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Daily Smile

[{"type":"text","text":"Dog discusses what he does for a living..."}]

Smile 26 1 11

<title>Daily Smile: Sunday, January 11, 2026</title>

Dog discusses what he does for a living...

Daily Smile: Sunday, January 11, 2026

 Dog discusses what he does for a living...

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

Bruno Mars, who graduated from Roosevelt High School on O’ahu as 

, has announced plans to release a new album, “The Romantic,” on Feb. 27. He released one of the nine tracks, “I Just Might,” this week.

The music video for the new song is live on YouTube. In just 15 hours, it had more than 4 million views. The album, “The Romantic,” can be preordered at 

Bruno Mars also announced plans to tour. The Romantic Tour, featuring Anderson .Paak, as DJ Pee .Wee; Leon Thomas; Raye; and Victoria Monét, will perform in cities nationwide, including Las Vegas, Chicago, and more. There are also performances planned for Canada, France, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, among others.

 on Spotify. His last album, “24K Magic,” was released in November of 2016, more than nine years ago. In 2025, Spotify named Bruno Mars one of their 

 featured several Bruno Mars hits: “Die with a Smile,” with Lady Gaga, in the No.1 spot, and “APT.,” with Rosé, as No. 3 on the list. “APT.” is currently nominated for several 

Aloha State Daily found some of Bruno Mars’ yearbook photos from his junior and senior years at Roosevelt.

 which was part of the soundtrack for Disney’s live action “Lilo & Stitch.”

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Bruno Mars high-res

<title>Bruno Mars announces new music</title>

It will be his first album in almost 10 years. The graduate of Roosevelt High School also announced plans to tour.

Bruno Mars announces new music

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

 — a brand-new condo with 972 residential units and two, 44-story towers — is also home to a new food hall.

Located on the ground floor of the Liona Tower, 

 is celebrating its grand opening from 10 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, Jan. 17. The food hall is soft opening with limited hours (11 a.m. to 8 p.m.) from Jan. 9 to 16.

[{"type":"text","text":"The food hall features both indoor and outdoor seating."}]

The space features 12 locally owned restaurants, and offers customers a variety of local and international flavors. Not all of the vendors are open yet; some have limited menus for the soft opening.

Vendors include FEAST by Jon Matsubara, King Thai Cuisine, Mangiamo Gelato, Middle Eats, Ninja Sushi, Sadie’s BBQ Honolulu, Serg’s Mexican Kitchen, Soul Chicken and more.

During today’s friends and family preview, participating vendors were serving samples and were open for business.

Serg’s Mexican Kitchen features the same menu as its Mānoa location. Meanwhile, the food hall is the first location for new vendors like Mangiamo Gelato.

On grand opening day, families are invited to enjoy keiki activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To access Midtown Eats, customers can enter the parking garage from the building’s Liona Street entrance and park on floors 1 to 2.5. Validated parking will be available.

Midtown Eats interior 010826

<title>New Honolulu food hall is now open</title>

Midtown Eats, the new food hall at The Park on Keʻeaumoku, is celebrating its grand opening from 10 a.m. to midnight on Jan. 17. The food hall is soft opening during limited hours from Jan. 9 to 16. Aloha State Daily got a tour of the new space.

New Honolulu food hall is now open

 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

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

Welcome the new year with savings — and a lucky bag or two.

Meaning “lucky bag,” Fukubukuro is Japanese New Year custom where shops and merchants offer mystery bags at discounted prices.

Here are a few malls and retailers participating in 

AMC Fukubukuro2026 Lifestyle Images 8

<title>Where to go for Fukubukuro this year</title>

Meaning “lucky bag,” Fukubukuro is Japanese New Year custom where shops and merchants offer mystery bags at discounted prices. Here are a few places to check out.

Where to go for Fukubukuro this year

You’ll find even more options for familiar food in the Ninth Island next year, when Zippy’s Restaurants opens two more locations in Las Vegas.

Zippy’s Summerlin at 10810 W. Charleston Blvd. and Zippy’s Camino Al Norte at 5485 Camino Al Norte are set to open in early 2026, the restaurant chain announced Friday.

“These two locations are a testament of our commitment to our Zippy’s guests here in Las Vegas. We hear you and we’re committed to serve our ‘ohana in the north side of the city,” Regional Operations Director Belma Soliven said in Friday’s announcement. “Zippy's is committed to providing our guests with exceptional service through the spirit and hospitality of Hawai‘i. We cannot wait to welcome our guests on the north side of Las Vegas and invite them to try a taste of Hawai‘i comfort-food.” 

 in 1966, brothers Francis and Charles Higa opened their first restaurant on King Street in Honolulu. There are now 25 locations on O‘ahu, Maui, Hawai‘i Island and in Las Vegas.

Zippy’s currently has three locations in Las Vegas — its only locations on the Mainland, a restaurant spokesperson confirmed to Aloha State Daily.

, the first Zippy’s outside of Hawai‘i, opened in October 2023. Zippy’s 

 opened in March of this year, while Zippy’s 

Zippy’s also is hiring for all positions at its new Summerlin and Camino Al Norte restaurants, including back-of-house, front-of-house and management roles, the announcement noted. Hiring events for the Las Vegas community will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 9 and 16, at the Sahara West Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave. in Las Vegas. You can find 

 about how Zippy’s Restaurants is using technology to help bring kama‘āina home.

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Daily Smile: Sunday, January 11, 2026

ASD Staff

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Daily Smile: Sunday, January 11, 2026

Authors

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