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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...

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, 2019, “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.

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

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

Government & Politics

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

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

A new pilot program from the City and County of Honolulu's Office of Economic Revitalization aims to help small businesses and nonprofits on O‘ahu — and their employees — step into the technological future.

OER, in partnership with Māpunawai and Skilled Tomorrow, is set to launch "AI for Everyone at Work: Training Trainers to Teach Across Generations." The initiative intends to help organizations on the island introduce artificial intelligence "in practical, responsible and accessible ways for a multigenerational workforce."

According to the city, the free one-day training uses a "train-the-trainer" model that will allow organization leaders to bring AI education to their employees. Participants — who'll commit to delivering at least two internal training sessions within six months of completing the program — will learn AI fundamentals, real-world workplace use cases, prompt-writing frameworks and strategies for teaching AI "responsibly" to older adults and multigenerational teams, a recent announcement from the city noted.

"AI Is already present in our workplace[s] across Hawai‘i and there isn't always a clear roadmap on introduction and usage," OER 

Executive Director Amy Asselbaye told Aloha State Daily in an emailed response to questions.

 "Hawai‘i has one of the highest older-adult labor force participation rates, where this age group is disproportionately left out of upskilling opportunities and [this] is a gap that matters locally as folks continue to remain in the workforce past retirement age to support themselves and their ‘ohana."

Asselbaye says that the OER team is "always ideating" ways to be more innovative in its approaches and initiatives for its programs.

Su Lazo proposed the "train the trainer" framework from her expertise in the subject and findings in the workforce development sector, she noted.

It continues our work to increase upskilling and career pathway opportunities — like our Good Jobs Oʻahu program," Asselbaye says. "Additionally, the focus on AI training comes as a recommendation from OERʻs Economic Revitalization Commission as a part of their priorities for the year."

For her part, Lazo says the goal of the program is to build capacity from within an organization instead of relying on outside consultants, which come at an extra cost, "so local businesses and nonprofit organizations can develop their own trainers who can continue teaching staff internally, making AI education more sustainable and cost-effective."

"By training trainers who can teach others, the program creates a ripple effect spreading AI literacy, improving adaptability, and preparing organizations to stay competitive in a rapidly changing economy," Lazo continued in a written response to questions. "Our partnership with Māpunawai and Skilled Tomorrow adds capacity to the program with the current technical assistance they provide to the community and the expert support they will be offering for this AI training program."

Lazo says in the program, participating businesses and nonprofits will learn how to use AI as a support tool and not an employee replacement, "so organizations can improve productivity while preserving human judgment, institutional knowledge and trusted employee experience."

According to the announcement, the program is designed for O‘ahu-based businesses and nonprofits with five to 50 employees. The ideal applicants work in human resources, management, learning and development, or team leadership and are "ready to introduce AI thoughtfully within their organization." 

No prior AI experience is required, but applicants, however, will need a letter of support from organizational leadership confirming their ability to participate and deliver post-training sessions. Those who participate will receive resources to help them introduce AI concepts to their teams and collect feedback.

 by May 27. A cohort of 12 will be selected, with notifications sent by June 3. Those who are qualified but not selected will be placed on a waitlist.

Unsplash ai stock photo 052226

<title>Honolulu launches AI training program for O‘ahu businesses, nonprofits</title>

The city's Office of Economic Revitalization, in partnership with Māpunawai and Skilled Tomorrow, is set to launch "AI for Everyone at Work: Training Trainers to Teach Across Generations." The program aims to help organizations on the island introduce artificial intelligence "in practical, responsible and accessible ways for a multigenerational workforce."

Honolulu launches AI training program for O‘ahu businesses, nonprofits

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?

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

[{"type":"text","text":"Darren Matsuda is no longer the head boys basketball coach at Punahou. "}]

"After many years with the program, Darren Matsuda will no longer serve as our varsity head basketball coach," an email sent to Punahou basketball families and obtained by Aloha State Daily read in part. "We appreciate his years of service to Punahou and the time he has given to the boys basketball program as head coach, and we extend our best wishes to him."

Matsuda was first named the head coach for the Buffanblu in 2010. He led the Buffanblu to state titles in 2012, 2018 and 

Matsuda also coached Punahou to five state runner-up finishes, most recently in February, back when the Buffanblu lost to Kahuku 40-38 on a Inoke Lloyd layup with three seconds remaining. 

In addition to his success at the state tournament level, Matsuda also guided the Buffanblu to four ILH titles, including in 2026. 

Since the introduction of the state tournament in 1957, Punahou has won 12 HHSAA titles in boys basketball. 

Daily Smile: Sunday, January 11, 2026

ASD Staff

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Daily Smile: Sunday, January 11, 2026

Authors

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