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Kady Pascual

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

He might not be good at his job, but he is cute!

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<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Lazy days</title>

Today’s social media find comes from @King.Eventz, who has a sleepy assistant.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Lazy days

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Christian Shimabuku

Sports

[{"type":"text","text":"Darren Matsuda is no longer the head boys basketball coach at Punahou. "}]

"After many years with the program, Darren Matsuda will no longer serve as our varsity head basketball coach," an email sent to Punahou basketball families and obtained by Aloha State Daily read in part. "We appreciate his years of service to Punahou and the time he has given to the boys basketball program as head coach, and we extend our best wishes to him."

Matsuda was first named the head coach for the Buffanblu in 2010. He led the Buffanblu to state titles in 2012, 2018 and 

Matsuda also coached Punahou to five state runner-up finishes, most recently in February, back when the Buffanblu lost to Kahuku 40-38 on a Inoke Lloyd layup with three seconds remaining. 

In addition to his success at the state tournament level, Matsuda also guided the Buffanblu to four ILH titles, including in 2026. 

Since the introduction of the state tournament in 1957, Punahou has won 12 HHSAA titles in boys basketball. 

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Punahou boys basketball 052226

<title>Darren Matsuda out as Punahou boys basketball coach</title>

The Buffanblu won three HHSAA titles under Matsuda.

Darren Matsuda out as Punahou boys basketball coach

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Viewpoints

Aloha Spirit

For nearly two decades, Kumu Earl Kawaʻa, 81, has offered Board and Stone, cultural workshops for ʻohana across sites on Oʻahu, where he currently resides, and most recently on Molokaʻi, where he was born and raised.

Growing up in Hālawa Valley, the Molokaʻi High School graduate said, “Cultural ʻike and connection to the land and ocean has served me well. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have had the depth, which is something I realized later in life.”

“I left Molokaʻi [when] I needed to. I didn’t want to be the best pineapple picker, but I was headed that way,” Kawaʻa said with a laugh, noting that soon after he served in the Molokaʻi National Guard and in the Peace Corps. He received a bachelor’s in psychology and master’s in social work by 1982 and followed his passion working with nonprofits and schools, serving as a cultural specialist for Kamehameha Schools for 18 years. Later, he went on to help address public housing, homelessness and economic development, particularly advocating for Native Hawaiians.

In 2010, the cultural practitioner started teaching Board and Stone out of a garage. It took a couple years to formalize the program, which teaches families how to carve a wooden board (papa kuʻi ʻai) and shape a stone poi pounder (pōhaku) using only hand tools. Its mission — his “lifeʻs work” — is to put at least "one board and one stone in every home,” Kawaʻa told Aloha State Daily.

Across the Islands, Board and Stone gatherings take place weekly over about four months. Classes are primarily for instruction, including some outings on weekends, while most of the work on the boards and stones is done at home, according to an alakaʻi (leader).

“Board and Stone is a class I offer to people, but people have to make the choice to do it,” Kawaʻa said. “The orientation is designed to give them enough information. But they have no idea what they are in for — and thatʻs when the learning takes place.”

Alakaʻi Eric Keawe told ASD that during his own upbringing, his parents taught Hawaiian music more than culture, language and religion. “I’ve been here at Board and Stone for at least 10 years, so have some of the other alakaʻi, who are all like family. Because of his ʻike (Kawaʻa’s knowledge), I have gained knowledge and skills, even in public speaking, that I didn’t have before. I’m always learning and relearning.”

Beneath the surface, the classes perpetuate Hawaiian language, culture and traditions —

Kawaʻa’s other skills in hale and rock wall construction, canoe building, farming, fishing, which he learned from his parents and community. His latest venture is learning the healing practice of hoʻoponopono, which his parents, Walter and Georgina Kawaʻa, were known for.

Earl Kawaʻa added: “But I am the only one left in my family, my two sisters died and my brother. My wife [Patricia] has always been my rock.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"The pair have a daughter, Yahna."}]

Looking back, “the ’60s and ’70s were the best time of my life, and what that means is that the knowledge and skills that I had, even teaching, was being refined. Of course, that was about when I met my wife.”

Today, Kawa‘a continues to be recognized for his “life’s work,” which has reached thousands of people through various speaking engagements and teaching opportunities.

“I love telling stories; but I am also learning to not talk so much.”

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

Last month, the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives honored Kawaʻa during the 2026 legislative session “for dedicating his life to preserving Hawaiian language and culture, mentoring future generations, and strengthening communities throughout Hawaiʻi.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"This was not something he was expecting."}]

Rep. Lisa Marten of District 51, which includes Waimānalo, Keolu Hills, Lanikai and a portion of Kailua, experienced Kawaʻa’s expertise in traditional hale building firsthand, which she shared briefly with lawmakers on April 2. Watch the full presentation (HR210), 

Kawaʻa asked four individuals to join him on the House floor that day, dressed in lei, to be recognized: Board and Stone Alakaʻi Kekipi Imamoto, a retired combat soldier who lives in Papakōlea with his ʻohana; Board and Stone Alakaʻi Kahiau Paik, a 2025 KS graduate who works with Hoʻokuaʻāina; Keoni Peters, a hale builder who worked on Marten’s project in Hāmākua; and longtime partner, Jenna Umiamaka, Human Resources director at Keiki O Ka ʻĀina (KOKA).

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"What’s next for Board and Stone?"}]

Expansion, both nationwide and globally, Kawaʻa said, noting that it’s his dream to bring the classes to Japan, though, it will take sponsorship to help make this a reality.

And eventually, who will take over? “There are several people in place who will rise to the job. The opportunity is in their hands,” he added. “The foundation is already solid.”

“‘E ola mau ka hana a me ka ʻike o nā kūpuna.’ The work and the knowledge of our ancestors must live on.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"My Board and Stone moʻolelo"}]

In transparency, I graduated from Board and Stone in spring 2021, invited by a former co-worker and alakaʻi, Roger Vistart.

I started at KOKA but finished with the Papakōlea class, due to restrictions to gathering sizes during the Covid-19 pandemic. What would have been a four-month class was extended to nearly one and a half years. But in that season, I never felt forgotten.

Kawaʻa was and is my kumu, and Keawe and Imamoto are my alakaʻis, among others. What I took away from their guidance, patience, selfless service and humility both in class and beyond was newfound confidence as a Hawaiian and a contributing member of this community.

In April, I visited KOKA’s Board and Stone class, greeted by the sound of metal hitting wood, warm embraces and the aroma of blooming puakenikeni. It was good to be home.

A circle of alakaʻi had formed around Kawaʻa, who was hunched over a wooden board, sharing the technique of shaving down its rough corners using a koʻi (ax-like tool with metal blade). He invited some of them to try and gently corrected, as needed. The shavings should “curl,” he explained, while tapping lightly on their backs to help them keep rhythm.

Meanwhile, ʻohana were arriving with their own papa and pōhaku; parents set up their work stations and greeted one another, while keiki played together throughout the evening.

At the call of "Hūi!" kane and wahine lined up for Hawaiian protocol (loina or ha‘akoa) and prayer (pule). Next came instruction from alakaʻi about inoa (name) and moʻolelo (story), in which ʻohana will call their boards and stones and share their journeys, respectively, at an upcoming celebration, or hōʻike (to demonstrate one’s knowledge).

The hana (work) began and Kawaʻa, along with the alakaʻi, dispersed to assist families. Class concluded with moʻolelo presented by keiki in both ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi and English.

Afterwards, the alakaʻi-led debrief meeting allowed for reflection on their own personal growth, in addition to observations from those whom they worked with. The overall sentiment was gratitude for kumu’s “master class” in working the board and celebrating “how far the families have come along.”

In time, Board and Stone has taught me the importance of ʻohana, finding beauty in imperfection and finishing what you start through hard work, self-discipline and perseverance. I also learned how to pule and respect the ʻāina, honoring Ke Akua, those who came before me and those journeying alongside. Everyone has a moʻolelo that can be used to uplift and bring value to one another’s lives.

Those interested in learning more about Board and Stone can visit 

Board and Stone 2020

<title>Kumu Earl Kawaʻa, haumana recognized for Board and Stone</title>

Born and raised on Molokaʻi, Kawaʻa has offered Board and Stone to ʻohana across the Islands since 2010. The cultural classes teach families how to carve a wooden board (papa kuʻi ʻai) and shape a stone poi pounder (pōhaku) using only hand tools, while perpetuating Hawaiian traditions, language, moʻolelo and more. Last month, the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives honored him and his team for their dedication to community.

Kumu Earl Kawaʻa, haumana recognized for Board and Stone

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

 is returning in June. The festival features a selection of authentic Italian and Italian-American restaurants and chefs from both Italy and Hawaiʻi.

The festival spans two days. The Passaporto Italiano VIP food and wine experience is 

on Friday, June 5, at Velocity Honolulu. Meanwhile, the 2026 street festival will be 

 Saturday, June 6, at Mother Waldron Park in Kakaʻako.

The Passaporto Italiano VIP experience is a ticketed event for individuals ages 21 years and older. It includes food and dessert dishes from Hawaiʻi’s top-tier Italian chefs and restaurants; attendees can also enjoy unlimited Italian wines, beers and craft Italian cocktails. VIP guests can sip on the curated selection of beverages while enjoying the beauty of Italian exotic vehicles from Maserati, Ferrari and Lamborghini.  

Featured restaurants — and dishes — at the Passaporto Italiano VIP experience include:

: Seared ‘ahi with Mediterranean essence

: Panna cotta with berry gelato and Amalfi lemon sorbetto

: Mountain View Farms pork stew; affogato

: Handmade potato gnocchi ai quattro formaggi with honey and Hawaiian macadamia nuts 

Tickets for the Passaporto Italiano VIP experience are available in tiers:

The street festival on June 6 is free to the public. Attendees will be able to walk around the Kakaʻako district and enjoy a variety of food vendors and live entertainment. Individuals can look forward to a wine and beer garden, offering a selection of Italian beers, wines and traditional spirits for purchase; street performers of European and Italian variety; an Italian-inspired film showcase hosted by the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival, and a special Galileo-themed stargazing experience with Stargazers of Hawaiʻi. Two large telescopes will be available for safe solar viewing during daylight and night-sky viewing once it’s dark.

 is a brand-new experience this year. Street festival VIP tickets cost $40 each, and include an aperol spritz, slice of specialty Festa Italiana pizza by Mad Pie, one cannoli from Mad Pie, access to ample seating in an exclusive area, and special bar offerings. 

Street festival attendees can also enjoy performances by Ballet Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre, Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony, The Royal Hawaiian Band and more. The performances will celebrate both, Italian and local culture.

Featured street festival vendors include Allegrini Mozzarella, Aloha Pizzeria, 

, Arancino Ristorante Italiano, Aroma Italia, Bambino’s, Cialoha Italian Sodas, Diamond Head Drip, Fig & Ginger Honolulu, Forno Romano, Il Gelato Hawaiʻi,

 Roti-si, Sage Creamery, Zucchi Pizza and more.

There will be a dedicated keiki area within Mother Waldron Park, offering a welcoming space for families to gather and enjoy the festival together. The zone will feature kid-friendly activities and games. The festival will provide a free keiki food dish from The Old Spaghetti Factory for the first 200 children (ages 10 years and under). Hawaiʻi Literacy Bookmobile will also be at this year’s street festival; families are encouraged to enjoy literacy-related activities and explore books.

Parking with validation ($6) will be available at Waterfront Plaza; attendees must stop by the Festa Italiana info booth for a validation sticker.  

Festa Italiana Arancino VIP 051426

<title>Festa Italiana 2026 is coming this June</title>

The ticketed Passaporto Italiano VIP experience is June 5, while the street festival — which is free to attend — is June 6. The festival highlights a selection of authentic Italian and Italian-American restaurants and chefs from both Italy and Hawaiʻi.

Festa Italiana 2026 is coming this June

Higa headshot white shirt square

Sterling Higa

Government & Politics

Columnists

Last week, State Sen. Brenton Awa rose on the Senate floor. He clarified that the Senate doesn’t “condone violence.” Then he held up a letter of recognition for “Mister Ambassador of Aloha.” The commendation was intended for a shirtless man recorded beating a tourist on Maui. The tourist had been filmed earlier throwing a rock at a monk seal.

The clip of Awa’s remarks has been viewed 29.3 million times on his 

. In the chamber where laws are made, a sitting senator stood to commend a man for a beating.

The tourist was wrong. That part isn’t in dispute. Throwing a rock at a protected animal earns charges, and ought to. The question is why a senator commended the man who beat him.

Awa represents State Senate District 23, which includes Kāneʻohe and the rural areas of the North Shore, including Kahaluʻu through Lāʻie, Kahuku to Mokulēʻia. It is one of the most conservative and religious districts in the state, with a significant presence of Christians and Mormons. Though they differ on major theological issues, they share most moral commitments. Many of them read Scripture and try to live by it.

Paul tells the Roman church plainly: never avenge yourselves, for vengeance belongs to the Lord, and He will repay. He says this in Romans chapter 12. In the next chapter he describes the magistrate as the servant of God who carries the sword on God’s behalf. The magistrate is the appointed avenger of wrath against the wrongdoer. Awa sits in the office Paul describes. To commend a man for taking justice into his own hands is to undercut the office God established to do that work.

A reader may reply that the justice system fails locals, that private justice is what’s left when the courts won’t act. There are two answers. The first is that the system was working. The whole state was outraged. The tourist was being identified and pursued. The vigilante did not help. He committed a crime of his own, and gave the tourist a grievance to point to.

The second answer is older. Vigilante justice doesn’t end disorder. It feeds it. Shakespeare worked this out in Verona, and the Capulets and Montagues are not a model anyone wants for Hawaiʻi. Due process is the rope that pulls communities out of that pit.

The seal speech was not a stray moment. Awa brought a polygraph to the floor during the $35,000 paper bag scandal. He has made props a feature of his floor speeches. He posted a video walking viewers to Rep. Linda Ichiyama’s office after she killed his bill prohibiting foreign ownership of land, and she received death threats. His congressional campaign website celebrates his record of voting no more than any other legislator. The posture is consistent: media first, lawmaking second.

A rock thrown at a seal and the beating of a tourist got Awa to stand and speak. The everyday violence in Hawaiʻi — robberies, killings, home invasions — has not moved him the same way. Neither has abortion, though his Christian and Mormon constituents care about it as deeply as any voters in the state. Awa casts his no votes and counts them on his campaign website. But a ceremonial no vote does not save a life.

He has a platform few legislators command. He could use it to speak about the issues his district cares about. He has chosen to use it to glorify lawless violence.

Moral leadership in a minority caucus is possible. It starts with respect for the office, since God has established it. The slow work of building coalitions and passing bills must follow, since social media clips don’t affect statutes. Underneath all of this lies the harder discipline of applying Christian conviction even-handedly. It must name the sins of allies as readily as opponents, the populist right as readily as the progressive left. A lawmaker who held those things together would be doing something that all of Hawaiʻi has been waiting for.

On opening day this session, Awa quoted James: “Be quick to listen and slow to speak.” He should have taken his own advice. Later in that 

, he told his colleagues, “We can accomplish impossible feats just by showing aloha. In other words, the next time you’re feeling like throwing blows, throw aloha.”

Awa upscaled

<title>'Mister ambassador of aloha'</title>

It's a bad look for the word "aloha" when it's used to commend a vigilante beat down, as state Sen. Brenton Awa did last week, says ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa.

'Mister ambassador of aloha'

Located at Pier 38 — in the former space of Nami Kaze Hawai

, but then closed to fine-tune its menu. It officially opened for dinner service Feb. 18; it’s currently open for dinner only from 5 to 9 p.m. Mondays to Fridays.

The eatery still focuses on serving the freshest seafood possible, according to manager Dong Dang.

“It’s still supposed to harbor-centric; we’re really going to work toward utilizing as much fish as possible and highlight those ingredients,” he says. “What we envisioned with this concept is a gathering place — someplace you can go and get really good seafood.”

The dinner menu — which will eventually expand to include more dishes — offers small plates meant for sharing, as well as larger entrees. Start with dishes like hamachi crudo ($17), maguro cabbage ($19), poke crackers ($10) and cabbage Caesar ($14).

The hamachi crudo, comprising yellowtail served with sinigang gazpacho and Ho Farms tomato, is light and refreshing. The maguro cabbage is a highlight for restaurant chef de cuisine Daysen Masuda, who came up with the eatery’s new menu.

“Growing up in Hilo, everything is cabbage and ‘ahi (instead of daikon and ‘ahi),” he says. “This is a play on that; it’s topped with ginger scallion, ginger garlic cilantro, green onions and ikura zuke.

“I think the whole menu, in general, is pretty approachable,” he adds. “It’s local flavors that you’re familiar with, but elevated a bit more.”

Of everything we try, the poke crackers ($10) are one of my favorites. Each order includes two rice crackers topped with local big-eye tuna, spicy aioli, avocado and tare.

“That dish alone is nostalgic,” Masuda says. “Growing up, you buy a container of poke and you’re either dipping shrimp chips or rice crackers into it and eating it together. That’s the perfect combination. I wanted to use rice crackers because that texture is so nice and crunchy, and it stays crunchy.” 

The cabbage Caesar is a tasty way to incorporate greens into the meal. It features a miso Caesar dressing — the miso flavor is subtle — along with Parmesan and fried anchovies for texture.

If you want something a little more indulgent, go for the shrimp toast ($10). Each order contains two petite sandos featuring shokupan bread and savory shrimp filling. It’s served with a makrut (kaffir lime) sauce for dipping.

When it comes to entrees, the fried whole moi ($36), furikake king salmon ($38), and ‘ahi steak ($28) come highly recommended. The moi features a Alii mushroom and lup cheong stuffing.

“A lot of the dishes (here) are different from what you would find anywhere else, but the moi, to us, is a standout,” Dang says.

“The moi is definitely something I’m very proud of,” adds Masuda. “In Hilo, when you go to someone’s house or party, there’s always someone who has steamed fish. That’s our play on that.”

Moist and buttery, the Big Glory Bay king salmon is topped with a delectable furikake crunch and served with garlic aioli. Meanwhile, the ‘ahi steak features local big-eye served with confit potato and watercress salad.

Other entrée options include huli huli chicken with lemongrass huli glaze, watercress and kabocha, and braised short rib ($34).

The eatery also features specialty cocktails — including toasted rice old fashioned ($17), gin mint gimlet ($15) and chili water margarita ($16) — and will be expanding its beverage menu in the future.

The restaurant is accepting reservations via 

. Stay tuned — it will be launching lunch service and happy hour in the coming months.

Thirty Eight chef Daysen 021926

<title>New seafood restaurant opens at Pier 38</title>

Located in the former space of Nami Kaze Hawaiʻi at Pier 38, Thirty Eight restaurant just opened to the public for dinner. The menu focuses on fresh seafood; customers can enjoy dishes like hamachi crudo, poke crackers, shrimp toast, and a fried whole moi.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Lazy days

Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

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Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Lazy days

Authors

Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

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