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Daily Smile

[{"type":"text","text":"Look at what I can do..."}]

Smile play 26 2 10

<title>Daily Smile: Tuesday, February 10, 2026</title>

Look at what I can do...

Daily Smile: Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Letters to the Editor

. I was really delighted to read his Jan. 14 column about 

. Bob was my husband's cousin and we would see him every three years or so when he attended family reunions on the Mainland. I am a former and now retired journalist and was always very interested in Bob's career and subjects. It's amazing that Bob passed away 20 years ago but that people still remember him and the concepts and background that he articulated about Hawaiʻi's political and economic development and the support for its culture. So interesting! Thank you so much for your column.

[{"type":"text","text":"Kristy Liercke, Virginia"}]

Krauss HI Observer Image 1975 16x9

<title>Letter to the Editor: Remembering Bob Krauss</title>

Krauss had influence on Hawaiʻi politics, culture and more, including family.

Letter to the Editor: Remembering Bob Krauss

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

[{"type":"text","text":"A new sandwich shop is opening tomorrow in Kapolei."}]

 — whose original location is in Kāhala — is opening its second location in Kapolei tomorrow, Feb. 10. The business is located next to Daiichi Ramen in the same plaza as Consolidated Theatres Kapolei. 

The menu at this location is the same as the business’s Kāhala store. Customers can choose from a variety of hot and cold sandwiches in mini, small, medium or large sizes. (During our media preview, menu prices were not yet available.) 

Popular hot sandwiches include The Hot Bobbie — the eatery’s signature dish, made with turkey, cranberry, stuffing and mayo — classic cheesesteak, and Capastrami. The latter is a combo of pastrami, Swiss, coleslaw and Russian dressing.

Meanwhile, popular cold subs include Cap’s BLT and American wagyu club. The latter features Snake River Farms wagyu, turkey, bacon, provolone, onions, lettuce, tomato and mayo.

Customers can also look forward to plant-based options; sides like loaded cheesesteak fries; and salads.

[{"type":"text","text":"The store will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m."}]

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Capriottis Kapolei wagyu club 020926

<title>New sandwich shop opening in Kapolei</title>

Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop is opening its new Kapolei location on Tuesday, Feb. 10. The business is known for its loaded hot and cold subs; bestsellers include Cap’s BLT, classic cheesesteak and The Bobbie.

New sandwich shop opening in Kapolei

Kung Hei Fat Choi! Lunar New Year officially starts Feb. 17. These limited-time specials below feature a variety of themed treats and full-on meals to celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse. 

: The eatery is featuring a char siu pineapple special ($26). 

: Available throughout February for Hong Kong Festival and Lunar New Year 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Big Island Candies"}]

: Enjoy specialty Year of the Horse-themed treats, including:

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

: The eatery will have a variety of Lunar New Year-themed specials available, including:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Choco leʻa"}]

: Enjoy specialty treats like the six-piece Lunar New Year truffle box ($22.99) and Good Luck tokens ($6.99). The truffle box includes flavors like almond cookie, fresh gau and white rabbit wrapped in a box with a “year of the fire horse” design. 

: The Lunar New Year truffle box is available for pick-up Feb. 13, 14 or 17; available while supplies last 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Duk Kee Chinese Restaurant"}]

: The restaurant’s Lunar New Year menu ($108) is available for all of February. It includes chicken salad, New Year jai, half roast duck, beef tenderloin with King oyster mushrooms, steamed fish with ginger and scallions, shrimp with lotus root and snow peas, mini sesame balls and steamed rice. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Fujiya Hawaiʻi"}]

: Enjoy a Lunar New Year set ($17), which includes gau mochi with whole red bean, whole longan mochi, whole lychee mochi, chi chi dango and almond cookie manju. Almond cookie senbei ($13.95) will also be available. 

: Feb. 16 and 17, but may be available longer 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Fun Station"}]

: This Lunar New Year special menu ($128.88) is designed to feed four to six people. It includes crab meat with dried scallop soup, Chinese stir-fried sticky rice, Chinese jai, fried chicken, braised pork trotter clay pot and fried sesame balls. 

 7192 Kalanianaʻole Hwy. Ste. D-105, Honolulu, HI 96825

: Enjoy a variety of featured specials, including:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Honolulu Cookie Co."}]

: The Year of the Horse Gift Box 2026 ($20.95) includes 16 cookies in six flavors, including chocolate chip macadamia, pineapple macadamia, chocolate dipped macadamia, dark triple chocolate macadamia, white chocolate confetti and yuzu. Yuzu is February’s flavor of the month, and features a bright, citrus flavor with hints of mandarin, grapefruit and lemon. 

honolulucookie.com/cookies-gifts-chocolate/year-of-the-horse-gift-box.asp

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Kamukura Surf + Dine"}]

: Enjoy specials like roasted pork and seasoned egg ramen and Kamukura gyoza set ($33) and lemon salmon sushi roll and edamame set ($26) 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Kith Treats"}]

: This limited-edition treat is inspired by the Year of the Horse. The new dessert — called The Horse — features vanilla ice cream infused with Cinnamon Toast Crunch, persimmons and candied pecans, and is finished with gold sprinkles and a dried persimmon garnish. The flavor is available in three formats — milkshake, ice cream sandwich and ice cream swirl.

The business’s Lunar New Year capsule collection adorned with horse motifs is also available. 

: To celebrate Lunar New Year, Kona Coffee Purveyors and b. patisserie will be launching two pastries and six desserts for a limited time. Indulge in the following:

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

: The Chinese New Year family pack ($119.95) is available for both, dine-in and takeout. It includes half roast duck, house special chow mein, New Year jai, salt and pepper shrimp, orange chicken, seafood fish maw soup and garlic fried rice. The eatery will also have specials like fried flounder ($12.95) and jai ($16.95). 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Oh My Grill"}]

: Pearl’s Lucky Pac ($199) is designed to feed 12 to 15 people. It includes beef broccoli cake noodle, green onion and ginger fish fillet, garlic shrimp, char siu fried noodles and crispy gau gee. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"SXY Shu Xiang Yuan"}]

: Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 

: The Lunar New Year special course ($99) is designed to feed four to six people. The meal highlights bold, Szechuan-inspired flavors and comforting classics. Feast on signature dishes like spicy pork dumplings, garlic fried rice, fish filet simmered in Szechuan chili broth, garlic pork ribs, stir-fried eggplant, green beans infused with savory aromatics, and sticky rice cake with brown sugar. 

: The Lunar New Year set menu ($88.88) is designed to feed four people. It includes siu mai, har gow, fried chives and shrimp cake, fried mochi pork dumplings, garlic chicken, vegetable combo, original soup with fatty beef rice noodles, pickled pepper with beef tripe rice noodles, and warabi mochi dessert (served with kinako, matcha and ube powder). Guests who order the Lunar New Year set menu will receive one complimentary Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodle fan, while supplies last. 

: Starting Feb. 1; available until the end of February 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"The Pig & The Lady"}]

: This special Year of the Fire Horse menu ($100 per person) includes:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Tim Ho Wan"}]

2201 Kalākaua Ave. Ste. A-307, Honolulu,

: Feast on special dishes for Chinese New Year, including lava buns ($8.88) and Chinese pan-fried mochi cakes ($8.88). 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Yi Xin Café"}]

: This Chinese New Year set menu ($238) includes New Year jai, sand ginger chicken, signature curry crab with naan bread, tenderloin steak with fresh pineapple, garlic butter prawns and Hong Kong-style garlic stir-fried fish fillet. If you pre-order anytime before Feb. 16, you will receive complimentary homemade Chinese New Year gao. 

Lunar New Year Duk Kee Chinese Restaurant 020626

<title>Where to celebrate Lunar New Year 2026</title>

Welcome the Year of the Fire Horse with these limited-time specials.

Where to celebrate Lunar New Year 2026

Valentine’s Day is about one week away — if you’re still searching for the ideal dining option across the Islands, take a look at the following:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Arancino at The Kāhala"}]

: This special six-course menu ($150 per person) by chef Daisuke Hamamoto is only available on Valentine’s Day. 

: Guests will be welcomed with chocolate mignardises and roses. Valentine’s Day menu highlights include herb-roasted rack of lamb with cherry compote jam, mushroom croquette and black truffle jus ($85) and strawberry sherbet with rose watery Chantilly, dark chocolate sauce and pistachio ($14). 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Bali Oceanfront"}]

Hilton Hawaiian Village, 2005 Kālia Road, Honolulu,

: The Valentine’s five-course dinner ($135 per person) includes Hudson Valley foie gras mousse with local starfruit compote and black truffle aroma; Maine lobster and lump crab spiced chowder with saffron, cumin and cilantro; intermezzo of Japanese yuzu granita; pan-seared Angus beef tenderloin au poivre; fresh Island snapper with ‘Ewa sweet red onion confit, Okinawan sweet potato and Big Island palm heart with a tawny port wine sauce and citrus miso glaze; chocolate and berries dessert featuring Guanaja mousse, raspberry cream, crispy tuile and raspberry-hibiscus sorbet.

In addition to the prix fixe meal, the eatery will also offer an a la carte dinner menu featuring select restaurant favorites. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Black Angus Steakhouse"}]

: Feast on the steakhouse’s campfire feast dinner for two, which includes a steakhouse start, two entrees, four sides, and a dessert. For those who want a little more, the dinner for two surf ‘n’ turf includes two 6-ounce filet mignon, two lobster tails, one steakhouse starter, four sicks, molasses bread and one dessert. Individuals who order from the a la carte menu will be able to order flutes of bubbly as Prosecco splits. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Da Burger Wing Hub"}]

: The eatery is featuring a dinner for two deal ($150) for all of February. It includes a salad or appetizer, any of the restaurant’s featured entrees, and dessert. The featured dessert is a New York cheesecake or root beer float.

The restaurant’s February entrée specials include surf and turf, pork belly and shrimp carbonara, and double down burger made with a wagyu patty and topped with fried chicken. Other dessert specials include strawberry cookie skillet and strawberry New York cheesecake. 

: Starting Feb. 6; available for the whole month 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Dell’s Kitchen & Bakery"}]

: This Valentine’s dinner for two ($80) will be available for takeout only. It includes ‘ahi katsu, seafood croquette and shrimp cocktail; Greek salad; U.S. Prime beef stew pie; and earl grey tea chocolate cake for dessert. Pre-orders are accepted through Thursday, Feb. 12.

: This Valentine’s Day dinner for two ($160) includes a mini raw bar (lobster cocktail, Hokkaido scallop ceviche, ‘ahi sashimi); herbed cheese salad (pickled beets, macadamia nuts, arugula and aged balsamic ginger dressing); Small Kine Farms mushroom butter rice; roasted bok choi, butterfish nitsuke; decadence truffles, Hawaiian tea cookies and chocolate-dipped strawberries.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Dipped by Dee"}]

: Dipped by Dee has a variety of themed treats, including Valentine’s Oreos ($4.50), strawberry crunch dipped apples ($12), Valentine’s apple ($13.50), Love Kitty apple ($14.50), Cupid’s assorted minibox ($20), romance kit ($22), berry much in love box ($55), love at first bite box ($60) and the love in bloom box ($80). 

: Pre-orders open through Feb. 8 to schedule for pick-up from Feb. 1 to 15 

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

: This Valentine’s weekend brunch buffet ($55 per person, $24 per child ages 10 years and under) includes options like assorted mini breakfast pastries, chilled poached shrimp, prime rib fried rice, strawberries and cream French toast, assorted breakfast meats, carving station with rosemary and garlic crusted chuck roast, char grilled chicken, pork sausage and veal meatballs, lavender honey glazed oven roasted salmon, and assorted rotating dessert selections. 

: Feb. 14 to 15, 8:30 a.m. (first seating) to 1:30 p.m. (last seating) 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Empire Steak House"}]

: This Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu ($145 per person) includes:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"et al."}]

: This three-course prix fixe menu ($78) includes:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Fig & Ginger Honolulu"}]

: The sweetheart grazing box ($65) is designed to feed two to four people. It includes two cheeses, two charcuterie, fresh and dried fruits, veggies, organic truffle honey, fruit jam, olives, truffle marcona almonds, chocolate cake pops and crackers. Only a limited amount are available. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Foodland Hawaiʻi"}]

: This Valentine’s dinner from Foodland Hawai

i’s chefs is designed to serve two ($119.99). It includes:

Order by Feb. 11; takeout meals must be pre-ordered at least 72 hours in advance. They will be available cold and need to be re-heated.

: Specialty items include Valentine’s Day sets ($25) — eight pieces of dipped chocolate strawberry mochi, chocolate brownie mochi, chi chi dango and chocolate raspberry manju — and 10-ounce Valentine’s Day senbei ($13.95), comprising half strawberry and half chocolate flavors. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Graze Craze Honolulu"}]

: The new charcuterie business features a variety of small, medium and large boards, along with picnic boxes. 

: The business is usually open from Monday to Friday only, but will be open on Feb. 14. 

: The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kā‘anapali, 2365 Kāʻanapali Pkwy., Lahaina

: This chef-crafted Valentine’s tasting experience includes coconut lobster bisque with calamansi coconut cream, compressed strawberry salad with burrata and lilikoʻi balsamic, Kona coffee-rubbed filet and lump crab cake, pan-roasted scallops with Hamakua mushroom risotto, and white chocolate cheesecake with caramelized pineapple and mac nut crumble. 

: This three-course set menu ($45 per person) includes wild mushroom soup with crème fraiche and chives or farmers salad with red wine vinaigrette; choice of seared blackened ‘ahi with wasabi soy beurre blanc with mixed greens and lemon vinaigrette, braised beef short rib with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and corn relish or ginger scallion crispy fried chicken with white rice and Asian vinaigrette; and dessert of dragon fruit sorbet or liliko

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Hau Tree"}]

: Kaimana Beach Hotel, 2863 Kalākaua Ave., Honolulu 

: This four-course Valentine’s dinner menu ($125 per person) includes ‘ahi cornets and Kusshi oysters, gnudi with truffle fonduta, choice of slow-braised washugyu short rib or pan-seared Maine scallops, and strawberry cream puff filled with chocolate ganache. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Hokulani Bake Shop"}]

: The dessert shop is offering a variety of specials, including:

: Preorders available; pre-orders required for Valentine’s Day four-pack and mini chocolate cupcake box 

Kamuela Provision Company (Hawaiʻi island)

69-425 Waikōloa Beach Drive, Waikōloa Village

: This special Valentine’s Day menu highlights starters like an Island crab salad, passion fruit mango shrimp ceviche, and lobster bisque; entrees like grilled rack of lamb, filet mignon, king salmon and a grilled tomahawk steak; and desserts like molten red velvet cake and caramel coffee cake. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Kapa Hale"}]

: This Valentine’s menu ($135 per person; optional $30 wine pairing) includes:

A vegetarian menu ($135 per person) is also available.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Lahaina Noon (Maui)"}]

: The restaurant is hosting a multi-course dinner ($240 per couple) called Love, Uncorked: A Valentine’s Pairing Experience. The menu includes:

Limited reservations available; all guests must be ages 21 years and older

: Feb. 13 to 15; two seatings at 6 and 7:30 p.m. 

87-064 Farrington Hwy. 2nd Floor, Waianae

: This Valentine’s pop-up bar will feature a variety of themed shots — pink starburst, purple passion, girl crush and more — and specialty cocktails with cheeky names like Dump Him, Put a Ring on It and Heat of the Moment.

The pop-up will also feature specialty dishes like the chocolate lava cake ($12).

The restaurant’s full tavern menu and specials will be available, so customers can still order bestsellers like mauka to makai nachos ($30), pūpū steak ($25) and classic prime rib plate ($48). 

: 12 to 10 p.m. Thursdays to Sundays, all month long; reservations are accepted 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Mahiai Table"}]

: This special three-course prix fixe menu ($70) includes:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Mille Fete"}]

: The bakery — which is coming up on its one-year anniversary — just launched new Valentine’s desserts.

Chocolate cake ($15): layers of chocolate cake and double chocolate pudding covered with milk chocolate frosting; this dessert will be added to the permanent menu

Berry bell pour deux ($4 mini, $9 for 3-inch): Chocolate cake filled with raspberry whipped cream and covered with milk chocolate; the 3-inch bells are only available until Valentine’s Day

Lemon-raspberry whoopie pie ($4): soft lemon cookies filled with a raspberry-white chocolate-mascarpone ganache and lemon cream; rolled around in white chocolate flakes

Black and raspberry cookie ($4): a play on the black and white cookie

Strawberry chocolate spritz cookies ($15): buttery cookie dipped in white chocolate with strawberry raspberry crunchy and chocolate flakes 

: This Valentine’s Day menu ($322 for two) includes:

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

: Mugen is offering a special Valentine’s Day afternoon tea ($130 per person) that includes five savory courses and five sweet confections.

[{"type":"text","text":"The tea includes:"}]

Mugen will also feature a special prix fixe Valentine’s menu ($220 per person). It includes:

: Feb. 14 at 1 p.m. (Valentine’s Day afternoon tea); Feb. 13 to 14 from 5:30 to 10 p.m. (special prix fixe Valentine’s dinner)

: The Valentine’s menu is inspired by classic Italian flavors and modern Island influence. The menu includes dishes like hamachi crudo or badger flame beets and ricotta; entrees like kampachi al cartoccio and filetto di manzo “Rossini,” and vanilla bean panna cotta with strawberry conserva and white chocolate tuile for dessert. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Ōlena by Chef Ron Simon"}]

: This Valentine’s surf and turf bento ($65) includes pan-seared fresh salmon with lemon beurre blanc sauce, duck confit with black truffles and mushroom sauce, garlic roasted vegetables, potatoes au gratin, red pickled onions and red velvet or salted caramel cupcakes for dessert. Pre-orders are accepted online. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"ONKEE Korean Grill House"}]

: This special set ($90 per person, two person minimum) includes Caesar salad with salty shrimp dressing, kimchi stew, banchan, truffle potato pancake, dry-aged rib-eye, prime tenderloin, washugyu short rib, marinated short rib, kimchi, souffle egg, berry shave ice and chocolate truffles. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Over Easy"}]

: This special tasting menu ($125 per person) includes surf and turf (beef carpaccio with scallop and truffle vinaigrette, citrus and kalo crostini); bowl of happiness (butterfish and braised vegetables, burdock sushi rice and lotus chips); duck duck goose (foie gras and duck rillette, date stuffed gnocchi); heart beet lobster (lobster ravioli and beet); and lava lava (decadent chocolate lava cake). 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Roy’s Hawaiʻi Kai"}]

6600 Kalanianaʻole Hwy. Ste. 110, Honolulu

Valentines part 3 Lanterns 020426

<title>Where to eat on Valentine’s Day – part 3</title>

From prix fixe menus and specials to limited-time desserts, we’ve got your Feb. 14 covered.

Where to eat on Valentine’s Day – part 3

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Government & Politics

Business & Tourism

The Capitol is quiet Thursday morning as a handful of people wander around the central atrium. A small group, decked out in red, make their way through security.

They’re some of 16 architects representing the AIA Hawai‘i State Council — itself comprised of the AIA Honolulu and AIA Maui chapters of the American Institute of Architects — who were meeting with legislators as part of the organization’s architectural advocacy day.

The aim was to engage with lawmakers to address key priorities and showcase the role architecture plays in shaping Hawai‘i’s communities.

“Most of our priorities have to do with housing,” Julia Fink, executive vice president of AIA Hawai‘i, told Aloha State Daily. “Of course, we’re interested in housing affordability, adaptive reuse. We’re looking at the SMA [special management area] processes, trying to make sure that it’s still fair but maybe a little bit more efficient.”

The group also supports updates to the State Historic Preservation Division processes, she notes.

“There are lots of bills this session about shifting SHPD timelines or their processes, so we want to get a better understanding of how that would play out in practice so that the architects can actually get their projects to go through while still respecting the important historical land that the buildings would be on.”

[{"type":"text","text":"Fink says advocacy is a big part of what the association does."}]

“Advocacy is so important because the rules that are made here at the Capitol affect day-to-day practice,” she says. “When we talk about code advancement, that affects how every building is designed. We talk about resiliency, what kind of building materials are available, what kind of energy sustainability pieces can we push forward to make sure we’re meeting our state goals and that the buildings are working better for us. They should be great places for us to live in and work in and play in, and places that people want to go. Architects are very 

passionate about creating healthy, safe places for people to be.

Upstairs, Krithika Penedo, Julie Lam and Marni Tam, one of four groups meeting with lawmakers Thursday, sit across from Hilo state Rep. Sue Keohokapu-Lee Loy, who said she “kind of fan girls over AIA.”

“I think their grasp of a very complex subject, it’s just wondrous to me,” Keohokapu-Lee Loy told ASD. “… I have a couple of bills around housing, which actually will touch the construction codes, so getting their feedback is just so valuable.”

Legislation introduced by Keohokapu-Lee Loy and other lawmakers includes 

, which calls for the development of a permitting workforce pipeline; 

, which proposes the development of a statewide permitting intake platform; 

,  which would require the State Building Code Council to provide training to state and county permitting agency employees; and 

, which would establish a working group within the State Building Code Council to develop proposals for an off-site construction program. So far, the bills have passed first reading and been referred to various committees, but no public hearings have been scheduled as of Friday.

Penedo, Lam and Tam later met with Mānoa Rep. Andrew Takuya Garrett. During their conversation, Garrett, chair of the House Committee on Higher Education, asked several questions about the architecture workforce, the impact of AI technology on the profession and how to address affordable housing needs.

Much of the time spent at the Capitol was just meeting representatives “and letting them know about the American Institute for Architects,” Penedo told ASD. While some discussion centers around specific bills, “today is for us to introduce ourselves to folks who don’t know us yet, how we can be a resource, what we do and where we can provide expertise in some of these upcoming bills.”

Lam says it’s important for AIA to do this kind of advocacy “because we are the last ones to know about all the changes that come out and it affects us tremendously. We don’t want to be in that position anymore, so we’d like to help because we have the expertise and we really like to just be a resource for everyone.”

“I think one of the main reasons that we want to be here is because right now, we’re dealing with a housing affordability crisis and then just a lack of housing,” David Sellers, principal architect with Maui-based Hawai‘i Off-Grid Architecture and Engineering as well as Surf Block Maui, told ASD. “Obviously as architects, we know a little bit about housing and there’s a lot of things that affect that.”

Building codes, for example, is one area of expertise, and there are a lot of bills introduced by lawmakers that affect change with those, says Sellers, who’s also a board member of the AIA Hawai‘i state chapter.

“When that happens, we love it, one, that there’s action taking place that directly affects us, but we also want to have the opportunity to provide testimony and just talk story.”

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

AIA hawaii advocacy day 012926

<title>Hawai‘i architects meet with lawmakers</title>

AIA Hawai‘i State Council hosted its Architecture Advocacy Day at the state Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 29.

Hawai‘i architects meet with lawmakers

Daniel Farr 02

Daniel Farr

Aloha State Daily spent time on the North Shore recently and heard talk of a mall development coming to Shark's Cove. But something completely different is in the works.

Daily Smile: Tuesday, February 10, 2026

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Daily Smile: Tuesday, February 10, 2026

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