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Daily Smile

[{"type":"text","text":"There are two different types of bulldogs...."}]

Smile 26 4 15

<title>Daily Smile: Wednesday, April 15, 2026</title>

There are two different types of bulldogs....

Daily Smile: Wednesday, April 15, 2026

 There are two different types of bulldogs....

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

Father’s Day is coming up Sunday, June 21. Whether dad wants a buffet, steak or seafood, check out the following options:

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

: Prince Waikīkī, 100 Holomoana St. 3rd Floor, Honolulu

: The Father’s Day dinner buffet costs $109 per adult ($54.50 for children ages 6 to 10 years old). Highlights include:

The brunch buffet costs $111 per adult ($55.50 for children ages 6 to 10 years old). It includes similar offerings with brunch additions like a waffle station and toppings and an omelet station.

: June 18-21 dinner buffet from 5 to 9 p.m.; June 21 brunch buffet from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"604 Clubhouse"}]

: Leilehua Golf Course, 199 Leilehua Golf Course Road, Wahiawā

: This Father’s Day brunch buffet costs $60 per adult ($25 per child, children ages 3 years and under have free admission).

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

: The Father’s Day brunch buffet costs $98 per adult ($49 per child ages 6 to 12 years old).

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

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Chart House Waikīkī"}]

: This three-course dining experience costs $90 per person. It includes:

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

: This all-you-can-eat lobster buffet costs $139 per person (50% off for children under 10 years old). The buffet will include:

: June 20 and 21; dinner seatings at 4, 4:30, 7 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday brunch at 9 and 9:30 a.m., 12 and 12:30 p.m. 

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

: This Father’s Day brunch buffet costs $140 per adult ($105 for seniors ages 65 years and older, $65 for children ages 6 to 12 years; children ages 5 years and under have free admission).

A 20% service charge will be added for groups of eight individuals or more. 

: June 21; brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., last seating at 1 p.m. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Kamukura Surf + Dine"}]

: This special Father’s Day celebration box costs $35 until June 13 (it’s $38 from June 14 to 18). It includes strawberry mochi; ‘ahi katsu; washugyu vegetable roll; garlic shrimp; edamame, unagi, salmon and hijiki rice; steamed vegetables; vegetable kakiage tempura; fried gyoza and an avocado mentaiko omelet. 

: Orders must be picked up before June 21

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"P.F. Chang’s"}]

: Royal Hawaiian Center, 2201 Kalākaua Ave., Honolulu 

: This Father’s Day meal costs $99.99 for two people. It includes:

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

: The Kāhala Hotel & Resort, 5000 Kāhala Ave., Honolulu

: This buffet costs $137 per adult ($55 per child ages 6 to 12 years) and will take place in the Plumeria Beach House restaurant and Maile room. Customers can look forward to carving stations, fresh seafood, chef specialties and desserts. 

: June 21, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., 5:30 to 8 p.m. 

kahalaresort.com/dining/plumeria-beach-house/

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

: The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikīkī Beach, 383 Kalaimoku St., Honolulu

: This Father’s Day brunch buffet costs $125 per adult ($75 for seniors ages 65 years and older, $60 for children ages 6 to 12 years, children 5 years and under have free admission).

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"The buffet includes:"}]

A two-hour dining period will be enforced. 

: June 21; brunch from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., last seating at 1 p.m. 

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

: Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort & Spa, 2424 Kalākaua Ave., Honolulu

: This Father’s Day brunch buffet costs $110 per person ($55 for children ages 6 to 12 years, $5.99 per child ages 5 years and under).

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

The eatery’s kamaʻāina discount is not applicable for the Father’s Day buffet. There will be a 90-minute dining time limit. 

: June 21; seatings at 9:30, 10 and 11:30 a.m.; 12 and 1:30 p.m. 

https://www.buffetathyatt.com/menus/#fathers-day-brunch

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Tim Ho Wan Waikīkī"}]

: Royal Hawaiian Center, 2201 Kalākaua Ave. A-307, Honolulu

: Customers who celebrate Father’s Day at Tim Ho Wan Waikiki will receive a complimentary dessert (inquire with servers). If you purchase a $100 gift card, you’ll receive a $20 coupon for your next visit. 

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

: The Father’s Day dinner buffet costs $129 per adult ($74 for children ages 4 to 9 years).

The buffet will also feature live music entertainment. 

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

: Royal Hawaiian Center, 2301 Kalākaua Ave., Honolulu

: This Father’s Day special costs $155 per person. It includes a glass of red wine, Wolfgang’s signature extra-thick slice of bacon, and 24 to 26-ounce prime bone-in rib-eye steak with mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. 

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Fathers Day 2026 Buffet at Hyatt 052126

<title>Where to celebrate Father’s Day 2026 - part 1</title>

Whether you’re looking to dine-in or celebrate at home, we’ve got you covered.

Where to celebrate Father’s Day 2026 - part 1

IMG 1445

Rick Hamada

Columnists

You may not like it, but there are crimes that deserve punishment that matches or exceeds the crimes committed, but you will not find that standard prevalent in the Hawai‘i justice system.

As this premise is widely accepted, many of us are left to our own devices to envision what appropriate justice would appear to be if our laws reflected these sentiments.

 on the North Shore where a 15-year-old boy was brutally and senselessly beaten by a group of boys and men within an inch of his life. A 23-year-old lifeguard came to his aid, and he was ganged up and beaten by these cretins. You can also view the story at Stolen Stuff Hawai‘i on Facebook and Instagram.

First of all, there is so much aloha for the families of these victims. For a brief moment try to put yourself in the slippahs of the mother, father, sister, brother, aunties, uncles, tutus and friends of these victims. The intensity and the unabashed pure violence are sickening and infuriating. It was devastating to the victims, and there is no way they deserved such animalistic violence.

[{"type":"text","text":"Calling the conduct by these perpetrators is an offense to animals."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Oh, it gets worse, though."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"There was a crowd."}]

Yep, a crowd of onlookers who witnessed this barbaric assault. They were witness to the second victim receiving a beating. And who came to the rescue? Who called authorities? Who cried out for the beatings to stop?

None of them, that we know of. But we do know this to be a fact: They were taking videos.

Yes, filming the brutal beatings, some laughing as it took place and more posting the images (as bloody and horrific as they truly were) on, yes, social media. Their priority was grabbing clicks, likes and shares to accumulate as many eyes as possible. In the meantime two young men were getting that absolute crap beaten out of them to the delight of so, so many. 

Which is more disgusting. The actual beatings or the actions and inactions of those reveling in the carnage?

[{"type":"text","text":"I'll go with both."}]

As of this writing the 23-year-old Good Samaritan suffered substantial injuries including concussion, damage to his eye socket and the need for immediate facial reconstructive surgery, along with broken bones. These injuries couldn't be much worse for a man whose career is dedicated to protecting and saving lives. What a screwed up irony this has proven to be.

As for the 15-year-old victim I do not know his current condition. I refer you to the news reports on Hawai‘i News Now and postings on Stolen Stuff Hawai‘i. However, the beating rendered his face "unrecognizable" according to a source interviewed on my radio program.

There is the obvious physical damage inflicted but there is the emotional and psychological trauma that fails to heal as fast as broken bones or cuts and bruises. The pain will dissipate and heal. The beatings and subsequent mental scarring will last indefinitely. Yes, therapy is helpful but it certainly is not a cure. This ordeal will last until the last day. In essence, these victims were issued a life sentence.

So, what of the perps? What of those who stood by and laughed, took videos and did absolutely 

 to come to the aid of the defenseless victims?

[{"type":"text","text":"The Golden Rule."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Eye for an Eye."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Tooth for a Tooth."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"What did the victims suffer? What would fair justice look like in return?"}]

I know some of you are already clutching your woke pillows and decrying my sentiments as vengeful and counter to justice. You will think that I'm not taking the perps' and enablers' side of the story and presenting it in a calm and professionally narrative way. You may also believe I'm ignorant by not considering extenuating circumstances due to drug abuse addiction, the undue influence of social media or the power of peer pressure and more.

[{"type":"text","text":"But I don't care."}]

As a matter of fact I would submit that you of the aforementioned opinions are a major part of the problem in finding ourselves where we are today.

And, aside from your misguided and nanny-to-all positions, answer this for me.

Who and where are the parents of these hooligans of similar age as the victims?

[{"type":"text","text":"Wait a moment."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Did I use the word \"parent?\""}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Oh, I am badly mistaken."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"You are not parents to these criminals. Anybody can mate and create."}]

Only those who are thoughtful, loving, caring, focused and sacrificial for their family are parents.

A parent is involved, knowledgeable, participatory, available, supportive, visible, and most importantly, you are 

 your child's friend. You are not their buddy, and your goal is not for them to like you. When you say no, you mean it. You exercise loving authority over your child because it's your responsibility to raise a good, decent, law-abiding and productive member of this community.

[{"type":"text","text":"And when you do, they will love you for it."}]

If you allow your children to roam and perpetrate senseless violent crimes, then it leads to one conclusion.

[{"type":"text","text":"You are not a true parent."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"You are a perpetrator and an enabler."}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"italic"}],"text":" "}]

justice I Stock 2217268761 16x9

<title>Hamada: North Shore beating sickens</title>

A dozen boys and men ganged up on a 15-year-old boy this week, then turned on the young lifeguard who tried to save him. ASD opinion columnist Rick Hamada asks — who the heck raised these people, and what are we going to do about this crime?

Hamada: North Shore beating sickens

Lopaka and Tanya Kapanui

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya Kapanui

Hawai‘i History

Long before modern houses and paved roads, Nuʻuanu was home to dense forests, sweeping loʻi kalo, towering cliffs, meandering streams, and hidden waterfalls. In our oral traditions, supernatural beings are commonly thought to be guardians of specific places, and stories about encountering these spirits usually serve as warnings, as those who disrespect those places are often met with disaster.

There are numerous legends about dog-spirits in Nu‘uanu Valley, including Kaupe, a creature with the body of a man and the head of a dog. Dozens of petroglyphs in Nuʻuanu serve as a reminder of the important role that dogs played in ancient Hawaiʻi. While the exact meaning of these petroglyphs is unknown, they may often be interpreted as marking places associated with legendary dog figures and spirits.

In one legend, a couple settled above Kapena Falls, making a home there with their five dogs. The dogs never left the area where the couple lived and never allowed strangers to set foot within their grounds, until they were welcomed by the couple. As time went on, many people befriended the couple and their dogs, but the friends slowly came to realize these were not just pets. Some believed these dogs were kupua in dog form, supernatural beings that possessed talents and powers beyond those of ordinary dogs.

The path to the Pali passed the couple’s home, and the dogs never bothered anyone on the path, unless they tried to enter the homestead.

One day, two friends of the couple were on their way to the Pali. As they neared the home, the dogs rushed out, started howling, and then lay across the path. One friend was spooked and returned home, while the other thought it was nothing. He patted the dogs playfully, then continued along the path to the Pali. But he never made it. The man was soon set upon by robbers and was killed. The friend who returned home insisted the dogs were warning them, but the other man did not heed the warning.

There have also been tales of moʻo, shapeshifting beings said to resemble lizard-like creatures that lurk in ponds and waterfalls.

I was an awkward junior in high school, but I was always willing to hang out with friends. One Saturday, after a long, muddy hike, a friend suggested we go to Kapena Falls to wash off and swim in the pond. We squeezed into our friend’s Toyota Celica, but it was a really small car. The driver’s cousin, a senior at ‘Aiea High, wanted to come with us. There really wasn’t enough room, so Sunshine (yes, that was her real name) sat on my lap.

After the short ride, we parked at the cemetery and walked along the stream to Alapena Pond. I noticed a stray dog when it let out a single bark and lay down. In the most chivalrous fashion that would make my mother proud and my father roll his eyes, I placed myself between the dog and Sunshine. Something about the dog nagged at me, but I wasn’t afraid. It was just a strange feeling. However, in my youth, I quickly ignored it.

There were a lot of people that day, swimming in the pond and jumping from the top of the waterfall. I recall the driver and everyone else ran ahead, climbing up to the top of the falls. Sunshine lingered a bit near me before she pulled my shirt and pushed me into the pond. She laughed with glee and ran off with the others. The driver jumped in first, hit the water with a big splash, and surfaced soon after. It was the same with the other two that jumped. I didn’t like the pond because it was too dark. No one could see to the bottom, which made me nervous.

When Sunshine dove in, it was like she was a professional high diver. Graceful and powerful. She hit the water with hardly a splash. Everyone there, whether they knew Sunshine or not, waited at the edge of the pond to congratulate her. She didn’t come up right away. The pond grew still and quiet.

Even the waterfall didn’t seem to make any splash or ripple on the surface of the water. It was right when everyone began to voice their fears that Sunshine surfaced on the other side of the pond, letting out an audible gasp. She quickly climbed out and ran screaming down the trail toward the cemetery. We found Sunshine at her cousin’s car, sobbing hysterically, begging her cousin to take her home. Her hands and legs were covered with unusual red marks that were quickly turning to bruises. On the ride to her home above, she was curled up in my arms, her head resting on my chest, sobbing. Everyone kept asking Sunshine what happened.

When she was finally able to speak, she said, “She was trying to take me under! She wanted me to stay with her because she likes the way I swim!”

“Who?” we all asked. As far as we knew, Sunshine was the only person unaccounted for during those long minutes.

[{"type":"text","text":"“The lady who lives in the falls,” Sunshine cried."}]

She put her face in my chest and cried harder while squeezing my neck tighter. I, the awkward, lanky teenager, didn’t know what to do. Eventually, I just held her in my arms, but very lightly.

Years later, after I learned about some of the history of Nu‘uanu, I wondered if the dog was trying to warn us. I can’t really say. I’ve only gone back there a few times since then. But never to swim.

Kapena Falls Nuuanu

<title>Dog-Spirits and Moʻo at Kapena Falls</title>

Who — or what — lives in the pond beneath Kapena Falls in Nu‘uanu Valley? In ancient legends, the valley has been home to guardian dogs with supernatural abilities, and creatures who can take both human and lizard form. For some visitors to the valley, those legends haven't been so ancient after all.

Dog-Spirits and Moʻo at Kapena Falls

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Government & Politics

A planned housing development for teachers in Mililani is still on schedule.

 on a 95-unit workforce housing project at Mililani High School is set to begin late next year and be completed by late 2029. After an environmental assessment of the project was completed last month, project managers are now seeking permits and funding for the development.

Audrey Awaya, executive director of project developer Pacific Housing Assistance Corp., told Aloha State Daily that the company is still determining the full cost of the project and working on securing funding from the state and private sources.

 published in May lists an estimated development cost of approximately $80 million.

The project began life in 2023, when the State Legislature tasked the Hawai‘i School Facilities Authority with developing workforce housing for teachers in an effort to improve teacher retention in a state with soaring costs of living.

“Teachers who come here are discouraged by the cost of living,” Awaya said. A DOE 

 in 2025 determined that more than 40% of DOE employees are considered “retention risks,” and could leave the state within five years because of housing costs.

The Mililani project won’t necessarily be exclusive to teachers, but Department of Education teachers and staff will be given priority. The units will be available to households making up to 120% of the area median income.

Initially, the development was pitched as a 109-unit project, but a change in the project site required it to be downsized slightly to 95 units, with 56 one-bedroom and 39 two-bedroom units.

The initial site for the project was located on top of an agricultural field used by Mililani High School, which stirred controversy among students. Instead, the project site was moved to a 1.9-acre lot on the corner of the school campus, near the ballfields on Meheula Parkway.

Currently, the site contains a 48-stall parking lot and little else. The development will include a 150-stall ground-floor parking lot for residents, while Mililani High School will be required to relocate the existing lot elsewhere on campus.

The development itself will be a four-story residential building elevated above a parking lot with about 150 parking stalls. Also on-site will be an “Amenity Hale,” including a recreation room and other services.

Awaya said the residential building will also include a teacher resource room where teachers can collaborate on lesson plans and other projects. The entire development is pet-friendly and will be fenced off from the greater Mililani High School campus.

The publication of the environmental assessment means the project team can refine the project’s design. Awaya said the project will apply for building permits this summer.

Map of WH Site 16x9

<title>Mililani teacher housing project still on schedule</title>

95 apartments for Department of Education employees are scheduled to be move-in ready by late 2029 or early 2030.

Mililani teacher housing project still on schedule

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

Aloha Spirit

Films from around the world are heading to theaters on Maui as part of the upcoming 

inaugural Wailuku Film Festival, hosted by the Maui County Film Office and the County of Maui

Tickets for the five-day event are on sale now.

One of the films screening at the festival is “Lahaina Rising,” which was created by a 

, the documentary’s director and a third-generation Maui resident. The film is one of two directed by Schweitzer that will screen at Wailuku Film Festival.

 Lahaina wildfire that destroyed much of historic Lahaina town and killed more than 100 people. “Lahaina Rising” explores water rights, personal stories of how the Maui fires impacted families and the political movement that grew out of tragedy. Last year, the documentary won the 

Hawaiʻi International Film Festival’s Made in Hawaiʻi award for best feature film

“The thing that really inspired me and made me want to tell the story was the community,” Schweitzer told Aloha State Daily. “There was just so much going on. We weren't sleeping much for the first few weeks. But there were a couple moments where really time almost stood still because so many people were helping, so many people were moving, so many people were organizing and bringing in boats — and with how sad we all were at the time — it was beautiful. There were a couple of moments that just really stood out to me where I'm like, ʻThis is the best of humanity, right here.’”

Schweitzer is also the director of “Finding True North,” which will also screen at the Wailuku Film Festival. That documentary features Josh Bogle, a quadruple amputee who found purpose in surfing.

At the moment, these films are not on public streaming services, so events like the 

 are opportunities to see them on the big screen.

The Wailuku Film Festival features the work of more than 55 Hawaiʻi filmmakers, as well as ones from Aotearoa, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Fiji, France, Mexico, the Netherlands, the Philippines, the Russian Federation, Tonga, and the continental U.S.

For independent filmmakers, film festivals are often a place to build an audience and eventually make connections with streaming services.

“Unless we have a previous connection with Netflix or a major distribution platform, the way to do it is hit the film festival circuit for a full year — try to gain as many awards and recognitions as possible — which will hopefully get the attention of a distribution platform,” Schweitzer said.

One of the challenges of creating “Lahaina Rising” was deciding which stories would make the final cut, 

Schweitzer said. Determining which devastation scenes to include — and which to leave out — was also challenging.

“There are over 10,000 people that experienced what happened in Lahaina on August 8, and there's truly over 10,000 stories,” he said. “Everyone has such an important story.”

In April, “Lahaina Rising” was screened at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York, which focused on health, conflict and disaster. 

“The biggest thing I want people to take away is I want them to have hope for humanity,” Schweitzer said. “I want them to have hope for mankind and for our earth. Again, there are all these issues that we talk about — and especially for people not from Lahaina and not from Hawaiʻi — the story shows how our Island has been stripped away, and our rights have been stripped away, and our water has been stripped away, yet our people still have so much hope. Our people still have a fight in them. We're not giving up. We are still optimistic. There are so many ways in here where I hope people can see how strong individuals can be when we come together as one as a community.”

 for screenings at the ʻĪao Theater and Naylor Theater are $15, while those for the 

 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center are $20. Readers can also visit 

 to help bring “Lahaina Rising” to communities across the nation.

Lahina Rising Stills 13 1 43 2

<title>Documentary spotlights Maui wildfire</title>

"Lahaina Rising"  focuses on how the devastating Lahaina wildfire of August 2023 changed lives and ignited already existing concerns about water rights and land. Director Matty Schweitzer shares more about the award-winning documentary, which will screen at the inaugural Wailuku Film Festival in June.

Documentary spotlights Maui wildfire

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

It's no secret — or surprise — that Toyota Tacomas are popular in the Islands.

In fact, according to Servco Pacific, which has exclusive distributorships of Toyota, Lexus and Subaru in Hawai‘i, it's been the top-selling vehicle in the Islands for 25 years. 

To commemorate that milestone, Servco has unveiled a Hawai‘i-exclusive special edition of the best-selling truck and just 25 will be available statewide, Servco says.

"Hawaiʻi has embraced the Toyota Tacoma as part of its ‘ohana for a quarter of a century,” 

, president and CEO of Servco Pacific Inc

, said in an announcement Friday. "This special edition is our way of saying mahalo to the community that has made this truck the undisputed favorite across the Islands."

The truck comes in the color "mudbath" and comes with a "comprehensive suite of custom components designed to enhance both aesthetics and functionality," the announcement notes.

Daily Smile: Wednesday, April 15, 2026

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Daily Smile: Wednesday, April 15, 2026

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