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[{"type":"text","text":"Pupper making friends with fish.."}]

Smile 26 3 30

<title>Daily Smile: Monday, March 30, 2026</title>

Pupper making friends with fish..

Daily Smile: Monday, March 30, 2026

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Business & Tourism

Arts & Entertainment

Broadway in Hawaiʻi announced its 2026-2027 season and it includes two shows: “Mamma Mia!” and “The Book of Mormon.” Season tickets go on sale on Monday, March 30.  

“We are thrilled to follow up the success of our sold-out engagement of 

 last December with a 2026-2027 season featuring two of the most popular musicals in Broadway history,” said Kristy Maple, President of MagicSpace Entertainment and Broadway in Hawaiʻi, in a written statement.

Season-ticket holders can opt to pay for the entire season at once or in six payments. 

, is returning to Honolulu after more than a decade-long break from the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall. It will be on stage from Wednesday, Nov. 25 through Sunday, Dec. 6. The musical follows the adventures of mismatched missionaries who are sent halfway across the world to spread the word of God.

“Mamma Mia!” is also part of the 2026-2027 season for Broadway in Hawaiʻi. This musical follows the story of a daughter about to get married who is trying to figure out which of three possible fathers should walk her down the asile. It's set on a Greek island with iconic hits from ABBA, including “Dancing Queen,” “Money, Money, Money,” and more. The musical runs Tuesday, July 6, through Sunday, July 18 in 2027. It has been more than 15 years since the popular musical has been on stage in Honolulu.

Season tickets for the shows start at $137. 

 For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

The Book of Mormon

<title>ʻThe Book of Mormonʻ and more headed for Honolulu</title>

The Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall will be alive with music from Broadway in Hawaiʻi in 2026 and 2027. The group has announced its next season, and tickets are now available.

ʻThe Book of Mormonʻ and more headed for Honolulu

AKINA portrait 2

Keliʻi Akina

Government & Politics

Viewpoints

The state’s behemoth budget bill is making its way through the Legislature, and I can’t help but notice that taxpayers seem to be the only ones expected to make a sacrifice for the sake of government spending.

Gov. Josh Green kicked off this year’s session claiming the state’s budget crunch is so bad that it justifies “pausing” the phase-in of the historic income tax cuts he signed into law in 2024. 

If that’s true, why has the Legislature put forth a budget that blows past his suggested spending by more than $195 million?

At first glance, the Legislature’s latest draft of the budget appears to appropriate only $43 million more than the governor’s most recent fiscal 2027 budget request. But that’s because lawmakers have suggested reducing the state’s debt service and health benefits payments by about $150 million. 

If it’s possible to simply grab $150 million out of those payments, why hasn’t that been offered up as part of a plan to save our promised tax relief? 

My colleagues at the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii have analyzed the latest draft of the 

 and identified numerous increases in spending compared to the governor’s proposed budget. These include:

>> $30 million more in “general support for healthcare payments” than the governor’s request of $16 million.

>> $27 million more in spending on “natural and physical environment” than the governor’s request of $7 million.

>> $13.7 million more in funding for “ecosystem protection, restoration and fisheries management” than the governor’s request of $5.5 million.

On and on it goes, line item by line item, adding up to more than $195 million than the governor proposed. 

If lawmakers simply went back to the governor’s original budget and combined that $150 million cut in debt service and health benefits payments with some other reductions — such as eliminating vacant positions and returning to the general fund $58 million in special funds that are budgeted for the new Aloha Stadium — it seems to me they could easily save our income tax cuts and avoid passing any new tax hikes.

 to help preserve our tax cuts that I have previously shared with you include returning the budget to 2019 levels, adjusted for inflation, and freeing up long-unused or unlawful special funds. 

The bottom line is that state lawmakers were supposed to approach this year’s budget with restraint. Instead, they are poised to go on another spending spree. That’s the kind of budgeting that leads to tax hikes, a higher cost of living and a stagnant economy.

But it’s not too late for them to change their minds, or for Gov. Green to line-item veto spending increases as he has wisely done in the past.

Reprinted with permission from the March 28, 2026, "President's Corner" of 

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Firefly 97 piggy banks 710386 16x9 Large

<title>Community Voices: The Legislature found $150 million. So where’s our tax relief?</title>

Gov. Josh Green kicked off this year’s session claiming the state’s budget crunch is so bad that it justifies “pausing” the phase-in of the historic income tax cuts he signed into law in 2024. If that’s true, why has the Legislature put forth a budget that blows past his suggested spending by more than $195 million?

Community Voices: The Legislature found $150 million. So where’s our tax relief?

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

While the state Board of Land and Natural Resources agreed Friday to acquire lands surrounding the Wahiawā Reservoir, it wasn’t without some trepidation.

In the first stage of a multi-agency acquisition of most of the Wahiawā Irrigation System, the BLNR agreed on Friday that the DLNR will take over several parcels of land surrounding Wahiawā Reservoir, also called Lake Wilson, which are currently owned by Dole Food Company.

The acquisition was initially set to take place two weeks prior, but was postponed due to the first of the two Kona low storms that nearly drove the Wahiawā Dam to its limits.

The dam itself is not included in those parcels; the Agribusiness Development Corporation will decide on March 31 whether it will acquire the parcels containing the dam and its spillway. However, the dam and spillway still dominated much of the BLNR’s discussion on Friday.

Lauren Yasaka, the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ director of land management, told the board acquiring the land is a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t situation,” as refusing the land transfer would lead Dole to decommission the dam, crippling agricultural production across thousands of acres.

Jared Gale, chief legal officer for Dole, told the Board that the dam and spillway still function as intended and that Dole has not been negligent in maintaining the structure. Nonetheless, he said Dole had not gone forward with a project to widen the spillway — required under revised safety standards — because such an investment would be moot before an imminent transfer of the land.

Dole’s failure to address the spillway came under scrutiny last week when the Kona low storm brought water levels at the reservoir mere feet from the top of the dam.

But with Dole unwilling to make those improvements, Gale confirmed that if the land transfer failed, the company’s next logical move would be the decommissioning of the dam.

Wendy Gady, executive director of the Agribusiness Development Corporation, exhorted the board to approve the transaction, describing what would happen were the dam to be decommissioned.

“9,000 acres, they are not going to farm,” Gady said. “They cannot farm. You are lucky if, six months out of the year, you have rain … You have just put 50 of our farmers out of business.”

But board member Wesley “Kaiwi” Yoon disagreed with Gady’s rhetoric, telling her it was “unfair” to lay the impacts of potential decommissioning on the board’s shoulders, and that it would instead be the result of years of management decisions by Dole.

 would appropriate $14 million for irrigation maintenance statewide, Yoon said he believes the cost to the state to remediate soil contamination in several of the parcels could exceed that allocation.

Yoon also criticized Dole’s decision to suspend work on the dam, suggesting that the company should have instead “continued the projects in good faith as the board recommended back in 2021.”

In any event, Yoon was the only board member to vote against the acquisition, with the other six voting in favor. While Dole, the BLNR, the ADC and the state of Hawai‘i must still sign a transfer agreement for the lands, all properties, including the dam, must be transferred to the state by the end of June to meet 

 For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Lake Wilson 1 May 12 2022 546 KB 16x9

<title>DLNR to take over Wahiawā Reservoir lands</title>

Board of Land and Natural Resources approves takeover of Wahiawā irrigation parcels, despite debate.

DLNR to take over Wahiawā Reservoir lands

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Aloha Spirit

A multimedia exhibit on display in Waimea aims to celebrate the Big Island's beekeeping history.

You'll now find the second phase Hawai‘i Beekeeper Legacy Project at Anna Ranch Heritage Center, 

 housed at the Kona Historical Society, where it welcomed more than 2,000 visitors and 250 students.

It has been "re-envisioned to highlight Waimea as the place where organized beekeeping in the Islands first took root alongside the ranching community," an announcement about the exhibit notes.

The project was created by Leandra Rouse, the daughter of Kona beekeepers who was raised on a queen bee farm in Kealakekua. Rouse says that the project originally started as a way to honor her father, retired beekeeper Gus Rouse, on his 75th birthday.

"There's a really neat archive at Kona Historical Society and he had mentioned to me they have all this great ag history, but nothing on bees," she told Aloha State Daily. "... I was going to just do a little timeline and write-up and submit it, but as soon as I got going, I realized this wasn't really about my dad, this was about beekeeping in general and also about agriculture in Hawai‘i and about biosecurity and how pests impact our land here. It became something bigger than me right off the bat."

 in partnership with her friend Andrew Richard Hara, a videographer and photographer in Hilo.

"The documentary is really to showcase the beauty of beekeeping in Hawai‘i and put these hard-working farmers up on a pedestal because beekeeping is hard work," she says. "It is hardcore manual labor. I think my dad worked six days a week for 50 years, lifting heavy boxes out in the Kona sun, but it's also very noble and important work, particularly now."

The loss of honey bee hives have long been, and continue to be, a problem. 

 found that between April 1, 2024, an April 1, 2025, beekeepers in the United States lost an estimated 55.6% of their managed honey bee colonies. It's the highest loss rate reported since yearly losses were first tracked starting in 2010-2011, the findings notes.

Rouse notes that one in five hives on the Mainland and a majority of hives in Canada have a queen bee from Hawai‘i Island.

"So the Big Island is extremely important for helping these beekeepers who have lost their hives to repopulate," she says. "They're extremely important when it comes to national food security and it's just one of those operations that kind of is silently in the background."

According to Rouse, the Waimea exhibit includes an "in depth educational museum exhibit" with a variety of artifacts, and original and historic photos; a live observation hive; and a screening room showing the 10-minute documentary. She's also hosting a field trip program.

Rouse said in a follow-up this week that the Waimea exhibit has so far hosted 750 visitors and 175 students, with nearly 700 students booked over the course of the four-month exhibit.

The exhibit is free and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Visit 

Hawaii beekeeper leandra rouse

<title>The buzz: Hawai‘i Beekeeper Legacy Project open on Hawai‘i Island</title>

You'll find the exhibit at the Anna Ranch Heritage Center, 65-1480 Kawaihae Road in Waimea, through May 30. 

The exhibit was previously housed at the Kona Historical Society, where it welcomed more than 2,000 visitors and 250 students.

The buzz: Hawai‘i Beekeeper Legacy Project open on Hawai‘i Island

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

In an ongoing effort to help those affected by flooding by the Kona Low storm, particularly Waialua residents, a variety of relief drives have been scheduled throughout O‘ahu. Here are fundraisers involving the University of Hawai‘i and the state Department of Education schools. For more fundraising, 

On Sunday, the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa is holding a supply drive at the athletics complex on campus from 8 to 11 a.m., where those generous enough to donate supplies are asked to bring materials such as cleaning supplies, non-perishable food and safety gear, among other items. 

On Thursday, April 3, Aloha Stadium is hosting a classroom supply drive that aims to replenish Hawai‘i DOE schools. The drive-through drop-off will be open from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. at Gate 3 of the stadium's parking lot in Hālawa. Among the supplies requested: 

Other DOE schools across O‘ahu are holding additional donation drives. Mililani High School's gym is hosting a drop-off from 9 a.m to noon on Friday, April 3. Among the items requested are personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies and water. Monetary donations are discouraged. 

Kaiser High School's student body began a donation drive on Thursday, which runs through 

Aloha Stadium 121825

<title>Multiple venues on O‘ahu to host flood relief drives</title>

In an ongoing effort to help those affected by flooding by the Kona Low storm, a variety of relief drives have been scheduled throughout the Islands.

Multiple venues on O‘ahu to host flood relief drives

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

Easter Sunday — April 5 — is coming up next weekend. If you’re still scoping out dining options, check out the following:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"A Cake Life"}]

: Seasonal treats include Easter cookie kits ($16), Easter color-your-own cookie kits ($20) and Easter printed sugar cookies ($5.50). 

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

: Bali Oceanfront’s Easter brunch buffet costs $99 per adult ($49 for children ages 5 to 12 years). The brunch buffet will include:

hiltonhawaiianvillage.com/dine/bali-oceanfront/

: The Waikīkī eatery is offering a variety of specials during both brunch and dinner.

[{"type":"text","text":"Brunch specials include:"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Dinner specials include:"}]

: April 5; brunch served from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.; dinner served from 5 to 9 p.m. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Big City Diner"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Family meal deals include:"}]

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

: Easter treats available for online ordering

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Bird of Paradise"}]

: 91-1200 Fort Weaver Road, ‘Ewa Beach 

: This brunch buffet costs $98 per adult ($49 per child ages 6 to 12 years old). Highlights include:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Choco Le‘a"}]

: The chocolate shop’s seasonal specials include Choco le‘a chocolate eggs ($24.99) and the spring Dubai bar ($18.49). The business also has four new truffle flavors: carrot cake, lavender, raspberry cream cheese and lemon. This half dozen egg carton includes surprises within each egg. Each carton includes a chocolate bunny stuffed with pretzels and caramel, solid chocolate tokens, chocolate covered mini Oreos, chocolate covered marshmallow, chocolate covered Gummy Bear hugs, and chocolate Easter egg filled with a Lava Flow Crunch a le‘a.

The spring Dubai bar features a dark chocolate bar filled with pistachio and freshly toasted crispy kadayif. 

: Easter specials are available for pre-order for pick-up from March 27 to April 4

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

: Crumbl’s Easter Bundl is available in multiple sizes: large six-pack, large 12-pack, mini six-pack and mini 12-pack. All come with a pre-selected assortment of carrot cake, Easter pink sugar cookie, strawberries ‘n’ cream cookie and spring M&M’s cookie; exclusive Easter-themed packaging; and holiday toppers on each dessert (excluding the carrot cake).

: Pre-orders available for the Bundl until March 28 for pick-up or delivery from March 30 to April 4. The Easter Bundl will also be available to purchase in-store March 30 to April 4, while supplies last. 

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

: This Easter brunch buffet costs $55 per person ($24 per child ages 10 years and under). Highlights include:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"FEAST by Jon Matsubara"}]

: This F-EASTER meal ($350) is designed to feed four to six people. It includes:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Great Harvest Bread"}]

: The bakery is bringing back its seasonal hot cross buns ($10.25) — a blend of cranberries, raisins, nutmeg and cinnamon — and honey bunnies ($21.50), which are available in rosemary garlic, honey whole wheat or cinnamon chip flavors. 

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

: This three-course menu costs $95 per adult ($45 for children ages 6 to 12) years). The prix fixe menu includes:

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

All Easter items must be pre-ordered at least one day in advance; no same-day orders are accepted. 

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

: This Easter brunch buffet costs $85 per adult ($25 per child ages 4 to 12). It includes:

There will be a two-hour dining time; iced tea or hot coffee are also included in the brunch. 

: This Easter brunch buffet costs $80 per adult ($40 for keiki ages nine years and under). Highlights include slow-roasted prime rib that’s carved to order; pineapple and brown sugar glazed ham; custom omelet station with a variety of toppings; waffle bar; kalua hash with slow-roasted pork and potatoes; ‘ahi and tako poke; garlic fried rice; eggs Florentine; and desserts like ube cheesecake, mini apple pies, chocolate ganache cake and more. 

koloalandingresort.com/activities#!/event/

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Mahi‘ai Table"}]

: This Easter brunch costs $60 per adult ($50 for seniors, $35 for children ages 6 to 12 years, free admission for children ages 5 years and under). The brunch includes ‘ahi poke, huli huli chicken, herbed beef tenderloin and more. 

: Ulana Terrace, The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, 1 Ritz Carlton Drive, Lahaina

: This Easter Sunday brunch costs $158 per adult ($85 for children ages 6 to 12 years old, $20 for children ages 5 years and under).

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"The brunch menu will include:"}]

Kamaʻāina receive 20% off with valid Hawai‘i ID.

The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kāʻanapali 

: The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kāʻanapali, 2365 

: The resort’s oceanfront brunch will be at Hale Mo‘olelo; it costs $145 per adult ($49 for children ages 4 to 12 years). It includes:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Waikele Country Club"}]

: This Easter brunch buffet costs $89 per adult ($52 for children ages 4 to 9 years). Highlights include:

: April 5; 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (first seating) or 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. (second seating) 

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

Bakery specials include Easter cookies ($2.50 in Honolulu) — which are available from March 30 to April 5 — Easter donuts ($2.99 in Honolulu) and an Easter cake ($27.95 in Honolulu). The latter features a three-layer vanilla chiffon cake filled with whipped cream and decorated with an Easter bunny design. 

: Starting at 10:30 a.m. on April 4 and 5

Daily Smile: Monday, March 30, 2026

ASD Staff

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Daily Smile: Monday, March 30, 2026

Authors

ASD Staff

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