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[{"type":"text","text":"There are two types of people in the morning..."}]

Smile 26 5 25

<title>Daily Smile: Monday, May 25, 2026</title>

There are two types of people in the morning...

Daily Smile: Monday, May 25, 2026

 There are two types of people in the morning...

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

Wai‘anae's Max Holloway signed the dotted line for perhaps the most prominent bout of his career, the fight agreement came with a new wrinkle.

worldwide superstar Conor McGregor (22-6) in the main event of UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, July 11. The fight will take place at welterweight, Holloway's first foray into the 170-pound weight class. 

Of Holloway's 32 UFC fights, the vast majority have taken place in the 145-pound featherweight division. Holloway's 14 straight featherweight wins remain a UFC record, and he reigned as the division's champion from 2016 to 2019. In 2024, he moved up to the 155-pound lightweight division, winning the UFC's BMF belt against current lightweight champ Justin Gaethje. 

 via decision to Charles Oliveira in March, he got the fight he's coveted for the last 13 years. Back in 2013 when Holloway was 21 and McGregor was 25, the two fought at UFC Fight Night 26 in Boston, with McGregor taking the victory via decision. The two separately ascended to superstardom in the sport. 

As Holloway prepared for one of the biggest opportunities of his career leading up to July 11, one of the names he turned to was his trusty strength and conditioning coach, Darin Yap. 

Yap, the founder and owner of Honolulu-based Tactical Strength, believes that even though Holloway is making a 15-pound leap from his last fight, it's important that he doesn't lose his best qualities in the new weight class. Known for his striking volume and stamina, Holloway's 3,681 significant strikes 

"We always try to be true to who Max is as a fighter, meaning that he's going to utilize his footwork, he's going to bring pressure, he's going to throw a lot of punches," Yap told Aloha State Daily in a recent interview. "The footwork, the hand speed, the endurance, those three things always have to remain constant, because that's who he is as a fighter. Every fight, regardless of the opponent, we always start making sure that we have taken care of those things, and then based on the weight class and who the opponent is, we can make adjustments from there. 

"He gained a little bit of weight so that he could be a little bit more durable, and then the weight always helps with the punching power, too. But like I said, we never want to sacrifice our speed and our endurance for size."

During a rigorous camp, Holloway steadily added to his frame in preparation for the welterweight bout. 

"We're trying to add a little bit of size slowly. I think the biggest difference for Max (at welterweight) is that he can eat more, and then him having that Polynesian frame as he starts to eat more, you can really see that body start to fill out," Yap said. "I know he's definitely a lot more happy when he's fighting at 170 but I think other than that, I don't think there's a whole lot of difference between (camps at 155 vs. 170)."

Coincidentally, McGregor held featherweight and lightweight belts with the UFC during his time with the organization. But unlike Holloway, McGregor has fought at welterweight three times. McGregor's return is heavily anticipated due to the fact that he hasn't fought since fracturing his leg in a July 10, 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier. Excitement for McGregor's return is prevalent, and the Holloway camp is no different. 

"The level of excitement is through the roof," Yap said. "We wanted this, we were hoping for it. We're really excited, but we're trying to contain ourselves, because there's always a chance that Conor doesn't show up. Come fight night, when both of those guys are in, at least we'll know Conor showed up, and that'll be some validation."

Yap, a 1995 ‘Aiea High School graduate, works with a bevy of athletes across different sports, genders and levels during his 65-hour work weeks. Clients range from the youth level all the way to the pros, such as Holloway and Cleveland Guardians standout pitcher 

Holloway and Yap first met when Holloway was a wiry teenager that had yet to sign with the UFC. Yap's first experience training Holloway ahead of a fight was in 2011, back when Holloway outlasted local veteran Harris Sarmiento at an X-1 event at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center. Yap says it didn't take long for him to realize he was working with someone special in Holloway. Fifteen years later, Holloway continues to cement himself as one of the greats in the sport.

"I'm just completely grateful to him that he allowed me to come on this journey with him. It's been such a great experience. He knows that it's just pure gratitude on my part," Yap said. "I'm just super happy to help him anywhere, any way I can, and just happy to be on this blessed express with him."

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Darin Yap 070726

<title>Excitement for Max Holloway is 'through the roof,' says strength coach Darin Yap</title>

Holloway's strength and conditioning coach, Darin Yap, believes his 15-pound jump to face Conor McGregor on Saturday will be a seamless one.

Excitement for Max Holloway is 'through the roof,' says strength coach Darin Yap

On Monday, EA Sports College Football 27, the latest installment in EA Sports' college football video game franchise, was released on Monday. 

All 138 NCAA FBS teams are in the game, including the University of Hawai‘i. Real-life players featured in the game are compensated for the use of their name, image and likeness (NIL). Each player featured in the game will receive at least $1,500 and a copy of the game. 

In the University of Hawai‘i's case, not each player on the roster is featured in the game. For the second year in a row, none of UH's true freshmen are featured in the game's initial roster. Although Division I football teams are allowed to have up to 105 players, rosters in EA Sports College Football 27 are limited to 85. 

EA Sports previously divulged the highest-rated players on each team prior to the game's release. 

 and Elijah Palmer are both rated 85 overall, tied for the highest on Hawai‘i's roster. 

While Hawai‘i true freshmen aren't yet in the game, others from the Islands on Power Four rosters are. Michigan true freshman and Kamehameha alumnus 

 is rated a 79 overall, while USC linebacker and Kahuku graduate Talanoa Ili is rated a 75. 

For the second straight year, Oregon center and Farrington alum Iapani Laloulu is the highest rated player with Hawai‘i ties at 93 overall. Not far behind is USC quarterback and Pālolo native 

, who is rated a 92. Maiava also appears on the deluxe version cover, marking the first time a player from Hawai‘i has appeared on a cover of the game. 

As a team, Hawai‘i is rated 67 overall, with a 66 rating given to its offense and a 69 given to its defense. 

, released in July 2025. UH's highest-rated redshirt freshman in EA Sports College Football 27 is running back 

In lieu of real players, EA Sports has filled in some of the gaps with aliases for certain players. UH's highest rated kicker in the game is the fictitious Penei Letoa, rated a 67 overall.  

Hawaii FB EACFP 27

<title>Hawai‘i football sold short again in latest EA Sports release</title>

EA Sports College Football 27 was released on Monday, the latest in an annual installment of college football video games.

Hawai‘i football sold short again in latest EA Sports release

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

When Greg Pronko and his business partner Mike O'Reilly bought Tiki Home in Hanalei nearly two decades ago, they saw potential.

Pronko told Aloha State Daily that their business is industrial design, fabrication and material science, "so we have a really good background of design aesthetic, as well as how to build things. When we saw that house, we saw the diamond in the rough — like this is such a weird art home. It's totally neglected, but it's so different and strange that it could definitely attract a certain clientele to come rent it. That's been the story."

The 4,500-square-foot home, just 700 feet from Hanalei Bay and close to the town center of Hanalei, was one of 15 recently recognized as Vrbo's 

Now in its fifth year, homes on the annual list are chosen from more than 2 million Vrbo based on guest reviews, host performance and unique amenities. See the listing 

"Over the years, I like to say we've been slowly winning the war against entropy," Pronko continued. " ... When you're 700 feet from the North Shore of Kaua‘i, or any of the Hawaiian Islands, there's massive waves that come in in the winter, there's tons of rain, the sea spray and salt, everything's constantly dissolving and rusting and falling apart, so we're winning that war. Every year, the house gets a little bit better and better, and I guess that's shown this year because we get really good reviews and we won that award."

[{"type":"text","text":"Pronko and O'Reilly acquired the property in August 2006."}]

"We both, at the time, were really into surfing here in San Francisco and went out there [to Hawai‘i] for his brother's wedding and fell in love with Hanalei specifically," Pronko says.

Tiki Home was "really run down" when they bought it. Pronko says they knew they could afford a portion of the mortgage, but would likely have to offer it as a vacation rental.

"It became a passion project for us, where we would take turns, one of us covering the company, the other going out and working on the house."

Today, Tiki Home offers "very unique woodwork and artistic funky flair," the Vrbo listing notes. You'll see lava rock in various locations and the home features custom ohi‘a and Tiki-carved beams. The house sleeps eight and has four bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and an outdoor shower.

According to Pronko, the home was built after Hurricane Iniki, which hit the Garden Isle in 1992.

[{"type":"text","text":"It's a \"funky art home,\" he says."}]

Some things, like the shag carpet, have been replaced, but other things, like the lava rock and "weird art" were kept.

"All the beams in the house have carvings in them, so when people stay there and they really just finally relax, and they're staring up at the ceiling, they'll just start seeing really weird things, so it becomes kind of an adventure — and I think kids just love it because it's such a weird house."

Pronko says it's important that they let people know in the listing "that this is a funky, weird house. You're coming for a different experience. But we try to pair that with really nice bedding, really nice towels and linens, and we're constantly buying new appliances and dishware for the kitchen. That's one easy place where you can put money into a vacation rental and it really pays off."

Pronko says he comes to Kaua‘i quite often — he'll be here for a week or two every four to six weeks, usually working on the house, doing upgrades or maintenance.

"We're really excited," Pronko told ASD. "I'm very proud that we won that award. Ultimately, it comes down to making sure that our guests have an incredible experience."

Tiki Home Exterior

<title>Hanalei's 'Tiki Home' one of Vrbo's top vacation rentals</title>

The 4,500-square-foot home, just 700 feet from Hanalei Bay, was one of 15 recently recognized as Vrbo's 2026 Vacation Rentals of the Year.

Hanalei's 'Tiki Home' one of Vrbo's top vacation rentals

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Government & Politics

A proposal to build the Thirty Meter Telescope on the former site of another observatory is “feasible,” said a TMT project leader last week.

Last October, Gov. Josh Green and all four of the state’s Congressional delegates signed 

 urging leaders of the TMT project to consider shifting the construction of the controversial observatory to another site on Mauna Kea’s summit.

The letter cited “the Hawai‘i community’s request” to instead build TMT on the site of a decommissioned observatory, rather than disturbing a previously untouched piece of summit land, as the plan has been so far. The letter’s signatories assured that they would work with the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority and the University of Hawai‘i to develop a process for securing the permits necessary for such a shift.

, TMT project manager Fengchuan Liu told the board that the project could still work if it was shifted to the former site of the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory, which was fully dismantled in 2024. The CSO, first activated in 1986, was selected for decommissioning as part of the terms for TMT to receive a permit; the University of Hawai‘i needed to commit to close five existing telescopes by 2033.

“We on the project have taken a preliminary look at this issue from the technical side, scientifically, engineering-wise, and we believe it is feasible to build on the CSO site,” Liu said.

Liu said there are size differences between TMT and CSO: TMT’s 

, including the observatory dome, support buildings and parking area is roughly five acres, while CSO 

Nonetheless, Liu reiterated that moving the site to the former CSO location could conceivably be done. He suggested that the observatory’s support facility — used to recoat the TMT’s primary mirror segments — could be moved off the mountain to a location at sea level. Liu said this would introduce a logistical burden to the telescope’s operation, but would reduce the observatory’s footprint.

However, the logistics of such a move are still unclear, Liu said. He told the board he does not know whether the process would require new conservation district use permits or new environmental impact studies, and said the TMT’s own board would also need to sign off on the change.

Liu added that the change in site would also introduce minor variances in the observatory’s functionality: he said the CSO location is in a valley lower than most other summit observatories, causing different wind patterns that could impact the telescope’s imaging, although he believes those impacts can be mitigated.

By the same token, Liu said the lower site would also make the facility less visible from around the island than its proposed higher-elevation site.

While there was no public testimony on the matter at last week’s meeting, the board’s discussion last November of Green’s letter drew hundreds of pages of testimony, largely in opposition to the TMT project in general, relocated or otherwise.

One way or another, the future of the project remains unclear. The National Science Foundation announced in 2024 that it could only realistically fund one of two proposed telescopes as part of a “U.S. Extremely Large Telescope” project — either TMT or the Giant Magellan Telescope in Chile.

 last year that it had removed TMT from consideration — punching a $1.6 billion hole in the observatory’s budget — Congress passed 

 last month stipulating that the NSF advance both projects into final design review, although with no additional funding granted to either telescope.

 For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

ZOA 2023 7950 tio tmt 0018 16x9

<title>Thirty Meter Telescope could be moved, project leader says</title>

Controversial observatory could "feasibly" be moved to site of decommissioned facility elsewhere on Mauna Kea.

Thirty Meter Telescope could be moved, project leader says

Former Kahuku head football coach Sterling Carvalho and his attorney, Eric Seitz, took to O‘ahu Circuit Court on Monday for his lawsuit against the state. 

Monday was the date set by O‘ahu Circuit Court Judge Jordon Kimura during a 

 as Kahuku's head football coach on March 31. A letter was sent to Kahuku parents shortly thereafter, though no reason was provided at the time. He served as the head coach for the Red Raiders from 2018 to 2024, going 59-18 with three straight state titles from 2021 to 2023. 

As was stated in both Carvalho's lawsuit and discussed during Monday's hearing, Carvalho's removal stemmed from an incident in the 2023 season involving a player, Tavian "Manoa" Hallums, and his father, Kalani Hallums. Carvalho sued the DOE, superintendent Keith Hayashi, area superintendent Samuel Izumi and both Hallums. 

A social media post from Kalani Hallums criticizing Carvalho in the middle of the 2023 season made the rounds in the Kahuku community and was soon brought to the attention of Carvalho. 

Carvalho's removal and ensuing lawsuit traces back to a one-on-one meeting between him and Manoa Hallums during a practice following Kalani Hallums' posts. Carvalho says he called Manoa Hallums into a private office at Kahuku's weight room and told him other adults saw his father's posts and wanted to "lick" him. Despite that, Carvalho said he wanted to look out for the "social, emotional and mental health" of Manoa Hallums, a phrase also repeated by the defense. 

After Manoa Hallums voluntarily addressed the team during a practice, Carvalho says he and other coaches also addressed the team, telling players not to take any anger directed toward Kalani Hallums out on Manoa Hallums. 

As many as 21 people were present in support of Carvalho during Monday's hearing, which lasted seven hours, albeit with breaks between multiple sessions. Carvalho's wife sat directly behind him the entire day, appearing to tear up on multiple occasions. 

One of Seitz's first appeals for Carvalho was a personal one, praising his character and honesty. Seitz noted that Carvalho's motivation for leading the Red Raiders was purely intrinsic since he made a mere $3,000 annually as Kahuku's head football coach. During the day, Carvalho teaches math at Hawai‘i Technology Academy, a public charter school under the DOE umbrella on O‘ahu's west side. 

The basis behind the Department of Education's defense, led by attorney Bradford Chun, was that Carvalho did not sign a contract to remain Kahuku's head football coach for the 2024 season. 

The first witness called to the stand was former Kahuku High and Intermediate principal Donna Lindsey, who recently retired after 14 years as principal and 35 years in education. She submitted her retirement on March 28, effective July 1, without the knowledge that Carvalho was going to be removed as the school's head football coach three days later. 

Both Lindsey and Kahuku athletic director Gillian Yamagata, when called to the witness stand, acknowledged they were aware of the incident that occurred between Carvalho and the Hallums that was being investigated by the DOE. 

Area superintendent Samuel Izumi, who oversaw Carvalho's firing, was also called to the stand on Monday, where he stated he wanted to meet with Carvalho in person at his office in Kāneʻohe. Izumi said attempts to meet with Carvalho in person in January were unsuccessful, and the two ended up speaking on a Zoom call on Feb. 14. 

Prosecution and defense both mentioned that when Carvalho was asked if he would handle the situation any differently, Carvalho said he wouldn't, other than having another witness present during his one-on-one meeting with Manoa Hallums. 

While Izumi said he did not have knowledge of Carvalho threatening Kalani Hallums, he believed he had "sufficient evidence" that the "social, emotional and mental health" of Manoa Hallums was compromised. 

Izumi also said he felt a lack of "reflection, remorse or consideration" in Carvalho's demeanor throughout the investigation, noting he didn't read the entire investigation report, also noting Carvalho's lack of desire to meet in person immediately in January. 

Dozens of letters in support Carvalho have poured in since April, but Izumi noted they were all "after the fact."

Another witness on Monday was Stewart Carvalho, Sterling's twin brother. Stewart Carvalho was an assistant coach on Sterling's staff, serving as the special teams coordinator and receivers coach. 

Honolulu Fire Department veteran Kalu Wolfe, whose son, Terahiti, played for Sterling Carvalho in 2022, also took the witness stand to vouch for him. 

Stewart Carvalho, a Lāʻie resident, noted that Manoa Hallums, who transferred in from Mililani in 2022, was a frequent visitor to his home. "He would always come over, sleepovers or food, dinner," Stewart Carvalho said. 

Manoa Hallums would continue to visit Stewart Carvalho's home following a brief break Manoa Hallums took from the team in 2023 after his one-on-one meeting with Sterling Carvalho. Stewart Carvalho said during those visits, Manoa Hallums did not indicate there were any problems or that trauma was being caused. 

The witness who spent the longest time on the stand was Sterling Carvalho, who was asked a bevy of questions about his contractual status with Kahuku by the defense. Sterling Carvalho's contract for the 2024-2025 season was set to expire on June 30 before his March 31 removal. 

Because he was a casual hire, he was never given a contract beyond one year. 

Sterling Carvalho noted that the Red Raiders had a captain for each position, and that Manoa Hallums was voted the receivers captain for 2023. Each captain came together to form the captain council. Carvalho says he didn't know until after the fact that the council voted to remove Manoa Hallums as a captain after a road trip to California in 2023 in which he allegedly had an altercation with a teammate in a hotel room. 

Sterling Carvalho also mentioned how Manoa Hallums' access to the team's Hudl (a film sharing platform) was revoked after he publicly shared plays from team practices, breaking a team rule. 

The defense pointed out Carvalho signed contracts to coach the team for the 2022 and 2023 seasons but not 2024.  

In hopes of getting Hayashi on the witness stand, Seitz said his team subpoenaed Hayashi during the lunch break, which lasted about one hour through 12:45 p.m. However, Seitz said Hayashi was not present at his office, noting he's "never subpoenaed a party" in his life. 

Kahuku athletics director Gillian Yamagata was called to the stand by the defense and acknowledged Sterling Carvalho did not complete his paperwork for the 2024 season. Seitz responded by saying even though Sterling Carvalho did not sign the contract, he still performed it and was paid for it. 

After both sides gave their closing arguments, Kimura requested both parties turn in any additional evidence by 4 p.m. on Wednesday. 

"I'd like to thank my lawyer, Eric Seitz, in doing a phenomenal job today, and at this point in time, we just have to trust the process and let the court decide," Sterling Carvalho briefly told the media afterwards. 

Carvalho is still hoping to be reinstated by the start of Kahuku's 2025 season, which begins on Aug. 9 against defending state champion Saint Louis. 

"I do not," Sterling Carvalho said when asked if he knows when he'll get an answer. "I have never been in this situation."

[{"type":"text","text":"Seitz said afterwards that the timeline for a resolution varies widely. "}]

"(After additional materials are submitted) by the close of business Wednesday, then the judge will decide whether he's going to issue an injunction. Irrespective of that, the case will then be formed by trial track, but they're now setting trials for 2027.

"My hope is that somebody in the DOE will come to their senses. I don't have a lot of hope for that, because I don't understand how they took this action in the first place. How can you possibly fire such a highly respected coach based upon the statements of a kid and his father who wrote the kind of atrocious things he did? I mean, I don't understand. 

"The DOE in Hawai‘i is not very well respected, and the leadership is because that's why it is. I have a son who's a teacher and a daughter in law who's a teacher, and we've been involved with public education all our lives. But my God, these people who run public education, they do outrageous things. And I think that the public needs to be aware of what these people are doing in their names, and decent people like Sterling are being victimized as a consequence on all of the kids that such decent people serve. And that's just too bad."

Although Manoa and Kalani Hallums did not come to the status hearing on July 18 or Monday's hearing, Manoa Hallums made his side of the story public on his personal Instagram account in April. 

Daily Smile: Monday, May 25, 2026

ASD Staff

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Daily Smile: Monday, May 25, 2026

Authors

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