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

The bakery is located on Keeaumoku Street, in the former Ross space. It will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; hours are subject to change.

The business — which has other stores in California, New York and Texas — is popular for its French- and Korean-inspired baked goods.

The shop offers freshly baked artisan pastries, cakes and beverages. The business prides itself on baking its pastries fresh every day, according to store manager Yuri Woo.

“We’re baking fresh bread every morning,” she says. “That’s the most important thing for our bakery.”

Popular items include salt and butter rolls, garlic cream cheese bread ($7.65), sesame and sweet rice donuts ($3.20 each) and egg custard pastries ($4.70).

Woo notes that most pastries are French-inspired, but some are influenced by Korean flavors.

“The salt and butter (rolls), red bean donuts and custard buns are Korean-inspired,” she says. “The garlic cream cheese bread is popular. It’s bread with garlic cream inside; it’s cheesy and savory.” 

The bakery is especially known for its Cloud cakes, which are available by the slice or as whole cakes.

“The Cloud cakes are the most popular — we have fresh Cloud cream, strawberry, green tea mango and blueberry,” Woo says.

Customers can also opt for a variety of other cakes — ranging from flavors like strawberry tiramisu and classic mocha to tiramisu and seasonal options — macarons and cheesecakes.

TOUS les JOURS also offers a variety of coffees and teas. Popular options include tiramisu lattes ($5.85-$6.85), ube lattes ($5.25-$6.25) and honey lavender macchiatos ($5.85-$6.85).

“We have good coffee selections, but the most popular one — our signature one — is the tiramisu latte,” Woo says. “It’s basically the vanilla latte with cream cheese foam and cocoa powder on top. The cream cheese foam is made with a special recipe.”

Customers can also enjoy limited-time holiday offerings like candy cane hot cocoa ($5.75-$6.25), gingerbread matcha latte ($5.75-$6.75) and gingerbread lattes ($5.75-$6.75).

TOUS les JOURS is celebrating its grand opening with a variety of giveaways from Dec. 28 to 30. The first 100 guests who spend $30 or more will get a free TOUS les JOURS umbrella (Dec. 28); a free TOUS les JOURS mug (Dec. 29); and a free TOUS les JOURS insulated tote (Dec. 30).

[{"type":"text","text":"The bakery will eventually offer validated parking."}]

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

TOUS les JOURS sign 122725

<title>TOUS les JOURS opens first Hawaiʻi location</title>

The bakery soft opened today and is celebrating its grand opening on Dec. 28 to 30 with a variety of giveaways. The business — which has other stores in California, New York and Texas — is popular for its French- and Korean-inspired baked goods.

TOUS les JOURS opens first Hawaiʻi location

 is opening soon in Kapolei Commons. Its soft opening is coming soon (no exact date given yet), while its grand opening will be in January 2026.

The bakery is located by Massage Envy and Verizon Wireless (in the former space of Teriyaki Madness) in the shopping center.

This is the Japanese-style bakery’s sixth location on O‘ahu, but this store is different because it’ll have a larger menu, according to business owner Alberto Fernandez.

“This is the sixth location, but it’s not easier than any of the other ones before,” says Fernandez, who co-owns BRUG Bakery with his wife, Miho Choi Fernandez. “Now, we have more experience; we hope to do better overall as a team, to be organized and deliver a beautiful, high-quality product from day one. It’s a lot of feelings and emotions — stress, happiness, and excitement — all at once.”

The bakery is known for its soft breads made with high-quality ingredients, including flour from Hokkaido, Japan. The bread doughs are made daily by hand. BRUG makes more than 70 pastries each day.

At the new location, customers can find signature pastries like beef curry pan, Kuma choco custard, melon pan, neko pan filled with original strawberry buttercream and more.

“We’ll have melon pan, custard pan, all the ones that made BRUG famous in Hawaiʻi, as well as our loaves of bread,” Fernandez confirms.

He says the bakery’s Arabiki sausage roll, monkey bread, custard pan, melon pan, bacon epi and curry pan are some of the best-selling pastries. Eventually, the Kapolei store will have location-exclusive pastries, too.

Speaking of exclusive products, the Kapolei store will be the only one (for now) to offer Kuma-inspired cakes.

“We are not going to make custom-order mini cakes,” Fernandez clarifies. “We just wanted to create a product that can become very BRUG, something that — the same way when you see the Kuma (bear) chocolate — people think more about BRUG. We are very Kuma-inspired.”

Cakes will be made daily at the Kapolei store. Customers can look forward to desserts like strawberry shortcake, strawberry mousse cake, chocolate mousse cake, cream cheese panna cotta, strawberry panna cotta, custard cream puffs and more. Prices for the cakes, panna cottas and cream puffs are not yet available.

The store will also feature an expanded drink line-up, according to Fernandez.

“This is the first location where we are doing a full coffee shop drink menu,” he says. “For the other stores, we added hot coffee, then we started adding cold brews, then we started to have matcha. We started espresso-based drinks at Pearlridge and Manoa (stores). This one (Kapolei) has the full barista menu with hot and cold drinks.”

Customers can look forward to Kapolei-exclusives frappes — in flavors like mango, Chai, matcha and strawberry banana — and specialty drinks like strawberry matcha and strawberry milk. Fernandez expects the latter two to be especially popular.

“The strawberry matcha uses the same strawberry milk that we do at (our sister business) Mana Sandwiches,” he says. “It’s made with real strawberry puree.”

Opening in West Oʻahu has been a longtime goal, according to Fernandez, who says he’s “really excited” for the soft opening.

“I like hanging around here, even though I live in town and enjoy town,” he says. “The vibe is just different. It’s a drive-to destination, so that’s why this location is bigger and has more options.

“To me, community building is so important; I have confidence that it’s going to be a good addition,” he adds.

Once the bakery launches, it will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

BRUG Bakery Kapolei Alberto 122625

<title>BRUG Bakery to open soon in Kapolei</title>

This is sixth location for BRUG Bakery, which is known for its soft breads and pastries made with high-quality flour from Hokkaido, Japan. The Kapolei location features exclusive cakes and an extended drink menu. The bakery’s soft opening will be soon; its grand opening will be in January 2026.

BRUG Bakery to open soon in Kapolei

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

Aloha Spirit

Aloha State Daily rounded up a list of 26 New Year’s Eve events on Oʻahu so you can ring in 2026 in style. From live music presented by Hawaiʻi’s Finest at Wai Kai in ʻEwa Beach to three rooms of parties at Kapono’s at The Lounge in Hawaiʻi Kai, there are options to dance, sing, eat and drink as the new year — and you — slides into focus. ASD rounded up activities by neighborhood:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"KO OLINA"}]

Four Seasons Resort, Oʻahu at Ko Olina. 

Mina’s Fish House, Manalo Lounge and Noe are offering dining experiences for New Year’s Eve. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"ʻEWA BEACH"}]

Wai Kai x Hawaiʻi’s Finest (ʻEwa Beach). 

The party is open to all ages and includes live music and fireworks at midnight, as well as opportunities to sign up for night surfing. Hawaiʻi’s Finest will present entertainment on the surfside lawn, which will have free seating open to the public and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets for a VIP experience at The Lookout are also available for $100 per person. Check the website for the list of items not allowed at Wai Kai. 

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

Start the party early at the Town Center of Mililani with the Noon Year’s Eve Pineapple Drop. The event features headliner 

, as well as haka and Tahitian dance performances, lion dances, and taiko drumming. Performances start at 10 a.m. and run until the pineapple drop at noon. Free. 

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

Party with three DJs and two dance floors with a drag show that starts at 9 p.m. The event includes performances by Omnia Nova, Princess, Kelly Price, Apple Aday and Sardonyx Del Rey. Bottle service is available. Tables can also be reserved at 

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

Live music, cocktails and tasty late night bites are part of this New Year’s Eve celebration. Riya Davis, a vocalist and saxophonist, will perform from 10:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. Tickets are $125 and include live music cover charge, snacks, party favors and a drink. 

“Dress to dazzle” and celebrate with the Gatsby New Year’s Eve Gala

. Tickets include live music and DJ sets and a champagne toast. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There is also a Whiskey VIP Room experience available for up to 12 people. Tickets start at $71.21. 

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

Minutes from Waikīkī, The District is presenting Silver and Stars NYE 2026. The dress code is “New Year’s Eve festive.” There will be DJs, a 36-foot LED video wall, lasers and CO2 cryo cannons. Tickets start at $40 for general admission, which includes drink tickets, and $70 for VIP admission, which includes drink tickets, champagne welcome drinks, snacks, and party favors, plus an exclusive champagne room with a dedicated DJ. The event starts at 8 p.m. and runs until 4 a.m. 

Bad Decisions Ball features special guest DJ Hector Fonseca. There will be a champagne toast at midnight. The guest list is free until 10:30 p.m. The event runs from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. 

Celebrate Bye Bye 25 at Swell Restaurant and Pool Bar with beats by DJ Compose and DJ Mau and a ball drop illuminated on the Beachside Tower. Individual entry, which includes a signature welcome cocktail and a champagne toast at midnight is $40, if purchased in advance, and $50 at the door. A private luxury cabana for eight people, which includes bottle service with Grey Goose Vodka and Devant Brut Champagne along with charcuterie boards and New Years Eve swag and complimentary self-parking for one vehicle, is $750. 

The Honolulu New Year’s Eve Bar Crawl 2026, hosted by the national group 

, offers a digital map to spots across town, a celebratory champagne toast, beats from live DJs, drink specials and free entry to participating bars. Check-in runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and there will be an exclusive after-party event. Tickets are $30.65, if purchased in advance, with group discounts for parties of four or more. 

 This event, called “Fiesta into 2026” offers margaritas, tacos, fireworks and a rooftop celebration. Early dinner service, a NYE happy hour and VIP tables and bottle service are available. The live DJ starts at 7 p.m. Presale tickets at $40. Fast passes are $90. 

Cruise for fireworks (ocean views of Waikīkī). 

Star of Honolulu, a sunset dinner cruise, serves up views of Waikīkī timed to include the fireworks show. There will also be light pūpūs, party favors and a midnight toast. 

 Some other groups offering New Year’s Eve experiences on the water include the 

 catamarans (tours depart from Kewalo Basin or Waikīkī) and 

Halekūlani on the Beach at Waikīkī (Waikīkī).

 Say goodbye to 2025 and hello to 2026 with a chic afternoon at The Veranda, a rosé and caviar lounge. Book the 

 ($155 per ticket). There will also be a 

New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner at Orchids/La Mer

Make reservations for New Year’s Eve meals at Grand Lānai restaurants at International Market Place, including Crackin’ Kitchen, Eating House 1949, Herringbone, Moani Waikīkī Island Bistro & Bar, Shorefyre, Skybox Taphouse and Stripsteak Waikīkī. 

Shorefyre's Fire by Night Gatsby Party (International Market Place, Waikīkī). 

Dance the night away with DJ Al Grande, DJ Caldee and DJ Deuxces in this Gatsby-themed event which starts at 9 p.m., after regular dinner service. Festive 1920s attire recommended but not required. VIP service is available. 

Skybox Taphouse (International Market Place, Waikīkī). 

Sing in the New Year at this spot, which is hosting a karaoke party. Pizza and cocktails are available. 

Enjoy a rooftop experience at the “High Resolution – New Year, New Heights” party with skyline views, DJs and a coundtown until midnight at Sky Waikīkī. The music will be provided by DJ Compose and DJ Jem. Dress to impress. Attendees must be at least 21 years old. Tickets start at $60. 

NYE Paradise Bloom is a rooftop party, presented by House of Art Entertainment, with immersive decor, live performances and a complimentary glass of welcome champagne, plus a midnight toast. The event will include a live jazz band, acrobatic performances, DJs, live fire shows, and more. 

The Laylow Waikīkī, Autograph Collection (Waikīkī). 

DJ J.Esco will provide the music for Drip: A New Year’s Eve Celebration. Dress code is “dressed to impress.” General admission tickets, which includes party favors, appetizers from 10 p.m. to midnight and a champange toast at midnight are $85 pre-sale or $105 at the door. VIP tables, which include bottle service, reserved areas and a charcuterie board, start at $800. 

The Royal Hawaiian Resort, Waikīkī (Waikīkī). 

Celebrate fresh starts with a five-course dinner at Azure at The Royal Hawaiian Resort, Waikīkī.

Seatings begin at 6 p.m. or 8:15 p.m. ($275+. Wine pairings are $75+). There is also a New Year’s Eve lūʻau dinner show, which includes a three-course meal ($397+ for adults with tiered pricing for keiki). The resort will also host “Dreaming in Pink” with live DJ entertainment, handcrafted cocktails, oceanfront fireworks and views of Diamond Head on the lawn and in the nearby Monarch Room ($100 for adults and $50 for keiki). 

Enjoy a DJ and dancing, party favors, a midnight toast and views of the stars and fireworks from this spot with ocean views. Attendees must be at least 21 years old. Buy tickets for just the party, a four-course NYE dinner with entrance to the party, or a VIP package. 

Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach (Waikīkī). 

Glitter & Good Cheer is the focus of this party at Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikīkī Beach. The event will also be a celebration of the resort’s 125th birthday. The party will host three different NYE experiences: Cabana Suite, VIP Terrace, and Diamond & Pearls Party. The Cabana Suite includes an oceanfront celebration with access to a decorated pool deck from 8:30 p.m. to midnight. It includes premium pūpū platters, two bottles of Devant Brut Champagne (NV and Rosé), DJ entertainment and complimentary parking for up to six guests. The VIP Terrace includes a private lounge with bottle service tables and premium pūpū platters, plus two bottles (Taittinger Brut Champagne and Pau Vodka), DJ entertainment, and complimentary parking for up to six guests. The Diamonds & Pearls Party on the Diamond Lawn includes a gourmet dinner buffet, a no-host bar, a photo booth, tarot card reading, adult face painting and a champagne toast at midnight. 

Hawaiian Council is presenting this event featuring comedian Pashyn Santos, along with hula and mele from Nā Lei Aloha at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa. The evening starts at 9:30 p.m. with a DJ set. Performances, including stand-up comedy from Santos, fire knife dancing, mele and hula. There will be fireworks and a champagne toast. Attendees must be at least 21 years old. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"MCCULLY-MOIʻILIʻILI"}]

This dance school is celebrating the new year Vegas style! There will be tango, casino games, champagne and “nonstop sparkle,” according to event organizers. Activities start with a dance class, Tango 101 for Beginners, at 8:30 p.m. and then from 9:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. there is a tango dance party with traditional and new music. There will also be a casino games room with roulette, craps, poker and blackjack. Tickets are $60, if purchased early, and $75 at the door. 

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

The Kāhala Hotel & Resort (Kāhala). The Dom Pérignon New Years Eve Celebration includes fire knife dancing and a drone show. Tickets include access to premium poolside views of activities, plus live music and a Dom Pérignon champagne toast. The event runs from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Dress code is resort casual. Guests must be at least 21 years old. Tickets are $105.63. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"HAWAI’I KAI"}]

Kapono’s at The Lounge: New Year’s Eve on the Marina (Hawaiʻi Kai). 

, who has won more than 20 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, recently partnered with the Henry Kapono Foundation and The Lounge at Island Sound Studios on 

, which will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, starting Jan. 9. Kapono’s at the Lounge includes three performance spaces —The Lounge, The Velvet Monkey and Studio B — and will host debut performances featuring Kapono, Tavana and Ambrose

 in each of the spaces on New Year’s Eve. VIP passes are available for partygoers who wish to move between the spaces from 10:30 p.m. until midnight.

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Atlantis Cruises

<title>26 places to party for 2026: New Year’s Eve on O’ahu</title>

Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou! Happy New Year! Looking to ring in 2026 on Oʻahu? Here are 26 events, listed by neighborhood, happening between ʻEwa Beach and Hawaiʻi Kai.

26 places to party for 2026: New Year’s Eve on O’ahu

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

Tuesday was the deadline for NFL teams to cut their rosters to 53 players ahead of the 2025 regular season, which begins on Sept. 4 when the Dallas Cowboys visit the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.

Below is the list of players with Hawai‘i ties on NFL rosters following Tuesday's cuts:

, defensive tackle, Indianapolis Colts (Punahou)

, quarterback, Cleveland Browns (Mililani)

, linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers (Saint Louis)

, defensive lineman, Las Vegas Raiders (University of Hawai‘i)

, quarterback, Washington Commanders (Saint Louis)

, receiver, Carolina Panthers (born in Hawai‘i)

, linebacker, New York Giants (Mililani and University of Hawai‘i)

, punter, Indianapolis Colts (University of Hawai‘i)

, interior offensive line, Pittsburgh Steelers (born in Hawai‘i)

, quarterback, Miami Dolphins (Saint Louis)

, receiver, Pittsburgh Steelers (Saint Louis)

Meanwhile, Hawai‘i alumnus and New England Patriots linebacker 

 was left off the initial 53-man roster after being put on injured reserve, though he is designated to return.

NFL Stock

<title>Players with Hawai‘i ties make the NFL cut</title>

Tuesday was the deadline for NFL teams to submit their 53-man rosters ahead of the 2025 regular season.

Players with Hawai‘i ties make the NFL cut

When I received a media invite for a preview of Waikīkī’s new, hidden omakase sushi bar, I didn’t know what to expect. All I knew that it was located somewhere within SKY Waikīkī.

I’ll leave some of the mystery, as to not ruin the thrill of the experience if you plan on going. Once you check in at the SKY Waikīkī hostess stand, you’ll be escorted to the speakeasy-style sushi bar, which is, indeed, tucked away from plain sight. The entrance reveals an open-air area, complete with a sushi counter and a few tables.

You will need to make reservations through OpenTable for the omakase, which opens to the public starting Sunday, April 6, and costs $120 per person. There will be only one seating at 5 p.m. to start, but a second one at 7:30 p.m. will eventually be added.

The counter seats around eight people, while the tables can seat couples and smaller groups.

, while chef Tsukasa Okino heads up the restaurant’s omakase. The menu will change slightly every month to reflect seasonal seafood.

While the temperatures might be a little warm at the start of the omakase, you’ll get to enjoy stunning sunset views and the open-air bar eventually cools down.

The experience starts with Hassun, or an appetizer platter. Ours featured a colorful assortment: plum-wine infused organic tomatoes, macadamia nut tofu served with caviar, sake-steamed oyster served with yuzu and shio ponzu, local choy sum ohitashi with sardine tatami, and firefly squid served with seaweed and Japanese miso. The macadamia nut tofu was my favorite; it boasted a wonderfully creamy texture with a slightly salty flavor from the caviar.  

Next came sashimi of the day — in our case, Japanese Spanish mackerel and bluefin otoro. Having otoro as part of any omakase is such a treat.

Anago, or saltwater eel, is air-dried overnight and grilled on charcoal, resulting in a slightly smokey flavor.

Next come eight pieces of assorted nigiri (nine, if you count the otoro takuan roll). Our selection included Hokkaido scallop, threadfin bream, Kauaʻi shrimp, Japanese spineless squid, cherry bream, Japanese horse mackerel, bluefin tuna and Hokkaido uni.

Maguro and Hokkaido uni are always my favorites, simply because the fish tastes so fresh and you can’t beat the velvety texture from Hokkaido uni. The hotate was also succulent with a strong yuzu flavor.

A homemade Japanese omelet (tamagoyaki) and Asari “Little Neck Clam” miso soup follow the nigiri course. I always look forward to the tamago, which is fluffy and slightly sweet — just like what you’d find in Japan. Meanwhile, the miso soup is served piping hot and is a comforting segue to the dessert course.

Dessert comprises fruit jello and creamy matcha terrine. The lighter, refreshing fruit jello — which looks like a piece of art — nicely offsets the creamy, indulgent matcha terrine. Its rich texture reminds me of Royce Chocolates, except this one features a bold, distinct matcha flavor.

Complimentary validated parking is available for customers at Waikīkī Business Plaza or Waikīkī Shopping Plaza.

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

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining Reporter

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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

BRUG Bakery to open soon in Kapolei

Where to get mochi for New Year’s

KoLab offers Korean fusion brunch in Kakaʻako

There’s a new dessert lounge at Nanzan Giro Giro

Most read