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Daily Smile

[{"type":"text","text":"The laziest game of fetch ever..."}]

Smile 26 2 17

<title>Daily Smile: Tuesday, February 17, 2026</title>

The laziest game of fetch ever...

Daily Smile: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

When coming up with a name for her business in 2019, owner Celine Chong was intentional.

“The name ‘Celine’s Best’ was chosen with purpose,” she says. “I didn’t want to be tied down to just one type of food. I wanted the freedom to share my favorite eats — my ‘best’ picks — and allow the menu to grow and change as I grow. That flexibility is what makes this small business special to me.”

 launched in 2019 and primarily focused on waffle dogs. To this day, customers can get waffle dogs ($12 each) with a variety of toppings like chili cheese, cheesy bacon, teri mayo and Triple C (chili, cheese, chipotle). The cheesy bacon ranch waffle dog is one of the bestsellers, according to Chong.

“As the journey continued, fries and nachos were added as the menu grew,” she says. “I wanted to share the foods I truly love eating and take a chance on something different, hoping they (customers) would enjoy it, too.”

The business’s newest menu item, tater wands ($12 each), were the result of “a little moment of rediscovery,” according to Chong.

“While cleaning out storage, I found a brand-new wand waffle maker that had been sitting there for years,” she says. “I’d been brainstorming what new item to add this year (to my menu), and suddenly, it all clicked. After lots of ideas and testing, tater wands were born — shredded potatoes with a cheesy crust, crispy on the edges and soft on the inside, just like a hash brown.”

Customers can choose from six topping combinations — cheese, teri mayo, cheesy barbecue, cheesy garlic, chipotle barbecue and cheesy bacon ranch. The wands are available in their original (plain) form as well.

“Cheesy garlic is currently the favorite, teri mayo is a close second, and cheesy bacon ranch is quickly climbing the charts,” says Chong, whose personal favorite is the chipotle barbecue.

Celine’s Best can be found at various events like What the Truck?! at Waikele Center, New Wave Night Market at Kapolei Golf Course, and Village Night Market at Pearlridge Center. For updates, follow the business on 

“I’m so excited for everyone to finally try our tater wands and, hopefully, make them their new favorite,” Chong says. “We’re also getting ready to launch one more menu item soon, so keep an eye out. There are so many great things coming for Celine’s Best in 2026. I’m grateful for every customer who’s supported my small business along the way.”

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Celines Best business owner 021026

<title>Celine’s Best launches new potato wand snack</title>

The business, originally known for its waffle dogs, participates in various events across Oʻahu. It just launched new potato wands — shredded potatoes with a cheesy crust — which are available in six topping combinations.

Celine’s Best launches new potato wand snack

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

 in Volcano — was among some of the most-loved Airbnbs on social media last year.

 its list of Airbnbs "topping Instagram and TikTok feeds" in 2025 — the list itself based on total engagement across the two platforms, combining likes, comments, shares and impressions on both platforms from Jan. 1 to Dec. 9, 2025. 

 about the listing received more than 550,000 views.

“Designed as a living, environmental sculpture, the treehouse invites guests to check off a once-in-a-lifetime experience from their bucket list,” 

. “With expansive windows and wraparound decks, guests can enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of lush surroundings and star-filled skies.

Citing survey data from Panterra Research, 

 that for Gen Z, platforms like Instagram and TikTok “have become the leading source for discovering new destinations.”

Aloha State Daily reached out to the treehouse hosts via email through an Airbnb representative but did not receive response to questions.

An alternative to traditional lodging options, Airbnb got its start in 2007 when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home. Since then, it has grown to more than 5 million hosts who have welcomed more than 2 billion guests.

This list, though, got us curious about other unique listing on Airbnb that might be found throughout the Islands. Here are a few provided by the Airbnb representative:

 custom-built, off-grid home in Pāhoa sits 15 feet above ground on a 24-acre fruit farm that guests can walk and pick fruit from in season, the listing notes.

 home in Pāpa‘aloa sits on 13 acres of forest land in Maulua Gulch. "There are many fruit trees, lush rain forests, flowers, waterfalls, and a river that run through the whole property," the listing states.

 open-air guest suite a mile from Kealakekua Bay is situated on a 1.7-acre mango farm. Fresh, seasonal fruits are available for purchase, the listing notes, and guests may also encounter “friendly farm animals.”

 on the Kalapana lava beds in Hawai‘i Island’s Puna district.

 on a horse ranch in Captain Cook is nestled in a kukui nut and hau tree forest, the listing notes.

(Of course, the topic of short-term vacation rentals can be contentious for some, and some local lawmakers have tried to address the impacts on residential communities.

 a measure that would phase out thousands of vacation rentals in Maui’s apartment districts. And in November, the Honolulu City Council 

 that would increase registration fee for vacation rental properties).

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Secret Treehouse 2

<title>'Secret Treehouse' in Volcano was one of Airbnb's most loved listings in 2025</title>

The company last month shared its list of Airbnbs "topping Instagram and TikTok feeds" in 2025.

'Secret Treehouse' in Volcano was one of Airbnb's most loved listings in 2025

[{"type":"text","text":"Your grandma looked after your dog this summer..."}]

Smile 26 2 16

<title>Daily Smile: Monday, February 16, 2026</title>

Your grandma looked after your dog this summer...

Daily Smile: Monday, February 16, 2026

, known for its Japanese-style negitoro bowls, is opening its third O

ahu location this Sunday, Feb. 15. The business’s new location is on the second level of 

Aiea Shopping Center, next to Ice Garden and Koa Pancake House.

Aiea location is in the former space of a sandwich shop. Construction on the space started after the business’s sister restaurant, Marujuu Hawai

i will be open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and from 5 to 8:30 p.m. for dinner Thursdays to Mondays (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays). The business will be open for walk-ins only; no reservations will be accepted.

The menu at this location is the same as the ones at the business’s Kaimukī and 

Totoya’s original negitoro — which is made fresh daily with local fresh ‘ahi — is the base for the majority of its bowls. Its tokujo bowl ($38.90) — a premium option with original negitoro, salmon roe, sea urchin (Hokkaido uni) and snow crab — is the most popular order.

The eatery’s Fukuju bowl ($39.50) is the second most-popular dish. It features original negitoro with tuna and salmon, red shrimp, scallops, sea urchin, snow crab, tobiko and two pieces of nori.

The salmon bowl with salmon roe ($19.50) is a local favorite. All bowls come with your choice of miso soup — Aosa seaweed miso soup, or upgrade to shrimp head ($3.90) or crab ($4.90) miso soup — or half-size udon noodles ($4.90).

Other dishes on the menu include fresh shrimp combination bowl ($27.90); rainbow trio bowl ($25.90); matsu bowl ($26.90) with Hokkaido uni and salmon roe; and more.

Customers now have the option to add an “ikura shower” when they order Take, Matsu and Tokujo bowls. The “shower” includes a tripleamount of ikura for an additional $9.80.

Open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and from 5 to 8:30 p.m. for dinner Thursdays to Mondays

Totoya Aiea kaisen don 021326

<title>Viral seafood rice bowl spot is opening in ʻAiea</title>

Totoya Hawaiʻi, known for its negitoro bowls, is opening in ʻAiea Shopping Center on Sunday, Feb. 15. The menu here is the same as the business’s other two locations in the Ala Moana and Kaimukī neighborhoods. Customers can now add “ikura showers” when ordering specific seafood bowls.

Viral seafood rice bowl spot is opening in ʻAiea

 is more than just a café for business owner Marisa McKnight. It’s a way to connect people and “get in touch with the community,” she says.

“I did a career change; I always wanted to own something,” explains McKnight, who used to work as an accountant. “I needed to do something for myself and regain my purpose.

“I thought, ‘I love cafes;’ I thought of multiple things that I could do with a space,” she adds. “I’ve been building this (concept) since last year.”

Lil T Cup Café officially opened toward the end of last December in ‘Aiea Town Square, in the former space of Hughley’s Southern Cuisine.

“My mom’s name is Lily, so the ‘Lil’ is for Lily,” McKnight says, of the business’s name. “The ‘T’ is for my auntie Thelma. I put the two women who made me who I am in the name. It came out to be ‘Lil T Cup’ … they both love tea.”

The café offers a variety of coffees and teas, housemade baked goods, sandwiches and plates. Besides its food and drinks, though, McKnight wanted the space to be known for its welcoming atmosphere.

“It’s known for the vibe — when you come in, how you feel, how we greet people,” she says.

[{"type":"text","text":"The business prides itself on sourcing locally when possible."}]

“Our coffee and tea are from the Big Island,” McKnight says. “We try to support local; we’re using 100% Kaʻu coffee.”

Popular drinks so far include the cookie milk latte ($8-$8.75) and Ha-Y-an (Hawaiian … get it?) latte ($7.50-$8.25). The cookie milk latte is like a cookies and cream latte; it comprises vanilla, honey, cookies and cream and vanilla cold foam.

[{"type":"text","text":"Meanwhile, the Ha-Y-an latte features a mix of taro and coconut."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"The biz also offers specialty cold brews."}]

“Our cold brews are good because they’re made with Mānoa chocolate,” McKnight says. “It’s not bitter; there’s a good hint of chocolate in them.”

Dishes range from salads and sandwiches to heartier plates. If you’re craving breakfast, opt for da fried rice plate ($13) — two scoops of fried rice, two eggs and four pieces of bacon — or ube avocado toast ($10; add bacon and an egg for an additional $2 each).

Da “make your own musubi” plate ($15) features deconstructed musubi. The plate includes four pieces of marinated teriyaki Spam served over furikake sushi rice with six pieces of nori and pickled vegetables.

“We also have banana bread French toast,” McKnight says. “We make our banana bread in house; we make a lot of our desserts in house.”

The tonkatsu pork plate — featuring crispy, panko-crusted pork cutlet drizzled with tonkatsu sauce — is another customer favorite. Be on the lookout for any featured specials; if specials — like the fried rice — sell well, they’ll be added to the café’s regular menu.

The business is celebrating its grand opening this Saturday, Feb. 14. The first 10 customers at the grand opening will get a free 10-ounce cold brew. Every customer who makes a purchase will get a chance to spin a wheel to win free samples and prizes. 

“I’m looking forward to seeing this place thrive, and being able to grow and expand,” McKnight says. “I want to continue to show other women out there that you can do what you put your mind to.”

Open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays

Lil T Cup Cafe business owner 020926

<title>Lil T Cup Café is now open in ‘Aiea</title>

The new café is celebrating its grand opening this Saturday, Feb. 14. The community is invited to check out the café for free samples and prizes.

Lil T Cup Café is now open in ‘Aiea

Located at Leilehua Golf Course in Wahiawā, 

 previously offered breakfast buffets for holidays and special occasions. Due to the buffet’s popularity, the restaurant decided to offer it every Saturday starting this past January.

604 Clubhouse’s breakfast buffet is now weekly from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last seating is at 2 p.m.). It costs $60 per adult and $25 for children ages 12 years and under.

There’s a 90-minute time limit and automatic 20% gratuity. While reservations are recommended, walk-ins are also accepted.

Highlights from the all-you-can-eat experience include a prime rib carving station, snow crab legs, and an omelet station. Omelets are made to order; you can choose from ingredients like ham, Spam, mushrooms, red onions, bell peppers and more.

Hot buffet selections include coconut shrimp with sweet chili sauce, steamed catch (served with ginger puree, lup cheong and Chinese parsley), swirl French toast, Portuguese sausage and teriyaki chicken.

Some of the seafood options, like the steamed catch and shellfish delight — a combo of clams, mussels, shrimp, green curry, coconut milk, gremolata and cilantro — may change weekly. Seafood cioppino — a flavorful seafood stew with a rich, savory broth — and kakimochi-crusted bass were previously featured.

Cold options include fresh fruit, spicy ‘ahi poke, imitation crab mac salad and Caesar salad.

Guests can conclude their meal with desserts like macadamia nut bread pudding, assorted danishes and chocolate chip cookies.

While the breakfast buffet is promoted on Saturdays, the eatery’s a la carte menu is available, so customers can still order popular beverages like Hawaiʻi’s Best Bloody Mary ($18) — garnished with celery, cheese, smoked meat, a jumbo prawn, pineapple, lime, cherry tomato, pickled onion, pepperoncini and an olive — and mahalo margarita ($13). The latter features Jose Cuervo, lime sour, lemonade, strawberries and a li hing mui rim.

Saturday breakfast buffet from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

604 Clubhouse buffet spread 020226

<title>604 Clubhouse has a new breakfast buffet</title>

The eatery, located at Leilehua Golf Course in Wahiawā, recently started a new Saturday breakfast buffet. The all-you-can-eat experience costs $60 per adult and includes a prime rib carving station, snow crab legs, an omelet station and more.

Daily Smile: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

ASD Staff

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Daily Smile: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Authors

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