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Kady Pascual

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Did you watch “Chief of War” yet?"}]

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Qahyou olelo

<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: An inspirational fire</title>

Today’s social media find comes from @qahyou, who thinks he can speak ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi after watching the first two episodes of “Chief of War.”

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: An inspirational fire

Did you watch “Chief of War” yet? More coverage from ASD on the Apple TV+ series here.  Make sure you follow @qahyouon Instagram! For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter!

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Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

Government & Politics

Gov. Josh Green signed House Bill 1860 into law

, which designates Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra as the state orchestra of Hawaiʻi. The moniker does not come with funding, although earlier drafts of the legislation had proposed that.

“We are tremendously grateful and honored to be recognized with this designation,” 

, president and CEO of Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra, told Aloha State Daily. “This distinction puts Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra on a cultural platform with other organizations that have been recognized by the state as being valuable to our culture, such as the 

. It's really meaningful because it will give the orchestra more visibility across the community. It recognizes that the symphony is important, and what we bring to the community is of value and valuable.”

The legislation was signed into law on June 5.

Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra offers more than 50 concerts annually. Its programs include the 

, which features world-renowned guests on stage; the 

 which puts local headliners — such as 

, which puts movies on the big screen while the symphony plays the score live; and the 

, which will honor America’s 250th anniversary with eight performances this summer.

ASD spent time analyzing the symphony's finances via tax filings over the years.

Between the Form 990s for 2015 (which covers July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015) and 2024 (which covers July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024), nonprofit Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra had more expenses than revenue for seven of those 10 filings. For the 

, the symphony’s total revenue was about $5.1 million. Total expenses were about $5.27 million, leaving a deficit of $170,367.

“Just to put this in perspective, this is unfortunately not unusual across the symphony orchestra world across the country,” Iwano said. “What we do is very labor intensive, and there just are no shortcuts to bringing close to 100 musicians to the stage and getting thousands of people through the door to enjoy the live music. I can say, though, that our last fiscal year and this year will tell different stories, and making the orchestra sustainable is a priority for our board and everybody at the organization.”

Iwano, who took the helm July 1, 2024, shared the 

’s most recent Form 990 for 2025 (which covers July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025) with ASD via email. In that filing, the nonprofit had $6.4 million in total revenue 

 which was generated by tickets sales, grants, 

. Revenue minus expenses resulted in $422,983. That brings the nonprofit’s net assets to a deficit of $362,897, an improvement from a deficit of $785,880 at the start of the filing period.

Salaries are the symphony’s biggest expense, she said. About $4.3 million of the approximately $6 million in expenses listed in the Form 990 for 2025 went toward salaries, other compensation and benefits. The rest went toward concert hall rentals, production costs and more.

“The biggest cost — of course — is the orchestra itself,” Iwano told ASD. “We have 84 musicians, and on top of that, we have our production crew, and then we have our admin staff. But the orchestra is by far the largest portion.”

The predecessor of Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra was 

 to reorganize, and the following year converted to 

“We do hope that the designation will give people more confidence that we are here to stay,” she said. “That it will help to tell our story and support fundraising in that way.”

 have been one way to help the symphony continue its work.

“We're talking to people more and more about how legacy gifts can impact the symphony,” Iwano said. “That's one of the main ways that we see to make our ongoing situation sustainable.”

The symphony has also been working to reach new listeners, and participated in a collaboration with the Polynesian Voyaging Society for a symphonic piece about the double-hulled voyaging canoe, 

 for Mendelssohn’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” in March. There are also other programs 

, which partner with local organizations.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"State orchestras are rare, Iwano added."}]

“We're determined more than ever to serve the whole state, so we're also looking at ways to reach out to the other islands,” she said. “To take our music and our musicians out — beyond Oʻahu — and to other parts of Oʻahu, beyond Honolulu.”

Sometimes that means taking smaller groups to untraditional spaces.

“For example, this past April, we sent chamber ensembles from the orchestra to six different medical centers and health facilities,” she said. “And in February, we did a project called 

 for Valentine's Day. We sent chamber ensembles all around the city. They played at the farmers market and at 

. We really want everybody to join in celebrating our symphony in all these different ways.”

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Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra

<title>Governor designates state orchestra for Hawaiʻi</title>

Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra has a new title, which comes with statewide recognition. Amy Iwano, president and CEO of the nonprofit, shares what this means for the organization. Aloha State Daily takes a closer look at the symphony's finances over recent years.

Governor designates state orchestra for Hawaiʻi

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

The Wahiawā Dam will finally be under state management after the Hawai‘i Agribusiness Development Corp. announced Thursday that it has signed off on transferring the property to the state.

The ADC began discussions to finalize terms to take over management of certain components of the Wahiawā Irrigation System in April, but postponed a final decision on the matter pending further assessments. But on Thursday, the board signed off on a transfer agreement, officially completing the transfer of the land to the state.

“By taking ownership of this system, we are directly protecting public safety and securing a critical, dedicated source of agricultural water that the entire island of O

ahu depends upon,” said ADC board chair Jayson Watts. “Long-term water resilience requires robust, broader resource integration and ADC is uniquely structured to provide that collaborative statewide framework alongside our state partners.”

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources agreed in March to take over other parcels surrounding the reservoir, also called Lake Wilson, owned by Dole Food Co. That acquisition was postponed due to the March Kona Low storms, which nearly overwhelmed the Wahiawā Dam.

That dam and its associated spillway are part of the parcels ADC agreed to take over, along with about 9.5 acres of land around Lake Wilson and various associated easements.

Dole and Hawai‘i corporation Wahiawā Water Co. Inc., the owners of the properties, agreed to sell the land to the state for a nominal $10 fee.

term stability and reliability of central O

ahu’s water infrastructure,” said Gov. Josh Green in a Thursday statement. “It reaffirms our commitment to responsible resource management and creates an opportunity to modernize operations, improve resilience and build a more sustainable system for future generations.”

The ADC take over comes not a moment too soon: a 2023 bill authorizing the transfer of the land to the state was set to expire at the end of the month if the state failed to take possession by then.

Meanwhile, the state broke ground last month on improvements to the century-old dam to bring it into compliance with modern standards. The $65 million project will widen the dam’s spillway, reducing the likelihood of the dam overflowing during another major storm, and will increase the depth of the reservoir from 65 to 78 feet.

[{"type":"text","text":"That project will be completed in roughly 18 months."}]

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Lake Wilson 1 May 12 2022 546 KB 16x9

<title>Wahiawā Dam in state hands</title>

The State Agribusiness Development Corp. signed off Thursday on a transfer agreement to take over ownership of the Wahiawā Dam and other related parcels.

Wahiawā Dam in state hands

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

, known for its authentic, Sicilian-style pastas and seafood, is launching a limited-time summer happy hour.

Its happy hour menu will be available daily from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the eatery’s patio section. The menu features discounts on some of the eatery’s most popular appetizers, along with drink specials.

The special caviar bites ($42) featured that day included bite-sized blinis with housemade, chilled white wine cream sauce and caviar. Other happy hour-exclusive dishes include the prosciutto plate ($18) and prosciutto and cheese plate ($18). The latter comes with thinly sliced prosciutto, aged Parmesan cheese and honey.

During happy hour, customers can also get half-sized portions of popular appetizers. Choose from beef carpaccio ($18), eggplant caponata ($14) and seafood bruschetta ($16). The beef carpaccio features thinly sliced beef tenderloin topped with parmesan, arugula, extra-virgin olive oil and the eatery’s housemade caper vinaigrette.

Meanwhile, the seafood bruschetta features bruschetta topped with mascarpone cream, sauteed shrimp, scallops, sundried tomatoes and spinach.

The eatery’s truffle carbonara (market price), is a customer favorite. It features fresh spaghetti with pancetta, and is finished with a poached egg and truffles, which are shaved tableside. The pasta is usually $68, so it’s $34 after the discount. This happy hour discount is only available from 5 to 5:30 p.m.

(Note: The 50% discount is currently also available during lunch as a featured special.)

Drink discounts include $8 beers, $10 wines by the glass, $16 specialty cocktails and red or white sangria decanters ($30 each). The sangria decanters are designed to serve approximately four glasses.

Validated customer parking is available at the Embassy Suites Waikīkī and Wyndham Hotel

Taormina happy hour chef Hiro 061826

<title>Taormina Sicilian Cuisine launches its summer happy hour</title>

The eatery, known for its authentic Sicilian cuisine, is launching its limited-time summer happy hour on June 19. Happy hour is from 4 to 5:30 p.m. daily, and features discounted drinks and pūpū — including 50% off the restaurant’s popular truffle carbonara.

Taormina Sicilian Cuisine launches its summer happy hour

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

Blessed with tantalizing baseball tools to go with his 6-foot-5 frame, recent ‘Iolani graduate Judah Ota has been a priority watch for MLB scouts in recent years.

Prior to his senior year at ‘Iolani, Ota displayed his talents at the 2025 Perfect Game USA National Showcase at Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The right-handed outfielder threw balls clocked at over 90 miles per hour while displaying his power in batting practice from the left side of the plate. Ota also showed elite speed, running the 60-yard dash in 6.72 seconds. 

Intrigue in Ota has persisted leading up to the 2026 MLB Draft, which runs from July 11-13. Although Ota is committed to play collegiate baseball at the University of Arkansas in the fall, he's currently going through the pre-draft process to see where he stacks up among the country's best high school and collegiate prospects. 

Ota recently earned a rare invite to the 2026 MLB Draft Combine, which will take place from June 23-26 at Chase Field, the same stadium where he turned heads last summer. Of the 335 invited high school and college names, Ota is the only player from a Hawai‘i school. 

"It just means a lot being able to represent Hawai‘i," Ota recently told Aloha State Daily. "It's just a great feeling to be able to do it. Just hoping to be able to represent the right way."

Ahead of the combine, Ota is already on the Mainland, where he recently worked out for the Houston Astros, San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs. 

Ota's tools were honed during batting practice sessions with his mother, Paula. With mom throwing the pitches during countless sessions, Ota's baseball career has continued to blossom. 

"I'd just like to give a really big shoutout to my mom," Ota said. "She's been the most important person in my life. She throws me batting practice whenever I ask. She's just been the best. She's actually with me right now."

Although he was always a skilled player, Ota says he took the next step in his game during his time with the Hawai‘i Tigers, a local travel ball team run by Rick, Reid and Ron Nomura. Rigorous summer ball trips to Ohio with the Tigers proved to Ota that he was built to be a ballplayer. 

"It was really then that I saw that I could compete with Mainland competition, and that was really when I kind of felt like this might be something that I could really pursue," Ota said. 

Despite the intense interest shown in him from pro teams, Ota has his heart set on attending Arkansas and suiting up for the Razorbacks. Arkansas' pursuit of Ota began when he was an eighth grader. New rules prevented Ota from having contact with NCAA schools until he was a high school sophomore. 

More than 30 schools wanted Ota's commitment, but he never forgot his initial courtship with Arkansas and how its coaching staff made him feel valued. 

"When I took my official visit up to Arkansas, it was just an amazing opportunity," Ota recalled. "Their facilities are second to none, and Arkansas has a winning culture, great fans, and you really can't beat it."

Fayetteville in the fall, he'll be following in the footsteps of prominent players from the Islands in 

, Nolan Souza, and Wehiwa and Kuhio Aloy. Though Ota appreciates the Island connections Arkansas possesses, he says the program's winning culture is ultimately what attracted him the most. 

With knowledge of how three years of college ball could benefit him, Ota is prepared to wait for his ultimate goal. He believes playing in the MLB one day will be a matter of when, not if. 

"As of right now, the goal is just Arkansas in the fall, and just continue with that dream," Ota says. "It really just depends on a lot of things, but as of right now, it's really just going to Arkansas. (The combine) is just an awesome experience to be able to play in front of all these scouts. ... When I make it to the major leagues, I'll be happy to play anywhere."

Judah Ota 061726

<title>‘Iolani's Judah Ota earns invite to 2026 MLB Draft Combine</title>

Ota, a senior outfielder, will play collegiately at the University of Arkansas if he chooses not to go pro this summer.

‘Iolani's Judah Ota earns invite to 2026 MLB Draft Combine

Father’s Day is coming up Sunday, June 21. Whether dad wants a buffet, steak or seafood, check out the following options:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"53 By the Sea"}]

: On Father’s Day, customers can take advantage of a variety of specials:

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

: For Father’s Day weekend, the eatery is featuring a special charcoal grilled 20-ounce bone-in prime rib-eye layered with mushroom bordelaise, and served with potatoes au gratin and brussels sprouts finished with a bacon lemon vinaigrette. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Aurum Maui (Maui)"}]

: The Shops at Wailea, 3750 Wailea Alanui Drive, Wailea

: This Wailea eatery will feature a special Father’s Day entrée and dessert. Customers can enjoy coffee glazed beef ribs with sweet potato macaroni salad and cheddar cheese polenta ($52), along with a Lahaina Town brown cake with bourbon caramel, pecans and vanilla ice cream ($16). 

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

: Basalt Waikīkī is offering a variety of Father’s Day specials:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Big City Diner"}]

: The eatery is offering a variety of Father’s Day weekend specials.

The Father’s Day prime rib family pack ($229.99) is designed to serve four to five people. It includes:

The Father’s Day breakfast family pack ($99.99) serves four to five people. It includes:

[{"type":"text","text":"Other featured specials include:"}]

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

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

: Big Island Candies is featuring its seasonal milk chocolate ulua and milk chocolate menpachi; they come in 10-ounce trays. They cost $22.50 each at the Ala Moana Center store ($21.50 at the Hilo flagship store and factory). 

: Available starting June 5, while supplies last 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Choco le‘a"}]

: The chocolate shop’s monthly specials include Guinness beer truffles ($3.25), hibiki truffles ($3.75), chips and cereal ($24.99) and June goodie bag ($9.99). The latter includes one dark chocolate covered pineapple, a dark chocolate covered Oreo and solid chocolate token bag.

The chips and cereal snack is inspired by the “Muddy Buddy” classic and includes Chex cereal, Bugles, kakimochi, cheese balls and whole macadamia nuts tossed in signature dark chocolate, peanut butter and powdered sugar. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Eating House 1849"}]

: International Market Place, 2330 Kalākaua Ave. Ste. 322, Honolulu 

: The eatery is serving up a variety of specials during both brunch and dinner. 

[{"type":"text","text":"Brunch specials:"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Dinner specials: "}]

: June 21; brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., dinner from 4 to 9 p.m. 

: This Father’s Day special ($74.99) includes a pork adobo fried rice omelet, gisantes, pork adobo, dinuguan, pansit noodles, lechon special, sari sari and white rice. It’s designed to serve three to five people; no substitutions are available. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Empire Steak House"}]

: 1777 Ala Moana Blvd. 30th floor, Honolulu 

: This Father’s Day special costs $120 per person. It includes:

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

: This Father’s Day weekend special features a tomahawk and lobster tail dinner ($195). It includes a 24-ounce USDA Choice tomahawk, two lobster tails and double-baked shrimp Alfredo potato.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Kulu kulu cake"}]

: Eaton Square, 438 Hobron Lane Ste. 102, Honolulu 

: Specialty desserts include a Father’s Day beer roll cake ($18.50) — a chocolate roll cake in the shape of a beer mug — and Father’s Day bear puff ($6.50). The chocolate puff features a mustache decoration. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Mala Ocean Tavern (Maui)"}]

: This Father’s Day special costs $49 per person. The barbecue-themed menu includes slow-smoked beef ribs, Hawaiian barbecue pulled pork and salt-crusted pork belly, served with side dishes like lilikoi mac salad, furikake rice, green papaya slaw, Maui Gold barbecue sauce, housemade butter mochi cornbread and pickled pohole. 

The Shops at Wailea, 3750 Wailea Alanui Drive, Wailea

: This steakhouse will offer a Father’s Day brunch with dishes like shrimp and grits ($55), lobster frittata ($60) and a 6-ounce center-cut filet paired with a loaded frittata ($65). The eatery’s full dinner menu will be available starting at 3 p.m.; reservations are recommended. 

: For Father’s Day, SKY Waikīkī is serving up a tomahawk feast ($165). It includes a 32-ounce tomahawk steak, mashed potatoes and creamed spinach, an extra-thick slice of sizzling bacon, and a glass of Cabernet. 

: International Market Place, 2330 Kalakaua Ave. Ste. 330, Honolulu 

: StripSteak, A Michael Mina Restaurant, is highlighting a variety of signature cuts.

Prime cuts being served that evening will include a 50 to 60-ounce tomahawk rib-eye, 40-ounce dry-aged prime porterhouse, 22-ounce bone-in Kansas City New York Strip, and 22-ounce cowboy bone-in rib-eye.

The eatery will also highlight its Kurobuta pork duo, featuring a double-cut chop and braised pork belly, accompanied by Lambic beer peach puree and roasted peaches. A paired cocktail — the Heaven Hill Old Fashioned — will be poured two ways. 

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

: For Father’s Day, Sushi Aki is featuring a special menu for that week. The special omakase costs $280 per person. It includes three kinds of sashimi (chutoro, golden eye snapper and striped jack), Japanese whiting marinated in kelp, Pike conger eel with plum paste, Geoduck sushi, sweet shrimp sushi, steamed egg custard, three kinds of tempura, Hokkaido uni (small bowl), marinated akami, toro taku roll and more. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"The Clubhouse Mililani"}]

: This Father’s Day prime rib special ($65) features a 16-ounce prime rib with roasted potatoes, au jus, sliced onions and chili pepper water. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"The Pint & Cork (Maui)"}]

: Customers can enjoy Father’s Day specials like flat iron steak and pommes frites with local mushrooms, paniolo butter and grilled broccolini ($42); the BIB burger with white cheddar, applewood bacon and a fried egg ($24); and a Blanton’s Old Fashioned ($23). 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Zippy’s Restaurants"}]

: Father’s Day specials include pork chops with gravy ($17.95 in Honolulu) — which feature bone-in pork chops with gravy and mushrooms sauteed in garlic butter and onions — and a Father’s Day cake ($29.95 in Honolulu). The latter features a three-layer vanilla chiffon cake filled with whipped cream and decorated with a blue palaka pattern and ti-leaf lei border. 

Fathers Day roundup 53 By the Sea 060926

<title>Where to celebrate Father’s Day 2026 – part 2</title>

Whether you’re looking to dine-in or celebrate Father’s Day at home, we’ve got you covered. This guide also contains some local fare on Maui.

Where to celebrate Father’s Day 2026 – part 2

Aloha Spirit

 to launch its second brand collaboration today. The limited-edition collab — which includes a tote bag, T-shirt, exclusive gift box and stickers — features 88 Tees’ characters Yaya and Kuku sitting on a surfboard while sharing Big Island Candies’ confections.

i’s oceans and the importance of environmental stewardship; a portion of the sales from the collaboration box from June 5 to 30 will benefit 808 Cleanups. This nonprofit’s mission is to inspire communities to sustainably restore Hawai

“Big Island Candies has been such a special place for me; I remember eating these cookies when I was in high school,” says Avian Ku, co-owner of 88 Tees. “From Hilo to Hanalei, the islands of Hawai

i boast some of the most pristine and renowned beaches, including fertile shorelines for fishing and gathering various limu and pa

akai. We want to do our part in preserving the ocean so our future generations may enjoy them just as we do today.

“I’m so blessed to be living in Hawai

i, because we all care for each other and care for the ocean and environment,” she adds.

The Big Island Candies x 88 Tees collaboration box ($24.25 online and in Hilo, $25.50 at Ala Moana Center) includes three milk chocolate dipped macadamia nut shortbreads, three chocolate chip macadamia nut shortbreads, three white dipped lemon shortbreads, three coconut shortbreads, one milk chocolate-covered macadamia nut brownie, one dark chocolate covered macadamia brownie, and two milk chocolate covered macadamia nut toffees.

The Big Island Candies x 88 Tees collaboration items will be available while supplies last. For more information, visit 

Big Island Candies x 88 Tees Avian Ku 060526

<title>Big Island Candies and 88 Tees launch second brand collaboration</title>

The limited-edition collaboration features and exclusive gift box, tote bag, T-shirt and stickers. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of the Big Island Candies x 88 Tees collaboration box from June 5 to 30 will benefit 808 Cleanups.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: An inspirational fire

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Social Media & Marketing Manager

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Hawai‘i Scene on Social: An inspirational fire

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Social Media & Marketing Manager

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