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[{"type":"text","text":"Mom just went to bed. What should I do?"}]

Smile 26 4 29

<title>Daily Smile: Wednesday, April 29, 2026</title>

Mom just went to bed. What should I do?

Daily Smile: Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Food & Dining

Business & Tourism

Smoke filled the air along a portion of Kalākaua Avenue Saturday afternoon as throngs of people waited in line for various Spam-inspired delicacies.

The 22nd annual Waikīkī SPAM JAM Festival drew 40,000 people to Waikīkī this weekend, Toby Tamaye, marketing director for the festival, told Aloha State Daily in an email Monday. This year's event featured 25 restaurants and 45 total vendors, as well as Spam-themed drone show.

Tamaye says there were no incidents during the festival, which was the "most highly attended event ever. The drone show packed the beaches of Waikīkī."

As of Monday morning, he did not have a tally of what was spent during the event.

In addition to the festival's namesake attraction, there were a few new draws this year, including the launch of an OluKai X Spam collaboration slipper and a new slider section where four restaurant vendors sold their take on Spam sliders, Tamaye says.

Also new this year was the Best in Show competition. The five finalists included Hula Grill, Maui Brewing Co., Appetito Waikīkī, Corner Rolls and Da Hub.

According to Tamaye, six members of the media visiting from New York and Los Angeles were the judges. Da Hub's "Spam and Eggs Braddahsadas" was the winning dish.

In addition to the April 25 street festival, a 

 runs through May 3. Participating restaurants — including Hideout at the Laylow, Kamukura Surf + Dine, Genius Lounge, BASALT and Wagyuya Sizzle — are offering special Spam-themed dishes.

Waikīkī SPAM JAM is a fundraiser for the Hawaiʻi Foodbank and also donates to the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaiʻi and 

. Tamaye says at least $50,000 will be donated to Hawai‘i Foodbank this year.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"ASD was a sponsor of the 2026 event."}]

Spam, a product of Minnesota-based Hormel Foods, 

 and will mark its 90th anniversary next year. According to 

, Hawai‘i's affinity for Spam dates back to World War II, "when the luncheon meat was served to GIs. By the end of the war, Spam products were adopted into local culture, with fried Spam classic and rice becoming a popular meal. ... Today you'll find Spam dishes served everywhere from convenience stores to restaurants, reflecting a demand that is unmatched by any place in the world."

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Waikiki spam jam 0426 merch booth

<title>SPAM JAM draws thousands to Waikīkī</title>

This year's event featured 25 restaurants and 45 total vendors, as well as Spam-themed drone show and more.

SPAM JAM draws thousands to Waikīkī

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Michelin-recognized Japanese ramen spot is opening its first Hawaiʻi location. 

 near Hampton Inn and Gen Korean BBQ, will hold 

its grand opening on Saturday, May 2, with a Hawaiian blessing at 5 p.m.

On grand opening day, the first 100 customers ages 18 years and older will receive a free MENSHO tote bag with ramen purchase.

The business was founded in 2005 by Tomoharu Shono; MENSHO now has locations in Japan, California, China, Australia, Singapore and more. The brand has also been recognized by the Michelin Guide and received numerous awards, including first place in the Shinjuku Ramen Grand Prix.

MENSHO is known for its farm-to-bowl philosophy of bringing farmers and customers together. In Hawaiʻi, the business is partnering with farms like Mari’s Gardens.

The eatery features housemade noodles and broths. Some of the broths take more than 72 hours to make, according to chef Tomoharu Shono. 

In addition to MENSHO’s grand menu, the Hawaiʻi location will feature several exclusive dishes that highlight locally sourced ingredients, including Kauaʻi shrimp.

The signature ramen is one of the eatery’s best-selling dishes. It features creamy chicken broth, A5 wagyu chashu, braised pork belly chashu, duck chashu, ajitama egg, roasted nori, blanched baby spinach, crispy burdock root, pea tendrils and fresh mochi noodles.

According to Shono, the noodles are made with a blend of local wheat and Japanese mochi flour, resulting in a distinctive chewy texture.

“We are making noodles every morning,” he says.

At the time of our preview, menu prices were not available. The eatery will open with its most popular dishes, and the full menu will be available in the upcoming months.

The wagyu truffle shoyu ramen is another dish that MENSHO is known for. It features bonito dashi broth with chicken, shellfish, shaved black truffles, A5 wagyu chashu, pea tendrils and fresh mochi noodles.

The eatery features wagyu from Japan’s Kagoshima prefecture. The shaved black truffles enhance the dish’s umami flavor.

Every MENSHO location features an exclusive dish, according to Shono. Hawaiʻi-exclusive ramens include the shrimp G.K.O. (garlic knockout) and clam butter shio ramen.

The shrimp G.K.O. consists of creamy chicken broth, garlic shrimp, baby spinach, red onions, garlic flakes, garlic chips, grilled garlic, chili powder, black garlic oil, chili oil and fresh mochi noodles. Garlic lovers will appreciate the robust garlic flavor, succulent shrimp and spice from the chili oil.

Meanwhile, the clam butter shio ramen features a bonito dashi broth, chicken, shellfish, Manila clams, braised pork belly chashu, red onions, whipped butter, black pepper, pea tendrils and fresh mochi noodles.

Other ramen options include duck matcha — creamy chicken broth, duck chashu, Tokyo negi, green onions, micro edible flowers, pea tendrils and fresh mochi noodles — and vegan-friendly dishes like yuzu garlic tomato and the V.G.K.O. (vegan garlic knockout). The latter includes porcini broth, shiitake, baby spinach, spicy burdock chips, red onions, garlic flakes, garlic chips, fresh and grilled garlic, black garlic oil, chili powder and fresh mochi noodles.

The eatery also offers sushi and appetizers. The A5 wagyu sushi with uni and ikura is a crowd favorite. The sushi rice is topped with A5 wagyu and Hokkaido uni and ikura; it’s served with pickled ginger and wasabi. The wagyu boasts a melt-in-your-mouth texture and is complemented nicely by the creamy uni and refreshing ikura.  

Other sushi options include hotate (scallop) ikura, hotate caviar, unagi (eel) negi, A5 wagyu kani (crab) ikura and more. MENSHO also features a variety of donburi (rice bowls).

Appetizers range from corn wings and karaage fried chicken with garlic chili sauce to enoki chips and teppan grilled garlic shrimps. The enoki chips are ultra-crispy and served with green onions and lemon. The teppan grilled garlic shrimps feature Kauaʻi shrimp coated in garlic and butter, and served on a sizzling skillet with Japanese white rice, green onions and toasted sesame.

The eatery’s matcha pudding is a light option after a refreshing meal. It’s topped with strawberry slices, red bean and fresh cream. The matcha flavor is subtle and the pudding features a jiggly, custard-like texture.

MENSHO’s Kapolei store can seat around 66 people. After its grand opening, it will be open daily from 5 to 9 p.m. No reservations are currently accepted; the eatery will be open for walk-ins only.  

Mensho Hawaii chef and owner 042726

<title>Michelin-recognized ramen spot is opening first Hawaiʻi location</title>

MENSHO, founded in 2005 in Japan, is opening in Kapolei’s Ka Makana Aliʻi on May 2 at 5 p.m. The business is famous for its farm-to-bowl philosophy, and will feature Hawaiʻi-exclusive bowls like butter clam and garlic shrimp ramen.

Michelin-recognized ramen spot is opening first Hawaiʻi location

[{"type":"text","text":"There’s a new all-you-can-eat sushi spot in Honolulu."}]

Sumo AYCE Sushi recently opened in Azure Ala Moana. It’s located in the former space of Debu (the new restaurant sign isn't up yet). The all-you-can-eat experience costs $26.95 per person during lunch (Mondays to Thursdays) and $36.95 for the all-day menu.

The eatery is originally from Las Vegas; this is its first Hawai

i store. Since it’s in its soft opening, only walk-ins are accepted (no reservations).

The restaurant is currently open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. (last seating at 9 p.m.; last call for the kitchen is at 9:45 p.m.). There’s a 90-minute time limit for the all-you-can-eat experience. If customers leave leftover rice, they will be charged.

Customers also have the option to order a la carte, if they don’t feel like doing AYCE. All members of the same dining party must choose the same experience (either all-you-can-eat or a la carte). 

The menu features a variety of nigiri, appetizers, sushi rolls and all-day specials like salmon carpaccio, lobster garlic bread, poke nachos and more.

On the AYCE menu, certain dishes — like uni nigiri, ama ebi nigiri and salmon cut center steak — can only be ordered once.

Recommended appetizers include KFC — Korean fried chicken with Korean sweet and spicy sauce — chicken karaage and crispy rice. The latter features crispy rice topped with spicy tuna, jalapeno, garlic ponzu, spicy mayo and eel sauce.

Popular nigiri so far include seared salmon and yuzu yellowtail nigiri. Classic nigiri options include tuna, shrimp, yellowtail and more.

Choose from unique options like corn cheese garlic bread, bulgogi garlic bread and lobster garlic bread. The latter features soft garlic bread topped with crab, lobster, mozzarella cheese, eel sauce, spicy mayo and scallions.

While filling up on carbs is not usually recommended for AYCE experiences, these breads are trying at least once and are easy to share.

Customers can choose from a variety of four-piece and eight-piece sushi rolls; there are more than 40 options. Popular options include the Chanel roll (shrimp tempura, spicy crab and avocado topped with tuna and salmon); Lisa Lisa roll (shrimp tempura, avocado, crab and cream cheese topped with tempura crunch and eel sauce); and the lemon salmon roll (crab and avocado topped with salmon, lemon and ponzu).

End with desserts like honeydew or ube Melona bars, or vanilla mochi ice cream.

Customer parking is available at Azure Ala Moana; look for the designated retail parking stalls within the structure.

Open daily, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. (last seating at 9 p.m.)

Sumo AYCE Sushi dinner spread 122925

<title>New all-you-can-eat sushi spot opens in Honolulu</title>

Sumo AYCE Sushi just opened in Azure Ala Moana. The eatery — originally from Las Vegas — offers an extensive all-you-can-eat menu, along with an a la carte menu.

Daily Smile: Wednesday, April 29, 2026

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Daily Smile: Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Authors

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