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Daily Smile

This is Sadie. She's a service dog who was honored with her own bone diploma at her human's college graduation. Worked very hard in all her classes and is glad her efforts didn't go unnoticed...

Smile 26 5 30

<title>Daily Smile: Saturday, May 30, 2026</title>

Daily Smile: Saturday, May 30, 2026

 This is Sadie. She&#039;s a service dog who was honored with her own bone diploma at her human&#039;s college graduation. Worked very hard in all her classes and is glad her efforts didn&#039;t go unnoticed...

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

It's no secret — or surprise — that Toyota Tacomas are popular in the Islands.

In fact, according to Servco Pacific, which has exclusive distributorships of Toyota, Lexus and Subaru in Hawai‘i, it's been the top-selling vehicle in the Islands for 25 years. 

To commemorate that milestone, Servco has unveiled a Hawai‘i-exclusive special edition of the best-selling truck and just 25 will be available statewide, Servco says.

"Hawaiʻi has embraced the Toyota Tacoma as part of its ‘ohana for a quarter of a century,” 

, president and CEO, said in an announcement Friday. "This special edition is our way of saying mahalo to the community that has made this truck the undisputed favorite across the Islands."

[{"type":"text","text":"Aloha State Daily reached out to Servco for more information."}]

The truck comes in the color "mudbath" and comes with a "comprehensive suite of custom components designed to enhance both aesthetics and functionality," the announcement notes.

[{"type":"text","text":"The special build includes:"}]

You'll be able to reserve the truck in person beginning June 6 at Servco Toyota and Maui Toyota dealerships across the Islands. The TSRP, or total suggested retail price, is $44,770 and $7,999 for the Hawai‘i edition accessories.

In 2025, Tacomas made up 7.1% of the market share in Hawai‘i, according to a 

 from the Hawai‘i Automobile Dealers Association.

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

MY26 Tacoma Hawaii Edition 22

<title>Servco Pacific unveils exclusive Hawai‘i edition Toyota Tacoma</title>

The Tacoma has been Hawai‘i's top-selling vehicle for 25 years.

Servco Pacific unveils exclusive Hawai‘i edition Toyota Tacoma

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Crime & Courts

 the City and County of Honolulu after she was fined nearly $600,000 over an improper apartment listing.

In 2019, Sandra May needed a tenant. She had owned a home on Wilhelmina Rise since the 1970s, with a lower unit in the home available for rent by long-term tenants. But after her husband died in 2019, May, living on a fixed Social Security income, needed to make ends meet, but couldn’t find another tenant.

To broaden her search, May listed the unit on several online rental platforms. But May — who her attorney Loren Seehase said “struggles to utilize any kind of technology” — had inadvertently listed the unit as available for less than 30 days.

That same year, the City and County adopted an 

 hiking up fines against property owners illegally hosting short-term rentals. Violators could be fined up to $10,000 for each day a violation persists.

In November 2019, May received a notice of a violation from the city regarding an online property listing. She promptly corrected the listing to show that the unit was only available for periods of 30 days or more, and believed the matter to be done.

Two years later, after the lifting of the Covid-era moratorium on evicting tenants for non-payment of rent, May again was in need of new tenants. Once again she listed the unit online, once again (in 2023) she received a notice of violation from the city, once again she corrected the listing, once again she thought the matter over.

In April 2024, it happened again. Only this time, because this was a recurring violation, the city informed May that she would incur daily $10,000 fines until the listings were corrected.

Unfortunately, May spent much of late March and April in and out of the hospital following a car crash and other medical procedures. By the time she learned of the violation and was able to correct it, 59 days had elapsed — and now she owed the city $590,000.

On the same day, the city also placed a $10,000 lien on May’s property stemming from the second violation.

“She’s like, ‘you know you’re going to put an old lady out on the street,’” Seehase told Aloha State Daily. “‘I can’t pay this, you’d have to take my home.’ And the city responded by saying ‘Well, I guess you’d better get an attorney.’ So, it was a very callous response. Poor Sandra was in tears about it, and there was no conversation, there was no negotiating, there was no listening to reason.”

May sought out attorneys, who referred her to the Pacific Legal Foundation, a public interest law firm that focuses on property rights cases. Even better for May, the PLF works pro bono, Seehase said.

Seehase said the letter informing May of how much she owed the city did not mention any way to challenge the fines. Without a mechanism within ordinances to challenge the situation, Seehase said the only option is to challenge it on constitutional grounds, in federal court.

In particular, Seehase said the case could be argued to be in violation of the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. That amendment most famously concerns “cruel and unusual punishment,” but also protects against excessive fines.

Seehase said other Eighth Amendment cases have attempted to determine whether particular fines are so ruinous they will destroy a person’s livelihood, weighed in proportion to the actual crime itself.

In this particular case, Seehase said, May’s mistake brought no harm to anybody other than herself.

“This is not the type of situation where we’ve got like a building code violation and lives are imminently in danger,” Seehase said. “This is an advertisement, so there was no harm done to anyone.”

On the other side of the coin, Seehase said the $10,000-per-day fines are the absolute maximum allowed by city ordinance, and that the city could have chosen to reduce those fines at their discretion. Because the city hit May with the $590,000 fines and the $10,000 lien on the same day, Seehase said that “it really kind of appeared that the city went on a vendetta … against poor Sandra.”

Seehase emphasized that, regardless of how the listings may have appeared online, May did not ever offer the property for periods of less than 30 days. If a person attempted to book the property for less than 30 days, May would cancel the booking.

May is seeking relief through the federal court, not monetary damages, Seehase said. Should they win, the court will determine an appropriate remedy, potentially including a partial or total reduction of the fines.

Seehase said the City and County has 21 days to respond once they have been served.

A spokesman for the Department of Planning and Permitting told ASD the department cannot comment on pending litigation.

Sandra May rentalsign 610x407 16x9

<title>Octogenarian sues Honolulu over $600,000 fines</title>

Sandra May was told she owed the city hundreds of thousands of dollars over an improper online rental listing.

Octogenarian sues Honolulu over $600,000 fines

Igor Lytvynchuk, the Washington man charged with throwing a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal, had his first court appearance in Honolulu on Wednesday.

Lytvynchuk, 38, appeared in U.S. District Court to plead "not guilty" to two charges of illegal taking of an endangered marine mammal. Those charges stem from 

 on May 5 when a man — later identified by investigators as Lytvynchuk — was recorded on video hurling a rock at a monk seal on a Maui beach, seemingly only narrowly missing the animal’s head.

As any form of harassment of an endangered seal violates both the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, that single rock incurred two charges. Both charges are misdemeanor offenses, carrying a maximum possible sentence of one year in prison each, although Magistrate Judge Rom Trader told Lytvynchuk Wednesday that there is no guarantee, if he is found guilty, that he will face the full maximum sentence.

Lytvynchuk was arrested May 13 near Seattle by special agents of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Following an initial court appearance in Washington, the case was transferred to the District of Hawai‘i.

Lytvynchuk had little opportunity to speak at Wednesday’s hearing, confirming in one or two words that he understood Trader’s description of the legal process ahead of him. While his “not guilty” plea drew murmurs from the several dozen people in the gallery, he made no statement about his actions during or after the hearing.

However, a lawyer for Lytvynchuk had previously told media that Lytvynchuk had supposedly believed the seal to be a sea lion threatening sea turtles.

Trader ordered Lytvynchuk to be released on an unsecured $25,000 bond with several conditions, including that Lytvynchuk surrender his passport and all travel documents, that he not change addresses without approval from his pretrial officer, and that his travel is restricted to the Western District of Washington — a U.S. court district covering the state west of the Cascade Mountains — and O‘ahu for court purposes only.

Furthermore, when on O‘ahu, Lytvynchuk is prohibited from accessing any beaches or approaching any marine wildlife, Trader said.

“I think that’s an appropriately tailored restriction, given the circumstances,” Trader said.

Failing to comply with these conditions could result in a warrant for Lytvynchuk’s arrest and put him in jail until trial.

Lytvynchuk is also required to be present at future court hearings. However, Trader said he is inclined to waive that requirement for certain minor hearings and allow Lytvynchuk to appear remotely.

For example, the next hearing date is scheduled for June 9, where attorneys for both sides will set a mutually agreeable trial date and other deadlines. Trader agreed with Lytvynchuk’s attorney Sean Fitzsimmons that Lytvynchuk’s physical presence at that hearing will not be necessary.

Screenshot 2026 05 27 at 3 58 24 PM 16x9

<title>Lytvynchuk pleads 'not guilty' in monk seal case</title>

Igor Lytvynchuk will be barred from O‘ahu beaches as his court case over an alleged attack on a Hawaiian monk seal continues.

Lytvynchuk pleads 'not guilty' in monk seal case

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

Food & Dining

The Hawaiʻi Food and Wine Festival is set to return this fall with this theme: traditions and heritage. Last week, the festival announced 11 events, including ones on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island and Maui, as part of a launch event held at the Prince Waikīkī.

This year, the festival’s theme reflects on the cultural roots of Hawaiʻi’s culinary and agricultural communities and celebrates local farmers, ranchers, fishers and chefs.

Denise Yamaguchi, the chief executive officer of Hawai‘i Food and Wine Festival and the Hawai‘i Ag & Culinary Alliance, is looking forward to the evolution of the Feast Summit. 

The conversations that began during our inaugural Feast Summit last year were so impactful that they led to the creation of Feast: Dish & Dialogue, our podcast series that extended those discussions far beyond the conference itself," she told ASD via email after the May 22 launch event. "Through conversations with chefs, educators, farmers, hospitality leaders and innovators, the podcast reinforced something we deeply believe — that food and culinary belong at the center of the plate when we talk about Hawai‘i’s future."

Proceeds from tickets support culinary education and workforce development, as well as local agriculture and sustainability initiatives. To date, the festival has raised more than $5.2 million for these causes.

Now in its 16th year, the festival originally started with a three-day culinary event co-founded by James Beard Award-winning chefs 

“When Roy and I first started the festival, we wanted to create opportunities for the next generation coming up behind us,” Wong told attendees at the launch event. “One of the most meaningful things we've seen is the impact of the festival on culinary students here in Hawaiʻi. This past year, students had the opportunity to work side-by-side with world-renowned chefs, asking questions, observing technique, helping execute events, and building relationships that can shape the course of their careers. I wish I had that opportunity when I was going to school. What makes the festival special is that students aren't just watching from the sidelines, they're interacting directly with mentors and industry leaders from around the world.”

The festival is a program of the Hawaiʻi Ag & Culinary Alliance, a nonprofit that spotlights Hawaiʻi as a world-class culinary destination and supports the farmers, chefs and students who call Hawaiʻi home.

Here are the upcoming events, listed by island:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Hawai‘i Island"}]

Second Annual Cuisines of the Sun Golf Classic

Hosted by Alan Wong; Presented by HPM Design Centers

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Friday, Oct. 16"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Mauna Kea Golf Course "}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Smoked, Shucked & Cured"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Saturday, Oct. 17"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"6 p.m. – 9:00 p.m."}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Mauna Kea Beach Hotel"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":" "}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"O‘ahu"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Feast Summit"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Thursday, Nov. 5"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"9 a.m. – 4:45 p.m."}]

Speakers and session topics will be announced in June

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Sheraton Waikīkī Beach Resort"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Culture in AgriCULTURE"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Presented by Kamehameha Schools"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Friday, Nov. 6"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"9 a.m. – 1 p.m."}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Kāko‘o ‘Ōiwi"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"24K Magic"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"6 p.m. – 9 p.m."}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"The Greatest Hits"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Presented by Hawaiian Airlines"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Saturday, Nov. 7"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Kapi‘olani Community College Great Lawn"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"The Breakfast Club"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Sunday, Nov. 8"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"11 a.m. – 1 p.m."}]

Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort and Spa 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"BTS: Beyond the Seoul"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"5 p.m. – 9 p.m."}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Halekulani Hotel"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Maui"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Presented by First Hawaiian Bank"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Friday, Oct. 23"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Kāʻanapali Golf Course"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Saturday, Oct. 24"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Sunday, Oct. 25"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows"}]

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Hawaiʻi Food and Wine Festival

<title>Hawaiʻi Food and Wine Festival announces line-up</title>

The festival features renowned chefs across three Islands this year. Learn about the 11 events the festival announced on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island and Maui.

Hawaiʻi Food and Wine Festival announces line-up

Government & Politics

The outgoing director of the Department of Law Enforcement has no intention to serve as deputy police chief for the time being.

Mike Lambert was one of three finalists under consideration for the role of chief of the Honolulu Police Department. But despite endorsements by Gov. Josh Green and the vast majority of the State of Hawai‘i Organization of Police Officers, the Honolulu Police Commission 

 to appoint David Lazar, formerly of the San Francisco Police Department, to the role.

The seven-person commission cast five votes for Lazar, and two for Lambert.

While Lambert told media Friday that he has made his peace with the commission’s decision, and still intends to rejoin HPD this year after leaving DLE, he said he doesn’t plan to serve as Lazar’s deputy for the foreseeable future, if Lazar were to offer the role.

“I think the deputy chief has to be in absolute alignment and be willing to defend the character … as well as the vision of the chief, and I’m just getting to know him,” Lambert said.

Lambert said he might reconsider taking the deputy role in a few years “if [he believes] in his vision and what he’s doing, but it’s not a position you should take unless you can look him in the eye and say that.”

One of the largest differences of opinion between Lambert and Lazar was their opinion on Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Lazar took a hardline stance against HPD ever collaborating with ICE, mirroring a non-cooperation policy held at SFPD, while Lambert said a police chief “can’t say never.”

Whether that difference of opinion played a major role in the commission’s decision, Lambert couldn’t speculate — he said “there were questions about [his] professional development and lack thereof.” However, he said Lazar will have a “steep climb” in winning the support of HPD and the community.

 in front of the Honolulu Police Department against Lazar’s hiring.

“We should be hiring from within and working with … the talent we have here,” Fevella said. “We hire people that’s retired to come here and get a job, and he’s going to be vested for a whole five years. And then he says he’s going to ‘help us.’ Help us, train people so we can hire no more outsiders.”

Fevella called the commission’s decision a “slap in the face … and a kick between the legs” of the Hawai‘i community.

Lambert said he believes many in the community are frustrated that their voices are not being heard. While he said he hopes HPD officers will give Lazar a chance, he added that many officers are concerned about policies at SFPD — such as the ICE policy or the elimination of cash bail — being echoed here.

“I do think he’s coming from a good place,” Lambert said, explaining that Lazar called him the day after the commission’s decision. “I think that he’s sincere and it’s just a matter of being able to deliver the things that the community wants.”

For the time being, Lambert will return to work as an HPD officer — starting over at the bottom of the ladder as a beat cop, he said.

While Lambert said he hopes to be allowed to test for a lieutenant rank when he rejoins, he added that he’s won HPD’s sergeant of the year, lieutenant of the year and manager of the year, but never HPD’s officer of the year.

[{"type":"text","text":"“So I’ll see if I can win that next year,” Lambert joked."}]

However, Lambert said he doesn’t think he’ll run for chief a third time, having been passed over four years ago and again this year.

“I put my family through this twice,” Lambert said. “Part of me feels very selfish for doing that.”

And, Lambert hinted that he has other job offers waiting in the wings. Once he finishes the five more years he needs to secure his retirement benefits, he said he “definitely [wants] to spread [his] wings and help the community in other ways.”

Lambert repeatedly thanked his family, Green and everyone who supported him through the selection process.

So far, Lambert’s last day at DLE and first day back at HPD have not been determined. He has recommended that Jared Redulla, Deputy Director at DLE, take his place upon his departure.

Lambert

<title>Lambert says no to deputy chief role for the time being</title>

Mike Lambert, who will return to HPD later this year, won't be incoming Chief David Lazar's deputy for the foreseeable future, nor will he run again for the top spot, he said Friday.

Daily Smile: Saturday, May 30, 2026

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Daily Smile: Saturday, May 30, 2026

Authors

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