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[{"type":"text","text":"Best backup singer ever..."}]

Smile 26 6 3

<title>Daily Smile: Wednesday, June 3, 2026</title>

Best backup singer ever...

Daily Smile: Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

Aloha Spirit

This year, the Native Hawaiian Convention returns to Honolulu after five years away from Oʻahu. Hosted by Hawaiian Council, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, the event will take place Monday, July 20, through Wednesday, July 22, at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center

The convention brings together Native Hawaiian leaders, cultural practitioners, policymakers, educators and community members for three days of activities and conversations. It will immediately be followed by the Queen Liliʻuokalani Keiki Hula Festival, an invitational competition for keiki between the ages of six and 12 years old. The festival 

which runs Thursday, July 23, through Saturday, July 25 

“It is super important for us that we celebrate our 25th anniversary of our beginnings back here home in Hawaiʻi on Oʻahu,” Mehanaokala Hind, senior advisor to the CEO, executive office for Hawaiian Council, told Aloha State Daily. “After being away from Oʻahu for five years, we're so excited to be back home and be back in a venue that can host the growing audience that we have that's participating in the convention.”

start at $230 for Hawaiian Council members and $305 for non members. To make the convention more accessible, a limited number of need-based scholarships are available. Participants must 

In recent years, the convention garnered about 2,000 participants, Hind said, adding that the convention has outgrown the hotels in Waikīkī, especially for breakout sessions.

Last year, the convention was held in Tulalip, Washington. Before that, events were held on Hawaiʻi Island, Maui and in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“We have things that have been consistent over the past couple years that our conventioners look forward to and look toward,” Hind said. “But this year, since we're back home, and since it's the 50th anniversary of the first landing on Kahoʻolawe, we're going to have a few breakouts dedicated to that and celebrating them, and also a Kilohana Award [will go] to the surviving members of the 

In addition, the convention will feature Nā Mea Hawaiʻi, a marketplace featuring Native Hawaiian artisans and 

, as well as a 24-hour film competition and panel discussions. Some of the topics addressed during the convention include efforts to return ʻāina to Hawaiian hands, aloha ʻāina in the age of artificial intelligence, water safety, storytelling, economic sovereignty, disaster recovery, health, and more.

On Monday, July 20, there will be a pre-convention workshop day with hands-on cultural workshops led by Kumu Hinaleimoana Wong, Kumu Hula Cody Pueo Pata, Kumu Hula Vicky Holt Takamine, Kumu Hula Lono Padilla, Lōpaka Kapanui, Haus of Puas, Kāhuli Leo Leʻa, the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs and Pā Kōnane, among others.

The following day, Tuesday, July 21, there will be a keynote address by Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green, and panel discussions on legal challenges facing Native Hawaiian programs and efforts to restore ʻāina to Hawaiian hands. There will also be breakout sessions on different topics.

For the final day of the convention, which is Wednesday, July 22, there will be a keynote address by Senate President Ron Kouchi and a mayor talk story event, moderated by Green, which includes Hawaiʻi Island Mayor Kimo Alameda, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi and Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami.

“We're going to bring our government leaders in, starting with the governor and all county mayors, which is a unique feature of ours that we've been able to command the attention of our lawmakers to be able to be present while we discuss those issues that are super important for us,” Hind said. “And then for this year — because of the recent challenges within the last year to the Native Hawaiian trusts — the trusts are going to speak.”

 that evening, which features music by Hoʻonuʻa, Three Plus and Manaʻo Company

 in honor of Hawaiian Council’s 25th anniversary.

“We have a great concert,” she said. “We know that our people love to gather around music. We're going to take it 25 years back to celebrate the 25 years of our existence, [and the] birth of our organization. We're going to do a throwback concert to back in the days about 25 years ago, and the bands that were celebrating with all of us.”

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Native Hawaiian Convention

<title>Native Hawaiian Convention returns to Honolulu</title>

Following a convention in Washington last year, the Native Hawaiian Convention hosted by Hawaiian Council has returned to Oʻahu. Learn about the speakers, hands-on cultural workshops and panel discussions planned for this year’s event. There will also be special dedicated events to remember the 50th anniversary of the first landing on Kahoʻolawe.

Native Hawaiian Convention returns to Honolulu

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

Food & Dining

A new exclusive partnership between The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikīkī Beach and 

Ladurée will bring the Parisian pâtisserie, known for its macarons, to Hawai‘i for the first time.

Launching in celebration of the hotel's 10-year anniversary, the collab introduces a "collection of elevated guest experiences" that culminate in the debut of a pop-up 

Ladurée cafe in December, an announcement from the luxury hotel noted.

Designed as an "immersive extension of the Ladurée brand," the hotel says that the seasonal experience will transform the hotel's outdoor terrace into a Parisian-inspired garden where guests can "linger over pastries and tea beneath cafe umbrellas surrounded by lush greenery."

The partnership also includes The Ritz-Carlton Suite Collection Tea Experience with Ladurée, which is available exclusively for guests staying in the hotel's three top-floor suites, which were introduced as part of an 

According to the announcement, the bookable, in-residence tea experience will be available through the end of the year and features a curated selection of Ladurée teas paired with its macarons, 

Eugénies and other signature sweets, presented in the suites.

The holiday season pop-up market, which is expected to open Dec. 4, will be 

Ladurée's first activation in the Islands.

"Centered around Ladurée's signature pâtisserie cart and inspired by the famed Parisian maison, the elegant outdoor cafe will invite guests to enjoy Ladurée's famed macarons, Eugénies and other signature confections beneath café umbrellas with intimate bistro seating, blending the timeless elegance of Paris with the relaxed sophistication of Waikīkī," the announcement notes.

You'll also be able to buy gift boxes of the brand's macarons and Eugénie cookies.

Hotel officials made the announcement during a media luncheon on Wednesday.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikīkī Beach, told Aloha State Daily following the luncheon and announcement that General Manager Mike Kass wanted to choose an iconic luxury brand that was not available in Hawai‘i, "because we know, especially me, for someone who's born and raised in Hawai‘i ... we go crazy, we love brands that aren't available in Hawai‘i."

"When we came across Ladurée, we thought, 'Oh my gosh, we see these similarities in between the Ritz Carlton and Ladurée,'" he continued. "We share the same values. We really are all about the craftsmanship, the pursuit of excellence, the attention to detail, and we're both iconic brands, so it was a natural fit."

"Ten years ago, we set out to create a residential luxury experience unlike anything else in Hawaiʻi, and since then, we have remained committed to thoughtfully evolving the guest experience in ways that reflect both the spirit of Oʻahu and the expectations of today’s global traveler,” Kass said in the announcement. “Ladurée is an iconic brand whose dedication to craftsmanship, artistry and timeless hospitality aligns beautifully with our own. This collaboration allows us to celebrate 10-year milestone and journey into a new era by introducing a collection of distinctive experiences that blend French elegance with the warmth and sense of place that define our property.”

As far as the response they're expecting, Vo says, "I've seen what the kama‘āina impact and effect does for brands' foray into the Hawai‘i market. I think we need to be prepared."

Vo says, too, that while the cafe will debut for the holiday season, it will remain open past New Years. More details, including hours of operation and reservations, are coming soon.

La durre ritz carlton residences 071526

<title>The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikīkī Beach to partner with Ladurée</title>

The exclusive partnership will bring the French pâtisserie, known for its macarons, to Hawai‘i for the first time.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikīkī Beach to partner with Ladurée

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

 is offering a new Sunday brunch buffet. The 

-based restaurant — known for its ocean views and live music — previously offered its buffet for special occasions like Father’s Day and Mother’s Day. Since it was a popular feature, the restaurant’s goal is to eventually offer it every Sunday.

The all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch buffet costs $60 per adult ($25 for kids ages 12 years and under; children 3 years and under have free admission). There’s a 90-minute time limit and 20% automatic gratuity.

The brunch buffet starts at 9 a.m. and features live music from 10 a.m. It’s held in the restaurant’s banquet room.

Buffet highlights include steamed crab legs, a prime rib carving station, made-to-order omelets, poke, assorted desserts and breakfast staples like fried rice, Portuguese sausage and pancakes.

 to see when the next buffet will be. Reservations are recommended; restaurant updates will be posted via Instagram.

Beach House by 604 buffet spread 071326

<title>The Beach House by 604 is offering a new Sunday brunch buffet</title>

The Waiʻanae restaurant’s new Sunday brunch buffet features prime rib, crab legs and made-to-order omelets. The buffet was popular with customers for special occasions like Father’s Day, so the restaurant’s goal is to offer it every Sunday.

The Beach House by 604 is offering a new Sunday brunch buffet

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Crime & Courts

A Waialua man was convicted Monday of funneling funds to Iran in defiance of U.S. sanctions.

Between 2016 and 2022, Arash Einolghozati, 37, made dozens of online transfers, sending money and cryptocurrency to people in Iran, without a license from the U.S. Department of the Treasury authorizing him to do so.

The Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations prohibit any person in the U.S. from transporting any goods or services, including funds, to Iran or anyone within Iran. Nonetheless, according to an FBI investigation, Einolghozati conspired with several others to do exactly that.

An FBI investigator reported that Einolghozati immigrated to the U.S. from Iran and became a lawful permanent resident here around April 2016. Since his arrival, Einolghozati resided in part in Hawai‘i.

Einolghozati reportedly communicated via email with two other people — an American and a Canadian citizen — in 2017, discussing the transfer of funds to unspecified people in Iran. In that conversation, Einolghozati reportedly stated he wanted to move up to $90,000 to the country.

Then, in 2017, Einolghozati used the cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase to transfer cryptocurrencies valued at about $18,000 to a user the FBI investigator believed was an Iranian citizen.

In 2020, Einolghozati then made 72 separate transactions which transferred about $108,000 in cryptocurrency to another Iranian Coinbase user.

The FBI investigator also noted several other miscellaneous Coinbase transactions Einolghozati made between 2020 and 2021 to various users, including one series of 19 payments totaling nearly $36,000 to one user, who, the investigator believed, transferred the money to different Iranian cryptocurrency exchanges.

An affidavit by the FBI investigator claimed that the FBI interviewed Einolghozati in October of 2024. During the interview, Einolghozati reportedly claimed he never knowingly sent any cryptocurrency to Iranian exchanges; he claimed his transactions were sent to repay a lost bet to one friend, to pay for another friend’s wife’s education, or to make crypto investments, not knowing the end recipients were in Iran.

However, the FBI investigator noted, these claims were contradicted by Einolghozati’s online conversations: one such conversation began with Einolghozati asking (in translated Farsi) “Can I send you dollars in some way and you give it to someone in Iran?”

Einolghozati was charged in 2024 with violating the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations. On July 13, he pled guilty. He faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million, and will be sentenced on Oct. 29.

Courtfed

<title>Waialua man pleads guilty to violating Iran sanctions</title>

Arash Einolghozati sent thousands of dollars to people in Iran despite longstanding economic sanctions.

Waialua man pleads guilty to violating Iran sanctions

[{"type":"text","text":"If you’re driving too fast on South King Street, you’ll miss it."}]

 can be found at his red trailer — located on South King Street, between the 76 gas station and McDonald’s — on specific days of the week. He’s been in business for about 10 years serving up Tennessee-style barbecue.

“I learned how to cook from my grandfather in Tennessee,” says business owner Sean Paul Jones. He says he was one of 12 grandkids.

“My grandfather taught me how to cook barbecue,” he says. “Since I was a kid, he taught me how to barbecue and cook. For Tennessee-style (barbecue), we use a little dry rub mixed with the barbecue sauce; that’s what makes it really good.”

Jones, who previously worked as a contractor for the military, knew he wanted to start his own barbecue-centric business. He decided to name his business after his grandpa, Bozie Jones, in honor of the man who taught him how to cook.

Jones moved his red trailer around various locations on Oʻahu before settling on his current spot on South King Street.

“A lot of customers wanted me back (here); they kept asking me to come back,” he says.

Jones’ menu is simple, and comprises rib tips ($18), ribs ($24), brisket ($28), chicken ($17) and combo plates ($30). He says the ribs and brisket are the bestsellers.

[{"type":"text","text":"“Within two to three hours, the brisket sells out,” he says."}]

Jones prepares the meats with kiawe wood. He says it takes about three to four hours for the ribs and rib tips to cook.

All plates come with a side of baked beans and Jones’ housemade barbecue sauce.

“The sauce is my granddaddy’s special that he made in Tennessee,” Jones explains. “It’s a vinegar and mustard-based sauce.”

“It’s been a lot of work, and a lot of relationships have been built,” Jones says. “A lot of people keep coming back for the same barbecue.

“I wanted to bring part of the soul and love from Tennessee to Hawaiʻi, and infuse southern barbecue with Hawaiʻi by using kiawe wood,” he adds. “I didn’t just want to bring Tennessee here, but bring Hawaiʻi and Tennessee together.”

Jones’ trailer is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays to Fridays and Sundays. Earlier this year, he also opened a second location with Maunakea Marketplace in Chinatown; his food stall is open every day except Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Chinatown location’s menu is mostly the same as the one at the trailer, but it features more daily specials, according to Jones.

Bozie Jones BBQ owner 041626

<title>Where to find Tennessee-style barbecue in Honolulu</title>

Bozie Jones Barbecue — with its signature red trailer on South King Street — has been serving Tennessee-style barbecue for about nearly 10 years. Owner Sean Paul Jones learned how to cook barbecue from his grandfather in Tennessee, and now serves up brisket, barbecue ribs and rib tips.

Where to find Tennessee-style barbecue in Honolulu

Real Estate

Construction on a new affordable housing project in Central O‘ahu is complete and tenant applications are now being accepted.

Koa Vista is a new two-phase development located within Koa Ridge, Castle & Cooke Hawai‘i's 576-acre 

 situated between Mililani and Waipi‘o, that will offer a total of 192 affordable senior and family rentals in two mid-rise buildings. The project was developed by the nonprofit Homes Hawai‘i Inc. in partnership with GSF LLC.

Applications are now being accepted for the project's second phase. 

Koa Vista II has 97 one-bedroom apartment units for families with incomes at or below 80% of the area median income. Income limits vary by household size. For a household of two that's a limit of $97,280, and for a family of four it's $121,600. Find 

Rents, based on income levels, will range from $1,800 to $2,280, an announcement Thursday noted.

According to that announcement, each unit includes a refrigerator and range/oven, cable and high-speed internet access, window coverings and VCT flooring. Meanwhile, common areas include a multi-purpose room, laundry and office space, a victory garden and open park. There also will be about 110 parking stalls available for residents and guests.

The Koa Vista II building is complete and has passed all inspections, a representative for the developer told Aloha State Daily. The developer hopes the first qualified tenants can move in this summer, after a certificate of occupancy is issued, they said.

Property manager Hawai‘i Affordable Properties Inc. is handling the application process. Starting Friday, May 1, you'll be able to find and submit applications online at 

. Applications can also be picked up at and dropped off or mailed to the adjacent Koa Vista I at 94-1230 Hulukupuna St.

May 21 is the deadline to submit an application, which must be postmarked on or before that date to be accepted.

A blessing and dedication ceremony for the first phase of the project and a groundbreaking ceremony for the second phase 

. The general contractor for the $28 million second phase is 

, which opened to qualified seniors in the spring of 2025, is a $39 million, seven-story, 95-unit rental apartment building available to seniors who make between 30% and 60% of the annual median income, ASD previously reported.

 after two decades of planning and development, and welcomed its 

, its website notes. Approximately 3,500 new residential homes are planned for the development, along with shops and retailers, restaurants, parks and more, 

For more information on the application process, contact Jeanette Orrantia at 808-677-0309 or 

Koa Vista II apartment building 1

<title>Applications opening for new affordable rental project in Central O‘ahu</title>

The second phase of Koa Vista, a new two-phase development located within Castle & Cooke's Koa Ridge, has 97 one-bedroom apartment units for families with incomes at or below 80% of the area median income.

Daily Smile: Wednesday, June 3, 2026

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Daily Smile: Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Authors

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