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Daily Smile

[{"type":"text","text":"It was the only way she could get the dog to go back to her..."}]

Smile 26 1 26

<title>Daily Smile: Monday, January 26, 2026</title>

It was the only way she could get the dog to go back to her...

Daily Smile: Monday, January 26, 2026

 It was the only way she could get the dog to go back to her...

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

It’s a new year and new leadership is at the helm of AIA Honolulu, the Honolulu chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

Lance Hirai, an associate principal at G70, is serving as the 2026 president.

Hirai, who has served on the board for many years now, told Aloha State Daily that he’s lucky “to be a part of such a momentous time” for the organization, which marks it 100th anniversary this year. It’s “surreal just to be able to give back to our not just architectural community but our state, island home, in this way.”

Born and raised in Hawai‘i, Hirai went to school for architecture on the Mainland before finding his way back home in 2012. He’s been with G70 since.

ASD recently caught up with Hirai to find out more about his goals for the organization during this milestone year.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Mentorship is a priority"}]

“Personally, for me, I carry a strong, strong commitment to our next generation,” Hirai says.

Mentorship has been a big passion of his for many years — through AIA Honolulu, the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s School of Architecture, the Boys & Girls Club of Hawai‘i and even internally at G70.

“That has really guided me and I look to carry my experiences from that and move that forward, hopefully for our membership,” Hirai says. “Through mentorship, I do see the opportunities to strengthen our profession by bringing together all levels of experience — learning from our fellows, our senior architects, and being able to connect them through forums and opportunities so that our emerging professionals can learn from them. We’re looking to create new programming around that effort.”

Hirai says that he’s learned that great leadership takes “just really deep listening.” To that end, he started an initiative called “Lattes with Lance,” where he and AIA Honolulu Executive Vice President Julia Fink bring coffee to members in their offices, offering a chance to hear directly from them.

As a whole, though, Hirai says goals for AIA Honolulu’s centennial year are simple.

“It’s reflective and forward-looking,” he told ASD. “We’re going to honor the legacy of our members and the great work that AIA Honolulu has done for our built environment. And as we look forward, we want to continue to grow our mentorships, our innovation, our advocacy so that we’re elevating the public’s understanding of the value of the architect.”

Workforce woes continue to challenge architecture in Hawai‘i

Lattes with Lance is already bringing some of the industry’s current challenges to light.

Through the effort, Hirai says the organization is hearing about “some of that missing middle level of experience.” Professionals with 5, 10 or 15 years of experience who are “the backbone to the project deliveries of our projects” are hard to come by, he says.

Hirai says mentorship can strengthen and retain this group, “in the same way that I had an opportunity, when a mentor trusted in me. It really changed the trajectory for my career. I hope that through mentorship, we bring that forward for our members to see the opportunities and space for them to grow into this profession for years to come.”

Additionally, Hirai notes that the industry is looking at artificial intelligence and how technology continues advancing in the profession, “and how do we work with it to support out workflows?”

[{"type":"text","text":"Legacy and looking ahead"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"The organization got its start with a group of architects joining forces."}]

“That’s something I also wanted as a goal, was strengthening the unity across our memberships because that’s how we started,” Hirai says. “It was a group of architects coming together.”

It’s played out similarly in the past, he noted, with members coming together to offer design expertise and public testimony “on some of our significant public community developments.”

In addition to Hirai, AIA Honolulu’s 2026 Board of Directors Executive Committee also includes Vice President and President-elect Sheryl Seaman, of council at G70; Treasurer Andrea Aegerter, principal at MASON; and Secretary Jessica Shimazu, architect at HDR Inc.

“We continue to be advocates, not just for architects ourselves, but for the public, for the community, protecting the health, safety, the welfare of those who are occupying the spaces that we create for them and that allow them to thrive,” Hirai says. “… I think our organization will continue to be a steady, informed voice advocating for Hawai‘i.”

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

AIA Honolulu 2026 Lance Hirai

<title>Mentorship is priority for Lance Hirai, 2026 AIA Honolulu president</title>

In an interview with Aloha State Daily, Hirai said that he’s lucky “to be a part of such a momentous time” for the organization, which marks it 100th anniversary this year.

Mentorship is priority for Lance Hirai, 2026 AIA Honolulu president

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

, recalls when he first got the idea to start a gourmet hot dog business.

“For almost two years, I worked security at a gay nightclub,” he recalls. “That’s where I got the idea of making a hot dog business with a catchy theme that was meant for fun, and not to be offensive. The idea (for) ‘Sausage Fest Hawai

Rutkowski started brainstorming potential business names, logos and custom hot dog creations, but his ideas were “put on the backburner” due to other priorities.

[{"type":"text","text":"“I had my second child in 2018 and got caught up with life,” he says."}]

“I joined the army at 18 (years old),” he adds. “I also was a bouncer for 15 years, until the Covid-19 pandemic. I worked at various locations over the years, and I would always see a hot dog vendor. The business is a low investment, and you could fill bellies and put smiles on faces.”

Fast-forward to 2020. During October of that year, Rutkowski had a spine injury that led to him being paralyzed from the waist down for two months. The following January, he started going to physical rehab to learn how to walk again.

“During those months was one of the darkest times of my life,” he recalls. “Coming from a background of being Army Infantry and deployed, and involved in martial arts … it was the most humbling experience in my life, from (being) physically active to partially paralyzed.”

During that time, Rutkowski learned a lot about himself and had “a different outlook on life.”

“While going to physical therapy, I enrolled in a massage school,” he says. “I’ve strengthened my core and legs from rehab and proper massage techniques. I would tell everyone that going through massage school was one of the most spiritual things I’ve ever done.”

Rutkowski graduated from massage school in March 2022 and was contemplating his next move. He came across a small, standard hot dog cart on Facebook Marketplace and took that as a sign.

“I was like, ‘Let’s do this!’” he says. “The next two months, I got everything finalized and printed, and by May, Sausage Fest Hawai

i’s menu is centered on gourmet 100% all-beef hot dogs ($8 each), which Rutkowski refers to as Glizzys.

[{"type":"text","text":"“Glizzys is a term used on the Mainland for hot dogs,” he explains."}]

The menu usually includes options like hot dogs topped with grilled Cola onions drizzled with Angel’s sauce; hot dogs wrapped in bacon and topped with ground beef and avocado, drizzled with barbecue sauce; and hot dogs topped with kalua pig and lomi lomi salmon, drizzled with Angel’s sauce.

“The most popular (order) are our combos, where they can choose from any of our five Glizzys and it will come with two birria tacos with consommé, onions and cilantro,” Rutkowski says.

From now until March, customers can find Sausage Fest Hawai

i at Mānoa’s men’s volleyball and basketball games at Stan Sheriff Center. The business is switching up its offerings at the games, though, and will be featuring a birria-centric menu, complete with birria tacos ($15), birria bowls ($18) — birria meat, corn, salsa, avocado, cheese, diced onions, cilantro and lime over white rice — birria sliders ($12) and birria grilled cheese sandwiches ($15).

i’s location and upcoming events, follow the biz on social media.

“Our long-term goal for Sausage Fest Hawai

i is to become a franchise and to have multiple hot dog carts and locations in different states, as well as countries,” Rutkowski says.

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Sasauge Fest Hawaii owner 011526

<title>Sausage Fest Hawaiʻi offers gourmet Glizzys</title>

The food business — which can be found at events across Oʻahu — specializes in “Glizzys,” which is slang for hot dogs. These gourmet dogs feature toppings like bacon bits, kalua pig, lomi lomi salmon and more. Plus, the biz also now offers birria tacos.

Sausage Fest Hawaiʻi offers gourmet Glizzys

[{"type":"text","text":"\"This is the largest stick Daisy has ever selected to bring home...\""}]

Smile 26 1 28

<title>Daily Smile: Wednesday, January 28, 2026</title>

"This is the largest stick Daisy has ever selected to bring home..."

Daily Smile: Wednesday, January 28, 2026

IMG 1445

Rick Hamada

Columnists

Protesters on O‘ahu rallied against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on this past Sunday over two shooting deaths in Minnesota that happened just weeks apart.

Organizers called the demonstration at the intersection of Atkinson Drive and Ala Moana Boulevard an “emergency protest,” and demanded justice for 

Alex Pretti, 37, a U.S. citizen who was shot and killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis

 agents tried to disarm him, and he resisted, and an officer fired defensive shots out of fear for his life and the safety of other agents.

It is the most incendiary news cycle since the nation was roused by the death George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement. With the passing of time and developments in this story, there was so much that emerged that revealed more truth. We are witnessing a variation on a theme in Minnesota but what is a common thread is the sweeping emotional narrative leading to a greater division in our country.

[{"type":"text","text":"First things first."}]

There is no joy surrounding the Pretti or Good stories. I lament the loss of life, the impact to their families and friends and the continuing divisions plaguing our country. We have been treated to personalized stories of each including backgrounds, families, occupations and more. 

I am not decrying the access to media those close to Pretti and Good have used to share their messages. As anyone of us who has experienced such grievous loss can attest that it is a painful and regretful experience. And to lose a loved one at the hands of law enforcement is not something I can relate to because that has never happened to me. But empathetically speaking, I can imagine their losses were exacerbated learning their deaths were at the hands of ICE agents.

[{"type":"text","text":"The as of now, unsolved questions are how and why. "}]

But there are so very many who have reached their own conclusions and this is on both sides. I am of the mind to opine on what we do know and hold accusations and assumptions until there is a verifiable explanation and conclusion by verifiable sources.

However I do maintain there is voluminous reporting and social media posts that present one side to the overall story of ICE. I hope to provide another side to what is for so many the accepted overall narrative regarding ICE, its operations and news coverage. 

[{"type":"text","text":"Some key points."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"\"ICE agents are untrained.\""}]

"The basic training for an ICE agent - ICE-D is a 13-week Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) integrated basic training program that consists of both FLETC and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) training. FLETC training includes three written examinations. You are required to obtain a 70% or better on all FLETC written examinations. ICE training includes four written examinations. You are required to obtain a 70% or better on all ICE written examinations," per the 

. There are requirements for speaking Spanish, physical conditioning and more. 

DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a written statement that ICE officer candidates receive extensive training over eight weeks in courses that include conflict management and de-escalation. She said many of the candidates are military veterans, and about 85% have previous law enforcement experience. “All ICE candidates are subject to months of rigorous training and selection at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, where they are trained in everything from de-escalation tactics to firearms to driving training. Homeland Security Investigations candidates receive more than 100 days of specialized training," she 

I understand there will be those who take exception to the aforementioned retort to ICE officers "are not trained." There are counter arguments from those in various spaces that will denounce the quality of training. As I mentioned before, I would rather base my opinion on what is verifiable. With the two pieces of official data from the DHS, the statements can be vetted for accuracy. I have not seen any discrediting of this training protocol except news reports citing politicians and academia for their opinions.  

[{"type":"text","text":"\"ICE should be eliminated.\""}]

More Americans now support abolishing ICE than keeping it.

found that 46% want to eliminate ICE, compared to 43% who support preserving it.

Polling data is some of the most easily manipulated information anywhere. It's the pool of those polled, it's the phrasing of the question, and both are areas where it's controllable to reach a specific conclusion. Case in point; political polling during an election year. Candidates will often cite their own "internal" polling for a specific result. It's literally a selfie in a snapshot of time where emotions will supersede a true preponderance of questions posed. As an example, where is the margin of error in the above cited poll numbers where there is only a 3% difference? Exactly.

 "ICE is targeting minorities and even children in separating families."

The mission of ICE is to protect America from cross-border crime and illegal immigration that threaten national security and public safety through 

criminal investigations and enforcing immigration laws, combating threats like terrorism, trafficking, and illicit movement of people and goods, and upholding immigration integrity.

ICE accomplishes this by enforcing over 400 federal statutes, with key functions including immigration enforcement, investigations and removals, focusing on criminals, national security threats and maintaining lawful immigration.

[{"type":"text","text":"\"ICE is too rough with enforcement.\""}]

I would counter that agitators among genuine protesters are too rough with ICE agents/officers.

Now, before you start rolling your eyes and yelling at your screen, simply consider the following.

I began this column referring to local protests being staged on Ala Moana Boulevard near the harbor. According to reports, hundreds attended, and you know what happened? 

No confrontations, no traffic snarling or blockages, no illegal and classless behavior to law enforcement.

[{"type":"text","text":"But you know what else happened? "}]

Those who have grievances regarding the Minnesota stories and who oppose ICE and DHS successfully protested. Their peaceful congregation, respect for motorists, bikers and pedestrians, and law enforcement countered the actions in other parts of the Mainland. And their message was delivered and received via local news coverage and more.

Side note: Kudos to Hawai‘i News Now's A‘ali‘i Dukolow for his well chronicled and well balanced story pertaining to a controversial and multi-layered story.

I know there are those that are saddened to being outraged at what is taking place in our country. You have every right to believe what you believe, to speak out on what you believe and even proselytize others to believe what you believe. But we don't have the right to escalate, to assault, to berate and spew hatred to ICE or any other law enforcement officers.

[{"type":"text","text":"Commit crimes, no."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Final thought regarding protesting and not inflaming."}]

When you are taking to the streets either here or there ask yourself one question.

[{"type":"text","text":"Am I making my kids proud? "}]

[{"type":"text","text":"This is a rule of thumb all sides should embrace."}]

Protest i Stock 2230731637

<title>Hamada: Something important happened at Honolulu's anti-ICE protest</title>

No violence at all. What we see happening on the Mainland isn't the way things need to be.

Hamada: Something important happened at Honolulu's anti-ICE protest

Daniel Farr 02

Daniel Farr

Government & Politics

Hawaiʻi County is launching a review of more than $33 million in homelessness grants after questions were raised about fairness, equity and whether the funding is reducing visible street homelessness.

The County Council’s Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee unanimously advanced a resolution last week requesting a performance audit of the Office of Housing and Community Development’s Homelessness and Housing Fund. The resolution, which targets the five-year program created in 2022, now moves to the full council for consideration. 

Council Chair Holeka Inaba told Aloha State Daily the audit, expected this fall, will examine how grants are awarded, whether funds are spent according to approved budgets and whether programs are achieving their intended goals. He said the review will also address concerns that some nonprofits received multiple awards with overlapping costs, including insurance and utilities, which may function as general overhead despite the county’s 10% administrative cap.

Housing Administrator Kehaulani Costa told ASD the Office of Housing and Community Development supports the audit and plans to work closely with the County Auditor’s Office throughout the process.

“We view this as an opportunity to better understand the scope of the county’s homelessness-related investments and to ensure transparency, accountability and continuous improvement,” she told ASD.

Inaba said the council wants to better understand whether the funding is making a visible difference in the community.

“For community and for us on the council, it’s what you’re seeing when you’re out there on the streets. Your numbers can say whatever it wants, it can say we have 200 more homeless in town or 200 less, but what are we seeing on the streets?” Inaba told ASD.

Inaba also raised concerns about the current grant process, saying organizations can, in some cases, receive funding simply by proposing to help people experiencing homelessness, even if the services do not fully align with community needs.

The council is exploring a new approach that would set specific service requirements, such as operating a 24/7, year-round shelter with a set number of beds and a resource center, and direct funding to organizations that meet those requirements.

Inaba said the audit will help ensure public funds are used equitably and effectively and could influence whether the county continues funding programs beyond the current 2027 deadline.

“I don’t anticipate us seeing a bill that would stop it anytime sooner because there’s already a hard stop,” he told ASD.

Even if the audit shows progress and the program is extended past 2027, Inaba said a deadline should remain in place so future councils continue to closely monitor the funding.

Councilwoman Jenn Kagiwada told ASD the review will help determine the most effective way to address homelessness at the county level. Kagiwada is the council’s only member with a social services background.

Councilman Dennis Onishi told ASD he has concerns about the program’s structure and reporting, saying the council currently has limited information about nonprofit performance and whether funding is effectively supporting families experiencing homelessness.

Onishi said the legislation authorizing the fund does not clearly define how grants should be awarded or evaluated.

“I feel the council should suspend the funding and reconstruct the legislation to fit the purpose of what the council would like to see happen,” Onishi told ASD.

He added that some funding could also be redirected to support first responders and security, as suggested during the original vote.

Lawmakers also raised concerns about visible homelessness in parks, vandalism and safety risks for children. Inaba said enforcement by the Department of Parks and Recreation, with support from police, is critical to addressing those issues.

The most recent funding round, approved in December, awarded 

 to 12 projects, with an additional $5.1 million supporting urgent initiatives such as safe overnight sleeping programs, emergency shelters and permanent housing with supportive services. Twenty-three applications requested more than $18 million, far exceeding available funds.

Since 2022, the Homelessness and Housing Fund has awarded more than 

 to nonprofits across Hawaiʻi Island. Top recipients include Hope Services Hawaiʻi Inc., which received nearly $10 million for long-term housing and support programs across the island; Bridge House Inc., which received $430,000 for recovery and family housing in Kona; the Big Island Substance Abuse Council, which received roughly $800,000 for detox, stabilization and family programs; and Neighborhood Place of Puna, which received $400,000 for youth and family street outreach.

Programs funded include street outreach, transitional living, permanent supportive housing and behavioral health services.

The Homelessness and Housing Fund, authorized through 2027, receives at least $9 million annually from residential property tax revenues. The audit is expected to provide lawmakers and the public with a clearer picture of whether the county’s homelessness funding is being spent effectively and producing visible results.

Daily Smile: Monday, January 26, 2026

ASD Staff

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Daily Smile: Monday, January 26, 2026

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