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Kady Pascual

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

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RyanFishingHI

<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Straight from the source</title>

Today’s social media find comes from @RyanFishingHI, with a new method of fishing.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Straight from the source

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Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

 is renowned for its fine dining experience — complete with high-quality steaks, tableside presentations and flambé desserts — but the culinary landmark recently started a new offering: its monthly brunch buffet.

The steakhouse has offered brunch buffets during special occasions, like the holidays, but recently decided to feature them monthly as a way of giving back to kamaʻāina and its regular customers, according to assistant general manager Tony Hernandez.

“We had a really strong reception from the seasonal ones (buffets),” he says. “Because of that, we wanted to continue providing the experience for a lot of our local guests. It’s the locals — our kamaʻāina — that have been helping all of our seasonal brunch buffets.”

We went to the first brunch buffet on Aug. 24. The next brunch buffets will be on Sept. 21 and Oct. 19; brunch is served from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (last seating is at 1 p.m.).

The buffet costs $130 per adult ($65 for children ages 6 to 12 years, $100 per kūpuna ages 65 years and older). Children ages 5 years and under have free admission.

There is a 90-minute time limit for all guests. While the steakhouse has a dinner dress code (collared shirts and closed-toed shoes for men, business casual or evening attire for women), the dress code during brunch is “resort formal.”

Customers can expect to see Hy’s Steak House’s specialties during the brunch buffet. The action station featuring Hy’s slow-roasted prime rib with au jus and horseradish, corned beef, and leg of lamb with mint jelly is a highlight of the experience.

“Those are some of our popular dishes on our regular dinner menu as well,” Hernandez says.  

Take your pick from a selection of cold seafood, including ‘ahi sashimi, spicy ‘ahi poke and shoyu ‘ahi poke, oysters on the half shell and shrimp cocktail. Hot seafood dishes include steamed snow crab legs and oriental-style fish.

Crab legs are always customer favorite, and we personally enjoyed the fresh sashimi and poke.

If you’re in the mood for more breakfasty dishes, choose from assorted meats like bacon, link sausage and Portuguese sausage; scrambled eggs; and crab cake eggs Benedicts. The latter is one of my favorite options on the brunch menu — the crab cake itself is a generous portion and features a good amount of lump crab. When paired with the sultry, indulgent hollandaise, it’s hard to only eat one.

The seafood line-up also includes the chef’s soup du jour. This isn’t part of the buffet line; if you want it, simply ask your server, and they will bring it out from the back. Clam chowder was featured during our brunch, which was a creamy, hearty option.

Other cold appetizers include Hy’s signature Caesar salad; waldorf salad; roasted beet salad; assorted charcuterie, cheeses and local jams; and a seasonal fruit platter.

The eatery’s waldorf salad comprises celery ribbons, Fuji apples and candied walnuts. Hy’s signature Caesar salad, comprising hearts of Romaine topped with herb roasted croutons and Parmigiano-Reggiano, never disappoints.

Of course, no Hy’s Steak House experience is complete without one of the eatery’s famous flambés, so be sure to save room for dessert. The dessert action station features the signature banana fosters flambé and chocolate lovers flambé. Both are served with Haagen-Dazs vanilla ice cream.

The bananas fosters flambé, which is more popular of the two, includes banana, orange, cinnamon, crème de banana, orange curacao and dark rum.

Meanwhile, the chocolate lovers flambé is like a glorified sundae. It includes Burgundy chocolate, pineapples, bananas, strawberries, amaretto, coffee liqueur and brandy.

During dinner, both of these flambés are part of the steakhouse’s tableside preparations.  

Customers can also choose from assorted desserts like housemade cookies, signature cheesecake bites, Chocolate Decadence — which is an indulgent, brownie-like dessert — and assorted muffins.

While beverages were available a la carte during this brunch buffet, customers can look forward to bar specials like Bloody Marys and mimosas during future brunches, according to Hernandez.

Reservations are accepted online. For groups of eight or more, call the restaurant for reservations.

Monthly brunch is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on select Sundays

Hys Steak House carving stations 090125

<title>Hy’s Steak House has a new monthly brunch buffet</title>

The Waikīkī steakhouse, known for its fine dining experience, recently launched a monthly buffet that includes prime rib, leg of lamb, a variety of seafood, and its signature flambé desserts.

Hy’s Steak House has a new monthly brunch buffet

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

For two straight weeks, the University of Hawai‘i football team has invested heavily in its backup plan. 

After starting quarterback Micah Alejado injured his right ankle in the team's 

, the Rainbow Warrior coaching staff took a cautious approach towards using him in practice, giving backup 

 the majority of the first-team reps. Alejado was sidelined in the team's first practice prior to its game at Arizona, then gradually increased his workload before taking the field.

, leaving his status in Hawai‘i's next game against Sam Houston in question. The Rainbow Warriors and Bearkats kick off on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. 

For the second consecutive week, Weaver had the lion's share of the first-team reps as Alejado observed and gave pointers while supporting his teammates. If Alejado is deemed unable to play on Saturday, then Weaver will make his first FBS start after earning All-American honors at Modesto Junior College last fall. 

"Same thing as last week," the even-keeled Weaver said following Tuesday's practice. "Just prepare like a starter and be ready at any moment. That's all it is. Luckily, I can get some more reps in my system and just be ready if I need to be."

Hawai‘i head coach Timmy Chang estimates Alejado received 80% of the first-team reps in fall camp, with Weaver getting the bulk of the remaining 20%. Over the course of the week, Weaver took almost every rep and also got his bearings playing in a game last weekend. 

"We have a lot of trust in Luke, comes from a background of winning football at Modesto Junior College," Chang said. "That's what really drew us to him first. He'll get a lot of the reps this week, and hopefully it gets him ready."

Following Alejado's removal at Arizona, Weaver completed eight of his 16 pass attempts for 66 yards and two interceptions. His day included a 26-yard completion to Tama Uilata on a fade route and an improvised two-yard flip to Landon Sims that was dropped in the end zone. 

Each live rep Weaver took against Arizona, 29 by UH quarterbacks coach Chad Kapanui's count, was of immense value. 

"Anytime you get more reps, you always get more comfortable. You always get better," Kapanui said.  "You're taking the reads that are fast-paced. Watching it is different. Yes, you can take your mental reps, but actually physically doing it, it really helps, and then you can go back into the film room and actually fix it at the same time and see what they're doing right or wrong.

"But having the 29 snaps, it really helped him, I think, get ready for if anything else has to happen, and that's what you want. You want to make sure your backups are always ready to go, because if something happens, you can come in and the offense (can continue to) run smoothly."

Added Weaver, who lamented the team's five tournovers: "Being able to get live game reps with every bullet flying and stuff, that was good to see on film and be able to correct and move on." 

Were Alejado to play on Saturday, he'll do so with some key streaks broken from the Arizona game. In the third quarter, he threw an interception, his first in a game since his junior season at Bishop Gorman in 2022. The 2022 season was also the last time Alejado lost a game as a starter.

"We have that one snap clear mentality, and I think he'll be fine," said Kapanui, who was also Alejado's QB coach at Gorman in 2022 and 2023. "The pick was kind of off of a tip, but an interception is an interception. I know he's hard on himself on that, but we just gotta make sure we don't put ourselves in that situation again."

Regardless of who takes the first snap behind center on Saturday, the objective for the UH offense will not be complicated.

"Just making the reads simple, that was a big thing that coach was emphasizing for me, and that's the same thing going into Sam Houston, make our reads simple and get the balls to our playmakers," Weaver said.

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Luke Weaver 090425

<title>Hawai‘i confident in backup quarterback Luke Weaver if called upon to start Saturday</title>

UH starting quarterback Micah Alejado will be a game-time decision against Sam Houston.

Hawai‘i confident in backup quarterback Luke Weaver if called upon to start Saturday

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Real Estate

Three years after construction began on The Park on Ke‘eaumoku, its first residents will begin moving in on Friday.

Project leaders held a pre-opening blessing ceremony Thursday morning to celebrate the milestone.

Located on 3.52 acres along Ke‘eaumoku Street between Liona and Rycroft streets, it's the first project for Ke‘eaumoku Development Owner LLC, which is owned by Nan Chul Shin, who also owns Nan, Inc., the project's general contractor. 

Wyeth Matsubara, chief operating officer of Ke‘eaumoku Development and a vice president at Nan, Inc., told Aloha State Daily ahead of the blessing that it's "definitely exciting" to see the project near its end.

"This was a vision and dream we had from about 2018, 2019, put it together with all the designers and a whole lot of help."

Ground broke on the project in August 2022

, and Matsubara says the developer has been promising to complete it by the end of 2025, "so we're [under] budget, ahead of schedule and we're excited."

The total cost is not yet finalized, but Matsubara says the construction budget was $480 million, "and we're well below that right now."

The Park on Ke‘eaumoku has a total of 972 residential units — 826 market-rate and 146 affordable condominiums — in two 44-story towers. You'll also find nearly 72,000 square feet of commercial space and, as the name implies, a park. 

The park is a "huge benefit," Matsubara says, noting that the community will see an "open, vast oasis of green and fully mature trees" as they drive down Ke‘eaumoku Street.

"We spent years growing these trees and making sure that when we planted them, they'd be fully mature trees. ... And the rec deck is the same way. So, very excited to have this new product [available] to this community and for the benefit of future generations."

Sales for the project began in July 2021. Matsubara 

 that about 84% of the market-rate units and 39% of the affordable units had been sold at that time.

Some units are still available, "but we're at a point where we're strong enough to be able to pay off our loan," he said Thursday.

The park on keeaumoku2 090425

<title>The Park on Ke‘eaumoku set to welcome residents Friday</title>

A pre-opening blessing ceremony was held for the Ala Moana neighborhood's newest two-tower high rise. The first residents are set to receive their keys on Sept. 5.

The Park on Ke‘eaumoku set to welcome residents Friday

[{"type":"text","text":"This surf and turf Sunday dinner is a steal."}]

, which boasts a spacious interior and panoramic golf course views, started its “Surf & Turf Sundays” a few weeks ago. This Sunday dinner experience features a three-course meal for $65 when you make reservations ($70 for walk-ins), and it’s served from 4 to 8 p.m. or until sold out.

“It’s to bring something new to the West side, like an elevated dining experience for families,” says Brent Yamate, director of food and beverage at Kapolei Golf Club. “Prime rib is something that’s very popular, but adding a seafood element, making it a full-course dinner and ending with Sage [Creamery] ice cream is a good combination.”

The three-course meal starts with your choice of soup or Caesar salad. During our visit, broccoli cheddar soup was featured. The creamy soup is thick, cheesy and comforting.

The main entrée features a 10-ounce prime rib, served with your choice of rice or mashed potatoes and broccolini. It’s served with au jus and horseradish.

Customers can choose from snow crab legs, a lobster tail or garlic and chimichurri shrimp. We’re told the snow crab legs — which features around three clusters — and shrimp (half-pound portion) are the most popular.

We thoroughly enjoyed the sweeter crab and the buttery lobster tail (4-ounce portion).

Dessert features a scoop of ice cream or sorbet from 

. The flavors rotate, depending on the dessert shop’s flavors for the month, but we got a chance to try the mango sticky rice and Chocolate Chantilly.

While the mango sticky rice was tropical and refreshing, the Chocolate Chantilly is probably one of my new favorites. It’s made with Mānoa Chocolate and actual chunks of Chantilly, making the whole experience reminiscent of eating a Coco Puff, but in ice cream form.

Surf and turf dinners will be every Sunday for now at the golf club restaurant, but the schedule is subject to change, especially during the holidays. Follow the biz on Instagram for updates. 

Kapolei Golf Club Restaurant surf and turf deal 090125

<title>This new surf and turf dinner deal is worth the drive to Kapolei</title>

Kapolei Golf Club Restaurant recently started a three-course dinner that’s on Sundays only. The $65 meal includes prime rib and your choice of crab legs, a lobster tail or garlic and chimichurri shrimp.

This new surf and turf dinner deal is worth the drive to Kapolei

Government & Politics

Kailua Beach Park will be closed nightly from midnight to 4 a.m. as part of a new three-month pilot program from the City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation.

The night closures begin Friday, Sept. 5, and are set to run until December. In an announcement Tuesday, the city noted that the trial period is "intended to explore the impact of nightly closures for this popular beach park."

"During that time, DPR will work with the community, Kailua Neighborhood Board and other city agencies to determine the effectiveness of these nightly closures and whether they should be implemented permanently," the announcement reads.

Until now, the park has been open around-the-clock. Signage noting the closure hours is being installed at the park.

Residents voiced concerns about a homeless encampment near the boat launch in Kailua Beach Park "with a man who threatens park-goers with a bull whip," at a Kailua Neighborhood Board meeting in 

, the minutes note. During that same meeting, the board voted 13-0 with five abstentions to request police enforcement of the park's no camping policy.

When asked about other issues that may have prompted the city to institute closure hours at the park, Nathan Serota, a spokesperson for DPR, told Aloha State Daily in an email, "The concerns of the illegal camping were paramount, but vandalism at this park is a concern, as well."

We always aim for community support when establishing or modifying park closure hours," Serota says. "This issue has garnered robust discussion amongst the community, as displayed in the Neighborhood Board minutes, and having their support was a cathartic element. After further deliberation we came to a more agreeable closure time of 12 midnight to 4 a.m., which aims to balance evening park activities with more effectively enforcing park rules overnight. Typical park closure hours are from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m."

According to DPR, most city parks have nightly closures, which vary depending on a number of factors: community in put, public use and specific park conditions. 

The city notes that similar to any city park location, visitors can travel through a closed park at any time, particularly to access the ocean or other natural or culturally significant areas, but it's illegal to remain in a park while it's closed unless otherwise permitted by DPR.

Serota says the department will work with the Honolulu Police Department regarding the enforcement of the new closure hours once they go into effect Friday.

Kailua Beach Park

<title>Nightly closures planned at Kailua Beach Park</title>

Honolulu's Department of Parks and Recreation will establish closure hours at the popular park for the next three months as part of a new pilot program.

Nightly closures planned at Kailua Beach Park

“Cows eat free on opening day,” states a sign within 

, explains more about the festivities at the new location’s opening day, which is tomorrow, Aug. 28.

“If you’re dressed as a cow, you get a free entrée,” he says. “We’re going to be very loose with our interpretation, so if you have a white T-shirt with some spots, then you get a free entrée. We’re so excited to give back to the community.”

The “cows eat free on opening day” offer is limited to one per person, while supplies last. Breakfast offer options include Chick-fil-A chicken biscuits, egg white grill or 4-count Chick-fil-A Chick-n-Minis. Lunch and dinner options include the Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich, spicy chicken sandwich, 8-count grilled nuggets and more. Customizations are not available for this offer, and no purchase is necessary.

(The “why” behind the cows: Cows have been part of Chick-fil-A’s branding since 1995, encouraging guests to “eat more chikin” instead of burgers.)

The new store, which is approximately 5,600 square feet, will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. (10 p.m. for drive-thru) Mondays to Saturdays (it’s closed on Sundays). This is the fifth Chick-fil-A location in Hawai

So, what can you expect at this second Kapolei location? (Chick-fil-A’s first Kapolei store opened in 2023, across Ka Makana Ali

The store offers both indoor and outdoor seating. The drive-thru has three lanes, which eventually consolidate to two.

The menu at this location is the same as those at other Chick-fil-A Hawai

i stores. Popular options include the Chick-fil-A sandwich ($6.79 entrée, $12.09 meal); waffle potato fries ($3.59 medium, $3.99 large); and Chick-fil-A nuggets (8-count $6.79, 12-count $9.25).

“I love the Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich, but with the zesty buffalo sauce drizzled on top, and maybe some extra pickles,” Lovan says. “The waffle fries are always a staple.”

The Spicy Southwest ($11.59) salad is newer to Hawaiʻi menus — it was just added about a month ago — and comprises mixed greens topped with grilled spicy chicken, Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses, grape tomatoes, peppers, corn and black beans.

Of course, Chick-fil-A is also known for its variety of sauces, including Chick-fil-A, zesty buffalo, Polynesian, barbecue, honey mustard and sweet and spicy Sriracha.

The biz also offers limited-time options like pretzel cheddar club sandwiches and Cherry Berry beverages (available with Sprite, Sunjoy or lemonade). These seasonal items started last week at Chick-fil-A locations.

This Kamokila store also features the first indoor Chick-fil-A playground in Hawai

i. The kids’ play area, complete with interactive displays and a puzzle, is designed for children ages 2 to 10 years old.

“I’m super excited to have keiki running around the playground; I think it’ll be an amazing experience,” Lovan says.

Opening this Chick-fil-A location is like a homecoming for Lovan, who moved back to O'ahu with his family in 2020. Born in Honolulu and raised in ‘Ewa Beach, Lovan — who graduated from Moanalua High School and is a veteran of both the Hawai

i Air National Guard and U.S. Marine Corps — recalls going to a Chick-fil-A for the first time while stationed in Virginia.

“My wife was pregnant while we were in Virginia; that was the first time we tried Chick-fil-A,” he says. “We fell in love with the waffle fries and the milkshakes. As I was getting close to retirement from the Marine Corps after 20 years, it was one of my buddy’s ideas for me to apply to be one of Chick-fil-A’s owner-operators.”

Lovan remembers checking out a webinar and learning more about the Chick-fil-A owner-operator relationship and applied from there.

“I never thought, in a million years, that I would have gotten selected,” he says. “I’m truly thankful and blessed to be able to pour into the community and team members.

“I remember Kapolei used to be a Kmart, the racetrack and Outback Steakhouse,” he adds. “Now, seeing how so much has changed and it has grown so much, it feels so surreal. I

 most excited about the 120 team members that we have here — we’ve got young men and women, as young as 14 years old to seniors in high school. I’m excited to help them grow and get to where they want to be in life.”

The city’s growth is the main reason behind choosing this location, according to Lovan: “To provide to the city of Kapolei.” He’s also excited for this location to participate in the Chick-fil-A Shared Table program, which repurposes the restaurant’s surplus food. Chick-fil-A Kamokila will donate its surplus food to local nonprofit organization Aloha Harvest, which helps deliver quality meals to help feed individuals in need.

“We repurpose our excess food so we can feed our hungry neighbors,” Lovan says. “Chick-fil-A recently donated $25,000 to Hawai’i Foodbank; this goes to show Chick-fil-A’s heart and what we’re trying to do at Chick-fil-A Kamokila.”

Open 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m. (10 p.m. drive-thru) Mondays-Saturdays

Chick fil A Kamokila sign 082625

<title>Chick-fil-A Kamokila opens</title>

Chick-fil-A’s second Kapolei-based store is opening Thursday, Aug. 28. If you’re dressed like a cow, you can get a free entrée. This location is also the first one on Oʻahu to have an indoor kids’ playground.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Straight from the source

Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

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Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Straight from the source

Authors

Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

More in Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: The guest trap

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Hula skirt

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