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ASD Staff

Hawai'i Skies

Today's Hawai‘i Skies was captured by Myra Tanabe at Halekulani. "A friend of mine and I were at Halekulani last evening listening to some awesome music and hula dancing when we noticed the lunar halo ... amazing views!!!"

To submit your Hawai'i Skies photo, visit us 

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<title>Hawai‘i Skies: Lunar halo</title>

Today's Hawai‘i Skies was captured by Myra Tanabe at Halekulani.

Hawai‘i Skies: Lunar halo

Today's Hawai‘i Skies was captured by Myra Tanabe at Halekulani. "A friend of mine and I were at Halekulani last evening listening to some awesome music and hula dancing when we noticed the lunar halo ... amazing views!!!" 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.

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

The new NCAA transfer portal for football officially opened on Friday, promising a hectic two weeks that will see plenty of player movement across the country, including at the University of Hawai‘i. 

FBS and FCS players with eligibility remaining were able to enter the portal at midnight Eastern Standard Time on Friday and will have until Jan. 16 to do so. 

In the 2024-2025 academic year, more than 4,900 FBS players and 3,200 FCS players entered the transfer portal, which both set records at the time. There were also two portal periods: One in December 2024 and one in April 2025. The January 2026 window will be the only transfer portal period of the 2025-2026 academic year. 

Despite the portal not opening until Friday, 10 players on the University of Hawai‘i's 2025 roster had already announced their intentions to enter the transfer portal in receivers 

 and Joey Farthing, defensive backs Ben Drake, Deliyon Freeman and Semaj James, defensive lineman Aiden McComber, quarterbacks Luke Weaver and Dermaricus Davis, offensive lineman KT Carter, and punter 

, threw the game-winning touchdown to Nick Cenacle with 10 seconds remaining. He went 

 in place of regular starter Micah Alejado, who dealt with 

 throughout the course of the season. Alejado is expected to return as the starting quarterback and has three years of eligibility remaining, while Weaver will have two seasons of college ball left. 

The nature of the NCAA transfer portal, which officially launched in 2018, has seen adjustments as rules changed in collegiate athletics. When the portal launched, athletes who did not graduate from their previous schools originally had to sit out for a year in academic residence. That is no longer the case, as athletes can compete for their new schools right away. Additionally, a ruling in 2024 allowed student-athletes to transfer an unlimited amount of times. University of Hawai‘i men's basketball senior guard Dre Bullock, for example, is at his fourth school in four years. 

New additions for the University of Hawai‘i football in the upcoming portal period will also have academic considerations. UH-Mānoa's spring semester begins on Jan. 12, while the final day to register for classes is 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 20. 

Hawaii departing QBs 010126

<title>NCAA transfer portal opens for football</title>

The 15-day window for players to enter the portal opened on Friday and closes on Jan. 16.

NCAA transfer portal opens for football

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

[{"type":"text","text":"A new Japanese curry spot recently opened in Honolulu."}]

, located in Royal Hawaiian Dining Plaza — next to Betty’s Burgers Waikīkī store — specializes in Osaka-style, “sweet and spicy” curry. The curry menu is more limited right now, but all dishes are spicy (there’s a warning printed on the menu).

Choose from small ($12.85-$17.85) or regular ($15.85-$20.85) portion sizes. All plates include beef curry, high-quality Kubota rice — which is from Japan but milled in Hawai

So far, the tonkatsu (pork loin fillet) has been the most popular option. The tonkatsu pieces were thick and tender, but boasted a sufficiently crispy exterior.

Pro tip: If you think the curry will be too spicy, add cheese (additional $2) to help temper the heat. 

The shrimp katsu curry includes five petite pieces of shrimp cutlet. Those who really enjoy curry can upgrade to an extra-large size for an additional $4.

The shop is more conducive to takeout, but there are a few tables available in the food court if you feel like enjoying the curry immediately. 

Open 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays

Kana Curry tonkatsu curry with cheese 122625

<title>New Japanese curry spot in Honolulu</title>

Kana Curry, which specializes in sweet-and-spicy Osaka-style curry, recently opened in Waikīkī.

New Japanese curry spot in Honolulu

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Aloha Spirit

From philanthropy and conservation to housing and feeding ʻohana, these nonprofit leaders showed resilience and innovation in 2025. In the New Year, weʻll be watching to see how they continue to impact local communities.  

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Here’s who’s on our radar:"}]

Terry George, Hawaiʻi Community Foundation

 was just about to retire in July after 22 years of service at 

announced that starting Aug. 1, he would become its new CEO and president succeeding 

“When I saw the level of uncertainty among our social sector leaders in recent months, along with the strain on our social safety net and our courageous nonprofit organizations, I didn’t feel right retiring and just sitting around at home watching reruns of ‘Friends’,” he told Aloha State Daily at the time. “Then the HCF leadership opportunity happened, people started approaching me about it, and I decided to see if that was the best way of serving the Island communities that I love so much.”

So far in the role, George's team has activated HCF’s Hawaiʻi Resilience Fund in response to federal funding cuts to nonprofit organizations statewide He said in a statement, “Our goal is to collectively build a nonprofit sector that is prepared, not just reactive; collaborative, not siloed; sustainable, not fragile.”

In late April, Marisa Castuera Hayase was tapped to lead 

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation

’s $150 million in annual grantmaking efforts that support nonprofits in the U.S. and Israel. As vice president of programs, she will ensure the foundation continues to improve housing stability, health, employment and educational opportunities, and aging.

“As a foundation, we’ve been really fortunate to have so many people to learn from and work with as we address these challenges together,” she told ASD in July.

In February, Jennine Sullivan, executive director of The Pantry, was named among 

, which recognizes women making a difference in their communities across the country.

“I was incredibly surprised and grateful,” she said of the award. “What I do here is not because Iʻm some superhero. It’s because I have an amazing team of staff, volunteers, community partners, local farmers and distributors who enable us to do our work.” 

As The Pantry looks to expand, she said, “It's not necessarily to serve more people, but it is to help better support and grow our food ecosystem here in Hawaiʻi.”

With the temporary suspension of SNAP benefits in November, The Pantry opened “a special Monday distribution for federally impacted households,” 

Coming from a career with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, Doug Harper joined conservation nonprofit 

 in 2017. He oversees an annual budget of $3.5 million, leading a team of six full-time and 14 part time staff members, in addition to thousands of volunteers and contractors, all working to restore more than 20 acres of Maunalua Bay on O’ahu.

 to restore six acres of degraded forest, construct four green infrastructure projects that would capture more than 850,000 gallons of stormwater runoff per year, and transplant at least 3,000 heat-resilient corals across 10 acres of reef. Work will commence f

 as executive director earlier this year, he was most excited to help build upon something new. The organization offers a variety of services across sectors through workforce development cohorts, mentorship and upskilling to technical training with real-world skills. 

He is looking to grow its volunteers, mentors and partnerships to create a pipeline for more cohort members.

Molly Schmidt, American Red Cross the Pacific Islands Region

Molly Schmidt has more than 20 years of nonprofit experience. After moving to Hawaiʻi in 2019 with her family, she went on to become COO for Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi and the Regional COO of 

American Red Cross the Pacific Islands Region

, which encompasses the state of Hawaiʻi, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and America Samoa. Schmidt was named interim CEO of the nonprofit in May and took the helm in August, overseeing 33 staff members and 2,000 volunteers in Hawaiʻi alone, she said.

“The greatest things about my life have been as a mother, a wife and serving as the American Red Cross CEO. To me, it is an honor to serve in this role. I don’t feel like it’s just a job; it’s a way to serve. And everyone here — every volunteer, every staff member — is surrounded by their family support that helps people give of their heart and talents.

Katt yukawa K0 E6 E0a0 R3 A unsplash

<title>6 nonprofits to watch in 2026</title>

Aloha State Daily will be keeping an eye on these six Hawaiʻi-based nonprofit executives in the New Year.

6 nonprofits to watch in 2026

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Government & Politics

As the new year dawns, so too do a swath of new laws set to take effect Jan. 1.

While many state bills take effect the instant they are signed into law or on July 1, the start of the fiscal year, many others are intended take effect at the start of the new year following their passage.

[{"type":"text","text":"Here are some of the new things to keep in mind under the new laws:"}]

You can’t park too close to a crosswalk

. A new parking regulation takes effect Jan. 1, courtesy of 

, which prohibits vehicles from parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk or intersection, “regardless of the presence or absence of official signs or curb markings.”

A vehicle can still park in that 20-foot buffer zone only if it’s an emergency vehicle, a government vehicle, or a broken-down vehicle. Drivers can also pause in the buffer zone when yielding to an emergency vehicle.

[{"type":"text","text":"Violating these regulations will result in a $50 fine."}]

. In 2025, draft beer was subject to a lower tax rate than “beer other than draft beer." The 2025 rate was $0.54 per wine gallon for draft beer, and $0.93 per wine gallon for other beers.

But state law also defined “draft beer” as beer sold in an individual container of seven or more gallons, which lawmakers and advocates found was out-of-step with industry practices. 

, passed this year, noted that most retailers, bars and small brewers sell what is commonly referred to as “draft beer” out of kegs smaller than seven gallons.

Consequently, Act 90 changes the definition of “draft beer” to mean “beer in an individual container of five gallons or more,” allowing more sellers to take advantage of the lower tax rate.

In Sept. 2002, the state cigarette tax was $0.05 for each cigarette sold. By 2011, following a years-long string of incremental tax hikes, the tax was $0.16 per cigarette, where it sat for years.

 increases the tax once more to $0.18 per cigarette sold. The law also stipulates that some of those tax revenues will go to the state’s cancer research special fund.

The state’s tax on transient accommodation rental proceeds has been 9.25% since 2010. As of today, under 

Cruise ship operators will have to pay an 11% TAT rate beginning today under the same law.

State vehicle insurance requirements will double. 

Currently, the state requires drivers to have a vehicle insurance policy that includes liability coverage of at least $20,000 per person and at least $10,000 for all damages arising from an accident.

, those minimums will double: coverage of at least $40,000 per person and at least $20,000 for accident damage.

Fines for driving without vehicle insurance will also increase, although they won’t double: the fine for a first offense will remain $500, but a subsequent offense within five years will increase from a minimum of $1,500 to a minimum of $2,000.

Pharmacy technicians will need to be licensed. 

 requires that pharmacies must only employ registered pharmacy techs to carry out tasks including “filling, packaging, manipulative, repetitive or other nondiscretionary tasks.”

Pharmacy tech licenses must be renewed by the end of each odd-numbered year, and will require an unspecified fee.

Kayak rental companies will need to register their vessels

. As part of an effort to limit the impacts of over-tourism on state waterways, 

 imposes registration requirements on rental watercraft.

The law specifically notes “the proliferation of rental kayaks and stand-up paddleboards statewide,” and imposes new requirements on any vessel rented or leased to traverse “navigable waters of a state park” — which truthfully only applies to Kaua‘i's Wailuā River, Ahupua‘a ‘O Kahana State Park on O‘ahu and the Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park on Hawai‘i Island.

Beginning Jan. 1, rental vessels used in state parks must be registered with the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ State Parks Division and display a registration number.

State capitol 022725

<title>New year, new laws</title>

Parking regulations and tax changes go into effect Jan. 1.

New year, new laws

The meaning of “Makanai” hits home for business owner Mahina Akaka. She recalls growing up at Sushi King, which was run by her family.

“My brothers and I grew up at that restaurant, right down the street,” she says. “We were on King (Street) and University (Avenue) for more than 30 years.

“‘Makanai’ in Japanese translates to family meal, or employee meal,” she adds. “Makanai was created (with memories of) growing up at the restaurant and always looking forward to what the chef was going to cook for the day. My brothers and I all curated the menu (here) based on all the things that we would look forward to eating.”

 celebrated its grand opening on Dec. 21. It’s in the former space of Sure Shot Café.

“They (Sure Shot Café) were in this space for quite a while, maybe 20 years,” Akaka says. “We demo-ed the whole place and just revamped it. We’re so excited to be in this neighborhood; it’s been great.”

The food menu features a variety of sweet and savory offerings. Egg salad sando afficionados will be thrilled to see the yuzu egg sando ($10) — featuring a soft egg, yuzu kosho and yuzu aioli between toasted Mille Fete Kopi bread — along with the potato salad sando ($10). The latter features a potato, egg, carrot, cucumber and apple mixture with white pepper and creamy mayo between Mille Fete Kopi bread.

The egg salad sando’s filling is sufficiently eggy and creamy without being mayo heavy. The subtle yuzu flavor is refreshing without being overpowering.

If you prefer sweeter dishes for breakfast, opt for the sweet toast ($14), which still features a base of Mille Fete Kopi bread, but this one is topped with cinnamon-sugar butter, cheese foam and seasonal fruit compote. In this case, it’s blueberry compote.

Other dishes include grilled cheese ($13.50) — a savory medley of mozzarella, cheddar, caramelized onions and garlic aioli between pieces of Mille Fete sourdough — avo toast ($14.50), tomato bagel ($10) and smoked ‘ahi bagel ($15). The latter is the café’s version of a lox bagel, and features a plain bagel topped with cream cheese, smoked ‘ahi, Japanese cucumber and red onions with dill.

Customers can look forward to new dishes in the upcoming year, according to Akaka.

“We wanted to be seasonal, so it’s going to change at least two to three times a year,” she says.

The pastry selection, meanwhile, changes daily. During our visit, the assortment included cinnamon rolls, ginger molasses scones, matcha-politan cookies, Portuguese sausage cheddar scones, brown butter chocolate chip cookies and blueberry scones with yuzu drizzle.

“All of our food is made to order,” Akaka says. “We usually always have two to three different types of scones, two to three different cookies and some type of cake or bar. Our cinnamon rolls are pretty consistent. They’re super yummy but we only make a handful of them a day, so we usually sell out of them pretty fast.”

The drink menu comprises various matchas and cold brews. Cold brews come with two different cream tops — salted vanilla cream or honey cream ($6.50-$7 each) — and features the café’s home brewed cold brew.

“The Makiki Love ($5) is pretty popular,” Akaka says. “It’s similar to an affogato; it’s a double shot of espresso over ice with vanilla cold foam. Our earl grey matcha is really good; we make all of our syrups in house, and all of our food is made to order.

[{"type":"text","text":"“The coffee was kind of my addition to Makanai,” she adds."}]

The café is just getting started — customers can look forward to more fun events in 2026, according to Akaka.

“Events happening, pop-ups, parties and liquor in the evening,” she says. “This has been a dream of mine for the past handful of years.”

The café is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Customer parking is available at Makiki Shopping Village.

Customer parking available at Makiki Shopping Village

Makanai breakfast spread 123025

<title>New Makanai café opens in Makiki</title>

Makanai — which translates to “family meal” in Japanese — recently opened in the former space of Sure Shot Café in Makiki. The café offers everything from earl grey matcha lattes and cold brews topped with honey cream to yuzu egg sandos, cinnamon rolls and smoked ‘ahi bagels.

New Makanai café opens in Makiki

Crime & Courts

A pair of Hawai‘i Island men were charged in federal court Monday for their alleged role in a years-long fireworks smuggling operation.

Darrel Goo, 52, of Kea‘au, and Cy Tamura, 45, of Hilo, were charged in U.S. District Court with transporting fireworks into Hawai‘i illegally, unlawful transport and storage of explosive materials, and trafficking explosives via interstate commerce. Goo, a convicted felon following a 1994 vehicle theft case, was also charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

According to a criminal complaint, Goo had been in contact with Wisconsin-based fireworks wholesaler U.S. Mainland Fireworks Company between 2016 and 2025, arranging each year to bulk-purchase fireworks for as much as $131,000 at once.

To conceal his purchases, Goo allegedly would either pre-pay for the fireworks using multiple money orders through a series of proxies on the Big Island, or simply with cash. He also used the alias John Branco and random addresses in Alaska to further obfuscate his purchases.

The complaint claims that, in 2020, Goo — as “Branco” — ordered 588 cases of aerial fireworks for more than $51,000, which he paid for with 50 $1,000 money orders sent from various Big Island post office locations.

Meanwhile, the complaint states that Tamura would arrange for the transport of shipping containers to the island each year. While the containers would be labeled as containing horticultural materials such as horse hay or potting soil, they would contain the fireworks Goo ordered.

Naturally, the complaint also states that neither Goo nor Tamura had proper licenses to import or store fireworks.

The complaint also alleges that Goo, while traveling to Wisconsin to complete these transactions, would also stop over in Indiana or Kentucky to purchase “overload” fireworks — pyrotechnics containing more explosive material than consumer-grade fireworks.

Also included in the complaint is an affidavit by an IRS criminal investigation special agent, Shaun Morita, who claimed that an undercover investigation recorded Goo and Tamura’s interactions with the Mainland Fireworks Company in 2025. During this year’s transaction — for which Goo paid about $62,500 in cash — Goo told a Mainland Fireworks employee that their sales markup in Hawai‘i ranged between 600% and 1,000%.

In August, a U.S. magistrate judge issued a search warrant for Goo’s and Tamura’s residences, which turned up about 37,000 pounds of fireworks along with various firearms and more than $40,000 in cash. All of the fireworks tested were found to vastly exceed the explosive limits of consumer fireworks: the complaint states that some contained as much as 1,164 times the explosive limit.

“While we are in the early stages of this particular case, and those charged are presumed innocent, it is our intent to send the clear message that the safety of our local communities remains our number one priority,” said U.S. attorney Ken Sorenson in a statement. “Those who compromise that safety by violating federal laws related to commercial fireworks will find themselves facing justice in federal court.”

If convicted, Goo and Tamura each face up to 10 years’ imprisonment and fines as much as $250,000 per count. Goo also faces another 15 years for the gun charge.

Hawai‘i Skies: Lunar halo

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