ASD icon blue inverse lighter

ASD Staff

Hawai'i Skies

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

To submit your Hawai'i Skies photo, visit us 

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

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&#039;s Hawai‘i Skies was captured by Craig Washofsky at Kailua Beach. &quot;What a great way to start the day!&quot; To submit your Hawai&#039;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.

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

Veteran hospitality exec Kimberly Agas, the longtime general manger of Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, has a new role at the family-friendly Ko Olina resort.

Agas, who was in the GM position for more than a decade, has been named executive director, a newly created role Aulani says reflects the "continued growth of her leadership and the resort's impact in Hawai‘i."

Born and raised on O‘ahu, Agas, who attended Kamehameha Schools, says she's been working in Hawai‘i's hospitality and visitor industry for more than 35 years, having held leadership roles across resort operations and broader industry involvement.

She joined Aulani in 2011 and had the "opportunity to open the resort, continue to see it grow and really work with this team and the community over the last 15 years," Agas told Aloha State Daily.

has "focused on delivering exceptional guest experiences, supporting local employment by creating meaningful career opportunities for Hawai‘i residents and expanding programs that foster professional growth and mentorship," a recent announcement from the resort notes. "Agas has also championed initiatives that integrate cultural education and environmental responsibility into the guest experience, including conservation and preservation efforts that reflect Aulani’s deep connection to place."

She'll continue to lead resort operations and expand her oversight to include broader strategic initiatives that aim to "

strengthen Aulani Resort’s connections to the local community and hospitality industry," the announcement states.

Agas says she started as a resort manager, grew into the general manager position and now the executive director role. Along with working with organizations like the Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority — she's currently the co-chair of the HTA Advisory Board of Directors and chair of its Branding Committee — Agas told ASD, "it's just been a really great, great opportunity to be in this hospitality industry."

She previously worked with former vice president of operations Elliot Mills, but Agas, who became general manager in 2015, says since his retirement she has been trying to balance the work he did locally as well as her role, "then blending the two, which has been a lot and I've enjoyed it, but it is time now for us to hire a general manager."

Agas says the general manager will continue to focus on day-to-day operations at the resort — and there's plenty going on.

"Besides things [like] the front office and housekeeping, we have recreation, we have entertainment. On the entertainment side, ... we have animal programs, we have a childcare program. We have photography," she says. "There's a lot of different components here at the resort operations that the general manager will continue to take care of. I will continue to stay on with doing some of the community events, helping with some of the organizations that I currently serve on."

For her part, Agas says she'll also continue to manage others areas, like sales and marketing, public affairs and human resources, along with her other community and government affairs work.

And with the resort now 15 years old, Agas says Aulani also is in the planning phase of a large rehab project that will kick off in the future.

"That's also taking a lot of time, and I am helping to head that with my partners, which also includes Walt Disney Imagineering as we think about the rooms, so there's a lot of projects that still continue to go on, so ... we will continue to keep some of the work with the executive director and some of that work will be with the general manager."

As for the new general manager, the announcement says ideal candidates will have at least 10 years of progressive hospitality leadership experience, with a preference of five or more years in Hawai‘i. Learn 

Agas, though, says key qualities would be someone who's "passionate about what we do in hospitality, continuing to be a part of our Hawai‘i destination, where visitors are going to seek us out as some place that is not just to have some fun — more than just the sun-and-surf destination — but really some place that people will come because of our culture, wanting to understand the special place that Hawai‘i is, and we can share our culture, creating those unique experiences."

One of West O‘ahu's largest employers with more than 1,700 employees, or cast members, the 832-room Aulani opened in 2011 and sits on 21 oceanfront acres in Ko Olina. Its Ka Wa‘a 

Lū‘au celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

Executive Director Kimberly Agas Courtesy of Aulani a Disney Resort Spa

<title>Kimberly Agas promoted to new leadership role at Aulani</title>

Agas, who has been general manager of the Disney resort in Ko Olina for the past decade, is now executive director, a newly created position.

Kimberly Agas promoted to new leadership role at Aulani

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Crime & Courts

Igor Lytvynchuk, the Washington man charged with throwing a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal, had his first court appearance in Honolulu on Wednesday.

Lytvynchuk, 38, appeared in U.S. District Court to plead "not guilty" to two charges of illegal taking of an endangered marine mammal. Those charges stem from 

 on May 5 when a man — later identified by investigators as Lytvynchuk — was recorded on video hurling a rock at a monk seal on a Maui beach, seemingly only narrowly missing the animal’s head.

As any form of harassment of an endangered seal violates both the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, that single rock incurred two charges. Both charges are misdemeanor offenses, carrying a maximum possible sentence of one year in prison each, although Magistrate Judge Rom Trader told Lytvynchuk Wednesday that there is no guarantee, if he is found guilty, that he will face the full maximum sentence.

Lytvynchuk was arrested May 13 near Seattle by special agents of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Following an initial court appearance in Washington, the case was transferred to the District of Hawai‘i.

Lytvynchuk had little opportunity to speak at Wednesday’s hearing, confirming in one or two words that he understood Trader’s description of the legal process ahead of him. While his “not guilty” plea drew murmurs from the several dozen people in the gallery, he made no statement about his actions during or after the hearing.

However, a lawyer for Lytvynchuk had previously told media that Lytvynchuk had supposedly believed the seal to be a sea lion threatening sea turtles.

Trader ordered Lytvynchuk to be released on an unsecured $25,000 bond with several conditions, including that Lytvynchuk surrender his passport and all travel documents, that he not change addresses without approval from his pretrial officer, and that his travel is restricted to the Western District of Washington — a U.S. court district covering the state west of the Cascade Mountains — and O‘ahu for court purposes only.

Furthermore, when on O‘ahu, Lytvynchuk is prohibited from accessing any beaches or approaching any marine wildlife, Trader said.

“I think that’s an appropriately tailored restriction, given the circumstances,” Trader said.

Failing to comply with these conditions could result in a warrant for Lytvynchuk’s arrest and put him in jail until trial.

Lytvynchuk is also required to be present at future court hearings. However, Trader said he is inclined to waive that requirement for certain minor hearings and allow Lytvynchuk to appear remotely.

For example, the next hearing date is scheduled for June 9, where attorneys for both sides will set a mutually agreeable trial date and other deadlines. Trader agreed with Lytvynchuk’s attorney Sean Fitzsimmons that Lytvynchuk’s physical presence at that hearing will not be necessary.

Screenshot 2026 05 27 at 3 58 24 PM 16x9

<title>Lytvynchuk pleads 'not guilty' in monk seal case</title>

Igor Lytvynchuk will be barred from O‘ahu beaches as his court case over an alleged attack on a Hawaiian monk seal continues.

Lytvynchuk pleads 'not guilty' in monk seal case

IMG 1445

Rick Hamada

Columnists

A press conference was held this week in Los Angeles County with ties directly to Honolulu.

a Honolulu judge sentenced a notorious road rage driver to seven years in prison,

 his victims in California said he did not get enough time there.

Two of the women attacked by Nathaniel Radimak, 39, held a press conference in Los Angeles Tuesday with their high-powered attorney, Gloria Allred, in which 

, and criticized their own. Radimak was convicted of eight road rage crimes in California, where he was called the “Tesla road rage driver." Although he was convicted for his crimes there, his California victims still feel violated by their own judicial system which allowed him to commit violent crimes here in the Pacific. 

Nathaniel Radimak was arrested in Hawai‘i last year for a road rage incident and accused of assaulting a woman and her 18-year-old daughter. This past Thursday, after pleading no contest, 

 to seven years in prison. Before the Hawaii assault, Radimak was sentenced to five years in prison for multiple assault counts connected to road rage in Los Angeles County but was released after serving less than a year due to prison overcrowding. Some of the road rage incidents were caught on camera.

It's not often an incident unites the people of Hawai‘i.

The local news reports featuring video of Radimak punching the local victims through their parked car window incited all who saw the violent encounter. In addition, the video footage of Radimak attacking a female at an East O‘ahu gym further cemented the anger at this individual. When California media released video of Radimak attacking motorists on the freeway in Los Angeles, it was a pure affirmation of the sheer capacity of violence he possessed. If there is one positive element of this story, it's the fact that nobody lost their life.

[{"type":"text","text":"What is the reality of road rage on our streets?"}]

Road rage is at an all-time high, with up to 79% to 96% of U.S. drivers experiencing aggressive driving or road rage incidents annually. Over half of all motorists admit to actively expressing road rage behavior, such as swearing or cutting off other drivers, and the number of fatal crashes linked to aggressive driving has nearly tripled over the past decade, per an AI overview. 

The rise of social media has given motorists new ways to vent their driving-related frustrations. Back in 2016, the Auto Insurance Center analyzed 65,535 Instagram posts #RoadRage to find out where, when, and why American drivers are feeling most aggravated. According to its analysis, Hawai‘i was No. 1 in U.S. "The center logged 5,872 posts per 100,000 drivers in Hawaii. Compare that to California, which came in second with a ratio of just 3,506 posts per 100,000 drivers," 

If you're on the road as a driver or a passenger, it's likely that you have contended with different degrees of road rage here at home. It seems as if it's been a part of driving life for as long as I can remember but the intensity, randomness and, yes, verbal and even physical violence has never been more profound.

People looking for solutions are looking first at HPD.

I came across this story posted on The Honolulu Police Department's Facebook page:

"There are only so much the police can do … Many years ago, I merged on to the H-1 and went into the center lane. A lady pulled up next to me and was shaking her fist at me with so much anger on her face, and I could tell she was cursing. I just kept driving and didn’t look back at her. She eventually pulled off the freeway, but it took me a while before I stopped shaking," posted one driver.

"When we lived in ‘Aiea, I turned on to Moanalua by ‘Aiea Elementary but misjudged the speed of a car coming off the freeway and he didn’t like that because he followed me to the post office nearby. I know because he had a red sports car with a vanity plate. I think he followed me to another quick stop. Instead of going home I drove to the Pearl City Police Station, something I had heard I should do. I didn’t have a cell phone then. The man stopped following me, but I was still so freaked out I went inside and explained what happened to the officer. I knew there wasn’t anything he could do, but he was gracious and let me sit there until I calmed down," posted another.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":" Why are there road ragers?"}]

You might be pretty cool and collected at home, at the office or even at public events, but as soon as you get behind the wheel of a car, truck or van, you lose your mind. Listen, I get it. Driving in this town can be frustrating. I am bewildered at some of the shenanigans some drivers make. I, too, will give a good, "Aarrrggghhhh!" when dealing with drivers' ... stuff.

I've mentioned in this space previously that others cannot make you feel bad. You have control over yourself and your emotions. If you lose control, then that's on you and you cannot blame others. If you find the words or actions of others propel you to losing your temper thereby "making" you to lash out verbally and physically then 

 have to look in the mirror and ask yourself, why? Yes, easier said than done, but if you can't stop losing control then you need to seek help.

There are two sides to every story. If you're on the other side driving and acting like a complete buffoon, well, you got issues, too.

Here are some of the actions on the road that can understandably cause great frustration:

We live in a world that has never been as divided as we are now. You say black, I say white and rarely can we find that gray area where there is a compromise. I hope someday we can get back to singing out of the same hymnal even though they be different verses.

In the meantime, do you think we can start with one thing in the eventual possibility of achieving what the late Rodney King tearfully requested many years ago, "Can't we all just get along?"

[{"type":"text","text":"Don't drive angry."}]

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

road rage I Stock 599960098 16x9 Large

<title>Hamada: Road rage justice served</title>

Hawai‘i has a reputation for being soft on crime but recently, victims of a multi-state road rager in California held a press conference to thank Hawai‘i for serving a tougher sentence on him than their own state had. Now, can we do something about the road ragers still among us?

Hamada: Road rage justice served

Lopaka and Tanya Kapanui

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya Kapanui

Hawai‘i History

The name Kīpapa means “paved” or “placed prone,” as in the corpses of an invading army were placed prone along the base of the gulch. This gulch is also the site of a plane crash, missing hikers, numerous car crashes, suicides, hauntings, and even a night marchers’ trail.

Before modern roads, the passage to Mililani and beyond was long and circuitous, forcing travelers to descend a steep path, cross the gulch, and then ascend another steep path to reach the other side. The route was slow and dangerous, and accidents that caused serious injuries and fatalities were common.

When the Roosevelt Bridge was finally built, travel was much faster, but not necessarily safer. With increased speed, there was also an increase in auto accidents. A 1958 newspaper article stated that the narrow section of the highway at Kīpapa and the neighboring Waikakalaua Gulch had claimed an average of one life per year since 1942. Despite road improvements, it’s gotten only slightly better since then.

Although it’s a vital artery to Honolulu, I know a few people who refuse to drive across the bridge after nightfall. Many people believe that the accidents that happen in, over, and around the gulch are the result of supernatural influence.

Some claim to have seen a ghostly woman walking along the bridge late at night. Others say she is a hitchhiker who disappears as you get closer, or that it’s the ghost of a woman who killed herself by jumping off the bridge. Many say that if you see her, your car goes out of control, causing you to crash. The most common belief is that there has been too much death in the area, and the spirits of those who died there remain, showing themselves at the most inopportune moments.

In our oral traditions, it is said that the ali‘i nui, Ma‘ilikūkahi, lived sometime around the turn of the 15th century. Prior to his reign, life on O‘ahu was full of turmoil, and land divisions were in a state of confusion. Ma‘ilikūkahi sent his ali‘i to survey the entire island, then created the ahupua‘a, or land division, system that we’re familiar with today. This created concise kuleana, or responsibilities, for both commoners and ali‘i, preventing land disputes that were once common and often ended in bloodshed.

Additionally, Ma‘ilikūkahi prohibited ali‘i from plundering the maka‘āinana, the commoners, and defying this order was punishable by death. Although his rule began a long period of peaceful leadership that lasted for generations, Ma‘ilikūkahi wasn’t a pushover. He proved to be a fierce defender of his land and people.

Some restless ali‘i from Maui and Hawai‘i Island attempted a raid on O‘ahu. They met Ma‘ilikūkahi and his forces at Waikakalaua, an upland ‘ili of Waikele, where a bloody battle ensued, moving toward Kīpapa. By the time the invading army was defeated, the casualties were so great that the floor of the valley was “paved with their bodies.”

While Kīpapa Gulch is said to be haunted by the spirits of those warriors, it is also the location of ke ala o ka huaka‘i pō, a path of the night marchers. Could the impression of the deaths of a thousand warriors still hang over the gulch, causing the numerous car crashes? And could the huaka‘i po be responsible for some of them as well? Might the spirits of the victims of these unfortunate events still be present?

One night, I hosted a caravan-style ghost tour where my guests and I piled into our own vehicles and traveled to haunted locations that couldn’t accommodate a minibus or a full-sized motorcoach. We ended up on a back road that overlooked Kīpapa Stream. There, in the darkness broken only by a few flashlights, I shared the sobering history of Kīpapa.

Nervously, the members of our group moved about, taking pictures, videos, and audio recordings. One distinct instruction I gave was that they must claim their noise, meaning they must be aware of any personal movement, talk, laughter, or bodily functions that could show up on any recording.

Afterward, guests shared the anomalies that turned up. On one recording, we could hear a woman singing. On another, was an expletive that said, “Dirty F****r!”

Everyone was overcome with chicken skin, as each person in the group was certain that those sounds were not their own. This was enough to signal that it was time to move on, and we decided to travel to our next stop in Wai‘anae. The next day, I received an email with a video link.

The message attached stated, “We didn’t hear the voice at first until we played it back. My girlfriend heard it the second time. It’s freaky. No one else was near us when this happened.”

It was a video of haole koa bushes lit by someone’s flashlight. A conversation between the boyfriend and the girlfriend can be heard. It was during the couple’s few pauses in their nervous exchange that a third voice was heard.

[{"type":"text","text":"“Don’t leave me here, don’t leave me here. Don’t leave.”"}]

I often say that when it comes to audio recordings with electronic voice phenomena, or EVP, it could be anything. However, these results seemed different. Clearer.

A few months later, an opportunity came up to bring a small group down into Kīpapa Gulch after hours. I thanked that person for thinking of me, but I graciously declined. Kīpapa is always bustling with activity, even if we can’t see it. While we are always interested in the paranormal, we also don’t want to push our luck.

Roosevelt Bridge over Kipapa

<title>Ghosts Run This Gulch</title>

From ancient battles to modern car crashes, a lot has happened around Roosevelt Bridge, where Kamehameha Highway crosses over Kīpapa Gulch. Is it any wonder it has a reputation for hauntings?

Ghosts Run This Gulch

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

Food & Dining

Ready for another weekend? Aloha State Daily rounded up some ways you can enjoy time off, including three theater productions, plus opportunities to eat and drink or listen to live music!

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Friday, May 29"}]

Catch stand-up comedy at Consolidated Theatres. 

Get ready to laugh with four comedians: Jose Dynamite, Jasmine Bautista, Josh Staples and Cathy Tanaka. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the performances start at 7:30 p.m. at Consolidated Theatres Kapolei. There are some R-rated laughs, so this show is recommended for audience members who are at least 18 years old. Tickets are $40, which includes a $20 voucher for concessions. 

Multiple theater productions are on stage this weekend. Catch the musical “Funny Girl,” which runs 

at Diamond Head Theatre. Tickets start at $41, plus fees. 

 See “Yellow Face” at Mānoa Valley Theatre through Sunday, May 31. Tickets start at $44 for subscribers. 

 Finally, catch the premiere of “Memory Beads” by Diane Aoki, which opens Thursday, May 28, and runs through Sunday, June 28, at Kumu Kahua Theatre. Tickets start at $28, plus fees. 

 a dog, cat or chinchilla? It is kitten season, and the Hawaiian Humane Society is at “critical capacity,” according to its website. Can’t adopt? There is also a need for fosters who can help shelter pets regain their confidence by placing them in homes while they await adoption. The Hawaiian Humane Society is also looking for couch crashers who can take adult dogs into their home for a short-term stay and share more about their personality and needs with potential adopters. This past weekend, more than 130 pets came into the shelter seeking homes. 

Eat and drink at the House of Sakura pop-up. 

 is back for a limited time. Those stopping by the pop-up can enjoy Beam Suntory 

, as well as premium sakes, Japanese beers and select wines by the glass. There are also 

shareable dishes, including a seafood platter

, ʻahi sashimi and more. Open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, May 31. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Saturday, May 30"}]

Attend the Science & Sustainability Festival. 

 is holding its annual Science & Sustainability Festival from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its campus in Kalihi. The event includes opportunities to view animal and plant specimens from the museum’s collection and talk story with researchers. The festival will also be the debut of new additions to the Science Adventure Center. There will be more than 40 booths, including federal, state and city agencies and local conservation groups. Admission grants access to all of the Bishop Museum’s galleries and exhibits, including the Hawaiʻi-themed Lego exhibit 

“Ea Mai ‘Eiwa: Patterns of Practice,”

, as well as her husband, Sig Zane, and their son, Kūhaʻoʻīmaikalani Zane. Admission is $5 for kamaʻāina and military with online registration. 

 Local Motion’s annual Surf into Summer contest is back. It will take place at Ala Moana Bowls on Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31. The event includes amateur surfers, who range in age from seven years old to 70 years old. Check-in times are an hour before each heat. Register ahead of the event. 

This outdoor movie series is a partnership between the City and County of Honolulu, the Waikīkī Improvement Association and Southwest Airlines. Arrive at 4:30 p.m. to enjoy festivities, including live music, games, food, photo opportunities, and more. Bring chairs and blankets. Catch “Zootopia 2” at 7:30 p.m. at Queen’s Beach in Waikīkī. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Sunday, May 31"}]

Attend the Hot Girl Summer: A Women in Rap Party. 

This women in rap party features music from artists such as Megan Thee Stallion, Latto, Nicki Minaj, Flo Milli and more. Beachwear or pink-themed attire is encouraged. 

 runs from 10 p.m. until 4 a.m. at Kiki’s Tiki Bar in Waikīkī. Catch Early bird tickets are $10. 

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Laugh

<title>Laughs, science and more: What to do on Oʻahu this weekend</title>

Already dreaming of the weekend after three days off? Aloha State Daily can help you make plans for Friday, May 29, through Sunday, May 31. From a women in rap party in Waikīkī to stand-up comedy in Kapolei, there are lots of events happening this weekend on Oʻahu.

Laughs, science and more: What to do on Oʻahu this weekend

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Aloha Spirit

,” a nighttime event that plays homage to paniolo culture and cuisine, made its debut this month at Waikōloa Stables, which is owned and managed by the Waikōloa Village Association.

The inspiration for the cultural residency comes from marketing specialist Karen Morgan of 

 and Aki Smith, a third-generation paniolo who used to rodeo in a similar show with his father, Gilbert, as a boy at the historic arena. Morgan wanted to revive the paniolo archives she had discovered while working with Waikōloa Stables and serendipitously met Smith at his western store, 

“It’s becoming real. We’ve been stirring this pot for seven years,” Smith told Aloha State Daily in early May. “The biggest challenge for me was marketing this thing — getting people to know the vision we have to show that paniolo exist in the middle of the Pacific.”

“It’s going to be an experience of a lifetime,” he continued. “We have eight cowboys altogether that ranch every day. This is part of our lives. This is what we do as our profession. Nothing is staged.”

In preparation for the show’s premiere, which took place May 21 for an invite-only crowd, Smith worked to rehab the arena over the last six months.

He also chose its eight signature rodeo acts — from team roping to double mugging and more — three of which guests will get the chance to participate in. 

Chef Nakoa Pabre of Umekes has created an island-inspired menu, including handcrafted cocktails, beers and spirits, in partnership with Maui Beer Co. and Kupu Spirits. At dinner, guests can meet the cowboys and enjoy live music by Ho’opono Wong. 

“When we end our show, they can close out the evening with a great meal and experience, where we’ll have more activities like leather branding, learning how to swing a rope, and mingling with the paniolo to get their perspectives," Smith said.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"What does it mean to be a paniolo?"}]

Smith, who started riding horses at 2 years old, says, “That’s the only lifestyle I know and it’s how I get to raise my kids.” He and his wife, Keala, live and work on 

“It’s a day-to-day deal. It’s not like you’re clocking in, clocking out. You wake up to it and go to sleep to it,” he said. “To me, it’s important to pass it down. It has a big responsibility to it; how to preserve and take care of the land and the animals, how to treat others with respect and so forth.”

Being self-sustainable was something gleaned from his grandfather. “We still go down to the ocean to provide for our families.”

“I find still today with the world changing as much as it is, the paniolo industry has changed so much with it, but it’s dear to my heart that I hold onto the culture,” he added.  “It’s so much different than Mainland cowboys. It all started because our king made a Kapu [code or law] and didn’t want to kill all the cattle but also didn’t know what to do with it. So, because of the vaqueros [Mexican-Spanish cowboys] that’s how we were created.”

, “In 1832, King Kamehameha III sent for help to California to teach the Hawaiians how to handle the wild cattle and to learn horsemanship.” The vaqueros taught the Hawaiians roping, herding, and other skills. Ikua Purdy brought the story of the paniolo to a wider audience, winning roping competitions and receiving several accolades.

whose business is named after that year "paniolo" was coined in the Islands 

, “blending equine wellness, cultural storytelling and botanical beauty," through massage and healing equine experiences. She praises Smith for his ability to orchestrate the new rodeo show.

“The harmony and leadership of Aki and the team, seeing them riding in the sunset, it’s really quite beautiful,” she said, adding, “One thing that’s unique is the arena is our stage and there’s a closeup intimacy that we’re going to get with the cowboys and the horses. It’s a cool experience, and part of Hawaiʻi’s rich culture and community.”

Smith adds: “I can’t thank the good Lord enough for better timing. I think it’s only going to get better as we move forward. Come and check it out. We’re really proud of it, and I’m really really proud to be a cowboy.”

“Paniolo Legends Under the Lights” is now open to the public monthly on select dates throughout the year. To book the experience, 

Learn more about offerings at Waikōloa Stables, including equine services, riding programs and other community events at 

Paniolo Legends 001 edit

<title>New rodeo highlights Hawaiian cowboy heritage on Hawaiʻi Island</title>

“Paniolo Legends Under the Lights” is produced by third-generation paniolo Aki Smith, owner of Paniolo Culture Co. Presented in partnership with 1832 Hawaiʻi Living Co. and Waikōloa Stables, the evening includes rodeo events in the historic arena, a meal from Chef Nakoa Pabre of Umekes, live music and time to talk story with cowboys.

Hawai‘i Skies: Sunrise to start the day

ASD Staff

More in Hawai'i Skies

Hawaiʻi Skies: In the moment

Hawaiʻi Skies: A bright and complete rainbow

Hawaiʻi Skies: The right place

Hawaiʻi Skies: A simple picnic

Most read

Hawai‘i Skies: Sunrise to start the day

Authors

ASD Staff

More in Hawai'i Skies

Hawaiʻi Skies: In the moment

Hawaiʻi Skies: A bright and complete rainbow

Hawaiʻi Skies: The right place

Hawaiʻi Skies: A simple picnic

Most read