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Kady Pascual

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

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RobDemello Best Time

<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Maybe not the best time for holoholo</title>

Today’s social media find comes from @RobDemello, showing prime 808 during Tuesday's tsunami warning.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Maybe not the best time for holoholo

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AKINA portrait 2

Keliʻi Akina, Ph.D.

Government & Politics

Viewpoints

Hawai‘i Island farmer Rourk Reagan of Pukana Lā Farms in Wai‘ōhinu wants to more easily produce and sell jams, relishes and sauces made with local ingredients.

Sally Stewart of Sally Jane’s Sweets and Savories, based in Kailua-Kona on Hawai‘i Island, would like to expand the sales of her homemade baked goods.

Mark Suiso of Mākaha Mangoes on Oʻahu would like to be able to sell dried and freeze-dried mango made from leftover fruit.

Throughout the state, there are many people who would love the opportunity to sell authentic “made in Hawai‘i” products — not only to local residents but to folks from out of state too.

[{"type":"text","text":"And soon, that’s something they will legally be able to do."}]

That’s because last year, the Legislature and Gov. Josh Green approved 

, a bill supported by the Grassroot Institute of Hawai‘i, which directed the state Department of Health to make it easier for cottage food entrepreneurs to sell their products.

Currently cottage foods intended for mail-order and third-party sales are strictly regulated, including the requirement that they be made in so-called commercial kitchens.

Reagan explained in testimony on the bill that it can cost $25 an hour or more to rent a commercial kitchen. He said just completing the lab testing for the first eight flavors of the jams he makes cost him $1,500. That’s enough to deter a small, home-based operation from going into business in the first place.

Since HB2144 was enacted last year, the Health Department has held two 

 on the proposed new rules, including most recently in 

Ideally, the rule-making process is almost done, and Gov. Josh Green will quickly give his required OK.

We all love and value the flavors and contributions of Hawai‘i’s cottage food producers. After all, who doesn’t get excited when they discover a new homemade lychee jam or liliko‘i cake?

I hope we don’t have to wait much longer for these new cottage food rules to go into effect.

Reprinted with permission from the July 28, 2025 "Presidentʻs Corner" of 

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7 28 25 cottage foods scaled

<title>Community Voices: New cottage food rules can unleash innovation in Hawai‘i</title>

The state Department of Health is about to release new rules to make it easier for cottage food entrepreneurs to sell their products.

Community Voices: New cottage food rules can unleash innovation in Hawai‘i

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Entertainment

Arts & Culture

 which stars Jason Momoa, is set to premiere Friday, Aug. 1, on Apple TV+. It tells the story of Kaʻiana, played by Momoa, as he tries to unify the Islands before Western colonization in the late 18th century.

The first two episodes drop Aug. 1, with an additional episode appearing every Friday through Sept. 19. The show was written and executive produced by Momoa and Thomas Pa‘a Sibbett (known for “Braven” in 2018, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” in 2023, and “The Last Manhunt” in 2022, which star Momoa).

The cast features Luciane Buchanan, Temuera Morrison, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Cliff Curtis, Kaina Makua, Moses Goods, Siua Ikale‘o, Brandon Finn, James Udom, Mainei Kinimaka and Te Kohe Tuhaka, along with executive producer and showrunner Doug Jung, executive producer and director Justin Chon, and executive producers Jim Rowe, Brian Andrew Mendoza, Jenno Topping and Tracey Cook, according to representatives of 

 who are producers for the series, spoke with Aloha State Daily ahead of the premiere. The series, which is set in Hawaiʻi, was filmed mostly in New Zealand. Momoa and producers had wanted to film everything in Hawaiʻi but couldn’t due to budget issues, Keaulana said.

“Being producers, we get to guide and show the path of how do you operate in Hawaiʻi,” Keaulana said. “For one thing, we operate from a stance of values that we've grown up with. We operate from asking permission before we get permits. It's really from grassroots all the way to the highest level, to the executives, just educating everybody from the top down and the bottom up.”

He was the water unit director on this show.

“We have a great team of experts that I fly all over the world with, and we bring our culture with us,” he said. “I say, ʻWe're not divided by land, but we connected by water, so no matter where we go in the world, the ocean is our home.ʻ”

“Chief of War” was created from 101 days of filming in New Zealand in addition to 32 days of filming on Hawaiʻi Island, Oʻahu or Maui, Laprete said.

“When you see the film, there's so much to talk about,” Keaulana said. “Just the beauty, the actions, the acting.”

A dozen or more cultural advisors were brought on board to help with the show, Laprete added. They provided advice for costumes, as well as the canoe and battle scenes. This was in addition to the language team, she said.

Laprete and Keaulana are also founders of the 

, which launched July 14, to advocate for more film production in Hawaiʻi.

“When you hire local, this is where the opportunities begin, because it involves workforce development,” Laprete said.

Keaulana and Momoa’s genealogy runs all the way back to King Kamehameha, he noted. Others in the film are related to King Kahekili. Actors were often placed next to characters representing their family because “when you see that on film, it permeates just how proud they are representing their bloodline,” Keaulana said.

said. “The joy for me was just being able to bring all the elements together into production like this. Because when you see the actual show, you're proud. You're like: ʻOh my God, we did this — together.”

Jason Momoa

<title>“Chief of War” premieres on Apple TV+</title>

The television mini-series was written and executive produced by Jason Momoa and Thomas Pa‘a Sibbett. It was filmed in New Zealand and Hawaiʻi. Producers Angie Laprete and Brian Keaulana spoke with Aloha State Daily ahead of the premiere.

“Chief of War” premieres on Apple TV+

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

As Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines continue efforts to integrate operations, Jim Landers, who has worked for Hawaiian for more than a decade, has been tapped as head of Hawai‘i operations.

 a Honolulu leadership team that will oversee Hawaiian and Alaska's combined operations in Hawai‘i once the carriers receive a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration this fall.

Alaska Air Group, Inc. and Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. 

 that Alaska Airlines would acquire Hawaiian Airlines in a deal that was valued at approximately $1.9 billion, including $900 million of Hawaiian’s net debt, according to an announcement at that time. The acquisition was 

The distinct Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines brands will be maintained but the 

Landers, a U.S. Navy veteran who joined Hawaiian in 2013, is the senior vice president of technical operations and currently oversees the airline's operations control functions, flight operations, maintenance and engineering, and supply chain management, Alaska Airlines said in a July 29 announcement.

 of Hawaiian Airlines in September following its combination with Alaska Air Group — and will be responsible for "

safety and operational performance while supporting all aspects of the combined operations in the islands." 

"Hawaiian and Alaska airlines are going through a lot of exciting change in a very short period, and our Honolulu leadership team will help support our thousands of employees in Hawai‘i as we further integrate our operations and build on Hawaiian’s long legacy of serving the Islands," Landers told Aloha State Daily in an emailed response to questions. "My main priorities are to ensure we continue to run a safe and reliable operation as we grow our network with Alaska Airlines, and deliver more benefits to our guests and communities across the islands and beyond."

Landers says that during his 27 years in the Navy, he traveled the world and lived in dozens of places, but Hawai‘i is home and there's no place he'd rather be.

"I joined Hawaiian in 2013 when Hawaiian was going through another phase of rapid growth as we were investing in new aircraft and launching more international destinations," he says. "As we progress forward in this period of change, I intend to continue to lead the Hawai‘i operation putting the positive experience of our guests at the forefront and focusing our phenomenal team on safe and reliable operations."

Other core members of the Honolulu leadership team include 

Alisa Onishi, managing director of marketing for Hawaiʻi; Daniel Chun, managing director, Hawaiʻi public affairs and sales; Jonathan Goo, safety director; and Melodi Pieper, human resources regional director.

Additionally, the announcement notes that 

 has been named managing director, Hawai‘i, international and heavy maintenance, and 

 has been named managing director of airport operations and customer service.

A head of Hawai‘i guest operations will soon join the leadership ranks, Alaska says.

According to Alaska, Honolulu is the company’s second-largest hub after Seattle, with more than 6,500 Hawaiʻi-based employees.

"The Honolulu leadership team will support several thousand frontline employees in the Islands while also managing ongoing integration work, including the rollout of a combined loyalty program launching this fall and the adoption of a single passenger service system next spring," the announcement noted.

No changes have been announced for the CEO position and Sprague remains in that role. ASD sat down with Sprague earlier this year to talk about the merger and future plans. You can 

The joint operation is on schedule to received a single operating certificate from the FAA in October.

"This is a phased process with several FAA requirements, and we remain on track," an airline spokesperson told ASD.

, every airline in the U.S. has an FAA-issued operating certificate, but a merger combines "all aspects of two airlines' operations into a new entity under a single operating certificate." Each airline operates separately under its own certificate through a lengthy, six-phase process to combine both organizations.

Alaska Hawaiian Airlines 1920

<title>Alaska Air Group names Honolulu leadership team</title>

The newly announced leadership team will oversee Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines combined operations in Hawai‘i — once the carriers receive a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Alaska Air Group names Honolulu leadership team

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

Cherylene Mendoza recalls when she got the idea to start a matcha business during a recent trip to LA with her husband, Janny.

“We sat and we put God first before our day,” she says. “We said, ‘Let’s go do devotionals.’ We sat at a café, shared coffee and did devotionals. From there, I felt called and led to start something that we can have (like that) here in Hawai‘i.”

The Mendozas launched their pop-up, called 

, about a month ago. Their matcha home café, based in ‘Ewa Beach, is currently open from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sundays, but the 

biz will soon be open on specific weekdays as well, according to Mendoza.

“DEVOS stands for devotionals; we’re just here representing Jesus,” Mendoza says. “One day, we want to open up our own café where people can sit, drink matcha or coffee, do devotionals and connect. It’s open for everybody.”

Preorders are required; customers can check out DEVOS Hawai

 to see the matcha menu and direct message the account to preorder (payments via cash and Venmo are accepted). Once customers set a pick-up date and time and arrive at the pop-up, they’ll be encouraged to write a prayer before receiving their order.

Mendoza calls this step “prayer before pour.”

“While we’re currently the only ones doing it, it does take a little bit of time, but it’s so powerful,” she says. “I remember the first time I did the pop-up — there were so many people and so many prayers. After everyone went home, that same night, I put my hand over every single card and was praying for them.

“It’s like our own prayer wall and we’re believing for everyone,” Mendoza adds. “I always believe that every good desire comes from the Lord. If there’s something you need us to pray for, we’re here to pray for you. God is the only one who can answer prayers, but he is going to use us to share his word or share his message.”

i’s menu features a variety of iced matcha beverages served in 16-ounce cups. All drinks are made with ceremonial-grade matcha, oat milk and homemade classic syrups.

“Our matcha is from Uji in Kyoto prefecture, Japan,” Mendoza says. “We love the benefits of matcha — how it’s good for the brain and body — and we love to drink it.”

The business’s classic matcha latte ($7), strawberry matcha latte ($8) and strawberry ube matcha latte ($9) have been customer favorites. The latter includes strawberry and ube purees, resulting in a colorful concoction.

The biz’s Cinnamon Toast Crunch matcha latte ($10) is a newer menu item that’s becoming popular. As its name implies, it’s inspired by that nostalgic cereal milk flavor.

“Many of our regular customers have been frequently requesting it,” Mendoza says. “It’s our smooth matcha latte infused with cozy cinnamon flavor. It’s topped with a creamy cold foam that brings everything together for the perfect balance of sweet, spiced and refreshing.”

Mendoza says she learned to make matcha from watching YouTube, but coming up with the drinks on her menu took a lot of trial and error.

“Finding something that actually worked for me was something I had to play with,” she says. “I just had to keep pouring, keep sipping and asking my close family, ‘Does this taste good?’”

For updates about the business’s menu and availability, follow DEVOS Hawai

“Thank you everyone for your support,” Mendoza says. “We have nothing but gratitude; everyone has been so supportive. All glory to God; I would not be doing this if it wasn’t for the Lord putting it on my heart.”

Preorders required; direct message the business on Instagram

DEVOS Hawaii business owners 073025

<title>DEVOS Hawaiʻi is a new ʻEwa-based matcha pop-up</title>

This faith-based biz offers weekly matcha pop-ups. Choose from classic matcha lattes to more creative options like the strawberry ube matcha latte.

DEVOS Hawaiʻi is a new ʻEwa-based matcha pop-up

ASD Staff

The National Weather Service’s tsunami advisory for Hawai‘i has been cancelled.

While the risk of damaging tsunami waves has passed, residents are still advised that strong currents, sea level fluctuations and other lingering effects can still be dangerous for swimmers and boaters. Residents should therefore use caution when approaching the coasts.

has downgraded the tsunami warning to a tsunami advisory.

 Gov. Josh Green said an all-clear is still 2-3 hours away, at an 8:20 p.m. update meeting.

"Until we see what happens on the Big Island ... we won't be able to start saying we're in the clear."

So far, Green said there has been minimal observed tsunami impacts in the state, with a wave in Haleiwa higher than one meter the largest so far. Nonetheless, he said to remain on guard, adding that the three-meter waves seen in Japan could be significantly more harmful.

"Just stay home and watch TV," Green said, before expressing hope that an all-clear -- indicating "functional zero risk" -- can be declared by 11 p.m.

While no major tsunami impacts have been reported, all flights in and out of Maui have been cancelled, with some 200 people sheltering in place at Kahului Airport, Green said.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has provided wave heights 

During a press conference Tuesday, Gov. Josh Green reiterated the need for people to evacuate from coastal areas.

He said that about 14 minutes after the earthquake hit, “we became aware that there was a likelihood of a tsunami.”

Although you can’t compare them directly, Green said a 9.0 magnitude earthquake in 2011 created a 7-foot wave that hit Maui and caused $7.5 million in damage.

“And because we were thoughtful and smart and calm —  we should all be calm as we evacuate and we must evacuate from the inundation area — there were no casualties.”

Green said to expect flooding on all of the islands, “and it will be imminent after the wave hits.”

[{"type":"text","text":"“We should be safe, therefore not sorry.”"}]

Warning sirens are expected to go off at 6:10 p.m. and 6:40 p.m. —  about a respective one hour and 30 minutes before the expected landfall of the wave, he said. 

“You must stay off the beaches and away from harbors, rivers or low-lying areas,” Green said. “If you stay on beaches, you could risk death. You have to be careful. … Please know where the tsunami evacuation zone is and have a route to get out to higher ground.”

Those who are in buildings can go up four stories, but Green still urged caution. “Otherwise, you need to leave the evacuation zone and you have to get away from this potential wave.”

Green says the state is communication from government leaders at all levels.

“You can expect a tsunami wave to hit the state, and it will not just hit one beach. It will wrap around the Islands, very likely, therefore causing a wave in Hilo, in Kona and Kaua‘i and on Maui,” he said. “You have to be safe.”

Green said it may take up to 30 minutes for the waves to reach other parts of the Islands.

Green said the wave was expected to pass Midway Atoll around 5:30 p.m. and officials were expecting to hear from buoys in the middle of the Pacific, which would “give us a better idea of how large this wave is.”

“God willing, these waves will not hurt us, but you have to assume they will be life-threatening."

Honolulu Fire Chief Sheldon Hao said the Fire Department is moving resources out of the evacuation zone and "monitoring the situation."

All Honolulu public transit services will be suspended following 6 p.m, same for Skyline, which will stop operating after 6:35 p.m., said Department of Transportation Service Director J. Roger Morton. He added that some routes may take detours to take passengers to higher ground.

[{"type":"text","text":"Currently, 93% of DTS routes are running late, Morton said."}]

Furthermore, Morton said that there is a possibility services will resume later tonight, depending on 

roadway conditions after the anticipated tsunami arrival period.

 that a "40-centimeter-high [nearly 16 inches] tsunami was observed at Tokachi, Hokkaido, at around 10:51 a.m. [local time] ... [and] a 30-centimeter-high [just under a foot] tsunami was also observed in Nemuro and three other areas in Hokkaido, from 10:30 a.m. to 10:46 a.m. [local time]."

 The National Weather Service's Tsunami Warning System is 

 for advisories. HiEMA's site is restored.

 HiEMA website's appears to be down, evacuation maps for the Hawaiian Islands can be found archived 

The Honolulu Department of Emergency Management has issued a tsunami warning and is urging residents to evacuate coastal areas.

Following a magnitude 8.7 earthquake off the coast of Kamchatka, Russia, "destructive tsunami waves" are now expected to reach the state at around 7:17 p.m. HDEM advises all people to evacuate places highlighted in red on the state 

HDEM also warns that tsunamis can crest for 15 minutes or more and arrive in series. The first wave may not be the strongest in the series, but they can "wrap" around islands and threaten all shores, regardless of where they are facing. 

Updates will be issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center until the threat has passed. 

Kuhio beach 052825

<title>Tsunami warning canceled</title>

Residents are still advised that strong currents, sea level fluctuations and other lingering effects can still be dangerous for swimmers and boaters.

Tsunami warning canceled

[{"type":"text","text":"And the winners are ..."}]

More than a dozen displays of architectural design have been recognized by AIA Honolulu — the Honolulu chapter of the American Institute of Architects — as the best in Hawai‘i at the 67th annual Design Awards.

Since 1958, the awards have honored excellence in architectural design. Nearly 200 people attended the awards gala Friday, July 25, at the Prince Waikīkī.

More than 1,000 votes were cast by the public over two weeks in June for the 19th annual People' Choice Award, according to an announcement Monday from the AIA Honolulu. Other awards were determined by a panel of jurors composed of AIA member-architects that included three local jurors as well as architects based out of San Francisco and Seattle.

You can check out the list of winners, as well as pictures of the projects, below.

Award of Excellence and U.S. Green Building Council Hawai‘i Sustainability Award: 

Firms: Walker Warner; Delawie (architect of record)

Additional Design Firms:  Nicole Hollis (interior designer); VITA Planning & Landscape Architecture (planning & landscape)

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Client: Kennedy Wilson"}]

Operator: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts     

Contractor: Nordic PCL Construction, Inc.; Ali‘i Builders; Goodfellow Brothers  

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

Award of Excellence, Community Impact Award and Mayor's Choice Award: 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Firm: AMA A\/E"}]

Additional Design Firm:  Collaborative Studio LLC (site analysis and pre-design)

Client: MA`O Organic Farms, doing business as Wai‘anae Re-Development Corp.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Contractor: Diede Construction LLC"}]

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

Award of Merit and People's Choice Award: 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Firm: Ferraro Choi and Associates Ltd."}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Client: Hunt Cos. Hawai‘i       "}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Contractor: Nan, Inc."}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Firm: Mork-Ulnes Architects"}]

Additional Design Firms:  Fujita Netski Architecture (local design consultant); Terremoto, Alain Peauroi and Story Wiggins (landscape architect)

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Client: Bonnie and Anton Andryeyev"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Contractor: Concept 2 Completion"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Firm: Wander X Wonder"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Client: Pueomao, Inc.       "}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Contractor: Dave Foster Builders, Inc.  "}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Honorable mention:"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"italic"}],"text":"Client: WKF, Inc. "}]

Firms: Roy K. Yamamoto Architect, AIA, Inc. (architect of record); Johnston Marklee (design architect)

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Client: Chan Luu "}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Contractor: Hanalei CDM"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Firm: G70"}]

Client: Department of Defense Education Activity / USACE           

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Contractor: Nippo Corporation"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Firm: Peter Vincent Architects"}]

Additional Design Firm: Surfacedesign (landscape architect)

Contractor: Mokulua High Performance Builders

University of Hawai‘i Maui College - Heona Art Center

Client: University of Hawai‘i Community Colleges

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

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

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

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Maybe not the best time for holoholo

Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

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Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Maybe not the best time for holoholo

Authors

Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

More in Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Always packin’

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: One champion

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Window shopping

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Aloha on the go

Most read