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Daily Smile

[{"type":"text","text":"Love is in the air......"}]

Smile 1 4 26

<title>Daily Smile: Sunday, January 4, 2026</title>

Love is in the air......

Daily Smile: Sunday, January 4, 2026

Lopaka and Tanya Kapanui

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya Kapanui

Hawaii History

Columnists

Like most properties in Honolulu, this plot of land has seen many uses over the past 200 years. In the days of Kamehameha I, when John Papa ‘I‘i was at court, the parcel of land at the ‘Ewa-Mauka corner of Merchant and Bethel Streets contained the hale (houses) of lesser ali‘i.

These low-ranking chiefs often managed local lands, collected food and goods as tribute for the ali‘i nui, served as warriors, maintained community order, and acted as intermediaries between the maka‘āinana (commoners) and the ruling class. But Kamehameha and most of his court only stayed a few years, moving to Hawai‘i Island in 1812.

In 1854, the Privy Council received a petition requesting a lot on which to build a Sailor’s Home. Meant to provide safe, inexpensive lodging and support for merchant seamen, these homes were a purposeful alternative to waterfront taverns. The petition was granted under strict conditions: no intoxicating liquors, no gambling, no disorder, and no women of "lewd" character allowed. The Sailor’s Home welcomed countless seamen until it was damaged in the fires of 1886, after which it relocated to a large, grassy lot between Richards and Alakea Streets.

Originally founded in Japan in 1880, the Yokohama Specie Bank opened its Honolulu branch in 1892 to serve Japanese merchants and plantation workers. The bank first operated from offices inside the Japanese consulate, and quickly became a trusted financial anchor for a growing community.

In 1908, in response to Honolulu’s growth, construction began on a permanent bank on the corner of Merchant and Bethel Streets where the Sailor’s Home once stood. The yellow brick building was completed in 1910 with elaborate terracotta ornamentation over its arched entrances and oculi, the circular openings at the top of the building. It was proclaimed completely fireproof when it opened because the brick-and-steel building had no exposed wood. It had copper-clad doors and sashes, and the window casings were copper-clad wood and marble.  

While Chinese and Hawaiians held accounts there, most of its depositors were Japanese. The building served as the bank’s Hawaiʻi headquarters for more than three decades, giving the community a sense of permanence. But that all ended on December 7, 1941.

On the day of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Territorial Governor Joseph Poindexter ordered the immediate closure of three Japanese banks in Hawai‘i. The Yokohama Specie Bank was seized and repurposed. During the war years, it functioned as a military police station, allowing MPs to coordinate with the Honolulu Police Department then headquartered across the street. Offices that once held ledgers and account books were used to store confiscated goods, while the basement was renovated to include toilets, showers, and barred cells to serve as a lockup for drunk soldiers.

In 1954, the U.S. Department of Justice, acting through its Alien Property Custodian, sold the building. It was then leased to the City of Honolulu for use as the Traffic Citation Bureau. Since that time, the building has seen many different occupants. Newspaper advertisements show an investment firm housed there in the 1960s, and the building was home to the Honolulu Magazine offices from 1982 to 2001.

In 2004, the historic building became home to The Cole Academy, a daycare and preschool founded by news editor Gina Mangieri and named for her son. Here begins our account of its ghost stories.

When the school was still operating in the old building, a friend of ours who worked at the academy spent long days teaching there. She shared her tales of strange happenings at the former bank with us.

In the basement, she often went down to do laundry. To keep the heavy door from closing, the staff often propped it open with a paint can. More than once, as our friend turned her back to sort clothes, she heard the scrape of metal on concrete. The door would swing closed on its own as if someone had deliberately moved the paint can. There was no wind in the basement, and no explanation she could ever find.

In the infant room, the babies sometimes behaved in ways that unsettled the caregivers. The infants would laugh and smile, reaching upward with open hands as their eyes stared at something above them. Nothing was there that the adults could see, yet the children’s attention moved as though they were following a presence floating above them.

There was a former teacher who had taken her own life one night on a lonely beach. Once in a while, when all was quiet, staff would catch a brief glimpse of her. Someone would notice the sway of long dreadlocks disappearing around a corner, or experience the sense of someone just out of sight in certain hallways. Though they never fully saw her, they believed it was their lost coworker.

Upstairs, older students spoke freely about someone they called “Uncle.” They talked about him as if he were familiar and kind.

“Uncle’s happy you’re here,” they would say, “He’s protecting us.”

Although the teachers never saw anyone, the children spoke as if “Uncle” were an actual person. They didn’t seem to be afraid of him, and they never questioned his presence.

Additionally, cameras often revealed orbs drifting through rooms when no one was there. The teachers from the infant room saw them too, small points of light seeming to move with intention around the children.

A few years ago, I was asked to come and bless the building. My friend and her coworker showed me around and pointed out the staircase leading to the basement. I looked down and watched in confusion as a red rubber ball bounced up the stairs. Up, up, up it traveled until it reached the floor in front of me. Then it rolled past slowly down the hall. Needless to say, something wanted my attention.

The building never felt violent. Just occupied. It almost seemed as if some of its former occupants enjoyed their time there and simply decided to stay.

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Yokohama Specie Bank Building

<title>Hauntings at Honolulu's Yokohama Yokai</title>

On the corner of Merchant and Bethel Streets in Downtown Hotel, you'll find the Yokohama Special Bank Building. It's a storied site, once home to the hale pili of ali‘i. After the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Army took over the bank building as a military police station. Is it any wonder occupants have reported strange occurences?

Hauntings at Honolulu's Yokohama Yokai

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Government & Politics

Congress’ first votes of 2026 saw a pair of earth-shaking bills pass the Senate with little fanfare or discussion.

The Senate voted unanimously on Monday to pass two measures to the House for further consideration.

The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act

, a measure amending the 1977 Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act with a range of language updates and new definitions reflecting advancements in the science of geophysics.

Among other things, the bill includes a requirement for each state to coordinate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to create a list of essential buildings and infrastructure that are susceptible to seismic impacts. It also continues to provide funding to various science organizations including the U.S Geological Survey and the National Science foundation for earthquake-related programs through the 2028 fiscal year.

The National Landslide Preparedness Act Reauthorization Act

, which, as the name suggests, amends the 2021 National Landslide Preparedness Act with new language.

Germane to Hawai‘i, the bill inserts the phrase “Native Hawaiian organizations” throughout the 2021 law amid references to local and tribal organizations, and requires the creation of a landslide hazards database that identifies areas potentially vulnerable to landslides due to geologic activity such as volcanic eruptions.

Hawai‘i Senators Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz did not comment on either bill.

Meanwhile, the House discussed the first new bills of 2026 on Monday, both of which were introduced by Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. One of those bills would require people to provide a government photo ID and proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections; the other would eliminate a non-immigrant visa program. Neither one has yet been brought to a vote.

Senators

<title>CONGRESS WATCH: Earthquakes and landslides mark the beginning of 2026</title>

Senate's first votes of the year went without controversy Monday.

CONGRESS WATCH: Earthquakes and landslides mark the beginning of 2026

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

Aloha Spirit

With New Year’s and other holidays in the rear view mirror, you might be recovering from parties. Looking for things to do this weekend on Friday, Saturday or Sunday? Aloha State Daily has you covered:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Friday, Jan. 9"}]

Listen to The Green at the Blue Note Hawaiʻi. 

Catch The Green, a cornerstone of the reggae music scene, with special guest DJ Hapa Boy at the Blue Note Hawaiʻi on Jan. 9 and Jan. 10 or Jan. 23 and 24. Each night has two shows. The event is being presented by Island 98.5. The Green opened for Grammy-winning superstar Bruno Mars at his sold-out shows at Blaisdell Arena in 2014 and Aloha Stadium in 2018. Tickets for the upcoming Blue Note Hawaiʻi shows are $65-$85. 

Starting Jan. 9, Kapono’s at The Lounge in Hawaiʻi Kai will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

 includes three performance spaces: The Lounge, The Velvet Monkey and Studio B. Friday, Jan. 9, is the start of a new series, Aloha Fridays, which is a pau hana experience, with live music presented by the Henry Kapono Foundation. There is no cover charge. On Jan. 10, the space will launch its ticketed Saturday Live weekly concert series with performances from Johnny Valentine at The Velvet Monkey and 3 Little Birds, produced by Henry Kapono, at The Lounge. Sunday brunches will also feature live music.  

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Saturday, Jan. 10"}]

This visiting special exhibit, which opened Jan. 2 at Capitol Modern, the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum, in Downtown Honolulu, includes a selection of 40 portraits from artists living on five islands: Maui, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, Kauaʻi and Lānaʻi. Called the Schaefer Portrait Challenge, this statewide juried exhibit has been held every three years at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, since 2003. The portraits will be on display through July at Capitol Modern, which is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Sunday, Jan. 11"}]

The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi is hosting its 33rd annual New Year’s ʻOhana Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its campus in Mōʻiliʻili. Enjoy snacks, food and drinks from 14 local vendors, as well as crafts and merchandise from 25 local businesses. Receive a New Year’s blessing and pruchase omamori, or amulets, from Shinto shrines. There will be taiko, hula, sumo, kendo and more. Family friendly cultural activity booths will teach the art of calligraphy, mini-ikebana, Japanese enameling, origami and other activities. Inside the cultural centerʻs gift shop, attendees can purchase 

, and a 2026 Year of the Horse t-shirt designed by Sumofish. 

 Do you have a New Year’s resolution to be more active in 2026? Hawaiʻi Running Lab is hosting its fifth year of challenges. Participants can sign up to complete 250, 500, 750 or 1,000 miles in 2026. 

 If you complete one of the four challenges, take home a $50 gift card from Kalapawai Market and $30 gift card to Off The Wall Craft Beer & Wine, as well as 

other gifts and discounts from local partners

. Participants get a challenge shirt or other swag for signing up. Each challenge is $60. 

Want to know what is coming up in Hawaiʻi sports? Check out this 

Portrait

<title>Your guide to the weekend: Friday, Jan. 9, to Sunday, Jan. 11</title>

Dreaming of weekend plans? Aloha State Daily can help. We did the research and compiled a list events happening this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, which range from live music featuring The Green, Johnny Valentine and 3 Little Birds, to a new exhibit at Capitol Modern, the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum.

Your guide to the weekend: Friday, Jan. 9, to Sunday, Jan. 11

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

 recently launched a new happy hour experience.

The Capital Grille’s “Capital Hours” happy hour is available daily from 4 to 6 p.m. in the restaurant’s bar and lounge section. The happy hour menu launched about three weeks ago.

It includes a variety of happy hour-exclusive dishes — listed in the middle section of the “Capital Hours” menu — along with drink discounts.

The sliced, dry-aged New York strip ($20) has been one of the most popular dishes so far. It’s Kona crusted and serve with aji verde. It’s a nice way to try one of the eatery’s dry-aged steaks if you’re curious about the flavor, but unsure about committing to a full-sized cut.

The Parmesan truffle fries ($14) are addictive, as they’re topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese and white truffle oil. The menu says it’s designed to serve two, but it can be easily shared among more, especially if you’re ordering multiple dishes.

The petite filet sandwiches ($18) come highly recommended by our server. They’re like meaty sliders, comprising toasted brioche buns filled with truffle aioli, filets and cabernet onion jam.

Other exclusive dishes include porcini-rubbed lollipop lamb chops (two for $18), oysters casino (two for $15), cast-iron garlic shrimp ($14), Caesar salad bites ($10), The Grille’s signature cheeseburger ($28), and mushroom truffle arancini ($15). 

The happy hour menu also includes some of the eatery’s signature appetizers (not at discounted prices, though). Options include pan-fried calamari ($25), which are hand-battered and come with hot cherry peppers; prosciutto-wrapped mozzarella ($22); and caviar and caramelized onion dip ($49).

The prosciutto-wrapped mozzarella are like a twist on charcuterie. The thick pieces of cheese are encased in nutty, thinly sliced prosciutto and served with 15-year-aged balsamic, heirloom tomatoes and Grana Padano crostinis. 

If you’re feeling fancy, the caviar and caramelized onion dip ($49) is great for sharing among a group. The housemade potato chips are delectably crispy, and the dip is creamy and tasty, without the onion flavor being too overpowering. 

Happy hour specials also include discounted cocktails ($12 each); signature cocktails range from $19 to $25. The Old Fashioned and classic margarita are popular, but customers can also choose from Greyhound martinis, Straight Up (choice of Wheatley American craft vodka or Bombay gin), or peach bourbon smash.

Diners can still order from the steakhouse’s regular menu even when dining in the lounge. Complimentary three-hour valet parking is available at Lilia Waikīkī.

Happy hour is daily from 4-6 p.m. in the lounge

Complimentary three-hour valet parking available at Lilia Waikīkī

The Capital Grille happy hour spread 010526

<title>The Capital Grille Hawaiʻi has a new happy hour</title>

Feast on exclusive dishes — including Parmesan truffle fries, sliced dry-aged New York strip and filet sandwiches — and enjoy discounted cocktails during the new “Capital Hours.”

The Capital Grille Hawaiʻi has a new happy hour

[{"type":"text","text":"There’s a new all-you-can-eat sushi spot in Honolulu."}]

Sumo AYCE Sushi recently opened in Azure Ala Moana. It’s located in the former space of Debu (the new restaurant sign isn't up yet). The all-you-can-eat experience costs $26.95 per person during lunch (Mondays to Thursdays) and $36.95 for the all-day menu.

The eatery is originally from Las Vegas; this is its first Hawai

i store. Since it’s in its soft opening, only walk-ins are accepted (no reservations).

The restaurant is currently open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. (last seating at 9 p.m.; last call for the kitchen is at 9:45 p.m.). There’s a 90-minute time limit for the all-you-can-eat experience. If customers leave leftover rice, they will be charged.

Customers also have the option to order a la carte, if they don’t feel like doing AYCE. All members of the same dining party must choose the same experience (either all-you-can-eat or a la carte). 

The menu features a variety of nigiri, appetizers, sushi rolls and all-day specials like salmon carpaccio, lobster garlic bread, poke nachos and more.

On the AYCE menu, certain dishes — like uni nigiri, ama ebi nigiri and salmon cut center steak — can only be ordered once.

Recommended appetizers include KFC — Korean fried chicken with Korean sweet and spicy sauce — chicken karaage and crispy rice. The latter features crispy rice topped with spicy tuna, jalapeno, garlic ponzu, spicy mayo and eel sauce.

Popular nigiri so far include seared salmon and yuzu yellowtail nigiri. Classic nigiri options include tuna, shrimp, yellowtail and more.

Choose from unique options like corn cheese garlic bread, bulgogi garlic bread and lobster garlic bread. The latter features soft garlic bread topped with crab, lobster, mozzarella cheese, eel sauce, spicy mayo and scallions.

While filling up on carbs is not usually recommended for AYCE experiences, these breads are trying at least once and are easy to share.

Customers can choose from a variety of four-piece and eight-piece sushi rolls; there are more than 40 options. Popular options include the Chanel roll (shrimp tempura, spicy crab and avocado topped with tuna and salmon); Lisa Lisa roll (shrimp tempura, avocado, crab and cream cheese topped with tempura crunch and eel sauce); and the lemon salmon roll (crab and avocado topped with salmon, lemon and ponzu).

End with desserts like honeydew or ube Melona bars, or vanilla mochi ice cream.

Customer parking is available at Azure Ala Moana; look for the designated retail parking stalls within the structure.

Open daily, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. (last seating at 9 p.m.)

Sumo AYCE Sushi dinner spread 122925

<title>New all-you-can-eat sushi spot opens in Honolulu</title>

Sumo AYCE Sushi just opened in Azure Ala Moana. The eatery — originally from Las Vegas — offers an extensive all-you-can-eat menu, along with an a la carte menu.

New all-you-can-eat sushi spot opens in Honolulu

Mathew Hoffmann scaled

Mathew Hoffmann

Viewpoints

This month, a federal district court heard arguments over Hawaiʻi’s new law criminalizing the distribution of “materially deceptive media” that may risk harming “the reputation or electoral prospects” of politicians. Translation: The law outlaws satirical content poking fun at political candidates — and, it almost goes without saying, that sort of ban on speech directly contradicts the First Amendment, as a district court in California 

Under the Hawaiʻi law, anyone who posts — or even re-posts — a political meme, for example, during election season could face serious consequences like jail time, fines, lawsuits, damages, attorneys’ fees, and injunctions.

The law targets anyone posting this type of content, including satire site 

. The Bee — which carries the masthead “Fake news you can trust” — posts memes, videos, and other satirical content on various online platforms, with some of it focused on political figures. Under Hawaiʻi’s law, The Bee faces penalties if its posts “would cause a reasonable viewer or listener to believe that the depicted individual engaged in the speech or conduct depicted.”

The law offers a “solution” to avoid penalty that only doubles down on the constitutional violation. Content creators like The Bee must post a large disclaimer on its content to ensure viewers know it is a joke. The Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon put it well: “We’re used to getting pulled over by the joke police, but comedy isn’t a crime. The First Amendment protects our right to tell jokes, whether it’s election season or not.”

 as Western Civilization itself. And it has served as a form of political discourse since before the original colonies became the United States of America. Satirical speech can be a very effective tool in political discourse, but, as E.B. White said, explaining a joke is like dissecting a frog: You understand it, but the frog dies in the process.

The good news is that the First Amendment doesn’t allow Hawaiʻi to set up a “ministry of truth” to decide what political speech is acceptable. The Babylon Bee, along with Hawaiʻi resident Dawn O’Brien, 

 over the law with the help of Alliance Defending Freedom, where I serve. ADF also represents The Bee in its lawsuit against California’s law.

Hawaiʻi’s law, if permitted to stand, will set a dangerous precedent that the government has the right to control speech with which it disagrees. That is no laughing matter.

The state claims its purpose is to ensure that people won’t be confused by political speech that isn’t literally true. But this paternalistic posture assumes that Hawaiʻi residents are too obtuse to separate fact from fiction and come to their own opinions about politicians. The reality is darker: The Hawaiʻi government feels the need to censor speech that could potentially sway people to a certain side.

Free speech is essential to an open, self-governing society. That includes satirical speech and speech that may not paint politicians in the best light. States like Hawaiʻi and California don’t get to ban speech just because they don’t get the joke.

I Stock 2163789360

<title>Op-Ed: Hawaiʻi’s regulation of humorous political speech is no laughing matter</title>

Mathew Hoffmann is legal counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, which represents satire site The Babylon Bee in its lawsuit challenging Hawaiʻi’s law that criminalizes the distribution of “materially deceptive media” that may risk harming “the reputation or electoral prospects” of politicians. He argues the law violates the First Amendment by targeting speech, including political memes, humor and satire.

Daily Smile: Sunday, January 4, 2026

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Daily Smile: Sunday, January 4, 2026

Authors

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