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Daily Smile

It's always good to teach your dog how to let you know when he's hungry...

Smile 26 2 3

<title>Daily Smile: Tuesday, February 3, 2026</title>

Daily Smile: Tuesday, February 3, 2026

 It&#039;s always good to teach your dog how to let you know when he&#039;s hungry...

“How my dogs act when my husband gets home after 12 hours vs when I get back from the store after 10 minutes..."

Smile 26 2 13

<title>Daily Smile: Friday, February 13, 2026</title>

Daily Smile: Friday, February 13, 2026

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

When Isaiah Magdaleno and his size 15 cleats toe the rubber on Friday night at Les Murakami Stadium, University of Hawai‘i baseball head coach Rich Hill will have no doubt the right guy will be on the mound to open the team's season. 

Magdaleno, a Los Angeles native, will begin his junior season with the Rainbow Warriors as the team's ace pitcher. Magdaleno pitched in a hybrid role as a freshman in 2024 — of his 12 appearances, he had four starts and a save. While getting his college baseball bearings, his ERA of 7.61 was the highest on the team. 

Magdaleno blossomed as a sophomore in 2025, quickly establishing himself as one of the country's top bullpen arms. He went 4-1 with a 2.70 ERA, 

. Of his 24 appearances, all came in relief. He locked down nine saves, striking out 77 hitters in 60 innings en route to first team All-Big West Conference honors. 

In college baseball parlance, "Friday night guy" is a term reserved for a team's bona fide No. 1 starter, a role Magdaleno is serving for the first time in a Hawai‘i uniform. Come 6:35 p.m. against Gonzaga, it will be Magdaleno who throws the first pitch of UH's highly anticipated 2026 season. 

"I'm very grateful to get the opportunity," Magdaleno said earlier in the week. "Very thankful to the pitching coach, (Keith Zuniga) and coach (Hill), the opportunity to get the Friday night and opening day start. Very excited to get it going and get the season started."

Despite the success Magdaleno had closing out games in 2025, Hill noticed one of Magdaleno's strengths out of the bullpen was his ability to get more comfortable as his outings went on, a trait he believes will translate well as Magdaleno becomes a full-time starter in 2026. Eighteen of his 24 appearances in 2025 were stretched across multiple innings. 

"He had a couple of outings where it got tied and he was forced to go more than five innings," Hill recalled. "I can remember against UC Irvine on the road, which was a regional team, really an Omaha team, he kind of dominated him. Same thing here at home one night. ... So, he can do it. He seemed to kind of get stronger as the game went. He's got a phenomenal changeup, a great curveball, and the fastball is really improved. I think he can go two times, maybe three times around the order."

Magdaleno's fastball hovers in the 95 miles per hour range, but pro scouts and coaches alike believe his changeup is his best pitch. He's also added a cutter and sinker to his repertoire to go with a developing slider. 

With the year he had in 2025, Magdaleno was viewed as an appetizing option for power conference schools were he to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Hawai‘i has seen its share of promising pitchers finish their college careers elsewhere. Harrison Bodendorf departed for Oklahoma State in 2024, while Cooper Walls left for Florida following his freshman season in 2025. But to Magdaleno, leaving was never an option. 

"I was committed to coming back here. I didn't want to leave. I love the fans here, love the community, love the coaching staff," Magdaleno said. "They've always been giving me the ball and they've been trusting me, so I just wanted to give that back to them. And just taking that load off of knowing that I wasn't going to leave to begin with, and coming back and supporting the fans and being a leader once I got back."

As Hawai‘i enters its final season in the Big West Conference, the team believes it has what it takes to make its first NCAA regional since 2010. A big reason why? The Friday night guy taking the ball to start things off. 

"I've never started opening night, so I don't really know what it'll entail, but I know that I'm ready for the this crowd to be live," Magdaleno said. "Since I was a closer, everybody is usually up during those innings towards the back end, so I'm just excited to see what it looks like from up there, but just taking it in and just doing my job at the end of the day, just making pitches and let my defense work, really."

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Isaiah Magdaleno 021226

<title>Hawai‘i ace pitcher Isaiah Magdaleno readies for his moment</title>

Magdaleno will get the start on opening day for the Rainbow Warriors on Friday night against Gonzaga.

Hawai‘i ace pitcher Isaiah Magdaleno readies for his moment

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Crime & Courts

A Pearl City woman was sentenced Wednesday to three years of supervised release after threatening to kill President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden.

In March 2024, during the Biden administration, Rebecca Ann Folley, then 47 years old and and posting under the name Becca Waters, posted on Facebook a picture containing the message “Going to kill the president,” followed by “INSPECTOR GENERAL, I NEED YOU ASAP.”

The picture appeared to be a screenshot of a comment field on the official White House website; the threat to kill the president had been written in the comment field, under the prompt “What would you like to say?” It is unclear whether Folley actually submitted the comment via the White House website or merely screenshotted a draft message without submitting it.

, the U.S. Secret Service became aware of Folley’s comment in December of 2024, after the election of President Donald Trump, but before his inauguration. A pair of Secret Service agents met Folley that month at her Pearl City residence.

During an interview with the agents, Folley reportedly told them she was a victim of trafficking but law enforcement would not respond to her reports. In order to provoke a response, she posted “bad trigger words” online as a “cry for help," according to the agents' report.

Folley told the agents she had sent hundreds of such messages since 2022, but received no response, even after posting the White House screenshot on the Facebook page of Gov. Josh Green.

“I started bragging, I was like, ‘I’ve got to be the only person in the United States’ history that’s ever been able to get away with 200 of these things on record,’” Folley reportedly told the agents.

The agents then told Folley to “please don’t do that anymore,” to which she agreed, adding that she was taking medication and receiving mental health treatment.

However, about a week later, Folley herself submitted a tip to the FBI linking to another of her own posted presidential death threats, a Facebook post identical to the previous one. She also posted a new message, warning that, in January 2025, she would “certified mail something VERY VERY VERY special to the field office in Honolulu, the secret service dudes, a enduring gift.”

This went on for months, with Folley sending substantially similar messages to various state agencies, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, and the President’s official Facebook account. Her message to the president was direct: “I’M GOING TO KILL DONALD TRUMP.”

In other posts, Folley said she would blow up the White House, and on one occasion commented on a Facebook post by Hawai‘i Rep. Ed Case “Sir, would you mind if I killed you? Just spit balling.”

Secret Service agents once again interviewed Folley in March, whereupon she said she was no longer receiving mental health treatment and acknowledged that her repeated comments were federal crimes.

Court records also indicate that Folley had previously made threats to a family member in 2021, which prompted an FBI response, and was convicted of third-degree assault in Hawai‘i that year as well, for which she served five days in jail.

For her presidential threats, Folley was arrested in April, and she remained incarcerated for seven months. During this period, attorneys discussed Folley’s mental competence to stand trial, with a U.S. District Court Senior Judge Helen Gillmor finding it plausible that Folley was mentally unwell.

The details of a court-ordered mental competency evaluation are restricted from the public. However, the court found her mentally competent in October, and she shortly thereafter pled guilty to making threats against the president, a federal felony carrying a maximum possible sentence of five years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

However, Folley was sentenced only to seven months in jail — which she has already served — and three years of supervised release. As part of her supervised release terms, she is required to participate in substance abuse and mental health treatment programs, and will have her use of computers strictly monitored.

Courtfed

<title>Pearl City woman gets supervised release following threats against the president</title>

Rebecca Folley made hundreds of Facebook posts threatening to kill Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Pearl City woman gets supervised release following threats against the president

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

[{"type":"text","text":"There’s a new lounge experience in Honolulu."}]

, Casamigos House of Friends opened at the end of December. The new lounge is open daily for walk-ins from 4 to 9 p.m. to both, local patrons and hotel guests.

The lounge showcases golden sunsets and skyline views, along with curated Casamigos tequila cocktails and shareable bites.

“Casamigos House of Friends is about effortless hospitality, great drinks, thoughtful flavors, and a setting that encourages guests to slow down and enjoy the moment,” states director of culinary experience Eric Hanano. “It’s social, scenic and unmistakably Waikīkī.”

Specialty Casamigos tequila cocktails include Pele’s Paloma ($24) — Casamigos Reposado, Fever Tree grapefruit, guava puree and lime — Waikīkī Sunset ($18), made with vodka, melon liqueur, pineapple juice and grenadine; and Margarita Made Your Way ($22). The latter features your choice of Casamigos Blanco, Casamigos Jalapeno or Casamigos Mezcal.

Bestsellers include the charcuterie platter ($28) and ‘ahi poke nachos ($22). The charcuterie platter — designed to serve two people — includes prosciutto, Genoa salami, soppressata, Asiago, sharp cheddar and Boursin cheeses served with crostini, lavosh, mixed nuts and grapes.

Meanwhile, the ‘ahi poke nachos ($22) comprise crispy wonton chips topped with fresh ‘ahi, sweet onions, ogo, green onions, avocado, a shoyu-sesame oil drizzle, spicy aioli, kabayaki sauce and a sprinkle of furikake.

Other menu options include ‘ahi poke ($18), teriyaki chicken skewers ($18), ‘ahi sashimi ($26) and caprese skewers ($17).

Happy hour is offered daily from 4 to 5 p.m. Customers can take advantage of discounts on select cocktails and pūpū. The dishes feature smaller portions to match the price points; enjoy ‘ahi sashimi ($15 instead of $26), ‘ahi poke ($12 instead of $18) and skewers ($4 each; two pieces minimum). Customers are able to mix and match skewers from the available choices.

Guests can also enjoy live music daily from 5 to 7 p.m., along with validated parking ($3).

Besides its nightly service, Casamigos House of Friends is also available to rent out for private functions and special events.

Casamigos Lounge spread 021026

<title>New Casamigos lounge experience in Honolulu</title>

Located on the 37th floor of the Hilton Waikīkī Beach Resort & Spa, Casamigos House of Friends is a new lounge that’s open to both, local patrons and hotel guests. Enjoy curated Casamigos tequila cocktails, along with shareable appetizers.

New Casamigos lounge experience in Honolulu

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue continues to serve up the plate lunch at more places across the U.S., opening 14 new franchise locations in eight states last year.

In addition to a new Makiki location, in 2025 new restaurants opened in East Harlem and 

, New York; Smyrna and Mulberry, Georgia; Escondido, Benicia, Clairemont Mesa and Davis, California; Fort Hood, Texas; Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, New Mexico; Tacoma, Washington; and Nampa, Idaho, the state’s first, a Feb. 10 announcement from L&L noted.

“L&L’s growth continues to be fueled by a franchise model shaped around accessibility and long-term partnership,” the announcement says. “Franchisees receive hands-on training in Hawai‘i, operational guidance and marketing support designed to set them up for success. This systemwide approach ensures consistent hearty portions, comforting flavors and welcoming aloha spirit across all locations.”

In the new year, the Hawai‘i-based L&L says it has a “strong development pipeline spanning the West Coast, Mountain West, Midwest, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.”

"The brand is on pace for its strongest Q1 opening period to date, positioning 2026 to begin as the strongest quarter in L&L’s history and reflecting sustained franchise interest and confidence in the system," the announcement states.

A new franchise, found in the Bonney Lake Retail Market Center at 20621 Highway 410 E. in Bonney Lake, Washington, officially opened on Jan. 20, bringing the total number of locations in the Evergreen State to 11. The new restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The new franchise is owned and operated by cousins Robert Ramos and Ephraim 

. While this is their first L&L, a Feb. 11 announcement notes that the duo operated a mobile food business for several years.

 and Johnson Kam acquired L&L Drive-Inn in 1976. The restaurant founded as L&L Dairy back in 1952.

"I look at a financial statement and it shows that it's making money," Flores told Aloha State Daily last summer. "You never see that in any small business. I decided to make an offer and I purchased the restaurant and I gave it to my mom as a gift." 

His mother had been working as a dishwasher and counter girl at Lynn's Deli in Ala Moana Center, he said in June, but knowing that she didn’t know much about running a restaurant, he called on Kam for help.

Flores said his mother ran the restaurant for two years, after which everything was sold to Kam.

The pair later decided to later franchise and expand the operations, and 

today, there are more than 230 locations across the globe.

, it was announced earlier this month. Now in its 47th year, the ranking evaluates factors like costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability.

“L&L Hawaiian Barbecue has always been rooted in relationships,” CEO Elisia Flores said in a Feb. 2 announcement. “As we continue to grow beyond 230 locations, that commitment remains central to how our franchisees operate and this recognition reflects their dedicated efforts.”

. According to a list of frequently asked questions on the site, the estimated initial investment for a turnkey L&L ranges from nearly $254,000 to a little more than $838,460, depending on location, size and existing facility.

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

CREDIT Matt Armendariz Shooter Stylist LLC LL Hawaiian Barbecue 2

<title>L&L Hawaiian Barbecue continues nationwide growth</title>

The chain opened 14 new locations 2025 and was recently ranked on Entrepreneur’s 2026 Franchise 500.

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue continues nationwide growth

Lopaka and Tanya Kapanui

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya Kapanui

Hawaii History

Columnists

Not far beneath the paved roads, apartment buildings, and high-rises, a hidden system of underground caverns and spring-fed ponds once nourished wetlands, lo

i kalo, and freshwater ponds across the M

ili district. This karst, the underground cave system, was formed by eons of erosion of the coral limestone base that consists of beach sediments, marine organisms, and fragments of shells and water-worn coral. The M

ili Karst is thought to be part of the original channel of Mānoa Stream, and contained fish that lived so long in the darkness that they were blind.

It is said that when someone asked an old fisherman in the area where he was going, he

m going holoholo,” out for a walk. For if he announced he was going fishing, the fish that lived underground would hear his plans and spread the word, and the fisherman would have no luck that day.

The water in the underground streams rose to the surface in sacred ponds. Among these, one of the most important was Kapa

akea, also remembered as Kumulae and then later called Hausten Pond. Like nearby Kānewai, Kapa

akea was believed to possess healing qualities and was associated with restoration.

The pond was a favored retreat of Princess Victoria Kamāmalu, who inherited the land from her mother, Kina

ahumanu. Kamāmalu died in 1866 with no heirs, and Kapa

akea eventually came under the ownership of Princess Pauahi and the Bishop Trust. In the 1920s, it was purchased by John McGuire, whose wife, Emma Kaleimoku Ai, established a sanctuary for her family. The property overflowed with a wide variety of tropical flowers, plumeria, ulu, and kukui trees, as well as Hawaiian medicinal plants and herbs, and, of course, Emma

s graceful willow trees that would eventually give the place a new name. The family even had a diving board over the freshwater pond to entertain the children and visitors. The pond was stocked with koi that were said to have interbred with the fish inhabiting the underground streams.

s passing, Emma remarried Henry T. Hausten. The family began hosting political dinners and occasional lu

au for important guests. With the help of Emma

s daughters, her sister, and her brother, things quickly evolved into a full-time business and eventually into The Willows.

Since their official opening in 1944, The Willows welcomed everyone with beautiful settings, warm hospitality, and delicious food. On almost any given day, one would see average working families having a quiet meal alongside the rich and famous. The Willows catered to everybody, perhaps even the otherworldly.

One afternoon, while I was still teaching at a Hawaiian immersion school, a parent asked if she could share her story with me.

She said she used to work as a cashier at The Willows restaurant. At night, she counted the money from the day

the cage,” while a security guard kept watch. One night, out of the blue, they heard Hawaiian music coming from the main part of the restaurant. They could hear lively conversations and the sound of cutlery on plates. But the restaurant had been closed for hours.

After locking the cage door, she and the guard went to check, but the place was empty and completely quiet. The silence was unnerving, but the two were not going to wait for the proverbial shoe to drop. They decided she would quickly finish counting the cash, and then they would leave as soon as she was done. But as she neared the end of her count, they heard splashing in the pond and the sounds of laughter and fun.

Once she finished her work, she and the security guard braced themselves to leave, trying to ignore anything else they might see or hear.

The laughter and splashing kept going until we left the restaurant,” she said, 

When we got to the parking lot, we heard the Hawaiian music again. The security guard quit the next day, and later that week, I started working at the airlines.”

I shared a bit of the pond's sacred history, and she looked as if she had just remembered something important.

She added that sometimes, while counting money in the cage, they would finish and look up to see tiny footprints all over the ceiling and walls, as if children had been stomping around, though they never heard any footsteps. A staff member once told them there was supposed to be a menehune path through The Willows, but no one knew exactly where it was.

Of course, not everyone who worked at the Willows had a supernatural experience, but based on her stories, there was enough happening that it was hard to keep security guards on staff.

Sadly, The Willows closed in 2018 after serving the public for nearly 70 years. I wonder if the neighbors still hear the music, laughter, and celebrations.

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

The old Willows Restaurant Large

<title>Echoes of The Willows</title>

Generations of kama‘āina have warm memories of The Willows restaurant in Mō‘ili‘ili. Here's the real history of the location, and the reasons why people who worked there heard singing when no one was present and saw the footprints of ghostly children.

Daily Smile: Tuesday, February 3, 2026

ASD Staff

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Daily Smile: Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Authors

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