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Kady Pascual

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

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<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Dogs are cooler than humans</title>

Today’s social media find comes from @HumphreySaccaro, stylin’ in his lifted yota.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Dogs are cooler than humans

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Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Aloha Spirit

Hawaii History

It was a breezy, blue-skied Thursday morning after a storm when Aloha State Daily visited Kūʻīlioloa Heiau.

The Hawaiian temple dates to the 11th or 12th century, according to a sculpture from the City and County of Honolulu, which manages the site situated on the Kaneʻilio Point near Pōkaʻī Bay in Waiʻanae.

 before it became Kūʻīlioloa, translated to "the long dog form of Kū,” or the God of War as a dog. 

 a navigator from Tahiti, Lonokaeho, constructed it 

as a training center and lighthouse for navigation

. It is the only heiau in the Islands that is bordered on three sides by the ocean.

The Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Moku O Kapuāiwa Chapter,

 helps mālama the land by mowing the grass, restoring rock walls, pulling weeds, planting trees and more, at least twice a month, so that the local community can still use and enjoy it.

“Itʻs not a burial heiau, but a navigation point. Not many people know that,” Rocky Naeʻole, member of the Order, told ASD. “Itʻs part of our kuleana. This is for us to maintain. We donʻt receive income from anybody. Itʻs all volunteer. Weʻre just here to do the work.”

Naeʻole was born in Honolulu and moved to the West Side at age 12. Heʻs fully retired, yet committed to six to eight community organizations, he said.

“Our Order has 10 mokus. Kapuāiwa covers the Waiʻanae Coast to the North Shore to ʻEwa,” he explained, adding that its membership is in the hundreds, while about 30 to 40 individuals remain currently active.

The purpose of the Order are “to preserve and perpetuate the ancient customs of Hawaiʻi” and uplift the Hawaiian people, 

He noted that the group collectively decides what they want to do in the community each year; this project has remained a priority for 12 or more years.

“You can see the stars so clear out here,” he said, noting that University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa students, nonprofits, visitors and community members have come out before to stargaze. The Order plans to host a navigation event open to the public on Saturday, Dec. 5.

Naeʻole is looking forward to the community events lined up this year and hopes to work with the county on signage for additional moʻolelo of Kūʻīlioloa Heiau.

Another member of the Order, Abraham Kalani Kaʻio, shared what the ancient site means to him.

“This heiau is a gathering of all of the Pacific Triangle. Every island in the triangle, you can get there from here. This is a tie to all of our brothers and sisters in the triangle, and I try to explain that to every race that comes here. In one way or another, your family [has] been here.”

He presented a map, showcasing the 13 public-access heiaus along the Leeward Coast. Others sit on military-owned land, he added.

Kaʻio, who was born in Germany and raised on Oʻahu, said that when they first started cleaning the heiau years ago, “it was in bad shape.”

“The place was overrun by homeless and nobody took care of it.” Now, he says some have returned to lend a hand on cleanup days, which typically run on the first and third Thursdays of the month.

Not to mention, several organizations have aided in caring for the marine life, consisting of at least three species of birds, as well as Hawaiian monk seals.

His advice to young people is to learn their culture instead of playing games, he said with a laugh. “Your knowledge of culture is knowing who you are.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"A quiet place"}]

, Naeʻole asked if there was anything I needed to let go of.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"I replied with a nod."}]

He said to face the ocean and close my eyes, then began to pray in ōlelo Hawaiʻi.

I breathed in and out twice as instructed. The wind grazed my cheek and tossed my hair.

“You can see the ocean from three sides and take it all in, feel how quiet it is,” he said. “If I’m stressed out — which I don’t try to stress myself out, sometimes you can’t help it — this is where I come.”

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Heiau 01

<title>Group’s kuleana to maintain Kūʻīlioloa Heiau in Waiʻanae</title>

The Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Moku O Kapuāiwa Chapter, helps steward the ancient site near Pokaʻi Bay still used today for community events that perpetuate Hawaiian culture.

Group’s kuleana to maintain Kūʻīlioloa Heiau in Waiʻanae

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

Architect Francis Oda, one of the founders of G70, died Feb. 14 surrounded by family, including wife Caroline and children Reid and Nalani. He was 84.

Francis was more than one of our founders — he was a mentor, spiritual father and source of inspiration for everyone who had the privilege of working with him,” G70 CEO Linda Miki said in an announcement of his passing on Wednesday. “His legacy lives on in our G70 ‘ohana, our projects and our commitment to serving Hawai‘i and beyond with integrity and car

[{"type":"text","text":"Oda led the firm, founded in 1971, for more than 50 years."}]

His work helped shape Hawai‘i’s built environment and reflected his deep respect for culture, community and place,” G70 says. “Over the course of his career, he mentored generations of professionals whose work continues to reflect his values of excellence, humility and service.”

Born and raised in Hawai‘i, Oda made his first trip to the Mainland in 1959 to study architecture at Cornell University, according to the university’s 

“At the time, no one in his family had ever visited the contiguous U.S. and jetliner travel wasn’t available,” the write-up notes. “It took Oda five days just to reach the Cornell campus.”

He received a Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell and a Doctor of Architecture from the University of Hawai‘i, where he was a “distinguished alumnus” and helped develop the Doctor of Architecture program, G70 noted.

Oda also was an adjunct associate professor at the UH School of Architecture.

According to G70, Oda received more than 50 design awards throughout his career, including the American Institute of Architects Honor Award for Our Divine Savior Church in Chico, California.

 His award-winning projects include the Four Seasons Lodge at Koele, the Four Seasons Mānele Bay Hotel, Hanauma Bay Nature Center and the Nanea Golf Clubhouse

He also helped envision master plans and design guidelines for the city of Kapolei, the UH Long Range Development Program, Kanu o ka ‘Āina and Kamehameha Schools Kaiaulu o Kaka’ako Masterplan

, and designed several international projects in French Polynesia, Mauritius and Canada, the firm noted.

Oda was a fellow of the American Institute of Architects, a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, designated a Mānoa Forum Fellow by UH, received the 

 and was inducted into the Hawai‘i Business Hall of Fame.

, the 2026 president of AIA Honolulu, the Honolulu chapter of the American Institute for Architects, and an associate principal at G70, told Aloha State Daily in an email that Hawai‘i has lost "one of its most influential voices in Francis Oda."

"I remember sitting with Francis a few years ago — he asked us what we were dreaming about. Not what we were working on. Not what our goals were. What we were dreaming. Then he asked about our reality. He understood that balance — between the possible and the present — and that is what stays with me," Hirai says.

"For Hawaiʻi's architectural community, he was one of a kind. He identified early on that our profession carries a unique responsibility — to place, to culture, to the people who experience what we design. You see it in the buildings he left behind across these Islands and beyond. You see it in the culture he built at G70. And you see it in the people he mentored — who are now doing the same for others.

"As AIA Honolulu president, that question still challenges me — what are we dreaming about? What could our profession look like if the next generation had people willing to push their thinking the way Francis pushed ours?"

 of what was then called The Hawai‘i Society, the American Institute of Architects. You can read a 1982 interview with Oda in 

Recently, though, the architect was featured in newest episode of AIA Honolulu’s Let’s Talk Story series, a video and podcast highlighting conversations between an emerging and experienced architect. You can watch the video and listen to the podcast, 

[{"type":"text","text":"Hirai encourages those who didn't know Oda personally to take a listen."}]

"I'll be honest — hearing his voice again is not easy," Hirai says. "But it's an incredible way to experience who he was, and to celebrate everything he gave this profession and the community he loved."

"The Hawaii Architectural Foundation mourns the passing of Francis Oda, FAIA, whose career reflected an exemplary commitment to architecture and a deep devotion to the community he served," HAF President Katherine MacNeil told ASD in an email. "A recipient of the Foundation’s Gordon W. Bradley Humanitarian Award, Francis was recognized for his far-reaching leadership and enduring contributions to Hawaiʻi’s civic and cultural life. Elevated to Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, he embodied professional excellence and principled leadership. Through award-winning architecture, visionary master planning, and dedication to architectural education, he strengthened Hawaiʻi’s built environment and the profession. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations."

In addition to his work, Oda was also a senior pastor and board chair of New Life Church Honolulu and served as global chair of Transform Our World.

A celebration of life service is set for Saturday, April 25, at First Assembly of God — Red Hill, Moanalua.

Francis Oda G70 03 A6249

<title>Architect Francis Oda, founder of G70, dies at 84</title>

Hawai‘i has lost "one of its most influential voices," Lance Hirai, the 2026 president of AIA Honolulu and an associate principal at G70, says.

Architect Francis Oda, founder of G70, dies at 84

ASD icon blue inverse lighter

ASD Staff

Daily Smile

Since my friend came over with her dog I haven't seen my cat anywhere, then I noticed this...

Smile 26 2 18

<title>Daily Smile: Wednesday, February 18, 2026</title>

Daily Smile: Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Food & Dining

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue continues to serve up the plate lunch at more places across the U.S., opening 14 new franchise locations in eight states last year.

In addition to a new Makiki location, in 2025 new restaurants opened in East Harlem and 

, New York; Smyrna and Mulberry, Georgia; Escondido, Benicia, Clairemont Mesa and Davis, California; Fort Hood, Texas; Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, New Mexico; Tacoma, Washington; and Nampa, Idaho, the state’s first, a Feb. 10 announcement from L&L noted.

“L&L’s growth continues to be fueled by a franchise model shaped around accessibility and long-term partnership,” the announcement says. “Franchisees receive hands-on training in Hawai‘i, operational guidance and marketing support designed to set them up for success. This systemwide approach ensures consistent hearty portions, comforting flavors and welcoming aloha spirit across all locations.”

In the new year, the Hawai‘i-based L&L says it has a “strong development pipeline spanning the West Coast, Mountain West, Midwest, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.”

"The brand is on pace for its strongest Q1 opening period to date, positioning 2026 to begin as the strongest quarter in L&L’s history and reflecting sustained franchise interest and confidence in the system," the announcement states.

A new franchise, found in the Bonney Lake Retail Market Center at 20621 Highway 410 E. in Bonney Lake, Washington, officially opened on Jan. 20, bringing the total number of locations in the Evergreen State to 11. The new restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The new franchise is owned and operated by cousins Robert Ramos and Ephraim 

. While this is their first L&L, a Feb. 11 announcement notes that the duo operated a mobile food business for several years.

 and Johnson Kam acquired L&L Drive-Inn in 1976. The restaurant founded as L&L Dairy back in 1952.

"I look at a financial statement and it shows that it's making money," Flores told Aloha State Daily last summer. "You never see that in any small business. I decided to make an offer and I purchased the restaurant and I gave it to my mom as a gift." 

His mother had been working as a dishwasher and counter girl at Lynn's Deli in Ala Moana Center, he said in June, but knowing that she didn’t know much about running a restaurant, he called on Kam for help.

Flores said his mother ran the restaurant for two years, after which everything was sold to Kam.

The pair later decided to later franchise and expand the operations, and 

today, there are more than 230 locations across the globe.

, it was announced earlier this month. Now in its 47th year, the ranking evaluates factors like costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability.

“L&L Hawaiian Barbecue has always been rooted in relationships,” CEO Elisia Flores said in a Feb. 2 announcement. “As we continue to grow beyond 230 locations, that commitment remains central to how our franchisees operate and this recognition reflects their dedicated efforts.”

. According to a list of frequently asked questions on the site, the estimated initial investment for a turnkey L&L ranges from nearly $254,000 to a little more than $838,460, depending on location, size and existing facility.

CREDIT Matt Armendariz Shooter Stylist LLC LL Hawaiian Barbecue 2

<title>L&L Hawaiian Barbecue continues nationwide growth</title>

The chain opened 14 new locations 2025 and was recently ranked on Entrepreneur’s 2026 Franchise 500.

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue continues nationwide growth

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Kung Hei Fat Choi! Lunar New Year officially starts Feb. 17. These limited-time specials below feature a variety of themed treats and full-on meals to celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse. 

: The eatery is featuring a char siu pineapple special ($26). 

: Available throughout February for Hong Kong Festival and Lunar New Year 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Big Island Candies"}]

: Enjoy specialty Year of the Horse-themed treats, including:

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

: The eatery will have a variety of Lunar New Year-themed specials available, including:

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

: Enjoy specialty treats like the six-piece Lunar New Year truffle box ($22.99) and Good Luck tokens ($6.99). The truffle box includes flavors like almond cookie, fresh gau and white rabbit wrapped in a box with a “year of the fire horse” design. 

: The Lunar New Year truffle box is available for pick-up Feb. 13, 14 or 17; available while supplies last 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Duk Kee Chinese Restaurant"}]

: The restaurant’s Lunar New Year menu ($108) is available for all of February. It includes chicken salad, New Year jai, half roast duck, beef tenderloin with King oyster mushrooms, steamed fish with ginger and scallions, shrimp with lotus root and snow peas, mini sesame balls and steamed rice. 

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

: Enjoy a Lunar New Year set ($17), which includes gau mochi with whole red bean, whole longan mochi, whole lychee mochi, chi chi dango and almond cookie manju. Almond cookie senbei ($13.95) will also be available. 

: Feb. 16 and 17, but may be available longer 

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

: This Lunar New Year special menu ($128.88) is designed to feed four to six people. It includes crab meat with dried scallop soup, Chinese stir-fried sticky rice, Chinese jai, fried chicken, braised pork trotter clay pot and fried sesame balls. 

 7192 Kalanianaʻole Hwy. Ste. D-105, Honolulu, HI 96825

: Enjoy a variety of featured specials, including:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Honolulu Cookie Co."}]

: The Year of the Horse Gift Box 2026 ($20.95) includes 16 cookies in six flavors, including chocolate chip macadamia, pineapple macadamia, chocolate dipped macadamia, dark triple chocolate macadamia, white chocolate confetti and yuzu. Yuzu is February’s flavor of the month, and features a bright, citrus flavor with hints of mandarin, grapefruit and lemon. 

honolulucookie.com/cookies-gifts-chocolate/year-of-the-horse-gift-box.asp

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Kamukura Surf + Dine"}]

: Enjoy specials like roasted pork and seasoned egg ramen and Kamukura gyoza set ($33) and lemon salmon sushi roll and edamame set ($26) 

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

: This limited-edition treat is inspired by the Year of the Horse. The new dessert — called The Horse — features vanilla ice cream infused with Cinnamon Toast Crunch, persimmons and candied pecans, and is finished with gold sprinkles and a dried persimmon garnish. The flavor is available in three formats — milkshake, ice cream sandwich and ice cream swirl.

The business’s Lunar New Year capsule collection adorned with horse motifs is also available. 

: To celebrate Lunar New Year, Kona Coffee Purveyors and b. patisserie will be launching two pastries and six desserts for a limited time. Indulge in the following:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Kunia Chinese Restaurant"}]

: The Chinese New Year family pack ($119.95) is available for both, dine-in and takeout. It includes half roast duck, house special chow mein, New Year jai, salt and pepper shrimp, orange chicken, seafood fish maw soup and garlic fried rice. The eatery will also have specials like fried flounder ($12.95) and jai ($16.95). 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Oh My Grill"}]

: Pearl’s Lucky Pac ($199) is designed to feed 12 to 15 people. It includes beef broccoli cake noodle, green onion and ginger fish fillet, garlic shrimp, char siu fried noodles and crispy gau gee. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"SXY Shu Xiang Yuan"}]

: Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 

: The Lunar New Year special course ($99) is designed to feed four to six people. The meal highlights bold, Szechuan-inspired flavors and comforting classics. Feast on signature dishes like spicy pork dumplings, garlic fried rice, fish filet simmered in Szechuan chili broth, garlic pork ribs, stir-fried eggplant, green beans infused with savory aromatics, and sticky rice cake with brown sugar. 

: The Lunar New Year set menu ($88.88) is designed to feed four people. It includes siu mai, har gow, fried chives and shrimp cake, fried mochi pork dumplings, garlic chicken, vegetable combo, original soup with fatty beef rice noodles, pickled pepper with beef tripe rice noodles, and warabi mochi dessert (served with kinako, matcha and ube powder). Guests who order the Lunar New Year set menu will receive one complimentary Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodle fan, while supplies last. 

: Starting Feb. 1; available until the end of February 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"The Pig & The Lady"}]

: This special Year of the Fire Horse menu ($100 per person) includes:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Tim Ho Wan"}]

2201 Kalākaua Ave. Ste. A-307, Honolulu,

: Feast on special dishes for Chinese New Year, including lava buns ($8.88) and Chinese pan-fried mochi cakes ($8.88). 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Yi Xin Café"}]

: This Chinese New Year set menu ($238) includes New Year jai, sand ginger chicken, signature curry crab with naan bread, tenderloin steak with fresh pineapple, garlic butter prawns and Hong Kong-style garlic stir-fried fish fillet. If you pre-order anytime before Feb. 16, you will receive complimentary homemade Chinese New Year gao. 

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Lunar New Year Duk Kee Chinese Restaurant 020626

<title>Where to celebrate Lunar New Year 2026</title>

Welcome the Year of the Fire Horse with these limited-time specials.

Where to celebrate Lunar New Year 2026

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

A funeral is what pulls the family together in the first scene where we see Nani, played by the New Zealand-Samoan actress Frankie Adams, as she hugs her long lost cousin, Jonny Hale, played by 

The moment is one of many in “The Wrecking Crew,” a movie filmed partly in Hawai’i that is set to stream globally on Amazon Prime Video at 

. The fast-paced action comedy features the estranged brothers, Jonny (Momoa) and James (Dave Bautista), who reunite when their father dies. In trying to figure out what happened, the brothers discover a conspiracy that can tear their family apart.

“The Wrecking Crew,” is based in Hawai’i but shot mostly in New Zealand. Filming included 12 days in Hawaiʻi and 43 days in New Zealand, Angela Laprete, the Hawaiʻi producer for “The Wrecking Crew," told Aloha State Daily earlier this month. She is part of the newly formed Hawai’i Film Alliance, which launched in July and is 

 that could bring more movies and televisions shows to Hawai’i.

When asked what sets the movie apart from other action films, Adams shared location was part of the charm.

“I think the fact that it's based in Hawai’i, and it's not a touristy glimpse of the island, which I think is really important,” she said. “You see real people. You see real family dynamics, and you get to see a bit of the underground world there, which I think is unique to anything else that anyone's seen.”

Adams plays the strong and sassy cousin of the brothers.

“She is the younger cousin of Jonny and James, and she's just there to call them on their crap,” Adams said. “Nothing gets past her. And she's very honest. Very sassy and smart. All the things that I love in women, personally.”

Adams remembers her first meeting with Momoa.

“Gosh, he's so full of energy,” she said. “He's so fun. He came bounding in the room, came straight up to me and was like: ‘Hi, I’m Jason. You're playing Nani. I love the character.’ We got straight into it. It was so fun. He had his guitar on set.”

Temuera Morrison (“Chief of War,” “Moana 2,” “Aquaman,” “Star Wars,” “Once Were Warriors,” etc.) also had a guitar, she said.

“In between takes, we'd be listening to music and singing, and they'd be playing the instruments,” she said. “I love music. I think it really brought the energy up on set.”

While filming in Hawai’i, Adams also enjoyed the ABC Stores.

“I love that you can get anything — anything you want is in that store,” she said. “It's magic. And I wish it existed everywhere.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Adams also got poke at Foodland."}]

“I actually, perhaps overdid it,” she said. “I think I overdosed on poke. I was eating it for breakfast, lunch and dinner.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Adams laughed."}]

She will be back on screen in another production, Disney’s live action “Moana,” which was also 

“You must take tissues because the amount you cry — from joy and pride — is quite insane,” she said. “I really hope and I feel that people are going to feel really represented when they see that and feel a sense of home.”

“The Wrecking Crew” features Jacob Batalon, Miyavi, Stephen Root and Morena Baccarin, as well as Roimata Fox. It also features actors from 

Disney’s live action version of “Lilo & Stitch” (2025), including 

, who played Lilo in that film and is a daughter of one of the main characters in this one. 

 also appears in the movie. Watch the movie on 

. It is set to release at 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

"The Wrecking Crew"

<title>Actress Frankie Adams reflects on new movies</title>

She plays Nani, the "sassy and smart" cousin of Jonny Hale (Jason Momoa) and James Hale (Dave Bautista) in "The Wrecking Crew." In this exclusive interview with Aloha State Daily, the actress shares her favorite places to decompress after shooting scenes in Hawai’i. Catch her also in Disney’s live action “Moana.”

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Dogs are cooler than humans

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