ASD icon blue inverse lighter

ASD Staff

Daily Smile

[{"type":"text","text":"Not a fan of bees..."}]

Smile 26 6 4

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

Not a fan of bees...

Daily Smile: Thursday, June 4, 2026

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

The NBA's Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers are set to hold their respective preseason training camps on O‘ahu at the end of September, culminating with an exhibition game at the University of Hawai‘i's Stan Sheriff Center on Oct. 4. 

The Warriors will practice daily at BYU-Hawai‘i's Cannon Activities Center daily from Tuesday, Sept. 29 through Saturday, Oct. 3. 

Meanwhile, the Clippers will practice on UH-Mānoa's campus, also from Tuesday to Saturday. 

Both teams will then meet in an Oct. 4 exhibition at the Stan Sheriff Center, with tipoff set for 1 p.m. 

For the Warriors, the trip to the North Shore will be their sixth overall and most recent since 2024. The Warriors have played a total of 14 preseason games in Hawai‘i since 1974. 

The 2026-2027 season will mark the sixth time the Clippers have held training camp, all of which have been since 2017. 

The Warriors have seven NBA championships, including four in the last dozen seasons (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022), appearing in the NBA Finals six times in that span. Meanwhile, the Clippers have only been to the Conference Finals once in their history, advancing to the Western Conference Finals in 2021. 

Tickets for the exhibition game between the Warriors and Clippers on Oct. 4 will go on sale online at Ticketmaster.com. 

Stephen Curry 090126

<title>Two NBA teams to hold training camp in Hawai‘i, capped by exhibition game</title>

The Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers will hold an exhibition game at the Stan Sheriff Center on Oct. 4.

Two NBA teams to hold training camp in Hawai‘i, capped by exhibition game

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

Business & Tourism

re-located from Ward Centre to Ala Moana Center this past summer

 — is opening another location. Its Dimaond Head eatery is opening today on Monsarrat Avenue, in the former space of Gecko Girlz.

According to business owner James Webb, this Diamond Head location offers more seating for customers.

“This is a lot more seating than any of our other shops, even (the one at) Ward Centre,” he says. “Come hang out; do your work from our shop.”

The cafe serves its signature drinks, including the taro ube latte ($7.25-$7.75), royal honey latte ($7.25-$7.75) and cold brew on tap ($6-$6.75).

Customers can still look forward to popular dishes — like the breakfast burrito ($16), Ali‘i Maffles ($15), and avocado toast ($14) — for breakfast. The “Maffles” are the eatery’s version of mochi waffles.

The brie and balsamic toast ($14), roast beef sandwich ($17) and prosciutto pear flatbread ($17) are newer menu options (the latter two are available for lunch).

“We brought back some old things that we had (from our now-closed downtown Honolulu store), like the roast beef sandwich and prosciutto and pear flatbread,” Webb says.

He encourages customers to try the cafe’s affogatos, as the biz serves ice cream.

“We have a pistachio affogato; it’s pretty ono,” he says. “We’re doing a chocolate haupia affogato, as well.”

During its soft opening phase, Aliʻi Coffee Co.’s Diamond Head store will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Eventually, Webb says this location will be open in the later afternoon.

“We’re trying to slowly open; eventually, it’ll be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.,” he confirms.

“I think we’re going to gain a bunch of customers that we hadn’t had before, from this side of the island,” Webb adds. “I’m happy to see them — the new customers and a lot of the old ones that live on this side, too. I’m excited ... next year, we’re opening in Waipio.”

Alii Coffee Co Monsarrat James Webb 083126

<title>Aliʻi Coffee Co. opens on Monsarrat Avenue</title>

The coffee biz — which recently moved its Ward Centre store to Ala Moana Center — opened another location on Monsarrat Avenue. This location has a slightly different food menu — compared to the business’s other stores — and brought back dishes like the roast beef sandwich, brie and balsamic toast, and prosciutto pear flatbread.

Aliʻi Coffee Co. opens on Monsarrat Avenue

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

 has opened its newest location in Honolulu — guests and the community can now find the Korean convenience store at the recently refreshed Pagoda Hotel.

In the 648-square-foot retail space you'll find fresh grab-and-go items, customizable beverages, a ramen bar with various Korean instant ramen offerings, travel and wellness necessities, and a range of Korean and local products, according to an announcement Monday.

"When we started looking at the retail space, we really wanted to bring in something that would be useful not only for our hotel guests, but also for the people who live and work in the neighborhood," 

Chue Yang, general manager of Pagoda Hotel, told Aloha State Daily in an emailed response to questions. "

CU was a great fit because it offers so much more than a traditional hotel convenience store. You can grab a quick meal, snacks, drinks and everyday essentials, and having that right on property is a great amenity for our guests. At the same time, it gives people in the surrounding community another reason to come to Pagoda."

CU Hawai‘i at Pagoda will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

The shop's debut follows a new, property-wide refresh that was 

As ASD reported then, citing an announcement at that time, the refresh included updated guest rooms with contemporary island-inspired interiors and upgraded furnishings; in-room artwork by kama‘āina artist 

; a restoration of the koi pond area; revitalized corridors and updates to the exterior; an art wall in the lobby; and a new snack and retail concept in the lobby.

Yang told ASD that CU is just "another piece of the larger transformation happening at Pagoda."

"We’ve invested significantly in updating the hotel and improving the guest experience, but the goal has always been bigger than just renovating the rooms and lobby," Yang says. "We’re also rethinking the businesses and amenities on the property and how they can better serve both our guests and the surrounding neighborhood. CU is one of those additions, and with Rainbow Drive-In and Paris Baguette still to come, there’s a lot more happening at Pagoda."

, a bakery and cafe that originated in South Korea, is slated to open in 2027, while Rainbow Drive-In, which is set to takeover the Pagoda's iconic floating restaurant, is targeted to debut later this fall.

“In addition to expanding our guest offerings and delivering on our commitment to ensuring the highest levels of service, we’re thrilled to introduce this thoughtful, delighting neighborhood staple to the people working, living and visiting the midtown Honolulu area,” Robert Kurisu, CEO of CU Hawaiʻi, said in the announcement. “This partnership is a natural extension for both brands, and it's exciting to bring CU Hawaiʻi to a property with so much history.”

Located on Rycroft Street near Ala Moana, the 199-room, 12-story Pagoda Hotel, was built in 1964 and is currently managed by Highgate. 

 on Bishop Street in Downtown Honolulu last November.

BGF Retail Hawai‘i, the local subsidiary of CU’s parent company, 

signed a master franchise contract with Hawaiʻi-based CU Hawaiʻi LLC to bring the convenience store to the Hawai‘i market. CU operates more than 18,500 stores across South Korea and more than 730 stores globally.

CU Hawaii Pagoda 083126

<title>CU Hawai‘i opens in Pagoda Hotel</title>

CU Hawai‘i opens in Pagoda Hotel

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

Aloha Spirit

Singer, songwriter and starlet Dolly Parton, who died last week at age 80, once owned a home, operated a restaurant and performed in Hawaiʻi. Parton was laid to rest in a private funeral service on Friday in Nashville beside her late husband Carl Dean, 

With a career that spanned seven decades, Parton is known locally for the 1988 episode of her ABC variety series, “Dolly,” called “My Hawaiʻi,” which featured Palani Vaughan, Melveen Leed, The Brothers Cazimero, Danny Kaleikini, Al Harrington, and more.

Aloha State Daily reached out to the Hawaiʻi State Archives, which is part of the Department of Accounting and General Services, to ask about photos of Parton in Hawaiʻi. Staff at the archives were able to pull these photos for readers.

In honor of her life, Blue Note Hawaiʻi is hosting a special event, Kelly Vohnn’s Dolly Parton Tribute, on Monday, Sept. 14, which benefits The Dollywood Foundation. Parton created the foundation to inspire children to achieve educational success and it implemented her Imagination Library, which gives books to children under five years old to inspire a love of reading. Tickets start at $30. 

The governor of Tennessee has announced plans to 

Looking for more historical photos? The Hawaiʻi State Archives 

contain photos, musical instruments, and information about genealogy, land, court records, government records, and more. There are 

 More content can be found by visiting the archives where visitors should bring photo ID and be ready to leave purses or bags in a locker at the front. 

Dolly Parton

<title>Dolly Parton in Hawaiʻi: Photos from the Hawaiʻi State Archives</title>

Dolly Parton, who died last week, has a number of ties to the Islands, where she once operated a restaurant and owned a home. Staff at the Hawaiʻi State Archives found some historical photos of her time on Oʻahu to share with Aloha State Daily readers.

Dolly Parton in Hawaiʻi: Photos from the Hawaiʻi State Archives

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Crime & Courts

The Honolulu Police Department is continuing to investigate the death of a 50-year-old flight attendant whose body was found in a Waikīkī dumpster last week.

On Thursday, Aug. 20, HPD responded to reports of a dead body in a dumpster at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikīkī. At the time, HPD told Aloha State Daily that the case was being handled as an unattended death investigation and that foul play did not appear to be involved.

 the deceased as Moore, Oklahoma resident Jenny Lupton, a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines, who was in Hawai‘i on a layover.

[{"type":"text","text":"On Monday, HPD reiterated that the case is still under investigation."}]

“At this time, no conclusions have been made regarding the manner of death,” read the HPD statement.

Detectives of HPD’s homicide detail are reportedly working with Lupton’s family, reviewing surveillance video and more, in “a thorough investigation that will take time.”

Further information or details about the investigation will be withheld as it remains ongoing. However, HPD will notify the community “if investigators identify an immediate threat to public safety.”

On behalf of Jenny Lupton’s family, we ask for patience as detectives conduct this investigation and respectfully request that the family’s privacy be honored during this difficult time,” read HPD’s statement. “We encourage the public to rely on verified information from official sources and to avoid sharing unconfirmed information that may cause unnecessary concern or confusion.”

Braden wagner O Yx EPY786ks unsplash 16x9

<title>HPD investigating body found in Waikīkī dumpster</title>

Jenny Lupton, 50, was found dead in Waikīkī last week.

HPD investigating body found in Waikīkī dumpster

Steven Kean makes art that celebrates waves, palm trees and some of the iconic places of Hawaiʻi. Generally the printmaker’s art is black and white, but sometimes it is shades of blue or aqua.

Kean designed art for the Vans World Cup of Surfing at Sunset Beach in 2017. He has also been commissioned to create pieces for Foodland Hawaiʻi, Google, Starbucks, and OluKai, among other brands.

Kean is one of three artists who will be featured at American Savings Bank’s Loʻi Gallery, which opens to the public on Feb. 21. The Loʻi Gallery runs for 12 weeks and features artwork from Kean as well as 

The Loʻi Gallery is located on the first floor of 

, located at 300 N. Beretania St., just outside of Honolulu's Chinatown, and 20% of sales for the featured artists will benefit a local nonprofit selected by ASB. For this gallery, the nonprofit is the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement.

[{"text":"For Kean, most days start with checking the surf. ","type":"text"}]

“I do have things that are lined up in my schedule, but I try to build around: ʻOK, can I get in the water today?’ ”  he said. “Because a lot of this work that comes out of me is a direct reflection of that time in the water or around the water.”

On Feb. 12, when Kean spoke with Aloha State Daily, he had spent the morning at a school. Kean is a teaching artist for the Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and is currently working with fourth and fifth graders through a residency at Waialua Elementary School, near his house. 

Kean had always liked working with wood, he said. Originally, Kean helped a family friend frame houses. Then, he did a bit of wooden sculpture in college. In 2014, he was considering graduate school and did an independent study in printmaking through the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. 

“It was just for myself because I was wanting to build up my portfolio,” he said. “I was enrolled for one semester. I ended up doing it for a year and a half because I liked it so much.” 

At first, Kean etched into metal. His advisor, 

, who was the head of the printmaking department, then suggested woodcut, he said. 

“And that was it,” Kean said. “It was like: OK, this is what I'm going to be doing.” 

Kean draws inspiration from the ocean, especially surfing and “just the environment of Hawaiʻi, in general,” he said.  

“For me, when I'm surfing or swimming or anything in the ocean, that's when my mind feels most still and at ease,” he said. “It's a similar feeling when I'm creating the artwork.”

He graduated with a degree in art education from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and started teaching high school art classes. Then, he sold everything and moved to Hawaiʻi.

[{"text":"“I was ready for a change,” he said. ","type":"text"}]

Kean moved to Australia and took a painting class before eventually returning to Hawaiʻi as a dishwasher. 

“So I went from teaching high school students to being trained by a 16-year-old kid how to wash dishes at Lei Lei’s Bar and Grill at Turtle Bay,” he said. “Great, great restaurant. We were just in there not too long ago.”

Kean “climbed the ladder” to doing food prep, cooking, waiting tables, and bartending, he said. He also worked as a substitute teacher. Eventually, Kean got a job teaching with the Honolulu Museum of Art. Then, a part-time teaching position at Mililani Mauka Elementary School. Today, he is part of the teaching artist roster for Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

 is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from Feb. 21 through May 9. Visitors can park in the customer parking lot at the bank, which is located at 300 N. Beretania St. in Downtown Honolulu.

To purchase Kean’s art, go to the Loʻi Gallery or 

. Kean’s art is also available at select brick-and-mortar locations, including Roberta Oaks Hawaiʻi in Chinatown, Magnolia Hawaiʻi at Kāhala Mall, Aesthetic Hawaiʻi Gallery in Kailua, and Polu Gallery in Haleʻiwa. 

Daily Smile: Thursday, June 4, 2026

ASD Staff

Reporter

More in Daily Smile

Daily Smile: Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026

Daily Smile: Monday, Aug. 31, 2026

Daily Smile: Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026

Daily Smile: Friday, Aug. 28, 2026

Most read

Daily Smile: Thursday, June 4, 2026

Authors

ASD Staff

Reporter

More in Daily Smile

Daily Smile: Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026

Daily Smile: Monday, Aug. 31, 2026

Daily Smile: Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026

Daily Smile: Friday, Aug. 28, 2026

Most read