ASD icon blue inverse lighter

ASD Staff

Daily Smile

[{"type":"text","text":"The slowest stalking attack ever....."}]

Smile 26 3 22

<title>Daily Smile: Sunday, March 22, 2026</title>

The slowest stalking attack ever.....

Daily Smile: Sunday, March 22, 2026

WEB square crop Hayley Lehman Headshot RGZ1636

Haley Lehman

Government & Politics

Kanani Aton stepped into a new role as recovery officer for the County of Hawaiʻi on Monday. 

 in July to institutionalize disaster recovering operations. Mayor Kimo Alameda made the role a permanent position within his administration.

As recovery officer, Aton will lead and coordinate the County's disaster recovery operations, work with state and federal partners responsible for disaster recovery programs and funding, oversee community engagement, according to the bill.

The bill states, "establishing a disaster recovery framework within the office of the mayor that activates, when necessary, will reduce institutional learning loss between disasters, enable a more efficient transition from emergency response to recovery operations, and strengthen the County's capacity to secure and effectively deploy state and federal disaster recovery resources, while maintaining ongoing, community-informed engagement throughout the recovery process."

Alameda stated in a news release that recovery planning requires year-round commitment, as shown through the Kona low storms and Hurricane Lala.

From the start, our administration has made it a priority to improve disaster response and recovery – including coordination between government agencies, nonprofits and the community – and Kanani will play a key part in that effort," he stated.

Aton, of Hilo, obtained her bachelor's degree from the University of Hawai'i and her master's degree from Heritage College, according to her LinkedIn.

She most recently was as a senior project manager for 

the Kamehameha Schools ʻŌiwi Leadership Institute for five years. She previously served as a public information and disaster recovery specialist with the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency and a public information and education specialist with the Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply, according to the news release.

my focus will be coordinating the efforts of County departments, State and Federal partners, and affected communities to deliver a recovery that is well organized, inclusive, and builds long-term resilience for Hawaiʻi Island.”

Kanani Aton

<title>Hawaiʻi County hires first recovery officer</title>

The County of Hawaiʻi announced Friday that Kanani Aton will coordinate the county's disaster recovery operations as the recovery officer.

Hawaiʻi County hires first recovery officer

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Crime & Courts

The Hawai‘i Election Commission must be allowed to meet, the state Supreme Court has ordered.

On Friday, the Hawai‘i Supreme Court ruled in favor of a pair of state election commissioners, who had 

 the court to intervene in an ongoing dispute with the Office of Elections that had, they argued, prevented the Election Commission from meeting since June.

The Office of Elections and state Election Officer Scott Nago told the Supreme Court in October that the only way the Commission could schedule a meeting without a chair — the previous Commission chair’s term ended in June with no successor — was if at least five commissioners reached out to the Office of Elections requesting a meeting. Then and only then would the Office of Elections, which serves an administerial role to the Commission, be empowered to begin scheduling a meeting.

But commissioners Ralph Cushnie and Tamara McKay countered that commissioners don’t have ready access to their fellows’ email addresses, making it difficult to even coordinate a five-person request for a meeting.

Moreover, Cushnie and McKay argued that a task as simple as scheduling a meeting does not require a majority of commissioners to approve.

The Supreme Court on Friday determined that “the power to call the Commission together belongs to [the Commission], chair or no chair.” Without a chair, a single commissioner is all that is needed to request the Office of Elections to set a meeting.

The argument by the Office of Elections that arranging a meeting is “board business,” and therefore requires a quorum to be discussed, is incorrect, wrote Justice Todd Eddins. “Arranging a meeting,” Eddins wrote, “is housekeeping.”

Eddins also wrote that, once the Commission does finally convene, its first item of business will be to name a new temporary chair. And although the state argued that the chief justice of the Supreme Court must fill the vacant seat after such a long vacancy, Eddins ruled that “the chair is the Commission’s to fill.”

“Those who exercise power for the people may contemplate the Aloha Spirit,” Eddins wrote in conclusion. “The Office of Elections and the Elections Commission serve one public and one end. Elections the people can trust. That trust is earned when the two work together in harmony, in the open.”

Nonetheless, despite the Supreme Court’s verdict, Cushnie told Aloha State Daily on Monday that the state election process remains anything but transparent.

“There is nothing verifiable about our elections,” Cushnie said, adding that he already has concerns about the ballot-counting processes at work for this year’s general election.

Furthermore, Cushnie said that, in light of the Supreme Court verdict, he has requested correspondence from the Office of Elections that he said had been withheld since 2024, including all emails sent to or from the official Commission email address, which the Office of Elections administers. Cushnie claimed that the Office of Elections had been filtering out complaints to the Commission that might otherwise have been discussed at future Commission meetings.

[{"type":"text","text":"As of Monday, he said, that correspondence had not been delivered."}]

However, Cushnie said the Office of Elections has begun scheduling an Elections Commission meeting that may take place Nov. 12.

PXL 20261016 211501782 16x9

<title>Election commissioners prevail in state Supreme Court dispute</title>

After five months of inactivity, the Elections Commission can reconvene after the state Supreme Court determines that the Office of Elections must provide administrative assistance to the Commission.

Election commissioners prevail in state Supreme Court dispute

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Business & Tourism

Aloha Spirit

eʻohe community on Oct. 31, shuttering that location after 11 years citing cost to operate.

Following the closure, the business launched an 

 via Caring Transitions of Honolulu (CTBids), which will run now until Thursday, Nov. 5. Individual items will close for bidding at different times throughout the evening, starting at 7 p.m.

Local pickup is preferred for highest bidders from 6 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, and by appointment on Sunday, Nov. 8, per CTBids President Steve Tokita. Shipping is available at buyer’s expense on some of the items, he says.

Nearly 130 items are listed for this auction including big screen TVs and commercial appliances such as chef bases, stainless steel shelving, a commercial conveyor dishwasher, as well as furniture such as booths, pedestal tables, bar stools and chairs.

Notably, it features décor and memorabilia including framed vintage photos of Hawai'i from the Bishop Museum Archives and signed local sporting event photos and newspaper clippings, collectible breweriana mirrors, Coca-Cola Tiffany style lighting, and more.

Big City Diner locations on Oʻahu at Kailua Town Center, Pearlridge East and Waipio Shopping Center remain open. Former employees at Windward Mall who decided to stay with the company were able to relocate, 

Big City Diner’s president and owner, Lane Muraoka, could not be immediately reached Monday.

Tokita told Aloha State Daily that some of the photos depict “Old Hawaiʻi,” and pay tribute to past Big City Diner locations spanning from Wakīkī to Ward.

“There’s also one with a view from ʻAiea/the Pearlridge location, overlooking old Pearl Harbor,” he added.

With CTBids on site at the Windward Mall space this week, Tokita says “lots of people have been stopping by and sharing their memories of the restaurant here.”

He anticipates adding some more items to the auction soon.

“It’s a busy time of year; I think we’re booked out until December,” he told ASD. “We’re always looking to hire as we expand.”

Those interested in joining the team at CTBids can call 808-369-9195.

Big City Diner Windward flyer

<title>Bid on items from Big City Diner Windward Mall</title>

The locally owned restaurant chain’s Kāneʻohe location closed after 11 years over the weekend. Now through Thursday, the community can keep its memory alive by participating in an online auction featuring furniture and commercial appliances, historical photos, memorabilia and more.

Bid on items from Big City Diner Windward Mall

Higa headshot white shirt square

Sterling Higa

Columnists

Will anything change in Hawai‘i after this election?

Few races are competitive. Republicans have no shot at taking the state’s legislature. They may be able to 

 in the State House after the election, but that’s a bargaining chip, not the whole pot. The State Senate may shuffle its leaders, but that does not mean a shift in policy.

At the top of the state, our congressional delegation and governor will stay the same. Derek Kawakami should slide into the lieutenant governor’s office. But he is a moderate. He offers continuity for his party rather than change.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"The counties present little drama."}]

Honolulu’s most exciting race ended in court, as a judge barred City Council Chair Tommy Waters from seeking reelection. Trevor Ozawa should fill his seat. The council will select a new chair, but one can be forgiven for yawning.

Maui has the state’s most exciting race. Council Member Yuki Lei Sugimura is challenging incumbent Mayor Richard Bissen. A Sugimura win would be a real change. She has signaled more support for housing and short-term rentals than Bissen has shown in his first term. The Maui council might also swing back from moderate to radical.

So what will change in Hawai‘i after the election?

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Outside of Maui, not much."}]

All the intrigue is in Washington, where control of Congress may change hands. If Democrats flip the House and the Senate, President Donald Trump becomes a lame duck for his last two years.

That would matter here. Budget decisions in DC affect funding for the states. Trade policy affects prices at the grocery store. Foreign wars affect the prices of gas at the pump. Our state’s defense economy is subject to decisions made 5,000 miles away. And tourism rises and falls with the Mmainland economy.

A certain type of person gets dramatic about elections. This is the most important election ever, he says. Democracy itself is at stake.

That person takes a fair point too far. Elections matter, but the American empire lurches on from one to the next. Our national debt balloons while our roads and bridges crumble. Yet our military is still the world’s most powerful, and the dollar is still accepted around the world. Our country is deeply divided, but it is not at war with itself. Our decline is more like erosion than shattering.

The hopeful take on elections is also misguided. Righting the ship of state is like turning an aircraft carrier. It takes a long time. We won’t save the republic with our ballots today. One election can bend history only so far.

We may sigh as we vote. But we should give thanks for a country where, despite occasional irregularities, elections are free and fair.

After we vote, we can rest. The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord, and He turns it wherever He will.

2026 election i Stock 2296765703

<title>Hawaiʻi 2026 election: What will change after Election Day?</title>

Hawaiʻi’s congressional delegation will stay the same, the governor will stay the same, and Honolulu’s hottest council race was settled by a judge. ASD columnist Sterling Higa on why the only vote that might change anything is on Maui.

Hawaiʻi 2026 election: What will change after Election Day?

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

 just opened in Kalihi, in the former space of Guieb Cafe’s Kalihi location.

The business has been open in Mānoa for about 17 years, according to chef Sergio Arellano. The biz has another location within the 

While business owner/chef Sergio Arellano says he wasn’t necessarily looking for another location, he thought the opportunity to open in Kalihi would be beneficial for customers.

“I’m excited to bring our delicious food to this side of town,” he says. “Plenty of people always say, ‘It’s hard to drive out to Mānoa,’ so I figured, maybe Kalihi will be more central for a lot more people. That’s what really pushed me to come to Kalihi.”

He says the Kalihi store came together in about one and a half months; the Kalihi location celebrated its grand opening on Nov. 1.

The menu is the same at all three locations, according to Arellano, who says his restaurant features family recipes and describes his cuisine as “Mexico City-style.” The restaurant offers a variety of tacos, burritos and sopes, along with house specialties like its famous flautas ($16.95) and enchiladas ($16.95-$17.95).

“The flautas are our signature dish; it’s a traditional dish from where my family’s from, Mexico City,” Arellano says. “It’s a popular dish in Mexico City; the flautas are our homemade flour tortillas. We stuff them with your choice of meat and we fry it to a golden brown, then top it off with our fresh-made avocado salsa, sour cream, queso fresco, cilantro and onions. We serve it with rice and beans.”

Sopes ($16.95), meanwhile, feature masa (corn) cakes with a choice of meat. They’re topped with beans, sour cream, queso fresco, cilantro and onions.

“Sopes is a very traditional Mexican dish,” Arellano says. “We fry these — they’re very delicate — to a golden brown. We top it off with homemade beans; sopes come with any meat you want. Customers can mix it up as well, and get one steak, one chicken and one chorizo.

“These are all family recipes,” he adds. “There are some I created myself, but for the most part, it’s my grandma’s, mom’s and dad’s recipes.”

Arellano says the eatery’s garlic shrimp plate ($18.95) — available in traditional garlic, garlic cilantro-lime or chipotle garlic — and chimichanga ($16.95-$17.95) are customer favorites. The latter features a 12-inch deep-fried flour tortilla stuffed with beans and rice, along with a choice of chicken or steak, pork carnitas, al pastor or sauteed veggies. It’s topped with sour cream, and served with guacamole or pico de gallo.

The business’s Mexico City-style tacos ($5.50-$6.50 each) and burritos ($16.95-$17.95) include a choice of protein, ranging from chorizo, pork carnitas and grilled chicken to grilled steak, al pastor and sauteed veggies. Tacos are usually served on grilled, 6-inch corn tortillas, and are topped with cilantro and onions. Burritos are stuffed with guacamole and pico de gallo, and come with beans and rice.

“Pork carnitas and steak are popular, but al pastor or carnitas would probably be our top two (proteins),” Arellano says.

Customers can also choose from housemade salsas, available in mild, medium, hot and super hot levels.

On the weekends from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Serg’s Mexican Kitchen serves Mexican breakfast. The breakfast menu includes dishes like huevos rancheros ($13.95), breakfast burritos ($13.95-$16.95), omelets ($11.95-$13.95), menudo, or traditional Mexican tripe soup ($13.95) and machaca, or scrambled eggs with shredded beef ($13.95).

“Anything you try on the menu, you will not be disappointed,” Arellano says.

Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays

Sergs Mexican Kitchen Sergio 102926

<title>Serg’s Mexican Kitchen just opened in Kalihi</title>

The business, which has been open in Mānoa for about 17 years, just opened its third location in Kalihi. The biz celebrated its grand opening yesterday; the menu is the same at all three locations, according to chef Sergio Arellano, who says the eatery’s enchiladas, birria tacos and chimichangas are especially popular.

Serg’s Mexican Kitchen just opened in Kalihi

Thanksgiving is coming up on Thursday, Nov. 26. Whether you’re dining out or looking for an at-home feast, check out the following options:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"100 Sails Restaurant & Bar"}]

: The Thanksgiving dinner buffet costs $109 per adult ($54.50 per child ages 6 to 10 years old). Highlights include kiawe-smoked prime rib that’s carved to order, kiawe smoked brisket, ‘ahi poke, assorted sashimi, snow crab legs, salt and pepper shrimp, caramelized mushroom linguini, roasted turkey leg and turkey breast, holiday stuffing, temaki sushi, Prince bread pudding, pumpkin crunch haupia crunch pie and more.

The brunch buffet costs $111 per adult ($55.50 per child ages 6 to 10 years old). It includes many of the featured dinner buffet offerings — including kiawe-smoked prime rib, kiawe smoked brisket, roasted turkey leg and turkey breast — but also includes breakfast offerings like Prince fried rice, a waffle station and an omelet station.

: Dinner buffet 5 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 26-29; brunch buffet 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 26

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"53 By the Sea"}]

: 53 By the Sea’s Thanksgiving take home packages are available for pre-order online and via phone.

The standard Thanksgiving dinner set ($250) is designed to feed four people and includes:

The deluxe Thanksgiving dinner set ($750) is designed to feed eight people and includes:

: In-person pick-ups from 8 a.m. to noon on Nov. 26

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"C4 Table by Colin Hazama"}]

: fishcake Honolulu, 307C Kamani St., Honolulu 

: C4 Table’s Thanksgiving holiday menu ($370) is designed to serve four to six people. It includes:

: Pick-up from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25 at fishcake Honolulu 

: Email pre-order with name (first and last), telephone contact number, number of meals/additional sides, and preferred pick-up time slot to 

: Chart House Waikīkī’s traditional turkey dinner ($65) includes butter and sage roasted turkey, savory cornbread stuffing, mashed or baked sweet potato with rum butter, pan gravy, creamed spinach and cranberry relish. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Hy’s Steak House"}]

: This Thanksgiving ‘ohana feast to-go ($585) is designed to serve eight to 10 people. It includes:

: This special Thanksgiving dinner ($40) includes butter herb roasted turkey, homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, green bean casserole, candied yams with toasted marshmallow, grilled corn on the cob and a dinner roll. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Merriman’s Honolulu"}]

: This Thanksgiving prix fixe menu costs $140 per person ($45 for children ages 12 years and younger). It includes:

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

: This Thanksgiving family feast ($725) is designed to feed six to eight people. It includes:

Pre-orders must be placed by Tuesday, Nov. 24.

: Pick-up from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 26

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Plumeria Beach House"}]

: The all-you-can-eat Thanksgiving buffets will include a carving station, chef specialties and a variety of desserts. They cost $145 per adult ($55 per child ages 6 to 12 years). 

: Nov. 26, brunch buffet 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; dinner buffet 3 to 8 p.m. 

: This Thanksgiving package ($285.95) is designed to feed four to six people. It includes sliced roast turkey, turkey gravy, housemade stuffing, pineapple-glazed ham, garlic mashed potatoes, spicy ‘ahi on sushi rice, fresh cranberry sauce, and pumpkin crunch squares.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"The Buffet at Hyatt"}]

: Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort & Spa, 

: This Island-inspired Thanksgiving buffet costs $110 per person (50% off for children ages 6 to 12 years, $5.99 for children ages 5 years and under).

[{"type":"text","text":"Buffet highlights include:"}]

discount is not valid for holiday menus. 

The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waik

: This Thanksgiving takeout feast ($595) is designed to serve eight to 10 people.

: Pick-up from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 26.

Upon arrival, guests should pull into The Royal Hawaiian porte cochere (valet) and check in with the team; staff members will bring your Thanksgiving feast directly to you. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Umi by Vikram Garg"}]

: Halepuna Waikīkī by Halekūlani, 2233 Helumoa Road, Honolulu 

: This special Thanksgiving dinner features a three-course ($110 per person) or four-course ($150 per person) menu.

The three-course menu features a soup or pasta (premium upgrade optional), main course and dessert; an optional wine pairing ($50) is available. The four-course menu includes an appetizer (premium upgrade available), soup or pasta (premium upgrade available), main course and dessert; an optional wine pairing ($70) is available.

[{"type":"text","text":"Featured dishes include:"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Zippy’s Restaurants"}]

: Zippy’s is offering a variety of Thanksgiving packages to choose from:

[{"type":"text","text":"Whole turkey package, $214.95; serves eight to 10 people"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Half turkey package, $124.95; serves four people"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Whole turkey only, $95.95; serves eight to 10 people"}]

: Pick-up Wednesday Nov. 25 or Thursday, Nov. 26

Daily Smile: Sunday, March 22, 2026

ASD Staff

Reporter

More in Daily Smile

Daily Smile: Monday, Nov. 2, 2026

Daily Smile: Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026

Daily Smile: Friday, Oct. 30, 2026

Daily Smile: Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026

Most read

Daily Smile: Sunday, March 22, 2026

Authors

ASD Staff

Reporter

More in Daily Smile

Daily Smile: Monday, Nov. 2, 2026

Daily Smile: Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026

Daily Smile: Friday, Oct. 30, 2026

Daily Smile: Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026

Most read