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Hawai'i Skies

Today's Hawai‘i Skies was captured by Craig Washofsky at Kailua Beach. "

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26 1 12 Craig Washofsky

<title>Hawai‘i Skies: Sunrise to start the day</title>

Today's Hawai‘i Skies was captured by Craig Washofsky at Kailua Beach.

Hawai‘i Skies: Sunrise to start the day

Today's Hawai‘i Skies was captured by Craig Washofsky at Kailua Beach. "What a great way to start the day!" To submit your Hawai'i Skies photo, visit us online or email: general@alohastatedaily.com For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter.

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

To celebrate nearly a decade of beer, community and connection, 

 is hosting its nine-year anniversary party at its flagship location on Queen Street on Friday, Jan. 16. The 

party is from 5 to 10 p.m. and is open to the public; no tickets are required.

“Reaching nine years is a milestone we’re really proud of, especially in Hawai

Candice Ishikawa, Aloha Beer Co.’s head of marketing & brand. “Some of the biggest highlights have been watching our taproom and beer garden grow into a true neighborhood gathering place — a space where locals, families and visitors regularly come together.”

ako doors in 2016, Aloha Beer Co. has brewed numerous locally inspired beers, partnered with Hawai

i-based nonprofits and organizations and hosted community-driven events.

“Going into this next year, I’m most excited about continuing to refine what we do best — great beer, thoughtful food and an experience that feels distinctly Hawai

Ishikawa says. “Our focus is on consistency and quality across our core beer offerings, while finding creative ways to keep the taproom experience feeling fresh through events, collaborations, offsite activations and menu development.

“After nine years, we feel grounded, but still curious — and that balance is a really good place to be,” she adds.

At the anniversary party, attendees can look forward to live music, $9 small plates — which are only available on Jan. 16 — a keg hoisting competition, surprise “golden ticket” giveaways and the business’s Red Zeppelin IPA can launch.

“Red Zeppelin is one of our longtime flagship IPAs and a beer that’s been with us for years,” 

Ishikawa explains. “It’s a favorite among regulars, with a cult-following and really represents our early days as a brewery. We chose to celebrate the anniversary with this release because it felt like a full-circle moment: taking a classic Aloha Beer staple and finally putting it into cans for the first time, as we mark nine years in Kakaʻako.”

The anniversary party will feature a line-up of $9 anniversary specials, which will only be available on Jan. 16. Each plate incorporates one of the business’s draft beer styles, according to 

“It felt like a fun way to tie the food directly back to the brewery,” she says.

The Red Zeppelin barbecue-buffalo burger sliders feature brioche buns filled with seared beef patties, barbecue-buffalo sauce, blue cheese crumbles and ranch mayo. The sliders — which come with fries — feature a nice balance of sweet, tangy and slightly spicy flavors.

The chicken katsu-Queen Street Pils curry features fries topped with chicken cutlet and Queen Street Pils curry sauce. The crispy chicken strips contrast nicely with the creamy curry.

Meanwhile, the Aloha Blonde-bacon-Parmesan mushrooms feature a mouthwatering combo of garlic butter mushrooms sautéed with Aloha Blonde, and topped with bacon, Parmesan and parsley.

Finally, the pepperoni-mushroom roll’d pizza comprises marinara, mozzarella, pepperoni and mushrooms, served with creamy Hop Lei cheese sauce and Ranch.

While customers are encouraged to try the limited-time specials, 

Aloha Beer Co.’s full food menu will still be available.

th year, customers can anticipate continued collaborations and “opportunities to expand Aloha Beer’s presence beyond the taproom,” according to

“We have a few exciting things in the works,” she says. “As we continue to grow, we’re focused on inviting more people to experience Aloha Beer where it all comes together — in our taproom and beer garden — while staying true to who we are.

“More than anything, we’re just grateful,” she adds. “Opening a brewery is one thing — sustaining it for nine years is something entirely different. We wouldn’t be here without our team, our partners and the community that has supported us along the way, and this anniversary feels like a moment to say ‘thank you.’”

Aloha Beer Co anniversary specials 011326

<title>Aloha Beer Co. celebrates nine-year anniversary</title>

The business is celebrating nine years in Kakaʻako with an anniversary party, complete with $9 plates, surprise “golden ticket” giveaways, live music and the debut of its Red Zeppelin cans.

Aloha Beer Co. celebrates nine-year anniversary

Kam Napier Headshot

A. Kam Napier

Government & Politics

Columnists

 over the death of anti-ICE activist Renee Nicole Good, killed Wednesday when she drove her car toward an ICE agent while engaged in obstructing their work. This includes Hawai‘i Sen. Brian Schatz, Sen. Mazie Hirono, and Rep. Jill Tokuda, whose commentary aren’t really getting any scrutiny locally.

First thing I notice is that Schatz and Tokuda used their personal X accounts, rather than their official accounts. Right off the bat this tells me they’re trying to put some distance between their words and their public role, as if that were possible. They don’t write under pseudonyms.

[{"type":"text","text":"Schatz had this to say on his personal X feed:"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Tokuda posted this:"}]

So a lot of finger-pointing here, but none where it belongs. What is it that put Good out on the street in the first place? What led her and her wife to 

, organizing with fellow travelers to willfully going out to interfere with ICE operations?

Someone planted in her head the idea that she was resisting an illegal authoritarian regime and for that, we can thank, in part, Schatz and Tokuda themselves, who have been enthusiastic purveyors of such language for years.

Here's Tokuda, just one day prior to the Minneapolis incident, doing something similar, albeit with a more pleasant demeanor.

. There was a riot, mostly spontaneous. What impact do you think it has when a Congressional representative keeps insisting that there had been one? (And isn't it odd the way the word "propaganda" figures so prominently in her post?)

Our democracy endured because it was never threatened in the first place. And in this defense of democracy that she’s praising, surely Tokuda remembers that it included shooting a woman to death? 

The federal action she’s praising includes Capitol Police Lieutenant Michael Byrd killing 

Comparing her two messages, one might conclude that when feds shoot a woman trespassing in her workplace, it’s good and honorable, but when they do so protecting themselves or our communities, it’s an impeachable crime.

Here's Hirono, using the word "regime" deliberately, still sending the message that there is some evil to resist:

Rep. Ed Case, at this writing, doesn't seem to have posted anything about the ICE shooting. On the subject at hand, there is this recent, more ambiguous post. Something important happened, something unsaid, we're supposed to remember what. 

Schatz, Tokuda, and Hirono, are among a chorus of voices that have been radicalizing their followers to regular and ongoing protests and obstruction of federal law enforcement. Now they're waving the bloody shirt of the woman they radicalized to further their political obstruction of a duly elected president, in furtherance of … what, exactly?

Bizarrely, the wholesale embrace of an entire category of lawbreakers. For some inexplicable reason, Democrats have chosen, as the hill they expect other people to die upon, illegal immigrants rather than the citizens who actually elected them. 

You can sympathize with those who broke the law in pursuit of a better life in America, but the fact is, even the sweetest and kindest of them are quite literally outlaws. They can no more expect to stay than you or I could if we took a trip somewhere and just never came home. There isn't a nation on Earth that wouldn't send us back for breaking their immigration laws.

The weirdest thing of all is, the Democrats have been doing this so loudly and for so long, that you almost have to work to remember: This is insane! 

It’s not just the things that Schatz, Tokuda and Hirono say that makes things worse. It’s what they don’t say. They know full well that Congress itself passed the immigration laws that the Trump administration is enforcing. These laws are binding on the executive branch. Trump didn't make up these laws and agencies out of thin air. Congress did. It’s interesting that the “my democracy!” crowd, always prattling on about the supposed authoritarian Trump, never takes responsibility for having passed these laws in first place, and demonstrates no willingness to change these laws through the democratic process. 

If you don’t like the immigration enforcement going on, the grown-up, civilized, democratic thing to do is introduce legislation changing those laws, debate it, vote on it. Instead we have the entire Democratic party, top to bottom, from Congress to street-level obstructionists, attempting to negate duly passed laws through riots, protests, emotional manipulation, foot-stamping temper tantrums and the pursuit of martyrdom.

There’s nothing democratic about any of that. It's emotional totalitarianism in place of peaceful debate.

And side note: If your goal is totally open borders — which would be the net result if the street theater protestors get their way — you better have a plan we can discuss for how America is supposed to support as many as 8 billion people, because that’s who would qualify for entry.

I'll end on this, since Tokuda's post includes a cherry-picked video with narration meant to minimize the danger faced by ICE agent Jonathan Ross. Well, there are other videos you might want to consider:

If Hawai‘i's Congressional reps are so concerned about insurrections, they might want to spare a post or two to talk Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz off the ledge of launching Civil War II:

A. Kam Napier is editor in chief of Aloha State Daily. His opinions in Pipikaula Corner are his own and not reflective of the ASD team.

Minneapolis ICE shooting Getty Images 2255109935

<title>Pipikaula Corner: Schatz, Tokuda, Hirono, fanning flames over ICE</title>

Three of our Congressional reps have spent years participating in a narrative that America is occupied by an illegitimate, authoritarian regime. It's getting their followers killed.

Pipikaula Corner: Schatz, Tokuda, Hirono, fanning flames over ICE

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

The City and County of Honolulu is taking yet another step forward in its efforts to transform the city’s urban core, selecting EAH Housing as its preferred negotiating partner for the redevelopment of the Iwilei Center.

The four-acre parcel, acquired by the city nearly two years ago, is adjacent to the future Kūwili Skyline rail station. Its redevelopment is expected to bring hundreds of new homes to the area, along with retail spaces, community amenities and “transit-connected public spaces,” the city says.

“The Iwilei Center is a cornerstone of our broader effort to reshape the area around the future Kūwili Skyline Transit Oriented Development area,” Kevin Auger, director designate of the city’s Department of Housing and Land Management, told Aloha State Daily Thursday. “The overall redevelopment of this transit-connected neighborhood can support thousands of homes over time.”

In this public-private partnership, the selected developer will oversee master-planning, environmental clearance, architectural design, entitlement, financing, construction, lease-up and operations in return for a development contract and a 75-year ground lease, according to the 

 issued for the project earlier this year.

Auger told ASD in an emailed response to questions that by choosing EAH Housing as its preferred negotiating partner, the city is entering into an exclusive negotiation period to finalize the development agreement and ground lease for approval by the Honolulu City Council, a process that typically takes several months.

“While negotiating these agreements, early predevelopment work — including due diligence, massing studies, infrastructure coordination and initial community engagement may also proceed,” he says. “Our goal is to move efficiently through negotiations so the project team can begin the next phase of planning and environmental review in 2026.

Auger says that the project site gives the city the opportunity to deliver hundreds of new affordable and workforce housing units in an area adjacent to the historic Chinatown district and within walking distance of Downtown Honolulu, "a major job center for the city." At this stage, city expects the site to have between 750 and 1,000 homes as part of the high-density, mixed-use redevelopment, he noted, although the total number of units will ultimately depend on the developer’s proposal and the final project scope.

“By moving Iwilei Center into pre-development now, we’re taking a major step toward growing Honolulu’s housing inventory in a place where new homes make the most sense.”

 the former First Hawaiian Bank building at 445 N. King St. for $8.4 million and in January 2024 it acquired the Iwilei Center for $51.5 million.

 says these acquisitions, which total nearly five acres of land, "will form the catalyst of its redevelopment and revitalization efforts around the Kūwili Rail Station in Iwilei, consistent with the Downtown TOD Neighborhood Plan."

The city noted in Thursday’s announcement that the redevelopment of Iwilei Center is a key component in its ongoing master-planning efforts for the Kūwili and Niuhelewai (Honolulu Community College and Kapālama) rail station areas, “a coordinated, multi-million dollar effort aligning land use, 

, transportation systems and public realm improvements.”

, a Honolulu-based Native Hawaiian-owned strategy, planning and design firm — in partnership with Toronto-based 

 —  to lead that  master-planning effort. A request for proposal was 

, the lead developer for the Iwilei Center redevelopment, has more than 30 years of experience developing affordable and workforce housing in Hawai‘i, according to the city. Core Tech is a co-developer and Lowney Architecture is the project architect, the city notes.

Karen Seddon, regional vice president of EAH Housing, said in the announcement that the organization is “honored” to be chosen for the opportunity.

“Iwilei Center is more than a housing project — it’s a chance to help shape a complete, transit-connected neighborhood that will serve families for generations,” she says. “We’re committed to delivering high-quality, long-term, affordable, and workforce homes that reflect the city’s vision and truly benefit the community.”

According to the city, the project now moves into its next phase, which includes community engagement, environmental review, land-use approvals and financial structuring. Planning and design work will continue over the next year.

Currently, the Iwilei Center houses the Department of Community Services’ Kumu Ola Hou program, a transitional shelter that 

 while the property waits for redevelopment. It 

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Iwilei Center 1

<title>Honolulu selects partner for Iwilei Center redevelopment</title>

The four-acre parcel is adjacent to the future Kūwili Skyline rail station. Its redevelopment is expected to bring hundreds of new homes to the area, along with retail spaces, community amenities and “transit-connected public spaces,” the city says.

Honolulu selects partner for Iwilei Center redevelopment

Business & Tourism

It's the end of an era for Hawaiian Airlines.

 that Alaska Airlines would acquire Hawaiian Airlines — and just over a year after 

 — the last Hawaiian Airlines flight to the use the HA call signal arrived in Honolulu early this morning from American Samoa.

The move comes after Alaska Airlines on Wednesday received a single operating certificate, or SOC, from the Federal Aviation Administration. It’s a major milestone in the continued efforts to integrate the operations of the two airlines.

The distinct Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines brands remain, but this means the airlines are now operating under a single call sign, AS, which pilots and dispatchers use to communicate with air traffic control, Alaska Airlines explained in an 

According to that announcement, this is an FAA regulatory requirement that “marks the successful integration of training, policies, procedures and manuals across both airlines.”

Alex Da Silva, regional communications director — Hawai‘i for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines

, told Aloha State Daily it was a smooth transition, and that there are no material changes for guests.

“The most notable change is that we are assigning new HA flight numbers to avoid duplication with AS flight numbers, but the HA code preceding the flight numbers will remain in place until we reach a single passenger service system in late April.”

Once the airlines transition to a single passenger service system — the main technology guests use to plan trips, book tickets and on the day of travel — all flights will use an AS code, the announcement notes, but adds that travelers can still view and book Hawaiian Airline flights, which will be branded across its digital channels with an image of the Pualani aircraft tails.

The adoption of a single passenger service system next spring is the next big milestone in the merger and integration process, Da Silva says, noting that’ll be followed by the combination of collective bargaining agreements with the airlines’ unionized teams in about 12 to 18 months.

Another key milestone, however, was marked at the start of the month with the transition from HawaiianMiles to a joint loyalty program offered by both Hawaiian and Alaska airlines, 

“We're very pleased with the transition of HawaiianMiles to Atmos Rewards and excited for our members to experience the full benefits of the program,” Da Silva told ASD. “At the same time, we recognize there is a learning curve as our members familiarize themselves with the features of the new program. We remain engaged with our members and always appreciate their feedback, and we are honoring several legacy HawaiianMiles benefits through the end of the year.”

Additionally, with the single operating certificate secured, Wednesday also marked the changing of the guards, so to speak, at Hawaiian Airlines, with several Honolulu-based leadership roles formally taking effect.

Diana Birkett Rakow, formerly the executive vice president of public affairs and sustainability at Alaska Airlines, became CEO of Hawaiian Airlines Wednesday. The first woman to hold that position, she succeeds 

, who has held the position since the acquisition was completed in 

Jim Landers, Hawaiian Airlines senior vice president for technical operations, is now head of Hawai‘i operations and Shelly Parker, Horizon Air’s vice president of station operations and inflight is now head of Hawai‘i guest operations, Wednesday's announcement noted. Read more about the 

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

Alaska Hawaiian Airlines 1920

<title>Alaska, Hawaiian airlines reach merger milestone</title>

Alaska Airlines on Wednesday received a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration, allowing it to operate alongside Hawaiian Airlines as two separate brands.

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