Square Kady Pascual Headshot RGZ5762

Kady Pascual

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Just rollo over them, all good!"}]

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

SouthShoreBBClub

<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Get boogie with it</title>

Today’s social media find comes from @SouthShoreBBClub, who avoids tourists with style.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Get boogie with it

Just rollo over them, all good!  Make sure you follow @SouthShoreBBClub and @KaipoiKoaon Instagram! For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter!

Katie Headshot Large

Katie Chang

Aloha Spirit

Viewpoints

Last year I had the opportunity to take a year to return to graduate school on the East Coast.

While there, I was able to do a deep dive on a variety of topics, especially artificial intelligence and the rise of geopolitical tensions around the world. Clear themes emerged for me, and many are reflected in 

But one of my biggest takeaways from school didn’t come from the classroom. It came from observing the people around me. I realized that the most compelling and truly powerful people in the world are not the ones with the most money or the fanciest titles. 

They are the people who have a hometown that they are fighting for.

Hometowns are not necessarily the places you’re born, but they’re the places you’re willing to take a stand for. The places where rights meet responsibility.

At school, I met people like Joseph whose hometown is Pyongyang, North Korea. He’s a refugee in the U.S., but he dreams of one day returning to be a high school civics teacher. Sara’s hometown is Erbil in Kurdistan. She’s an educational leader and dreams of a better future for young Kurds.

These two were not necessarily the loudest, the richest or most aggressive. But I realized that that really doesn’t matter. That at the end of the day, people want to dream and build in service to the places they love. And they are the most compelling, and joyful, people in the world.

And then I realized that I’m the luckiest. I have the best hometown in the world – Hawai‘i. And every day, I wake up, join the team at the Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders, and figure out new ways to fight for our Island home.

As theologian and philosopher, G.K Chesterton said, “The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.”

I know that we all love Hawai‘i. I’m all-in on Hawai‘i. If I was a stock trader, I would say that I’m bullish. Our stock is undervalued, and our forward growth potential is huge. 

How can I say that? We have significant headwinds. The University of Hawai‘i Economic Research Organization (UHERO) seems to come up with a different way every month to quantify our financial pain.

So many are losing hope. So many are leaving. At my parents’ Sunday dinner table, we have to cap the number of times we talk about cost of living or housing. I’m sure you’re the same.

How will we break out of this cycle, out of restrictionist mindsets, out of our atmosphere of low trust? How do we grow and move forward?

To be completely honest, I’m not 100% sure on the 

It’s going to be the middle: people from every community who care deeply about their hometown.

Our staff travels 20,000 miles to find and train these young people, now numbered at 1,000 per year. Young people are not necessarily the student body president and leader of 3 clubs. Future ranchers from ‘Ele ‘Ele, future pastors from Kapolei, future fashion designer from Kalihi, fishermen from Kihei, paddlers from Lanai City. The list goes on and on.

This group could be a beacon of hope for Hawai‘i.

It reminds me of our alumni director, Trisha Ramelb. She is a powerful example of CTL’s current pipeline: she started in 10th grade, finished both high school programs, then joined our alumni programs.

Trisha is a picture to me of what the future could look like. She’s principled. She’s not afraid to stand alone, and talk to people she disagrees with. Trisha has worked hard on the fundamentals of leadership. Trisha knows that leadership is not measured by viral moments on Instagram, but on execution and putting in the work. 

Hawai‘i will change when more and more young people, like Trisha, start to enter the leadership conversation — fresh voices in Hawai‘i’s tight leadership circle. Hawai‘i will change when extraordinary ordinary people start to speak up.

Moving forward, the Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders will go all-in on this leadership thesis. We will expand our high school programs, double down on foundational human skills like character, problem-solving, and communication in the age of AI, and grow our Vanguard alumni network to make a long-term investment in their continued growth.

Thank you to every foundation, company and person who invests in CTL. There won’t be a direct and immediate monetary return. 

But I hope your true dividend will be a new chapter in Hawai‘i led by a real, growing, excited group of world class, local leaders — leaders who are madly in love with their hometown, and willing to do whatever it takes.

Editor's Note: This essay was adapted from the speech Katie Chang gave at CTL's caption event, CTL Vision Lab, held April 30, 2026.

Katie Chang is the Executive Director of the Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders. She can be reached at 

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

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

Emerge group 1 Large

<title>Community Voices: The people who will save Hawai‘i</title>

Katie Chang, executive director of Center for Tomorrow's Leaders, talks about why she's bullish on Hawai‘i's future. She sees a thousand reasons each year — the number of student leaders in CTL's programs who are going to fight for their Hawai‘i.

Community Voices: The people who will save Hawai‘i

IMG 1445

Rick Hamada

Government & Politics

Columnists

Scandals within government feed the narrative that government overall is corrupt.

Such conclusions are subjective, however plenty of claims, statements and a record of past transgressions (including legal actions against those within government here) connect the dots between the perception of corruption and its reality.

Recently, Vice President JD Vance labeled Hawai‘i as a failure in Medicaid fraud prosecutions. Those accusations were rejected by the State Attorney General but, as with most allegations, it's the finger pointing that's remembered, and the responses are often lost in the cycle. The guilt by association leads to the perceived affirmation that Hawai‘i is corrupt.

Speaking of the State Attorney General, she and her office are on the other side of the coin. The declared investigation into bribery and fraud allegations that a high ranking, elected official in the Big Square Building allegedly took a paper bag filled with $35,000 in cash is still unresolved. Despite the cloudiness of the allegations the perception is, in fact, that not only did it occur, but all that remains is identifying which lawmaker took it.

Whether or not we accept these assessments by outsiders or listen to locals who lament the scarring of Hawai‘i's reputation, there is unfortunately a roster of documented cases that bolster the argument of corruption here at home.

27 individuals participated in an illegal scheme to boost Honolulu voter registrations for candidate Ross Segawa. Segawa was convicted on 10 counts of election fraud, criminal solicitation, and evidence of tampering. Segawa served a year in prison and was expelled from law school. State Sen. Clifford Uwaine was convicted of conspiring to illegally register voters and served three months in jail; and Debra Kawaoka, an aide to Uwaine who also played a part in the false registration, served numerous weekends in prison. Brian Minaai and the other students each pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor.

 reported on Andy Mirikitani's sentencing, "

He will spend more than four years behind bars. He used a kickback scheme to steal thousands of dollars from the city. Now, Mirikitani will pay for his crimes. Mirikitani's sentence, four years three months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He must also pay back the money he stole." 

2002, Hawai‘i News Now again, reported on the sentencing of former state Sen. Marshall Ige. "A state judge sentenced Marshall Ige to six months in jail after being convicted in two separate cases. The first involved a couple from Beverly Hills approaching Ige in 1998, asking he clear their daughter's criminal record of two drug convictions. Ige said he could do it for $30,000 dollars. When he never came through, they contacted the Attorney General's office. The second case involved this farmer who leased 5 acres of land from the former Senator. In 1999, Ige threatened to evict Hanh Lam if he did not pay $7,000 dollars, in advanced rent."

 in 2003, reporting on the sentencing of Gary Rodrigues. "[O]nce one of the most powerful union leaders in Hawai'i, [he] will be able to remain free for as long as an estimated two years as he appeals his federal prison sentence of five years and four months for felony convictions of mail fraud, embezzling union money and related charges. A federal jury convicted Rodrigues in November last year on 101 felony counts, accusing him of taking kickbacks and steering phony union consulting contracts to his daughter."

These cases proved to be the highlights of the lowlights when it came to scandals well over 20-plus years ago. But the revelations of power grabbing, manipulation, and so much more within a beloved Hawaiian institution defined the most public and devastating story of corruption in our history — the Bishop Estate scandal that played out from 1997 to 1999.

This one got national attention, as this lengthy 1999 

 attests. Trustees then — "Gerard Jervis, 50; Henry Peters, 58; Richard “Dickie” Wong, 65; Oswald Stender, 67; and Lokelani Lindsey, 60" — famously made $840,000 a year in commissions. That's $1.7 million in 2026 dollars. 

"The estate became the center of public melodrama in 1997, when the school community learned of a private confrontation between Lindsey, the lead trustee for education, and student body President Kamani Kuala’au, who was bound for Princeton University," wrote the LA Times. Lindsey reportedly threatened the student by calling Princeton to jeopardize his academic career. Once word got out protesters marched on the Bishop Estate offices demanding that Lindsey to "stop meddling". 

This led to the "Broken Trust" essay appearing in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin alleging mismanagement of trust assets, conflicts of interests by individual trustees and poor selection of trustees, who are named by members of the Hawai‘i Supreme Court. Other developments ensued including internal lawsuits calling for the removal of Lindsey, the state attorney general accusing the trustees of using trust assets to create an economic empire, engaging in kickback schemes, awarding improper contracts, making sweetheart deals for relatives and friends and using improper business practices.

Perhaps the most sordid, yet tragic, story involved a Bishop Estate trustee and an Estate team member caught engaging in sexual infidelity in a hotel restroom. The public revelations led to the suicide of the woman involved and the attempted suicide of the trustee. I'm purposefully redacting names because I want to. Even after so many years later, enough is enough.

The dissolution of the Bishop Estate, the criminal to immoral conduct of the trustees (Oz Stender was never implicated) and the incredible shock and awe of the betrayal of the Princess's legacy remains the most troubling scandal to this day.

[{"type":"text","text":"Is corruption in Hawai‘i a reality or a perception?"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Depends on where you look."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"But let's turn the light on."}]

In recent years, State Sen. Kalani English, State Representative Ty Cullen, HPD Chief Louis and Prosecuting Attorney Katherine Kealoha were each public servants found guilty of crimes and served time proving that scandal and corruption exists today.

[{"type":"text","text":"And these are the only the cases we can confirm."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"I will say this."}]

Hawai‘i has its scandalous moments because humanity is imperfect. As long as you have humans operating with a public expectation of perfection, some (not all) will succumb to failures. However, it is unfair to cast aspersion upon every governmental agency, elected official or public servant because that's a patently false premise. Most serve honorably. It's how you identify, investigate and prioritize the consequential actions against violators that makes a lasting and influential impact.

And the State of Hawai‘i has this opportunity to define our reputation regarding corruption starting with the swift and transparent answering of this question.

[{"type":"text","text":"Who the hell took $35,000 in a paper bag?"}]

Solve this and perhaps our state will be on the road to reputational repair.

[{"type":"hardBreak","marks":[{"type":"bold"},{"type":"italic"}],"text":""}]

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

corruption I Stock 1093288618

<title>Hamada: How corrupt is Hawai‘i?</title>

Most public servants get through the day doing absolutely nothing wrong. But as ASD opinion columnist Rick Hamada observes, there have been more than enough high-profile cases of corruption to justify the perception that Hawai‘i can be pretty rotten.

Hamada: How corrupt is Hawai‘i?

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

, vividly remembers serving tacos on a street corner in Waikīkī back in 2011.

“I started a little taco stand from 2011 to 2015,” he says. “I was in Waikīkī, making tacos from midnight to 4:30 in the morning. And sometimes I would stay there until 5 a.m.; I would take a lot of food with me.

“(Before that,) I was waiting tables and bartending in Vegas,” he adds. “When I moved to Hawai

i, I had to open my business to make the same amount of money. I opened in Kalihi Valley in 2015 on Cinco de Mayo.”

Since the business’s original Kalihi store opening, it has expanded. Alvarado had a Kapahulu location for a few years — “from 2020 to 2023,” he says — and opened in Pearl City. The biz recently opened its third Oʻahu location in the former spot of Pauoa Chop Suey.

“This one is in the neighborhood, so it’s really nice that people can walk here,” Alvarado says. “A lot of people have such long-lasting memories of Pauoa Chop Suey. They’re very acceptant of us; we appreciate how warm and welcoming everyone has been. I tell them, ‘I know we have some big shoes to fill, but I’m confident my feet are bigger!’”

As soon as you walk into the restaurant, the eatery’s new Los Angeles Dodgers-inspired mural is immediately eye catching.

“(For the mural) I already knew what I wanted,” Alvarado says. “I wanted to feel like I’m going right into Dodger Stadium, and all of my favorite players had just won back-to-back World Series.

“This is a big space,” he adds, regarding the restaurant’s size. “It’s kind of bigger than what we need, but it’s nice to space some things out. Now we have more dining (seating). We had that at Kapahulu, but we don’t really have that at Kalihi.”

The menu across all three stores is mostly the same, but the Pearl City and Pauoa locations also feature churros (two for $7) and nacho fries. Nacho fries ($15) are loaded with nacho cheese, shredded cheese, beans, onions, cilantro, sour cream, jalapenos, olives, pico de gallo and salsa verde, according to Alvarado. Customers can also add a protein of their choice for a supplemental charge.

“I love the nacho cheese; I have it on the menu because I like it,” Alvarado says.

Tacos are available as three-taco combo plates — which include three tacos, rice, beans and a fountain drink — or a la carte (prices vary, depending on the protein). Five-inch corn tortillas are filled with a protein of your choice, onions, cilantro and salsa verde. Choose from carnitas, beef, chicken, carne asada or a veggie (rice, beans, cheese, onions, cilantro, pico de gallo and salsa verde) option.

The three-taco combo plate — along with the eatery’s wet burrito combo plate — are the two most popular dishes, according to Alvarado.

“For the meat choice, carne asada — the steak — is the most popular,” he says. “My personal favorite is the carnitas — the crispy, shredded pork.

“The aim is to make it like a hash brown,” he says. “You crispy it up, so that when it gets to you, it has a little crispy texture and it’s still moist. There’s a little squeeze of lime on all the tacos. It gives it this nice freshness.”

The wet burrito combo plate ($17.50-$19, depending on protein) features a 10-inch burrito with cheese, onions, cilantro, olives and your protein of choice. It’s finished with red enchilada sauce, more shredded cheese and sour cream.

“I do the carne asada wet burrito with half carnitas, so it’s both steak and pork in the same (one); that’s my jam,” Alvarado says.

The menu also features regular burritos, quesadillas, macho burritos —with 12-inch flour tortillas — Mexibowls (bowls with rice, beans and a variety of toppings) and nachos.

As the new store gets more settled, Alvarado says customers can look forward to specials, and he is optimistic about the new year. 

“I’ve been doing it (the business) since 2011 and the restaurants have been since 2015, but my workers make it all happen," he says. "I have veterans that moved over (from the Kalihi store to the Pauoa store) and everyone’s willing to take on a little more responsibility. That’s the most precious part — the growth — and everybody being a part of it. One person doesn’t make this; it’s the whole team. We’re as good as our weakest link, and we don’t have any weak links!”

The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays (closed Sundays). 

[{"type":"text","text":"Limited customer parking is available in the lot behind the restaurant."}]

Open 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays

Customer parking available in the lot behind the restaurant

Alejandros Pauoa owner 030326

<title>Alejandro’s Mexican Food opens in Pauoa</title>

This is the third location for the business, which opened its first store in Kalihi Valley in 2015. Customers can look forward to tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nacho fries and more.

Alejandro’s Mexican Food opens in Pauoa

Arts & Entertainment

Whether you’re into soccer, basketball, baseball or dodgeball, 

 — known for its immersive sports simulator experiences — has it all. 

The biz is opening at Pearlridge Center on May 1, and Aloha State Daily was invited for a special preview. It’s located in Wai Maikai, next to Funtastic Kidzone in the former Bedmart space, according to business owner DJ Chinen.

“People can rent one of the sports boxes and bring their own food and drinks; alcohol is allowed,” he says. “It’s (the sports experience) all simulated; it’s not virtual. You’re hitting real baseballs with real bats; you’re hitting real golf balls with real clubs.”

Customers can use the business’s equipment, or they can bring their own golf clubs and baseball bats. The experience is designed for people of all ages and skill levels, according to Chinen.

“We’re going to a run a special at the Pearlridge location for $45 per hour from Mondays to Fridays for the first month,” Chinen says. “During the weekends, it’ll be $75 per hour.

“Our most popular (options) are baseball and soccer,” he adds. “Different people have fun with different sports.”

Each box features a screen where participants can select a sport and skill level. Boxes are designed for groups of six.

Sports Box is also popular for private events, ranging from birthday parties and team bondings to Christmas celebrations, according to Chinen. The business offers various party/event packages (starting at $225 per hour), which include equipment, potluck area, seating and tables.

“Even when we have people coming in for individual reservations, this (party packages) are what we specialize in,” Chinen says.

Sports Box will adhere to mall hours, but will be open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, according to Chinen.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Get boogie with it

Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

More in Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Neighborhood weather updates

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Island vibes

Gotta catch ‘em all — at Ala Moana Center: voices from Pokémon GO’s “Wild Area: Global” event

Starbucks holiday launch draws crowds for limited-edition cups

Most read

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Get boogie with it

Authors

Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

More in Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Neighborhood weather updates

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Island vibes

Gotta catch ‘em all — at Ala Moana Center: voices from Pokémon GO’s “Wild Area: Global” event

Starbucks holiday launch draws crowds for limited-edition cups

Most read