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Kady Pascual

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"To be in that moment."}]

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Firefly surfing whale in hawaii 262426

<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Surfing with friends</title>

Today’s social media find comes from @BriannaCope, who caught a once in a lifetime wave.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Surfing with friends

To be in that moment.  Make sure you follow @BriannaCope on Instagram! For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter!

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Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Entertainment

Aloha Spirit

In just two days, surfing pets and their owners will compete paws on the nose in The Raising Cane’s Going to the Dogs SurFur ComPETition (GTDSC) at 

Catch the 2025 one-day themed event “Legends of the Pawty Wave,” featuring surfing action from current year competitors and alumni. It begins with a blessing at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21, at Kūhiō Beach in Waikīkī. Surfing will commence at 8:30 a.m. at Baby Queens surf break. 

This year, 30 animals (mostly dogs and one cat) will compete in two divisions – tandem with their owners and solo for “high-caliber” surf dog athletes – throughout the day, according to volunteer organizer Kelli Hergert. 

Official GTDSC heat assignments can be found, 

The family and pet friendly event is expected to draw hundreds of beachgoers at a time, she said. 

Members of the dog surfing community will serve as judges and about 30 volunteers are dedicated to just this portion of Duke's OceanFest, which runs from Aug. 16 to 24.

“We've grown every year since we started in 2015,” Hergert told ASD. “We started off with three dogs and a pig, and we’ve now had cats and ducks surf.”

She said this year, there are three brand new tandem teams that she vetted, but the rest are “returning alumni.”

“We strive to have a safe and fun competition with animals that actually want to be out there on the surfboard. ... We’re not just doing it for the photo ops or the notoriety. Some of these human and dog combos are amazing to watch because they love being with each other so much and surfing is just an activity that they do.

“For a few of them, it looks like they were born to surf. ... That’s what I try to focus on, that everybody out there is having a really good time, that they look happy and want to be out there.”  

When asked about where to park, Hergert said there is nearby street parking, as well as at the Honolulu Zoo, Tom Maffat Waikīkī Shell, and Waikīkī Shopping Plaza and Ross garages.

Raising Cane’s Restaurants has officially sponsored GTDSC since 2022, though its been involved since 2019, she noted. This year, Cane’s selected social media influencers and actress and comedian Amy Hill, 

make appearances and help with judging during the day.

“Iʻm really grateful to be a part of Duke's OceanFest,” Hergert said. "And then, to be able to create that kind of magic at the beach and put on a world-class event. I want people to think ʻWow, this was well organized and well thought out, that is was something special.'”

Hergert is a dog mom to Alfie, a 40-pound, 14 year-old poi dog, terrier-mix who enjoys paddle boarding on flat surfaces.

“Jim Fulton was the organizer of OceanFest in 2001, and so in 2015, Jim came to me and said, ʻHey, you own a dog, you know how to surf, do you want to help me with a dog surfing competition?ʻ I said, ʻWell, I donʻt surf with my dog.ʻ And heʻs like, ʻIt doesn't matter. Can you help me with it? I need a pet lover and a surfer.ʻ And Iʻm like, ʻOK!” And so, thatʻs how this all started."

ODKF Support Inc., doing business as Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest, is a nonprofit organization whose mission aligns with the 

, which is “to provide resources for scholarships and grants for Hawaiʻi athletes,” its website notes.

“What I love is the energy at the beach. I can’t say it enough. It’s an amazing event, and just being a part of the mission of celebrating Duke’s life and legacy, perpetuating his Aloha Spirit,” Hergert said. “But also, you cannot be angry when you’re watching dogs and you can’t be unhappy when you see people having fun with their pets, friends and family. You walk away from it with a huge smile.”

For more information about the festival, visit 

The Raising Cane’s Going to the Dogs SurFur ComPETition, visit 

. Those interested in becoming a sponsor or volunteer may email Hergert at surfdogshawaii@gmail.com.

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Dukes Oceanfest Dog Surfing

<title>Watch animals 'born to surf' in Waikīkī</title>

Volunteer organizer Kelli Hergert shares the history behind and what to expect this year at The Raising Cane’s Going to the Dogs SurFur ComPETition at Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest this Thursday, Aug. 21, at Kūhiō Beach. Spectators can enjoy all-day surf action by dogs, a cat and their humans.

Watch animals 'born to surf' in Waikīkī

Government & Politics

More than 150 dignitaries, military personnel and community members welcomed four 11-year-old children from Holy Family Home, an orphanage in Osaka, Japan, to Hawaiʻi with cheers, lei and aloha at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on Monday.

As part of a 76-year cultural exchange between the orphanage and the 27th Infantry Regiment “Wolfhounds,” the children – Umi, Kanami, Ryota, and Ryuki – will stay with military host families for two weeks, while enjoying Oʻahu’s culture and attractions with planned visits to the Waikīkī Aquarium, Kualoa Ranch, the Outrigger Canoe Club and more.

The relationship between the Wolfhounds and Holy Family Home began in 1949 under the leadership of Master Sgt. Hugh O’Reilly, who secured funds and materials to build a new facility for the orphanage where they were stationed after World War II. Following O’Reilly’s death in 2006, Hawaiʻi-based nonprofit Peace Bridge formed “to carry on and expand this tradition of compassion and friendship between the Holy Family Home and the Hawaiʻi community, fostering one of the longest-running military-civilian partnerships in U.S. Army history,” according to the organization.

“It was Christmas 1949. After witnessing the conditions of the orphanage, the soldiers began to pass around an Army helmet for donations to improve the living conditions. The men raised $143 and donated it to the orphanage on New Year’s morning,” it was said during the opening remarks of Monday’s ceremony.

The soldiers of the regiment spent their spare time repairing the facility. “In 1957, the Wolfhounds invited two children to visit their soldiers and familiy stationed in Hawai’i. Thus began the longstanding tradition we’re witnessing today.”

Hugh O'Reilly Jr. was present at the festivities and has helped continue his father's legacy.

Lt. Col. “Teddy” Borawksi, 1st Battalion Commander said, “We’re honored to host our four special guests Umi, Kanami, Ryota, and Ryuki, for the next two weeks and we look forward to sharing our lives, our traditions in this beautiful island that we call home.

“As Wolfhounds, we are known for being ferocious in battle and compassionate in peace. The children of the Holy Family Home embody the spirit of compassion and we are privileged to be your gentle wolfhounds. It is hard to put into words how much it means to us to continue this tradition. One born from the hearts of Wolfhounds long before us. Our commitment to this bond is just as strong today as it was decades ago. And we will not allow this cherished connection to fade.”

Gov. Josh Green presented a proclamation to Borawski, marking Aug. 18, 2025, as "Wolfhounds Day." 

, he made a stop at Holy Family Home to meet with the children and staff, he said.

“It was just so loving, and there was so much care,” Green recalled from that visit.

“You are honorary citizens today. We are grateful that you will be able to share our culture, and then be able to go back and share your experiences. … Our young guests, we hope this will be an amazing trip with long lasting memories and new friendships. … Let’s hope for another 76 years of love and compassion.

On behalf of Mayor Rick Blangiardi, City and County of Honolulu Chief of Staff Andy Sugg,

echoed the governor’s sentiments, while thanking the host families, among others, and presented a proclamation from the city. 

“The turnout is unbelievable,” he said of Monday’s event. “I didn’t know what to expect, but this is really incredible. ... So, thank you all for your dedication and for your commitment and for thinking of the children. There’s a lot going on in the world and we often forget that this is the future and we’ve got to really nourish and take care of all of our kids."

President of Peace Bridge Rika Hirata shared more history, describing the organization’s role “as a bridge between the Wolfhounds, Holy Family Home and the local community.”

The nonprofit’s mission is “to sustain and grow upon this tradition of aloha,” she continued. Its website states the aim is to continue “legacy of peace and love for the children of the Holy Family Home.”

“On behalf of Peace Bridge, I thank all of you for your support and ask for your continued support in the future,” she said.

Peace Bridge is volunteer-run and has supported more than 150 children without families. Learn more about the local organization, 

Japanese orphans 2025

<title>Turnout for Osaka orphans at HNL ‘unbelievable,’ says gov’t official</title>

Four 11-year-old children from Holy Family Home in Osaka, Japan, landed at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport Monday met with cheering, lei giving and aloha, from dignitaries, the U.S. Army “Wolfhounds,” and local nonprofit Peace Bridge and its community supporters. These orphans will stay in Hawai’i for two weeks with military host families, while enjoying  Oʻahu’s culture and attractions, promoting international peace and partnership.

Turnout for Osaka orphans at HNL ‘unbelievable,’ says gov’t official

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

As telescope lease agreements on Mauna Kea near their expiration dates, the process for renewing them remains up in the air.

Doug Simons, Director of the University of Hawai‘i's Institute for Astronomy, advised the state Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority last Thursday that the window for observatories on the mountain to negotiate their leases of state land is rapidly closing.

All observatories on Mauna Kea are legally bound to decommission their facilities and fully restore their sites to natural conditions by the end of 2033 if they are not able to negotiate further land use with the state. Because of this, Simons said that the telescopes could be very close to the end of their operational lives: decommissioning would likely need to begin by 2028 in order to be completed by the deadline.

In 2020, Simons said he predicted that those observatories that intend to remain operational beyond 2033 must negotiate their leases with the state by the first half of the 2020s — “which is right now, more or less.”

Despite this, those negotiations have not yet been completed, Simons said. Between the protests against the Thirty Meter Telescope in 2015 and 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the MKSOA taking over management of the mountain from UH in 2028, the process has been paused and restarted multiple times over the years.

But without an understanding of how many telescopes will continue to operate beyond 2033, it is difficult for any observatory to estimate the cost of operating on Mauna Kea. Simons said all observatories in the Mauna Kea Science Reserve contribute millions of dollars each year to various shared infrastructure costs, so each telescope that doesn’t have a lease renewed will increase costs for the rest.

“So that really gets you back to the basic question … how much is it going to cost?” Simons said. “And if we don’t know the answer to how much a lease is going to cost, the process is basically stalled.”

Even if the MKSOA can get through the negotiation process quickly, Simons said any new leases will almost certainly be challenged in contested cases and litigation, which will eat up even more time.

Further complicating affairs is the myriad of international funding agencies involved in the various observatories, all of which would need to agree to lease terms, which Simons said is a particularly complex and time-consuming part of the process.

And, of course, all of this is taking place as major cuts are planned for American science funding, with President Donald Trump’s administration 

 in June enormous slashes to NASA and National Science Foundation budgets.

MKSOA board members remained optimistic that they can expedite the lease negotiating process relatively quickly: “It’s not like we’re sitting at the table yet, but the more we prepare ourselves to be at that table, the quicker it will go,” said member Neil Hannahs.

But the MKSOA and its executive director John De Fries already have a lot on their plate as they race toward 2028, when the Authority will assume full control of the mountain from UH. A new management plan for the mountain is being developed, and is not expected to be completed until mid-2026.

At the same time, MKSOA is developing its strategic 

 — a short, three-page document outlining the Authority’s guiding principles regarding Mauna Kea that would impact any proposed lease terms. Public 

 will be held around Hawai‘i Island through September to solicit feedback on the draft document.

Doug Simons BLUE small 16x9

<title>Clock ticking for Mauna Kea leases</title>

Negotiations for renewing Mauna Kea observatory leases need to start soon, warns IFA director

Clock ticking for Mauna Kea leases

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

EA Sports College Football 26 was released on Monday, marking the second straight year a college football video game was released for next-gen consoles. EA Sports College Football 25 was released in July 2024, marking the first college football video game in 11 years following new rules that allowed players to be compensated for their name, image and likeness (NIL). 

As one of 136 FBS programs in 2025, the University of Hawai‘i football team was again featured in the video game. The Rainbow Warriors were given a 74 overall rating as a ream. The UH defense was given a rating of 78, while the offense was given a rating of 69. 

 on July 1, no uniforms for any UH teams have been publicly revealed. However, the game already features Nike uniforms for the Rainbow Warriors. 

A notable absence for UH in EA Sports College Football 25 was its home field at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, with a generic stadium taking its place. In EA Sports College Football 26, the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex and its specifications are squarely in the game. 

Hawai‘i's highest-rated player in the game is senior safety Peter Manuma, who holds a rating of 85. Meanwhile, wide receiver Nick Cenacle is the offense's highest-rated player at 84. 

UCLA transfer Dermaricus Davis is the team's highest-rated quarterback (79), ahead of presumed starter Micah Alejado, who holds a rating of 74. 

Multiple players who have exhausted their UH eligibility are in the game, such as defensive tackle Anthony Sagapolutele and punter Lucas Borrow. Borrow's appeal for an additional year of eligibility was denied by the NCAA following spring practice. Kicker Caleb Sempebwa, who left the team in the spring, is also on the video game roster. 

UH received $9987.52 in NIL money from EA Sports to distribute among its players in 2024. In 2025, players are set to receive $1500 each to have their name, image and likeness appear in the game. 

A notable absence in Hawai‘i's roster in the video game is its 

. No incoming true freshman are currently on the team's EA sports roster. 

Other true freshman across the country are featured in the game, such as Campbell alum and current Cal quarterback 

The highest-rated player with Hawai‘i ties in EA Sports College Football 26 is Oregon center Iapani Laloulu. The Farrington alumnus was given an overall rating of 90. 

As was the case in 2024, not every team had all its real life players in the game, leading to aliases. Repeat UH aliases such as receiver Damon Brazill and free safety Matthew Sherels are on the Rainbow Warrior roster in EA Sports College Football 26. As was the case last year, the roster will be updated throughout the season, with more current players set to be featured in the game. 

For the first time, coaches and coordinators are also featured in the game. UH head coach Timmy Chang and offensive coordinator 

 are in the game, while defensive coordinator 

EA Sports Hawaii football 1 070725

<title>Hawai‘i football featured but overlooked in new EA Sports release</title>

EA Sports College Football 26 was released on Monday, the second edition of the game in the NIL era.

Hawai‘i football featured but overlooked in new EA Sports release

Real Estate

recently became the owner of the 6.5-acre property on which it sits at 4389 Malia Street. The land was previously owned by 

, which successfully closed on the land sale for $90 million last week. 

“The purchase eliminates the uncertainty of what would have happened as Kahala Nui approached the end of the 60-year ground lease in 2063,” said Kahala Nui President and CEO Craig Courts. “This includes the unknown financial impact on the residents that live there, the unknown lease terms and costs if successful in negotiating a new or extended lease, and the risk that residents would have to move out at the end of the ground lease. 

“With certainty, Kahala Nui can focus its efforts on how it can have a greater impact on kupuna in the broader community.”

Courts noted that the two “entities are very supportive of each other and have been good neighbors to each other over the years.”

Kahala Nui, a not-for-profit corporation, provides independent and assisted living, as well as skilled-nursing and memory support. Since 2005, the organization has partnered with the next-door Mary, Star of the Sea School Hawaii, a private Catholic elementary and middle school, for various events and fundraising efforts.

Under the agreement, Mary, Star of the Sea School and church will continue its operations with access to parking stalls, sports fields and pre-existing easements.

“We are grateful for our nearly two decades of partnership with Kahala Nui, and this transaction represents a mutually beneficial outcome for both organizations,” said Larry Silva, Bishop of the Diocese of Honolulu, in a statement. “The proceeds from this sale will help strengthen the financial foundation of the Diocese and provide ongoing support for our parishes, schools, clergy and the wider Catholic community.”

A spokeswoman told ASD, “The Diocese has created a perpetual endowment for Mary Star of the Sea Parish, which is expected to generate the same or more annual income than the parish received from its share of the lease rents.” Other endowments for seminarians, deacons and retired clergy have also been created. For Hawaii students in need of financial aid at Catholic schools, monies will also be directed to the 

, a nonprofit under the Diocese of Honolulu. 

The Diocese is also raising funds for much-needed renovations at the historic Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, which serves as an operating parish at Fort Street Mall in Downtown Honolulu. “The Diocese is earmarking a portion of the proceeds of the Kahala Nui sale for the Cathedral Renewal project,” the spokeswoman said. “Much has been done. There is much remaining to do.”

Honolulu Kahala Nui senior living 011725

Civic leaders, community members gathered on Tuesday for a ceremony welcoming the nonprofit's new leadership, led by Bishop Larry Silva.

Tina Andrade and Rob Van Tasell, Catholic Charities Hawaii 011425

Tina Andrade succeeds Rob Van Tassell as head of Catholic Charities Hawaii

Ohana Health Plan President and CEO Scott Sivik talks about its new transitional housing program in partnership with Hilo-based nonprofit Hope Services Hawaii.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Surfing with friends

Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

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Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Surfing with friends

Authors

Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

More in Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: When there’s a will, there’s a way

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Wipe out!

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Most read