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Hawai'i Skies

Today's Hawai‘i Skies was captured by Deb Seibert at Bellows Beach. "Starting the day with my daughter. The weather was cloudy and windy, but we decided to go for a swim regardless of the weather. We were rewarded with this memorable sunrise."

To submit your Hawai'i Skies photo, visit us 

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Deb Seibert Bellows

<title>Hawai‘i Skies: Starting the day with my daughter</title>

Today's Hawai‘i Skies was captured by Deb Seibert at Bellows Beach.

Hawai‘i Skies: Starting the day with my daughter

Today&#039;s Hawai‘i Skies was captured by Deb Seibert at Bellows Beach. &quot;Starting the day with my daughter. The weather was cloudy and windy, but we decided to go for a swim regardless of the weather. We were rewarded with this memorable sunrise.&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.

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

MĀNOA — In his fourth year as the head coach of the University of Hawai‘i football team, 

 enjoyed unprecedented success in 2025. The Rainbow Warriors went 9-4, 

Hawai‘i's 2025 breakthrough was preceded by consecutive five-win seasons in 2023 and 2024. In both years, the Rainbow Warriors were one of the first teams in the country to begin spring practices, completing their 15 practice sessions early in order to focus on the program's strength and conditioning program at the end of the semester. 

Despite having their season end on Christmas Eve, nearly a full month after each of Chang's three previous years, the Rainbow Warriors were back at practice on Tuesday morning at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.

"I do like it because we can and it fits our schedule. It fits what we want to do," Chang said following Tuesday morning's practice. "We got a bunch of new guys in there, and so it allows us to just to continue to develop. There's no perfect plan. It's just a plan in which I believe, and we believe, that will help develop our guys and get our guys going."

The rationale behind the early start is based on getting the team's younger and more inexperienced players increased reps during practice, providing ample time for players and coaches to evaluate, tinker and self-scout well after the 15th practice has ended. 

After practices are over, the Rainbow Warriors will immerse themselves in a strength training regimen put together by head strength and conditioning coach 

Fall camp, which will begin approximately a month before its Aug. 29 season opener at Stanford, will feature full days containing practices, strength and conditioning sessions, and film study. 

As for UH's 2026 spring practices, no position group figures to benefit more from the early repetitions than its quarterbacks. The Rainbow Warriors have two active quarterbacks on their spring roster in true freshman 

, as well as Bjorn Jurgensen, a redshirt freshman who transferred from the University of Virginia. 

Chang also confirmed after Tuesday's practice that presumed 2026 starter 

 will be sidelined as he recovers from an ankle injury suffered in the 2025 season opener. 

"He's gonna be on the side as he continues [recovering]. The ankle injury was a little bit worse than expected," Chang said of Alejado. 

With 2025 backups Luke Weaver [San Jose State] and Dermaricus Davis [Sacramento State] both finding new homes in the transfer portal, Eugenio and Jurgensen will receive close tutoring from Hawai‘i quarterbacks coach Chad Kapanui in the weeks ahead. Both took equal turns throwing on Tuesday, catching Chang's attention. 

"It's the first time I got to see their arms live. I thought Bjorn threw the ball really well and Maika throws the ball really well," Chang said. "The things that you can clean up are the reads, the timing. But as far as being quarterbacks and being able to play the position, pretty excited about those guys."

, UH staffers had to scramble in order to get its new additions signed and enrolled in classes. Dozens of newcomers were seen on the field on Tuesday, including receiver Audric Harris, a slot receiver from the University of Washington. Harris is one of 13 graduates of national high school football powerhouse Bishop Gorman [Las Vegas] on the spring roster. 

"Those memories that that we made at Bishop Gorman, they kind of carry with us, and we're looking to make some more here," he said. 

Though Chang had the final say in starting the team's spring earlier than most, he's part of a growing coalition of college football coaches who lamented the calendar of the college football season. Programs across the country are feeling inconvenienced by dates put in place by the NCAA during and after the season. 

"I think we're such in a rush to move forward and get on to the next thing and finish what we all started to do, and that's to just coach and develop young men, to develop student-athletes, and continue to pour into these guys," Chang said. "You look at it in ways where in this business, there's guys who are not performing and didn't get the results that they wanted. And then there's other sides of it, there's guys are excelling and doing really good, guys 

 and they're leaving teams high and dry. In my opinion, this is not the way to go. It puts a lot of stress on a lot of the other half of academia, academics, admissions, those type of things as there's moving parts to getting student-athletes in."

Hawaii football 020326

<title>Hawai‘i football begins spring practices, staying with strategy to take the field early</title>

The Rainbow Warriors were again one of the first teams in the country to begin spring practices despite playing in a bowl game in December.

Hawai‘i football begins spring practices, staying with strategy to take the field early

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Aloha Spirit

Arts & Entertainment

Born and raised on Oʻahu, Hunter Gentry says his passion for cooking started at 2 years old alongside his mom in the kitchen.

From there, he went into the Culinary Program at Mililani High School, while also balancing extracurriculars such as paddling and JROTC.

 “In paddling, they taught discipline, great mentality, leadership; JROTC taught personal and professional development; the culinary pathway was the way to go because that became my career.”

 at Greystone in Napa Valley, California, in 2020, and traveled across the country to work at 

Disney World Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella’s Royal Table

. At CIA, he learned from Chef Thomas Wong, also from Hawai’i, who pointed him to the Greenbrier Culinary Apprenticeship program in West Virginia. 

, the intensive, paid program is 3 years long and trains chefs in both savory and pastry paths.

“It is one of the most prestigious culinary apprenticeship programs in the nation. It’s insane,” Gentry said, “You learn and excel at the fundamentals of cooking, and at the end, you create your own menu to show what you learned. I did an 11-course menu, all Hawai

He stayed on in various roles at Greenbrier

When asked to define his cooking style, Gentry said, “With my heritage being Filipino and Chamorro, and upbringing in Hawai’i, I bring upscale, classical, French cooking into every plate.”

Unleashing these skills on Fox’s newest season of “Next Level Chef,” he adds he “brought the aloha. I brought the culture.”

When casting producers called to share that he made it onto the show, it was hard to contain the excitement, he said with a laugh, “I was screaming, cussing, doing cheehoos. Then on the show, I was doing cheehoos and scared a few people.”

He recalled one of the challenges and having 30 seconds to pick out ingredients off a rising platform. “You’re fighting all these chefs, and literally, hands were thrown. I didn’t know if someone punched someone or they fell, so I grabbed what I could. It was a war.

Chefs then have 20-25 minutes to cook. “I was plating something while cooking something else in last 20 seconds,” Gentry said. “If someone watching this at home says this is easy. It is not. It was to the wire.”

The show is judged by chefs Richard Blais, Nyesha Arrington and Gordon Ramsay.

“The judges were nice, especially Gordon Ramsay. I had a great time. For my first time doing this, the team was helpful,” Gentry said. “I loved meeting the competitors. On set, you couldn’t bring any technology, you just had to talk with everybody, which was great. We all became family.”

[{"type":"text","text":"He noted this won’t be his last time on national TV."}]

When asked what’s next for his cooking career, he said continuing to learn from other chefs.

“I do envision running my own restaurant. Probably not in Hawai

i because of the cost. Maybe within the next six to 10 years, Gentry said. “I just want to make delicious food and serve my heritage.”

He says when he visits Hawai’i, he loves going to the North Shore to be in the water, Food-wise, his stops include Kyung's Seafood, Banzai Sushi Bar, Foodland and Zippy’s.

[{"type":"text","text":"The are two quotes he lives by are:"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"“Never stop paddling, always keep pushing.”"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"“It’s not an if, it’s a when.”"}]

As a newborn and child, Gentry endured various health issues that predicted a 10% chance of living, he says. But having support from friends, family and community have helped shaped who he is today.

“For me, I want to be able to show that even though I had my extensive medical history, was a special education student, had hearing aids growing up, for those kids out there who have differences or troubles 

 go for it, push it! Go dream and do what you want to do.”

Watch Gentry and the other professionals on episode 1 of season 5 on “Next Level Chef,” 

which premiered on Fox on Jan. 29, 2026. It can be watched weekly on TV or streamed on 

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Hunter Cooking NLC

<title>Chef from Honolulu competes in cooking show</title>

Watch Mililani High School grad Hunter Gentry on Fox’s newest season of “Next Level Chef," judged by celebrity chefs Richard Blais, Nyesha Arrington and Gordon Ramsay. Gentry shares with Aloha State Daily about the experience, his cooking journey and style, and favorite restaurants to eat at when visiting home.

Chef from Honolulu competes in cooking show

Daniel Farr 02

Daniel Farr

Government & Politics

Honolulu transit riders will pay more starting July 1 after the City Council on Wednesday approved a major overhaul of fares for TheBus, TheHandi-Van and Skyline.

The changes are expected to generate about $4 million in additional revenue for Oʻahu’s public transit system, which faces rising operating costs that could push its 

 toward $470 million over the next two years.

The Council voted 6–3 to adopt Bill 54, legislation introduced by Council Chair Tommy Waters by request, updating the city’s public transit fare schedule under Chapter 15B of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu. Councilmembers Radiant Cordero, Matt Weyer and Tyler Dos Santos-Tam voted against the measure.

Under the new rates, adult riders paying cash will see the single-ride fare rise from $3 to $3.25. Riders using a city payment card will also pay $3.25, while the daily fare cap will remain $7.50. Monthly adult passes will increase from $80 to $90, and annual passes from $880 to $990, a 12.5% increase for both. Seven-day adult passes will rise from $35 to $45, a 28.5% increase.

Youth fares will also increase. Monthly youth passes will rise from $40 to $45, while annual youth passes will increase from $440 to $495.

Senior fares will also go up, with the annual pass increasing from $45 to $50, an 11% increase. Reduced fares will remain available to Hawaiʻi residents who are seniors, people with disabilities, Medicare cardholders, paratransit eligibility ID holders and individuals with extremely low incomes. Reduced fares include single-ride fares of $1.50 for cash payments and $1.25 for payment card users, a two-hour pass for $1.25, a 24-hour pass for $3, monthly passes for $20 and annual passes for $45.

Paratransit riders using TheHandi-Van will pay $2.50 for a one-way trip, up from $2.25.

The ordinance keeps the reduced‑fare program for people with extremely low incomes, but their fares will rise by 25 cents. 

Eligible riders will receive a city payment card programmed with discounted fares, with eligibility determined by the Department of Community Services under guidelines outlined in the legislation.

The bill allows the city’s transportation services director to set special fares for large events, including concerts, conventions and sporting events, when non-scheduled transit service is provided, as well as for travel to and from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.

Weyer, District 2 Councilman, representing Haleʻiwa, Wahiawā and other parts of North and Central Oʻahu, told Aloha State Daily he voted against the measure because fare increases place a financial burden on residents who rely on public transit for daily needs, noting that more than half of bus riders do not own a car. He also raised concerns about reduced ridership resulting from higher fares.

“Public transportation is not a luxury, it’s a necessity,” Weyer said.

Dos Santos-Tam, District 6 Councilman, representing Downtown Honolulu, Chinatown and other urban neighborhoods, told ASD the increase runs counter to the Council’s stated focus on affordability, particularly for residents with lower incomes. As a regular bus rider, he said he frequently hears from riders struggling with rising everyday costs.

“The City Council should be focused on bringing down the cost of living, not making daily life more expensive for residents,” Dos Santos-Tam said.

Dos Santos-Tam cited data showing ASD that about 70% of Honolulu bus riders live in households earning under $60,000 annually, with roughly 20% earning less than $21,000. Even modest fare increases, he said, can force families to cut back on essentials such as food, rent or medical care.

Dos Santos-Tam said he introduced a floor draft to block the fare increase, but it failed to gain enough support from the Council. Weyer said he plans to continue working with the Department of Transportation Services to explore expanded reduced-fare or zero-fare programs.

The Department of Transportation Services said the fare increases are necessary to maintain service amid rising costs. Operating expenses are expected to increase by about $11 million this year and another $11 million next year, pushing the transit budget toward $470 million, while total revenues are projected at about $44 million. The $4 million expected from the fare changes would help offset the gap (read ASD’s deep dive comparing Honolulu’s transit operating costs with those of Mainland systems 

Council staff said Bill 54 will now be transmitted to Mayor Rick Blangiardi for his signature. Scott Humber, the mayor’s communications director, told ASD the measure is expected to be in the mayor’s office by Wednesday. Once received, the mayor will have until Feb. 12 to sign.

Bill 54 was introduced July 22, 2025. All approved fare changes take effect later this year.

Untitled design

<title>Honolulu Bus, Handi-Van and Skyline fares set to increase</title>

City Council approves fare overhaul expected to generate $4 million for Oʻahu’s public transit system amid rising costs, despite opposition citing affordability concerns.

Honolulu Bus, Handi-Van and Skyline fares set to increase

Daily Smile

[{"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

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

Whether you prefer dining out or staying in — or just want specialty desserts — here are delicious ways to celebrate Feb. 14.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Aloha Brew Coffee Bar"}]

: This coffee business’s Valentine’s menu just launched. Drinks are available in heart-shaped cups with flavors like Sweet Thang (white chocolate, Thai walls and vanilla cold foam), I Love You Like a Mango (mango black tea with optional pineapple juice), Perfect Match-A (strawberry matcha), chocolate-dipped strawberry (strawberry with chocolate cold foam), Honey Bebeh (honey, brown sugar and coconut cold foam), Passion Love (black tea, liliko

i cold foam and optional pineapple juice), Going Bananas for You (banana, mocha walls and Cookie Butter cold foam) and banana split (banana, chocolate walls and strawberry cold foam). 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Chef Chai"}]

: This special Valentine’s dinner costs $125 per person. The menu includes:

: 5 or 7 p.m. Feb. 14; early bird special ($115) if seated between 4 and 5 p.m. 

olani Hotel Waikīkī Beach, 150 Kapahulu Ave., Honolulu 

: The Valentine’s Day prix fixe ($100 per guest) features a four-course menu. It includes:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"La Palme D’Or"}]

: The dessert shop is offering a variety of themed treats for Valentine’s Day. Specialty desserts include strawberry shortcake ($65), strawberry basque ($40), strawberry roll cake ($30), raspberry opera cake ($45-$55, depending on size), chocolate-covered strawberries ($25-$45, depending on number of pieces; $5.50 each), cake pops ($5.50), four-piece financier sets ($16), espresso cup sets ($8.50) and more. Certain desserts like the raspberry mousse ($7.50), raspberry opera cake ($8.50) and choco tarte ($8.50) are also available in individual sizes. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"MW Restaurant"}]

: This Valentine’s Day special tasting menu ($110 per person) is available on Feb. 13 and 14, but on Feb. 13, diners have the option to order off the a la carte menu, as well.

[{"type":"text","text":"The tasting menu includes:"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Plumeria Beach House"}]

: This Valentine’s Day dinner buffet costs $125 per adult and $55 per child. The restaurant’s a la carte menu will not be available during this time. 

kahalaresort.com/dining/Plumeria-Beach-House/

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Star of Honolulu"}]

: The Pacific Star Sunset Buffet & Show Cruise ($128.88 per adult, $76.96 per child) includes a welcome Mai Tai, Pacific Rim dinner buffet, Moku Ola show and sunset views.

The buffet menu includes Alaea salt crusted USDA prime roast beef, fish of the day with coconut curry sauce, barbecue chicken, local macaroni salad, Big Island mixed greens with sweet bread croutons and citrus vinaigrette, homemade pineapple banana bread, coconut cake, guava chiffon cake and more. 

starofhonolulu.com/holiday-cruises-oahu-hawaii-valentines-day-cruise-pacific-star-dinner

: Stripsteak’s Valentine’s Day menu costs $139 per person. The three-course menu includes:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"The Buffet at Hyatt"}]

: Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort & Spa, 

’s Valentine’s dinner buffet costs $125 per person (50% off for children ages 6 to 12 years old, children ages 5 and under have free admission). Buffet highlights include a carving station with garlic and herb crusted prime rib and grilled rack of lamb; seafood and sushi (Goosepoint oysters, Alaskan snow crab legs, ‘ahi poke, ‘ahi sashimi, made-to-order temaki handrolls and more); teppan station (kalbi short ribs, washugyu beef bulgogi and baked oysters); hot food station (Hyatt signature Korean fried chicken, roasted Hawaiian kampachi, lechon pork belly and more); and assorted desserts (soft serve ice cream with toppings, chocolate-dipped strawberries, chocolate fountain with assorted fruits and brownies, mini red velvet cupcakes, tiramisu and more).

There is a 90-minute dining time limit, and this holiday menu is not combinable with the eatery’s kamaʻāina discount and other promotions. 

Valentines Day 2026 part 1 La Palme Dor 011526

<title>Where to eat on Valentine’s Day 2026: part 1</title>

From prix fixe menus to specialty desserts, check out these options for Feb. 14.

Where to eat on Valentine’s Day 2026: part 1

Business & Tourism

Gerald S. “Jerry” Clay, a more than 50-year construction industry lawyer and former partner at 

, says his lifeʻs mission has always been to address flaws in the adversary legal system. In fact, most of his work in Hawaiʻi has been in mediation, dispute prevention and non-litigious conflict resolution.

“At this point in my life, I’ve retired from practicing law, and I'm going to be 100% focused on ‘Partnering’,” he told Aloha State Daily. “The legal system is dispute resolution, but at that point you're already too emotionally involved to work things out. 

“But ‘Partnering’ is dispute prevention. It’s a game changer, in my opinion, for the public to embrace a process that allows any group to become a mightier, cohesive team with a roadmap of how to accomplish goals and find success.”

 includes elements such as team building, strategic planning, problem solving and more, among all stakeholders. To learn more about "Partnering" from Clay's perspective, check out this week's article in the Hawai’i Bar Journal, 

Since the ’90s, he has trained as a "Partnering" facilitator, while developing pathways for it to thrive here in the Islands. Though the method originated in construction, "Partnering" can be applied across sectors, both internally and externally, among nonprofits, businesses and lawmakers. The larger goal is to integrate "Partnering" internationally, according to Clay, who recently launched company Clay Partnering LLC to support this initiative.

"‘Partnering’ is fun,” he told ASD. “This service is for any and every group that wants to become better, more effective and profitable. I want to help nonprofits find success in Hawai’i because they do so much good in our communities.”

With that in mind, Clay intends to spend at least 20% of his time offering "Partnering" for free to nonprofits, while charging fees to for-profits. The company is now offering free, initial consultations.

When asked what makes Hawaiʻi the right prototype for this model, Clay joked, “Because I live here.”

“There’s other pieces, too, like the whole idea of aloha. Ho'oponopono is the Hawaiian practice of resolving disputes. ‘Partnering’ has similar values of respect, relationship, and understanding, where everyone has an equal voice.”

"Partnering" has already been well-received 

by the Hawaiʻi State Bar Association, legislators and organizations as a “brand-new topic in the legal world.”

“It will change legal culture, and as a result, business culture, to better society,” Clay said. “‘Partnering’ puts the common goal ahead of self-interest, and I believe that will be my legacy to the human race.”

For more information about "Partnering", visit 

Honolulu Jerry S. Clay Clay Partnering

<title>Longtime Hawaii attorney Gerald Clay wants his legacy to be ‘Partnering’</title>

“Partnering", a collaborative approach designed to help groups become more effective, is an alternative to the legal system’s traditional dispute resolution because it promotes dispute prevention among stakeholders, says Clay, who is a trained facilitator. He recently wrote an article for the Hawai’i Bar Journal about why he launched Clay Partnering LLC, a company that aims to positively impact local businesses, nonprofits, government agencies and beyond.

Hawai‘i Skies: Starting the day with my daughter

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Hawai‘i Skies: Starting the day with my daughter

Authors

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