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Daily Smile

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Smile 26 4 24

<title>Daily Smile: Friday, April 24, 2026</title>

Friends furever...

Daily Smile: Friday, April 24, 2026

Hawai'i Skies

Today's Hawai‘i Skies was captured in October 2025 by Julie Hammond at the ʻAlekoko Menehune Fishpond near Līhuʻe. "I live in Lake Village, Arkansas. One of my best friends manages radio stations on Kauaʻi (Star 94.3) and Maui (Akamai Broadcasting), and I love visiting him for weeks at a time since I'm a photographer. 

"I loved the way the shadows against the mountain changed by the minute."

To submit your Hawai'i Skies photo, visit us 

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Alekoko Menehune Fishpond near Lihue Kauai by Julie Hammond

<title>Hawaiʻi Skies: Shadows changing by the minute</title>

Today's Hawai‘i Skies was captured by Julie Hammond at the ʻAlekoko Menehune Fishpond near Līhuʻe.

Hawaiʻi Skies: Shadows changing by the minute

Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton

Viewpoints

The center of the universe for a young Jessica Kaʻiulani Hilo was a wholesale flower shop in San Francisco that specialized in tropical, Hawaiʻi-grown plants. The business, Hilo Inc., was established by her Kanaka Maoli grandfather and passed down to her father, Lance Hilo, and his siblings.

There, Hilo did her part by hauling flora, making lei and filling buckets. The spot in the historic San Francisco flower market not only developed her work ethic; it also imbued her with a sense of being Hawaiian.

She watched her makuakāne build a network of Bay Area Kānaka, serving local hālau hula through the late 1980s until the store shuttered in the mid-1990s.

“This small shop in the wholesale flower district in San Francisco was kind of the footprint for my identity,” Hilo said. “For being in the diaspora, I very much lucked out in still being very connected to the culture.”

Hilo, now 42, has established a successful career in media, having worked at powerhouse outlets such as 

. The Los Angeles resident found that her strength lies in intertwining her career goals with her Kānaka identity.

“Journalism is part of our culture,” Hilo said, referring to the plethora of Native Hawaiian newspapers – numbering over 100,000 pages – that were published by Kānaka Maoli writers between 1834 and 1948. “That is [often] forgotten.”

Born in Burlingame, California, Hilo is the eldest of three children. Her father claims Kānaka Maoli roots from both of his parents, plus Chinese and Japanese on his mother’s side. Hilo’s mom, Marcia Rapozo-Hilo, was raised by her Austrian Jewish mother who was displaced by World War II. Her Kauaʻi-born father was a descendant of Portuguese plantation workers.

Beginning at age 4, Hilo learned hula under nā Kumu Hula Esther Correa and Renee Price of Hālau Hula ʻo Kuʻuleinani in San Mateo. For the next 14 years, she regularly performed and competed at continent-based festivals like Iā ʻOe E Ka Lā Hula Competition and Festival. Hilo recalls long days and demanding practices.

Other interests blossomed, too. In fourth grade, Hilo began playing saxophone, and she added ʻOri Tahiti to her middle school routine. After watching an episode of the TV series 

, Hilo set her sights on becoming a lawyer. She also served as the editor-in-chief of her middle school’s newspaper.

As a teenager, Hilo took advanced placement classes at Carlmont High School in Belmont, California, and joined mock trial. She also played soccer, swam on the varsity team, and continued to dance hula, earning a scholarship worth one year of hālau tuition when her family fell on hard times.

For a child from a working class ʻohana, academics were Hilo’s key to success. Though she excelled at math, she was enamored with history and English. “You can see the connective tissue between that and journalism,” she quipped.

After graduating in 2001, she attended University of California, Santa Barbara. Hilo pursued a double major in political science, with an emphasis in international relations, and English, plus a minor in music.

But by the end of college, she was disenchanted with her legal aspirations. In a mock Congress class, she assumed the role of a journalist and unlocked a new passion. When she graduated in 2005, she was faced with a decision: enroll in a graduate program in English literature or focus on freelance writing?

Freelance journalism won. At first, Hilo was “writing for beer money,” publishing stories with local news outlets. She supplemented her income with a job at the Santa Barbara Symphony.

During that season of her life Hilo met her future husband, Matthew Andersen, at a party in 2008.

Soon afterwards, she enrolled in a master’s degree program focused on specialized journalism at the University of Southern California finishing in 2010. Later that year, she wrote stories for 

, a local news platform, which took her to Connecticut for a three-month internship.

After returning to the West Coast, Hilo was hired in 2012 by Yahoo! as a content producer and social media editor. The following year, she secured a role in media outside of journalism at 

. Hilo spent four years producing live social and digital events, leading marketing campaigns and creating editorial content.

Galvanized by the state of the press and democracy, in 2017 Hilo pivoted joining 

 as a social media editor. She rose through the ranks and became the senior manager of social programming and specials in 2021. Hilo led the coverage of historic events like presidential elections and spearheaded DEI initiatives, which helped her reconnect with her Kānaka identity.

Often, she was the only Native Hawaiian in the newsroom. “We’re just not there,” Hilo said about those spaces. “It’s so hard to find that community.”

Beyond her professional ventures, Hilo was growing her family. She married Matthew in 2017. Their eldest son, Clifford, was born in 2020, followed by Charles in 2023.

 as the deputy managing editor of social. That year, she also founded 

, a monthly newsletter and digital community that strives to connect Kānaka in the diaspora.

In 2025, Hilo found herself drawn to academia after teaching a semester course in public relations at Santa Barbara City College. Today, in addition to publishing 

, she works as a part-time lecturer on cross-cultural journalism at California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Returning to Hawaiʻi someday feels like a colossal decision to Hilo, but she’s open to it, particularly as she dives further into her genealogy. “I’ve been listening more to my ancestors,” she said. “Now, I have the bandwidth to really hear them when they’re saying hello.”

This article is reprinted with permission from 

OHA's Ka Wai Ola newspaper: "Combining Career and Kuleana on the Continent" by Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, in its April 2026 issue, Vol. 43 No. 4. Read more at 

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Jessica Hilo 16x9

<title>Community Voices: Combining career and kuleana in California</title>

Jessica Kaʻiulani Hilo, who lives in Los Angeles, found strength intertwining her career goals with her Kānaka identity. “For being in the diaspora, I very much lucked out in still being very connected to the culture,” she said.

Community Voices: Combining career and kuleana in California

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

University of Hawai‘i water polo head coach James Robinson thinks the world of his team. That's because he traversed the globe to assemble it. 

21 players listed on the Rainbow Wahine's roster

, no two players share the same hometown. In total, eight different countries and three U.S. states are represented on the roster. 

, who is currently at his second year at the helm, was the program's associate coach from 2022 to 2024, playing a large role in putting the current team together, a process that involved various recruiting pitches and flights. Seeing his recruits make it to campus and fall in love with the Islands, all while contributing to a winning program, is part of what makes Robinson's job a priceless experience. 

"I love having an international roster. You get to know so much about every single person, different areas of the world, different upbringings, different backgrounds, different water polo styles, where they went to school growing up," Robinson said. "For me, obviously, I get to coach them and teach them certain things, but I get to learn a lot from them, as well. That's a really exciting part of the roster. 

"Finding them is just going out of the way and being a little creative, I guess. We go to a lot of international water polo tournaments, youth and junior world championships and some European championships, as well. And you can't be afraid to be told 'no.' You just gotta see a player that you think is worth reaching out to. You got to give it a shot. Hopefully, they fall in love with the idea of Hawai‘i, and then once they get here, make sure that they feel included and part of the family."

International talent has been the backbone of the program's success in recent years. After 

breezing through Big West regular season play

 unbeaten,  the Rainbow Wahine won their third consecutive conference tournament on April 12 at Long Beach State. 

Hawai‘i also swept all of the Big West's major individual awards, where its diversity was again put on display. Christchurch, New Zealand native Agatha Weston was named the Big West Player of the Year, while Ariadna Temprano Xambo, who hails from Barcelona, Spain, was named the Freshman of the Year. 

"It's awesome," Weston said of the team's diverse roster. "I think it's one of my favorite parts about being here in Hawai‘i. It always takes a little bit to gel with each other, but when it clicks, it's pretty beautiful, and it's an awesome family to be a part of."

For good measure, the rest of UH's All-Big West first team selections hail from international soil in goalkeeper Daisy Logtens (Uden, Netherlands) and attacker Éma Vernoux (Marseille, France). 

"It's amazing having so many people from so many different places," Logtens said. "We learn something new about everyone and every place that we're from like every day. But even though we're so far away from home, Hawai‘i, feels like home at the same time. The people here are amazing, and they really make us feel like home. Even when we're on the road, the support that we get on the road is so incredible, and it's helping us a lot."

On Friday, the Hawai‘i will take on California in the national quarterfinals in La Jolla, Calif., marking the third straight year UH has made the NCAA Tournament. Defeat Cal, and the Rainbow Wahine will be in the NCAA semifinals for the third year in a row. The 'Bows have yet to reach the national championship match, but if they do, chances are they'll be led there by a group of players competing a long way from home. 

"I think we always talk about consistency and being able to show up every day, every week, every month, every season," Robinson said. "Even before I got here, this program has put up a tradition of excellence, and this athletic department knows how to win. And so for us, we just want to continue doing that, year in and year out."

Hawaii water polo 042326

<title>Led by international roster, UH water polo set for another NCAA Tournament run</title>

The Rainbow Wahine, who take on California in Friday's NCAA quarterfinals, feature players from eight different countries and three different states.

Led by international roster, UH water polo set for another NCAA Tournament run

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines have hit the next major milestone in their integration — the move to a shared passenger service system on April 22.

Hawaiian Airlines has transitioned to the same Sabre PSS used by Alaska, the airlines noted Wednesday.

"The combined company’s shared PSS serves as the central reservation technology that connects the digital tools and programs used by guests and employees; from websites, mobile app, Atmos Rewards and Huaka‘i by Hawaiian loyalty programs, to airport kiosks and reservation records," the airlines noted in an 

Alaska Air Group Inc. and Hawaiian Holdings Inc. 

 that Alaska Airlines would acquire Hawaiian Airlines in a deal that was valued at approximately $1.9 billion, including $900 million of Hawaiian’s net debt, according to an announcement at that time. The acquisition was 

There were four major integration milestones, airline spokesperson Alex Da Silva told Aloha State Daily in March: the launch of a single loyalty program, 

 from the Federal Aviation Administration; the single passenger service system; and the joint collective bargaining agreements for the airlines’ various unions.

"This is the biggest and most complex integration project in our combination, one that involved hundreds of Alaska and Hawaiian airlines employees collaborating for over a year," Da Silva told ASD by email Thursday. "We appreciate our guests’ patience during this period as we worked to move to a single PSS, and we look forward to delivering a smoother and more enjoyable travel experience for our guests."

[{"type":"text","text":"Wednesday's transition went well, he says."}]

"There were no material issues and our operations ran smoothly, a credit to teams across Hawaiian and Alaska airlines who have been preparing for our single passenger service system transition for over a year," Da Silva told ASD. "We also deployed dozens of volunteers to Honolulu airport to provide additional guest support. We are confident that as guests become more familiar with our shared, more modern technology, including a single Hawaiian Alaska app and new bag-tag kiosks in our lobbies, they will appreciate having more self-service features to manage their travel and enjoy a smoother experience from booking to boarding when flying with both our brands."

(ICYMI: Read more about some of the changes that were underway before the move to a single PSS 

Passengers of both airlines can now manage their entire trip on a 

, the Alaska Hawaiian app. Da Silva says the airlines have received positive feedback about the app's "improved performance and new self-service features."

On Thursday, Hawaiian Airlines also joined 

, a global airline alliance that will connect the Islands to more than 1,000 destinations in more than 170 countries. Read 

Hawaiian airlines

<title>Hawaiian, Alaska airlines transition to one passenger service system</title>

A spokesperson for the airline says that the move is the "biggest and most complex integration project" in the combination of the two airlines.

Hawaiian, Alaska airlines transition to one passenger service system

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Government & Politics

State comptroller Keith Regan will serve as acting lieutenant governor after Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke announced an indefinite leave of absence.

Gov. Josh Green announced that Regan will take office effective immediately, while still serving as comptroller. In a statement, he called Regan a "steady and trusted leader who understands the responsibility that comes with this role."

“I am grateful for the Governor’s trust and mindful of the responsibility that comes with this temporary designation,” Regan said in a statement. “During this period, my focus will be on supporting continuity in state government and working with the Governor’s team to serve the people of Hawaiʻi with care, respect and steadiness.”

The announcement comes hours after Luke announced she will take an indefinite leave of unpaid absence, and three days after announcing 

“After careful consideration, I have decided to take a leave of absence, without pay, for an indefinite period,” Luke’s statement read. “This decision is not made lightly. Serving the people of Hawai‘i has been the honor of my professional life, and I remain deeply committed to the responsibilities entrusted to me. I understand that allegations which have been made against me are concerning. I ask for the public’s understanding and to allow this process to move forward appropriately.”

 that the Department of the Attorney General had sent Luke’s office a target letter indicating that she was being investigated for bribery. Luke had previously admitted her possible involvement in a mysterious cash transaction in 2022, wherein an FBI investigation had observed an unidentified person giving an unnamed “influential lawmaker” a paper bag containing $35,000 at a dinner.

In February, Luke said she had never accepted the $35,000, but admitted that she had accepted $10,000 in checks from lobbyists at the same dinner. She claimed she returned the money after former state Rep. Ty Cullen — an associate of those lobbyists and the FBI informant who observed the transaction — was charged with bribery.

 For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

I Hi 20221130 2087 scaled 16x9

<title>State comptroller to be acting Lt. Governor</title>

Keith Regan will fill in for Sylvia Luke after the Lt. Gov. announced she will take an indefinite leave of absence.

State comptroller to be acting Lt. Governor

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

 is known for its nightlife and scenic views of the Waikīkī skyline. The eatery just launched a new dinner menu that’s centered on steak and seafood.

Customers will still find raw bar favorites like seafood platters ($120) — which are designed to serve three to four people — sashimi ($43-$68), Japanese-style oysters ($8 each), smoked ‘ahi dip ($18) and spicy ‘ahi poke ($19). The crab meat cocktail ($39.95), which features jumbo lump crab and housemade cocktail sauce, is one of our favorite selections from the raw bar. The raw bar selection hasn’t changed, according to restaurant general manager Manny Cournede.

The menu has expanded to offer specialty sushi rolls — including the Kilauea lava shrimp roll ($26) and hell-fire spicy scallop hand roll ($32) — new appetizers, signature side dishes and a butcher’s cut section.

The hell-fire spicy scallop hand roll features a DIY format; customers can create their own hand rolls using Hokkaido scallops, tobiko, spicy aioli, green onions, pickled soy jalapenos and hell-fire soy sauce.

“It’s like an interactive option,” explains Cournede. “It comes with nori, rice and six scallops with the sauces, so you make it yourself.

“The Toyosu market (in Japan) is where we source all of our fish from,” he adds.

New appetizers include Diamond Head ‘ahi rice cakes ($16) and the heirloom tomato and burrata cheese salad ($18). If the ‘ahi rice cakes — crispy sushi rice cakes topped with ‘ahi tuna tartare and zesty wasabi tobiko — look familiar, it’s because SKY Waikīkī’s new raw bar chef came from now-closed Robata Jinya.

Some of the dishes from the eatery’s previous menu — including the Caesar salad and lobster bisque — are still on the new menu, but feature a different presentation.

The steaks feature Black Angus beef premium choice from Nebraska, according to Cournede. He explains that they’re cooked in the restaurant’s Montague state-of-the-art broiler.

“Our steak quality is really high,” he says. “It’s dry-aged for 28 days. I brought in broilers from Chicago, the same ones they use at Peter Luger’s (Steak House).

“It allows us to cook them at the perfect temperature and still get the char,” he says.

The selection includes the steak for two, which is a 32-ounce Porterhouse ($130), 22-ounce bone-in New York strip ($85), 22-ounce premium choice bone-in rib-eye ($90), and 8-ounce center cut filet ($55). Steak sauce, Calabrian chile compound butter and wasabi soy sauce and truffle butter (additional $5) are also available.

“It’s tough to get people to go out and eat now; everyone’s watching their wallet,” Cournede says. “I think value is a big thing. Large quantities for an affordable price, shared style, that’s kind of what SKY is aiming for.”

Choose from signature side dishes like Parmesan truffle fries ($18), brussels sprouts ($15), creamed corn ($16), garlic whipped red potatoes ($12), marsala cremini mushrooms ($15), creamed spinach ($17) and SKY mac and cheese ($16).

The potatoes — which are whipped in rich garlic butter — and buttery creamed spinach are crowd favorites so far.

We’re partial to the SKY mac and cheese ($16), which features a gooey concoction of elbow macaroni baked in a velvety blend of white cheddar, fontina, gruyere and aged Parmesan.

Want something other than steak? Opt for seafood entrees like Big Glory Bay king salmon misoyaki ($38) and potato and mac nut crusted chutoro ($32). The latter is a new dish that features rich ‘ahi belly finished with a delicate potato-mac nut crust. It’s served over creamy lobster whipped potatoes and sauteed spinach.

Meanwhile, the salmon is glazed in a sweet-and-savory misoyaki sauce, and is served with choy sum, shiitake mushrooms and Japanese pickled vegetables.

SKY Waikīkī offers validated parking for three hours at the Waikīkī Shopping Plaza.

Daily Smile: Friday, April 24, 2026

ASD Staff

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Daily Smile: Friday, April 24, 2026

Authors

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