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Daily Smile

[{"type":"text","text":"Dog showing the mailman who's boss..."}]

Smile 26 5 15

<title>Daily Smile: Friday, May 15, 2026</title>

Dog showing the mailman who's boss...

Daily Smile: Friday, May 15, 2026

 Dog showing the mailman who&#039;s boss...

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

, which closed its Kapahulu eatery in April, just opened its new location in Waikīkī.

The restaurant is located at 280 Beach Walk, in the former space of Westman Cafe and Bills Waikīkī. Follow the restaurant

signs, and head upstairs for restaurant seating.

The new location features the same menu with all of Side Street Inn’s signature dishes, which are designed to share, family-style, according to general manager Korie Sasano.

“Our fried rice, pork chops, garlic chicken and kalbi are the most popular,” Sasano says. “I think some things that are more ‘hidden’ — that maybe people don’t know about — is the yakisoba and roast pork poke; they’re really good. A lot of people don’t really know about those two (dishes), but when you try it, you’re going to be hooked.”

The roast pork poke ($28) — comprising crispy roast pork tossed in the eatery’s citrus shoyu vinaigrette sauce with sweet onions, green onions and Chinese parsley — and farmer’s salad (half $19, full $28) are highly-recommended appetizers. The colorful salad features spring mixed greens with grape tomatoes, avocado, Maui onions, capers and bay shrimp with red wine vinaigrette dressing and Okinawan potato curls.

“The farmer’s salad is one of our most popular salads,” Sasano says. “People really love the dressing.”

Customers can choose from sizzling boneless kalbi (market price) or bone-in kalbi (market price). Both dishes feature charbroiled Korean-style short ribs, served with kimchi. Meanwhile, Side Street’s signature garlic chicken ($31) features a marinated fried chicken dipped in a sweet shoyu garlic sauce.

The “Works” fried rice ($41.50) can easily feed a group, as it comprises Side Street Inn’s signature fried rice (bacon, Portuguese sausage, char siu, green onions, peas and carrots) with kimchi and lup cheong. It’s often ordered alongside Side Street’s famous pan-fried pork chops ($36).

For groups who want a little of everything, Sasano says Chef Colin’s Classics menu ($195 for four to five guests, $370 for eight to 10) is still available. It includes edamame with Alae salt, farmer’s salad, Side Street’s signature fried rice, garlic chicken, pan-fried pork chops and sizzling boneless kalbi.

“The menu is pretty much the same; I think they’re thinking of doing specials,” she says. “There’s talk of doing happy hour like we did at Kapahulu, too; people loved the small plates. They got to try more (options).”

Side Street’s signature peanut butter crunch ($19) — served warm with a crispy peanut butter layer, chocolate drizzle and Roselani’s vanilla ice cream — is still the eatery’s most popular dessert, Sasano notes. Other options include Mom’s sweet bread pudding ($17); brownie, brownie, brownie ($17); liliko

i crème brulee ($15) and chocolate haupia ($15).

“Everything is homemade; I think that’s what makes it (our desserts) extra good,” she says. “I heard a lot of our staff really love the bread pudding.”

The restaurant is currently waiting on its liquor license and is BYOB in the meantime. Customers are welcome to bring in beer and wine; there’s a $10 corkage fee per person, according to Sasano.

“The corkage fee is for anyone who participates in drinking,” she confirms. “We also offer a 10% 

 discount (with a valid ID) for dine-in, along with two-hour validated parking at the Bank of Hawai

i building (across the street). I know parking is always hard in Waikīkī.”

Customers can call to make reservations; Sasano says the business was able to keep the same phone number from when it was at Kapahulu.

“We always just remind people, if they don’t know we moved, that we’re at a new location,” she says. “We’re just nervous and excited to see how it’s going to be for us — how different the foot traffic is going to be, now that we’re in Waikīkī. We’re still excited to have our regulars come back because we miss them. We hope they don’t mind the ‘trek to Waikīkī,’ as people sometimes say.”

Open 4 to 10 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays, 4 to 11 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays

Side Street Inn staff 092626

<title>Side Street Inn’s new location is open</title>

The eatery, known for its local comfort food and generous portions, closed its Kapahulu location in April. Side Street Inn’s new location is on Beach Walk in Waikīkī; customers can take advantage of a kamaʻāina discount and validated parking.

Side Street Inn’s new location is open

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

[{"type":"text","text":"Looking for the best jolt of java?"}]

Drip Studio HNL in Honolulu and HiCO Hawaiian Coffee in Kailua-Kona are two of just 20 in the U.S. nominated for the list of 

 in the USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards.

The awards aim to rank the 10 best in several areas of travel and lifestyle, and the 20 nominees were chosen with the help of a panel of experts. The final 10 will be determined by voters.

Drip Studio owner-operators Vince Pohaku and Kelsie Mercado Uehara founded the specialty coffee house, located at 1114 Fort Street Mall, in 2023 with no cafe experience and the argument that "

Hawai'i grows world-class coffee, so we should drink like it

," an announcement from the shop notes. The coffee shop founders add that it works directly with farms and roasters to showcase Hawaiʻi as a world-class coffee destination.

Meanwhile HiCO, which has three Big Isle locations, serves 100% Hawai‘i-grown coffee, supporting local farmers and honoring the Islands' agricultural heritage, its 

 once a day until 6 a.m. Monday, Oct. 19. Winners will be announced Wednesday, Oct. 28.

Several other Hawai‘i businesses are up for spots on various other 10Best lists, voting for which is underway:

Drip Coffee sign 092526

<title>These Hawai‘i coffee shops, distilleries are nominated for 10Best lists</title>

The USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards aim to rank the 10 best in several areas of travel and lifestyle. Nominees are chosen with the help of a panel of experts but the final 10 will be determined by voters.

These Hawai‘i coffee shops, distilleries are nominated for 10Best lists

 opens at 11 a.m. — and there’s already a line forming for 

, customers were asking about the fruit desserts since earlier in the week, when HI Cravings posted on social media that Zarina Dessert Studio would be one of the featured businesses at the Co-Op.

“We (Zarina and I) connected about three or four weeks ago, not that long ago,” 

 says. “But the beautiful thing is, this is what the Co-Op is about — it’s about being able to collaborate with other small businesses. This is an opportunity on both sides; the labor of everything is so intense. Now, she (Zarina) can focus on what she’s good at — 

Zarina Jumagulova started her business last year by making marshmallow flowers and edible bouquets. The edible flowers featured airy souffle confections, according to Jumagulova.

“That was always my passion — to make something not only sweet, but beautiful as well,” Jumagulova says.

She first saw the trending fruit desserts online and researched how to make them.

“I found an online course for how to make them,” she explains. “I tried to make them; when I tasted them, I was excited about the appearance, taste and crunch.”

Jumagulova has only been making these fruit-shaped desserts since July. Not even three full months later, they’ve become social media-famous, and known to sell out quickly.

Jumagulova explains the desserts are inspired by modern Parisian pastries, and they’re especially known for their delicate, crunchy, chocolate shell. She says the raspberry flavor was her first one — “raspberry is my daughter’s favorite” — and then continued with mango and blueberry.

“Outside is white chocolate; we also use milk and dark chocolate for some flavors,” she says. “Usually, it’s premium Belgian chocolate; we add cacao butter for the best crunch. Inside (each dessert), you’ll find a fruity filling. It’s not a jam — more like a gel — because it’s softer and smoother.”

On her first day at the HI Cravings Co-Op, Jumagulova brought eight dessert flavors — coconut pineapple (pina colada), blueberry, mango, raspberry, pistachio Dubai, banana, strawberry lime, and coffee caramel. Confections range from $9 to $12, depending on the flavor.

“Mango is the most popular flavor, and banana is a crowd favorite,” Jumagulova says. “Some people buy only pistachio. My favorite is pina colada; I love that flavor.

“We use real fruits (to make the pastries),” she adds. “We enrobe them in the ganache, which is like a whipped cream with white chocolate in it.”

The business’s pistachio dessert is its version of Dubai chocolate, as it features pistachio praline and crispy kataifi pastry with pistachio pieces. Meanwhile, banana comprises a mix of creamy banana ganache filling and banana caramel.

It takes Jumagulova around three days to make a batch of these desserts. She explains she makes the ganache and filling, but it takes time for the ganache to set and for the filling to freeze. The treats are then dipped in the mixture of chocolate and cacao butter.

She explains that the desserts can be stored in the refrigerator, and recommends that customers consume them within 48 hours of purchase.

“Put them in the fridge as soon as possible for a better crunch,” she says.

On the business’s first day at the HI Cravings Co-Op, it sold out of desserts in about two hours. But, Jumagulova says the Co-Op will be restocked and customers can soon look forward to seasonal flavors like pumpkin.

“We live in Kapolei, so we’re excited to be open at this location,” says Jumagulova. “This is our first physical location; we started as an online shop, and we’re still accepting online orders.

“I would (eventually) like to open more points of sale on Oahu and on other islands as well,” she adds. “People keep asking, ‘Do you do shipping?’ but it’s impossible with such fragile desserts. I still get orders for the edible bouquets, but I’m not able to make them anymore because I’m so busy with these fruits!”

Open Thursdays to Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closed Wednesdays)

Zarina Dessert Studio owner 092426

<title>Zarina Dessert Studio’s viral fruit desserts are now in Kapolei</title>

The online dessert shop’s fruit-shaped confections are now available at HI Cravings’ Co-Op in Kapolei. The fruit desserts feature a white chocolate crunchy shell with a ganache filling inside; popular flavors include mango, pina colada, pistachio, banana and coffee caramel.

Zarina Dessert Studio’s viral fruit desserts are now in Kapolei

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Crime & Courts

Government & Politics

How much of the $4 billion Lahaina fire settlement should go to attorneys?

That question went before the Hawai‘i Supreme Court Tuesday, as some attorneys who were involved in the years-long Maui fires settlement took issue with how the settlement funds were disbursed.

In June, Maui Judge Peter Cahill declared that the attorneys who worked on the case could only claim up to 8% of the settlement funds, despite state law allowing for attorneys to receive up to 25%.

Cahill’s ruling also established a $222 million fund from the $4 billion award to create a common benefit fund, which Hawai‘i-based lawyers could apply for a share of, commensurate with the amount of work they did on the case. Out-of-state attorneys do not qualify for that fund.

Attorneys from the Hawai‘i law firms Ranken & Shnider, the PACLAW Group and the San Diego-based Montegna & Thickstun appealed Cahill’s ruling, arguing that the judge didn’t have the authority to make that decision, and that disbursing the funds in such a way will be detrimental to the state.

Samuel Shnider told the Supreme Court Tuesday that Cahill’s fee order “jeopardizes access to justice for the people of Hawai‘i in the next disaster,” as he believes attorney’s will be less likely to accept similar cases if a judge can change their fees despite the terms of a settlement agreement.

Shnider argued that even if a judge had the authority to create a common benefit fund — they don’t, he claimed — nobody in the case requested that the funds be disbursed in this way. He added that Cahill’s order “takes away [victims’] right to have that conversation first of all with their attorneys.”

However, as Associate Justice Sabrina McKenna noted, Cahill’s order also would reduce Shnider’s attorney’s fees below what he initially believed he would receive under the contract.

“Are your clients complaining about the fact that they cannot pay any more in attorney’s fees?” McKenna asked.

But Shnider said invalidating Cahill’s order would require attorneys to “follow the principles of reasonableness” and negotiate reasonable fees with their clients. He added that he believes that “market forces and the existing Hawai‘i law” are sufficient to ensure victims are not overburdened by attorney’s fees.

Meanwhile, attorneys for the state argued otherwise. Attorney Cynthia Wong claimed Cahill’s attorney fee order is no different than any other legal exercise of power he made during the case.

Wong added that there are 21,750 victims in the case, who have made claims totaling $12 billion to $15 billion. When the case began, she said, Mainland attorneys “descended upon Maui,” leading to the creation of a case management policy that appointed some attorneys as Liaison Counsel, attorneys who spoke for the whole during the case.

It is those Liaison Counsel attorneys who stand to gain the most from Cahill’s fee order, Shnider argued, reducing other victims’ shares in the process.

On the other hand, state’s attorney Lance Collins said the idea that the attorneys who did the most of the work for the common benefit would not be entitled to request compensation for that work is “an absurd conclusion”.

[{"type":"text","text":"A decision by the Supreme Court in the case remains pending."}]

Aliiōlani Hale

<title>Maui fire settlement back in court over lawyers' fees</title>

Attorneys challenge $4 billion settlement to victims of the 2023 wildfires

Maui fire settlement back in court over lawyers' fees

 just opened in Sam Sung Plaza. The new tonkatsu restaurant is located in the former space of Sushi ii, which closed in July.

The eatery features a variety of tonkatsu sets; sets include rice, shredded cabbage, and miso soup. Customers can enjoy free refills of miso soup and cabbage.

The pork loin tonkatsu ($21 for 130 grams, $25 for 180 grams) and pork tenderloin tonkatsu ($25 for four pieces) come highly recommended.

The eatery also offers a miso pork loin tonkatsu set, which is topped with the restaurant’s special miso sauce. Other options include chicken katsu sets ($21), fried shrimp set (five pieces for $25), chicken katsu-don ($23), pork katsu sandwich ($13) and fried oysters ($15). The fried oysters are one of Tonkatsu Sakazaki’s featured appetizers.

[{"type":"text","text":"Customers can upgrade their miso soup to pork soup for an additional $5."}]

The eatery’s opening special is a $9.99 pork loin cutlet rice bowl (regular price $19). The bowl comes with rice topped with pork cutlet simmered in a savory, dashi-based sauce with onions. This discounted price will be available for about three weeks.

Tonkatsu Sakazaki is also the sister restaurant of Ramen Nakamura, located in Waikīkī. Tonkatsu Sakazaki is offering a special Nakamura oxtail curry ($14) — which features a soup-style broth instead of a thicker texture — that features Ramen Nakamura’s oxtail soup. Customers can enjoy the oxtail curry on its own, dip their katsu in it, or pour the curry over rice.

The eatery will be open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and for dinner from 5 to 9 p.m.

Open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch, 5 to 9 p.m. for dinner

Tonkatsu Sakazaki plates 090426

<title>Tonkatsu Sakazaki is now open in Honolulu</title>

The tonkatsu eatery just opened in Sam Sung Plaza. Customers can take advantage of a grand opening special — discounted $9.99 pork loin cutlet rice bowls (regular price $19) — for about three weeks. The restaurant specializes in tonkatsu, ranging from pork tenderloin to chicken katsu.

Tonkatsu Sakazaki is now open in Honolulu

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

Like the Hawai‘i prep football icons that came before him, Hunter Fujikawa is poised to become the next great quarterback to come out of Mililani High School. 

, Fujikawa, a junior with the Trojans, is hoping his name can be uttered in the same sentence by the time it's all said and done. 

 from schools such as Ohio State, Alabama and Oregon, Fujikawa, a 6-foot-2 four-star quarterback, is on pace to have been on the list of notable alumni regardless of the school that produced him. And prior to this summer, that school would have been Punahou. 

Fujikawa won the starting job on Punahou's varsity team as a freshman and in all likelihood would have held the role for all four years. 

"Just a great opportunity to play under coach 

 and (offensive coordinator) Samson Satele," Fujikawa told Aloha State Daily of his decision to transfer. "Being able to have that caliber of coaches to help me develop and get to the next level. God closes one door and opens another."

Fujikawa is far from the only former Punahou standout to join Mililani this offseason. Star 6-foot-4 receiver Zion White, who began his high school career with the Buffanblu, transferred to national powerhouse IMG Academy for his junior season. White returned to the Islands for his senior year and will suit up for the Trojans alongside Fujikawa. 

"It's been great so far," White said. "Over here, all the boys just have their heads down 24/7, just working super hard."

White and Fujikawa grew up playing against each other on the youth circuit — White for the ‘Ewa Beach Hammerheads and Fujikawa for Fiyah Squad. Fujikawa was a freshman when White was a sophomore racking up college offers before Fujikawa went on to do the same. 

"I knew he had potential," White said of Fujikawa. "We kind of just had to build that relationship. We spent multiple hours just throwing together and just spending time together. And the connection, honestly, hasn't gone anywhere. It feels like a brotherhood in a sense."

In addition to Fujikawa and White, the Trojans will also feature a trio of Satele brothers in linebacker Toa, and defensive linemen Trison and Tayden. Toa and Trison have already committed to Oregon, while Tayden is entering his freshman year. Their father and offensive coordinator, Samson Satele, is a former University of Hawai‘i standout offensive lineman and eight-year NFL veteran. 

"It's been great so far," Fujikawa said of the transition to Mililani. "I love the boys. This team, we should have a great year ahead of us."

White, who is entering his senior year, has already committed to California, choosing the Golden Bears over a 

. Fujikawa, meanwhile, says he's putting his recruitment "on pause" in order to focus on his junior season. 

"Recruiting is going to keep going, but I just want to continue to build relationships with coaches and focus on the season, and then see what happens after," Fujikawa said. 

Mililani's season officially begins on Aug. 14 with a home game against Liberty High School of Henderson, Nev. As a program, the Trojans have two state titles to their name: one in 2014 as the HHSAA Division I champions, their lone top-tiered state crown. Mililani won the 2016 Division I HHSAA state title, but it was the same year the state introduced a new top tier in the Open Division. 

"What everybody wants to do and everyone's vision is winning the state championship," Fujikawa said. 

Added White, when asked about his individual goals for the 2026 season: "I have personal goals, but honestly, I'm a team-first kind of guy and I just want to win states above all." 

Mililani football 080328

<title>Mililani's new dynamic duo looks to take Trojans back to HHSAA mountaintop</title>

Former Punahou teammates Zion White and Hunter Fujikawa are reunited at Mililani and have the Trojans thinking big ahead of the 2026 high school football season.

Daily Smile: Friday, May 15, 2026

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Daily Smile: Friday, May 15, 2026

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