreneur Eddie Flores, Jr., co-founder of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, says he took a writing class — and got an F.

Since then, though, he's written several books: two small publications "just to spite my teacher;" a Hawaiian barbecue cookbook, which has recipes and "a lot of jokes," and another offering "108 Tips on Business, Travel and Culture in China."

He's just published his latest: "Franchising the American Dream: 

The Story of Eddie Flores, Jr. and L&L Hawaiian Barbecue

In it, Flores shares his personal story of overcoming poverty and learning challenges, and looks at the secrets to L&L's success. The book offers insights for people considering franchising their business, buying a franchise or looking for inspiration.

He'll hold a book signing and discussion at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 21, at 

Aloha State Daily recently spoke with Flores about his background, his work and the new book. He's chatty and charming as he shares his story, and that of L&L.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Back to the beginning"}]

Flores said his mother was born in Hawai‘i but returned to China when she was young. She met his father, a Filipino musician, in Hong Kong. They later married and Flores was born in Hong Kong. 

[{"type":"text","text":"He was entrepreneurial from a young age."}]

Flores recounts a story where, in Hong Kong, he would buy a slice of watermelon and cut it into three pieces — then sell two of the pieces to his siblings, recouping his costs.

"The funny thing is, my kid brother and sister had no money to pay me. I had to extend credit to them," he laughs. 

(We asked: his siblings never paid him back, "so I lost money on that," Flores says).

[{"type":"text","text":"In 1963, when he was 16, the family returned to Hawai‘i."}]

"When we came, it was a little difficult, because my dad was a musician, my mom never did work before, and they both only had a sixth-grade education, so it was really rough on us to find a job or do anything."

For Flores, though, he says the most fortunate thing was being able to attend UH, where he received a business degree.

He worked for a bank for a couple of years out of college, but just two years after he graduated, he started a real estate business.

Flores says he decided in high school that he wanted to be a millionaire, "and the only way to do it is really real estate at that time, so I went into real estate business — with no experience, mind you. I didn't know anything. I only worked part-time and I actually hired 12 people."

He specialized in "business opportunities," the buying and selling of restaurants, bars and the like. And in 1976, he saw a "little restaurant for sale" called L&L Drive-Inn. It was founded as L&L Dairy in 1952.

"I look at a financial statement and it shows that it's making money," he told ASD. "You never see that in any small business. I decided to make an offer and I purchased the restaurant and I gave it to my mom as a gift."

His mother, Margaret, had been working as a dishwasher and counter girl at Lynn's Deli in Ala Moana Center, he says.

"Knowing the fact that she doesn't really know anything about [running a] restaurant, I called my good friend. His name is Johnson Kam," Flores says. "... Johnson actually came in helped us."

Flores said his mother ran the restaurant for two years, after which everything was sold to Kam.

Flores says Kam, a close friend, had been approached by others who noted the success of L&L and wanted to know how it was done. Kam, he says, taught them to cook and let them use the name. By doing that, he opened up several more L&L locations, Flores said.

About a decade later, the friends, while on a family vacation together, began discussing franchising the business.

"When you look at restaurant business, chances of success is very slim," Flores says. "But for L&L, that's why the book is called 'Franchising the American Dream.' ... We seldom have someone say, 'oh, I'm going to close because it's not making money.'"

In 1999, L&L and its plate lunches were introduced to the Mainland, and the company was rebranded to L&L Hawaiian Barbecue. With the recent opening of a location in Albuquerque — the second in New Mexico — L&L now has a total of 232 franchises throughout the U.S. and Japan.

When asked why decided to write the new book, Flores said that since she's running the business now, "I got nothing to do. And two years ago, I said 'Gee, let me write another book.' Because every time you write a book, you're promoting L&L. We're branding the company."

As for what he hopes people take away from the book, Flores said the biggest thing is that "no matter where you come from — like myself, I came from a very poor family — if you work hard enough, you will make it. You will make it if you work hard enough. In order to make money, you've got to be in business."

You can find the book at bookstores and other retail outlets, from online booksellers including 

 and direct from Legacy Isle Publishing at 

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

CREDIT LL Hawaiian Barbecue Eddie Flores Jr

<title>Eddie Flores Jr. on 'Franchising the American Dream'</title>

The businessman and entrepreneur has just published his latest book, "Franchising the American Dream." He'll hold a book signing and discussion at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 21, at Barnes & Noble in Ala Moana Center.

Eddie Flores Jr. on 'Franchising the American Dream'

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Entertainment

Arts & Culture

The musical “Six,” which is in Honolulu through June 29, starts with King Henry VIII’s six wives — most of whom were beheaded, divorced or died in childbirth — competing for who had it the worst, all while singing.

“Art becomes relevant when it can reflect the time in which it is being viewed,” Kevin McCollum, its producer, told Aloha State Daily. “This is not a history lesson. It's a joyous, energy-infused show that will surprise you.”

McCollum has been the producer of a number of new musicals, including three highly regarded shows, which went on to win the Tony Award for Best Musical: “Rent,” “Avenue Q” and “In the Heights.” His current musical, “Six,” presented by Broadway in Hawaiʻi, explores the lives of the six wives of Henry VIII. It opened Tuesday, June 17 and runs through June 29 at Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall.

, the musical’s arrival in Honolulu marks a homecoming.  

“I have to tell you, it was a convergence of just pure joy, gratitude and awe,” said McCollum as he reflected on opening night. “The joy is to be able to bring my life's work to where I was born. The awe was the talent of this wonderful group of people — who have been touring for over 40 weeks together — and getting to be part of a show that is embraced by a Honolulu audience.”

 also spent some time at Punahou School, where he went to middle school. There, he spoke with students in the Partnerships in Unlimited Educational Opportunities, or 

summer program, which includes students from across the state.

“I talked about theater making and using your voice, especially in those transformative years where you're growing,” he said. “And just in terms of the rituals of even a lei and what it means, and the gratitude and the grace we give each other [in Hawaiʻi].”

Growing up on Oʻahu, his mother worked for KGMB TV. He and his mother performed at Honolulu Community Theatre, which is now known as Diamond Head Theatre. At Punahou School, he was just a year behind Barack Obama. In fact, the fifth and sixth grade student council had seven people and included them.

“I'm not exactly sure what we accomplished, but we decided at that age we wanted to be on the student council,” he said.

For McCollum, becoming a producer was not the original plan. He planned to be an actor. But when his mother died when he was 14 years old, he moved to Deerfield, Illinois, to live with his aunt and uncle and their two daughters.

“They had just started a children's theater, and I loved to perform, so I immediately threw myself into meeting people by performing,” he said.

He trained professionally, but by the time he was in his mid-20s, he decided he was tired of waiting for permission to play another teenage character.

“I didn't feel I was using the most of my time,” McCollum said. “Because when you lose somebody, you realize you're only going to be here for so long. We’re all only here for so long. But I had an urgency, and I really felt I loved being part of being in a family, but I was also always curious: how do we put these teams together to tell new stories?”

After graduating from film school at the University of Southern California, he worked for Disney for about a year and half. He missed the theater and had an opportunity to help a director produce a show.

“Once I did that, I realized: ʻOK, I'm a theater creature, so I'm going to try to make shows,’” he said.

Jonathan Larson, the American composer and lyricist who wrote “Rent,” was a friend and his musical became “one of the first major shows I backed,” he said.

“That became a big hit,” he said. “I've been investing in new voices ever since. It's not a job, it's a calling. I just kept trusting my gut that I wanted to be part of helping people tell their stories.”

“Six” includes original music from Lucy Moss and Toby Marlow.

“They've written a beautiful show, a very funny show, a very energetic show,” he said.

How did growing up in Hawaiʻi shape his career?

“In Hawai‘i, people show up for each other,” he said. “It was an ethic that stayed with me. Family is really important. Communities are very important. Neighborhoods are important, and all my musicals are really about neighborhoods.”

<title>Producer gives inside scoop on 'Six,ʻ the Broadway musical touring Honolulu this month</title>

Kevin McCollum, the producer of “Rent,” brings a new musical, “Six” to Honolulu. McCollum has produced three shows that have gone on to win Tony Awards for Best Musical: “Rent” (1996), “Avenue Q” (2004), and “In the Heights” (2008). “Six,” presented by Broadway in Hawaiʻi, runs at Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall through June 29 and explores the lives of the six wives of Henry VIII. McCollum shares how growing up in Hawaiʻi influenced his career.

Jamba Hawaiʻi has $1 smoothies for National Smoothie Day on June 21

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining Reporter

More in Food & Dining

Inaba Hanalei‘i just launched a new tempura omakase in Mōʻiliʻili

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You’ll find grill sets galore at this modern Korean barbecue restaurant

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Jamba Hawaiʻi has $1 smoothies for National Smoothie Day on June 21

Authors

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining Reporter

More in Food & Dining

Inaba Hanalei‘i just launched a new tempura omakase in Mōʻiliʻili

Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice just opened a new store in Waimānalo

You’ll find grill sets galore at this modern Korean barbecue restaurant

Guieb family take their popular ube mascarpone pancakes and Fruity Pebbles French toast to the Ninth Island

Most read