ASD icon blue inverse lighter

ASD Staff

Daily Smile

[{"type":"text","text":"\"When my husband asks me what we did today...\""}]

Smile 26 1 10

<title>Daily Smile: Saturday, January 10, 2026</title>

"When my husband asks me what we did today..."

Daily Smile: Saturday, January 10, 2026

 &quot;When my husband asks me what we did today...&quot;

Yamachika Tom IMG 1913 Large

Tom Yamachika

Viewpoints

Government & Politics

The legislative bill that we have received the most questions about is 

, the bill that modifies individual tax rates. But the part that has drawn the most questions hasn’t been the tax rates, whether they be pauses, stops, hikes, or whatever else. Rather, everyone is asking about what is going to happen to the renewable energy technologies credit, which we sometimes call the solar credit although it applies to wind and other technologies.

In this week’s column, we will try to explain what changes are being made to the credit and when. The column is based on the bill as it now exists. We understand that the solar industry is extremely unhappy with the bill and is trying to have the Governor veto it (which we think is a tall order because the bill contains tons of material other than changes to the solar credit, and a veto would apply to the whole bill).

The first thing to understand is when the credit is earned. The solar credit isn’t earned when the contract is signed, when the money is paid, or when construction starts.  It’s when the equipment is “installed and placed in service.” The 

Department of Taxation’s Administrative Rules

 section 18-235-12.5-01 defines that event as when all costs have been incurred, the installation is completed, and requests for inspection have been sent to the appropriate government agencies. If the system fails an inspection and corrective work is required, however, the system is not considered installed and placed in service until the system passes the inspection.  In other words, the credit is earned when the system owner can turn it on and operate it legally.

Now, let’s go to the three significant changes to the solar credit in SB3125.

First, there is a new income cap.  If the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income is at least $175,000 for a single taxpayer or $350,000 for a married couple, then the credit is disallowed in full.  It’s unclear what happens if a corporation owns the system because 

 defines adjusted gross income only for individuals, meaning that corporations don’t have adjusted gross income. That change goes into effect for taxable years beginning after Dec. 31.

Second, there is an aggregate cap of $40 million statewide for each year from 2027 to 2030, and the credit is dead for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2029. This relates to the third change, which is that there is a new certification procedure required, effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025. Taxpayers who have completed an alternative energy installation need to file some forms with the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office before March 1 of the following year. The HSEO will then notify each qualifying taxpayer of the amount of credit awarded, which may be somewhat less than what the taxpayer applied for if total statewide claims exceed the $40 million statewide cap.

This means that calendar year taxpayers who have 2026 installations will need to apply for HSEO certification. Presumably, if the installation was finished and all inspections were passed in 2026, there would not be much for HSEO to review because neither the income limit nor the statewide cap kicks in until 2027. For 2026 systems that get done toward the end of the year, there may be particular scrutiny of the inspections to see if the systems indeed passed in 2026 as opposed to 2027, when the statewide cap and the income limits become effective.

Taxpayers making plans to install alternative energy in the 2029-30 time frame also need to watch out. Although there is a $40 million aggregate limit in 2030, calendar year taxpayers finishing installations in 2030 won’t be able to get any credits at all because of the sunset date. The $40 million limit in 2030 can only be used by fiscal year taxpayers whose year starts in 2029 and ends in 2030.

Yes, this is complicated. Look for more guidance to come out of the state if the bill is enacted.

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Evgeniy alyoshin 2 AS Qyjafflo unsplash

<title>Community Voices: Changes to the solar credit</title>

SB3125 proposes a few significant changes to the credit, making the solar industry unhappy. If the bill is enacted, here's what timelines taxpayers should know.

Community Voices: Changes to the solar credit

Kam Napier Headshot

A. Kam Napier

Hawai‘i History

Memorial Day started out as Decoration Day, according to the 

 of the U.S . Department of Veterans Affairs, beginning with spontaneous efforts to decorate the graves of Civil War soldiers during the later years of that conflict. “The first national Decoration Day celebration took place a few weeks after the [Grand Army of the Republic] promulgated its G.O. 11, on May 30, 1868, at Arlington National Cemetery, VA,” the agency explains.  

The holiday was set to take place in May, in the spring, because flowers would be at their freshest and most plentful.

It has since evolved into Memorial Day, commemorating all those lost in all of America’s wars. We know that, in the abstract. But what if you wanted to be more specific, and remember the service men and women from Hawai‘i who laid down their lives for our nation? What if you wanted to know their names?

[{"type":"text","text":"Here are online resources where you can find those very names."}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Civil War"}]

Since this holiday originated in the Civil War, we should point out that more than 100 citizens from the Kingdom of Hawai‘i served in that war. A 2020 

 goes into the details, including the fact that details are actually hard to come by.

King Kamehameha IV had declared the Kingdom neutral but men were drawn to fight for the Union, 

 and missionary descendants who identified with New England and the cause of ending slavery. No one seems to know exactly how many of them died in the war, but it is known for a fact that they included 

, who died at the age of 17 in a Confederate prisoner of war camp.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"World War I"}]

 people from the Territory of Hawai‘i who perished in that war. All their names are transcribed 

, including men who served in U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and who died serving Great Britain.

A full, searchable database of everyone who served for the United States in WWI can be found at this 

A great deal of research and history was compiled not long ago, for the 2018 centennial commemoration of the end of WWI. The Hawai‘i page of that national remembrance lives 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"World War II"}]

In 1949, the University of Hawai‘i Press published “In Freedom's Cause: A Record of the Men of Hawai‘i Who Died in the Second World War,” by Thomas D. Murphy. It names all 

 “of Hawai‘i’s sons [who] gave their lives while serving in the armed forces of the United States during the Second World War.”

Notably, this exhaustive book contains a photo and brief biography of each man and can be found online in its entirety 

You might be thinking, “Wait a minute, I thought many more people than that died on Dec. 7, 1941, at Pearl Harbor."

You’d be correct. The UH Press book is specifically concerned with people from Hawai‘i who died throughout World War II. The 

 military and civilians who were killed here on Dec. 7 included people from across America. Complete casualties lists for that terrible day in Hawai‘i is online at 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Korean War"}]

U.S. Military Fatal Casualties of the Korean War for Home-State-of-Record: Hawai‘i

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Vietnam War"}]

Here’s the corresponding page at the National Archives for 

U.S. Military Fatal Casualties of the Vietnam War for Home-State-of-Record: Hawai‘i

We also found other lists for the Vietnam War with slightly different totals. This 2011 

 names for Vietnam, sorted by neighborhood.

 list published in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, covered those killed or missing in action for both the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Up to the Present"}]

For those lost in 21st-century conflicts, since 2001, you can search a database of 2,347 names by name, date, conflict, home state and home town at the 

 who hailed from Hawai‘i. The most recent of these was Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kirk Fuchigami Jr., who was 25 when he died on Nov. 20, 1019, “in a helicopter crash while providing security for troops on the ground in Afghanistan's Logar province.”

 for a guide to Memorial Days events happening today.

I Stock 855553730

<title>Remembering the Fallen</title>

More than 1,600 men and women from Hawai‘i have died serving their country in wartime. For Memorial Day, we pulled together this guide to online resources where you can find nearly every single name.

Remembering the Fallen

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Crime & Courts

The outgoing director of the Department of Law Enforcement has no intention to serve as deputy police chief for the time being.

Mike Lambert was one of three finalists under consideration for the role of chief of the Honolulu Police Department. But despite endorsements by Gov. Josh Green and the vast majority of the State of Hawai‘i Organization of Police Officers, the Honolulu Police Commission 

 to appoint David Lazar, formerly of the San Francisco Police Department, to the role.

The seven-person commission cast five votes for Lazar, and two for Lambert.

While Lambert told media Friday that he has made his peace with the commission’s decision, and still intends to rejoin HPD this year after leaving DLE, he said he doesn’t plan to serve as Lazar’s deputy for the foreseeable future, if Lazar were to offer the role.

“I think the deputy chief has to be in absolute alignment and be willing to defend the character … as well as the vision of the chief, and I’m just getting to know him,” Lambert said.

Lambert said he might reconsider taking the deputy role in a few years “if [he believes] in his vision and what he’s doing, but it’s not a position you should take unless you can look him in the eye and say that.”

One of the largest differences of opinion between Lambert and Lazar was their opinion on Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Lazar took a hardline stance against HPD ever collaborating with ICE, mirroring a non-cooperation policy held at SFPD, while Lambert said a police chief “can’t say never.”

Whether that difference of opinion played a major role in the commission’s decision, Lambert couldn’t speculate — he said “there were questions about [his] professional development and lack thereof.” However, he said Lazar will have a “steep climb” in winning the support of HPD and the community.

 in front of the Honolulu Police Department against Lazar’s hiring.

“We should be hiring from within and working with … the talent we have here,” Fevella said. “We hire people that’s retired to come here and get a job, and he’s going to be vested for a whole five years. And then he says he’s going to ‘help us.’ Help us, train people so we can hire no more outsiders.”

Fevella called the commission’s decision a “slap in the face … and a kick between the legs” of the Hawai‘i community.

Lambert said he believes many in the community are frustrated that their voices are not being heard. While he said he hopes HPD officers will give Lazar a chance, he added that many officers are concerned about policies at SFPD — such as the ICE policy or the elimination of cash bail — being echoed here.

“I do think he’s coming from a good place,” Lambert said, explaining that Lazar called him the day after the commission’s decision. “I think that he’s sincere and it’s just a matter of being able to deliver the things that the community wants.”

For the time being, Lambert will return to work as an HPD officer — starting over at the bottom of the ladder as a beat cop, he said.

While Lambert said he hopes to be allowed to test for a lieutenant rank when he rejoins, he added that he’s won HPD’s sergeant of the year, lieutenant of the year and manager of the year, but never HPD’s officer of the year.

[{"type":"text","text":"“So I’ll see if I can win that next year,” Lambert joked."}]

However, Lambert said he doesn’t think he’ll run for chief a third time, having been passed over four years ago and again this year.

“I put my family through this twice,” Lambert said. “Part of me feels very selfish for doing that.”

And, Lambert hinted that he has other job offers waiting in the wings. Once he finishes the five more years he needs to secure his retirement benefits, he said he “definitely [wants] to spread [his] wings and help the community in other ways.”

Lambert repeatedly thanked his family, Green and everyone who supported him through the selection process.

So far, Lambert’s last day at DLE and first day back at HPD have not been determined. He has recommended that Jared Redulla, Deputy Director at DLE, take his place upon his departure.

Lambert

<title>Lambert says no to deputy chief role for the time being</title>

Mike Lambert, who will return to HPD later this year, won't be incoming Chief David Lazar's deputy for the foreseeable future, nor will he run again for the top spot, he said Friday.

Lambert says no to deputy chief role for the time being

IMG 1445

Rick Hamada

Columnists

Scandals within government feed the narrative that government overall is corrupt.

Such conclusions are subjective, however plenty of claims, statements and a record of past transgressions (including legal actions against those within government here) connect the dots between the perception of corruption and its reality.

Recently, Vice President JD Vance labeled Hawai‘i as a failure in Medicaid fraud prosecutions. Those accusations were rejected by the State Attorney General but, as with most allegations, it's the finger pointing that's remembered, and the responses are often lost in the cycle. The guilt by association leads to the perceived affirmation that Hawai‘i is corrupt.

Speaking of the State Attorney General, she and her office are on the other side of the coin. The declared investigation into bribery and fraud allegations that a high ranking, elected official in the Big Square Building allegedly took a paper bag filled with $35,000 in cash is still unresolved. Despite the cloudiness of the allegations the perception is, in fact, that not only did it occur, but all that remains is identifying which lawmaker took it.

Whether or not we accept these assessments by outsiders or listen to locals who lament the scarring of Hawai‘i's reputation, there is unfortunately a roster of documented cases that bolster the argument of corruption here at home.

27 individuals participated in an illegal scheme to boost Honolulu voter registrations for candidate Ross Segawa. Segawa was convicted on 10 counts of election fraud, criminal solicitation, and evidence of tampering. Segawa served a year in prison and was expelled from law school. State Sen. Clifford Uwaine was convicted of conspiring to illegally register voters and served three months in jail; and Debra Kawaoka, an aide to Uwaine who also played a part in the false registration, served numerous weekends in prison. Brian Minaai and the other students each pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor.

 reported on Andy Mirikitani's sentencing, "

He will spend more than four years behind bars. He used a kickback scheme to steal thousands of dollars from the city. Now, Mirikitani will pay for his crimes. Mirikitani's sentence, four years three months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He must also pay back the money he stole." 

2002, Hawai‘i News Now again, reported on the sentencing of former state Sen. Marshall Ige. "A state judge sentenced Marshall Ige to six months in jail after being convicted in two separate cases. The first involved a couple from Beverly Hills approaching Ige in 1998, asking he clear their daughter's criminal record of two drug convictions. Ige said he could do it for $30,000 dollars. When he never came through, they contacted the Attorney General's office. The second case involved this farmer who leased 5 acres of land from the former Senator. In 1999, Ige threatened to evict Hanh Lam if he did not pay $7,000 dollars, in advanced rent."

 in 2003, reporting on the sentencing of Gary Rodrigues. "[O]nce one of the most powerful union leaders in Hawai'i, [he] will be able to remain free for as long as an estimated two years as he appeals his federal prison sentence of five years and four months for felony convictions of mail fraud, embezzling union money and related charges. A federal jury convicted Rodrigues in November last year on 101 felony counts, accusing him of taking kickbacks and steering phony union consulting contracts to his daughter."

These cases proved to be the highlights of the lowlights when it came to scandals well over 20-plus years ago. But the revelations of power grabbing, manipulation, and so much more within a beloved Hawaiian institution defined the most public and devastating story of corruption in our history — the Bishop Estate scandal that played out from 1997 to 1999.

This one got national attention, as this lengthy 1999 

 attests. Trustees then — "Gerard Jervis, 50; Henry Peters, 58; Richard “Dickie” Wong, 65; Oswald Stender, 67; and Lokelani Lindsey, 60" — famously made $840,000 a year in commissions. That's $1.7 million in 2026 dollars. 

"The estate became the center of public melodrama in 1997, when the school community learned of a private confrontation between Lindsey, the lead trustee for education, and student body President Kamani Kuala’au, who was bound for Princeton University," wrote the LA Times. Lindsey reportedly threatened the student by calling Princeton to jeopardize his academic career. Once word got out protesters marched on the Bishop Estate offices demanding that Lindsey to "stop meddling". 

This led to the "Broken Trust" essay appearing in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin alleging mismanagement of trust assets, conflicts of interests by individual trustees and poor selection of trustees, who are named by members of the Hawai‘i Supreme Court. Other developments ensued including internal lawsuits calling for the removal of Lindsey, the state attorney general accusing the trustees of using trust assets to create an economic empire, engaging in kickback schemes, awarding improper contracts, making sweetheart deals for relatives and friends and using improper business practices.

Perhaps the most sordid, yet tragic, story involved a Bishop Estate trustee and an Estate team member caught engaging in sexual infidelity in a hotel restroom. The public revelations led to the suicide of the woman involved and the attempted suicide of the trustee. I'm purposefully redacting names because I want to. Even after so many years later, enough is enough.

The dissolution of the Bishop Estate, the criminal to immoral conduct of the trustees (Oz Stender was never implicated) and the incredible shock and awe of the betrayal of the Princess's legacy remains the most troubling scandal to this day.

[{"type":"text","text":"Is corruption in Hawai‘i a reality or a perception?"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Depends on where you look."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"But let's turn the light on."}]

In recent years, State Sen. Kalani English, State Representative Ty Cullen, HPD Chief Louis and Prosecuting Attorney Katherine Kealoha were each public servants found guilty of crimes and served time proving that scandal and corruption exists today.

[{"type":"text","text":"And these are the only the cases we can confirm."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"I will say this."}]

Hawai‘i has its scandalous moments because humanity is imperfect. As long as you have humans operating with a public expectation of perfection, some (not all) will succumb to failures. However, it is unfair to cast aspersion upon every governmental agency, elected official or public servant because that's a patently false premise. Most serve honorably. It's how you identify, investigate and prioritize the consequential actions against violators that makes a lasting and influential impact.

And the State of Hawai‘i has this opportunity to define our reputation regarding corruption starting with the swift and transparent answering of this question.

[{"type":"text","text":"Who the hell took $35,000 in a paper bag?"}]

Solve this and perhaps our state will be on the road to reputational repair.

[{"type":"hardBreak","marks":[{"type":"bold"},{"type":"italic"}],"text":""}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"italic"}],"text":" "}]

corruption I Stock 1093288618

<title>Hamada: How corrupt is Hawai‘i?</title>

Most public servants get through the day doing absolutely nothing wrong. But as ASD opinion columnist Rick Hamada observes, there have been more than enough high-profile cases of corruption to justify the perception that Hawai‘i can be pretty rotten.

Hamada: How corrupt is Hawai‘i?

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

Aloha Spirit

Ready to make plans for the long weekend? Some of the events coming to Oʻahu soon include 

 ceremonies, a benefit gala for Hawaiʻi Foodbank, and a car show in Hawaiʻi Kai.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Friday, May 22"}]

Want to help create the 38,000 lei placed on the graves of the service members laid to rest at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific? Join one of these 

bring lei you made at home to one of the donation sites

. Hawaiʻi Foodbank is hosting its inaugural Nourish Gala where guests can enjoy a cocktail reception, multi-course dinner with curated tasting stations and live music from 

, and the Hoʻoheno Duo at ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach. The event supports the Hawaiʻi Foodbank. Individual tickets are available for $375. Tickets must be purchased by Thursday, May 21. 

Catch this special exhibit about Robert Cazimero. 

A special exhibit honoring the legendary musician, composer and Kumu Hula Robert Uluwehionāpuaikawēkiuokalani Cazimero has been extended through Saturday, May 30, at Gallery ‘Iolani, which is located on Windward Community College’s campus in Kāneʻohe. Learn more about the 

kumu hula of Hālau Na Kamalei o Lililehua

, which was the kāne overall winner for the Merrie Monarch Festival of 1976, the first year that men were allowed to compete, as previously reported by Honolulu Star-Advertiser. He was also part of The Brothers Cazimero, a 

more than two dozen Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards

, which performed decades of May Day is Lei Day concerts at Tom Moffatt Waikīkī Shell. The gallery is open from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. daily, except Sunday and Memorial Day. Free. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Saturday, May 23"}]

Head to the Waikīkī Community Center and join in this hands-on event where attendees can make and toss 

. Made of clay, rice bran, molasses and microorganisms, Genki Balls are said to digest sludge and leave water cleaner, although there is 

. Up to 28 participants can attend this event which runs from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. Tickets cost $10 plus fees. 

Head to the Waikīkī Aquarium and support University of Hawaiʻi alumni owned businesses in a special market, starting at 9 a.m. Admission is $5 and includes access to the Waikīkī Aquarium. Want to start the day earlier? Arrive at 8 a.m. for a pilates sculpt workout led by Annie Chang, a current UH student, for $30, which include access to the aquarium, the class and a towel. 

Wear white and head to this yacht party, hosted by Atlantis Cruise. Drinks are available for purchase. Boarding starts at 9 p.m. The yacht returns at 1 a.m. Individual tickets start at $125. A pair of tickets can be purchased for $170, plus fees. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Sunday, May 24"}]

Ready to add some dinosaurs to your life? “T. rex” chronicles the story of three boys discovering a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex fossil in North Dakota in 2022. It will be playing at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Bishop Museum’s J. Watumull Planetarium. Admission is $5 per person and includes access to the planetarium’s lobby exhibit, “Wayfinders: He Waʻa He Moku, He Moku He Waʻa,” plus a seat in the theater. Tickets to the rest of the museum are an additional cost. 

The Honolulu Museum of Art will offer a guided tour of its Renaissance Collection. These tours start at 2 p.m. on Sundays. Gather in the front of the Central Courtyard for tours which are between 45 and 60 minutes. These tours are included in museum admission, which is $15 for kamaʻāina and free for youth who are 18 years old or younger. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Monday, May 25"}]

The event starts at 8:30 a.m. and there will be an oli, a speech from Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, a presentation of wreaths, a firearm salute, a military aircraft flyover, and performances from the Royal Hawaiian Band and Sounds of Aloha Chorus, as well as 

. The ceremony also features taps. Parking is limited. Additional parking is available at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School and Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School starting at 7 a.m., and a courtesy shuttle will take attendees to the cemetery. Free. 

Join Gov. Josh Green, Maj. General Stephen Logan, and Lt. Col. John Alamodin for the Governor’s Memorial Day Ceremony at 1 p.m. at the Hawaiʻi State Veteran’s Cemetery in Kāneʻohe. There will be a musical prelude by the 

Spend Memorial Day at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, where you can visit the 

 (reservations recommended, although some standby admission is available) or the 

 submarine. Visitors can also book a tour to Ford Island, where they can visit the 

, where authentic WWII hangers hold a variety of aircraft and visitors can step into flight simulators. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial’s visitor center is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Cruise over to the Hawaiʻi Kai Towne Center and check out this showcase of classic cars in the parking lot in front of Costco. The event starts at 2 p.m. Free. 

. This Memorial Day ceremony brings thousands to the water’s edge to release floating lanterns and remember loved ones and fallen service members at Ala Moana Beach. The ceremony starts at 6:30 p.m. 

 are available on a first-come, first-served basis with pick up between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., or as long as supplies last. Messages can also be added to 

Learn why these volunteers keep coming back, 

Planning to be outside this weekend? Send us your pictures of rainbows, sunsets and more for a chance to be featured in our Hawaiʻi Skies series. Include your name and where the picture was taken plus why the moment was special. 

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawai‘i

<title>What to do on Oʻahu for Memorial Day weekend</title>

From sewing lei for service members to the Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi, there are lots of events happening on Oʻahu this weekend. Aloha State Daily rounded up some of the ceremonies and activities, so you can make plans.

What to do on Oʻahu for Memorial Day weekend

Higa headshot white shirt square

Sterling Higa

Last week, State Sen. Brenton Awa rose on the Senate floor. He clarified that the Senate doesn’t “condone violence.” Then he held up a letter of recognition for “Mister Ambassador of Aloha.” The commendation was intended for a shirtless man recorded beating a tourist on Maui. The tourist had been filmed earlier throwing a rock at a monk seal.

The clip of Awa’s remarks has been viewed 29.3 million times on his 

. In the chamber where laws are made, a sitting senator stood to commend a man for a beating.

The tourist was wrong. That part isn’t in dispute. Throwing a rock at a protected animal earns charges, and ought to. The question is why a senator commended the man who beat him.

Awa represents State Senate District 23, which includes Kāneʻohe and the rural areas of the North Shore, including Kahaluʻu through Lāʻie, Kahuku to Mokulēʻia. It is one of the most conservative and religious districts in the state, with a significant presence of Christians and Mormons. Though they differ on major theological issues, they share most moral commitments. Many of them read Scripture and try to live by it.

Paul tells the Roman church plainly: never avenge yourselves, for vengeance belongs to the Lord, and He will repay. He says this in Romans chapter 12. In the next chapter he describes the magistrate as the servant of God who carries the sword on God’s behalf. The magistrate is the appointed avenger of wrath against the wrongdoer. Awa sits in the office Paul describes. To commend a man for taking justice into his own hands is to undercut the office God established to do that work.

A reader may reply that the justice system fails locals, that private justice is what’s left when the courts won’t act. There are two answers. The first is that the system was working. The whole state was outraged. The tourist was being identified and pursued. The vigilante did not help. He committed a crime of his own, and gave the tourist a grievance to point to.

The second answer is older. Vigilante justice doesn’t end disorder. It feeds it. Shakespeare worked this out in Verona, and the Capulets and Montagues are not a model anyone wants for Hawaiʻi. Due process is the rope that pulls communities out of that pit.

The seal speech was not a stray moment. Awa brought a polygraph to the floor during the $35,000 paper bag scandal. He has made props a feature of his floor speeches. He posted a video walking viewers to Rep. Linda Ichiyama’s office after she killed his bill prohibiting foreign ownership of land, and she received death threats. His congressional campaign website celebrates his record of voting no more than any other legislator. The posture is consistent: media first, lawmaking second.

A rock thrown at a seal and the beating of a tourist got Awa to stand and speak. The everyday violence in Hawaiʻi — robberies, killings, home invasions — has not moved him the same way. Neither has abortion, though his Christian and Mormon constituents care about it as deeply as any voters in the state. Awa casts his no votes and counts them on his campaign website. But a ceremonial no vote does not save a life.

He has a platform few legislators command. He could use it to speak about the issues his district cares about. He has chosen to use it to glorify lawless violence.

Moral leadership in a minority caucus is possible. It starts with respect for the office, since God has established it. The slow work of building coalitions and passing bills must follow, since social media clips don’t affect statutes. Underneath all of this lies the harder discipline of applying Christian conviction even-handedly. It must name the sins of allies as readily as opponents, the populist right as readily as the progressive left. A lawmaker who held those things together would be doing something that all of Hawaiʻi has been waiting for.

On opening day this session, Awa quoted James: “Be quick to listen and slow to speak.” He should have taken his own advice. Later in that 

, he told his colleagues, “We can accomplish impossible feats just by showing aloha. In other words, the next time you’re feeling like throwing blows, throw aloha.”

Awa upscaled

<title>'Mister ambassador of aloha'</title>

It's a bad look for the word "aloha" when it's used to commend a vigilante beat down, as state Sen. Brenton Awa did last week, says ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa.

Daily Smile: Saturday, January 10, 2026

ASD Staff

More in Daily Smile

Daily Smile: Monday, May 25, 2026

Daily Smile: Sunday, May 24, 2026

Daily Smile: Saturday, May 23, 2026

Daily Smile: Friday, May 22, 2026

Most read

Daily Smile: Saturday, January 10, 2026

Authors

ASD Staff

More in Daily Smile

Daily Smile: Monday, May 25, 2026

Daily Smile: Sunday, May 24, 2026

Daily Smile: Saturday, May 23, 2026

Daily Smile: Friday, May 22, 2026

Most read