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[{"type":"text","text":"Now let's all enjoy a little boy and his dog..."}]

Smile 26 2 9

<title>Daily Smile: Monday, February 9, 2026</title>

Now let's all enjoy a little boy and his dog...

Daily Smile: Monday, February 9, 2026

 Now let&#039;s all enjoy a little boy and his dog...

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

 A storm system bringing severe weather to the Islands has prompted a number of closures across the state.

In advance of the severe weather conditions, Gov. Josh Green issued an emergency proclamation effective through Feb. 11 unless extended “to mobilize state resources and support response efforts.”

“The safety of our residents and visitors is our top priority,” Green said in an announcement Sunday. “We know this storm system could bring conditions that make travel unsafe and threaten property. Please take this time to secure your home, check on loved ones and heed guidance from emergency officials. Hawaiʻi is strongest when we look out for one another – and that starts with being prepared.”

You can find preparation guidelines, as well as links to sign up for alerts from your own county’s emergency management agencies, on the 

Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency website

·      All state offices and the state Department of Education schools across all islands will be closed Monday, Feb. 9, the Governor’s Office notes. Affected state employees will receive administrative leave for the day, but essential personnel and emergency response workers should follow guidance from their supervisors.

·      All University of Hawaiʻi campuses will be closed Monday and all in-person and online classes are canceled. Employees critical to health, safety and recovery operations should check with their supervisors regarding reporting requirements, the university says.

·      The Hawaiʻi State Legislature will be closed Monday.

·      The Judiciary also will close all courthouses and operations on Monday. Filing deadlines have been extended to Tuesday and all hearings will be rescheduled, the governor’s office notes.

·      All Division I boys basketball regional first-round games originally scheduled for Monday have been postponed and will be held instead on Tuesday, Feb. 10, according to 

Hawaiʻi High School Athletic Association

 for more information and for specific site-by-site tip-off times and location updates. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"On Oʻahu:"}]

·      The City and County of Honolulu will close all non-essential offices and services through at least Monday. Non-essential personnel should not report to work, the city said in an announcement Sunday.

·      The Honolulu Zoo closed Sunday in an effort to protect visitors, staff and the animals. In an announcement, the city says it will monitor weather conditions and work with city emergency management officials to determine a reopening date. Updates will be posted to the zoo’s social media.

·      All Honolulu municipal golf courses are temporarily closed.

·      The city’s park facilities are closed for public use through Feb. 9, including athletic fields, pools, outdoor courts and other outdoor park facilities. According to the Department of Parks and Recreation, all  permitted activities and park classes are canceled. All Honolulu Botanical Gardens will also remain closed through Monday. The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is regularly closed on Monday and Tuesday, DPR noted.

·      Overnight camping at all city campgrounds was suspended Saturday night, with the closure lasting through Wednesday, Feb. 11, the city says.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"On Neighbor Islands:"}]

  noted that its solid waste facilities and most county park facilities, including all beach parks, were closed. All non-essential county services will be closed Monday.

As of 3 p.m. Sunday, shelters have opened at Waimea Community Center, 65-1260 Kawaihae Road, Waimea; Ikuo Hisaoka Gymnasium, 54-382 Kamehameha Park Road, Kapaʻau; Honokaʻa Sports Complex Gym, 45-541 Lehua St. Honokaʻa; and Papāʻaloa Park Community Center, 35-1994 Government Main Road, Papāʻaloa.

Waipio Valley Road will be closed through 8 a.m. Tuesday, with access only for valley residents and farmers.

, Kauaʻi County Emergency Management Agency noted that emergency refuge areas were on standby and locations will be announced if needed and as they become available. Meanwhile, refuse transfer stations and the Kekaha Landfill may close with little or no advance notice because of weather conditions.

Kūhiō Highway near the Hanalei Bridge may also close with little or no advance notice, particularly if a flash flood warning is issued, the county notes.

·      On Maui, Hāna Highway via Haʻikū and Kaupō has been restricted to local access only due to safety concerns from fallen trees and landslides, the county said in an 

Those who are unsheltered and seeking dry shelter during the story can go to Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Center in Wailuku and must sign in at the operations desk for assistance.

Kepaniwai Heritage Park in ʻĪao Valley also was closed Sunday due to rising waters and rain safety concerns, the announcement noted.

, northeast winds from 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph are expected Sunday night, along with showers and isolated thunderstorms.

Monday is expected to be very windy with showers and isolated thunderstorms “windward and mountains.” Locally heavy rainfall is possible. East winds are expected to reach 25 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph.

As of Sunday afternoon, a high wind warning is in effect for all islands until 6 p.m. Monday and a high surf warning is in effect until 6 a.m. Tuesday for the east-facing shores of Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokai, Maui, Kahoʻolawe and Hawaiʻi Island.

 that a gale warning is in effect until 6 p.m. Monday for all Hawaiian coastal waters, and a flood watch in in effect for all islands through 6 p.m. Monday.

And on the Big Island, a winter storm warning is in effect for  summits above 11,000 feet in elevation through 6 p.m. Monday, with snow accumulations of 10 to 16 inches expected on the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

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

Storm damage Feb 2026

<title>Storm closures across the Islands</title>

High winds Sunday have led to a range of closures Monday, from schools to the Legislature.

Storm closures across the Islands

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Aloha Spirit

Business & Tourism

Sue Tabbal-Yamaguchi, a Honolulu-based floral designer and founder of 

, made an international debut last month representing Hawaiʻi at the 

world’s largest trade fair for horticulture

. The invitation stemmed from connection.

 of Canada met master florist and teacher 

 of Germany at a conference in Palm Springs last summer. He had seen their presentation of “Spirit of Aloha” – a display of creative flower arrangements that includes cultural storytelling – and wanted to bring it to 

the International Plant Fair (IPM) 2026 in Essen, Germany

first North American designers to present on IPM’s stage,” 

Tabbal-Yamaguchi told Aloha State Daily. “A lot of people come to the event. I didn’t get to see everything. But imagine the [Hawaiʻi] Convention Center times five or six.”

The annual horticulture trade show attracts more than 1,500 exhibitors and 40,000 guests from 45 countries.

Tabbal-Yamaguchi and her small team had less than six months to prepare, tasked with building a larger-than-life lei stand, wedding arch and more, while showcasing hula dancing.

[{"type":"text","text":"What would she do differently? “Bring more flowers.”"}]

“Between the two of us (Quan), we had seven pieces of luggage, and we used everything that we brought,” she continued. That didn’t include the full group, just shy of 10, and their luggage.

Flowers were sourced from Hawai’i and Ecuador, 

Tabbal-Yamaguchi noted, adding that orchids were especially popular among audiences.

She described the message of the program as “sharing the aloha spirit through flowers,” as well as personal stories.

Breann Brewer and Princess Sumibcay danced hula, and lei-making and giving them away was another hit.

’d know more of it. They loved the hula dancers; they’re so beautiful at it,” Tabbal-Yamaguchi said, noting that giving lei was "memorable."

When asked what surprised her most about the experience

she said how amazed she was to see master designers learning their "simple techniques," or seeing a lei needle for the first time. “We do have intricate styles, too, we just take for granted.”

Sponsors locally and across the globe made it all come together, she added.

What’s next? For SU‑V Expressions, it’s getting ready for Valentine’s Day and weddings.

Personally, Tabbal-Yamaguchi is looking forward to teaching engagements and getting together with other floral designers across the Islands.

A longtime resident of ‘Āina Haina, she holds two certifications: American Institute of Floral Designers and European Master Certification.

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Sue Tabbal Yamaguchi IPM Essen 2026 Germany 01

<title>Local floral designer presents the ‘Spirit of Aloha’ on global stage</title>

Sue Tabbal-Yamaguchi, who owns Kakaʻako-based business SU‑V Expressions, set out to share "the aloha spirit through flowers" at IPM Essen 2026, the world’s largest trade fair for horticulture in Germany.

Local floral designer presents the ‘Spirit of Aloha’ on global stage

Government & Politics

John-Paul Chaisson-Cárdenas spent one of his first days as executive director of 

, or HCAN, meeting outside surrounded by a loʻi on the East Side of Oʻahu with his staff. Not too long after, he was 

 on the opening day of the 2026 legislative session.

“I’m so fortunate to work with such kind, wonderful and smart people. I’m here to learn a lot and to support this organization with 30 years of history,” he told Aloha State Daily. “Something I bring is methodical thinking; we must be diligent about conversing with parents, so the bills we’re pushing through align with their values for their children. It’s important to me to make sure that link is clearly established and that their voices are amplified.”

A Maya Indian from Guatemala and civil war survivor, 

 immigrated to the U.S. when he was in intermediate school. He says one pivotal moment growing up set him on his career path in social work, youth development, education and policy.

“Back in Guatemala, I was about 9 or 10 years old when my aunt, who was like my second mother, would take me out with her as she worked on her master’s thesis about the brains of children under malnutrition. And I saw a child whose pigmentation had become almost transparent. I recognized for the first time that that child was going to die.

“It solidified what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”

 was vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion at Connecticut State Community College. Sharing some of his previous experience, he co-authored a book “4-H: A DEI Love Story – How Positive Youth Development Became a Battleground.”

He brings more than 20 years of leadership experience to the role, spanning sectors such as DEI and civil rights, research, family-centered practice and more.

Before moving to Hawaiʻi with wife, Angelica, 

 approached the job with a sense of responsibility. He sought out Hawaiians living in the diaspora, and has even invited one individual back to the Islands to do some work with HCAN in storytelling.  

“I learned how many Native Hawaiians want to come back to the state but are finding affordability an issue,” he said. “Every time we lose a child here to other places, we’re losing future workers.”

Now in its 30th year, HCAN remains focused on keeping Hawaiʻi a great place to raise kids, he said, adding, as well as informing and equipping parents. Under his leadership, the organization will continue to build up research and data and expand community partnerships.

“I just want to express gratitude to HCAN parents and partners who have truly showed me the meaning of aloha and moved it from a phrase to something real.”

, the advocacy arm of HCAN, is prioritizing the following measures this year:

HCAN John Paul Chaisson Cardenas 16x9

After 13 years leading nonprofit Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network, Deborah Zysman will be stepping into her new role as Deputy Director for the City and County of Honolulu Office of Economic Revitalization on Aug. 18. Former HANO President and CEO Lisa Maruyama is serving as interim.

HCAN team at rally 022825

HCAN executive director lands city job, new interim named

<title>Nonprofit advocating for Hawaiʻi keiki appoints new leader</title>

John-Paul Chaisson-Cárdenas, who joined Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network earlier this month as executive director, brings more than 20 years of leadership experience to the role. He spoke with Aloha State Daily about the organization’s 2026 legislative priorities and goals ahead, as well as how he approached preparing for this job by connecting with Native Hawaiians living in the diaspora.

Nonprofit advocating for Hawaiʻi keiki appoints new leader

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

A funeral is what pulls the family together in the first scene where we see Nani, played by the New Zealand-Samoan actress Frankie Adams, as she hugs her long lost cousin, Jonny Hale, played by 

The moment is one of many in “The Wrecking Crew,” a movie filmed partly in Hawai’i that is set to stream globally on Amazon Prime Video at 

. The fast-paced action comedy features the estranged brothers, Jonny (Momoa) and James (Dave Bautista), who reunite when their father dies. In trying to figure out what happened, the brothers discover a conspiracy that can tear their family apart.

“The Wrecking Crew,” is based in Hawai’i but shot mostly in New Zealand. Filming included 12 days in Hawaiʻi and 43 days in New Zealand, Angela Laprete, the Hawaiʻi producer for “The Wrecking Crew," told Aloha State Daily earlier this month. She is part of the newly formed Hawai’i Film Alliance, which launched in July and is 

 that could bring more movies and televisions shows to Hawai’i.

When asked what sets the movie apart from other action films, Adams shared location was part of the charm.

“I think the fact that it's based in Hawai’i, and it's not a touristy glimpse of the island, which I think is really important,” she said. “You see real people. You see real family dynamics, and you get to see a bit of the underground world there, which I think is unique to anything else that anyone's seen.”

Adams plays the strong and sassy cousin of the brothers.

“She is the younger cousin of Jonny and James, and she's just there to call them on their crap,” Adams said. “Nothing gets past her. And she's very honest. Very sassy and smart. All the things that I love in women, personally.”

Adams remembers her first meeting with Momoa.

“Gosh, he's so full of energy,” she said. “He's so fun. He came bounding in the room, came straight up to me and was like: ‘Hi, I’m Jason. You're playing Nani. I love the character.’ We got straight into it. It was so fun. He had his guitar on set.”

Temuera Morrison (“Chief of War,” “Moana 2,” “Aquaman,” “Star Wars,” “Once Were Warriors,” etc.) also had a guitar, she said.

“In between takes, we'd be listening to music and singing, and they'd be playing the instruments,” she said. “I love music. I think it really brought the energy up on set.”

While filming in Hawai’i, Adams also enjoyed the ABC Stores.

“I love that you can get anything — anything you want is in that store,” she said. “It's magic. And I wish it existed everywhere.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Adams also got poke at Foodland."}]

“I actually, perhaps overdid it,” she said. “I think I overdosed on poke. I was eating it for breakfast, lunch and dinner.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Adams laughed."}]

She will be back on screen in another production, Disney’s live action “Moana,” which was also 

“You must take tissues because the amount you cry — from joy and pride — is quite insane,” she said. “I really hope and I feel that people are going to feel really represented when they see that and feel a sense of home.”

“The Wrecking Crew” features Jacob Batalon, Miyavi, Stephen Root and Morena Baccarin, as well as Roimata Fox. It also features actors from 

Disney’s live action version of “Lilo & Stitch” (2025), including 

, who played Lilo in that film and is a daughter of one of the main characters in this one. 

 also appears in the movie. Watch the movie on 

. It is set to release at 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

"The Wrecking Crew"

<title>Actress Frankie Adams reflects on new movies</title>

She plays Nani, the "sassy and smart" cousin of Jonny Hale (Jason Momoa) and James Hale (Dave Bautista) in "The Wrecking Crew." In this exclusive interview with Aloha State Daily, the actress shares her favorite places to decompress after shooting scenes in Hawai’i. Catch her also in Disney’s live action “Moana.”

Daily Smile: Monday, February 9, 2026

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Daily Smile: Monday, February 9, 2026

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