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Hawai'i Skies

Today's Hawai‘i Skies was captured by Alexis Seto at Sherwood Beach. "There was no one out in the water. My son was excited to get some practice in before his heat."

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Garrett Seto 26 1 29 16x9 jpeg

<title>Hawai‘i Skies: Dawn Patrol in Waimānalo</title>

Today's Hawai‘i Skies was captured by Alexis Seto at Sherwood Beach.

Hawai‘i Skies: Dawn Patrol in Waimānalo

Today&#039;s Hawai‘i Skies was captured by Alexis Seto at Sherwood Beach. &quot;There was no one out in the water. My son was excited to get some practice in before his heat.&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

[{"type":"text","text":"MĀNOA — Before opponents see it, they feel it. "}]

Mānoa Magic, the phenomenon and phrase that often surrounds the University of Hawai‘i baseball team during home games at Les Murakami Stadium, was on full display in the team's series win over Gonzaga. 

The Rainbow Warriors defeated the Bulldogs 3-2 on Friday night on a walk-off fielder's choice. A strong pitching performance by Hekili Robello and Saul Soto lifted the 'Bows to a 5-3 victory on Saturday. After the Bulldogs took Sunday's game 7-2 in 10 innings, the Zags entered the bottom of the ninth inning of Monday's finale up 3-2. 

Heavy rain and winds were consistent throughout the weekend, but when both started to pick up towards the end of Monday's contest, the feeling in the air was eerie. 

"The mist started falling down, which is awesome. And you could definitely feel the vibes were up," Hawai‘i senior Ben Zeigler-Namoa said. 

After singles from Tate Shimao and Elijah Ickes in the bottom of the ninth inning, Zeigler-Namoa tied the game with a single up the middle. On the very next pitch, a wild pitch to Jake Redding allowed Ickes to score the winning run, giving the Rainbow Warriors a 4-3 walk-off victory. 

Gonzaga outscored Hawai‘i 15-14 over the course of the four games, yet the Rainbow Warriors exited 3-1. Sometimes, Mānoa Magic doesn't have to make sense. 

"We're a work in progress," Hawai‘i head coach Rich Hill said. "The result was really good. To get a series win against a Gonzaga team, who is extremely well coached, they're very athletic, and they're going to be a team to reckon with at the end of the season. 

"Our whole offense, we didn't score in too many innings. ... But they executed. Just a great performance."

All four starters that took the mound for the Rainbow Warriors delivered strong performances. Ace pitcher 

 delivered six innings on Friday, allowing three hits and a run while striking out six. It was the longest opening night start of the Rich Hill era at UH, which officially began in 2022. Robello pitched six solid innings on Saturday, scattering six hits and one earned run to go with no walks and seven strikeouts. 

On Sunday, Brody Martin-Grudzielanek kept the Bulldogs at bay with four innings in which he allowed just four hits and a walk to go with his three strikeouts. In the finale, Liam O'Brien, a Gonzaga transfer, tossed five shutout innings against his former team, allowing just two hits and two walks. O'Brien made it two times through the Gonzaga batting order despite dealing with arm inflammation. 

"It was awesome," Hill said of his O'Brien's performance. "It's his first outing of the year. He came out just lights out. Super proud of Liam and very happy for him. Great fun."

Added associate head coach/pitching coach Keith Zuniga: "That had to have felt good for Liam. He's come such a long way from his days there, and he's just taking it one day at a time, one pitch at a time, and we just asked him to go out there and be himself."

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the weekend was Martin-Grudzielanek, a true freshman, earning a start. Martin-Grudzielanek flashed a mid-90s fastball and sharp slider throughout his start, throwing the vast majority of his pitches under duress in the Mānoa mist.  

"I didn't start pitching until my senior year (of high school)," Martin-Grudzielanek said. "I was a late commit. (Hawai‘i) came to me and were all-in on me, so I was all in on them. It's great to be here. I'm loving it so far."

In total, UH pitchers had an ERA of 2.70, holding the Zags to a batting average of .247. 

"You just ask guys to go out there and compete, pitch to pitch. They know that they don't need to go out there and be perfect," Zuniga said. "They just need to give us a chance. Pitch with good tempo, pitching the bottom half of the strike zone, and just win pitches. A lot of guys got their name called this weekend, seeing them actually take it to somebody else has been a long time coming."

Handling the pitching staff behind the plate was sophomore Jake Redding, a junior college transfer from Sierra College in California. He was also one of the team's offensive standouts, hitting .313 with three doubles. 

"Getting the (starting) job here, I just put my head down. I knew I had to come in and prove myself," Redding said. "I wasn't given anything, so I just tried to do my thing, and the other catchers behind me, they're doing a great job. They're picking me up, and I wouldn't be here without them."

The Rainbow Warriors will return to action with a four-game home series against Wichita State that begins on Thursday. 

Hawaii baseball 021625

<title>Guided by Mānoa Magic, Hawai‘i baseball wins season-opening series over Gonzaga</title>

The Rainbow Warriors took three out of four from the Bulldogs, beginning and ending the series with heart-stopping finishes.

Guided by Mānoa Magic, Hawai‘i baseball wins season-opening series over Gonzaga

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.”

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

Yamachika Tom IMG 1913 Large

Tom Yamachika

Viewpoints

Government & Politics

In 2024, we in Hawaiʻi became the beneficiaries of Act 46 (House Bill 2404) which the governor’s office 

called the “largest income tax cut for working families in the state’s history.”

 In odd-numbered years up to 2031, the bill jacked up the standard deduction; in even-numbered years, the bill substantially broadened the existing rate brackets so that lower rates would apply to more taxpayers. At the time, the governor’s office claimed that “the state income taxes paid by working class families will fall by 71 percent by 2031.” 

To back up its claims, state officials set up 

, which contains a calculator projecting residents’ tax savings between 2024 and 2031. A family of four making $60,000, for example, was projected to have an increase in take-home income of $15,182 over the period, an increase of 85%.

But recently, Gov. Josh Green told us in his 

In 2025, the federal government’s severe cuts and other actions took over $3 billion out of our state’s economy, leaving us with an unforeseen budget shortfall.

So to meet all of our responsibilities and our commitment on affordability, I am proposing that there be no changes to our tax cuts in 2026 – these and all previous tax cuts will be completely preserved — but that we pause the tax cuts planned for 2027 through 2029.

This proposal will bring back $1.8 billion for critical services ….

Transcription courtesy of Hawaiʻi Public Radio

“Pause,” he said. “For 2027 through 2029.”

, the legislative bills introduced by his office to accomplish this, however, say something else. They don’t delay the scheduled cuts by three years or five years. They propose to repeal the cuts, as in get rid of them for good. That isn’t pressing the “Pause” button, it’s hitting “Stop.”

If that is not what we as citizens want, we should let our legislators know. The legislators are considering the bill now, and have the opportunity to amend the bill so that it better tracks what the governor promised us. Or legislators can amend it to say something else or kill it altogether. If, for example, we are able to find substantial money in funds that the state already has but isn’t using, then maybe we don’t need to hit “Stop” or even “Pause.”

For those who benefit from the refundable credit for household and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment, the bill adds some new wrinkles including debarment provisions. If a taxpayer’s claim for credit is disallowed, the taxpayer isn’t allowed to claim the credit for two years. If the disallowance is due to fraud, the debarment period is ten years.

What the bill isn’t so clear about, however, is what happens if there is a partial disallowance. Suppose a taxpayer claimed $1,000 in credits, is audited, and the credit amount is adjusted to $900 because the taxpayer added some receipts wrong or couldn’t produce some receipts although the taxpayer clearly remembers spending the money. That’s a disallowance of $100 – does that trigger the two-year debarment so that the taxpayer can’t claim anything at all for the succeeding two years?

This and other tax drama will be center stage at our Legislature this year. Enjoy the show!

Boris misevic 4 Z Jb Ql Ssp60 unsplash

<title>Community Voices: Pause versus stop</title>

Amid a $3 billion budget shortfall, here's a proposal: no changes to tax cuts in 2026 and pause the tax cuts planned for 2027 through 2029.

Community Voices: Pause versus stop

, 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

Nine University of Hawai‘i athletes and four head coaches took turns testifying for Hawai‘i 

 at UH-Mānoa's Bachman Hall on Wednesday afternoon.  

The main focus of House Bill 2384 consists of UH-Mānoa obtaining an unspecified amount of money towards its NIL fund from the Hawai‘i Legislature, though $5 million was the figure brought up in a joint hearing between the House and Senate at the Hawai‘i State Capitol on Nov. 12, 2025. 

After University of Hawai‘i president Wendy Hensel and UH-Mānoa athletics director Matt Elliott spoke in front of the 

House of Representatives’ Committee on Higher Education, UH student-athletes took to the podium to speak at Bachman Hall, the vast majority with prepared statements. 

Hawai‘i women's basketball players Jovi Lefotu and Ritorya Tamilo, women's volleyball players Victoria Leyva, Cha'lei Reed and Tali Hakas, football players Dean Briski and Micah Alejado, and baseball players Elijah Ickes and Ben Zeigler-Namoa all spoke about their experiences in representing the school, expressing a shared gratitude towards the community support they all get across the state. 

In support of HB 2384, Ickes discussed how he grew close with multiple teammates who went on to depart UH in order to take NIL deals with other schools. Ickes, who was selected in the 19th round of the 2023 MLB Draft as a senior at Kamehameha and is again considered a prospect in 2026, likely could have followed suit if NIL earnings were his top priority. 

Meanwhile, Briski, a native of Pago Pago, American Samoa, spoke about how other schools tried to entice him to the enter the NCAA transfer portal with large NIL offers. He ultimately couldn't bring himself to do it. 

"A lot of programs rely on money transfers or highly related recruits, and with years of experience. For us, that's never been the case," said Briski, who started 11 games at right tackle as a junior for the Rainbow Warriors in 2025.  "Players come and go, but the family unity, loyalty and culture built here, our cultures instill something deeper in those who choose to stay. This island is very special. It brings people together, and it is filled with with love. 

"I've had opportunities from Power Four schools offering large amounts of money, but I've chosen to stay because of what has been built here, a team rooted in faith, not just faith in each other, in our community, but faith in God. Hawai‘i is an expensive place to live when other schools offer money that can change the lives of not just players, but their families who live back home. It becomes incredibly hard to say no, because at that point, it's no longer just about you. ... Possibilities for Hawai‘i football can become truly special. I believe this program is only scratching the surface, and with the right backing, what Hawai‘i can achieve will be something great, not just on the field, but for the people, the culture and the future generations to come."

Additionally, women's basketball head coach Laura Beeman, women's volleyball head coach Robyn Ah Mow, and football head coach Timmy Chang also spoke. Ah Mow got choked up and had to briefly recollect herself after explaining how without volleyball, she would have never had the opportunity to receive a college education. 

Baseball head coach Rich Hill, football general manager Matt Chon and football player Jamih Otis were among those supporting in attendance.

When asked about the department's fundraising efforts during Wednesday's hearing, Elliott said the school will continue to solicit funding from the private sector. 

"The state funding allows us to have some certainty and stability around an NIL program so that we can make promises to these student-athletes that we know we will fulfill, and then we'll try to raise on top of them, as well. So, (the $5 million) is just a really good kick-start," Elliott said.

Following the testimonies, the committee voted unanimously in favor of the bill. It will then cross over from the House to the Senate in the coming months, which will be followed by another vote. 

The money UH is asking for is with the intent for it to be activated for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, which starts on on July 1. As for the current 2025-2026 year, Elliott said the athletics department is still raising funds for its target of $3 million in NIL funding, though they're more than halfway towards their target.

"We are probably going to need to raise $3 million to cover the NIL promises that we have made this year, for the academic year that's happening right now, and we've raised over $1.6, probably closer to $1.7 now," Elliott said. The donations have come from private avenues, which includes boosters. "We're making progress, and right now I hope to hit that goal.

"We have asked for $5 million for next fiscal year, so that's for 26-27, and that is so that we can then be very secure in the promises that we make to our student athletes on the football team, the basketball team, the volleyball teams, the baseball teams, etc., because if we have that foundation, then we know, OK, that's who we can recruit and retain, and then we're going to still try to fundraise on top of that."

After the hearing and unanimous vote in favor of the bill, Elliott says he couldn't be more thankful for the athletes that chose to speak. 

"I thought they were brilliant," he said. "I thought they did an incredible job representing this university, and we should be so proud of the program that's creating these opportunities for students to be here and do that. They're gonna be, I say all the time, these are our future leaders. No question. I believe that so strongly."

 vowed to do what he could to keep Hawai‘i competitive in the ever-changing college landscape. The 2025-2026 academic year was the first in which schools could engage in direct revenue sharing with its student-athletes. Power Four schools are distributing $20.5 million to their student-athletes in addition to scholarships. In 2026-2027, that number will jump 4% to $21.3 million. Although that figure is currently out of the realm of a mid-major school like UH, Elliott and Hensel have visited with the House and Senate multiple times to in an attempt to secure what it can. 

"It's unique to this place, I think, in terms of how the legislature engages with the athletics department," Elliott said. "But I still think that what we're talking about is an opportunity for alignment. Let's get everybody on board. Let's get everybody on the same page. We're not going to do that today, we're not going to do that tomorrow, but it will take time as people tell the stories of our student-athletes and we see the progress that we're making, I really believe more and more people will come along and think it is worthwhile. 

"I think we just wanted to be very proactive and transparent about it, that this is what we believe is necessary for us to be successful. So why not just say it? Why not just put it out there, say to the state, "We want that support.' I don't want to be the school that in six months or in a year, facing our budget, and we're like, 'Oh, we're $7 million in debt.' Why are you $7 million in debt? Well, because we didn't have an NIL plan. We didn't talk about where those resources are going to come from, and we tried to figure it out, and it just didn't work. 

"So, I think our approach here is much more driven, very much by 

. Let's set up opportunities to talk about this and talk about it early and often. I don't want to be in a place where we have a budget deficit. I want to run a balanced budget, but do it in a way where we have enough funding to run NIL, as well. That's the idea behind it."

Matt Elliott 021126

<title>UH testifies for increased NIL support</title>

On Wednesday, over a dozen combined UH athletes and coaches spoke in favor of House Bill 2384, aimed at increasing NIL funds for the school's athletics department.

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