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Kady Pascual

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

A keiki’s point of view sure is interesting.

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IAmShaylaTorres

<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Story time</title>

Today’s social media find comes from @IAmShaylaTorres, with a lesson about drinking responsibly.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Story time

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Rick Hamada

Government & Politics

Columnists

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Imagine this scenario."}]

You see a person assault and rob a kūpuna in Downtown Honolulu late at night.

Even though it’s dark, the attack happened right in front of you, so close that you could clearly make out the profile of the violator.

You immediately take out your phone and call to request a police officer.

911:  911, what’s your emergency please?

You:  Yeah, I’m at the corner of Smith and Beretania. I just saw someone attack an elderly man. He was robbed, too! 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"911:  Is the victim injured?"}]

You:  He’s down on the ground, but he’s moving. Some are trying to help him and they called for an ambulance.

911:  Help is on the way. May I have your name for the record, please?

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"You give your name to the dispatcher."}]

911:  You said you witnessed the attack. Can you describe the assailant?

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"LET’S STOP THERE."}]

, which places the caller, which is you, under suspicion. 

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

Because this new law could allow that assault and robbery suspect to sue you because you described them to the 911 operator.

For example, if the suspect was an African-American man, he could have grounds to sue you for discrimination.

Thanks to this law, anyone calling 911 must not appear that they’re targeting someone based on protected classes.

According to Act 259, protected classes include:

This law sounds specific, but it’s broad.

We must remember that there are two primary types of lawmaking: laws that are created to address a specific issue and laws that have “good intentions” but can be manipulated by attorneys.

Obviously, 259 is the latter; so, let’s acknowledge its allegedly “good intentions.”

Act 259 aims to hold 911 callers accountable when they misuse and waste emergency resources.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Let me provide an example."}]

Someone calls 911, saying that a group of Micronesians are making a lot of noise and are selling drugs in a parking lot.

After police are dispatched, officers find the report to be false, and the caller admits they simply don’t like Micronesians.

In fact, the reality is an innocent local family was gathering outside their uncle’s apartment building to talk story while eating plate lunches.

Now, the police officers’ and the dispatcher’s time have just been incredibly wasted.

Act 259 aims to prevent this type of caller abuse from happening and to hold biased callers accountable.

However, the issue is how this law can be used against 911 callers who are not biased and are simply trying to do their part in maintaining a safe community.

Let’s return to the 911 call you placed after witnessing the assault and robbery.

911: You said you witnessed the attack. Can you describe the assailant?

You: Yes, the attacker looked like a guy in a woman’s dress. He … she … 

black or maybe Samoan or Tongan and could have been in their 50s or 60s.

By giving this detailed description, you have now opened yourself up to a lawsuit, and defense attorneys can use this against you.

The suspect’s lawyer can now launch an investigation into your past, including offhand statements made to friends and family, postings on social media, and any interactions with questionable social media influencers and pages.

The defense attorney’s goal is to cast as much doubt on you, the witness, by accusing you to be driven by bias, prejudice and, yes, hatred of any of the protected classes.

Whatever the defense finds, whether it’s true or accurate, has great potential to ruin your reputation or even your life.

And even worse, the prosecutor’s office could decide not to go to trial, and the suspect you clearly saw commit a heinous crime walks free.

I will leave you with one final thought: is this law actually necessary?

According to data from the state Department of Law Enforcement, there has not been one documented case in Hawai‘i of a misuse of law enforcement.

The best use of a law is to fill a need; and it simply doesn’t seem like there is one in Hawai‘i.

 Act 259 is, in short, the best way to make citizens and good Samaritans question if they should follow the edict: “See something, say something.”

In fact, perhaps the law is asking us now to “say nothing.”

Regardless, it’s a consequence we cannot afford.

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<title>Thinking twice before calling 911</title>

Act 259, signed into law this month by Gov. Josh Green, is meant to curb the use of 911 calls to discriminate against people. Not only is there no evidence of this happening in Hawai‘i, there's plenty of reasons to think the law will intimidate people out of using 911 at all, now that doing so risks legal liability.

Thinking twice before calling 911

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Stephanie Salmons

Real Estate

[{"type":"text","text":"More affordable housing is on its way to West O‘ahu."}]

Kaleimaʻo Village – West Loch Apartments

, a 127-unit affordable housing project in ʻEwa Beach.

The $78 million rental development — located at 91-1666 Renton Road, on a 3.7-acre lot owned by the City and County of Honolulu — will have 28 one-bedroom, 87 two-bedroom and 12 three-bedroom units; community center with a meeting space, office, laundry facilities and mailboxes; 137 vehicle and 64 bicycle stalls; and access to the Kualaka‘i and Keone‘ae Skyline rail stations, 

Kaleimaʻo Village is being developed through a public-private partnership with Komohale West Loch LLC, a joint venture between Stanford Carr Development and Standard Communities. The Honolulu City Council 

The apartments will be reserved for households earning 60% or less of the area median income. That income limit, however, depends on the number of people in a home. For a household of four, 60% AMI is $82,080, but you can find 

[{"type":"text","text":"Construction is expected to be finished late next year, the city says."}]

“Kaleimaʻo Village represents the city’s commitment to using our land as a powerful tool to create more affordable homes for local families," Department of Housing and Land Management Director Designate Kevin Auger said in a statement provided to Aloha State Daily. "West Oʻahu is experiencing tremendous growth, and it’s critical that we provide housing options close to jobs, schools, and transit. As one of the first projects supported by the city’s private activity bond program — revived after a 30-year hiatus — we’re ensuring that residents will have access to affordable housing and the stability needed to live, work and thrive in their community. This project is part of our broader housing strategy to deliver thousands of new affordable units across the island as quickly as possible.”

Partnering with the development community to build housing on city-owned lands is one of the components of a 

 the city unveiled earlier this year. You can 

Around the time the strategic plan was announced, Honolulu 

 for the redevelopment of four underutilized city-owned properties into affordable rental projects: 1615 Ala Wai Blvd., 436 Ena Road, 130 S. Beretania St.; and 1421 Pensacola St.

as the"preferred negotiating partner" for the 

 and Centre Urban Real Estate as the "preferred negotiating partner" for the redevelopment of

In March, the city also issued an RFQ for the 

, which it acquired for $51.5 million in January 2024, and in June 

 seeking a partner to redevelop under-used city-owned land in Kapolei.

Late last month, the city issued yet another RFQ, 

ncludes the old Dee Lite Bakery building at 1930 Dillingham Blvd. and an adjacent parcel at 1907 Eluwene St.

Kaleimao village

<title>Construction underway on affordable housing development in ‘Ewa Beach</title>

The $78 million rental project — located at 91-1666 Renton Road, on a 3.7-acre lot owned by the City and County of Honolulu — will have 28 one-bedroom, 87 two-bedroom and 12 three-bedroom units. Ground broke on the project Sept. 3.

Construction underway on affordable housing development in ‘Ewa Beach

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

Everyone’s looking to save money and get the most bang for their buck. This series will show you where you can save while still savoring a good meal.

It’s rare to find a regular-sized plate lunch combo for less than $10, but 

From Sept. 8 to Oct. 5, Zippy’s Oʻahu and Las Vegas stores will be offering the business’s Korean fried chicken and chili mixed plate for $9.99 for takeout. It’ll be $11.99 on the restaurant side when you dine in.

Considering that the plate usually costs $15.65 on O

ahu, this is a deal. Customers will be limited to three per transaction; no substitutions.

Prices will differ slightly on Neighbor Islands — the plate will be $10.99 for takeout and $12.99 on the restaurant dine-in side.

The plate includes five pieces of sweet-and-salty Korean fried chicken, your choice of Zippy’s chili — bean and beanless options available — two scoops of rice and mac salad.

This week, Zippy's will open its third location in Las Vegas at 9570 S. Eastern Ave.

Zippys Korean fried chicken and chili plate closeup 090225

<title>Budget Bites: $9.99 plates at Zippy’s</title>

From Sept. 8 to Oct. 5, Zippy’s Korean fried chicken and chili mixed plate will be $9.99 for takeout ($11.99 for dine-in) at Oʻahu and Las Vegas locations.

Budget Bites: $9.99 plates at Zippy’s

 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

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Crime & Courts

A Maui land dispute more than a century old ended this week after a long-delayed state Supreme Court verdict.

In 1919, the Pioneer Mill Company filed an application claiming three parcels totaling 1,905 acres in Lahaina, which has left descendants of an ali‘i landowner fighting for decades to get that land back.

, Pioneer Mill’s claim to the largest of the three parcels was shaky, with an examiner at the time finding poor documentation to substantiate that claim. Pioneer Mill’s claim was based on “adverse possession,” a mechanism whereby a party without legal title to a property can still claim ownership based on continuous occupation of that property — in layman’s terms, “squatter’s rights.”

If Pioneer Mill’s claim was rejected, ownership of the parcel would revert to the previous titleholder, Hawaiian noble Charles Kana‘ina. While Kana‘ina had died in 1877, his heirs included Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop and Princess Ruth Ke‘elikōlani.

However, it would be nearly 50 years before the matter ever came to court. In 1967, a judge finally ruled in favor of Pioneer Mill, but the Supreme Court of the time reverted the verdict in 1972, finding that the judge had no authority to actually make that call.

No subsequent trial took place during the 20th Century. During this time, Pioneer Mill was succeeded by Kahoma Land Company LLC, a hui formed in 2000 that manages nearly 700 acres of land along the Kahoma Stream on Maui.

Meanwhile, scores of people claiming lineage from Kana‘ina joined the suit over the decades. More than 100 descendants are named in the latest suit documents, but those documents also reference various other heirs apparent who died throughout the case.

And as the parties on both sides of the case evolved, so too did the land itself. At some point in the process, the parcel in question was subdivided into five lots, with the 458-acre “Lot 3A” — stretching from the Wahikuli Reservoir to the West Maui Forest Reserve — the main lot under contention.

In 2019, the Land Court awarded 78% interest in Lot 3A to Kahoma Land Company, with the remaining 22% awarded to the Kana‘ina descendants. In 2024, the Hawai‘i Intermediate Court of Appeals affirmed that decision.

But on Tuesday, the State Supreme Court overturned the Court of Appeals’ verdict, on the fairly straightforward basis that the century-long case has exceeded any sort of “reasonable” delay.

Writing for the opinion of the court, Associate Justice Sabrina McKenna found that the initial claims by Pioneer Mill to what would become Lot 3A should have been dismissed years before under the legal principle of “laches,” which refers to a lack of diligence in making a legal claim in a reasonable amount of time.

“Here, the 100-year delay in prosecuting this case to conclusion is unprecedented and is obviously unreasonable,” McKenna wrote. “Kahoma stands in the shoes of Pioneer Mill, which did not pursue the case for many decades at a time … Kahoma itself waited another nine years after receiving its deeds from Pioneer Mill before prosecuting the case.”

McKenna added that Pioneer Mill’s claim to the land was already uncertain in 2019, but because it took decades for the case to ever reach court, many people who could have been cross-examined had died.

“By the time Petitioners filed their motions to dismiss in 2015 and 2016, witnesses, Kana

ina descendants, oral histories, and memories, were simply gone,” McKenna wrote.

The Supreme Court’s decision overturns the 2024 Appeals Court verdict and the 2019 Land Court decision, terminating the decree that interest in Lot 3A be split 78-22 between Kahoma and the descendants. With this, the case is remanded to Land Court for further proceedings — which, McKenna wrote, will finally dismiss Pioneer Mill’s claim on the land after 106 years.

Aloha State Daily reached out to Michael Matsukawa and Gary Shigemura, attorneys for the Kana‘ina descendants, for comment.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Story time

Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

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Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Story time

Authors

Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

More in Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Surf report

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: The guest trap

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Straight from the source

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Hula skirt

Most read