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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...

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

University of Hawai‘i standout opposite hitter Kristian Titriyski is getting an early start on his professional career. 

 will forgo the final two seasons of his collegiate career to play for his hometown team, 

A starter when healthy, Titriyski played in 21 matches in both the 2025 season and 2026 seasons, as injuries limited both campaigns for him. When he was on the floor, he was often leading the team in kills. 

In the national championship match on Monday, Titriyski hammered the game-winning kill in a four-set win over UC Irvine. His 16 kills were a match high. 

Although he's leaving two years of college ball on the table, Titriyski says he has no regrets in coming to the Islands, an experience he'll carry withb him for the rest of his life. 

"It's definitely a special place, and it for sure will be one of my favorite places the entire world," Titriyski said on Thursday. "I met so many friends here, so many new people, and I grew here in my first time living alone outside of home. I learned so many new things here, but definitely the most important thing is the people, just all the friends I made, the fans, coaches, everything here.

"The volleyball here is such where everyone supports it, watches it, and cares about it. And that's what kind of opened my eyes about the fans, is that they don't only support the team, but they actually care about you as a person, 'How are you doing?' When you meet them outside somewhere on the beach or wherever, they say hi. They're always positive. I just like appreciate these two years so much, and I have no regrets coming here. Thanks to Charlie (

) for bringing me here, and for everyone that supports the team for making it possible. That's kind of a dream that came true, because originally, I had no idea of coming to study here. I wanted to come to Hawai‘i, not only because of Rado Parapunov, but I was watching. I still remember, it was the 2023 season where they didn't win it, but they still reach the final. ... Since then, I've been following the team and watching the team."

Titriyski will go out a champion and will continue to follow the program from afar. He knows that from a support standpoint, the program is in great hands. 

"Just don't stop supporting a team that is something special," Titriyski says to the fans of Hawai‘i. "That's the thing that only Hawai‘i has, and maybe nowhere else in the world the crowd is that involved into the sport and into the whole team. That's something special I've never seen, and probably it will be hard to surpass. But yeah, to all the fans, we appreciate that, and we actually feel the love, feel the support. So don't stop with this. Keep going. Get more and get loud."

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Kristian Titriyski 050326

<title>Hawai‘i men's volleyball standout Kristian Titriyski to turn pro early</title>

Titriyski is forgoing his final two seasons of collegiate eligibility to turn pro in his native Bulgaria.

Hawai‘i men's volleyball standout Kristian Titriyski to turn pro early

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Government & Politics

The Honolulu City Council will create a task force to determine how to wean O‘ahu off of landfills.

On Wednesday, the Council voted unanimously to pass a 

 to establish an “End Landfills Task Force” to develop potential alternatives to landfill disposal as a core component of the island’s waste management systems.

The task force has 540 days — until early November 2027 — to evaluate various strategies for ending landfill dependency and develop a transition plan for how to enact them.

Councilwoman Andria Tupola, who introduced the resolution, said a strategy is necessary given that the Waimānalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill is set to close in mid-2028, leaving the island landfill-less. While the Department of Environmental Services has plans for 

, that site will not be operational for years, and even when it becomes usable, it will eventually reach capacity, as well.

Tupola said at Wednesday’s council meeting that she will oppose the development of a landfill in Makakilo, and said investments in other infrastructure — such as recycling facilities on-island or improved waste incineration — can eliminate the need for a new landfill on the island.

“We need to make a written plan, period,” Tupola said. “Whether you agree that landfills can end or not, we need to make a path forward.”

County officials disagreed on whether a new landfill can be avoided. Daniel Brieck, deputy director of the Department of Environmental Services, told the council Wednesday that while he supports the resolution, the county’s development of a new landfill must continue.

“We’re not in a position today to not have a landfill,” Brieck said. “We’ve looked into different technologies and scalability is not there right now.”

Nonetheless, the council voted unanimously in support of the resolution Wednesday.

The council also voted through a resolution that would begin a process to allow the city’s H-POWER waste incineration facility to expand and develop materials processing and waste-to-energy facilities.

“We are still sending an enormous amount of recoverable materials to H-POWER and, ultimately, into the landfill,” Tupola said.

Brieck could not provide specific data about how much additional waste could be diverted from landfills through the planned expansion. But, he said, DEM is still investigating potential uses for H-POWER ash, which is one of the main waste products that is dumped at Waimānalo Gulch.

The resolution on Wednesday merely allows the city’s Public Infrastructure Map identifying major infrastructure projects to be updated to include the H-POWER expansion, a necessary step to begin seeking permits for the project.

Landfill photo 16x9

<title>Honolulu to consider landfill alternatives</title>

Honolulu City Council passes resolution forming "End Landfills Task Force"

Honolulu to consider landfill alternatives

MĀNOA — Facing a short week of rest and needing a win to clinch a spot in the upcoming Big West Conference tournament, the University of Hawai‘i baseball team's coaches decided to give the ball to ace pitcher Isaiah Magdaleno on Wednesday night. 

Magdaleno did the rest, turning in another magnificent start. The junior tossed another shutout, striking out 14 while allowing just one single and two hit batters in 101 pitches in a 4-0 victory over CSUN.

The performance was just the latest gem for Magdaleno in a month full of them. On May 1, he struck out 16 in a one-hit shutout over UC Riverside, entering the seventh inning with a perfect game and ninth with a no-hitter, earning him a bevy of 

In a May 8 win at UC Davis, Magdaleno struck out nine while allowing just one run in eight innings, taking home Big West Pitcher of the Week for the second consecutive week. In order to accommodate UH-Mānoa's commencement ceremony on Saturday, its home series against CSUN was moved to begin on Wednesday and end on Friday. 

As soon as his start at UC Davis ended, Magdaleno was determined to deliver for his team on short rest and got an early start on his recovery work. That Magdaleno's latest masterpiece was not hindered by a lack of rest came as no surprise to his coaches, who know full well there's something special in store every time their star steps on the mound. 

've never seen a consistent three-week performance like Mags. Adjectives, really, there are none to describe what he's done," Hawai‘i head coach Rich Hill said on Wednesday night. 

Added associate head coach/pitching coach Keith Zuniga: 

"[CSUN] is one of the best offenses in the country. So, again, it just speaks volumes to what Isaiah is capable of doing out here, and what he's been doing week in and week out for us. I'm just gonna go ahead and say it right now: if he's not pitcher of the week in the entire country again, I'm gonna be extremely shocked. So, let's pencil him in for that. He's earned it. He deserves it. He went out there and did it. Just great to see."

Any notion of a perfect game on Wednesday was thwarted when Magdaleno hit CSUN's 2 hitter, Kyle Panganiban, in the top of the first. But as he continued to cruise through the Matador lineup while maintaining an efficient pitch count, there he was again, singled out in another postgame curtain call similar to the ovation he received after his start against UC Riverside less than two weeks prior. 

"Honestly, it's my goal all the time to just go for [a complete game]," Magdaleno told Aloha State Daily after the game. "I mean, I'm gonna go 100% and whenever they take me out is when they take me out. I wasn't expecting to go a complete game, but it just it worked out. Just trying to stay in the groove and just getting back to work."

The victory punched the team's ticket to next week's Big West tournament in Fullerton, Calif. The Rainbow Warriors could take the field as early as Wednesday. 

"He'll get two days of rest back now to get ready to go for the tournament," Zuniga said of Magdaleno. "But the month he's having, I mean, it's no secret to anybody here in the clubhouse, right? He's worked for that, and even when it felt like he was having a tough time in the middle course of the year, that's resiliency right there. That's toughness, that's a competitor. That's exactly what we're looking for here at the University of Hawai‘i." 

When Anthony and Mirna Magdaleno sent their son from 

Crespi Carmelite High School in Los Angeles to the Islands for college, they understood they wouldn't be able to catch every single one of Isaiah's games. Complicating matters was the fact that Isaiah Magdaleno was used out of the bullpen as a freshman and sophomore, emerging as one of the country's top closers in 2025. That meant he'd pitch multiple games a week.

We were having major FOMO [fear of missing out], wishing we were here," Mirna Magdaleno told ASD. 

Of Isaiah Magdaleno's eight home starts in 2026, only four were televised on Spectrum Sports and streamed on the Mainland via ESPN+. Fortunately for the Magdaleno family, Isaiah's historic start against UC Riverside was one of the televised games. 

"We were by ourselves, just freaking out, super excited and watching everything that was happening, and we were screaming and jumping for joy, giving each other high fives, just amazed by the performance," Mirna Magdaleno said. "We had no idea what the night was gonna look like. We never know."

With Isaiah viewed as a serious prospect in this summer's MLB Draft, there was no chance Mirna and Anthony would miss their son's potential last home start at Les Murakami Stadium. A contingent of Magdelano supporters were seated a couple rows above the UH dugout on Wednesday night to cheer him on and witness another superb start. 

"It means everything," Isaiah Magdaleno said. "They know that I love doing this, and they're always going to support me. I'm very grateful for them to come out, all the support, all the love that they send me from California whenever I'm out here. It means a lot."

"It's like a dream. It's a dream come true," Anthony Magdaleno said. "You don't know how good he's going to do on a night like this after having two good weeks. I honestly didn't know how he would be able to do this good. It amazes me that he's able to do it three weeks [in a row]. It's amazing."

Anthony and Mirna Magdaleno noticed Isaiah's athletic talents from a young age, in skills ranging from hitting a baseball to playing basketball. They've savored the experience in watching their son blossom into a pro prospect as a pitcher, but what makes them most proud as parents is seeing the person he's become. 

"Not surprised, but I guess amazed every time I see how much he's changed each year. He's improved a lot in his performance and just the way he carries himself with a lot more pride and more security," Mirna Magdaleno said as her eyes watered. "We didn't know how it was gonna go for him, but the fans have been great. They've just hugged him and loved him."

Added Anthony Magdaleno: "There's no other place that I could think of that embraces him like this. That's why I love I love this place. I love coming here. We don't get back as much as I wish we could, but coming back and seeing the support he gets is amazing.

"When we sent him here, we're like, 'Oh, we hope he does great in baseball.' When you come here and we talk to the other parents and they're saying how great of a person is and he carries himself well, that's what really makes us feel great."

With each appearance Isaiah Magdaleno has made on the mound, fans at Les Murakami Stadium have continued to show their love and support for him through thick and thin. 

If Wednesday's start for Magdaleno turns out to be his last home start in a UH uniform, another gem in front of the thousands of fans that have his back, it will have served as a fitting end. 

"All the fans showing out today... it's everything I could ever ask for," he said.

Isaiah Magdaleno 10 051426

<title>Magdaleno magnificent again as Hawai‘i clinches Big West tournament berth</title>

Working on short rest, UH's ace tossed his second one-hit shutout of the month, striking out 14 CSUN batters in a 4-0 win on Wednesday night with his family in attendance.

Magdaleno magnificent again as Hawai‘i clinches Big West tournament berth

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

Most customers recognize business owner Andrea Onetti as “the pasta guy,” but Onetti started his culinary career by making pizza.

“That’s the funny part of the story; I did pizza in Italy,” Onetti says. “I studied pizza when I was 18, 19 years old, and then I let it go for a little bit. When I got here, everybody was making pizza.

“In America, there are so many different ideas about what pizza is — New York, Detroit,” he adds. “Nobody was making pasta; it wasn’t as special as it is nowadays.”

Onetti studied pizza when he was living in Rome. He recalls a friend who operated a successful restaurant in the town.

“[For PizzAlba], I tried to do something that is close to what he does, something I appreciate,” he says.

Onetti moved to Hawaiʻi in the fall of 2011. He launched his pasta business, Onda Pasta, in the following spring.

When he sold Onda Pasta a few years ago, starting a pizza concept was natural for Onetti.

“A lot of people were questioning, ‘What are you going to do? You always did pasta,” he remembers. “Nobody has ever asked me if I did pizza. That’s the first thing I studied — for food — and that’s one thing that, more than even pasta, I never get tired of it.”

Onetti describes his pizza as a crossover between contemporary and Neapolitan. His pizza business, PizzAlba — named after his daughter — is at the Kaka

ako and Kailua farmers markets on weekends.

“It’s not as chewy as Neapolitan, but it’s not as bready as fully contemporary (pizzas),” he says. “In Italy, the contemporary (style) is very big on the crust and soft. I don’t necessarily love that because they’re selling you a lot of bread.”

While he describes his savory pies as “simple,” Onetti emphasizes the importance of using high-quality ingredients.

“It’s good quality food with quality ingredients at a decent price,” he says. “I try to cut down on unnecessary costs to have higher-quality ingredients. The flour is Italian, the tomatoes are from Italy, and the mozzarella is from Bocconcino [in Kakaʻako].

“Pizza is a lot different from pasta,” he adds. “There is the fermentation process and everything that happens, especially during the farmers markets, where the conditions are never the same. You don’t have the same temperature [every time].”

Since February, Onetti has been popping up in the vacant space next to Bevy; it was the former location of Doner Shack’s Kaka

ako store. PizzAlba’s pop-up is open on Thursdays only from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch, and from 5 to 10 p.m. for dinner.

The menu always includes margherita ($17) and pepperoni ($20) pizzas. There’s also a rotating flavor that customers can exclusively order if they dine at Bevy. During our visit, the featured pizza at Bevy ($25) includes salame, truffle pate, asparagus, Parmesan, zucchini and micro greens as toppings.

“It always changes, depending on what I’m finding at the market,” Onetti says. “This is a little salty, a little sweet. Not many people like to eat salami when it’s warm. In my opinion, it gets a nice crunchiness; it gives the pizza a little saltiness because of the curing. The truffle pate is a mix of mushrooms and truffle.”

No matter what the rotating pizza is, though, Onetti tries to stick to classic combinations and flavors.

“I don’t want to become the person that does things just to do them,” he says. “You’ll never see me do a salami and honey, but I will do a pear, honey and gorgonzola pizza, which is very much classic.”

He says the margherita is the most popular option — and is his personal favorite.

“It’s simple,” he says. “It’s fluffy on the inside and a little bit less chewy than the Neapolitan. I try to keep it fluffy, but with a little crunch.”

Onetti also offers pasta-making classes at Hana Kitchens in Downtown Honolulu. He says there are about five pasta classes every month, and he also offers private classes.

“I do pasta and gnocchi [classes], then there is a regional dinner,” Onetti explains. “It’s less interactive — it’s more of a dinner — and we do a region of Italy each month. We’ve done 16 so far; four more regions to go.”

The Kakaʻako pop-up used to be on Wednesdays and Thursdays, but from this month, it’s been Thursdays only. This is also the first time the pop-up has been open for lunch.

“Food is life, connection and culture, and that’s the beauty of it,” Onetti says, as he prepares to make another order.

“You don’t win if you don’t fail,” he adds. “The beauty of cooking is that the failure is not that bad.” 

Open on Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 5 to 10 p.m.

Pizz Alba owner 050726

<title>PizzAlba is a new pizza pop-up in Kakaʻako</title>

PizzAlba pops up on Thursdays in the space next to Bevy in Kakaʻako. You can also find the pizza biz at the Kakaʻako and Kailua farmers markets on Saturdays and Sundays, respectively.

PizzAlba is a new pizza pop-up in Kakaʻako

Hawai'i Skies

Today's Hawai‘i Skies was captured by Doug Cochran at Makani Kai Marina, Kāneʻohe. "Preparing for an early morning sail from the Makani Kai Marina."

To submit your Hawai'i Skies photo, visit us 

IMG 1205

<title>Hawaiʻi Skies: Morning sail</title>

Today's Hawai‘i Skies was captured by Doug Cochran at Makani Kai Marina, Kāneʻohe.

Hawaiʻi Skies: Morning sail

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Aloha Spirit

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Mahalo for your kōkua!"}]

In early April, Aloha State Daily partnered with the 

Hawai‘i Farmers Union Foundation (HFUF)

 to aid Hawai‘i’s farmers and rural communities recovering from severe flooding. As of Wednesday afternoon, the 

 who will match gifts up to $100,000, doubling impact toward ongoing needs including crop loss, repairs and other needs, per the for GoFundMe page.

In March, communities across the Islands were devastated by back-to-back Kona Low storms that brought heavy rains and high winds. According to the 

, more than 380 farmers statewide initially reported a total of $23 million in damage. Data collected by 

 estimates that 619 farms statewide reported losses exceeding $39 million, with Oʻahu farmers accounting for more than $26 million of that total amount.

HFUF’s Hawai‘i Flood Response Fund will remain open to directly support the long-term recovery of local farmers. Click 

“We have launched our grant program and have had over 120 applicants already, and we will begin to review them in the next weeks and begin releasing funds to farmers by the end of the month,” HFUF CFO Christian Zuckerman, who also serves as HFU vice president, told ASD by email Monday.

HFU has advocated “for the sovereign rights of family farmers, ranchers and fishers to create regenerative and sustainable agricultural communities that benefit the people of Hawaiʻi through education, cooperation and legislation.” Meanwhile, HFUF, its sister organization, provides charitable and educational outreach.

HFU Hāna Chapter members Leah and Matt “Ponch” Ponichtera, who own 

, lost at least half of their six-acre macadamia grove on Maui in the storm. “This severely impacts our future production capabilities and income,” the Ponichteras stated. “Following the storm, we went five days without power or connectivity (and many neighbors, much longer). In an isolated area that also doesn't receive cell service, our community came together to share information, help meet immediate needs, grieve and get back to work. And there is plenty of work to be done.”

, they are nearly to goal at just over $15,000 of $16,000, and "are focused on cleanup, safety and understanding what can be saved.”

Funds raised will go toward sustaining the farm amid recovery, acquiring additional equipment and labor to clear 45-plus downed trees and assisting with the loss of future harvest.

“And eventually, start growing again,” Leah Ponichtera said, adding, “To emerge from that and so quickly be reminded of the community that surrounds us both far and near has meant more to us than we can fully express. The support is overwhelming, and has lifted our spirits and hopes more than you'll know. Many mahalos. Now back to work.”

Those who applied for HFUF's most recent grant are advised to watch their inboxes and reach out to 

Hana Macadamia downed tree

The Hawai‘i Farmers Union Foundation took it to social to share that the Hawaiʻi Flood Response Fund — for which Aloha State Daily secured a donor to match dollar-for-dollar, up to $100,000 — will open grant applications this week. As of Monday, the GoFundMe was 96% to goal with proceeds going directly to farmers, ranchers and fishers who are recovering from the recent Kona Low storms.

Hana Tropicals

Financial aid to be deployed to farmers impacted by floods

Lokelani ʻOhana, a Wailuku farm that offers therapeutic programs rooted in Hawaiian culture for adults with developmental disabilities, is fundraising via GoFundMe and its website to aid in rebuilding following the back-to-back Kona Low storms in March. Donations to the nonprofit will also go toward bringing on an organic farmer, according to Farm Director Christina Chang.

Angel with tree trimmers

Biodynamic farm on Maui seeks support after storms

<title>Fundraiser for farms surpasses goal</title>

Thanks to you and an anonymous donor, we raised more than $200,000 for the Hawai‘i Farmers Union Foundation's Hawai‘i Flood Response Fund. The GoFundMe page remains open as more donations come in that will help Hawai‘i’s farmers and rural communities devastated by recent Kona Low storms.

Daily Smile: Friday, May 15, 2026

ASD Staff

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Daily Smile: Friday, May 15, 2026

Authors

ASD Staff

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