ASD icon blue inverse lighter

ASD Staff

Daily Smile

[{"type":"text","text":"Little girl has her dogs say grace before dinner..."}]

Smile 26 2 20

<title>Daily Smile: Friday, February 20, 2026</title>

Little girl has her dogs say grace before dinner...

Daily Smile: Friday, February 20, 2026

 Little girl has her dogs say grace before dinner...

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Aloha Spirit

Rachel Chai, who lives in Mānoa and is raising two keiki, has called the Islands home her whole life.

She graduated from Academy of the Pacific in 2013 then from Chaminade University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She's now pursuing a 

master’s degree in social work from Hawaiʻi Pacific University.

“I did want to get into social work for maybe five years or so, but after having kids I felt like it wasn

 then I figured no timing is going to be the right timing, so I might as well just do it now,” said Chai, who started at HPU last fall and is expected to graduate in May 2027.

She has worked as a caregiver since 2014 and prior to pursuing business, was a nursing major with a passion for geriatrics.

“I started working in a nursing home and loved it. I loved building relationships with our patients and we became really close. But the downside was when they would pass away, it was hard emotionally,” Chai said, adding that she took a step back and did private caregiving before joining 

She remembered hearing about the in-home care franchises

during orientation but wasn’t sure if social work would be covered, she recalled.

“My supervisor at the time suggested I apply; it wouldn’t hurt to just try, so I filled out a questionnaire and essay in July/August and had a final interview via Zoom in December,” she said.

, the program awarded 32 scholarships totaling more than $73,000 to those associated with Griswold offices nationwide. Chai was the only caregiver from Hawai’i.

“Being a divorced mom of two young children, I didn’t know how I was going to pay for school and living expenses, so finding out I got the scholarship really took a weight off my shoulders," Chai said when asked what this scholarship means to her. "I think having this scholarship will allow me to focus on my schooling and not worry about finances. I want to get my degree, so I can show up for my family, and help the community and other families.”

Finding balance as a mom, student and employee has been a learning curve, she added. “I don’t have everything figured out. I’m trying my best to manage my time. But learning as a student helps me be a better mom and person.”

One pivotal moment in caregiving, she shared, was during a Tsunami warning last July. “I was scheduled to work a double shift, but Griswold had canceled all shifts moving forward. I knew that client primarily relies on us for care and lived in a flood zone. I drove to his house, made him dinner, showered him, made sure he was OK, that he was aware of what was going on, etc. He told me go take care of my own family. [It] was second nature to me.”

For another client, Chai created a “girl’s night in” complete with her favorite dessert and spa treatment. “Little things like that are so special,” she said.

Her advice for future caregivers? “Treat them like your family and it won’t seem like you’re doing it as an occupation. … Show up and bring them dessert.”

“The most rewarding aspect of caregiving is that connection you build with clients and their families. Getting to know them as a person.,” she continued. “You see them at one of the most vulnerable seasons of their life, and being able to share that, protect and advocate for them.”

[{"type":"text","text":"Looking ahead, Chai is excited for her path in social work."}]

National Caregivers Day is on Friday, Feb. 20. Applications for Griswold’s summer 2026 scholarship cycle are open now through March 31. For more information about how to apply or nominate, 

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Rachel Chai Caregiver Scholarship

<title>Honolulu’s Rachel Chai talks caregiving</title>

Chai, a mother of two, has more than a decade of experience as a caregiver, most recently with Griswold Home Care for Oʻahu. She was recently named a recipient of the company’s winter caregiver scholarship for National Caregivers Day, which will go toward her master’s degree in social work.

Honolulu’s Rachel Chai talks caregiving

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

Government & Politics

A new legislative session brings the possibility of new laws. Here are some that have been introduced this session and would impact the arts:

The legislation would appropriate funds to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts for its Artists in the Schools Program, which brings artists into the classroom at public schools. 

Karen Ewald, executive director of SFCA, submitted testimony in favor of the legislation and shared there was an increase in demand for the program,

 which is out-pacing funds. Keith Hayashi, superintendent of the Hawaiʻi public school system, also submitted testimony in favor of the measure. There was no testimony against the legislation. 

: It passed second reading, as amended, and was referred to the committee on finance. 

Establishes arts integration coordinator for Department of Education, HB2436: 

This bill would establish funds for an arts integration coordinator or specialists to support arts education within the state Department of Education. It also appropriates $600,000 for this work in the fiscal year of 2026-2027 to fund four full-time equivalent arts integration coordinators or specialists, including salary, fringe benefits and operational expenses. The legislation requires one position be established on each of the following islands: Oʻahu, Maui, Kaua'i, and Hawaiʻi Island. Status: Referred to committees for culture and arts, education, and finance. Scheduled to be heard by the committee on education on Feb. 19. 

Increases tax credits for film productions that hire local, HB1939.

 Amends the motion picture, digital media and film production income tax credit by providing additional credits to productions with at least 80% local hires. 

: The committee on economic development and technology recommended passage on second reading. Referred to the committee on finance. 

Music accessibility pilot program for Hawaiʻi State Public Library System, HB1764. 

Establishes a pilot program where the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System would provide access to public concerts and musical education across the state, including the counties of Hawaiʻi, Kauaʻi, and Maui. The program would support local musicians and cultural collaboration and encourage the commission of new works that reflect the unique heritage of Hawaiʻi. The state public library system would collaborate with the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra and other groups. 

: The committee on education recommended that the measure be passed without amendments. It has been referred to the committee on finance. 

State of Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra, SB2603 (companion bill HB1860). 

 as the State of Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra, which would allow the group to “regularly obtain state funds to help cover its general operating costs in exchange for other services to the State, to be mutually negotiated,” according to the text of the proposed legislation. HSO was founded in 1900 as the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra. The symphony has a 

history of financial instability, including filing for bankruptcy in 2009

. The bill highlights how the symphony provides a spotlight for local and international musicians and performing artists. It establishes $500,000 of funding for the fiscal year 2026-2027, which would include a stipulation of free admission for school faculty, staff and students who attend shows through the state Department of Education programs. 

: The committee on water, land, culture and the arts recommended passage on second reading, as amended. It was referred to the committee on ways and means. 

Surcharge for performing arts tickets, SB3330 (companion bill HB2604). 

The proposed legislation establishes a surcharge of $1 for the sale of performing arts tickets, with funds going to the performing arts grants special fund, which provides grants for the planning, promotion, marketing and execution of performing arts events. The surcharge is waived for any event with a ticket price of $35 or less. It will also be waived for ones run by Hawaiʻi-based nonprofits and performances by students enrolled in public schools or the University of Hawaiʻi system. The ticket provider will disclose the surcharge on a separate line item on tickets, receipts and invoices at the time of sale. 

: It has been referred to the committees for economic development and tourism; water, land, culture and the arts; commerce and consumer protection; and ways and means. 

Tax credits for film productions, SB3088 (companion bill HB2269). 

This bill would increase the qualified production tax credit in any county of the state with a population of more than 700,000 to 27%, an increase from the current 22%. For counties with smaller populations, such as Maui County, the production credit would change to 32%, up from 27%. The legislation also lifts the per-production cap of $17 million for productions with qualified expenditures of at least $60 million. The annual cap for tax credits for all productions would increase to $60 million, an increase from the current $50 million. 

Passed first reading.Referred to the committees for economic development and tourism; and ways and means. 

Works of Art Special Fund, SB1236 (companion bill HB1299):

 The proposed legislation amends existing law which established a works of art special fund that designates 1% of the construction costs of new state buildings go toward the acquisition of works of art. This bill would expand how that fund can be used and proposes it could also support new positions within SFCA as well as performing arts initiatives and programs at schools. 

: Carried over to the 2026 regular session and re-referred to the committees on ways and means; and water, land, culture and the arts. 

Here are some bills that have been deferred:

Artificial intelligence and music (HB2357). 

This bill would prohibit music streaming platforms from hosting, distributing or making available in the state of Hawaiʻi any music attributed to an artificial intelligence music artist. The department of the attorney general would have exclusive authority to enforce the law and violations of it would constitute an unfair method of competition and a deceptive act or practice. 

: It has been referred to the committees for economic development and technology; judiciary and Hawaiian affairs; and finance. On Feb. 18, the committee on 

 recommended that the measure be deferred. 

Increases the ceiling of the works of art special fund, HB2461.

 The bill would increase the ceiling of the works of art special fund, which is used to commission or purchase art. It also expands the uses of the fund, and would allow money to be used for the upkeep and preservation of the state’s public art collection, including the establishment of a collections manager position within SFCA. Status: Referred to committees for culture and arts; and finance. On Feb. 13, the committee on culture and arts recommended it be deferred. 

Are you following a bill that impacts arts and entertainment and should be on this list? Email: 

Hawaiʻi State Capitol

<title>AI music regulations, a state symphony, and more in these bills to watch</title>

Aloha State Daily rounded up some bills that lawmakers are considering this legislative session. Those measures include proposed laws that could bring musical performances to patrons of the public library system and students in public schools. There is also an initiative to designate the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra as the State of Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra.

AI music regulations, a state symphony, and more in these bills to watch

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

A proposal to gradually remove the state’s tax on groceries has expired.

 would have reduced Hawai‘i's general excise tax on groceries and nonprescription drugs each year until removing it entirely in 2034, a House committee on Wednesday recommended that the bill be deferred, effectively killing the proposal.

At Wednesday’s hearing of the House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, committee chair Rep. David Tarnas said he “can’t in good conscience move forward with a bill that might have a quarter-billion dollars in fiscal impact,” citing estimates mentioned previously in the hearing by fellow Rep. Elle Cochran.

Cochran had told the committee that her office had projected an annual revenue loss of up to $250 million, but added that this was merely a “guesstimation.”

State tax research officer Baybars Karacaovali told Aloha State Daily 

 that, by 2034, revenue losses would reach more than $460 million, but that the first stage of the tax cutback — which would have reduced the GET from 4% to 3.5% in 2027 — would only lead to a reduction of about $17.4 million that first year.

However, no firm projection has yet been released, and possibly never will be. Eliza Watson, administrative rules specialist for the state Department of Taxation told the committee on Wednesday that a revenue impact statement was being prepared for the bill’s eventual appearance before the House Finance Committee; with the bill deferred, that hearing will likely not take place.

Tarnas said the Department of Taxation should work closely with lawmakers and the Hawai‘i Tax Foundation to better understand the proposal’s impacts. He said he was reluctant to defer the measure, and noted its wide popularity among individuals, organizations and state agencies alike.

Several people spoke in support of the bill Wednesday, touting its potential to save low-income families hundreds of dollars each year.

“It’s not important that we tax the struggling families on a basic necessity,” said Nate Hix, policy director for the Hawai‘i Public Health Institute. “We can move our tax structure to a different tax on something that’s much more progressive and not burdening the low-income families the most.”

HB1611 was not the only bill introduced this year that would remove the GET from certain essential purchases. 

 would exempt groceries eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program from the GET — regardless of whether the groceries were purchased via SNAP — along with nonprescription drugs, medical supplies, feminine hygiene products and baby diapers.

A Wednesday hearing of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services voted to recommend the bill’s passage, although no estimate about its potential revenue impact was discussed. The bill has been referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee but no hearing date has yet been scheduled.  

 For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

State capitol 022725

<title>Tax on groceries to stay, for now</title>

One proposal to scale back the General Excise Tax on groceries and nonprescription drugs has died in the Legislature although another still stands.

Tax on groceries to stay, for now

The state is partnering with Queen’s Health Systems to develop a new outpatient medical facility alongside a planned new hospital in Kailua-Kona on Hawai‘i Island.

 plans to build an 80-bed hospital in West Hawai‘i along with a workforce housing development and other health care facilities in Kona.

But on Wednesday, Gov. Josh Green announced a 

 between the state, Queen’s Health and Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation for a 50,000-square-foot facility to stand adjacent to the future hospital to provide additional expert care to hospital patients.

“[Kona Rep.] Nicole Lowen and I have been talking about this for years,” Green said at a news conference Wednesday. “A hospital that meets the needs of that part of Kona makes it so much better for our kūpuna who will constantly have some needs.”

Jason Chang, president and CEO of Queen’s Health, said Wednesday that he hopes both the new hospital and outpatient facility can be completed and serving patients within five years.

The outpatient facility, Chang said, will be a “one-stop hub” for specialist care that previously would have required patients to travel to other facilities on the island — such as Queen’s North Hawai‘i Community Hospital in Waimea — or be airlifted to O‘ahu.

Green said the state will commit $50 million in state bonds to fund the outpatient facility, while additional funding may be available through a federal Rural Health Transformation Program, which will award Hawai‘i $200 million a year for the next five years.

While the state legislature will need to approve the funds during the 2026 legislative session, HHSC is expected to make additional funding requests as the project progresses.

Clayton McGhan, HHSC’s West Hawai‘i Region CEO, said that, although construction of the new facility is still a ways away, residents are already benefiting from the partnership. Surgeons from Queen’s Health are already practicing at Kona Community Hospital, giving patients better access to services they may have needed to travel to receive.

McGhan and Chang both said the new West Hawai‘i health care infrastructure will help the island retain doctors, something that has been a challenge for the state in general and the region in particular. Green said West Hawai‘i's population growth has outstripped development for medical services, leaving doctors to pursue careers elsewhere.

Chang said the new outpatient facility is expected to generate an additional 350-450 jobs.

Green acknowledged that the current state of health care in the country — particularly the impending cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act which will take effect in 2027 — could threaten access to medical services for more than 8,000 state residents. Because of this, he said, state investment in medical infrastructure is more imperative than ever.

Green added that next year’s state budget will include a $16.5 million tax credit for ACA beneficiaries whose coverage may be threatened.

Meanwhile, Chang assured that “care will not be sacrificed” even amid uncertain health care impacts, and said the planned hospital will reduce wait and travel times for patients in need.

“We’ve committed to building ICUs, building an advanced emergency department, putting in advanced diagnostics, a CAT lab,” Chang said. “We have a helipad, because patients that need to be transferred to the trauma center will be able to do that in the fastest possible way.”

The Queens Health Systems Kona Campus Rendering 12012025 2048x1032 16x9

<title>State, Queen's Health, plan new outpatient facility in Kailua-Kona</title>

Partnership between Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation and Queen's Health Systems will further enhance planned West Hawai‘i hospital, officials say.

State, Queen's Health, plan new outpatient facility in Kailua-Kona

The City and County of Honolulu will attempt to take over a stretch of road in Kapolei as part of a plan to draw freshwater from the sea.

 — facilities that can convert saltwater to freshwater — have been bandied about in Hawai‘i for more than a decade. The only one still active, the Kalaeloa Seawater Desalination Facility, is supposedly set to go online in 2027, although construction has not yet begun.

But the project still continues apace. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply has, over the past year, been attempting to secure road access to the project site at Campbell Industrial Park, located just east of the former Barbers Point Naval Air Station.

The only road that gets close to the 20-acre project site is the partially paved Ōla‘i Street. The stretch of the road between its eastern endpoint and the nearest cross street, Kalaeloa Boulevard, is about 3,500 feet long, and BWS has sought a right-of-way agreement with the owner of that stretch of road, Maryland-based company Hawai‘i MMGD LLC.

“Right now, nobody really uses that road because it doesn’t go to anything,” Michael Matsuo, land administrator for BWS’ land division, told the board during a 

Matsuo said that BWS initially requested in 2023 a construction right-of-entry from MMGD allowing for potential alterations to the road, such as road widening, paving and the installation of water infrastructure and mains for the desalination plant. However, MMGD was reluctant, expressing concerns to BWS about the potential impact of the planned desalination plant to the greater industrial park.

Negotiations between BWS and MMGD went back and forth over the next two years. Throughout those negotiations, MMGD repeatedly told BWS that it would grant a conveyance to the board if and only if the board indemnified and insured MMGD for any liability stemming from construction or operation of the desalination plant; these terms were non-negotiable, Matsuo said.

One year ago, BWS determined that it could not meet those terms and commenced an appraisal of the lot with the intention of offering to purchase outright. In July, that appraisal came back — the parcel is valued at $309,400 — and BWS made an offer to MMGD at the end of September.

While MMGD has expressed amenability to selling the parcel, they did not make a decision one way or another by an Oct. 15 deadline, leading BWS to commence eminent domain proceedings: the process by which a government can seize private land for public purposes, with appropriate compensation.

The board voted unanimously to adopt the resolution on Oct. 27, allowing the City Department of Corporation Counsel to commence eminent domain proceedings. Kathleen Elliott-Pahinui, BWS information officer, told Aloha State Daily that the city charter grants BWS independent authority to acquire property on the city’s behalf without requiring approval by the city council.

Matsuo told the board on Oct. 27 that the funds for acquiring the property can be taken from BWS’ already-encumbered budget for the 2026 fiscal year.

Meanwhile, Elliott-Pahinui told ASD that the board will continue to negotiate with MMGD in hopes of reaching an agreement, which would make the eminent domain proceedings moot.

Daily Smile: Friday, February 20, 2026

ASD Staff

More in Daily Smile

Daily Smile: Thursday, February 19, 2026

Daily Smile: Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Daily Smile: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Daily Smile: Monday, February 16, 2026

Most read

Daily Smile: Friday, February 20, 2026

Authors

ASD Staff

More in Daily Smile

Daily Smile: Thursday, February 19, 2026

Daily Smile: Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Daily Smile: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Daily Smile: Monday, February 16, 2026

Most read