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Kady Pascual

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

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JbKillinIt

<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Start um young</title>

Today’s social media find comes from @JbKillenIt, with a stoked little grom.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Start um young

EJ is already one hammah!  Make sure you follow @JbKillenIt on Instagram! For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter!

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Business & Tourism

Food & Dining

doing away with its main cabin complimentary meals

 and moving to a pre-order, pre-paid program for in-flight meals on domestic flights between Hawaiʻi and the Mainland (except for those to JFK International Airport in New York City, which will continue to receive a complimentary meal

Guests can pre-order their in-flight meals through the Alaska Hawaiian mobile app or website two weeks in advance and up to 20 hours prior to departure.

The new main cabin menu was developed by Maui-based Sheldon Simeon, the chef/owner behind Tiffany’s Restaurant & Bar and Tin Roof Maui.

One of the most important decisions we made during this process was picking the right partner,” says 

Alisa Onishi, managing director of Hawai‘i marketing for Hawaiian Airlines

. “We were looking for a few things: a local chef that has represented Hawaiʻi well around the world in their career; someone who really aligned with our principles of featuring local products and supporting local businesses; and someone who would something warm, inviting and comforting on the aircraft. Chef Sheldon knows what it takes to make an amazing recipe and amazing dishes, and to bring those to life on an airplane.”

At Monday’s media event at Tiffany’s Restaurant & Bar on Maui, Aloha State Daily got a preview of the new Hawaiʻi-inspired menu. The menu features elevated takes on local favorites and comfort foods.

Prices for each meal range from about $11 to $17. For breakfast (flights departing between 6 and 9:59 a.m.), guests can choose from corned beef hash and eggs ($15.99), Island-style French toast breakfast ($15.99), banana pancake breakfast ($15.99), and coconut overnight oats ($10.99).

The corned beef hash and eggs entree features crisped corned beef hash served over roasted breakfast potatoes, topped with a poached egg and Hollandaise sauce.

“We’ve done a ton of tests, and we actually got the perfect poached egg in there,” Simeon says. “The Hollandaise sauce is right over the top, and we got some peppers and some onions in there.”

The banana pancake breakfast comprises three pancakes filled with mashed bananas, served with Portuguese sausage and scrambled eggs. Guests will also get Simeon’s specialty banana bread syrup.

“We took home-baked banana bread and we turned it into a syrup, so you get that fresh-baked flavor when you drizzle it over the top,” Simeon explains. “I think that banana bread is one of the best-smelling things in the world.”

He adds that the French toast and banana pancakes are reminiscent of Sunday morning breakfasts.

“I use the line that ‘Somebody is already thinking of you before you wake up,’” Simeon says. “When you get to have breakfast, I wanted something that’s going to feel like that.”  

For lunch and dinner (flights departing between 10 a.m. and 8:29 p.m.), choose from crispy mochiko chicken and garlic noodles, teriyaki cheeseburger, barbecue teriyaki chicken bento, grilled chicken banh mi sandwich, cheeseburger mac and cheese, sweet and tangy tender greens, and an Italian sub.

“Kamaʻāina that are flying are going to see familiar choices,” Onishi says. “Now, more than ever throughout our cabin, we have more local ingredients sourced in Hawaiʻi — not just in our Island airports, but also in kitchens across the continent. We’re excited to feature as many local flavors from local vendors as much as possible.”

The crispy mochiko chicken with garlic noodles features a crispy, rice flour-coated chicken thigh served with garlicky noodles. It’s accompanied by Simeon’s mac salad, signature spicy-K mayo, sweet teriyaki sauce and his crispy toppings bag.

“‘Fried chicken in the plane — do you have fryers in the back of the plane?’” Simeon jokes. “No, we don’t, but we wanted to mimic that flavor and texture. When people think of mochiko chicken — and fried chicken, in general — they want it crunchy. To mimic that, we have this ‘magic in a bag.’ Dip your chicken in the sauce — the sweet soy or K-mayo — and sprinkle over that kakimochi and furikake to get that crispy, crunchy flavor.”  

The grilled chicken banh mi sandwich features French bread with lemongrass-grilled chicken, fresh cilantro, jalapenos and pickled vegetables. Most entrees come with Simeon’s mac salad.

“This is a legit banh mi sandwich,” Simeon says. “It’s a hearty sandwich; it’s going to be served warm. For the mac salad, we do it local-style, full-flavored with potatoes and extra mayonnaise.”

He says the cheeseburger mac deluxe — a twist on mac and cheese — is one of his favorite dishes on the menu.

“I grew up eating Hamburger Helper,” Simeon says. “There’s just something homey about that; it feels like a hug in a bowl.”

The teriyaki cheeseburger ($15.99) features a teriyaki-marinated beef patty topped with American cheese and housemade pickles in a toasted teriyaki-glazed bun.

“When I think of Hawaiʻi, I think of teri cheeseburgers,” Simeon says. “We make our own patties.”

Guests who want something lighter — but still filling — can opt for the sweet and tender greens ($14.49). The tangy salad is a blend of baby kale, toasted almonds, edamame, grape tomato, quinoa, li hing mango, and a salty-sweet li hing balsamic vinaigrette.

“Our sweet-and-sour salad is another fun one; it’s got a little bit of crunch and a little bit of that burst of flavor from the li hing mui with balsamic vinaigrette,” Simeon says.

He emphasizes that this is the first iteration of the menu, and guests can look forward to more exciting developments to come.

“As you can see by the menu items, it’s not the most avant garde, I’m not trying to make the most fancy (dishes),” Simeon says. “I wanted to connect the stories of what makes us ‘live Hawaiʻi.’ These stories are engrained in these recipes that might look, on the surface, very simple, but it’s deeply rooted. Hopefully, we get to tell those stories to thousands of people in the air. Mahalo to Hawaiian Airlines for letting us have that opportunity."

For more information, visit Hawaiian Airlines’ 

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Hawaiian Airlines chef Sheldon Simeon 063026

<title>Hawaiian Airlines’ new main cabin menu launches July 1</title>

For in-flight meals on domestic flights between Hawaiʻi and the Mainland, guests can pre-order from a menu curated by Maui-based chef Sheldon Simeon. The menu features elevated takes on local favorites and comfort foods, and features dishes like corned beef hash and eggs, banana pancakes, teriyaki cheeseburgers, crispy mochiko chicken and garlic noodles, and more.

Hawaiian Airlines’ new main cabin menu launches July 1

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Viewpoints

Aloha Spirit

 party over three years ago and declined to show, according to the Office of the Governor.

 from the 2022 legislative session, Gov. Josh Green was asked “to establish a Hawaiʻi Commission on the United State Semiquincentennial.”  

The commission formed by the governor did not receive any government funding

 “to coordinate a statewide effort commemorating and celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America,” per the executive order.

Leading the 19-member Hawai‘i America250 Commission is Peter Young, a member of the Hawaiʻi Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, along with lawmakers and other representatives.

The commission is responsible for soliciting donations to bring local events and activities to “communities across the Islands [that] will reflect on our shared past, celebrate our diverse heritage, and honor our veterans and ancestors through events grounded in local culture and the Spirit of Aloha,” its website notes.

To donate, volunteer and learn more, go to: 

Hawaiʻi opts out of Great American State Fair

Hawaiʻi has no official government representation at 

, a block party on the National Mall in Washington D.C., running now through July 10.

It features attractions like rodeos and a 110-foot Ferris wheel, with more than 150 exhibits for all 50 states plus U.S. territories, as well as "businesses, innovators and civic organizations," according to 

, the organizer of the fair and other semiquincentennial events.

The decision for the Hawai‘i America250 Commission, which includes Green as an honorary chair, to say, “No can” to participating in the fair appears to have grown more apparent as the travel commitment grew “from a few days to two weeks with 12-hour days,” 

Green told Aloha State Daily in a statement Friday, “The Hawai‘i America250 Commission is not operating a pavilion at the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., which is 5,000 miles away. No funds were earmarked by the state, or by Congress.”

One Mililani resident wrote in to ASD after hearing Hawaiʻi would not be at the fair.

“Especially with what's been happening in Hawaiʻi, participation in this national event would have been a great opportunity to formally and informally educate and share the history and Aloha of our people; to garner support/supporters from outside our state for the causes of the Hawaiian people and the legacy of its past monarchs,” the reader wrote.

Another ASD reader from Honolulu wrote, "

Wouldn't this have been a great opportunity for the state's Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA)? According to their annual budget, they expend [millions] of our taxpayers’ money annually on branding and marketing!"

At least 10 mostly Democratic-led states decided against sending official government delegations to the fair, which including Hawaiʻi are: Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington, according to 

“Most of the states that opted out are led by Democrats. But all cited financial considerations, saying they'd have to spend at least $100,000 (and in some cases up to half a million dollars) of their own money and preferred to prioritize celebrations at home,” 

, noting, organizers offered to help cover basic booth setup.

 that “the decision came down to resources”; Illinois sent representatives from the Peoria Riverfront Museum to run the state's booth instead; and Oregon Gov. Tina Koteck cited both cost and concerns that the event is "a more partisan affair than originally presented,” per the The New York Times; while Young of the Hawai‘i America250 Commission has shifted focus to local initiatives.

New Hampshire, which has a similar population size to the Aloha State at about 1.4 million, found a way to participate by having its Department of Natural and Cultural Resources staff an official booth showcasing “historic documents, a presentation and a video featuring state political figures reading the Declaration of Independence.” It is the only New England State with a presence from local government, per the 

 and photos over the weekend from the Great American State Fair, Alaska and Hawaiʻi both have empty booth displays boasting red, white and blue backdrops, though, Hawaiʻi’s included a couple of rocking chairs. 

Makes sense, since they chose to sit this one out.

Hawaii at Great American State Fair

<title>Hawaiʻi says ‘No can’ to Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C.</title>

Hawaiʻi government officials will not be present at the Great American State Fair, put on by Freedom 250 now through July 10, along with at least 10 mostly Democratic-led states citing cost, staffing and for some, political reasons. Gov. Josh Green says no funds were earmarked for the fair by the state or Congress and instead, has thrown support behind local celebrations.

Hawaiʻi says ‘No can’ to Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C.

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Real Estate

There's often talk about the affordability and availability of housing in Hawai‘i. 

While affordability challenges are real, local real estate experts say homeownership is possible.

 and Aloha State Daily recently caught up with Aaron Tangonan, president of the Honolulu Board of Realtors, to see what prospective homebuyers should know about the process. Here's what he had to say.

We hear a lot about housing affordability and availability. Realistically, how feasible is it to become a homeowner in Hawai‘i in 2026?

Affordability challenges are real, and we never want to minimize them. At the same time, one of the biggest challenges we see is that many local residents no longer believe homeownership is possible. Our concern is that many people become discouraged before they even begin exploring their options.

The reality is that local residents continue to buy homes every day. Nationally, first-time buyers made up 32% of all home buyers last year, up from 26% the year before, according to the National Association of Realtors.

While Hawaiʻi faces unique affordability challenges, we continue to see local residents finding pathways to homeownership.

For most, that journey begins with getting on the housing ladder by purchasing a starter home and building equity. Over time, the equity gained from that home can be used to help purchase your dream or forever home.

The keys to homeownership are education, financial preparedness, patience and working with professionals. For buyers today, affordability is about more than just the purchase price. Interest rates play an important role in determining monthly payments and purchasing power, which is why it's important to focus on personal needs, budget and long-term goals rather than any single market factor.

We’ve seen this firsthand through local families who recently became homeowners through [Hawai‘i Housing Finance and Development Corp.]’s Hale Kamaʻāina Mortgage Program. One buyer, a teacher, purchased a one-bedroom condominium in Makiki and shared that access to a lower interest rate helped make her monthly payment more manageable. Another local family purchased a three-bedroom townhome in Mililani Mauka and said the program helped make homeownership feel attainable. Their stories are reminders that while the path may look different for everyone, opportunities still exist for those who take the time to prepare and explore their options.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of working with a real estate agent and trying to go through the process without one?

As trusted advisers, Realtors leverage their industry knowledge and stay current on market conditions to help guide buyers through what is often one of the largest financial decisions of their lives. They can help buyers better understand the market, identify opportunities, connect with resources, navigate contracts and develop a strategy that aligns with their goals. 

 are also held to a strict Code of Ethics and have a duty to protect and promote their clients’ interests. 

According to the National Association of Realtors

, 88% of buyers purchased their homes through an agent, and 91% said they would use their agent again or recommend them to others.

While it is possible to purchase a home without representation, buyers who choose to do so may be responsible for navigating contracts, negotiations, deadlines and other aspects of the transaction on their own, including roadblocks along the way which are inevitable. Every buyer’s situation is different, but many first-time homebuyers find value in having an experienced professional by their side. We have also seen 

 go above and beyond to help clients achieve homeownership, whether that’s helping them navigate challenges, connecting them with resources or finding creative solutions to help them reach the finish line.

What are three things first-time homebuyers should know about the home-buying process?

What resources are available for first-time homebuyers, specifically? Are there programs that make the process easier or the goal more attainable?

There are a variety of resources available to help first-time homebuyers better understand the process and prepare for homeownership. Through the Honolulu Board of Realtors’ partnership with the Hawaiʻi HomeOwnership Center, the HOPE (Housing Opportunities are Possible for Everyone) 

 helps prospective buyers better understand budgeting, financing, mortgage terms and what it takes to prepare for homeownership. Since 2021, more than 850 individuals have participated in the program, and 70% have gone on to purchase a home or enter escrow within 6 to 18 months.

In terms of the current housing market, what kind of opportunities are available for first-time homebuyers in Hawai’i today?

Over the past year, nearly 2,200 properties sold for $500,000 or less, showing that buyers are still finding opportunities at more attainable price points. There are also nearly 1,200 active listings in this price range, particularly in the Metro region, Pearl City, and Central and Leeward O‘ahu.

The condominium market continues to serve as an important entry point into homeownership for many local buyers. According to our Local Market Update for May, year-to-date median sales prices remained below $500,000 in Downtown-Nuʻuanu, Kalihi-Palama, Makaha-Nānākuli, Makiki-Mōʻiliʻili, Moanalua-Salt Lake, Pearl City-ʻAiea, Wahiawā, Waikīkī, Waipahu and the Windward Coast.

Ultimately, the opportunities available will depend on a buyer’s goals, budget and flexibility. The important thing for buyers to know is that opportunities do exist, and taking the time to understand their options, explore different neighborhoods and work with trusted professionals can help them identify a path that aligns with their needs and financial circumstances. The key is getting on the housing ladder and building equity in that first home.

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I’d encourage anyone interested in homeownership to start the conversation now, even if they aren’t ready to buy tomorrow. The earlier you begin learning about the process, understanding your options and preparing financially, the more opportunities you’ll be able to pursue when the time is right.

Too often, people assume homeownership is out of reach without fully exploring what’s available to them. Every situation is different, but with the right preparation, guidance and patience, homeownership remains an achievable goal for many local residents.

For those who are working toward homeownership, it is important to understand the long-term value it can provide. Renting may make sense depending on a person’s goals and circumstances, whether that means living closer to work, remaining in a desired school district or renting a larger home than they may be able to purchase right away. However, paying rent is paying someone else’s mortgage, and building wealth for someone else. 

Historically, real estate has experienced stable long-term growth in value and served as a hedge against inflation. Homeownership can also help owners build savings and equity, creating value that may be realized later if the home is sold. It can also provide more predictability in monthly housing costs through a fixed-rate mortgage, give owners more freedom to make decisions about their living space and, depending on a household’s circumstances, may also come with certain tax advantages. For many local families, it can also create greater stability by allowing them to remain in one neighborhood over time, build lasting relationships within their community and create greater continuity for their children.

Oahu neighborhoods homes i Stock

<title>Looking to buy a home in Hawai‘i? Here's what you should know.</title>

Aloha State Daily talks with Aaron Tangonan, president of the Honolulu Board of Realtors, to learn more about the home-buying process, how feasible it is to become a homeowner, what opportunities are available and more.

Looking to buy a home in Hawai‘i? Here's what you should know.

Known for its hand-crafted xiao long bao, 

The business, which just opened by Shabuya in Ala Moana Center, has 14 locations in cities like Bellevue, Tacoma, San Francisco and more. The eatery offers authentic Taiwanese cuisine and soup dumplings, according to owner Brandon Ting.

“We started this restaurant’s first location in Bellevue, Washington,” he explains. “We brought the former executive chef of W Hotel Taipei from Taiwan to America; we created this menu together. We want to bring the most authentic, classic xiao long bao experience to Hawaiʻi; we are very excited to be on this island and to serve so many customers here.”

The Honolulu store opened for its friends and family event on Friday, and was soft opened over the weekend. The eatery can seat about 140 individuals.

Customers can make reservations for dine-in via 

“We encourage people to make reservations; we will occasionally accept walk-ins,” he says.

Most xiao long bao orders include six pieces. Each dumpling is folded by hand and steamed fresh to order, according to Ting. The wrappers are delicate, but designed to contain the filling and soup broth.

“The amount of soup inside is a very important standards that we value for our dumplings,” Ting says. “We always tell our customers not to bite them the regular way. If you do, the inside has a lot of soup, and you’ll squeeze it all out.”

Ting recommends that customers let the dumplings cool down, then “eat the entire dumpling in one bite” to enjoy the dumpling exterior and soup together. 

Ting explains that chef Peter Wang — former executive chef at W Hotel Taipei — helped establish the standards, recipes and techniques for Supreme Dumplings. Supreme Dumplings chef Norman Lu, the former head chef of Din Tai Fung’s original central kitchen, adds his expertise to the culinary team.

“Great xiao long bao is a game of millimeters and grams,” Lu states. “Each Supreme Dumplings xiao long bao weighs exactly 27 grams — 6 grams of wrapper, 11 grams of soup, and 10 grams of filling. Achieving that balance consistently requires tremendous discipline and craftsmanship.”

The Supreme pork xiao long bao ($13) is the eatery’s signature dish. Lu explains that choosing high-quality ingredients was essential.

“We carefully select a premium pork specifically chosen for its ideal fat ratio and fiber structure,” he states. “That’s what allows the filling to remain juicy without feeling greasy, while delivering a clean, natural pork flavor. We use premium ingredients throughout our kitchen, and even our seasonings are made from real ingredients, rather than additives." 

The Honolulu menu includes options like Szechuan spicy pork xiao long bao ($12), shrimp and pork xiao long bao ($14), black truffle and chicken xiao long bao ($19) and wagyu beef xiao long bao ($16). If you want a little bit of everything, go for the signature XLB assortment ($20), which includes spicy pork, chicken, wagyu, black truffle and crab fillings.

The menu also features Taiwanese favorites, including spicy pork wontons ($10) and Taiwanese chicken cold noodles ($13). Customer favorites include stir-fried string beans with garlic ($18), pork chop fried rice ($19), mini pan-fried pork dumplings ($15) and Supreme tan tan noodles ($15.50).

Customers can also look forward to a Hawaiʻi-exclusive dish that’s coming soon. The golden pineapple fried rice and a variety of Island-inspired cocktails will be added to the menu.

Desserts include sweet taro ($10.50), chocolate melt ($11) and matcha lava xiao long bao ($12). The latter features a matcha and white chocolate filling.

Supreme Dumplings Honolulu is currently open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays, and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Hours are subject to change.

“This is a place where people genuinely appreciate great food, family-style dining and experiences worth sharing,” Ting states. “We look forward to creating moments of joy for local residents and visitors alike.”

Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Supreme Dumplings wagyu dumplings

<title>Supreme Dumplings is now open in Ala Moana Center</title>

The business, which originated in Washington, specializes in handmade xiao long bao, or soup dumplings. Dumplings are folded by hand and are steamed fresh to order; customers can choose from fillings like pork, wagyu beef, truffle and chicken and more. Customers can currently make reservations via Yelp.

Supreme Dumplings is now open in Ala Moana Center

Hawai‘i History

 since June, signs off on all his emails, “Glad to be here.”

“That's the way we finished speaking to each other on the 

. It's a way to remind yourself how fortunate we are, despite the rigors and the demands of a job, to be able to live, work and contribute to our community in a place like this,” Hiltz told Aloha State Daily. “So, a culture of both gratitude and growth will be important for us as we chart the next course.”

With a passion for aviation and its history, Hiltz has held several leadership roles throughout is near 23-year U.S. Navy career, including as an instructor pilot, officer-in-charge of multinational exercises, the commanding officer for Navy recruiting in the Pacific Northwest, and most recently, as the executive officer and director of strategy for hypersonic and cruise missile systems within the Indo-Pacific region.

Prior to retiring from the military in March, he was also a Blue Angels pilot from 2012 to 2014, having flown the museum’s Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet, 

which was added to its collection in 2021

Hiltz said he aims to bring passion and a “service-based mindset” to the role, formerly held by Executive Director Elissa Lines, who retired in June 2024.

“I feel very grateful to stand on the shoulders of the men and women that founded this museum, and many of them are still working in various capacities,” he said.

“The good news is that I’ve got a passion for this based on my upbringing. I’m a product of museums like this; my dad took me to aviation museums, and I was able to sit in the cockpit of an airplane and go to airshows. And so, I definitely developed a love for aviation at a young age. I learned a lot of lessons in the military, one of which was in flight school, I got sick on my first nine flights. You quickly realize you can’t always control that, but you can control your preparation, attitude and energy you bring to it. Those things I try to bring to this role … and do a good job to steward this aviation battlefield into its next decade.”

As CEO, Hiltz will lead the strategic vision, planning and operations of the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum to advance its mission of preserving America’s World War II aviation battlefield. He is responsible for overseeing the museum’s budget and workforce, exhibit development and educational programming, among other areas, that strengthen its nationwide presence and partnerships.

“The museum is only 18 years old at this point,” he said. “The founding phase took a lot of hands-on effort from the board and staff to get it to where it is. Then, you have a transition phase where you continue to build on that, flesh out policies and procedures, that allow us to appropriately care for this place, and I think the board used this phase three as sort of an institutional phase. … They reimagined this CEO role to be the primary steward of management. The board is entrusting me and the staff to lead us into the next phase of this great institution.”

Hiltz currently manages 73 staff members, not including about 24 contracted support staff and more than 200 volunteers, he noted.

“We’re always looking to hire for passion, train for skill. It's a really unique organization and is very vibrant and fun,” he said. “I can tell you that each person is motivated by a patriotic sense of service to their community, to their country and to the men and women that were serving here on Dec. 7, 1941 – and we take great care to steward that appropriately.” 

His current priorities include expanding the campus, improving the visitor experience and education, and providing workforce development opportunities for future pilots.

“One thing that drew me to the role was the growth vector of this museum,” Hiltz said. “We just recently finished a renovation of our operations building of the control tower here, and you can take it right up. We recently added an aviation learning center where we can bring keiki students and educators in to help give them an experience about the science and physics behind aviation. We are about to undergo reimagination of America's aviation battlefield to make sure that our campus is displayed in a way that's befitting of its historical significance.”

He noted that the museum recently acquired a PBY-5A Catalina seaplane on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum. “It was here on Dec. 7, 1941; they were the long-range eyes and ears of the American Navy fleet the Japanese wanted taken out; therefore, the first target of the first wave of the attack.” The Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan, will complete the restoration over the next couple of years before bringing it to Hawai’i, he said.

Other acquisitions are underway that are not yet ready to be announced, he added.

Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum also supports two aviation pathways, one on-site pilot training program for ages 16-21 and an A&P program for high school juniors to become certified airplane techs. “Those two efforts we’re really proud of because it's a way to give back to the place where we live and work. I think many people connote Pearl Harbor as just a tourist destination, and we want to be clear that we are more than that."

"Aviation is an expensive business: the equipment, fuel and training is a real cost barrier to people,” Hiltz said. “It's one reason that I never did any flight training, despite my love of aviation as a kid. My family couldn't afford it, so I was lucky to be able to go and get that training through the Navy. But we went to provide kamaʻāina with that opportunity to get that first taste of aviation without the barriers to entry of it."

For more information about the programs and its sponsors, 

His advice to those interested in getting their wings? “

There are a lot of different avenues can lead to a cockpit. … I was fortunate to learn about the Navy ROTC scholarships, so the Navy paid for my University of Notre Dame degree, and then I returned that in-kind by serving in naval aviation. … Excellence opens doors. If you do a great job with whatever endeavor you’re pursuing, people are going to notice that and want to help you achieve your goals. I think excellence is a great way to open doors for yourself and others."

Within the first few months on the job, Hiltz introduced a daily open cockpit. “I got the spark to fly because I was able to visit museums and put my hands on the controls, flip switches and look at the gauges. So, I wanted to make sure that we offered that same experience to every single guest to maybe launch them to pursue their dreams, as well.

Hiltz added that the museum hosted the Blue Angels before 

. “It was fun to bring a lot of my new teammates to come see my old team fly the same place where I was flying when I met my wife 13 years ago. It was very poignant for me.”

Many people have helped him get to where he is today, Hiltz said, including his parents, wife, brothers and those he has served with.

Specific to landing this role, he credits his 

first Air Wing Commander Capt. Sterling Gilliam, who is currently executive director of the National Naval Aviation Museum. “He was very helpful in helping me understand the things that would make a successful career here. I owe him a lot in my previous and current professional life.”

“Additionally, the other person who alerted me to the position opening was my dad’s college roommate, Capt. Eddie Fishburne, executive director of the Navy Supply Corps Officer Foundation. … He’s also the same person that told me about that Navy ROTC scholarship, so twice in my lifetime, this one person really changed the trajectory of my life."

As a leader, Hiltz said he’s been learning to “trust the excellent staff” and “do what I can to empower them to be their best selves."

Having lived off and on the island over the past several years, he along with his wife – whom met in Honolulu in 2012 – and two daughters are settled in Kailua.

When asked what he enjoys most about living and working in Hawai

spirit of the Islands, the mana – the ability to blend all that together. My drive into takes me up the H3, which feels like you

’re stepping back in time with the beautiful vistas, then across the

 bridge to Ford Island, a reminder of the work we

’re called to do here. We’re really fortunate to call this our home, and just remind ourselves every day how lucky we are.”

This weekend, the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum will be hosting several free events in commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the end of World War II. More information about the festivities can be found 

Interested in sponsoring or attending the museumʻs annual "For Love of Country Gala," 

Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum CEO John Hiltz 16x9

<title>Former Blue Angels pilot John Hiltz leads local nonprofit museum</title>

Get to know the new CEO of Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, who was appointed by the board of directors in June to take the organization into its next phase.

Former Blue Angels pilot John Hiltz leads local nonprofit museum

An oceanfront estate in Kāhala has hit market with a $45 million price tag.

The property, listed by Coldwell Banker Realty independent agent Tracy Allen, can be found at 4505 Kāhala Ave.

According to the brokerage on Monday, the single-level home spans nearly 10,000 square feet and has six bedrooms and six full- and two half-bathrooms.

Among other features, the home has an open floor plan, Burma Teak finishes, floor-to-ceiling glass walls that "pocket away to reveal unobstructed panoramic ocean views," a chef's kitchen with high-end appliances, a resort-style pool and spa and gated entry, as well as an oceanfront lānai with a sunken wet bar, built-in barbecue and lounging areas, the brokerage said.

"This extraordinary estate represents the epitome of luxury living in one of Hawai‘i’s most exclusive neighborhoods,” Allen said in an announcement Monday. “Whether you are looking for a private sanctuary or a grand venue for entertaining, look no further than this home.”

In an email to Aloha State Daily, Allen says the home's "remarkable size and a thoughtfully designed floor plan," set the listing apart from other luxury listings in Kāhala and on O‘ahu.

"This residence offers grand proportions on every level," she continued. "The home itself is just shy of 10,000 square feet under roof and connects to the 'heart of the home,' which is the expansive oceanfront lānai spanning approximately 5,200 square feet. The 1.3-acre level parcel offers vast manicured lawn areas and 171 linear feet of ocean frontage — a rarity!"

Allen says she loves the seaside lānai, "as it's such an extension of the residence and where one would spend most days lounging, working and entertaining all within a single day."

"I have yet to see a home in all of Hawai‘i with a covered oceanfront lānai of this size. It's really amazing and so comfortable and cozy all at the same time."

Allen says there's no other residence in the Kāhala neighborhood that offers a single-level floor plan of this scale and size.

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