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Hawai'i Skies

Today's Hawai'i Skies was captured by Alexis Seto at Waikīkī Walls. "It was a full moon, perfect for night surfing with the boys before school started up again. One last night of friends enjoying each other's company before starting a new school year. It was a beautiful night, despite the light shower. It reminded me of my younger days walking on the beach in Waikīkī."

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25 10 17 ALEXIS SETO

<title>Hawai'i Skies: Night surfing</title>

Today's Hawai'i Skies was captured by Alexis Seto at Waikīkī Walls.

Hawai'i Skies: Night surfing

Today's Hawai'i Skies was captured by Alexis Seto at Waikīkī Walls. "It was a full moon, perfect for night surfing with the boys before school started up again. One last night of friends enjoying each other's company before starting a new school year. It was a beautiful night, despite the light shower. It reminded me of my younger days walking on the beach in Waikīkī." To submit your Hawai'i Skies photo, visit us online or email: general@alohastatedaily.com For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter.

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Government & Politics

Hawai‘i County Office of Housing and Community Development Administrator Kehaulani Costa says the county is facing a shortage of available affordable and workforce housing. It's a challenge she says "touches nearly every aspect of daily life for residents."

"For many local families, the high cost and limited availability of housing determine whether they can continue living and working here at all," she told Aloha State Daily via email. "According to the 

 Hawaiʻi County needs nearly 18,900 additional housing units by 2027, including about 15,900 homes for households earning up to 140% of the area median income (AMI). Of these, more than 10,000 units are needed for ownership and nearly 8,800 for rentals. The data highlight an urgent and growing need for homes that local residents can actually afford, particularly for those in the workforce who earn too much to qualify for subsidized housing but too little to compete in the market-rate sector."

The ‘Āinakō Subdivision Housing Project — a proposed subdivision in Hilo that would provide up to 144 single- and multi-family homes on nearly 61 acres of county-owned land near Hilo Benioff Medical Center — aims to help address that need "by creating new affordable housing opportunities for working families near urban Hilo — close to jobs, schools and essential services," Costa says. "Reducing the distance between where people live and where they work supports stronger, more resilient communities and improves quality of life."

 published earlier this month, the project would include up to 82 townhomes, 28 flats and 34 single-family units constructed in two phases and designed to accommodate the island's "workforce" population.

Units are expected to range in price from approximately $363,100 to $635,500, the draft EA notes.

"The project would make a small but meaningful contribution to the significant affordable housing shortage in the local market area and is not expected to adversely affect demand for similar private-sector housing projects," it reads. "The project would balance the need to provide affordable housing near urban centers and allow residents better access to travel between home, work and other desirable recreational opportunities."

[{"type":"text","text":"According to the draft EA:"}]

— Phase one would include the construction of up to 110 residential units — 28 single-story flats and 82 two-story townhomes on approximately 18.82 acres — as well as associated infrastructure. The townhomes could offer two- or three-bedroom options while the flats would have two beds, with occupancy expected to total 164 to 246 residents.

This phase would likely be developed by a developer in a housing agreement with OHCD for sale or rent, and the developer would be required to provide management for rentals and property maintenance.

— Common areas in the subdivision would include a community center, playgrounds, a volleyball court, gardens and open lawn areas.

— Access to the multi-family units in phase one will largely via a new road constructed across state land, mauka of the Hale ʻĀnuenue Restorative Care Center on Waiānuenue Avenue. Infrastructure costs in the first phase are currently estimated to be a little more than $8.5 million.

— Phase two, meanwhile, would follow the completion of phase 1 and include a maximum of 34 single-family homes on about 15 acres. This phase would be accessed from the road constructed during the first phase, as well as an extension of Kilikina Street. Infrastructure costs in this phase are estimated to total nearly $6.65 million.

[{"type":"text","text":"According to the draft EA, the county acquired the property in 1917."}]

strategies to expand housing availability and affordability on the island is to "develop publicly owned lands to reduce overall project costs and create opportunities for partnership with experienced nonprofit affordable housing developers."

This project, conceived in early 2022 as part of the county's efforts to increase housing through the development of publicly owned lands, is still in early planning stages.

"Decisions regarding how the project will be developed — from infrastructure work to vertical construction of homes — will be made as the project progresses," she says. "The project is being designed in phases to align with the timing and availability of future funding."

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Seeking public input"}]

The draft EA was published in the state's 

 on Oct. 8. A 30-day public comment period runs through Nov. 7. 

OHCD will host a community meeting to share information on the project and gather feedback, from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Aupuni Center conference room, 101 Pauahi St. in Hilo.

Because the project is still in its early planning stages, Costa says that public input is an "important part of determining its future direction."

"The goal of this process is to evaluate the viability of housing development in the area based on a careful balance of community feedback, infrastructure and available resources," she says. "By inviting public participation at this early stage, OHCD hopes to ensure that any future plans are shaped by both current community perspectives and the island’s long-term housing needs, particularly for affordable and workforce housing."

Following the public comment period, OHCD will review and respond to comments and a final EA will be prepared and published to complete the environmental review process.

Costa says that timeline for construction has not yet been established and the project will move forward based on funding and environmental review outcomes.

stock photo construction roof

<title>Proposed Hilo subdivision would bring up to 144 new homes to Hawai‘i Island</title>

The ‘Āinakō Subdivision Housing Project proposes a mix of single- and multi-family homes on nearly 61 acres of land owned by Hawai‘i County near the Hilo Benioff Medical Center. A draft environmental assessment for the project was published this month.

Proposed Hilo subdivision would bring up to 144 new homes to Hawai‘i Island

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

[{"type":"text","text":"This time, it's for real. "}]

On Oct. 25, Aloha Stadium and TMR events are hosting an "Aloha to Aloha Stadium" concert, an a hui hou event for Aloha Stadium. Doors open at 4 p.m. at the stadium's lower Hālawa lot, with tickets priced at $10 per person. Families of six can purchase tickets for $5 per person as part of a promotion. 

In February 2023, an Aloha to Aloha Stadium event was held, where fans could walk on the field and tour the locker rooms. Back then, there was no date in sight towards a new Aloha Stadium. This time around, a target date of March 2029 between developed Aloha Hālawa District Partners and the New Aloha Stadium District Partners (AHDP) has been 

"I think it's two different events," Aloha Stadium communications specialist Samantha Spain said at Thursday's Stadium Authority meeting. "The one that we did in 2023 really focused on coming in, walking through the stadium, being able to go through the lockers, meeting the university players (from different eras). We did have some entertainment, but not a lot. It was kind of more of like being able to walk the halls before they kind of tear it down, whereas this one is really a closing. ... Two different feels, but two great experiences. 

"The [2023 event] really was a farewell to the inside to the stadium. ... We're pretty much done with the inside [of the stadium]."

The Aloha to Aloha Stadium concert, which intentionally falls on a University of Hawai‘i football bye week, will feature performances from Henry Kapono and a 

Organizers are also setting up a fireworks show from the stadium's current playing surface, though fans won't be able to enter the playing field. Tailgating for the Oct. 25 event will also be prohibited. 

As for current updates on the new Aloha Stadium, NASED project director David Harris said during Thursday's Stadium Authority meeting that they're currently in the "schematic design phase."

"It's an iterative design process," Harris said when asked what that entails, "and the Stadium Authority was involving in that, taking what was kind of pretty pictures. ... The concept design is obviously a little bit more than that, a process that involves more iterative detail, making sure that it fits within the cost plan and can be built and then ultimately end up with the final construction."

Dismantling of the current Aloha Stadium, one of the first physical steps towards building a new one, is still scheduled for January 2026. 

Fans of the University of Hawai‘i football team can catch a glimpse of what the new Aloha Stadium may look like when they tune in to team's game on Saturday, 

Stadium Authority chair Eric Fujimoto noted that former chair Brennon Morioka had multiple conversations with the developers of Canvas Stadium, the 36,500-seat home of Colorado State's football team. Although the new Aloha Stadium is initially projected to have 22,500 seats, Canvas Stadium is viewed by developers as a successful model for an exciting environment for non-power conference teams. 

"Canvas would be kind of like that, I don't know what will be same and what will be different in what they're rebuilding, but it's a functional stadium that I feel when it's done right, that's the excitement," Fujimoto said. 

Aloha Stadium 101625

<title>Aloha Stadium set to hold a hui hou event</title>

"Aloha to Aloha Stadium" is set for Oct. 25 in the stadium's lower Hālawa lot.

Aloha Stadium set to hold a hui hou event

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

More than 5,000 marchers are expected for the Honolulu Pride Parade & Festival, presented by the nonprofit Hawaiʻi LGBT Legacy Foundation, which takes place this Saturday, Oct. 18, according to event organizers.

 starts at 3 p.m. at Magic Island and ends at the Tom Moffatt Waikīkī Shell. The 

 starts at 5 p.m. at Tom Moffatt Waikīkī Shell and features more than 70 exhibitors and vendors, as well as a four-hour show that includes entertainers from RuPaul’s Drag Race. Other performers include The Social Vocal Choir, Gay Men’s Chorus of Honolulu, the Pride All Star Band and more.

The Hawaiʻi LGBT Legacy Foundation is a nonprofit that produces Honolulu Pride, hosts 

 and creates educational programs. Here are other events presented by the nonprofit and its partners:

 Hawaiʻi Theatre Pride Concert at Hawaiʻi Theatre

 Official Pride Opening Party at Scarlet Honolulu

 Honolulu Pride Parade & Festival, plus the Official Pride After Party at Hula’s Bar & Lei Stand

 Together We Soar Drag Brunch and Lei Pool Party at ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach; The Hangover: Official Closing Party at White Sands Hotel

 to individual events. VIP passes are soldout.   

Hawaiʻi Theatre

<title>Honolulu Pride Parade & Festival returns this weekend</title>

Honolulu Pride Parade & Festival will take place this Saturday, October 18. Learn more about this event plus others produced by Hawaiʻi LGBT Legacy Foundation and its partners this Thursday, Oct. 16 through Sunday, October. 19.

Honolulu Pride Parade & Festival returns this weekend

Lopaka and Tanya Kapanui

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya Kapanui

Hawaii History

Columnists

While the food court and the grand rotunda with its Wyland mural were still under construction, a US Army retiree and his family were shopping at the Pearl Harbor Navy Exchange, also known as the NEX. His adult daughter recalls walking through an aisle that was stacked with diapers and other baby products when, without warning, a stack of diapers fell behind her. Puzzled, she walked back and returned the diapers to the shelf. She only walked a few steps when she heard them fall again.

The woman admits that she never jumps to “supernatural” as a reason for anything and assumed the shelf was crooked. As she stacked the diapers once again, she tried shaking the shelving unit to test its balance, but the shelf was solid. Looking closer, she noticed there was a wall behind the packages, so there was no way someone could push them from the other side. As she walked away, she heard the packages fall again. She glanced back at the baby diapers on the floor and decided they’d just have to remain on the floor until someone else came along.

The sprawling center of commerce built for military families sits upon land that is layered with stories of the ancient past. The building rests on the slopes of Āliamanu and Āliapaʻakai, places bound to the legends of the goddess Pele and her sister Hiʻiaka. It is said that on this hillside, Hiʻiaka lost her bird companion from Kaua‘i, hence the name Āliamanu. Nearby, Pele left her salt at Āliapaʻakai, the crystalline offering still remembered in the name, also referred to as “Salt Lake.”

Long before the Navy Exchange, the surrounding area was a landscape of abundance, encircled by fishponds that sustained Hawaiian communities for generations. These loko iʻa, carefully engineered and tended, were not only sources of food but living symbols of balance between people and sea. The ponds once stretched across what is now Pearl Harbor and its uplands, and their traces linger in the names of streets and roads.

When the modern building was constructed, much of this history was buried beneath concrete and asphalt. Yet, for many who work in the building, there is sometimes the sense of something older pressing through, the sound of crying, the echo of chants, the feeling of being watched, and the shifting of shadows where none should be. Employees and visitors alike have spoken of cold breezes that move through sealed rooms, or figures glimpsed in quiet corners. In this way, the Navy Exchange stands as more than a marketplace. It is a threshold where the commerce of today meets the presence of yesterday.

One late night after the shoppers were long gone, the overnight employees remained to restock the shelves. One three-person crew brought a pallet of goods out from the warehouse, headed toward the sports section. Suddenly, a sound stopped them in their tracks. Arnold, the man who shared this story, said that all three of them heard the unmistakable sound of a baby crying. One man scoffed, saying it had to be a toy, and they continued on their way.

The small crew began unloading boxes and stacking items on shelves and hooks when they heard the sound again. Arnold and one of the men decided they were going to find the source of the cry and headed toward the toy section, leaving the third man by himself. After several minutes, the pair headed back to the sports section without success.

“I admit,” Arnold said, “We were a little jumpy now because we didn’t find anything that would have made a crying sound.”

But as they turned down the aisle where the third man was working, they watched a gray shadow move toward their coworker. By the time Arnold lifted his hand to point it out, the shadow moved right through their friend and disappeared into the shelf behind him with a thud. Arnold said the man never saw it, but he started coughing, unable to stop.

He went on break and said he wasn’t feeling well after that. Arnold never knew what happened to the man. They didn’t often work together, and he heard a few weeks later that the man quit for health reasons. He never found out exactly why.

Navy Exchange Building

<title>Ghosts of the past at the Navy Exchange</title>

The building rests on the slopes of Āliamanu and Āliapaʻakai, places bound to the legends of the goddess Pele and her sister Hiʻiaka. Shoppers and staff alike have shared eerie tales of what they've seen and felt here.

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