Square Kady Pascual Headshot RGZ5762

Kady Pascual

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

We know she’s the reason that box got in that truck!

Accurate Plumbing

<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Big sister duties</title>

Today’s social media find comes from @AccuratePlumbingHawaii, making his sister do all the heavy lifting.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Big sister duties

We know she’s the reason that box got in that truck!  Make sure you follow @AccuratePlumbingHawaii on Instagram!

IMG 1445

Rick Hamada

Government & Politics

Columnists

[{"type":"text","text":"Lala has left the building."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Yes, her impact was profound."}]

Friends and families on the Big Island bore the brunt while the rest of the island chain took its lumps as well.

The anticipation of yet another major weather event may have given some fatigue, especially since recovery from the two recent Kona Lows was somewhat still underway. Honestly, fatigue wasn't the only effect. I would submit that fear was the dominant emotion and partly fear of the unknown.

I try to be as empathetic as possible with those who are so negatively impacted. My family and I live in a secured high rise with diesel generator backup to mitigate power loss; we live high enough above ground where flooding is not a major threat, and we've been blessed in literally weathering every storm for so many years. These statements are not intended to gloat or brag but to share perspective. We have not suffered as others have suffered, yet we're saddened for those who have and we are prayerful for a speedy recovery. It's truly heartbreaking.

It's important that in times of trouble that the collective objective is to learn and not to repeat. If that's an acceptable and reasonable policy goal, then what happened?

[{"type":"text","text":"Why is our infrastructure so fragile?"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"It's not like inclement to hurricane force weather is breaking news."}]

Since 1949 when storm tracking officially began, Hawaii has counted 69 tropical cyclone encounters. Yes, some are counted where a minimum amount of impact was made, but it also includes Hurricane Nina (1957), Dot (1959), Iwi (1982), Iniki (1992) and now you can count Lala (2026). Interestingly, there are documented reports of cyclonic activity in the Hawai‘i chain dating back to September 1843 and more so on August 9, 1871.

Again, this is not breaking news that we are susceptible to damaging storms. If we have foreknowledge that we are exposed to brutal elements, then what have we done to prepare ourselves?

[{"type":"text","text":"I mean we've had a 183-year heads up."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"OK, I can hear it already."}]

Hamada, you simply don't understand. Since when did you become a civil engineer? Do you realize how much money and how much impact to the community it would be to retrofit, replace or even repair vulnerable spaces? If it breaks, we fix it.

[{"type":"text","text":"That's one point of view."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Here's another."}]

In 1959, the first year of statehood, the total of all taxes paid in Hawai‘i was 

. That's everything; federal, state, county taxes, gas taxes, all of it. By 1969, annual total was $922 million. 

In today's dollars, that's $3.6 billion and $8.4 billion, respectively, just in those two bookend years of our first decade as a state.

[{"type":"text","text":"The issue is prioritization."}]

During that decade we had the opportunity to declare that, along with public education and health and human services (the two largest budget expenditures of the state), infrastructure preparedness would have received some love. 

The widely accepted notion is that the essential role of government is to defend her people and create a safe environment for all. 

[{"type":"text","text":"What is the essential life blood of a free society."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Infrastructure."}]

It's electricity. It's water. It's transportation. It's waste treatment and removal. 

[{"type":"text","text":"The same afflictions of the past haunt us today."}]

Post-Lala we have tens of thousands still without power. You're rendered virtually into seclusion. You cannot communicate, you cannot preserve your expensive food, you cannot have lights, or fans, or air conditioning in your home. No laundry, no dishes, no bathing or other water-centric needs. It takes a toll on your mental health. It exposes families to inordinate amounts to stress and oftentimes children are affected. Roads may be impassible, you may live in a "one-way in, one-way out" community or public and closures have an impact on your lives, too. And you pray that you can flush the toilet because the health implications are grave.

[{"type":"text","text":"The essential role of government is to keep her people safe."}]

Over the past several decades have the previous generations of leadership fulfilled this directive?

[{"type":"text","text":"I maintain that Hawai‘i does not have a revenue problem. Never has."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"But it's always had a spending and prioritization problem."}]

Government stresses that we must be prepared in times of great challenges.

But that siren call for preparedness extends to providing excellent infrastructure so we can live and survive during those challenging times.

If over the past century we invested in the best power generation and distribution, road construction and maintanence, quality upgraded water mains and sewers then perhaps we would not have to contend with such devastation. Rather our mutual preparedness would be complimentary in mitigating the suffering of so many, time after time.

Until that time comes we must acknowledge and celebrate those first responders, dedicated crews, volunteers and non-profits, public and private sector staffs and teams, small and large businesses taking care of so many and everyone else who graciously help those in need. 

Let's call upon excellence in our public policies but never waver in our support and appreciation for those who live aloha to so very many.

[{"type":"text","text":"There's no reason we can't have both."}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"italic"}],"text":" "}]

Tropical Storm Lala

<title>Hamada: Lack of investment in infrastructure taking a toll</title>

This state has never had a money problem, it's had a problem setting priorities to deliver the basics and we pay the price every time a storm strains the system.

Hamada: Lack of investment in infrastructure taking a toll

Lopaka and Tanya Kapanui

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya Kapanui

Hawai‘i History

When American missionaries arrived in Hawai‘i in 1819, they were given a parcel of land at Kawaiahaʻo, near the village of Honolulu, where they could live and carry out their work. They initially lived in hale pili (grass houses) and built a small thatched church on the property. That humble structure established Kawaiahaʻo as the oldest Christian church on Oʻahu.

Hawaiians called the early church Ka Hale Pule (the House of Prayer) and Ka Hale Halawai (The Meeting House). Because Hawaiian royalty attended services there, it also became known as the Kingʻs Chapel, but most non-Native residents simply called it the Stone Church or the Native Church.

For years, services were held outdoors, and the missionaries went through four iterations of thatched buildings they used as their church. It was during this period that the missionaries introduced the Western practice of graveyards, defined by boundaries, tombs, and headstones. Before this, Hawaiians did not bury their loved ones in designated spaces. Graves could be found along sand dunes, in and around heiau, or even near their homes.

In 1837, work began on gathering materials for a permanent church. Massive blocks of coral were cut from the nearby reef and transported to the site, eventually becoming the Kawaiahaʻo Church we know today.

The cemetery surrounding the church is one of the oldest Western-style burial grounds in Hawaiʻi. While there are 296 marked graves, an estimated 200 unmarked burial sites remain, with as many as 600 individuals identified within the cemetery. The oldest burial dates back to 1834, belonging to an unknown person whose name has since been lost to history.

Despite Kawaiaha‘o Church being included on the original National Register of Historic Places, its cemetery has not received the same protection. In 2006, plans were discussed to demolish an old structure and construct a wedding reception area over part of the churchyard.

After years of legal and cultural conflict, the church has permanently abandoned the controversial building project and finalized a burial treatment plan, approved by the Oʻahu Island Burial Council, to reinter the remains near their original resting place.

Years ago, my cousin had his wedding reception at the old Likelike Hall on the grounds of Kawaiahaʻo Church. At the back of the hall was the kitchen with a door that led out to the cemetery.

The reception was well attended, with nearly two hundred friends and family members gathered to celebrate the young couple. The bride’s wedding dance for her husband was exquisite. Everyone was captivated. As more speeches and dances carried on through the evening, the joy and happiness of the crowd took on a life of its own.

Suddenly, a commotion rose from the kitchen, and the noise began to overwhelm the celebration. Curious partygoers gathered in the small space to see Shaun, a mountain of a man, on his knees crying hysterically.

Once his mother calmed him down, Shaun said that as he was preparing to send out more food, he looked out the door and saw a haole woman in a white dress sitting on top of the tomb right outside the door. Her head was down, and she was weeping into her hands.

[{"type":"text","text":"Shaun put the food on the counter and asked the woman if she was okay."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"“My child,” the woman wept, “He died of the dropsy.”"}]

Shaun said her weeping was so bitter that it moved him to the point of chicken skin and pity. He told his mother he placed his hands on her shoulders to gently help her sit up and get a better look at her face. As she straightened and looked up at Shaun, her face was not flesh, but smoke slowly vanishing into thin air. Suddenly, the rest of the woman’s body followed, dissipating into nothing.

Word spread quickly, and people began leaving the reception, especially those who had parked in the cemetery lanes. Night was falling, and perhaps their paranoia made the wedding guests a bit panicked about spirits lurking in the graveyard.

A few months later, the security firm that patrolled the church grounds called my home at 3 a.m. I worked at the immersion preschool on the grounds of Kawaiaha‘o, and because I lived nearest the church, I was a security contact.

Security said they heard furniture moving in the classroom, then a woman’s voice. When I arrived, everything was in order. All the chairs were stacked on top of the tables so the janitors could sweep and mop. The desk hadn’t been moved, and the toys were all put away. Nothing seemed out of place. I called the security firm back to let them know everything was in order, turned the alarm back on, and locked the door from the outside.

[{"type":"text","text":"That’s when I saw her."}]

The haole woman dressed in white, standing next to the door, looking at me. 

[{"type":"text","text":"“My child died of dropsy,” she said."}]

Then her face became smoke. I didn’t wait to see what would happen next. I jumped over the fence, not even bothering to fiddle with the gate. I got in my car and sped off. The whole thing took a few seconds, but I felt like I was moving in slow motion. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

I’m sure I screamed out of fear. I can’t really remember. Either way, I never answered a late-night call from the security firm after that.

Kawaiahao Church Cemetery Large

<title>Among the Graves at Kawaiaha‘o</title>

Nearly 200 years ago, American missionaries at Kawaiaha‘o Church introduced the Western practice of graveyards with tombstones. While the living carry on with church services and wedding receptions and happy occasions, grief seems to bind some spirits to the graveyard — unhappy souls who make their presence known.

Among the Graves at Kawaiaha‘o

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Aloha Spirit

Situated on the lower slopes of Haleakalā, 

Pukalani Community Church of the Nazarene

has a modest congregation of about 70 members who desire to make a big impact in their own backyard and beyond.

, the church handed out essential supplies to the homeless and allowed families without power to use its charging bank. Already in place is its monthly event in partnership with Maui Food Bank’s Mobile Market to provide fresh produce and meals to ʻohana in need, which is slated from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Aug. 27.

The church had become a disaster relief center following the August 2023 Maui wildfires, though, it was “never expecting” to, according to Associate Pastor Dylan Nails.

“We are a small church in Upcountry Maui. But people began showing up, needs were everywhere, and we simply tried to respond to what was directly in front of us,” he said.

During the immediate emergency, Pukalani Community Church of the Nazarene expanded its role in response to widespread displacement, providing shelter to more than 50 Lahaina fire survivors; distributing more than 200,000 pounds of produce and food; and contributing more than $1 million in resources to the affected community.

“Those numbers are meaningful, but the people behind them matter much more to us,” Nails said. “As the immediate emergency began turning into long-term recovery, we realized that handing someone supplies was only one part of the answer. Families needed stability. They needed housing. They needed people who would continue walking with them after the cameras left and the emergency phase ended.”

. As of Aug. 13, 580 residential homes in Lahaina have been completed, 400 are under construction and 680 have issued permits, 

per the County of Maui recovery dashboard

With long-term recovery in mind, church leadership begun to develop a transitional housing model with some inspiration from the Mainland, which materialized as 

. Volunteers range from 30 to 40 people, with four paid staff between the church and the Compassion Village.

Located on its campus, the church built four new, two-bedroom homes that come furnished, and feature common areas like a community garden, chicken coop and water station, conducive for connection and healing, as well as practical services such as spiritual care and counseling, with therapists contracted from Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi, economic assistance, transportation services, and more. Rent for the first three months is free and gradually increases over time; and you do not need to attend church to 

This project is funded by individual donors, including tithes and offerings from the church; private donations from The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund totaling $660,000; and grants from World Vision and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, among other partners.

“Making those investments with the generosity that was entrusted to us allows us to build real lasting recovery for that community. And so, I’m really thankful we had the discipline to do that, but we also continue to listen and uplift the local leadership that is being demonstrated day in and day out,” said 

, HCF vice president of community resilience and strategic implementation, in a separate interview with Aloha State Daily. “That looks like the folks from Pukalani Nazarene Church, who had the vision to meet the community needs, and they had the boldness to design a solution and ask for support.”

HCF funding also went toward a Mobile Compassion Center, or vehicle that provides access to food and basic supplies for those in recovery,

Nails, who also took on the role of executive director of housing, estimates that the truck has already made over 150 trips to Lahaina, while 60 individuals have received direct housing support from the Compassion Village. 

 has joined the monthly outreach efforts through showers and laundry services, which aids more than 200 individuals and families.

“As a church, this is our mission field,” he told ASD on a recent visit to the roughly 3.5-acre campus in early August. “Program fees (for the Compassion Village) go right back into the program, which offers housing with dignity.

“We wanted people rebuilding their lives to live somewhere where they were known, supported, and surrounded by neighbors,” Nails said. “Some stayed for relatively short periods. Others needed longer. Some of the relationships that began during the fires continue today.

No matter how long the stay, The Compassion Village intends to make a house a home, with intentional touches evident in every room from rugs and throw pillows 

 even outside where two rocking chairs prompt cozy conversation and personal gardening beds have been popular among guests, he added.

However, no one is currently living in the four homes as the church and County of Maui navigate through permitting and infrastructure work, among other requirements. Meanwhile, the church is paying out of pocket for some residents to stay in homes at full-market value, according to Nails.

 “We believe God provided this property, the relationships, the resources, and the opportunity to serve our neighbors for a reason,” he said. “We are going to continue working respectfully through the challenges in front of us, continue pursuing compliance, continue advocating for a workable path forward, and continue serving Maui however we can.

Looking ahead, the church aims to expand housing with a purchase it made in November 2024 of two residential lots adjacent to its property. The goal is to build smaller homes and studios to support kūpuna, widows and single parents.

With a background in construction, Nails told ASD that he moved to Hawaiʻi from Washington state for a job and stayed after he met a local girl, his now wife, Emma. He recently traveled to Spokane to help establish relief centers in response to the wildfires there and was able to share some lessons learned through the Maui wildfires.

“Perhaps one of the things I am most thankful for is that what Maui taught us is now helping other communities,” he said. “There is something incredibly meaningful about seeing the generosity that was poured into Maui now being carried forward to another hurting community.

Nails asked for continued prayers and support as the church enters into this next season.

Contribute to Pukalani Nazarene Compassion Village's outreach efforts, 

PCV HERO 01

<title>Pukalani Nazarene Compassion Village combats Maui housing crisis</title>

Led by Rev. Mark Gudmunson, Pukalani Community Church of the Nazarene has a modest congregation of about 70 members who desire to make a big impact in their own backyard and beyond. Learn how the church evolved from being a disaster relief center to delivering affordable housing, while still meeting needs in the community, from Executive Director of Housing Dylan Nails.

Pukalani Nazarene Compassion Village combats Maui housing crisis

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

It was hard for Kolby Kanetake to find the words in July. It's still a challenge in August. 

On Monday, the University of Hawai‘i women's volleyball team took the floor for the first time as a team under new head coach 

, taking on Chaminade in an exhibition. The Rainbow Wahine were slated to play at Hawai‘i-Hilo in an exhibition match on Saturday, but the contest was called off due to 

No person in the Stan Sheriff Center was connected to both the Rainbow Wahine and Silverswords more than Kanetake, who departed Chaminade in order to become Walker's first assistant coach hire for UH in July. Kanetake, who was an AVCA All-American libero for the Hawai‘i men's team from 2013 to 2016, began his coaching career as soon as his collegiate playing career ended. 

Following stints as a student assistant at UH, a volunteer assistant at California and an assistant coach for the San Francisco beach and indoor teams, Kanetake's career blossomed at Chaminade under head coach Kahala Kabalis Hoke. Kanetake, who joined the Silverswords in 2020, was elevated to associate head coach in 2021. In 2024, he was named the AVCA Division II Assistant Coach of the Year. 

When his alma mater came calling in July, the most challenging part of the process was telling Kabalis Hoke. 

"It was super hard. It's one of the hardest things I've had to do because she has been such a big part of not just my career, but my my life," Kanetake told Aloha State Daily on Monday night. "Having her as a mentor has been amazing, and so it definitely was a really hard decision. But she supported me, and that's just the kind of person that she is. Still just super grateful to have her in my life as a mentor and one of my best friends."

Returning to the Stan Sheriff Center for the first time in years as a coach was already enough of an emotional day for Kanetake. Seeing his former team on the other side of the net and visiting with them before the match only amplified the experience. 

"It was really great being back here. A lot of great memories in this place, mostly playing," Kanetake said. "And then playing against Chaminade, definitely mixed emotions."

Said Kabalis Hoke: "Tears from our team, tears from him and I and the coaching staff. We miss him dearly, but we're so happy for him and excited for him in this new journey. I definitely caught myself looking over at him and the bench, kind of giving a smile, whether it was them winning the point or us winning the point. We miss him and we're just really excited for him."

On the floor, the Rainbow Wahine took all four of the scheduled sets, winning 25-20, 25-16, 25-10, 25-13 as both teams shook off the rust of limited practice time due to the storm. 

Following the match, nearly every member of Chaminade's team went up to Kanetake for hugs. A former player in the crowd even gave him a large AI-generated sign of him facing off against the Silverswords. 

"Kolby is extremely passionate about what he does. He wanted to make sure he was there later than me, before me, and he's done so much for me as far as helping me push the team to new heights," said Kabalis Hoke, who along with Kanetake guided Chaminade to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 2021 to 2024. "I'm going to be forever appreciative of him. 

"(Saying goodbye) was tough, yet I knew it was the right thing if I wanted to support him in his dreams, and I encouraged him to take that opportunity because how many times is he going to get chances like that? And so he's so deserving of it, and I just want nothing but the best for him."

For Hawai‘i, regular season play begins with three matches in three days at the Hawaiian Airlines Rainbow Wahine Volleyball Classic, beginning with Georgia Southern at 7 p.m. on Aug. 28 at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Chaminade's season, meanwhile, will begin on Thursday at the Hawai‘i-Alaska Challenge on the Big Island. Chaminade will open against Alaska Anchorage at 1 p.m. on Thursday. 

With both teams going their separate ways following Monday's exhibition, count Walker among those glad Kanetake is moving forward with his team.

"I think he's happy that we won. But I think it's just kind of twofold because the last time he was really here was as a player, too. For him, just battling a lot of emotions as far as working with that group. They had a lot of success, but he's here because he wants to continue to help UH and us to be as great as possible," Walker said of Kanetake. "So, yeah, he was great. He's been great for us. I'm glad we got him."

Kolby Kanetake 081826

<title>New UH women's volleyball assistant coach Kolby Kanetake embraces new challenge at alma…</title>

During Monday night's exhibition match, Kanetake coached against his former team, Chaminade. He was the associate head coach for the Silverswords until UH came calling.

New UH women's volleyball assistant coach Kolby Kanetake embraces new challenge at alma mater

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

Hawai‘i Island bore the brunt of Hurricane Lala this weekend and some isle businesses were hit hard by the passing storm.

"Of course, our members in Ka'ū have been hardest hit. Some businesses there have lost practically everything," 

Carla Kuo, executive officer at the Hilo-based 

Most businesses in Hilo have been up and running and doing what they can to support our community. Some businesses in our surrounding areas are still without power, some without water, but we know service providers are out there doing the best they can to get people back online.

About 40,400 Hawaiian Electric customers across the state remained without power as of 11 a.m. Tuesday, according to a 1 p.m. update from the utility. Of those, approximately 26,900 are on Hawai‘i Island.

Kuo says HICC has been sharing resources with its members, including a push to report residential, business and agricultural damages to the Hawai‘i County 

 so the island can qualify for federal disaster assistance; that the 

 is accepting donations and volunteers; and that the 

Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services

Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s Hawai‘i Island Strong Fund

 to provide resources for disaster response and recovery and is encouraging its members to do the same, Kuo says.

"Overall these disasters are always tough on our community and our small businesses and we will see and hear more in the coming days," she says. "We thank our emergency responders, county, state and federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations for working long hours, coordinating resources, caring for our neighbors and helping our community navigate these challenging times. We’re grateful to everyone working behind the scenes and on the front lines for their dedication, compassion and commitment."

Kuo says HICC has around 340 members, just two to three of which are in Kā‘u, “

but we have members outside the area who do business with farmers there and purchase their products. I do not know yet how many businesses may have been lost, we’re still reaching out to our members to see how we can help.

In Kā‘u's Nā‘ālehu community, Punalu‘u Bake Shop is one of the businesses that saw major damage from the storm.

The shop, which is noted to be the southern most bakery in the United States, has suffered "catastrophic damage," general manager Zachary Kennedy said in a video posted to Instagram on Monday that he said also serves as a media release.

"We're trying to see what's salvageable. We're doing a damage assessment right now, but early on, I can tell you the bakery has suffered catastrophic damage at this point," he says in the video. "It's going to take time for us to get everything together. It's going to take time for us to come up with a plan. ... The bakery will come back. It's just going to take time and it's going to take a lot of work."

We are still assessing the full situation and it will take time to get everything back in order. The damage is truly unimaginable," an earlier Instagram post signed by Kennedy reads. "The most important update: all of our employees are safe and healthy. We closed the bakery as a precaution ahead of the storm, so no one was on site."

The bakery says that all online orders have been suspended, it is unable to produce any products and stores will not have its products available.

(ICYMI: ASD spoke with statewide business organizations about the impact of the storms on local businesses. You can 

Getty Images punaluu bake shop hurricane lala

<title>Hawai‘i Island businesses impacted by Hurricane Lala</title>

Some businesses in Kā‘u have lost nearly everything, officials with the Hawai‘i Island Chamber of Commerce say.

Hawai‘i Island businesses impacted by Hurricane Lala

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

Food & Dining

Looking to shop for the holidays ... in August? The Made in Hawaiʻi Festival and Hawaiʻiʻs Finest Best of Hawaiʻi Mākeke combined will bring more than a thousand local vendors to the heart of Honolulu. 

The Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest also wraps up this weekend and puts the spotlight on surfing, swimming and more in Waikīkī. 

Aloha State Daily put together this list of ways to spend the weekend:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Friday, Aug. 21"}]

The Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest runs through Monday, Aug. 24. Some of the upcoming events include a surf invitational, a one-mile swim, surfboard water polo and more. Duke’s Ocean Fest honors

five Olympic medals — including three golds

 — and was an ambassador of surfing to the world and part of the legendary Waikīkī Beach Boys. 

 including artists, makers and entrepreneurs to the Hawaiʻi Convention Center from Thursday, Aug. 20, through Sunday, Aug. 23. Last year, the event drew about 

, as previously reported by Aloha State Daily. Food & Dining Reporter Kelli Shiroma Braiotta caught up with several first-time vendors for the upcoming Made in Hawaiʻi Festival including 

. The event, which is run by the Hawaiʻi Food Industry Association,

features live music from award-winning artists, chef demonstrations and more. 

, and we look forward to meeting readers at booth S-3009! Stop by to play some games, win prizes, and learn more. 

. The album features the sounds of the ocean and coqui frogs, as well as a cello, ʻuliʻuli and a Hawaiian nose flue. Taimane spoke with ASD about “Li’ulā” ahead of its release, 

highlighting songs like “Kai Mahina,” “Nightmarchers” “Hilo Night” and “Until We Meet Again.” 

She will be one of the headliners at the third annual Maui Music & Food Experience on Friday, Aug. 21, which is the day of the album’s release. 

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

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Saturday, Aug. 22"}]

Catch live music at the Kani Ka Pila Grille Talent Search. 

Want to hear Hawaiian music at the Made in Hawaiʻi Festival? Stop by the Main Stage on Saturday, Aug. 22, to see the finalists for the 19th annual Kani Ka Pila Grille Talent Search. Past winners of the competition have gone on to win Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. This year, the competitors are: Makana Arce, Moon Kahale, Keawe Kaluhiwa and ʻĀlewa. Starting at 2:30 p.m., each will play up to 20 minutes of non-stop music. The winner of the contest gets a one-month paid contract at Kani Ka Pila Grille, which is part of Outrigger Reef Waikīkī Beach Resort. 

, which runs from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena. Featured entertainers include High Watah, Ooklah the Moc, Three Plus, Johnny Suite, Likkle Jordee, Small Axe, Kapu System and more. Tickets start at $30.75, including fees. From Friday, Aug. 21, through Sunday, Aug. 23, Hawaiʻi’s Finest will also host its free 

, which brings more than 300 local vendors selling food, fashion, and more, together at the Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. Parking is $8. 

The Chinese Chamber of Commerce, American Savings Bank and Trust for Public Land will host the Battle of the Bao at ʻAʻala Park in the heart of Chinatown on National Bao Day. The event celebrates bau, which is known locally as manapua. Guests will receive free samples of bau, while supplies last. They can also vote for their favorites as local restaurants compete for the title of “Best Bao / Manapua” before a panel of judges. Free. 

This event — which was rescheduled from its original date of Saturday, Aug. 15, due to weather — honors the enduring legacy of legendary slack-key guitarist and Hawaiian music pioneer Gabby “Pops” Pahinui. Listen to live musical performances at Waikīkī Beach Walk. Free. 

Go to the Perry & The Posse Show at Limelight. 

The Perry & The Posse Show will bring its second live show to Limelight Hawaiʻi near Ala Moana Hotel. The show, which runs from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and includes a breakfast buffet, will feature the KSSK 92.3 Saturday Morning Live Radio Show with Michael W. Perry, Sweetie Pacarro, and Karen Keawehawaii. The original Perry and the Price show began in 1983

Watch surfboard water polo, listen to live music or shop more than 800 local vendors at the Made in Hawaiʻi Festival this weekend. Ready to make plans? Here are 10 things you can do on Oʻahu this Friday, Aug. 21, through Sunday, Aug. 23.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Big sister duties

Kady Pascual

Social Media & Marketing Manager

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Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Big sister duties

Authors

Kady Pascual

Social Media & Marketing Manager

More in Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Enter for a chance to win tickets to see Disney’s live action adaptation of the animated film ‘Moana’

Hawai‘i Scene on Social meets Hawai‘i Skies

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Neighborhood weather updates

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Island vibes

Most read