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Daily Smile

[{"type":"text","text":"Why dogs love sleeping in the bed explained...."}]

Smile v2 25 1 7

<title>Daily Smile: Wednesday, January, 7, 2026</title>

Why dogs love sleeping in the bed explained....

Daily Smile: Wednesday, January, 7, 2026

 Why dogs love sleeping in the bed explained....

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

Keoni DeRenne grew up during the University of Hawai‘i baseball program's golden age, back when his father, Coop, was an assistant coach under Les Murakami. 

Baseball has been DeRenne's life from an early age. He ended up becoming quite the player himself and had a large selection of scholarship offers during a successful high school baseball career at ‘Iolani. DeRenne chose the University of Arizona and enrolled in 1997, citing his relationship with its coaching staff, which made multiple trips to O‘ahu to secure and affirm his commitment. 

DeRenne was an All-Pac 10 shortstop at Arizona and consistently caught the attention of MLB scouts, turning pro when he was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 12th round of the 2000 MLB Draft. His journeyman career as a player included eight seasons across five different MLB organizations in the minor leagues, as well as three seasons in independent ball. 

Following his playing career, DeRenne shifted to coaching, where he's been a part of three organizations, most recently with the Kansas City Royals as an assistant hitting coach. 

Although his baseball journey has pulled him away from the Islands, DeRenne continues to make frequent trips to his home state in the offseason, where he can be seen helping out the next generation of ballplayers. He was recently at a free University of Hawai‘i keiki camp at Les Murakami Stadium, where he fielded dozens of questions from an eager group of youngsters. 

Questions ranged from hardest pitcher he's ever faced to kindest teammate, as well as recommendations for college. "No reason for you to leave," interjected Hawai‘i head coach Rich Hill. DeRenne continued to be patient with the young players and their families, sticking around for pictures and autographs. 

"Every time I do come to this stadium, the few times that I've come since high school because the season kind of overlaps, I reflect on my childhood life, right? Because this is where I grew up from the time that my dad was coaching here. It always brings back great, fond, core memories and then opportunities like this," DeRenne told Aloha State Daily. "Coach Rich has been so gracious to let me come back, and something like this is my way to give back in a small way. I'm just honored that they want me to come out to share my story a little bit.

"Anytime that I can give back, especially in the baseball community, man, to me, it's an honor. It's what I want to do, and it's the platform that I have that allows me to be able to pay it forward."

Following the 2025 season, the Royals decided not to bring back their assistant hitting coaches in DeRenne and Joe Dillon, though DeRenne was able to land on his feet. The next destination in DeRenne's baseball journey is with the Durham Bulls, the Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, where he'll serve as the hitting coach on a two-year deal. Tampa will be his ninth different MLB organization as either a coach or a player. 

"I'm very grateful to go to an organization who has done a really good developing players, drafting players, developing coaches and front office personnel," DeRenne said. "If you look around Major League Baseball, their fingerprints are all over it, whether it's in the Minor Leagues, in the Major Leagues, front office, and a lot of those people have come from Tampa Bay to start, so I'm really excited to see what they got going on over there and how they operate, because it's going to help me grow. And hopefully it gets it gives me an opportunity to get back to the big leagues, which is still my my dream and still my goal: To be able to coach at the Major League level and win a World Series."

DeRenne originally joined the Royals in 2020 as the Minor League hitting coordinator. Ahead of the 2022 season, he was named an assistant hitting coach for the big league club, the first time he was in a Major League dugout as a coach or a player. During his time in Kansas City, he worked with some of the biggest stars in the sport, most notably Bobby Witt Jr.

"My time with Kansas City was nothing but unbelievable memories, relationships that I've been able to create and still have to this day, and they're lifelong friends and relationships that I'll carry to the day I'm done, or to the day I die. I'm very thankful that they gave me the opportunity to coach at the Major League level, to achieve my dreams as a little kid," DeRenne said. "I have nothing but respect for everybody that's there. I wish the players great, great luck, great health moving forward. And that's the one thing that I'm going to miss the most, is just the relationships that I've had with all the people there. 

"It's still kind of new to me, as far as the wound hasn't healed or closed up. But I know that once I close that chapter and move on, I'm going to be right back to where I need to be. Baseball is baseball. But I'm so, so thankful for that chance that they gave me six years ago to be a part of the organization."

DeRenne is one of the longest tenured members of a growing fraternity of coaches in MLB organizations with Hawai‘i ties. Baldwin alumnus 

Kurt Suzuki was named the manager for the Los Angeles Angels

 in October, while Waiakea alumnus Kai Correa was named the bench coach for the New York Mets, also in October. Meanwhile, Leilehua and Hawai‘i-Hilo alum Brendan Sagara is a pitching strategist for the Texas Rangers. ‘Iolani alumnus Mike Fetters was recently the bullpen coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks, which reached the World Series in 2023. 

Other coaches from Hawai‘i in the pro ranks include Kamehameha alumnus Kanekoa Teixeira, the manager of the Gwinnett Stripers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Braves, as well as Punahou alumnus Bryson Nakamura, the hitting strategist for the Miami Marlins. Additionally, ‘Iolani alum Jordan Hara was recently named the hitting coach for the Florida Complex League Cardinals, the rookie-level affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. 

"Very grateful and proud to be a part of that, but I only got there because I had a lot of help. God blessed me with the right people in my life. I'm just very grateful to be able to pass on and share knowledge," DeRenne said. "That's part of my job at the end of the day, no matter what, to get our players better, wherever I'm at, get the organization better, and then being able to come back home during the offseason and share some of that with some of the local boys who seek me out for any help that I can give them. And it's an honor for me to be able to do that."

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Keoni DeRenne 010726

<title>Keoni DeRenne keeps his heart in Hawai‘i during various pro baseball stops</title>

DeRenne, the new hitting coach for the Durham Bulls, was recently at Les Murakami Stadium assisting at a UH keiki camp.

Keoni DeRenne keeps his heart in Hawai‘i during various pro baseball stops

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Government & Politics

[{"type":"text","text":"A facility to develop hydrogen fuel could be coming to Kapolei."}]

The Hawai‘i Board of Land and Natural Resources will consider an application by the Delaware-based Eurus Energy America LLC to build a facility in within Kapolei’s Campbell Industrial Park that would extract hydrogen from water.

The facility, according to a Department of Land and Natural Resources 

, would be constructed on a 100-acre government-owned parcel in Kapolei, directly adjacent to another parcel where the Honolulu Board of Water Supply has 

Currently, the lot is owned by the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and is unused, having previously been used as a feedlot. In 2022, DAB discovered tenants had been misusing the property by storing abandoned vehicles and equipment on the site, leading to their eviction. Now, DLNR seeks to take over most of the parcel from DAB for renewable energy development.

About 90 of the 100 acres would house a photovoltaic panel array capable of generating about 20 megawatts of electricity. That energy would then power electrolyzers and other equipment that would strip hydrogen from recycled water via an existing Board of Water Supply pipeline.

The oxygen left behind by the electrolysis process would simply be released into the atmosphere, while the hydrogen would be compressed and loaded onto trucks for transport offsite.

Alternatively, the document also mentions the possibility of transporting hydrogen offsite via a pipeline. However, if that option was pursued, the pipeline would be built and operated by a third party.

The project document estimates that the facility could produce between 500,000 and 800,000 kilograms of hydrogen per year, enough to fuel a semi-truck for up to 7 million miles, according to Department of Energy estimates.

While the document states that the facility could begin operations by late 2027, the project is still in early stages. The facility’s design remains under development, and the BLNR has not yet approved Eurus’ use of the land.

The BLNR will discuss the project at its meeting on Friday, Jan. 9, and may authorize a pair of future public meetings where Eurus representatives will present more information about the project at an undetermined date.

[{"type":"text","text":"Aloha State Daily reached out to Eurus for comment."}]

H 2a 2 16x9

<title>BLNR to discuss proposed Kapolei hydrogen plant</title>

Delaware-based energy company Eurus Energy America proposes to generate nearly 1 million kg of hydrogen fuel per year.

BLNR to discuss proposed Kapolei hydrogen plant

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

 in late December that its Kakaʻako store on Cooke Street was closed and the business was moving.

Its new location isn’t far — the business is reopening tomorrow, Jan. 8, on Ala Moana Boulevard in the former space of Valyou Hawaiʻi.

Starting tomorrow, the store will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. This is the business’s largest location, according to manager Cecilia Yang. Its other stores are located in Pearl Kai Shopping Center and in Waipahu.

You can find all your favorite snacks, ranging from Kit-Kats to chips and drinks. Newer snacks can be found near the store entrance.

Since the shelves are organized by category — chips, candies, noodles and more — it’s easier to shop. The business recently brought in more drinks, especially teas, according to Yang.

Like its other locations, the store isn’t limited to snacks. Customers can find sauces and a variety of cooking products, as well as home goods.

Customer parking is currently available on the side of the store, and additional parking will eventually be available in the lot behind the store.

Stay tuned for the store’s grand opening celebration. 1-2 Buy Hawaiʻi will also be doing special promotions for the upcoming Lunar New Year.

1 2 Buy Hawaii store interior 010726

<title>Asian snack shop 1-2 Buy Hawaiʻi finds new spot in Honolulu</title>

The business’s Cooke Street store has relocated to Ala Moana Boulevard, in the former space of Valyou Hawaiʻi. It opens to the public on Jan. 8.

Asian snack shop 1-2 Buy Hawaiʻi finds new spot in Honolulu

 introduced its three-course tasting menu concept in 2024, but it became more consistent last year. Each tasting menu is featured for about a month.

The eatery just launched its January prix fixe menu ($48 per person), which is available from 5 to 7 p.m. until Jan. 31.

It includes the diner’s choice of an appetizer, main course and dessert from a pre-set selection.

“We’ve been having some of the staff come up with the menu items,” says chef Wade Ueoka.

The appetizer selection includes curry kabocha soup with fried basil, roasted vegetable salad and shrimp croquettes.

The salad comprises broccoli, onions, zucchini and carrots, and is topped with bacon, toasted macadamia nuts, dried cranberries and creamy apple cider vinaigrette. It’s a tasty way to eat your veggies (if you’re still trying to keep those New Year’s resolutions). The curry soup is thick and comforting; the kabocha flavor is mild and the soup has a slight spice.

The croquettes are filled with shrimp, carrots, onions, corn and edamame, and are served with a delectable yuzu garlic butter cream sauce.

Choose from entrees like tempura butterfish, Coq au Vin or “Korean mixed plate.” The tempura butterfish is a unique option, featuring a delicate, crispy batter and topped with a kabayaki sauce. It’s served with furikake edamame potato salad, white rice, and cucumber namasu.

Meanwhile, the “Korean mixed plate” includes spicy pork belly, fish jun, fried chicken, taegu salad, housemade kimchi and white rice. Coq au Vin is the eatery’s take on a classic French dish; this version features red wine-braised Jidori chicken with roasted potatoes and stewed vegetables.

Feeling fancy? You can upgrade your entrée to steak frites (supplemental $15), which come with polenta fries and sautéed spinach and mushrooms.

The steak frites and "Korean mixed plate" have been the most popular entrees, according to Ueoka.

“This is steak frites, but instead of regular potato fries, we did polenta fries,” he says.

Dessert choices include “Dubai chocolate” cream puff, pie selection of the day, tiramisu and lemon drop shave ice.

The “Dubai chocolate” cream puff is a nod to the trendy pistachio-filled chocolate bar. This version features a chocolate puff filled with pistachio pastry cream and topped with kataifi. The pie selection of the day will rotate; during our preview, a Waialua chocolate cream pie was served.

The classic tiramisu features light layers of Ladyfingers, mascarpone, coffee mascarpone and whipped cream.

If you enjoy tart, refreshing flavors, go for the lemon drop shave ice. Inspired by the cocktail, this dessert features a petite scoop of Thai basil yuzu sorbet covered with lemon vodka shave ice and lemon zest.

Tasting menu available from 5 to 7 p.m. until Jan. 31

Artizen by MW chef Wade Ueoka 010625

<title>Artizen by MW launches limited-time January prix fixe menu</title>

The special three-course menu costs $48 per person and is available for dine-in or takeout until Jan. 31.

Artizen by MW launches limited-time January prix fixe menu

Daniel Farr 02

Daniel Farr

Hawaiʻi is poised to receive nearly $189 million in federal funding to expand health care access in rural and Neighbor Island communities, a major investment state officials say could transform how care is delivered beyond Oʻahu.

Gov. Josh Green announced Tuesday that Hawai'i has been awarded $188.9 million through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Rural Health Transformation Program, part of a $50 billion national initiative funded under President Donald Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts to strengthen rural health care systems nationwide.

Hawaiʻi’s award ranks among the highest in the country on a per-capita basis when measured by rural population, the governor’s office told Aloha State Daily.

The funding will support a five-year Hawaiʻi Rural Health Transformation Plan focused on improving health care delivery in communities where access is limited by geography, workforce shortages and aging infrastructure. The initial award covers federal fiscal year 2026, with additional annual funding expected through 2030, contingent on state performance.

Although Hawaiʻi is often viewed as urbanized, more than 95% of the state’s land area is considered rural. Health care services remain heavily concentrated on Oʻahu, requiring many Neighbor Island residents to travel long distances for specialty care, behavioral health services and emergency treatment.

Federal rules cap administrative costs at 10% of the award, with the remaining funds directed toward program implementation, the governor’s office told ASD.

CMS will distribute the funding to the governor’s executive office, which will allocate it among initiative leaders under a cooperative agreement that includes federal oversight. The state does not have sole discretion over how the funds are divided, and the final allocation is still being negotiated with CMS, a government representative told ASD.

Oversight will include quarterly and annual reporting on spending and outcomes, with both state and federal teams monitoring progress. CMS’ newly created Office of Rural Health Transformation will also be involved, the spokesperson said.

The rural health plan was developed through a statewide planning effort launched in July 2025 that included meetings with healthcare leaders, providers and residents across the islands, along with public feedback collected through the state’s Engage Hawaiʻi website. Performance metrics will be geographically specific to ensure resources reach the most underserved rural areas.

The plan focuses on six initiatives, including creation of a statewide health information network linking rural providers through shared digital systems, expansion of telehealth services, investments in emergency medical services, mobile health care and behavioral health capacity, and workforce programs aimed at recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals in rural communities.

Additional investments include upgrades to health technology, efforts to reduce cybersecurity risks facing rural providers and expanded medical respite services for unhoused and post-acute patients.

State officials said some improvements, such as emergency medical service upgrades and rural workforce incentives, could begin soon after funds are released. Larger system changes, including telehealth expansion and care team development, are expected to take longer, with long-term initiatives projected to have the greatest impact, according to the governor's office.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health declined to comment.

“The DOH will defer comment on this subject to the governor’s office at this time,” Kristen Wong, information specialist for the department, told ASD.

Hawaiʻi residents can provide input, share feedback and get information on major state issues

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Hush Naidoo Jade Photography (healthcare)

<title>Hawaiʻi awarded nearly $189 million to improve rural health care</title>

Gov. Josh Green recently announced that the state received $188.9 million through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Rural Health Transformation Program.

Hawaiʻi awarded nearly $189 million to improve rural health care

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

A $10.2 million project to improve an employee parking lot at Kaua‘i’s 

The state Department of Transportation said in an announcement Tuesday that the work will help relieve some congestion in the airport’s public parking lot.

According to the DOT, the project involves upgrading an existing gravel lot —  located northeast of the main terminal and used for overflow employee parking — with asphalt concrete paving, marked parking stalls, lighting, access control, security cameras, drainage and other improvements.

When the work is finished, the 2.3-acre paved lot will accommodate up to 347 employee vehicles — an increase of about 117 stalls, the announcement noted.

Parking at the airport is limited for both the public and airport employees.

DOT says that the public lot has 578 stalls while the main employee parking lot has 333, “but availability varies during peak travel periods when a portion of the employee stalls are made available to the public, forcing employees to park in the overflow gravel lot.”

The additional capacity in the overflow employee lot will offer more flexibility to use the stalls in the main employee lot for the public should the need arise during peak travel times, the announcement states.

Alpha Inc. is the project contractor and the work is expected to be finished by the fall. A DOT spokesperson told Aloha State Daily by email that the $10.2 million for the project comes from airport revenue bonds.

Additionally, the DOT says another project is in the works to expand the airport’s public parking capacity by converting two small, landscaped, semi-circle-shaped parcels at each end of the existing lot. That project, which the department says is still in the design phase and aiming to be finished in the first half of 2029, could add an estimated 128 public parking stalls, according to preliminary assessments, the announcement noted.

options for expanding public and employee parking also are being considered as part of a long-term Līhu‘e Airport Optimization Plan, which the department says is "still under development and would need community and stakeholder input."

In September, it was announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation had awarded nearly $51.32 million in federal grant funding for runway improvements at Līhu‘e Airport. An announcement at that time from U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said the funds would be used to help complete the airport's ongoing runway relocation project and aims improve takeoff and taxiway operations.

 that aim to help air travelers navigate terminals; check flight information; and find restaurants, shops, and other amenities and services. 

You can currently get the HNL Airport app for the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu and the LIH Airport app for the Līhu‘e Airport free from Google Play and Apple Store, but the DOT said in December that the OGG Airport App for Kahului Airport, the KOA Airport app for the Ellison Onizuka International Airport at Keāhole are expected to launch this month while an app for Hilo International Airport is in development and expected to be ready by late March, the DOT noted last month).

Daily Smile: Wednesday, January, 7, 2026

ASD Staff

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Daily Smile: Wednesday, January, 7, 2026

Authors

ASD Staff

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