Square Kady Pascual Headshot RGZ5762

Kady Pascual

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

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The Real Faevur

<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Mele for the people</title>

Today’s social media find comes from @TheRealFaevur, singing a nice tune.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Mele for the people

K den, shootz!  Make sure you follow @TheRealFaevur on Instagram! For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter!

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

 from the PGA Tour to shift away from the Islands starting in 2027, the Sony Open at 

Waiʻalae Country Club will carry on as a PGA Tour Champions event. 

The PGA Tour Champions is reserved for men over 50. In previous iterations of the Sony Open, it served as an event on the regular PGA Tour from 1965 to 2026. 

Chris Gotterup won the final edition of the Sony Open as a PGA Tour event in January

In April, the PGA Tour previously announced it was moving The Sentry away from Maui. In 2024 and 2025, the PGA Tour began its season with The Sentry before holding the Sony Open the following week. But in 2026, 

 at Maui's Kapalua Plantation Course caused the PGA to cancel the event. 

“We are excited to welcome the Sony Championship Hawaiʻi to PGA Tour Champions," PGA Tour Champions president Miller Brady said in a press release. "Sony has been an incredible PGA Tour partner since 1999, and we are looking forward to beginning this new era with the legends of the game competing on a truly iconic venue in Waiʻalae Country Club."

The newly dubbed 2027 Sony Championship Hawai‘i is set to take place from Jan. 11-16 with a purse of $3 million. 

“Welcoming the Sony Championship Hawai‘i to Waiʻalae is more than hosting a world class golf event — it’s an opportunity to showcase the spirit of aloha and strengthen the community impact that has uplifted our islands for decades,” said Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green. “We are proud to see this next chapter unfold and grateful for partners who share our commitment to Hawai‘i’s people and future. Mahalo to the PGA Tour Champions and Sony Group Corp. leadership for perpetuating professional golf in the Hawaiian Islands.”

To date, Sony has contributed more than $27 million to Hawaiʻi nonprofit organizations, thanks to charitable arm 

Friends of Hawaiʻi Charities, which has benefited "hundreds of local charities that serve vulnerable working families, seniors, under-resourced children and economically disadvantaged communities," according to 

Friends of Hawaiʻi Charities closed its offices on Tuesday, citing its contract with Sony ending in January. Aloha State Daily reached out to the Friends of Hawaiʻi Charities for additional comment.

In its 2027 debut, the PGA Tour Champions iteration of the Sony Open will feature pro-ams on Tuesday, Jan. 12 and Wednesday, Jan 13. The regular competition, featuring a field of 78, will run from Thursday to Sunday. 

“Waiʻalae Country Club is proud to continue its 61-year tradition of hosting championship golf, while beginning a new chapter with the PGA Tour Champions,” Waiʻalae Country Club president Meredith Ching said. “We look forward to continuing our valued partnership with Sony and building upon a legacy that has showcased Hawaiʻi around the world and generated meaningful local charitable contributions for decades.”

Modern golf legend Tiger Woods, who turned 50 in December, is eligible for the PGA Champions Tour but has yet to announce plans to do so. 

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Sony Open 070126

<title>Sony Open rebrands as PGA Tour Champions event</title>

The PGA Tour Champions is reserved for professional men's golfers 50 and over. The Sony Open previously served as a PGA Tour event from 1965 to 2026.

Sony Open rebrands as PGA Tour Champions event

Last week, Roosevelt High School publicly unveiled its brand new, state-of-the art gymnasium for the first time. 

The $35 million facility spans 55,000 square feet and features amenities such as a video board, an upstairs mezzanine and all-purpose area for indoor sports. 

Roosevelt's new gym was the first part of a master plan to have its facilities up to Hawai‘i Department of Education standards. The school is currently constructing an $18 million music building, currently projected for a 2028 opening. 

Other features of Roosevelt's new gym include a weight room, mat room, first aid room, offices, locker rooms and a concession stand. 

The blessing of Roosevelt's new gym on Wednesday, June 24, began with Rev. Ryan Souza blowing into a conch shell, followed by a prayer. After Hawai‘i DOE superintendent Keith Hayashi, Roosevelt principal Sean Wong and Roosevelt athletic director John Chung participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony outside the gym, guests were allowed to enter and observe the gym for the first time. 

Hayashi, Wong and Chung all delivered speeches on the new gym floor. Wong and Chung both teared up when explaining what the project meant to them. 

Wong, who had been Roosevelt's principal for 11 years, is departing the school to become the DOE's secondary principal in residence on July 1. 

"Definitely mixed feelings," Wong told Aloha State Daily following the ceremony. "Obviously just seeing everybody's time and effort put into this, I'm just fortunate to have been a part of this project that students will enjoy for generations. Just thank you to the community, and thank you to everybody for their commitment and dedication to our school."

To Wong and Chung, a new gym at Roosevelt was decades in the making. Chung in particular remembers hearing those complaints back when his father, Stanley, was Roosevelt's athletic director. Stanley Chung, who retired as Roosevelt's AD in 1988, died at 94 in 2025. 

Despite graduating high school from Saint Louis, Roosevelt has always been near to John Chung's heart. In 2007, he got the job as Roosevelt's AD and has held the position ever since. 

John Chung expressed Wednesday that his father would have loved the school's new digs and is undoubtedly proud of the progress made over the years, which ramped up in intensity following the draft of a master plan in 2014 and the demolition of the old gym in 2023. 

When Roosevelt's student body steps into the gym for the first time, "they're gonna notice that the gym is a lot cooler than what they're used to," Chung said. "Our old gym, we'd just be sweating. Our old gym felt kind of tight, squeezed in. . ... I think they're gonna be excited. I hope they are, because this is for them. Not just for athletics, but for the whole school."

Roosevelt will host an open house for the public to peruse its gym on July 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Roosevelt gym 063026

<title>Roosevelt High School unveils brand new gymnasium</title>

The $35 million project was part of a master plan to have the school's facilities up to DOE standards.

Roosevelt High School unveils brand new gymnasium

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

Known for its hand-crafted xiao long bao, 

The business, which just opened by Shabuya in Ala Moana Center, has 14 locations in cities like Bellevue, Tacoma, San Francisco and more. The eatery offers authentic Taiwanese cuisine and soup dumplings, according to owner Brandon Ting.

“We started this restaurant’s first location in Bellevue, Washington,” he explains. “We brought the former executive chef of W Hotel Taipei from Taiwan to America; we created this menu together. We want to bring the most authentic, classic xiao long bao experience to Hawaiʻi; we are very excited to be on this island and to serve so many customers here.”

The Honolulu store opened for its friends and family event on Friday, and was soft opened over the weekend. The eatery can seat about 140 individuals.

Customers can make reservations for dine-in via 

“We encourage people to make reservations; we will occasionally accept walk-ins,” he says.

Most xiao long bao orders include six pieces. Each dumpling is folded by hand and steamed fresh to order, according to Ting. The wrappers are delicate, but designed to contain the filling and soup broth.

“The amount of soup inside is a very important standards that we value for our dumplings,” Ting says. “We always tell our customers not to bite them the regular way. If you do, the inside has a lot of soup, and you’ll squeeze it all out.”

Ting recommends that customers let the dumplings cool down, then “eat the entire dumpling in one bite” to enjoy the dumpling exterior and soup together. 

Ting explains that chef Peter Wang — former executive chef at W Hotel Taipei — helped establish the standards, recipes and techniques for Supreme Dumplings. Supreme Dumplings chef Norman Lu, the former head chef of Din Tai Fung’s original central kitchen, adds his expertise to the culinary team.

“Great xiao long bao is a game of millimeters and grams,” Lu states. “Each Supreme Dumplings xiao long bao weighs exactly 27 grams — 6 grams of wrapper, 11 grams of soup, and 10 grams of filling. Achieving that balance consistently requires tremendous discipline and craftsmanship.”

The Supreme pork xiao long bao ($13) is the eatery’s signature dish. Lu explains that choosing high-quality ingredients was essential.

“We carefully select a premium pork specifically chosen for its ideal fat ratio and fiber structure,” he states. “That’s what allows the filling to remain juicy without feeling greasy, while delivering a clean, natural pork flavor. We use premium ingredients throughout our kitchen, and even our seasonings are made from real ingredients, rather than additives." 

The Honolulu menu includes options like Szechuan spicy pork xiao long bao ($12), shrimp and pork xiao long bao ($14), black truffle and chicken xiao long bao ($19) and wagyu beef xiao long bao ($16). If you want a little bit of everything, go for the signature XLB assortment ($20), which includes spicy pork, chicken, wagyu, black truffle and crab fillings.

The menu also features Taiwanese favorites, including spicy pork wontons ($10) and Taiwanese chicken cold noodles ($13). Customer favorites include stir-fried string beans with garlic ($18), pork chop fried rice ($19), mini pan-fried pork dumplings ($15) and Supreme tan tan noodles ($15.50).

Customers can also look forward to a Hawaiʻi-exclusive dish that’s coming soon. The golden pineapple fried rice and a variety of Island-inspired cocktails will be added to the menu.

Desserts include sweet taro ($10.50), chocolate melt ($11) and matcha lava xiao long bao ($12). The latter features a matcha and white chocolate filling.

Supreme Dumplings Honolulu is currently open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays, and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Hours are subject to change.

“This is a place where people genuinely appreciate great food, family-style dining and experiences worth sharing,” Ting states. “We look forward to creating moments of joy for local residents and visitors alike.”

Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Supreme Dumplings wagyu dumplings

<title>Supreme Dumplings is now open in Ala Moana Center</title>

The business, which originated in Washington, specializes in handmade xiao long bao, or soup dumplings. Dumplings are folded by hand and are steamed fresh to order; customers can choose from fillings like pork, wagyu beef, truffle and chicken and more. Customers can currently make reservations via Yelp.

Supreme Dumplings is now open in Ala Moana Center

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

Aloha Spirit

“Carnival of the Nearly Extinct Animals” brings critically endangered Hawksbill sea turtles, 

snails and coral to life through music, dance and elaborate puppets on Friday, Sept. 18, and Saturday, Sept. 19, in Honolulu. While the show is three months away, tickets are on sale now.

The performances are being presented by Hawaiʻi Theatre and 

, a nonprofit that uses music to inspire care for the ocean.

“We're going to go to different communities and share our message and use it to promote conservation,” said Megan Conley, president and founder of Ocean Music Action. “But we're doing it in Hawaiʻi first, because we do have this culture of understanding and care — mālama ʻāina.”

The project is based on the famous suite, “The Carnival of the Animals,” by Camille Saint-Saëns, which was composed more than 100 years ago and consists of 14 short movements featuring different animals. Often, this music is paired with dance.

 a composer in New York who wanted to do a follow-up piece that focused on biodiversity loss and how much has changed since the original piece was written.

“She wrote her own piece that is the same format — it's 13 short movements — and each one, we're basically traveling across the globe, telling the stories of these different animals,” Conley said.

The music features tigers, polar bears, rhinos, bees, butterflies, sea turtles and even a blue whale.

“Coral is the central movement of her piece,” she added. “It’s right in the middle. We basically are using the piece to celebrate the beautiful diversity of life on our planet, but also raise awareness. These animals are endangered. And this is a point of action, so we get to decide: ʻDo we want to protect them? Do we want to save them and make sure they're here for future generations?’”

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The performance includes six musicians playing flute, violin, cello, bass, harp and percussion. Conley, who 

previously was the principal harpist of the Houston Symphony

, will be on stage with her harp. And she will play alongside her husband, 

, who is the principal bassist for Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra.

“You've got winds and strings and harp and percussion,” she said. “The music is very rich — a beautiful mix of timbres, but it's also small enough that people can really see who's playing what and what’s going on.”

 New York, where Conley and her husband lived for 10 years before moving to Oʻahu, where he was born. 

, who recently appeared in the Apple TV mini-series “Chief of War,” will narrate the performance and recite poetry about endangered animals written by keiki, she added via email. 

And then, there are the puppets. Greg Corbino is a New York-based artist who will travel to Oʻahu to create puppets for these performances.

“He’s going to come and build all of the puppets here,” Conley said.

Conservation is at the heart of the designs, she added.

“We're trying to address environmental issues, so all of his materials are recyclable,” Conley said. “We're not creating any trash, and when he leaves all of the puppets will be donated — either to schools or libraries. He wants them to continue to be used for educational purposes.”

While the performances address a heavy topic, there is more to it, she explained.

“Biodiversity loss is a serious thing, but we're really doing it in a way that is meant to just inspire joy and wonder,” Conley said. “It will be just a beautiful art experience.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Opportunities to take action"}]

The first ticketed performance will be at 7:30 p.m. on  Friday, Sept. 18. An hour before the show, there will be 

, which features local experts and shares insights about the animals spotlighted in the performance.

The following day, there will be a more keiki-friendly matinee performance, which starts at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19. Attendees who arrive an hour early can participate in an 

, which is designed to introduce youth to classical instruments. There will also be a 

Musicians, dancers and puppeteers will also give a free third performance just for public school students, she said.

“And then throughout the month of September, we have community engagement events all over Oʻahu that are designed for all different ages, different abilities,” she said. “So people can come to the show, hear about the animals, and then if they're inspired to get involved, we give them opportunities.”

 is listed on Ocean Music Action’s website. So far, the list includes free musical performances at public libraries in Waiʻanae and near Waikīkī, a 

 near the Ala Wai, and nature journaling at Mānoa Heritage Center. 

Greg Corbino

<title>Coral and snails star in 'Carnival of the Nearly Extinct Animals'</title>

Musicians, dancers and puppeteers will take the stage in September to share a world premier performance of “Carnival of the Nearly Extinct Animals,” which tells the story of endangered creatures around the globe. Featured in the performance are several species that call Hawaiʻi home, including sea turtles, snails and coral.

Coral and snails star in 'Carnival of the Nearly Extinct Animals'

IMG 1445

Rick Hamada

Government & Politics

Columnists

As of this writing, the Hawai‘i State Legislative session is in the waning days of completion. When the gavel falls signaling "Sine die" or the adjournment of the session, my question is, "Does it matter to you?"

Each year the current office holding 51 state representatives and 25 state senators convene to do the people's business. At least that's the ideal. Each elected official espouses the narrative of wanting to help the people, be the best steward of state, be the voice of the citizen, and here's the umbrella under which all politicians reside, do what's best for the keiki.

And I want to make this clear from the get go. There are those who are serving in the Big Square Building who live to serve the people they represent and more. Their mission is to make a positive impact on the lives of many. They are accessible, day or night, and will under promise and over deliver when tasked with advocating for a citizen's needs. Interestingly, I don't need to name names because those who are served know who they are and those they serve with know who they are.  

[{"type":"text","text":"Now you know there's a butt bigger than mine on its way ..."}]

Our political composition in Hawai‘i and is rife with individuals who do not subscribe to these ideals of true public service. Again, I don't need to name names because those who are NOT served know who they are, and those with whom they serve definitely know who they are. Please fill in these blanks if you are so inclined.

[{"type":"text","text":"I asked if the end of this session matters to you."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Let me share why it should."}]

My mantra on the morning show has been from the first day, "Politics touches your life every day whether you like it or not."

The state legislature is the one touching you. The governor touches you too just as each county mayor and county council. That's a bunch of touching.

One would think with that much effect and influence in your present and future life that you'd care. Well, 

 do because you're still reading this column, but there are more of you who don't.

We invoke the emasculatingly low voter turnout like it's a reverse badge of honor. The numbers of citizens casting a vote is purely embarrassing.

The 2024 Hawai‘i primary election has been widely panned as unexciting due to a lack of marquee races and fewer candidates to choose from.

[{"type":"text","text":"Voters apparently agreed, if the turnout numbers are any indication."}]

Just 269,912 of the 839,618 people registered statewide filled out a ballot. That works out to 32.1%.

It’s a significant drop from the 39.8% turnout for the 2022 primary and an even more dramatic decline from the 51.2% in 2020. The latter election was the first for the state to use all mail-in balloting system, though voters can still cast ballots in person at select locations on each island.

According to final results released by the Hawai‘i Office of Elections, the 2024 primary numbers represent 

 in the history of Hawai‘i as a state.

Thirty years ago, the 1994 primary turnout was 

I am not being purposefully selective. This was, in fact, our last primary vote, and this was the turnout. Abysmal. And the general election numbers weren't that great either.

[{"type":"text","text":"If you weren't one of the 269,912 then who did vote in 2022?"}]

I submit to you the most active, aware, motivated and encouraged voting bloc in Hawaii is ... organized labor.

In 2025, union members accounted for an estimated 24.8 percent of wage and salary workers in Hawai‘i, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. 

) Regional Commissioner Chris Rosenlund noted that the estimated number of workers belonging to unions was 145,000.

Hold on. This is not union bashing. This is a fact. Unions are the greatest political force in Hawai‘i. Always has been, always will be. If this displeases you then embrace the notion that politics is nothing but a numbers game. It's the number of votes and dollars that's at the heart politics. Throw in charismatic candidates and convincing messages and, voila, you're in.

Once a politician succeeds in attaining his/her chosen office, they also attain power.

As of July 1, 2025, Hawaii's population is approximately 1,432,820, reflecting a slight decline of about 0.15% from 2024 due to high costs of living and residents moving to the Mainland. The state is the 11th least populous in the U.S. and has experienced population declines in five of the past six years.

Combining state and county government executive and legislative elected officials, the number of people reigning over you is 167.

That's the governor, lieutenant governor, state senate and house, mayors and four county councils. 

That's 167 individuals who exert power by the creating, passing and approving of laws that affect you every day whether you like it or not.  

In 2024, there are around 800,000 registered voters. I submit that labor comprised of 145,000 members had cast the majority of the 269,000 votes tabulated. That leaves nearly 500,000 whose voices were not heard, not considered, people who are now subjected to the decision of others who may not have their best interests at heart. And that's on you as a non-voter.

[{"type":"text","text":"It doesn't have to be this way."}]

Regardless, if you are on the left or on the right, GOP or Democrat, we must have full participation in this representative democratic process in order to achieve quality representation and deliver true accountability to those holding office. Voting is not just your right, but it's your duty. We must have our citizenry cast conscientious and informed votes, so we collectively install a government "for the people and by the people".

This session is just moments away from ending. If you discover there were laws passed with which you disagree, then now is the time to become activated. It's an election year. You have another opportunity to cast your best vote for your best candidate. If it's a win, great. If it's not, then you'll be able to look in the mirror knowing you were a vital part of this community and perhaps the next legislation session will matter even more.

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Hawaii house of representatives 011525

<title>Hamada: Political influence in Hawai‘i by the numbers</title>

A shockingly low percentage of people vote in Hawai‘i, notes ASD opinion columnist Rick Hamada. Something to keep in mind as we see what the Hawai‘i State Legislature passes this week.

Hamada: Political influence in Hawai‘i by the numbers

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Hawai‘i History

 since June, signs off on all his emails, “Glad to be here.”

“That's the way we finished speaking to each other on the 

. It's a way to remind yourself how fortunate we are, despite the rigors and the demands of a job, to be able to live, work and contribute to our community in a place like this,” Hiltz told Aloha State Daily. “So, a culture of both gratitude and growth will be important for us as we chart the next course.”

With a passion for aviation and its history, Hiltz has held several leadership roles throughout is near 23-year U.S. Navy career, including as an instructor pilot, officer-in-charge of multinational exercises, the commanding officer for Navy recruiting in the Pacific Northwest, and most recently, as the executive officer and director of strategy for hypersonic and cruise missile systems within the Indo-Pacific region.

Prior to retiring from the military in March, he was also a Blue Angels pilot from 2012 to 2014, having flown the museum’s Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet, 

which was added to its collection in 2021

Hiltz said he aims to bring passion and a “service-based mindset” to the role, formerly held by Executive Director Elissa Lines, who retired in June 2024.

“I feel very grateful to stand on the shoulders of the men and women that founded this museum, and many of them are still working in various capacities,” he said.

“The good news is that I’ve got a passion for this based on my upbringing. I’m a product of museums like this; my dad took me to aviation museums, and I was able to sit in the cockpit of an airplane and go to airshows. And so, I definitely developed a love for aviation at a young age. I learned a lot of lessons in the military, one of which was in flight school, I got sick on my first nine flights. You quickly realize you can’t always control that, but you can control your preparation, attitude and energy you bring to it. Those things I try to bring to this role … and do a good job to steward this aviation battlefield into its next decade.”

As CEO, Hiltz will lead the strategic vision, planning and operations of the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum to advance its mission of preserving America’s World War II aviation battlefield. He is responsible for overseeing the museum’s budget and workforce, exhibit development and educational programming, among other areas, that strengthen its nationwide presence and partnerships.

“The museum is only 18 years old at this point,” he said. “The founding phase took a lot of hands-on effort from the board and staff to get it to where it is. Then, you have a transition phase where you continue to build on that, flesh out policies and procedures, that allow us to appropriately care for this place, and I think the board used this phase three as sort of an institutional phase. … They reimagined this CEO role to be the primary steward of management. The board is entrusting me and the staff to lead us into the next phase of this great institution.”

Hiltz currently manages 73 staff members, not including about 24 contracted support staff and more than 200 volunteers, he noted.

“We’re always looking to hire for passion, train for skill. It's a really unique organization and is very vibrant and fun,” he said. “I can tell you that each person is motivated by a patriotic sense of service to their community, to their country and to the men and women that were serving here on Dec. 7, 1941 – and we take great care to steward that appropriately.” 

His current priorities include expanding the campus, improving the visitor experience and education, and providing workforce development opportunities for future pilots.

“One thing that drew me to the role was the growth vector of this museum,” Hiltz said. “We just recently finished a renovation of our operations building of the control tower here, and you can take it right up. We recently added an aviation learning center where we can bring keiki students and educators in to help give them an experience about the science and physics behind aviation. We are about to undergo reimagination of America's aviation battlefield to make sure that our campus is displayed in a way that's befitting of its historical significance.”

He noted that the museum recently acquired a PBY-5A Catalina seaplane on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum. “It was here on Dec. 7, 1941; they were the long-range eyes and ears of the American Navy fleet the Japanese wanted taken out; therefore, the first target of the first wave of the attack.” The Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan, will complete the restoration over the next couple of years before bringing it to Hawai’i, he said.

Other acquisitions are underway that are not yet ready to be announced, he added.

Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum also supports two aviation pathways, one on-site pilot training program for ages 16-21 and an A&P program for high school juniors to become certified airplane techs. “Those two efforts we’re really proud of because it's a way to give back to the place where we live and work. I think many people connote Pearl Harbor as just a tourist destination, and we want to be clear that we are more than that."

"Aviation is an expensive business: the equipment, fuel and training is a real cost barrier to people,” Hiltz said. “It's one reason that I never did any flight training, despite my love of aviation as a kid. My family couldn't afford it, so I was lucky to be able to go and get that training through the Navy. But we went to provide kamaʻāina with that opportunity to get that first taste of aviation without the barriers to entry of it."

For more information about the programs and its sponsors, 

His advice to those interested in getting their wings? “

There are a lot of different avenues can lead to a cockpit. … I was fortunate to learn about the Navy ROTC scholarships, so the Navy paid for my University of Notre Dame degree, and then I returned that in-kind by serving in naval aviation. … Excellence opens doors. If you do a great job with whatever endeavor you’re pursuing, people are going to notice that and want to help you achieve your goals. I think excellence is a great way to open doors for yourself and others."

Within the first few months on the job, Hiltz introduced a daily open cockpit. “I got the spark to fly because I was able to visit museums and put my hands on the controls, flip switches and look at the gauges. So, I wanted to make sure that we offered that same experience to every single guest to maybe launch them to pursue their dreams, as well.

Hiltz added that the museum hosted the Blue Angels before 

. “It was fun to bring a lot of my new teammates to come see my old team fly the same place where I was flying when I met my wife 13 years ago. It was very poignant for me.”

Many people have helped him get to where he is today, Hiltz said, including his parents, wife, brothers and those he has served with.

Specific to landing this role, he credits his 

first Air Wing Commander Capt. Sterling Gilliam, who is currently executive director of the National Naval Aviation Museum. “He was very helpful in helping me understand the things that would make a successful career here. I owe him a lot in my previous and current professional life.”

“Additionally, the other person who alerted me to the position opening was my dad’s college roommate, Capt. Eddie Fishburne, executive director of the Navy Supply Corps Officer Foundation. … He’s also the same person that told me about that Navy ROTC scholarship, so twice in my lifetime, this one person really changed the trajectory of my life."

As a leader, Hiltz said he’s been learning to “trust the excellent staff” and “do what I can to empower them to be their best selves."

Having lived off and on the island over the past several years, he along with his wife – whom met in Honolulu in 2012 – and two daughters are settled in Kailua.

When asked what he enjoys most about living and working in Hawai

spirit of the Islands, the mana – the ability to blend all that together. My drive into takes me up the H3, which feels like you

’re stepping back in time with the beautiful vistas, then across the

 bridge to Ford Island, a reminder of the work we

Get to know the new CEO of Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, who was appointed by the board of directors in June to take the organization into its next phase.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Mele for the people

Kady Pascual

Social Media & Marketing Manager

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Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Mele for the people

Authors

Kady Pascual

Social Media & Marketing Manager

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