Square Kady Pascual Headshot RGZ5762

Kady Pascual

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

[{"type":"text","text":"You think we could find these Lafufus at the swap meet?"}]

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Weenston808 Lafufu

<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Lafufus</title>

Today’s social media find comes from @Weenston808, as the perfect bag charm

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Lafufus

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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

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

Hawai‘i will prohibit the sale of “99.9%” of all e-cigarette products in the state starting next year, per Gov. Josh Green, who signed a pair of bills into law Tuesday.

 establish heavy regulations, or outright prohibitions, on the sale of electronic smoking devices in the state, with Green promising Tuesday that more regulations will continue in the years to come.

 of the measures emphasized the negative health impacts to keiki caused by vaping.

“Vaping is bad, period,” Green said. “It leads to young people getting addicted to nicotine and it affects their physiology and development. And they get hooked on cigarettes later.”

SB 2175 will prohibit the sale or distribution of any disposable e-cigarette devices beginning Jan. 1, 2027. Any violation of the law will incur a $100 fine per day per product.

While Green discussed SB 2175 Tuesday largely from a health perspective, he added that disposable vapes have increasingly been identified as an environmental problem: not only are they common litter, but the lithium batteries within them can cause fires or release toxic metals into the environment.

HB 1573 is more extensive, requiring that the only e-cigarette and vape liquid products allowed to be sold in Hawai‘i be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Rep. Scot Matayoshi, a co-introducer of the bill, said Tuesday that limits the number of products to only 45, most of which do not have the sweet flavorings that have made vapes attractive to young people.

However, Matayoshi acknowledged that the most recent vape products approved by the FDA include two fruit-flavored vape pods. Nonetheless, he said the vast majority of fruit- or candy-flavored vape products are not FDA-approved and will be much harder and more expensive for children to access.

In any case, Green said “market forces alone” will likely strongly discourage manufacturers from attempting to gain a foothold in Hawai‘i.

“It’s very difficult for anyone to be in the industry in a market where, let’s be honest, we don’t want them here in Hawai‘i,” Green said.

As written, HB 1573 requires that, beginning Oct. 1, all vape manufacturers attempting to distribute products in the state must submit proof of their compliance with state and federal laws, proof of an FDA marketing granted order and a $1,000 payment for each product line certified with the state.

Then, beginning Jan. 1, 2027, the state Department of the Attorney General, will publish an updated directory of all brand names, products and manufacturers certified in the state. Attempting to sell any product not included on that list will incur a $500 fine for each individual product for sale for a first violation, and increasing incrementally up to $2,000 per product for a fourth violation.

Should the manufacturer itself be found to be offering non-approved products for sale in the state, the manufacturer could be fined up to $10,000 for each product, and could be found guilty of a misdemeanor.

Kalaheo High School student Maya Butts said vaping continues to plague Hawai‘i schools, saying that her school’s bathrooms no longer feel like functioning restrooms, but instead are just “places to vape.”

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

Although vapes and e-cigarettes have been used to help wean tobacco smokers off of normal cigarettes, Green said he is skeptical that such a use case outweighs their harm.

“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.”

Lola Irvin, administrator of the state Department of Health’s Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Division, 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.

Furthermore, Irvin said that e-cigarette use has been linked to increased risk of lung and oral cancers, and concluded “it is not a safe product to use for quitting.”

GreenVape

<title>'99.9%' of vapes to be banned under new laws</title>

A pair of new laws Gov. Josh Green signed Tuesday will strongly curtail what e-cigarette products are permitted to be sold in the state.

'99.9%' of vapes to be banned under new laws

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

When Greg Pronko and his business partner Mike O'Reilly bought Tiki Home in Hanalei nearly two decades ago, they saw potential.

Pronko told Aloha State Daily that their business is industrial design, fabrication and material science, "so we have a really good background of design aesthetic, as well as how to build things. When we saw that house, we saw the diamond in the rough — like this is such a weird art home. It's totally neglected, but it's so different and strange that it could definitely attract a certain clientele to come rent it. That's been the story."

The 4,500-square-foot home, just 700 feet from Hanalei Bay and close to the town center of Hanalei, was one of 15 recently recognized as Vrbo's 

Now in its fifth year, homes on the annual list are chosen from more than 2 million Vrbo based on guest reviews, host performance and unique amenities. See the listing 

"Over the years, I like to say we've been slowly winning the war against entropy," Pronko continued. " ... When you're 700 feet from the North Shore of Kaua‘i, or any of the Hawaiian Islands, there's massive waves that come in in the winter, there's tons of rain, the sea spray and salt, everything's constantly dissolving and rusting and falling apart, so we're winning that war. Every year, the house gets a little bit better and better, and I guess that's shown this year because we get really good reviews and we won that award."

[{"type":"text","text":"Pronko and O'Reilly acquired the property in August 2006."}]

"We both, at the time, were really into surfing here in San Francisco and went out there [to Hawai‘i] for his brother's wedding and fell in love with Hanalei specifically," Pronko says.

Tiki Home was "really run down" when they bought it. Pronko says they knew they could afford a portion of the mortgage, but would likely have to offer it as a vacation rental.

"It became a passion project for us, where we would take turns, one of us covering the company, the other going out and working on the house."

Today, Tiki Home offers "very unique woodwork and artistic funky flair," the Vrbo listing notes. You'll see lava rock in various locations and the home features custom ohi‘a and Tiki-carved beams. The house sleeps eight and has four bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and an outdoor shower.

According to Pronko, the home was built after Hurricane Iniki, which hit the Garden Isle in 1992.

[{"type":"text","text":"It's a \"funky art home,\" he says."}]

Some things, like the shag carpet, have been replaced, but other things, like the lava rock and "weird art" were kept.

"All the beams in the house have carvings in them, so when people stay there and they really just finally relax, and they're staring up at the ceiling, they'll just start seeing really weird things, so it becomes kind of an adventure — and I think kids just love it because it's such a weird house."

Pronko says it's important that they let people know in the listing "that this is a funky, weird house. You're coming for a different experience. But we try to pair that with really nice bedding, really nice towels and linens, and we're constantly buying new appliances and dishware for the kitchen. That's one easy place where you can put money into a vacation rental and it really pays off."

Pronko says he comes to Kaua‘i quite often — he'll be here for a week or two every four to six weeks, usually working on the house, doing upgrades or maintenance.

"We're really excited," Pronko told ASD. "I'm very proud that we won that award. Ultimately, it comes down to making sure that our guests have an incredible experience."

Tiki Home Exterior

<title>Hanalei's 'Tiki Home' one of Vrbo's top vacation rentals</title>

The 4,500-square-foot home, just 700 feet from Hanalei Bay, was one of 15 recently recognized as Vrbo's 2026 Vacation Rentals of the Year.

Hanalei's 'Tiki Home' one of Vrbo's top vacation rentals

Born and raised in Australia, Patrick "Patty" Mills was a burgeoning basketball star at Saint Mary's College in California, foregoing his final two years of collegiate basketball in order to declare for the 2009 NBA Draft. 

Taken with the 55th overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2009, Mills went on to have an NBA career that is 16 years and counting. He has also appeared in five Summer Olympic Games. His 567 points in the Olympics is good for fifth 

Back at his time at Saint Mary's, Mills bonded with assistant coach Eran Ganot, who has been the University of Hawai‘i men's basketball coach since 2015. Mills began to spend some of his offseason on O‘ahu, visiting with Ganot often. 

Although Mills never attended the University of Hawai‘i, the connection he feels with the Islands is one he described as spiritual. Mills was named the new general manager for the UH men's basketball team on Monday, the first person to hold that title in program history. 

When Mills first introduced himself in his new role on Monday, his remarks served as the basis for why he accepted the position. 

"I'm a proud Gugada Nagyagaou and Dauer Meriam man, born and raised in Australia. My roots trace back to the red sands of the desert and the salt water of the Torres Strait, two cultures that have shaped every part of who I am," Mills said. "I first connected with UH back in 2007 as a college player, but it wasn't until 2016 that Hawaiʻi truly became home for me and my family, and at that moment, I felt a spiritual connection to the people, to the culture and to all the values that echo those of my own communities back home: Respect for the land and sea, pride in identity and culture and the strength of community. 

"Those are things that we share, and that connection is what has driven me every day to be successful as a basketball player at the elite level, and now it's a privilege to now carry that into this new role as the general manager of the University of Hawai‘i basketball program. So, very excited."

The University of Hawai‘i would have greatly benefitted from having Mills on its roster back when he was a college freshman in 2007. That's when he guided Saint Mary's to the Rainbow Classic championship at the Stan Sheriff Center. Mills was named tournament MVP, averaging 19 points per game, including 23 in the championship game against Ohio. UH, meanwhile, finished in eighth place. 

Mills found his niche in the NBA as a sharpshooter mostly off the bench. His 17 points off on 5-for-8 shooting from 3-point range in Game 5 of the 2014 NBA Finals helped the San Antonio Spurs win the title, cementing Mills' spot in history as an NBA champion. 

Mills was 15 when Ganot saw him play for the first time, back Saint Mary's was on a foreign trip to Australia. When Ganot got his first head coaching gig in 

Mānoa, he opened up the team's facility to Mills for offseason training. 

"I guess my involvement with UH isn't new. I feel like I've been a part of the UH basketball family for quite some time, back to 2016, so I guess in a way, the things that we've been able to do over the course of that time, this just kind of legitimizes it a little bit more and makes it a little bit more professional," Mills said. "But I have been working closely with coach Ganot and the coaching staff for some time. The things that we've been able to do in the community in attempts to grow the game throughout the state, I think, is important."

In college football, the general manager position is becoming increasingly commonplace among staffs. The position is not as ubiquitous in college basketball. ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski made headlines when he left the company to become the general manager of men's basketball team at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure. In becoming UH's new GM, Mills is also doing so for intrinsic reasons. 

"This once again speaks to the character of Patty. He's doing this as a volunteer," Ganot said. He's not someone who messes around. I know it's obvious on the floor with teams, but he's been such an advocate for growing the game and for giving back, and anything he's been involved in has been a success. When he's in town, he'll be more in person, and when he's from afar, he'll be checking in, which he's always done. Just a great human being. I'm honored to know him."

Patty and Alyssa Mills were married in Waimea Valley in 2019. In 2022, he sponsored the Patty Mills North Shore Classic, a multi-team event held at the Canon Activities Center in 

Mills played 10 seasons for the Spurs and also had stints with the Trail Blazers, Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat, Utah Jazz and most recently the Los Angeles Clippers. 

"I've learned a lot. I've seen a lot, not only as a player, but coaching staff, obviously, front office staff as well," Mills said. "I've surprised myself, the amount of stuff that I've been able to learn in this sport, constantly picking brains, asking questions, wanting to learn more. I think there is a part of me here that is capable of being able to provide as much needed help as I can to this program, but at the same time, I've got relationships with a lot of people across the NBA that I'm very fortunate enough, whether they're players, coaches or people in the front office. 

"There's no doubt I'll be reaching out and seeing what tips and advice I can get from from them. But like there's a part here and a perspective, given my upbringing and my background culturally, and how those things relate, especially to Hawai‘i and to the university, as well as things that I've achieved in basketball, in the NBA. So, there's a unique perspective here. I think the part here is obviously not trying to reinvent the wheel by any means, but obviously be here to be able to help support and build something special, and hopefully, at the same time, be able to grow the game in Hawai‘i and in the community."

Mills' role as general manager will include mentorship with players, as well as contributing to fundraising, recruiting and community engagement. 

"His character is off the charts, his talents off the charts. And he wants to be here. He's immersed himself in the culture," Ganot said. "He understands how important Hawai‘i is. ... He's gonna put his own stamp on it, his personality. 

"He's been honored for his work in terms of giving back, community outreach, one of the great teammates, one of the great sportsmanship figures you'll ever be around, as good a human being as you could possibly be around and to have that around your student-athletes is special. You'll feel it not just with our program, but with this university and within the state. He's a global icon in a lot of ways. His reach locally, nationally and globally and for all the right reasons. ... It's just a positive, positive day, and for all the right reasons. Couldn't be happier."

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Lafufus

Kady Pascual

Social Media & Marketing Manager

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Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Lafufus

Authors

Kady Pascual

Social Media & Marketing Manager

More in Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

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