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Smile 26 6 4

<title>Daily Smile: Thursday, June 4, 2026</title>

Not a fan of bees...

Daily Smile: Thursday, June 4, 2026

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Crime & Courts

The Honolulu Police Department will shift 100 officers to patrol duties beginning November.

 announced Thursday that the department will move 100 officers from duties throughout HPD as a shift to get as many officers back on the road as possible.

“It means more officers on the road,” Lazar said. “It also means officers are available to respond when someone calls for help. It means we’re working to reduce response times and getting officers to those who need them sooner, and it ultimately means we can continue providing emergency police services without having to reduce our response capabilities.”

Lazar added that the move will also reduce overtime expenses. He said HPD’s overtime budget is about $6.8 million each quarter, but in the first quarter of 2026, that budget was exceeded by another $6 million.

“We just don’t have enough officers in patrol to do the work,” Lazar said. “We have beats, we have shift work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and so a lot of that overtime was spent to make sure that we have enough officers to do the work.”

The officers to be on patrol will be reallocated from throughout the department, from the chief’s office and the criminal investigations unit, to the traffic unit, training division, human resources, the narcotics and vice unit and more. Furthermore, where officers who finished field training would previously go to an additional training unit called “fourth watch,” they will now be put on patrol alongside another officer.

“Make no mistake, we still will investigate narcotics crimes,” Lazar said. “We’ll still go after gambling houses. We are still going to investigate every single type of crime that’s occurring.”

But while Lazar said the shift will not “sacrifice any ongoing investigation,” he also said that patrols are the primary focus for the time being, and investigations are secondary.

The shift does not have a specific end date. Lazar said the new state of affairs will continue for the time being as officer recruitment continues.

“There’s really no time limit on it, other than that we have to keep this in place until we have enough officers in patrol, and then we can start looking at … other elements that we need to refill again,” Lazar said.

But Lazar said officer recruitment is strong, with a class of 32 new recruits expected to graduate at the end of the month. Nonetheless, he said officer numbers are still some 200-300 short of the 2,177 officers the department is budgeted for.

The response from the rank-and-file is still unknown; Lazar said Thursday that he had informed the department as a whole about the change only about 15 minutes before the media were informed. Nonetheless, he said that “officers wanting to leave or retire [because of the change] have not crossed [his] mind.”

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi commended Lazar on his “flexibility [and] willingness to think differently,” and said his decision simultaneously addresses a financial challenge while improving public safety.

Lazar

<title>100 HPD officers to be reassigned to patrol</title>

Scores of officers will be reallocated to patrol duties next month, HPD Chief David Lazar announced Thursday.

100 HPD officers to be reassigned to patrol

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Aloha Spirit

’s Trini Kaopuiki Clark is planning to leave her role as president and CEO at the end of October for a new opportunity at Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association, or HMSA.

Chief Development Officer Madalyn Kenney Bumanglag will step up to serve in the interim to continue the organization’s “work of creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses across the state,” per an announcement from the nonprofit earlier this month.

“Trini has led Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi with heart, vision and an unwavering commitment to wish children and their families,” said Board Chair Cayenne Pe‘a in a statement. “We are immensely proud of all she has accomplished and deeply grateful for the strong, resilient organization she leaves behind. Madalyn’s experience, steady leadership and devotion to our mission make her exceptionally prepared to guide the organization forward. With our dedicated staff, volunteers, donors and community partners, Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi will continue ensuring children across the state experience the hope, strength and joy of a life-changing wish.”

Clark became Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi’s president and CEO in 2019, after a 20-year career in broadcast journalism. Under her leadership, the organization navigated granting wishes through the Covid-19 pandemic amid gathering restrictions, moved headquarters and saw an increase in annual fundraising.

“Although I am stepping away from my role, this mission — and the incredible community behind it — will always remain close to my heart. I look forward to staying connected to the mission as a volunteer and donor,” she told Aloha State Daily in an emailed response to questions.

Clark shared more with ASD about her tenure with the nonprofit and what’s on the horizon.

What prompted this decision for you to leave Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi right now?

The opportunity came to me during a season of transition for my family, when we were preparing our youngest to leave for college and my husband had recently decided to leave his job. That made me more open to change than I might have been even a month or two earlier. Additionally, the timing felt right because Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi is strong, stable and well-positioned for the future. With a talented leadership team, a committed board and a clear strategic direction in place, I felt confident that this was the right moment to pass the torch and embrace a new challenge. That said, leaving Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi was one of the most difficult decisions of my career. The mission and the people there have had a profound impact on me over the years.

Ultimately, the opportunity to join HMSA as vice president of strategic communications and marketing was one that aligned with both my professional interests and my desire to continue serving the people of Hawaiʻi in a different capacity.

What skills/experiences from this role will you take with you to the next one?

This role has taught me so much about leadership and the critical importance of people, purpose, and relationships. I've also learned a lot about how to build and lead high-performing teams, navigate challenges, communicate through periods of change, and align diverse stakeholders around a common mission. 

Most importantly, Make-A-Wish has reinforced my belief in the importance of aloha. Almost always, if your decisions and actions are guided by aloha and empathy, you're going to be okay. Every decision we make affects real people, and I will carry that perspective with me to HMSA.

How was the organization when you first joined, versus how you are leaving it? What improvements around staffing, operations, funding, etc., are you most proud of?

When I joined Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi, it was already a respected organization with a passionate team and strong community support. Today, the chapter has greater capacity, more efficient operations and a stronger foundation for long-term sustainability.

I’m particularly proud of the investments we’ve made in our people and the strong, healthy culture we’ve built around mission excellence and employee engagement. I’m also proud of how we guided the chapter through the pandemic, achieved record-breaking fundraising results, and earned local and national recognition for excellence and innovation. Those honors include first place in Hawaiʻi Business Magazine’s Best Places to Work for Women category and first place in Pacific Business News’ Hawaiʻi’s Best Workplaces competition.

Most importantly, we've remained focused on the children we serve. Every operational or financial improvement was designed to ensure that all eligible children can receive the transformative experience of a wish.

What is your most treasured memory from your time with 

Without question, I will miss the people. I have had the privilege of working alongside an extraordinary staff, board of directors, volunteers, medical partners, donors, and wish families who show up every day to make the impossible possible for local children.

I will also miss witnessing the life-changing impact of a wish. There is something incredibly powerful about seeing a child reclaim hope, joy, and strength during a difficult medical journey. Being part of those moments is indescribable. I never take for granted the privilege of being part of those experiences.

It’s difficult to choose just one memory because there have been so many extraordinary moments. I’ll never forget Lyla’s wish to be a Navy SEAL, when more than 100 volunteers showed up to play the “bad guys,” or watching Atticus perform on stage with his musical hero, Mr. Rob. I will also treasure the memories I’ve made with our amazing team. They inspire me every day, and I am a better person for having worked alongside them.

Currently, what are the organization's short- and long-term priorities?

In the short term, our priority is ensuring that every eligible child in Hawaiʻi has access to the life-changing power of a wish. That includes increasing referrals, reducing wait times, and continuing to rebuild and strengthen the wish pipeline.

Long term, the focus is on sustainable growth: strengthening awareness of the mission, deepening community partnerships and securing the organization’s financial stability for generations to come. The recently adopted strategic plan provides a clear roadmap for achieving those goals.

What is your best piece of advice for your successor?

Stay focused on the mission and never lose sight of the child at the center of every decision.

And remember, people are at the core of everything we do. Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi has been successful because of its people. Invest in your staff, trust their expertise, support their growth, and create a culture where everyone feels seen, heard, appreciated, and connected to the impact they're making.

Trini with Wish Kid Kainoa

<title>Trini Clark reflects on time with Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi, looks ahead to role at HMSA</title>

Clark will depart from her role as president and CEO of the nonprofit at the end of this month after more than seven years in the role. Chief Development Officer Madalyn Kenney Bumanglag will step up to serve in the interim to continue the organization’s “work of creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses across the state.”

Trini Clark reflects on time with Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi, looks ahead to role at HMSA

De Soto 2025

DeSoto Brown

Hawai‘i History

Columnists

Do you remember Ward Warehouse? It was something of a landmark in Kaka‘ako once, but after being demolished nearly 10 years ago it’s now on its way to being forgotten.

The Ward family is foundational to the history of Kaka‘ako. Back in the 19th century, the clan came to own a large tract of land stretching from their private home that was just across King Street from Thomas Square, all the way down to what is now Kewalo Basin. This ownership, of course, is the origin of the name Ward Avenue for the street that formed most of the boundary of the property on its ‘Ewa side.

By the middle of the 20th century, the Ward land contained a mix of private homes and a variety of business tenants. The family-owned corporation that managed the property, Victoria Ward Ltd., started taking small steps towards more lucrative tenants in the 1950s but ramped up its redevelopment goals in the early 1960s by constructing a series of modern, low-rise structures.

A major new commitment came in early 1974 with the start of construction of Ward Warehouse on a 4.1 acre site between Ala Moana Boulevard, Ward Avenue and Auahi Street. The location had some special considerations in that it was covered by two very different types of zoning: one was for retail while the other was strictly for wholesale and industrial uses. The latter category was slightly problematic for what was intended as, essentially, a shopping center open to the public, and initially required a careful selection of tenants.

Designed by architect Steve Au, Ward Warehouse had a notably 1970s appearance. The hippie movement in the USA by this time had popularized more earthy, natural materials, so the complex’s exteriors were dark-stained wood, inspired in particular by a trend-setting development called Sea Ranch in California from the late 1960s. The only outside decorations were sections of bold painted “supergraphics” in geometric patterns. Industrial elements were not covered up but were openly displayed; on the outside, pipes and fittings were painted in bright colors to show them off, along with some oversized machine parts that were installed purely as decor. Inside the rental spaces, high ceilings showed undisguised conduits, light fixtures and air-conditioning ducts. Floors were concrete and walls were mostly unpainted wood. The effect was “honesty” in materials vs shiny synthetic surfaces.

Ward Warehouse opened with 87 tenant spaces; some interiors had the potential for the construction of mezzanines. Parking on the ground level accommodated 250 vehicles while the four-level concrete garage had 400 more spots. A soft opening for some businesses took place in time for Christmas 1974. By April 1975 the complex was placing large display ads in the Honolulu newspapers.

Those who are old enough to have patronized Ward Warehouse will undoubtedly remember particular stores or restaurants they regularly visited. For many people, the Old Spaghetti Factory at the far ‘Ewa end, with its two-story interior spaces, was surely a favorite (it has since moved to Aloha Tower). Embellished by numerous antique light fixtures and other old-time props which the company had been able to accumulate when such items were mostly inexpensive salvage goods from the demolition of 80- or 90-year-old structures in the USA, the low-cost restaurant had a unique feeling in its diverse seating areas.

Of course many other businesses came and went through Ward Warehouse over the years. There was the Liquor Collection which was filled with limited-edition figural ceramic specialty bottles, stores just for outdoor furniture, kitchenware, and flags, and the Nohea Gallery for local artwork of all kinds.

Ward Warehouse was never intended to last throughout the ages. A 1969 newspaper article quoted a statement from Victoria Ward Ltd that said offices and high-rise structures were eventually planned along Ala Moana Boulevard. Closure of the shopping center came on July 31, 2017 followed by demolition that began in November.

Howard Hughes Corporation, by then the owner of the site, first announced that two “ultraluxury” towers would soon rise here, the Ward Village Gateway. One of these was to be the 

 with units offered for prices ranging from $1.3 million to $23 million; these were first put on sale in 2015. But in 2018 the entire project was dropped, even after Howard Hughes had spent $29 million on it, and 28 of the 125 apartments in the Cylinder had been sold. In 2019 Victoria Place was approved for construction on the Waikīkī end of the property. Next to it was the start of the new Victoria Ward Park which would eventually occupy what had been the center part of Ward Warehouse.

However, it wouldn’t be until 2025 that one of the familiar construction cranes would finally be erected on the rest of the former Ward Warehouse, signaling yet another of the Kaka‘ako condominiums to come: Kalae.

1 Ward ad 1 16x9

<title>Changing Kaka‘ako: Remembering Ward Warehouse</title>

Ward Warehouse was never meant to last — even the previous owners who built it, Victoria Ward Ltd, always intended for offices and high-rises to take its place. But it had a four-decade run from its 1975 opening to its 2017 demolition, featuring such businesses as Old Spaghetti Factory, Orson's, The Liquor Collection, Nohea Gallery and more. Here's a look back at the shopping center, including a glimpse of the neighborhood before Ward Warehouse came along and fishing, rather than shopping, was the area's industry.

Changing Kaka‘ako: Remembering Ward Warehouse

Government & Politics

Honolulu’s new police chief promised to make Honolulu “the safest community in America” at a swearing-in ceremony Thursday.

, the former assistant police chief of San Francisco, began his position as Honolulu Police Chief Thursday with much pomp and circumstance, with state and county officials, and dozens of HPD officers, packed into the Mission Memorial Auditorium to witness him take his oath of office.

And although Lazar acknowledged he fights an uphill battle as the first Honolulu Police Chief hired from outside the department in 90 years, he and other speakers were optimistic about the future of HPD and the county.

“[HPD officers] require, deserve, and demand to have an exceptional lead at the helm,” said Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “I really believe that’s what we’re providing … I could not be more excited for all of you in the road ahead.”

Laurie Foster, chair of the Honolulu Police Commission, said Lazar stood out during the candidate selection process by virtue of his experience — he served with SFPD for 33 years — and his knowledge of 21st Century policing, but also because of his humility. She said although Lazar comes to HPD as an outsider, he expressed a desire to collaborate with the community, rather than impose his will upon it.

“Can an outsider come to Honolulu and … will this community accept this outsider?” Foster said. “We all know Hawai‘i can be a little brutal if they don’t [accept someone] sometimes. But … we thought that, given the humility, the style of this leader … we should make this decision.”

Lazar said Thursday that the HPD rank-and-file have his total support and that he wants to create a department where the officers feel the leadership has their backs. After his swearing-in ceremony, he said his first task was to visit stations around the island to listen to the concerns of his officers and staff: he said his “listening and learning tour” would begin later Thursday with a visit to HPD’s 911 dispatch center, followed by a visit to Wai‘anae Police Station that evening.

Lazar said the decision to visit Wai‘anae first was made in order to demonstrate that he is listening to West O‘ahu officers, as well.

As far as planned changes to HPD, Lazar did not get into specifics Thursday, although he reiterated many of the goals he spoke about during the 

: he said at modernizing the department with new technologies, improving working conditions of HPD officers, developing more data-driven approaches, building transparency, and more.

“We have a lot of work to do, but we have to be very methodical in terms of what we implement,” Lazar said Thursday. “We don’t want to do too much change too fast and we don’t want to do no change. We want to make sure that the pace is acceptable to the members of this department.”

And once again, Lazar promised that when he leaves the department, the next Honolulu Police Chief will be chosen from within HPD.

“I have met the talent, and the talent is here at HPD,” Lazar said. “You will be ready for the moment, as I am today.”

LazarSwearingIn

<title>David Lazar sworn in as new HPD chief</title>

Lazar, former assistant chief for the San Francisco Police Department, is HPD's 13th chief, and the first to be hired from outside the department in 90 years.

Daily Smile: Thursday, June 4, 2026

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Daily Smile: Thursday, June 4, 2026

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