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Kady Pascual

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

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Ekahi808 beef stew

<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: The perfect beef stew</title>

Today’s social media find comes from @ekahi808, with a secret recipe.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: The perfect beef stew

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Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Government & Politics

Crime & Courts

A civil complaint alleging that Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke violating campaign spending laws will go to the state Attorney General for potential prosecution.

Last week, the Hawai‘i Campaign Spending Commission published a 

 accusing Luke and her campaign team of 12 different violations of campaign finance laws during the 2022 election.

On Wednesday, the Commission moved to refer their complaint to the state office of the Attorney General, which is already conducting a separate investigation into financial impropriety by Luke, tied to the infamous 

 that was the subject of an FBI investigation.

The commission’s complaint accuses Luke, her husband Michael Luke, campaign treasurers Emmanuel Zibakalam, Leodoloff Asuncion Jr., and Matthew Sasaki, deputy treasurer Kalowena Komeiji, and the Friends of Sylvia Luke of mishandling campaign funds.

The complaint includes allegations that Luke signed checks for her candidate committee instead of a treasurer, that her treasurers signed checks for the committee despite no longer being listed as treasurers — some of which were to the former treasurers themselves — and that the group failed to accurately report campaign expenditures to the commission.

The complaint concluded with two options: either the Commission concludes that a violation of law likely took place and refer the matter to the Attorney General; or the Commission makes its own preliminary determination, fines Luke and her associates $28,300 and orders them to correct their campaign spending reports within 20 days. 

On Wednesday, the Commission voted for the former option. The vote was unanimous, although Commission Vice Chair Danton Wong recused himself from proceedings Wednesday, citing a conflict of interest based on prior donations he made to Luke.

Eunice Park, general counsel for the Commission, said the extent of the alleged impropriety cannot be attributed to technical errors, particularly given Luke’s extensive political career. She said Luke had “ample opportunity” to correct the violations in the four years since her election, but did not.

Attorney David Louie, who represents Luke and the Friends of Sylvia Luke, spoke briefly before the Commission, but only to decline comment.

Fellow Attorney Randall Hironaka, representing Michael Luke, Komeiji and Sasaki, asked the Commission if his clients could be left off the complaint because, he said, the complaint does not allege any criminal activity by his clients, merely that untoward activity was made without their authorization.

Nonetheless, Park told Hironaka that it will be up to the Attorney General to determine the criminality of anyone named in the complaint.

Luke’s campaign finances from 2022 have come under heavy scrutiny this year as fallout continues from an FBI corruption investigation.

That investigation had previously alleged that former Hawai‘i Rep. Ty Cullen — who had turned informant for the agency — oversaw a transaction between an unknown man and “an influential state legislator” involving the $35,000 in 2022. In February, Luke denied any involvement in that transaction, but admitted that she had accepted two $5,000 checks during a 2022 dinner with former Cullen.

That admission — Luke claimed she never cashed the checks, but never reported the contributions — led to further investigations of Luke’s 2022 campaign finances. In the midst of the furor, Luke 

 in April she will not run for reelection this year, and days later 

 she would take an indefinite leave of absence, which has continued to this day.

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DavidLouie

<title>State AG to investigate alleged Sylvia Luke campaign finance violations</title>

A complaint by the Campaign Spending Commission alleging 12 campaign finance violations has been referred to the state Attorney General for possible prosecution.

State AG to investigate alleged Sylvia Luke campaign finance violations

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

[{"type":"text","text":"LAS VEGAS — What does money do to a man? "}]

Conor McGregor has earned lots of it during his rocketship to superstardom, a rise to prominence that began with the UFC in 2013. 

In 2021, Forbes named him the world's highest-paid athlete after he earned $180 million following the sale of a majority stake in his Irish whiskey company, Proper Twelve. In 2018, he was ranked fourth after taking home $99 million, a chunk of it coming from his 2017 boxing megafight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. 

On Saturday, McGregor will make the walk against 

 for the main event of UFC 329. It will have been five years since McGregor stepped in an octagon, his most recent bout cut short due to a leg fracture against Dustin Poirier on July 10, 2021. 

 just as easily as the cash. Perhaps his most publicized transgression with the law was when an Irish court found him liable of sexual assault in 2024 for a 2018 incident in a Dublin hotel with a woman named Nikita Hand. McGregor's appeal was denied in 2025, and he was still required to pay the equivalent of $257,000 in damages. 

In spite of the ruling, the UFC welcomed McGregor back with open arms. On Wednesday, about 100 journalists from all over the world mobbed McGregor when he made his media day appearance at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. For many, it was the first chance to speak to McGregor following his half-decade hiatus as a fighter. One of the the first questions asked was whether his money became detrimental to him. 

"Obviously," McGregor admitted. "Obviously. You know, 2017 double weight (UFC) world champion, Floyd Mayweather bank. And then I launched an Irish whiskey. I didn't drink heavily, if at all, in that time of my life. I was an athlete at the top of my game. Next thing you know, thousands of thousands of bottles in my garage, 'Sell this, Conor.' God gave me these lessons. That's it. I was trapped and caught, and it is what it is. I trust in God. I trust in my journey, and I trusted the truth. The world is against the truth, then I am against the world, that is where I stand."

McGregor has received the full celebrity treatment during fight week. Dozens of cameras have followed his every move while the organization has promoted his return, choosing him and Max Holloway to headline International Fight Week, the UFC's signature event each summer. While McGregor remains the sport's most iconic name and face, he has lost supporters along the way. How should fight fans approach his return while grappling with his issues away from the canvas? 

"I continue to fight. I know the truth, and I know that lying lives are an abomination to the Lord, and I know that anything known in darkness will soon come to light," McGregor said when asked about the rape case. "And I trust in God that it's coming. You best believe it's coming, and I look very, very forward to the day."

McGregor, 37, had just one UFC fight under his belt when he defeated Holloway, 34, in 2013 via unanimous decision. McGregor earned a reported $24,000 for that fight, while Holloway pocketed $14,000. In a rematch 13 years in the making, money pales in comparison to McGregor's desire to return to his element. 

"The excitement is going to be off the charts on Saturday night. The performance is going to be off the charts," McGregor said. "I have some shot selection here, and some set of moments that I planned. I'm excited to showcase it."

As for Holloway, money certainly remains a motivating factor. Although UFC 329 fight purses have yet to be disclosed, Holloway is expected to earn his greatest payday yet due to the magnitude of McGregor's return. 

"I'm fighting for money. I'm a prize fighter," Holloway said. "If you wasn't fighting for money, you're an idiot, right?"

In Holloway's most notable moment as a UFC fighter, his last-second knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in April 2024 earned him $600,000 in bonuses before he even got to his base pay for the fight. 

The victory over Gaethje opened new doors for Holloway as the 

. With Gaethje earning the UFC's lightweight belt with a stunning TKO over Ilia Topuria on June 14, Holloway knows his options are plentiful if he secures an exciting victory on Saturday. 

"Who would have thought that Conor was even coming back after what happened with the injury? It's just big," Holloway said. "I finally get to right the wrong, and I'm looking forward to it. He's a killer, and I'm looking forward to seeing the best Conor McGregor on July 11, and hopefully I get a SportsCenter No. 1 spot up there.

"This guy has unlimited money, and he has a lot of connections. Yeah, he's coming back from a crazy injury. He supposedly found God. His kids are gonna be here at the fight. ... I'm getting ready for the most dangerous Conor McGregor we ever saw, and nobody's told me otherwise."

Despite the three years of youth Holloway has on McGregor, the Wai‘anae native joined the organization a year before McGregor did. And while McGregor has sat out the last five years, Holloway has fought eight times in that span. 

Nearly every other fighter on the 329 card was asked about the bout between McGregor and Holloway, with the vast majority backing Holloway due to his activity. Others gave simpler answers.

"I'm backing Max because I like him," said former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker, who will take on Nikita Krylov in the main event of the prelims. 

One of the longest running traditions in the sport has been fighters clamoring for a McGregor bout after a big win, knowing the kind of prominence and financial windfall the fight would bring. McGregor was asked about Gaethje, who said he would attend the fight on Saturday in hopes of challenging him.

"Get in the queue," McGregor replied as he brushed off a question about the UFC's new lightweight champ. 

Holloway's potential next move with a victory? Another McGregor fight to complete the trilogy. 

"I'm gonna put my paws on him, and I'm gonna make him wish that he didn't come back," Holloway said. "Actually, no, I'm not gonna make him wish that. I'm gonna make him think that he can do it one more time, so we can rematch at the end of the year."

Conor McGregor Max Holloway 070826

<title>Max Holloway, Conor McGregor take to the mic and reflect ahead of UFC 329</title>

The two mixed martial arts stars and Saturday's headliners were the main attraction of UFC 329's media day at T-Mobile Arena on Wednesday.

Max Holloway, Conor McGregor take to the mic and reflect ahead of UFC 329

Kam Napier Headshot

A. Kam Napier

Columnists

If you’re a street junkie, shooting up heroin in Chinatown, the State of Hawai‘i has your back. It’ll take our tax dollars and turn them into clean needles, so you can keep on shooting safely.

Fentanyl addict? Go for it! Chances are you’ll never get busted for public intoxication (though it’s a crime), or possession (a crime), and if you overdose, the state will once again turn tax dollars into Narcan to save your life. All your emergency rooms visits? Not to worry! “The people” have you covered with their tax dollars and inflated insurance premiums.

If you’re an alcoholic, the State of Hawai‘i just doesn’t care. Legislators drink, after all, they’re not going to go after their own Heineken and Merlot. Just don’t drink and drive, that’s the only area where we see public policy put any time and money. Everyone seems perfectly confident that ID checks at the liquor store are keeping booze out of the hands of children.

Love pot? Lucky you live Hawai‘i! Hawai‘i loves pot and Hawai‘i loves you! It’s de facto legal, based on how often you can smell pot in the open. And it’s trivially easy to go the law-abiding medical marijuana route. Tell a doctor you’re anxious, get a prescription and it’s off the pot pharmacy you go. Enjoy! After all, we’ve hashed this issue out for years now and all sensible people agree that drug prohibitions never work. You have to respect people’s choices and just legalize and tax their habit.

But if you’re a smoker who’d like to quit smoking cigarettes by going to a safer but similar alternative, this same State of Hawai‘i has just two words.

, Gov. Josh Green just signed a law that as of January 1, 2027, will ban “99.9% of disposable vapes” in Hawai‘i. Flanked by public health officials and the obligatory Child For Whom We Do This, he positively beamed with pride.

Over what, exactly? Doctor Governor Green should be aware that if harm reduction works for hard drugs, it certainly does with nicotine. The UK’s NHS (formerly known as the National Health Service), which is beloved by American Democrats as an ideal model of universal health care, has 

“In recent years, e-cigarettes have become a very popular stop smoking aid in the UK. Also known as vapes or e-cigs, they're far less harmful than cigarettes, and can help you quit smoking for good. … Many thousands of people in the UK have already stopped smoking with the help of an e-cigarette. There's evidence that they can be effective. A 2021 review found people who used e-cigarettes to quit smoking, as well as having expert face-to-face support, can be up to twice as likely to succeed as people who used other nicotine replacement products, such as patches or gum.”

Our reporter asked Green about that. He replied with skepticism, saying, “The biggest problem has been getting an entire generation … innumerable middle schoolers and high schoolers hooked,” Green said. “Society has found ways to quit traditional cigarettes through medical means, through behavioral techniques; we should lean on those.”

Does he even hear himself? He said this while signing an e-cig prohibition law. Not medical means, not behavioral techniques, no, just the ban hammer. Meanwhile, actual tobacco cigarettes, the really dangerous ones we didn’t ban, remain perfectly available.

Then Green put Lola Irvin on the spot for further comment on our question. Irvin is administrator of the state Department of Health’s Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Division. As we reported, she said adults who have concurrently used traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes are less likely to successfully quit smoking, while young people who begin using e-cigarettes are more likely to transition to smoking traditional cigarettes.

[{"type":"text","text":"So much for harm reduction!"}]

Irvin seems unaware of the NHS findings I shared above about people successfully using e-cigs to quit tobacco cigarettes or reduce their intake. There are other studies.

Efficacy and Safety of E-Cigarette Use for Smoking Cessation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

,” for example, published in 2023 at The American Journal of Medicine. Conclusion: “Nicotine e-cigarettes were associated with increased smoking abstinence in comparison with non-nicotine e-cigarettes. Furthermore, nicotine and non-nicotine e-cigarettes increased abstinence compared with conventional smoking cessation therapies, and the absolute risk of [Serious Adverse Events] was low across all trials. Overall, these data suggest e-cigarettes appear to be more efficacious than conventional nicotine replacement or behavioral smoking cessation therapies.”

, published last November. “Nicotine e-cigarettes can help people to stop smoking for at least six months,” it concludes. “Evidence shows they work better than nicotine replacement therapy, and probably better than e-cigarettes without nicotine. They may work better than no support, or behavioral support alone, and may not be associated with serious unwanted effects.”

As for her arguments that e-cigs and vaping makes teenagers more likely to take up smoking real tobacco cigarettes, there are indeed studies that find teens given to try vices will try both vaping and smoking, sometimes in that order, sometimes the other way around. These studies find they’ll often also try pot and booze.

When you measure what youths actually do, however, the astonishing and wonderful fact is that 

peaked in 1997 at 36.4%, considerably higher than the adult rate that year of 24.7%. By 2021, the youth smoking rate dropped to just 3.8%, well below the adult rate of 11.5%.

That’s an 86% decline in just 24 years, across all ethnicities, sexes and grade levels.

And it has dropped even more since then, despite the arrival of e-cigs and vaping. As of 2024, according to the 

, just 1.4% of high school students reported any use of tobacco cigarettes.

, found that from 2022 to 2025, e-cigarette and tobacco cigarette use among youth further declined while nicotine pouch use remained low and stable.

In other words, we won the war on youth smoking, without any prohibitions at all. When our governor says that "an entire generation … innumerable middle schoolers and high schoolers" have just been "hooked" on nicotine, he is flat out lying. The exact opposite is true. 

Rather than declare victory and keep on with existing, obviously effective policies, Hawai‘i snatched a crisis from the jaws of success and enacted this ban.

Because they did so in part to “protect our keiki,” they had a student speak at yesterday's press conference, Maya Butts. The bathrooms at her school, Kalaheo High School, she said have become just “places to vape.”

That’s surely against school rules and is certainly already illegal, so this sounds like an enforcement problem to me. Except the enforcers failed to uphold existing law. Then she said:

“I’ve watched my smart, athletic friends completely lose their motivation. They got hooked on these devices that taste like candy, move on to other substances, then lose their spark altogether.”

I hate to break it to Butts, but if vaping makes her schoolmates lethargic and lazy, they aren’t vaping nicotine. They’re vaping pot.

But the ban is about more than health and protecting kids, Green said, and the text of the legislation argues. It’s about protecting the environment. In each disposable vape is a battery and these batteries are getting into the environment, they asserted, without data.

Setting aside the fact that I’ve never seen the gutters lined with thrown-away vapes the way one used to see cigarette butts, I’ll just note that this is the same state government that is forcing us to import batteries by the tons for our carbon-free solar future. A half-ton battery in every EV. Batteries the size of a Matson cargo container for the solar farms. All with no plan for their disposal or recycling.

OK, so if you dig into facts and find that there is no youth smoking crisis, and the stated rationalizations for the ban range from transparently bogus to logically inconsistent, what’s really going on here?

[{"type":"text","text":"Class warfare, that’s what."}]

Vaping nicotine is, by and large, a lower-middle class and working-class vice. Construction laborers, single moms working two or three jobs, people who ride the bus. People who rent. They have ambitions and aspirations constantly thwarted by Hawai‘i high cost of living and ridiculously unnecessary housing shortage.

They’re tired, they’re stressed. They turned, at some point in their lives, to Kool Milds and Marlboro Lights to deal with it all. They know smoking is bad, though, but quitting is hard. Smoking is a pleasure, it’s a consolation. It both calms anxiety and sharpens concentration.

Then, miracle of miracles, technology gave them a better choice. Tobacco-free nicotine they can inhale for the same soothing, sensual pleasures they got from smoking, with none of the known carcinogens, none of the pilau smell.

On the other hand, we have the upper-middle class and those who aspire to that status. Your governors, legislators, health department careerists and high school faculty. People with social capital and clout, if not vast wealth beyond the equity in their home that they own. Few to none of these white-collar, college-educated professionals ever smoked, or quit years ago. They know better.

[{"type":"text","text":"They took one look at vaping and thought, in unison:"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"“That looks stupid. That looks tacky. That looks low-class.”"}]

That’s it. That’s the whole mindset. All the people who pushed this ban won’t say it, because they know how it sounds. No one wants to be seen as a snob and a Karen, they want to hide that. So they prop up children as human shields, gin up a non-existent crisis and use health and the environment as fig leaves.

All those smiling faces at that press conference? That’s the look of people gloating in triumph.

[{"type":"text","text":"“We took something stupid away from the stupid people! Yay, us!”"}]

That’s all that happened yesterday, and Hawai‘i is a better place as a result. For them.

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.

Vapes i Stock 2232713126 16x9

<title>Pipikaula Corner: Hawai‘i's fraudulent vape ban</title>

On Tuesday, Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green signed into law a ban on "99.9% of disposable vapes." It's a move totally at odds with the harm reduction strategies the state uses for all other vices, argues ASD Editor in Chief A. Kam Napier. And it's in response to a non-existent crisis, in that teen smoking and vaping is the lowest it's ever been in a quarter century.

Pipikaula Corner: Hawai‘i's fraudulent vape ban

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

, coming up with a name for her store was easy. Her husband owns Hideaway Barbershop, which is connected to the coffee shop by a shelf-like door.

“Many people that notice it (our coffee shop) say it’s like a speakeasy-like coffee shop,” Maldonado says. “Our friends own the tattoo shop in front of the building (here in Wahiawā); the opportunity came for the barber shop to open in the back about three years ago. Later on, the small space for the coffee shop became available, too, and we went for it.”

While customers won’t see the coffee shop immediately from the street, follow the signs toward the barber shop entrance to find the cozy space.

“My husband owns the barber shop, our friends own the tattoo shop, and there’s a skate shop in here,” Maldonado summarizes. “It (this space) really gives collective vibes. It’s really good; during summer or after school, kids can come and the parents can sit here and have coffee.”

The business started as a coffee cart and later moved into the café space.

“It’s tucked away, truly a hideaway,” Maldonado says. “Everyone that finds us points out how fitting of a name it is. It’s a place to slow down, talk story and also find cool local artists, crafts and retail items. We also sell specialty coffee beans from Sur Coffee, a well-known roaster/coffee shop from Southern California.”

The menu features drinks ranging from lattes and housemade cold brews to matcha lattes and yuzu lemonades. Prices vary depending on syrups.

“Our menu has a classic feel, but is very customizable, with some key special items,” Maldonado says. “We have homemade syrups like strawberry, banana, blueberry and raspberry. Our most popular has to be our banana bread syrup, which is used in coffee as well as matcha.

“I didn’t want to make a really big specialty latte menu and have it be overwhelming,” she adds. “We have a small selection of specialty items for each season. All year, you can customize (your drink) to have whatever cold foam you want, with whatever base you want — matcha, coffee or cold brew.”

The coffee shop is currently featuring a summer menu that includes a s’mores latte, chocolate haupia latte, white chocolate cold brew with strawberry cold foam, and mystic yuzu lemonade. Summer drinks start at $10, according to Maldonado.

The s’mores latte features a chocolate mocha with toasted marshmallow cold foam and graham crackers. Meanwhile, the chocolate haupia latte is a mocha with coconut condensed milk cold foam and a shortbread crumble.

 Fog, which is “picking up in popularity for its uniqueness.”

“It’s a new take on a London Fog, with stone-ground earl grey — which is prepared as matcha (powder, warm water and whisked) — served with milk, lavender and vanilla,” she explains. “It’s a very special drink, served hot or iced.”

Maldonado says kid-friendly drinks — including fruit-flavored lemonade and chocolate milk — are also available. The shop also features a rotating selection of pastries.

“Our pastries are nostalgic,” she says. “The most popular are our chocolate chip cookies with flaky sea salt. We rotate our muffins; we’re currently serving peach blueberry muffins. We add another fun pastry on the weekends, like a fruit bar or double chocolate brownies.”

The coffee shop’s summer menu will be available until August, according to Maldonado. Around that time, different seasonal drinks will be featured.

“We’ll switch into a more transitionary, back-to-school type of menu with (drinks like) peanut butter and jelly lattes,” she says. “I’m very nostalgic with flavors. I like things to be simple, but exciting at the same time.

“We see ourselves as the future ‘mom and pop shop,’ which still adding a fun, modern take on it,” she adds.

Maldonado recommends looking for street parking along Kamehameha Highway or on Ohai Street (behind the shop). She says there is also a municipal lot across the street from the shop (by the bus stop).

Open 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays 

Hideaway Coffee Shop owner 062826

<title>This Wahiawā coffee shop is tucked away behind a tattoo shop</title>

Hideaway Coffeeshop opened in Wahiawā at the beginning of May. Business owner Steph Maldonado describes the space as a “speakeasy-like coffee shop” and features customizable drinks with housemade syrups.

This Wahiawā coffee shop is tucked away behind a tattoo shop

Wai‘anae's Max Holloway signed the dotted line for perhaps the most prominent bout of his career, the fight agreement came with a new wrinkle.

worldwide superstar Conor McGregor (22-6) in the main event of UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, July 11. The fight will take place at welterweight, Holloway's first foray into the 170-pound weight class. 

Of Holloway's 32 UFC fights, the vast majority have taken place in the 145-pound featherweight division. Holloway's 14 straight featherweight wins remain a UFC record, and he reigned as the division's champion from 2016 to 2019. In 2024, he moved up to the 155-pound lightweight division, winning the UFC's BMF belt against current lightweight champ Justin Gaethje. 

 via decision to Charles Oliveira in March, he got the fight he's coveted for the last 13 years. Back in 2013 when Holloway was 21 and McGregor was 25, the two fought at UFC Fight Night 26 in Boston, with McGregor taking the victory via decision. The two separately ascended to superstardom in the sport. 

As Holloway prepared for one of the biggest opportunities of his career leading up to July 11, one of the names he turned to was his trusty strength and conditioning coach, Darin Yap. 

Yap, the founder and owner of Honolulu-based Tactical Strength, believes that even though Holloway is making a 15-pound leap from his last fight, it's important that he doesn't lose his best qualities in the new weight class. Known for his striking volume and stamina, Holloway's 3,681 significant strikes 

"We always try to be true to who Max is as a fighter, meaning that he's going to utilize his footwork, he's going to bring pressure, he's going to throw a lot of punches," Yap told Aloha State Daily in a recent interview. "The footwork, the hand speed, the endurance, those three things always have to remain constant, because that's who he is as a fighter. Every fight, regardless of the opponent, we always start making sure that we have taken care of those things, and then based on the weight class and who the opponent is, we can make adjustments from there. 

"He gained a little bit of weight so that he could be a little bit more durable, and then the weight always helps with the punching power, too. But like I said, we never want to sacrifice our speed and our endurance for size."

During a rigorous camp, Holloway steadily added to his frame in preparation for the welterweight bout. 

"We're trying to add a little bit of size slowly. I think the biggest difference for Max (at welterweight) is that he can eat more, and then him having that Polynesian frame as he starts to eat more, you can really see that body start to fill out," Yap said. "I know he's definitely a lot more happy when he's fighting at 170 but I think other than that, I don't think there's a whole lot of difference between (camps at 155 vs. 170)."

Coincidentally, McGregor held featherweight and lightweight belts with the UFC during his time with the organization. But unlike Holloway, McGregor has fought at welterweight three times. McGregor's return is heavily anticipated due to the fact that he hasn't fought since fracturing his leg in a July 10, 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier. Excitement for McGregor's return is prevalent, and the Holloway camp is no different. 

"The level of excitement is through the roof," Yap said. "We wanted this, we were hoping for it. We're really excited, but we're trying to contain ourselves, because there's always a chance that Conor doesn't show up. Come fight night, when both of those guys are in, at least we'll know Conor showed up, and that'll be some validation."

Yap, a 1995 ‘Aiea High School graduate, works with a bevy of athletes across different sports, genders and levels during his 65-hour work weeks. Clients range from the youth level all the way to the pros, such as Holloway and Cleveland Guardians standout pitcher 

Holloway and Yap first met when Holloway was a wiry teenager that had yet to sign with the UFC. Yap's first experience training Holloway ahead of a fight was in 2011, back when Holloway outlasted local veteran Harris Sarmiento at an X-1 event at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center. Yap says it didn't take long for him to realize he was working with someone special in Holloway. Fifteen years later, Holloway continues to cement himself as one of the greats in the sport.

"I'm just completely grateful to him that he allowed me to come on this journey with him. It's been such a great experience. He knows that it's just pure gratitude on my part," Yap said. "I'm just super happy to help him anywhere, any way I can, and just happy to be on this blessed express with him."

Darin Yap 070726

<title>Excitement for Max Holloway is 'through the roof,' says strength coach Darin Yap</title>

Holloway's strength and conditioning coach, Darin Yap, believes his 15-pound jump to face Conor McGregor on Saturday will be a seamless one.

Excitement for Max Holloway is 'through the roof,' says strength coach Darin Yap

 is opening its third location this weekend. The new store is in ‘Aina Haina Shopping Center (in the former spot of 

), and will be celebrating its grand opening at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 13.

This new store marks the brand’s third Oʻahu location and second opening in less than a month following its recent 

Waikīkī expansion at Park Shore Waikīkī Hotel

“We wanted to capture something in east Honolulu,” says operations manager Zayne Chong. “This space opened up in 

‘Āina Haina, and we thought it would be a good fit for Oakberry on the East side.”

The business is known for its natural acai that features no dyes, corn syrup or artificial preservatives. Customers can choose from popular items like the crunchy bowl — acai with chia pudding, granola, strawberry, blueberry and cacao nibs — and the matcha bowl, which comes with acai, double matcha chia pudding, strawberry, goji berries and honey. Acai smoothies are also available.

Create-your-own acai bowl options are also available. Choose from toppings like peanut butter, almonds, chia pudding, cacao nibs, honey, granola and more.

Customers who join the business’s email list can get a free, classic-sized Fruity bowl on grand opening day.

‘Āina Haina store will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends.

Open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends

Oakberry Aina Haina original 061226

<title>Oakberry Hawaiʻi is opening its third store in ‘Āina Haina</title>

The new store — located in ‘Āina Haina Shopping Center, in the former space of Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha — will be celebrating its grand opening at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 13.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: The perfect beef stew

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Social Media & Marketing Manager

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Hawai‘i Scene on Social: The perfect beef stew

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Social Media & Marketing Manager

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