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Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

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<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Hawaiian local album covers</title>

Today’s social media find comes from @MeneHulk, with an accurate depiction of most local album covers.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Hawaiian local album covers

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Katie Helland

Entertainment

Arts & Culture

 the Apple TV+ mini-series about uniting the Hawaiian Islands, which debuted Aug. 1, actor Moses Goods plays Moku, the advisor to the future King Kamehameha I. Written and executive produced by Jason Momoa and Thomas Pa‘a Sibbett, the series shares the story of Kaʻiana, played by Momoa, as he tries to unify the Islands before Western colonization in the late 18th century.

 New episodes drop every Friday through Sept. 19.

With four episodes left in the nine-part series, Goods spoke with Aloha State Daily about getting into character. His favorite part of playing Moku?   

“It would have to be the layers of this particular character and what’s weighing on him,” he said. “He's someone that he saw the prophecy when Kamehameha was a baby, when he was born, and he saw the end result. And he's devoted his life since that time to now to achieving those results, which means he had to do some things that maybe didn't sit well with him, like use his daughter as a pawn in this game. But this is something that he believes wholeheartedly in, and he believes this is what is needed for Hawaiʻi, for the people, for the lāhui, and so he does it. Just those layers of him being a politician and being a father, to me, makes for a very interesting character.”

Goods is no stranger to films that share the history of the Islands, often entirely in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. He recently played the Chief of East Maui in the short film “Kūkini,” which shares the same conflict as “Chief of War” from the eyes of a messenger, or kūkini, for Maui. He also wrote “Duke,” a one-man show about Duke Kahanamoku, the legendary surfer and Olympic gold medalist.

These kind of roles often mean potraying ancestors, “which in our belief, are still with us, are still around us,” he said.

“So my process involves opening the door for them to come be with me in whatever way that they choose,” he said. “That's how I prepare for it. He did come through that door in a very real way, and it has helped and elevated my portrayal of this kupuna. Even though he's someone that I'm not connected to by blood, he is someone that now is with me. And I'm doing what he told me to do.”

Moses hopes the “Chief of War” series continues to do what it has already done, which is spark conversations about culture, he said.

“It's sparking things that are contrary to what people think Hawaiʻi is because a lot of people that don't grow up here, they think Hawaiʻi is surfing, grass skirts — cellophane skirts — and a very touristy idea of what they believe Hawaiʻi is, and now it's giving them an entirely different view of what Hawaiʻi is, and one that's a little closer to reality," he said. "That's already taking place, and I just want more of that. I want people to watch this show and be intrigued and be curious about Hawaiian culture and language and history.”

When asked about challenges of filming the series, Goods was quick to mention wearing the traditional 

, or loincloth, in New Zealand. Even though the series is set in Hawaiʻi, it was filmed 

“It's freezing,” he said. “And particularly some of those council scenes, where it doesn't even look that cold. ... That was my biggest challenge, was just dealing with the cold of New Zealand, because it gets really cold over there.”

Moses describes himself as an introvert who “found my way out of my shell” first through sports and then theater, he said. He grew up in upcountry Maui with cows, horses, chickens and rabbits.

“The forest next to where we lived was where I would go and just let my imagination just soar,” he said. “So that's really the secret to my acting. I grew up immersed in my world of imagination, and I'm still able to access that. And I allow that realm of imagination to intersect with the spiritual realm and all of that. To me, it's all connected.”

“But that also meant that I spent most of my time in that imaginary world,” he said with a laugh. “And being around actual people is something that I was very nervous about. Sports helped me through that, and then when I finally got to theater, I was really able to just open up and allow myself to use being another character to get me out of my shell.”

Goods attended Maui High School before going on to study at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. What does he want viewers of “Chief of War” to take with them after the show?

“I just want people to continue to celebrate these things,” he said. “Even living in Hawaiʻi, a lot of people have been intimidated by the culture, right? ... Learn more. Start with your street names. Learn how to pronounce a street name correctly, if it's a Hawaiian street name. Learn what an ‘okina is —  a kahakō. It's never too late to start at the bottom and work your way up. ...  Don't be ashamed. Learn the language. Learn the culture. Immerse yourself, whether you're Hawaiian or not. Immerse yourself in this beautiful place that we're in — Hawaiʻi — and all the different layers of it.”

 There is a seven-day free trial for Apple TV+. After that, access to the streaming platform costs $12.99 per month.

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Moses Goods

<title>Actor Moses Goods shares how he gets into character for “Chief of War”</title>

With four episodes left of “Chief of War,” the Apple TV+ mini-series written and executive produced by Jason Momoa and Thomas Pa‘a Sibbett, Aloha State Daily talks story with actor Moses Goods, who plays Moku, advisor to the future King Kamehameha I. He shares how he gets into character — and one challenge of wearing a malo in New Zealand.

Actor Moses Goods shares how he gets into character for “Chief of War”

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

MĀNOA — With barely any knowledge about how to speak English or how to kick a football, Japan native Kansei Matsuzawa moved to the United States when he was 21 years old with aspirations of becoming a college kicker. 

While on a trip to the continental United States, Matsuzawa watched an NFL game and knew he wanted to play the sport himself. Matsuzawa, who played soccer for 

Makuhari Sogo High School in Chiba, Japan, taught himself how to kick footballs via YouTube. Other YouTube videos aided in learning the language. While paying for Hocking College, a junior college in Ohio, Matsuzawa was so low on personal funds that he learned how to cut his own hair.

Matsuzawa, now 26 and in his second year as the starting kicker for the University of Hawai‘i football team, was one of the heroes of the team's 23-20 season-opening win over Stanford on Saturday afternoon at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. He made all three of his field goal attempts, including a 38-yarder as time expired. He also made both of his extra point attempts on Saturday, making himself a perfect 5-for-5 on kicks for the day.

Of all the things Matsuzawa has taught himself over the years, no tool proved to be more valuable on Saturday than the ability to move on to the next kick. 

At the end of one of UH's practices during 

, there was a competition that involved splitting the Rainbow Warriors into two teams. Players lined up on the hash marks, barking loudly at each other during some friendly banter. The final competition involved Matsuzawa and backup 

Sean Olvera-Harle alternating between 50-yard attempts from the right hash. The winner was decided by whoever would make the kick first. Matsuzawa missed three straight attempts, allowing 

Olvera-Harle to eventually nail the winning kick. 

When asked about that practice on Saturday, Matsuzawa said his confidence was never shaken from it. 

"All the coaches and the team (were) kind of worried about me, I think," Matsuzawa joked on Saturday. "But I never lose my confidence. It was like, after practice, my legs are already dead. ... But after (those) misses, it is what it is, and just I focused on like the next play, and I execute."

Later on, Matsuzawa was able to prove himself in scrimmages, where it became evident his teammates and coaches "still believe in me, and then I just believe myself," he said. 

Hawai‘i ultimately pulled out the victory on Saturday, a scenario that seemed unlikely during the team's putrid start.

Stanford's first drive took more than half of the first quarter. The Cardinal settled for a 22-yard field goal with 7:14 left in the first period. On the ensuing kickoff, Brandon White called a fair catch on a ball that already bounced, and Hawai‘i was forced to start from its own 1. Quarterback Micah Alejado was sacked on the first play for UH and fumbled, which was recovered in the end zone by Stanford's Wilfredo Aybar. Suddenly Stanford was up 10-0 with 7:08 left in the first quarter. 

Hawai‘i got on the board with a 3-yard touchdown pass from Alejado to Pofele Ashlock with 2:19 left in the first quarter, which was set up by a 30-yard run by Alejado deep into Stanford territory. Stanford lined up for a 34-yard field goal on its next possession, but it was blocked by UH defensive tackle 

Although the Rainbow Warriors appeared to settle down, Stanford added to its lead with 3:39 left in the second quarter on an Emmet Kenney field goal. UH took the lead at the end of the first half with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Alejado to Jackson Harris with 48 seconds left in the first half. 

On its first possession of the second half, 

 went down with an ankle injury, staying on the ground for a handful of minutes. The turnstile crowd of 13,368 at a sold-out Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex fell silent, a symbol of the hope having Alejado behind center represents. Backup quarterback 

 entered for one play, his lone pass attempt batted down by a Stanford defender. 

UH held a narrow 17-13 lead through three quarters, as a 40-yard Matsuzawa field goal was the lone score in the third for either team. Alejado continued to play, limping between plays. 

Stanford took a 20-17 lead in the fourth quarter with a 20-play drive that took 9:37 off the clock. 

Just as the Cardinal appeared prepared to deliver a knockout blow, Kilinahe Mendiola-Jensen intercepted Stanford quarterback Ben Gulbrandon at the UH 31. Hawai‘i drove down the field promptly after that, tying the game on a 37-yard Matsuzawa field goal with 2:01 left.

Hawai‘i's defense continued to have its way with Gulbranson, forcing a three-and-out. After getting the ball back, Alejado calmly led the 'Bows back into field goal range. Stanford called a timeout in an attempt to freeze Matsuzawa, but he stayed composed as teammates nearby told him they were looking forward to exalting him as the game's hero. 

In the post-game press conference, Matsuzawa joked he was more nervous speaking to the media than he was lining up to kick Saturday's game-winner. 

"I'm kind of nervous right now, more than when I (kicked the) game-winning field goal," he said. "Speaking English is tough, but yeah, I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the moment. And when we gave up the second touchdown to Stanford, then I was like, 'Oh, this is gonna be my game.' And I just prepared for the game-tying field goal and also game-winning field goal. I knew it was going to happen. ... Control what I can control. That's everything I do."

The Rainbow Warriors began Year 4 of the 

 era on a winning note, notching their first victory over a Power Conference member since 2019. Chang said the team's offseason preparation, from January to kickoff on Saturday, was the best it's been since his time at the helm. 

"They put in a lot of work this offseason to (win) these close games," Chang said. "We talk about these close games and being on the other side of them, and how we're going to get on the other side of them. Really early on...10-0, to sit here and say that we came back in a close three-point game, I mean, that's just resilience."

Chang credited the toughness of Alejado, who completed 27 of his 39 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions despite being a compromised version of himself in the second half. Alejado also totaled 36 rushing yards on 10 carries while getting sacked four times. 

Alejado, who exclusively hopped on his left leg in order to get to the postgame podium, said there was no question about finishing the game. 

"There wasn't really no need to talk my way back in," Alejado said. "I told the team before we came out, I'll die for them, and I know they would die for me. I truly live by that."

Next up for the Rainbow Warriors is a game at Arizona on Aug. 30. The game kicks off at 4:30 p.m. HST and will be televised on TNT. 

[{"type":"text","text":"\"I'll be good. I'll be back next week,\" Alejado said of his injury. "}]

In spite of the victory, the Rainbow Warriors acklowledged they missed opportunities within the game. 

"We kind of gave away 10 points there," Alejado said. "I gotta know that and have better ball security, so I take full accountability for that. The way we started off, it was bad on my part. But the defense kept rallying. Offense kept rallying. We had adversity, and we knew we were gonna come and hit adversity, and as a team, we were (better) for it. 

"All three phases were great. Special teams, a great blocked field goal, and then the Kansei big clutch field goals. He's a great guy. I love him. You know his underdog story, and he's showing who he is today."

After delivering a lasting memory for UH fans on Saturday, Matsuzawa hopes it wasn't the only one he'll provide throughout the course of his senior season. 

"I was really happy," he said. "It was a great moment in my life, but I know it's one of many."

Kansei Matsuzawa 082325

<title>Matsuzawa's perfect day leads Hawai‘i football to season-opening victory over Stanford</title>

The Japan native made all five of his kicks on Saturday, including a game-winning field goal as time expired.

Matsuzawa's perfect day leads Hawai‘i football to season-opening victory over Stanford

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

[{"text":"“Who is Lady Elaine?”","type":"text"}]

That was my first question — after inquiring about the food, of course — upon stepping into the recently opened, Mediterranean-inspired restaurant in Manoa Marketplace.

If you remember Lady Elaine from the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood show, then you’re spot on. She doesn’t bring that typical main character energy, but the restaurant name is symbolic of a deeper meaning, according to Dusty Grable, one of the partners of the Lovers + Fighters restaurant group.

“Every time we come up with a concept, we try to pick a word or theme,” he says. “That becomes our inspiration word; we refer to it as the north star when making decisions. Uncle Paul’s Corner Store was curiosity, Little Plum was nostalgia, and Lady Elaine was neighborhood — the idea of trying to build a neighborhood restaurant. It’s a reminder that we are part of a neighborhood; we felt Manoa was an exciting community to join. Our hope was that, if we invested in it and served it well, that community will embrace and take care of us.”

When brainstorming the neighborhood concept with his business partners, the conversation turned from neighborhoods that inspire, such as Kaimuki, to the world of Mister Rogers.

“That was a cool moment to break the thought process from the obvious,” Grable says. “What better neighborhood with all the love, care and selflessness? We latched onto that concept in a really big way.

“Lady Elaine is such a fascinating character,” he adds. “She was not an attractive puppet; she had a scariness to her, she was sassy. She was this untraditional hero in that King Friday XIII had all these demands, and she would stand up to him on behalf of the neighborhood. Not all heroes are traditionally beautiful or obvious.”

You’ll notice nods to the show in some of the cocktail names — including A Beautiful Day — and there are photos of both Mister Rogers and Lady Elaine on the men’s and women’s restroom doors, respectively. The cocktail section features beverages made by the in-house team, along with renowned mixologists like Dave Newman and Alicia Yamachika. Non-alcoholic beverages are also available; they’re under the “Neighborhood of Make Believe” section of the menu.

Tale As Old as Time ($18), similar to an old fashioned, is quickly becoming a customer favorite. Other unique creations include the One Point One ($18) — Ko Hana Kea rum agricole, Giffard’s pimento, California falernum, lime, honey and goat yogurt wash — which has a citrus-forward flavor and unique texture from the goat yogurt wash.

Dishes are designed to share family-style, and are categorized by sides (grains and vegetables), seafood (ocean), meats (land) and desserts. Popular choices include the ahi crudo ($22) and chermoula tiger shrimp ($26). The fresh catch changes, but previous selections include mahi or kajiki.

The ahi is refreshing, and the only thing that would make it better is more of that flavorful olive tapenade. The succulent tiger shrimp ($26) were cooked perfectly, and were sufficiently coated in garlicky white wine-lemon sauce.

Don’t overlook the veggies — some of the most popular dishes thus far are under the grains and vegetables category.

“I think people are surprised to see a vegetable-heavy menu,” Grable says. “People are more conscious of what they eat; vegetables have been really well received.”

Stand-outs include Sumac cauliflower ($26) with ulu hummus, garlic and pickled onions, and roasted carrots ($16) with paprika and parsley yogurt.

The tahini charred cabbage ($28) is another unique option. It’s served with herb jam, peperonata and crispy shallots.

“The charred cabbage is a really cool dish,” Grable says. “It has a lot of layers as to why it’s complex and interesting. Who would think the cabbage would stand out more than rack of lamb or rib-eye?  The cauliflower is another one that’s an underdog. The ulu hummus is my favorite part of that dish. Utilizing ulu and making a hummus out of it was exciting for us to highlight local ingredients.”

I tend to be wary of lamb because of its gamey flavor, but this pimenton lamb ($38) was tender and juicy without any gaminess. Each portion comes with three pieces served over romesco verde sauce with charred broccolini on the side.

Turmeric chicken skewers ($32) — served with roasted market vegetables — are especially delightful because of its thicker lemony sauce. The chicken itself is tender and juicy, but the sauce takes it to the next level.

Choose from coconut panna cotta ($14) or ricotta fritters ($14) for dessert. The latter is reminiscent of malasadas because of their soft interior. It’s light on the cheesy flavor, and the tart lemon curd balances the sweetness of the cinnamon and powdered sugar.

Speaking of dessert — 100% of dessert sales are given to the restaurant’s culinary team. Since the culinary team is not part of the tip pool, dessert sales are used to supplement their income, according to Grable. 

"Desserts are something guests will try and get anyway; we tried to create this win-win scenario where guests are happy and our culinary team is getting paid properly," he says. 

At the time of our interview, the restaurant was still incomplete — they were still waiting on some furniture, art and staffing, according to Grable — but the eatery will eventually be open for lunch service.

“We want to make sure our diners know that we are honored and thankful for the opportunity to serve them,” Grable says. “My favorite compliment is, hands down, when guests say, ‘We can tell your team really enjoys working together.’ That brings us a lot of fulfilment. We hope diners experience a sense of thoughtfulness — the thoughtfulness, time and care made into their experience. I hope people feel that.” 

Contact

Lady Elaine 
Address: Manoa Marketplace 
2752 Woodlawn Drive Ste. 5-100, Honolulu, HI 96822
Phone: 808-888-3030 
Hours: Open 5-9 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays (9 p.m. is last seating)

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Hawaiian local album covers

Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

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Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Hawaiian local album covers

Authors

Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

More in Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Get boogie with it

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Customer service in Hawaiʻi

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Most read