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ASD Staff

Daily Smile

[{"type":"text","text":"Now, let's all enjoy watching the viewing of Lady & The Tramp..."}]

Smile 26 6 5

<title>Daily Smile: Friday, June 5, 2026</title>

Now, let's all enjoy watching the viewing of Lady & The Tramp...

Daily Smile: Friday, June 5, 2026

 Now, let&#039;s all enjoy watching the viewing of Lady &amp; The Tramp...

Lopaka and Tanya Kapanui

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya Kapanui

Hawai‘i History

Columnists

In our oral tradition, Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes, came from a far-off place called Kahiki. Her beauty and mana were unrivaled, but her carelessness and her short temper often brought conflict and destruction in their wake.

As stories of antiquity were passed down from mouth to ear, details sometimes changed depending on who told them and how they interpreted them, including the tales of our akua. Some details of Pele’s story differ, but the overall arc of her tale remains the same.

In one version, Pele’s uncle Lonomakua gave her an ʻōʻō, a digging stick imbued with mana. The ʻōʻō was called Pāoa, and her uncle taught Pele how to use it to control her own mana. One day, when Lonomakua was gone, Pele accidentally caused a raging fire that burned down the family home. Pele’s sister was angry and exiled Pele, then pursued her across the ocean, never letting her rest.

Another telling of the tale says that Pele’s older sister, Nāmakaokahaʻi, the goddess of the sea, was married to the powerful demigod ʻAukelenuiaʻīkū. On his way to the shore to go fishing, ʻAukele came upon the beautiful Pele and immediately desired her. Thus began an affair that would bring about a conflict between fire and sea that would eventually shape the Hawaiian Islands.

Enraged after discovering the affair between her husband and her sister, Nāmakaokahaʻi attacked Pele. Pele cried to their parents, who told her she must leave to find a safe place for their family. Entrusted with her youngest, most beloved sister, Hiʻiakaikapoliopele, Pele set off to find a new home with Nāmakaokahaʻi in furious pursuit.

The story comes together again as Kamohoaliʻi helped Pele by guiding her travel on his waʻa kaulua, his voyaging canoe. As they made their way across the Pacific, they could hear the waves of Namakaokahaʻi right behind them. They reached the northwest Hawaiian Islands, but every time they came across land, Namaka drove them away. Finally, the small group of siblings reached the island of Kauaʻi. Pele dug her ʻōʻō into the earth and created Puʻukapele, the hill of Pele, where they were able to rest. But their respite was cut short as the glow of Pele’s fire was reflected on the clouds above, alerting Namaka to their whereabouts. Huge waves from the sea forced Pele to flee once more.

Pele built a new home on Oʻahu, digging her ʻōʻō into the ground once, bringing forth a great quantity of fiery rock. It is said that Hiʻiaka called their new home Laeʻahi because, to her, the view of the craterʻs profile from the east looked like the lae (brow) of the ʻahi (tuna). Again, the rage of Nāmakaokahaʻi would not let them be, and waves of salt water drowned Pele’s flames. Pele and Hiʻiaka were driven away once more. In modern times, the name was shortened to Lēʻahi. Today, the crater is widely known as Diamond Head.

Some Hawaiian scholars note that another translation of Lēʻahi could mean “wreath of fire.” At its summit, fires were kept burning to guide voyaging canoes that were traveling along the coastline. It is said that there was a heiau at the top of the crater dedicated to Laʻamaomao, goddess of the wind, to redirect the winds that might extinguish the flames.

Pele’s journey continued southeast through the Hawaiian islands, eventually ending up at Kīlauea, where she resides today. However, there are numerous modern-day reports of Pele sightings across the islands, even on the slopes of Lēʻahi.

One man shared that he was riding his bike up the hill on Diamond Head Road one evening. As he reached the lookout, he passed an older woman wearing a long brownish colored dress or wrap over one shoulder, standing in the middle of the empty parking lot. The man said he nodded to the woman as he rode by, and she nodded back. Then he stopped for a bit to take in the view, and when he glanced behind him, the woman was gone. Any other day, he would have assumed the person just got into a nearby car, but there weren’t any cars around them.

As he’d only been living on Oʻahu for nearly a decade, he didn’t immediately make any assumptions. He said he was just puzzled. That is, until he shared the story with some friends at work. His coworkers were convinced he came across Pele.

Another story was shared with me about an encounter in roughly the same area. This time, a young man and his girlfriend were driving up Diamond Head Road and noticed a woman sitting on a rock wall. The sight of her caught their eye, particularly because the wall was at least four feet high. It wasnʻt easy to climb a wall that high without getting scratched up. The woman had dark brown skin and long white hair, and was wearing a long, plain white muʻumuʻu. As the woman was sitting on the wall, she was leaning forward against a long wooden walking stick.

The couple drove past the woman, but the young man was suddenly overcome with a strong urge to stop. He hit the brakes right in the middle of the road and turned his head back to look at the old woman. She seemed to be looking past him, or through him. He asked his girlfriend if she saw the woman. She had, but urged him to get them out of there.

He put the car in gear, and as he slowly drove away, he looked in his mirror only to see that the woman had disappeared. There was no one sitting on the wall, no one on the sidewalk. She was just gone.

A second later, a car came speeding around the bend ahead of them. The driver swerved to miss a mailbox and spun out, coming to a stop facing the wrong direction barely 20 feet in front of them.

“I’m Japanese, but I was born and raised here,” he said. “We all know the stories from small kid time, but I never really believed things like this happened anymore.”

Diamond Head Full Moon

<title>Sightings of Pele at Lē‘ahi</title>

You might associated Pele most with the active volcanoes of Hawai‘i Island but ancient myths — and contemporary encounters — tell of her presence on Kaua‘i and O‘ahu as well.

Sightings of Pele at Lē‘ahi

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

 is celebrating its 10th Anniversary Edition in Honolulu this year. This popular outdoor dinner party is returning Saturday, Sept. 12, at a brand-new, top-secret location.

“Diner en Blanc has become a beloved tradition in Honolulu, and celebrating the 10th Anniversary Edition is truly special,” states Malie Moran, co-host of Diner en Blanc in Honolulu. “This event continues to bring people together in meaningful and memorable ways, and we are thrilled to welcome both returning guests and newcomers to this milestone evening.”

Une Soirée Parisienne – La Belle Époque

” — highlights an era defined by elegance and artistry. Guests must come to the event dressed in chic, all-white attire; creativity is encouraged. 

As always, the event’s location is a secret until the last moment. Attendees will gather at pre-selected departure points and will be guided by event volunteers to a surprise venue.

While event attendees traditionally bring their own chairs, table — table settings must also be fully white — and gourmet picnic, curated meals will be catered by Memoirs Hawai

The featured bentos are designed for two to share. The charcuterie box will include brie, cheddar, Boursin, grapes, guava jam, kalamata olives, crackers and salami. Other options include chicken (marinated in garlic, white wine and herbs) with orzo pasta with truffle basil pesto, fresh mozzarella, sundried tomatoes and double fudge brownies; and garlic shrimp with the same sides and dessert.

A caviar set — complete with housemade blini, lemon crème fraiche, shaved red onions, chives and smoked salmon — will also be available, for guests who want a build-your-own-caviar experience.

Over the years, Diner en Blanc has been at Iolani Palace, Ko Olina Lagoon and Kualoa Ranch. Today, Diner en Blanc has grown into an international event, celebrated across 40 countries and 120 cities.

A limited number of tickets is still available for the event. Email 

 and mention “Aloha State Daily” in the subject line for more information.

Le Diner en Blanc 083126

<title>Diner en Blanc is celebrating its 10th Anniversary Edition</title>

The popular outdoor garden party returns Saturday, Sept. 12 at a brand-new, secret location. This year, the event’s curated meals will be catered by Memoirs Hawaiʻi.

Diner en Blanc is celebrating its 10th Anniversary Edition

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

 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

Government & Politics

Aloha Spirit

It’s 5 p.m. on a Wednesday in early July and the church bells are ringing out over Lahaina. The day may be ending, but it’s still hot and the sun is still shining brightly over the West Maui community.

It’s a different sight today than it was on Aug. 8, 2023, when wildfires driven by winds from a passing storm ravaged parts of the Valley Isle. While 

 through several other areas of Maui, Lahaina saw the worst as an inferno destroyed much of the historic town and killed more than 100 people. It was one of the deadliest U.S. wildfires in more than a century.

Lahaina’s famed Front Street is no longer bustling in the way it was before the wildfires, but on this July day, nearly three years later, there are signs of new life on the quiet streets.

When I was here two years ago, just before the first anniversary of the fire, heaps of debris and piles of twisted metal remained in many areas. It was quieter then, almost silent, as I spoke with business owners who had lost everything. They sifted through the rubble and ruins and paused poignantly as they took in what was, seemingly reflecting on what had been.

[{"type":"text","text":"On this day, though, it's different."}]

A small group has gathered in a parking lot off Front Street; signage there directs people to “Meet Here” for various tours leaving from the nearby 

. More signs direct pedestrians along a route to get there.

[{"type":"text","text":"Some hazards may persist, the signs warn. Access at your own risk."}]

There’s plenty that’s still off limits on this day — roads closed, fencing up, warnings posted — but this afternoon, a few people, including this reporter, are trekking down the roadway, a portion of which was still closed to vehicles, on foot.

Visitors pause and take in the sight of the 153-year-old banyan tree, still looming large. The tree was damaged by the heat of the blaze and is still recovering from the fire, but wasn’t destroyed. It’s been fenced off, with no trespassing signs posted. Following an assessment this spring, arborists have decided that the tree will remain fenced off for another two years, but you can still admire from the sidewalk. (Read more the tree 

A man walks one way down the road, his dog on a leash. Walking in the other direction is a man with a surfboard under his arm. A short time later, a young boy bikes down the empty street, with his family following close behind. He rings the bell on his bicycle.

[{"type":"text","text":"Some visitors on the sidewalk lament the loss."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Look at those buildings, they say. It’s all gone, they say."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"And that’s true, but it isn’t."}]

So where’s Lahaina today, three years later? It’s still there. Recovery is still underway and what the community will ultimately look like is yet to be seen, but work is progressing, more slowly for some than others, but it is progressing.

Aloha State Daily sat down with county leaders last month to find out where things stand three years after the fires.

[{"type":"text","text":"Rebuilding residential"}]

When talking about the fires, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen, who is seeking reelection this year, first offers up some context, and starts by recounting a community meeting in September 2023, the month following the fires.

“I recall this vividly. The question was put to us: When do you think we will be able to get a building permit?” he told ASD during a sit-down interview in July. “And this man, he was not angry. He was very matter of fact. He said, ‘We just need to know how to plan.’”

Bissen told the man that based on what was known from other communities like Paradise, California, which was devastated by 

, and others, it would take at least two to three years to get a building permit.

But in November 2024, a little more than a year after the fires, Bissen said the first two rebuilt homes were moved into — 

“So, not only did it not take two or three years to get a building permit, it didn’t take two or three years to move back into a rebuilt home,” Bissen says.

As of Aug. 5 of this year, 577 homes have been completed, including 264 single-family units and 313 multi-family units, according to data on the county's 

There are 667 homes with issued permits, including 583 single-family units and 84 multi-family units, which means permits have been issued allowing construction to begin. Another 597 homes — 176 single-family units and 421 multi-family units — have permits processing, which means applications for permits have been submitted.

A total of 400 homes, including single-family and multi-family units, are under construction.

"I just needed to put that in perspective because it’s hard to say if you’re ahead or you’re behind without comparing it to something,” Bissen explained. “There’s so many reasons why that happened in terms of debris clearing and in terms of building, but I think for us, a big reason it happened … is we told our community so they would know in advance that our focus was going to be returning people to their homes, especially owner-occupied homes, because there are people who own second and third homes out there too, of course, [but] that has been our focus and we’re well on our way.”

Housing in Lahaina was a challenge even before the fire, but according to the 

, 2,207 structures were damaged or destroyed in the Lahaina fire, of which 1,898, or 86%, were residential. The residential structures that were damaged or destroyed made up about 45% of Lahaina's residential housing.

"The challenge of finding replacement housing units for residents who lost their homes is exacerbated by the average household size in Lahaina (3.53 people) being significantly higher than than the average in the county (2.96 people), state (2.92 people) and the United States (2.57)," the report reads. "The scarcity of rental housing amidst competition with short-term rentals presents an affordability challenge for displaced residents, increasing the pressure on the housing supply availability and high cost of living, compounded by the fire, have resulted in 45% of fire-impacted respondents to say they are considering leaving the county and moving elsewhere."

Across the August 2023 wildfires in Lahaina and Upcountry Maui, 2,145 dwellings were destroyed, according to information provided by the county, citing county real property assessment data.

[{"type":"text","text":"Commercial activity and infrastructure"}]

The county also has been focusing on the commercial rebuilding concurrently, but the challenges are different, Bissen says.

“But now that infrastructure has been restored — we’re talking about water, wastewater, power, roads — that’s all infrastructure that commercial needs,” he told ASD. “You can put up a building, but you still need to bring water to the building, have wastewater go away from the building, get roads [so] people can get to the buildings, parking. There are things that are needed for our commercial business and I’m really proud of where we’re at on that, as well.”

 told ASD in a follow-up email that overall, infrastructure restoration was one of the "first and most critical phases of Lahaina's recovery."

"Before homes and businesses could be rebuilt, the community needed  safe drinking water, functioning sewer service, reliable roads, electrical service and other essential utilities," she said, noting that many of the projects required coordination among the county, state, utility providers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

 program, which encompasses all the recovery programs funded by $1.6 billion in federal Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds appropriated for the 2023 wildfires, 

announced conditional funding allocations

 that will help restore 519 affordable housing units and fund 22 critical infrastructure and mitigation projects.

Some of those infrastructure projects include major corridor improvements, including phase 1C of the Honoapi‘ilani Highway realignment, or Lahaina Bypass extension; street extensions and connector roads; repairs to damaged roads and sidewalks; upgrades to recycled water systems; sewer system expansion and upsizing, replacement of critical wastewater pump stations, emergency power for essential water facilities, and reconstruction of public-serving facilities in West Maui, that announcement noted. 

This summer alone, though, there's been a flurry of movement recently in Lahaina’s commercial sector.

An interim marketplace and community gathering spot in development by Hawaiian Council — with support from its Kākoʻo Maui Fund and the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation — will be the first project to bring storefronts back to Front Street, Maui County said in a July 2 announcement of its launch.

Called ‘Ulu o Lele, the marketplace will be located at the former Outlets of Maui site and offer a temporary home for local businesses, nonprofits, cultural practitioners, farmers and community programming while permanent commercial redevelopment progresses, the announcement noted.

According to the county, Hawaiian Council, formerly known as the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, has secured a two-year lease for approximately three acres at the site and is leading the planning, development and implementation of the project, itself designed as an 18- to 24-month recovery initiative.

The project will use modular retail spaces and supporting infrastructure to "quickly activate the site and create new opportunities for local businesses and organizations," the announcement says. Meanwhile, the marketplace is expected to hold approximately 25 to 50 local vendors and help sustain about 90 jobs.

Meanwhile, Kimo’s Restaurant, a popular waterfront eatery lost in the fire, has also 

announced its intent to return to Front Street

Parent company T S Restaurants will partner with business leaders Kent Untermann and Mousa Hassan who are restoring the Chan Wa Building, which is where you’ll find the restaurant in the future.

Overall, five Front Street commercial permits were issued as of mid-July and two more commercial projects were nearing permits, according to information provided by Maui County. More than a dozen commercial properties were in planning consultation at that time.

"Permitting and approvals in the Lahaina Historic districts have been one of the most heavily regulated processes in the state, involving national, state and local rules. Besides being one of the most storied places in Hawaiʻi and the Islands’ first capital, it was the only historic district in the state with buildings constructed out over the water," the county noted in its July 2 announcement.

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

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"But there are risks."}]

Some business owners may be hesitant to be the first business to return and reopen in Lahaina Town without other draws, but Abraham told ASD in July that’s why the upcoming ‘Ulu o Lele Marketplace is so critical, “because it paves the way and provides foot traffic and accountability, that there will be people down there when they do open their doors.”

 Bissen noted, too, the dynamics between landowners and tenants in Lahaina’s commercial areas.

“Some of the landlords are their own tenants — they work in the building that they own. Many of them are landlords who lease their space to other businesses, which means it takes two people to really make that work,” he explained. “If the tenant wants to come back, but nobody builds the place, then they’re waiting. If the landlord rebuilds and no tenant wants to rent their space, then why did they rebuild?

“But if you own your own building and restaurant or retail, then you know you’re coming back. It’s very different from residential. ... Not enough people are factoring that in because not only do they have to risk financially, but also the time and effort and energy it takes to rebuild. I think that was part of the hesitation, but now that groups are coming back, I think people will see that momentum and see that synergy that’s starting to happen.” 

But businesses could have moved forward with rebuilding at any time.

“I think it was a ‘Let’s wait and see’ in their mind how this is really going to go,” Maui County Office of Recovery Administrator John Smith told ASD during the same interview in July. “They knew that we were concurrently working to pave the way for them in terms of how permits go through, how infrastructure was going to be ready, because building a commercial building has a different standard than a residential [building] and we’re holding current building code standards ... . All of that stuff in a very old town has to be considered.

“When you have all these really old buildings and you’re going to rebuild, one, you’re going to rebuild to meet what the community wants — and that’s where we developed design guidelines. Commercial wanted to see how that was going to turn out. That’s all done now, so there’s a very, very clear path to go fast with commercial guidelines — but you also have to build to current building code and sometimes that means you need to upgrade your own infrastructure on your property, depending on the age of the structure.”

All that’s being weighed concurrently with the residential rebuild, harbor opening and streets coming back online, Smith says.

“In a major disaster, where an entire town is lost, commercial is naturally the lagging factor until there’s people to be there for business,” he told ASD.

, commercial design guidelines approved by the Maui County Cultural Resource Commission in May “aim to support the Lahaina community’s rebuilding efforts and assist in meeting community needs, incorporating climate resilience and sustainability, and honoring the cultural and historical significance of Lahaina,” the 

 notes. “These guidelines build on existing regulatory and policy documents and are grounded in historic Lahaina building styles and community feedback.

The Rebuild Lahaina Plan itself covers about 120 acres and focuses on the core of Lahaina.

Smith said, too, that the county has engaged with all owners in the commercial area at this point.

“We’ve seen their plans. We’re working with them on their plans. We understand their timelines, when they’re coming back, how they’re coming back and in the interim things like the new marketplace that’s coming will be a significant help until reconstruction can occur,” he says.

Smith also told ASD in July that operations at Lahaina Small Boat Harbor are integral to Lahaina’s commercial activity. And while it’s actively operating now, the repair work isn’t finished.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation 

resumed limited commercial boat operations

 at the harbor in December 2025 — the first time since the wildfires. According to June 

, among the work already completed or underway, construction on a $5 million dredging project began June 1 and is anticipated to be finished by December.

Moving into a commercial area is different than moving into a home, Smith says.

“These commercial owners need to know that they’re going to have enough traffic down there.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Timeline to rebuild"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"How long will it take to rebuild Lahaina?"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"That depends on who you ask."}]

“When you say that, if somebody’s home is already built and up in Lahaina, have we rebuilt Lahaina?” Bissen says. “Do we have to wait until we build the very last one to say we’ve rebuilt Lahaina? I think we’re in phases. We’re in stages. I think that’s how you rebuild any [community]. I don’t think we’re unique in that sense. I think that you can visibly see the tangible results that have happened if you saw the before and after — and I mean right after the fire to where it is now.”

Smith mentioned the 519 additional affordable housing units the county has helped fund, which are expected to be completed between 2029 and 2031.

“We can see over the next few years that every time one of those comes online, it’ll be another phase is done, another phase is done,” he told ASD. “I think it’s a very, very reductionist view … to just say ‘When’s it going to be done?’ For the 236 that have already moved into their homes, Lahaina’s back. The other [residents] that are in a temporary situation, they’re still there. … Lahaina’s still there, it’s just at what stage is it? And the answer to that is granular per neighborhood, per site, per unit.”

Smith says that more than 80% of all properties have a plan to “come back completely."

"I think we’ll get back to beyond 100% because we’re also talking about building new houses in new areas. Some of those multi-family [properties] are coming back more dense on purpose because they realized that they weren’t really utilizing the property efficiently.”

How would the county’s leaders rate the recovery efforts so far?

“I can only really answer it based on what other communities that have gone through similar things are telling us,” Smith says. “We know that we're doing, I would say, well. Easily, we’re doing well. I would say we are in some ways setting a new standard for recovery, and this is not just here. Maybe globally, we’re setting a new standard.”

For his part, Bissen says, “If you ask somebody who’s in their home right now … they’ll say ‘It’s great. We’re home quicker than we thought,' and if you have somebody waiting, you’ll always be able to find somebody who will say, ‘No, this is going way too long. It’s taking so long,’ and it’s true to them. It is absolutely true. I wouldn’t disagree with them.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"One ‘Ohana Fund"}]

Gov. Josh Green on Thursday announced that the One ‘Ohana Fund, formally known as the Maui Wildfires Compensation Program, has offered the full $175 million available through the program to families who lost loved ones and individuals who suffered serious physical injuries in the fires.

An Aug. 6 announcement from the governor's office noted that as of Aug. 4, the program has offered compensation for 162 eligible claims across two phases, including 102 death claims and 60 serious physical injury claims. More than $155.7 million has been delivered to date.

According to the governor's office, the fund was made possible through $175 million in contributions from Hawaiian Electric Co., the state, Kamehameha Schools, Maui County, Charter/Spectrum, Hawaiian Telcom and West Maui Land Co. This funding is separate from the $4 billion-plus global wildfire settlement still in litigation proceedings, the announcement noted.

The program was announced on Nov. 8, 2023, two months after the fires, "

to provide a prompt, accessible and Hawaiʻi-centered alternative for compensating eligible death and serious physical injury claims," the announcement says.

Eligible death claims receive $1.5 million, while serious physical injury awards are determined by the severity of the injury and may total up to $1.5 million, the state says.

To prevent future tragedies, Maui has been expanding the Maui Emergency Management Agency under new leadership; ASD reports on the details of that 

Lahaina Front Street rainbow 070826

<title>Lahaina, three years after the fires</title>

It's been three years since wildfires destroyed much of Lahaina Town. Recovery is still underway but work to rebuild is progressing.

Lahaina, three years after the fires

[{"type":"text","text":"A Waikīkī resort is getting a $100 million refresh."}]

Outrigger Hospitality Group has started the overhaul of its Outrigger Waikīkī Beach Resort.

, the company says the resort is being "reimagined as a design-led, barefoot luxury destination more deeply connected to the ocean, surf culture and sense of place that defines Waikīkī."

Monica Salter, vice president of global communications and social responsibility for Outrigger Hospitality Group, told Aloha State Daily in an email that the renovation will touch "every aspect of the guest experience, from the moment of arrival through to the ocean's edge."

"Highlights include a dramatic new grand arrival staircase with design details inspired by the ʻĀpuakēhau Stream, a museum-quality art program developed in collaboration with leading local artists, a one-of-a-kind surfboard installation in the lobby and a fully reimagined Voyager 47 Club Lounge that will be more than three times its current size with expanded indoor-outdoor spaces," she says.

Meanwhile, Salter says guest rooms and suites are being redesigned with "soft palettes and textures drawn from the natural environment of Waikīkī including the surf, the sand and the light. Throughout, the design is rooted in the cultural history and surf legacy of this iconic shoreline."

Outrigger Waikīkī Beach Resort first opened in 1967 and its last major renovation was a "few decades ago," she noted. 

"Outrigger Waikīkī Beach Resort is where the Outrigger story began — on the historic grounds of the Outrigger Canoe Club, at the birthplace of modern surfing," Salter says. "After 60 years, the time felt right to honor that legacy in a way that reflects both where the brand has been and where it's going. This transformation will create an experience that is more elevated, more immersive and more authentically rooted in the culture and spirit of Waikīkī than ever before."

The resort will remain fully open throughout the renovations, including Duke's 

Waikīkī, Hula Grill Waikīkī and Blue Note Hawai‘i. Salter says the work is being "carried out thoughtfully" to minimize disruption.

The reimagined guest rooms are on track to debut later this year, while other elements of the transformation will be revealed in phases in the months that follow, she told ASD.

According to the announcement, several organizations are collaborating on the project, including DTL — a Hawaiian Strategy Studio, PowerStrip Studio and WCIT Architecture.

“To design in Hawaiʻi is to remember," Mālia Ka‘aihue, president of DTL, said in the announcement. "Our work at Outrigger Waikīkī Beach Resort was shaped by the ʻĀpuakēhau Stream, by the genealogy of the land, aliʻi and people of this place, and by the rhythm of the kahakai. For kamaʻāina and malihini alike, we wanted the generational abundance of Waikīkī to be felt in every material, every motif, every moment."

Outrigger got its start in 1947, when American architect Roy Kelley and his wife Estelle opened the 33-room Islander Hotel in Waikīkī, according to a 

, you'll find the Outrigger Reef Waikīkī Beach Resort, Waikīkī Beach Resort, Waikīkī Beachcomber Hotel and Waikīkī Paradise Hotel; on 

 there's Outrigger Kā‘anapali Beach Resort and Honua Kai Resort & Spa; the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa is located on Hawai‘i Island; and the Outrigger Kaua‘i Beach Resort & Spa is on the 

 across the Islands, and owns and operates resorts in Fiji, Thailand, Maldives and Mauritius. Find its portfolio of properties 

(ICYMI: Several other Hawai‘i hotels have unveiled multi-million dollar renovations and updates in the last year, including 

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikīkī Beach

Honolulu hotels alone generate $12 billion in economic activity and support 63,912 jobs, according to an 

 released in February by the American Hotel & Lodging Association and the Hawai‘i Hotel Alliance. Hotel guests spend $6.5 billion throughout Honolulu each year, the report notes, which is equivalent to $760 per room night on lodging, retail, dining and other activities.

OUTRIGGER Stair Entry Floor

<title>Outrigger Hospitality Group starts $100M 'transformation' of Waikīkī Beach Resort</title>

The company says the resort is being "reimagined as a design-led, barefoot luxury destination more deeply connected to the ocean, surf culture and sense of place that defines Waikīkī."

Daily Smile: Friday, June 5, 2026

ASD Staff

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Daily Smile: Friday, June 5, 2026

Authors

ASD Staff

Reporter

More in Daily Smile

Daily Smile: Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026

Daily Smile: Monday, Aug. 31, 2026

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