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Kady Pascual

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

[{"type":"text","text":"He caught some birds in this paradise though!"}]

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Plant Group Hawaii Got Fish

<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Got fish on da line?</title>

Today’s social media find comes from @plantgrouphawaii, who may not have gotten any bites – but still scored an impressive haul.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Got fish on da line?

He caught some birds in this paradise though!   Make sure you follow @PlantGroupHawaii on Instagram!  For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter!

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

Arts & Entertainment

Liu Taufa, a musician and entertainment lead at Paradise Cove Lū‘au, has spent more than three decades entertaining guests at the West O‘ahu attraction.

But Paradise Cove Lū‘au will close next month after 47 years in Ko Olina. Its final curtain call is Dec. 31.

The closure allows the landowner, James Campbell Co., to proceed with a 

 of the 10.9-acre oceanfront property next year.

For Taufa, who is Tongan, the closure is seemingly bittersweet. It’s the end of an “awesome era,” but she’s looking forward to what the future will bring.

“I’ve been here for almost 35 years,” she recently told Aloha State Daily. “This place has given me such fond memories. I was able to raise my children from kid time all the way up to high school [and beyond]. … Paradise Cove was really good to me because it’s more of a friendly oriented place.”

She says that previous stage director O’Brian Eselu, a 

, wanted lū‘au employees to make guests feel like ‘ohana when they leave, “to make them feel like that they are part of Paradise Cove. That makes them want to come back and bring their family. That’s been going on for all these years.”

Taufa auditioned in November 1990, when she says the directors wanted to bring more Polynesian music to the show.

When asked about her favorite part of working at the lū‘au over the years, Taufa says she loves entertaining — and making the days better for the guests who attend.

“To me, this is like my happy place because my favorite part of it is when I come to work, it doesn’t feel like work, and I’m making somebody else happy or making somebody that maybe wasn’t feeling well and now they’re feeling OK. … It just kind of gives you that satisfaction that what I’m doing, it mattered and it made a difference for that individual — and that’s what I love the most.”

She won’t miss the drive, she says with a laugh. She will, however, miss “this beautiful place,” and the people she works with who are like family, her work ‘ohana.

Her children, as well as family from Australia, will come to see her perform one last time before the show closes.

The lū‘au, she says, was like a home for her now-grown children, whom she would sometimes bring with her to work. She’s excited for them to come for one “last hurrah” at Paradise Cove.

At the same time, Taufa says it’s hard to move on to somewhere new. Later in the conversation, though, when asked how she feels to see things wrap up after so long, she says she feels good about the transition.

“I feel good because before I came here, I did 10 years in Waikīkī, playing music. Actually, when I came here, I didn’t think … I would be here for this long. But, you know, the years just went by real fast and [the] next minute, I’m 60 years old — and I’m still here and I’ve enjoyed it. For me, it’s time for something new.”

As for what’s next, Taufa says she’ll probably still play music somewhere in Waikīkī.

, the lū‘au property — acquired by James Campbell in 1877 — has been used commercially since the 1970s and was last redeveloped in the early 1990s.

 says that the project aims to "update the commercial lū‘au show and create an authentic Hawaiian outdoor recreation facility and community gathering place for kama‘āina and visitors that honors and reflects history, culture and connection to place."

According to the EIS, plans call for demolishing several existing dated structures at the site and existing concrete walls within the shoreline setback area, after which the site will be restored to pre-existing conditions before being redeveloped.

In addition to a new amphitheater and performing arts venue, other planned updates noted in the EIS include an improved main arrival area, retail shops hosting Hawai‘i-made goods, restaurants and a marketplace, and common areas.

All 167 employees of PC Services, Inc., doing business as Paradise Cove Lū‘au, will be terminated when it closes, according to an 

 (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) notice, citing its permanent closure due to the loss of its lease.

An announcement about the closure in late October noted that the company had been helping its employees prepare for the closure and, in partnership with the city, state and James Campbell Co., offered several job and resource fairs.

"We are so grateful to the people of Hawai‘i for allowing us to be part of their lives in so many ways over so many generations,”  Keith Horita, president of Paradise Cove Lū‘au, said in the announcement, which noted that in addition to its nightly shows, the lū‘au’s grounds have hosted weddings, baby lū‘au, birthday parties, graduation celebrations and corporate events. “We have loved helping people celebrate the milestones of life, and we invite our kamaʻāina ʻohana to join us in creating lasting memories as we enter the final chapter of our journey."

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Liu taufa paradise cove

<title>Paradise Cove Lū‘au to close</title>

After 47 years in Ko Olina, the West O‘ahu attraction will close next month, allowing a planned redevelopment of the 10.9-acre oceanfront property to proceed next year. Aloha State Daily recently spoke with Liu Taufa, an entertainer who has worked at the lū‘au for 35 years about its closure and what working there has meant to her.

Paradise Cove Lū‘au to close

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

This new Japanese-style hamburger steak spot is opening on Monday, Nov. 24 in Kaimukī.

Located in the former Chubbies Burgers space in Kaimukī, 

 — owned by restaurant group Funergy Group Inc., which operates Tori Ton, Izakaya Tenkichi and Totoya — specializes in Japanese-style hamburger steaks.

The restaurant interior was modeled, and now boasts a vibrant yellow hue and anime on the walls. The design was inspired by Akihabara, a neighborhood in Tokyo, according to Funergy Group Inc. owner Takuya Tsutsumi.

Originally, Tsutsumi was thinking to open another izakaya, but decided to go with the “hamburger steak” concept instead.

“It’s very popular in Japan now, since maybe three or four years ago,” he says.

He explains that the eatery’s name refers to the hamburger steak’s shape (“maru”) and the sizzling sound made when it’s cooked (“ju”).

Tsutsumi explains that the hamburger steaks are first cooked on the grill, then in the oven, and are served on a sizzling platter; its sauce is poured tableside.

“There’s a combination of a little bit of pork, beef, the beef fat and a secret recipe,” Tsutsumi says.

He explains that the eatery’s sauces are homemade, making each dish unique.

[{"type":"text","text":"“The original sauce takes more than seven hours to make,” he says."}]

Hamburger steak sets come in two sizes — regular ($23.50) or large ($28.50) — and include vegetables, pasta, miso soup and rice.

Choose from sauces like signature onion, sweet garlic soy glaze, grated daikon ponzu, green onion salt marinade, and Gorgonzola cheese. While the signature onion — boasting a nice balance of sweet and savory — is projected to be the most popular option, I’m partial to the rich, creamy Gorgonzola.

The hamburger steaks are thick, juicy, tender and ultra flavorful — even before the sauce is added. Customers can add extra toppings like grilled onions ($2), garlic chips ($1.90), grilled bacon ($3.90) and more.

Tsutsumi also recommends trying the eatery’s braised hamburg in mushroom demi-glace sauce. This option comes with the same side dishes as the original hamburger steak; choose from regular ($24.50) or large ($29.50) sizes. There’s also a keiki size ($12.50) that is served with potatoes, carrots, broccoli and pasta.

Marujuu also offers chicken steak ($17.90) — choose from yuzu pepper sauce, signature onion sauce or sweet garlic soy glaze — and rib-eye steak ($29.50 regular, $38.50 large).

“We marinate the chicken overnight so it’s very tender,” Tsutsumi says. “We use chicken thighs.”

The eatery will be open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. and from 5 to 10 p.m. for dinner (last call 9:15 p.m.) Wednesdays to Mondays (it’s closed on Tuesdays). Right now, it’s first come, first served; a reservation system may be set up in the future.

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Open 11 a.m.-2:15 p.m., 5-10 p.m. (last call 9:15 p.m.) Wednesdays to Mondays

Marujuu Hawaii hamburger steak cross section 112225

<title>Japanese-style hamburger steak spot is opening in Kaimukī</title>

Marujuu Hawaiʻi — sister restaurant of Totoya, Tori Ton and Izakaya Tenkichi — is opening on Monday, Nov. 24 in the former Chubbies Hawaiʻi space in Kaimukī. The biz specializes in Japanese-style hamburger steaks that are delivered on sizzling platters to your table.

Japanese-style hamburger steak spot is opening in Kaimukī

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

In 1985, University of Hawai‘i pitcher Mike Campbell was selected with the seventh overall pick of the MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners. Later in that same draft, ‘Iolani alumnus and 6-foot-9 University of California righty Dave Masters was taken 24th overall by the Chicago Cubs. It was the first and only time two players with Hawai‘i ties were selected in the first round in the same MLB Draft. 

Forty years later, a new type of history is set to be made regarding players from the Islands in the MLB Draft. 

Saint Louis alumnus Aiva Arquette and Baldwin alum Wehiwa Aloy are both poised to become first round selections when the 2025 MLB Draft gets underway on Sunday at noon HST. The duo would become the first from Hawai‘i high schools to do so. 

Arquette and Aloy both had stellar seasons in the spring, leading their respective college teams to the College World Series in June. 

Following his senior season at Saint Louis, Arquette was taken in the 18th round of the 2022 MLB Draft but instead chose to play collegiately at the University of Washington. After two years with the Huskies, Arquette entered the NCAA transfer portal and transferred to Oregon State, where he slugged 19 home runs while committing just six errors as the team's starting shortstop. All the while, his .354 batting average led the Beavers. 

Aloy began his collegiate career at Sacramento State. After earning Freshman All-American honors, he entered the transfer portal and played the final two seasons of his collegiate baseball career at the 

In 2025, Aloy took home the Golden Spikes Award, given annually to the country's top amateur baseball player. He started all 65 games for the Razorbacks in 2025, hitting 21 home runs with a .350 batting average. 

Although Aloy was awarded college baseball's top individual honor, the 6-foot-5 Arquette is viewed as the slightly better pro prospect. Arquette is viewed as a Top 10 pick, while Aloy is also expected to be off the board by the time the first round ends. 

The 2025 MLB Draft begins on Sunday with rounds 1-3 and wraps up on Monday with rounds 4-20 beginning at 5:30 a.m. HST. Although Arquette and Aloy are viewed as Hawai‘i's headliners in the draft, a handful of other names remain on the radar for teams making selections. 

Not far behind Arquette and Aloy as a prospect is Saint Louis shortstop and 2025 Hawai‘i Gatorade Player of the Year 

. Although he signed a scholarship agreement with the University of Michigan, he is likely to get selected within the first five rounds. 

Throughout various showcases and tournaments, Agbayani's bat has proven to travel well. He turned heads in June's MLB Combine in Arizona, stacking up hits against some of the top arms in the country. 

‘Iolani senior Mana Lau Kong signed with the University of Hawai‘i, but there's also a chance he doesn't make it campus after being monitored by various MLB organizations. 

With the increasing amount of pro scouts taking in regular season high school baseball games in Hawai‘i, the two that appeared to receive the most interest from pro scouts in 2025 were 

's Elai Iwanaga and Kaiser's Bryson Toner. Iwanaga is set to play collegiately at UCLA, while Toner will play at Loyola Marymount if he does not go pro this summer. 

Mililani senior shortstop Malosi Mata'afa-Alferos also received pro looks over the course of his high school career, though he is considered more likely to move on to the University of Oregon in the fall rather than turn professional. 

's Bronson Rivera caught the attention of scouts with his 2025 season in which he hit a program record 19 home runs while maintaining a .377 batting average. 

As for the University of Hawai‘i, sophomore 

 is viewed as the program's top draft-eligible prospect. Utility player Ben Zeigler-Namoa has received pro interest dating back to his days as a junior college player at Yavapai College in Arizona, and his passion for the game has been lauded by scouts. 

Matthew Miura, Jordan Donahue, Jared Quandt and Kamana Nahaku are other draft-eligible names for UH that have previously received pro interest. 

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Got fish on da line?

Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

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Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Got fish on da line?

Authors

Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

More in Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Gotta catch ‘em all — at Ala Moana Center: voices from Pokémon GO’s “Wild Area: Global” event

Starbucks holiday launch draws crowds for limited-edition cups

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