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Hawai'i Skies

Today's Hawai‘i Skies was captured by Myra above Punchbowl area. "Thought about submitting this shot above Punchbowl area. Looks like lunar halo along with rainbow?"

To submit your Hawai'i Skies photo, visit us 

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

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<title>Hawaiʻi Skies: Lunar halo</title>

Today's Hawai‘i Skies was captured by Myra above Punchbowl area.

Hawaiʻi Skies: Lunar halo

Today&#039;s Hawai‘i Skies was captured by Myra above Punchbowl area. &quot;Thought about submitting this shot above Punchbowl area. Looks like lunar halo along with rainbow?&quot; To submit your Hawai&#039;i Skies photo, visit us online or email: general@alohastatedaily.com For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter.

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

[{"type":"text","text":"This prime rib deal is available for a limited time."}]

 offers prime rib specials periodically, and we’re told it will be featured every month. The special was featured from June 10 to 14, but it was so popular that the restaurant is running it again this week from June 17 to 19. A prime rib carving station will also be added to the restaurant’s all-you-can-eat 

The special features a four-course meal for $65 (if you dine before 5:30 p.m.). If you dine after 5:30 p.m., the meal is $75. The special is available during the eatery’s dinner hours, from 4 to 9 p.m.

Everything in the featured deal — except for the prime rib — is available on the eatery’s regular menu.

The four-course meal includes chicken tenderloin sate with Thai peanut sauce, and your choice of soup or salad. Choose from fresh ‘Ewa sweet corn chowder with ‘Ewa sweet corn, diced celery and chicken, topped with oven-roasted croutons; or organically grown Big Island baby greens with poached pears, teardrop tomatoes, cucumber, beets, candied pecans and tangerine vinaigrette.

The entrée features an 8-ounce, herb-roasted beef prime rib with natural beef jus, creamy horseradish, mashed potatoes and vegetables.

The final course features your choice of espresso tiramisu or coffee crème brulee.

[{"type":"text","text":"Valet parking is available for customers."}]

Chef Chai prime rib 061526

<title>Chef Chai is featuring a prime rib special</title>

The Kakaʻako eatery’s prime rib special ran from June 10 to 14, and it was so popular that it’s extended. Customers can take advantage of the four-course meal — which features prime rib as the entrée — from June 17 to 19. A prime rib carving station will also be added to the restaurant’s all-you-can-eat Father’s Day weekend buffet (June 20 and 21).

Chef Chai is featuring a prime rib special

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

Aloha Spirit

Today, U.S. Army Sgt. Isaac Atkins joined his platoon for a watch party for the next episode of Season 21 of “America’s Got Talent,” where Atkins is one of the featured contestants. 

In the episode, Judge Melanie Janine Brown hit 

, sending him straight to the live shows.

Atkins, who is stationed on Oʻahu, is one of several contestants, including Bruno Mars’ nephews — the North Shore-based brothers 

 — competing in the current season of “America’s Got Talent.”

“I’m having a watch party with my soldiers on base,” Atkins told Aloha State Daily 

the day before the show aired on television

. “Obviously, it's just a platoon internal thing, where my soldiers — the soldiers that I'm in charge of — we're gonna ... watch the show and have a good time.”

, when the episode streams on Peacock at 

 New this season is the judges’ callbacks round, where select acts, including Atkins, are asked to perform again, and the final remaining live show spots are on the line.

 but Atkins has not been able to talk much about it prior to airing. While in California, he made sure to visit a food spot, which is not currently in Hawaiʻi.

“I wanted Chipotle," he said. "I got off the plane at LAX, and I took a Lyft to the hotel, but I asked my driver to stop at Chipotle first, so that's the very first thing I did.”

For Atkins, the “America’s Got Talent” stage is the largest of his musical career so far. His previous performances include one in high school, where he had a solo with his choir, he said, but this was different.

“It was crazy because when I was up on the stage, I had the earpieces in, but I could still hear the audience — how loud they were,” he said. “It was super encouraging when I was singing to hear them cheering. It amped me up even more, even though I was still extremely nervous, because who wouldn't be? I’m not an experienced performer. I'm just some guy.”

Atkins grew up influenced by his father’s music, which included classics such as The Temptations, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Smokey Robinson and Motown.

“I grew up on all that music,” he said. “That's really the kind of music that inspired me to sing because it's just classic. It's never going to go out of style, and I still listen to that to this day.”

, where he posts videos of himself singing in the car.

“It was never really my intention to take it to this level,” Atkins said. “But I was doing the car singing thing — and I started getting a lot of traction on TikTok and whatnot and getting the likes and getting comments. That kind of motivated me to take it that step further. And to be able to venture out into doing something this big like ʻAmerica’s Got Talent.’”

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Isaac Atkins

These North Shore brothers will be featured in Season 21 of “America’s Got Talent.” Tune in Tuesday, June 9, to catch their performance.

Nyjah Music and Zyah Rhythm

'America’s Got Talent' has Hawaiʻi contestants

<title>UPDATE: Hawaiʻi contestant gets golden buzzer on ʻAmerica’s Got Talent’</title>

This Army sergeant got his musical break when he recorded himself singing in a car. Now, Oʻahu resident Isaac Atkins is reflecting on the “America’s Got Talent” auditions that recently took him to California.

UPDATE: Hawaiʻi contestant gets golden buzzer on ʻAmerica’s Got Talent’

 is known for its poke that’s made fresh daily. The biz just launched a new food truck, called 

The food truck has been operating for about two weeks, according to Debbie Koki, who owns the business with her husband, Kyle.

“It (the truck) came after we got started with the 

Kāneʻohe store; my husband and I thought, ‘Should we have a truck? That would be fun,’” she says. “We were just dreaming; last August, we started talking about it. By September, we bought this truck and we started to gut everything out. It was a 16-passenger tour van when we first started; it was totally stocked with seats.”

The business will be popping up at different locations across O

ahu. Previous locations include Downtown Honolulu, Geiger Community Park in ‘Ewa Beach, and on Ualena Street by Chef Zone. Customers can stay updated with the business’s weekly schedule by following K Bay Bros On the Go on 

The menu features fresh poke, available in one- ($18) or two-choice poke bowls ($25).

“We just use fresh (poke); we don’t offer a previously frozen option (at the truck),” Koki says.

Customers can choose from flavors like lava flow (spicy ‘ahi with sweet chili sauce, unagi sauce and crunchy rice puffs); Hawaiian (‘ahi with limu, inamona and onions in a shoyu sauce); furikake oyster (oyster sauce base with furikake and white onions); pau hana (kimchi-based sauce with imitation crab topping); spicy ‘ahi, and dynamite ‘ahi (spicy sauce with kukui nut and garlic crunch).

“The Hawaiian is more traditional, with the limu,” Koki says. “They are all really good; my favorites are the lava flow and Hawaiian.”

The truck also offers sides like inari bombs, Kulolo poke and smoked marlin; sides are available while supplies last.

Koki also wants customers to know that having a short wait time is a priority for the business.

“We’re really fast,” she says. “Especially for the lunch crowds — we understand time is important to them. We just want them to pick up and go.”

K Bay Bros on the Go owner 061126

<title>Poke business K. Bay Bros. now has a food truck</title>

K Bay Bros On the Go started about two weeks ago. The business is popping up around Oʻahu; its schedule for the week will be posted on Instagram.

Poke business K. Bay Bros. now has a food truck

IMG 1445

Rick Hamada

Columnists

[{"type":"text","text":"There is one thing on which we can all agree."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"We have our favorites."}]

In that spirit I find it's time to take a short break from the rather heady topics we engage in each week and spend a few moments to simply embrace what Maria in "The Sound of Music" shares by singing, "These Are a Few of My Favorite Things."

[{"type":"text","text":"Here are some of mine and I'd love to hear a few of yours."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Again, we all have ours, and I'll ask again, what are yours?"}]

I love cars. And, no, I don't include electric vehicles. Sorry, just seems like a glorified golf cart. A real car is a combustion engine,6 - 8 cylinders, 300-plus horsepower and, well, I prefer European but there are just so many great vehicles.

We all have our favorites regarding entertainment. This could run the gamut from movies, TV shows, concerts and audio.

There are so many aspects in our lives that qualifies as our favorites. The beauty of it all is there are no right or wrong answers, and those who are critical of your favorites would easily make my list of non-favorites.

So, enjoy and revel in what makes your lists of favorites. It's how we can find an essential balance while we navigate this thing called life.

Martini i Stock 484787146

<title>Hamada: My favorite things</title>

There have been plenty of heavy topics to write about in recent weeks, so for this week, let's have fun. Martinis, anyone?

Hamada: My favorite things

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Government & Politics

More than 200 candidates are running for elected offices in Hawai‘i and will appear on ballots this year. See the candidates for city and county races, 

Tuesday marked the filing deadline for prospective political candidates to submit their nomination papers to run for office in the upcoming 2026 elections. The 2026 primary election will be held Saturday, Aug. 8, with the general election set for Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Here are the candidates for statewide races. 

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

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

U.S. Representative candidates, District II

State Senator District 5 (Wailuku, Kahului)

State Senator District 8 (Kaua‘i, Ni‘ihau)

State Senator District 9 (Hawai‘i Kai, Diamond Head)

State Senator District 10 (Kaimukī, Kapahulu, Mō‘ili‘ili)

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"• Incumbent Les Ihara Jr., Democrat "}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"• Jackson Sayama, Democrat  "}]

State Senator District 11 (Mānoa, Makiki, Punchbowl)

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"• Incumbent Carol Fukunaga, Democrat "}]

State Senator District 13 (Liliha, Iwilei, Nu‘uanu)

State Senator District 14 (Moanalua, ‘Aiea, Fort Shafter)

State Senator District 15 (Kalihi, Māpunapuna)

State Senator District 17 (Mililani Town, Wahiawā)

State Senator District 19 (Pearl City, Waipahu)

State Senator District 20 (‘Ewa Beach, Ocean Pointe)

State Senator District 21 (Kalaeloa, Kapolei)

State Senator District 25 (Kailua, Waimānalo)

State Rep. District 3 (Hilo, Keaukaha, Kea‘au)

State Rep. District 4 (Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hawaiian Beaches)

State Rep. District 5 (Kea‘au, Mountain View, Volcano, 

Pāhala, Punalu‘u, Nā‘ālehu, Hawaiian Ocean View

State Rep. District 6 (Captain Cook, Kailua-Kona)

State Rep. District 7 (Kailua-Kona, Honokōhau)

State Rep. District 8 (Hawi, Waimea, Waikōloa)

State Rep. District 12 (Pukalani, Makawao)

State Rep. District 13 ( Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, Kaho‘olawe)

State Rep. District 15 (Hā‘ena, Hanalei)

State Rep. District 16 (Wailuā, Līhu‘e)

Kōloa, Po‘ipū, Kalāheo, Ele‘ele, Hanapēpē, Waimea

State Rep. District 18 (Portlock, Hawai‘i Kai)

State Rep. District 19 (‘Āina Haina, Niu Valley)

State Rep. District 20 (Leahi, Wai‘alae, Kaimukī)

State Rep. District 21 (Pālolo Valley, Wilhelmina Rise)

State Rep. District 23 (Mō‘ili‘ili, McCully)

State Rep. District 25 (Ala Moana, Downtown Honolulu)

State Rep. District 26 (Makiki, Punchbowl)

State Rep. District 27 (Pacific Heights, Nu‘uanu)

State Rep. District 28 (Sand Island, Chinatown)

State Rep. District 29 (Kamehameha Heights, Kalihi Valley)

State Rep. District 30 (Kalihi, Hickam Village)

State capitol 022725

<title>Here's who's running for office in 2026, part 1</title>

Tuesday marked the filing deadline for prospective political candidates. See who's running for state offices here.

Here's who's running for office in 2026, part 1

Crime & Courts

[{"type":"text","text":"Dave Lazar will be the next Honolulu Police Chief."}]

After hundreds of hours of interviews, dozens of surveys, 41 candidates and six months of consulting, the Honolulu Police Commission voted Wednesday to appoint 

, formerly a 33-year veteran of the San Francisco Police Department to lead the Honolulu Police Department.

The commission overwhelmingly voted in support of Lazar over the other two finalists: five of the seven-person commission voted for Lazar — including chair Laurie Foster and vice chairs Jeannine Souki and Chris Magnus — while the remaining two, Blake Parsons and Gary Yabuta, voted for outgoing director of the state Department of Law Enforcement 

Scott Ebner, former chief of the Glynn County Police Department in Georgia, received no votes.

Foster said after the vote that the commission listened to the preferences of the Honolulu community, which she said had overwhelmingly called for “modernization and transparency” within the department.

However, the preferences of HPD officers may have received less consideration. The State of Hawai‘i Organization of Police Officers reportedly surveyed HPD officers and found that nearly 90% preferred Lambert — who served with HPD for 21 years — while only 2% would pick Lazar.

“They’ll get to know me,” Lazar said Wednesday. “And I’m confident that we will get to know each other and we will work well together and we will all have the same thing in mind.”  

Lazar met with members of HPD’s command staff immediately following the vote, and said that he hopes to get to know HPD’s frontline officers personally and become their strongest advocate in the coming months.

“I’m grateful that they have chosen a noble profession, by serving the community of Honolulu, and serving with aloha, and choosing this place, out of all places they could work, to be a police officer,” Lazar said.

Lazar said he intends to serve as chief as long as possible, despite having retired from SFPD last year — he previously told Aloha State Daily he thinks he has another 10 years left in him. And he reiterated that he wants to be the last HPD chief hired from outside the department.

Foster said the choice to hire from outside the department was itself a reflection of the need for change at HPD and that it’s “up to the community to embrace him.”

Foster and other commissioners described the lengthy process of selecting candidates, winnowing down a field of 41 applicants over the course of months through interviews with the commission, SHOPO, the mayor, business leaders, first responders and nonprofits.

Many commissioners, including Foster, said that any one of the three candidates could have made a good HPD chief.

Lambert and Ebner congratulated Lazar after the vote. As Lambert had previously announced he will leave the Department of Law Enforcement this year to rejoin HPD, Lazar acknowledged that he will be Lambert’s boss, in some capacity.

Lazar said he has gotten to know Lambert during the process and understands why he is so popular among HPD. He said he wants Lambert’s talents back at HPD, but couldn’t specify what role he would want him to take on.

Lazar also doesn’t know when he will start the job. While he said he wants to start in early June, Foster said Lazar will still undergo a deep third-party investigation for further vetting — “a deep dive, to find out everything about the candidate,” Foster said — as well as contract negotiations.

[{"type":"text","text":"Until such time, Interim Chief Rade Vanic remains in charge at HPD."}]

 For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Lazar

<title>Dave Lazar named as next Honolulu Police Chief</title>

Honolulu Police Commission names former San Francisco assistant chief to lead Honolulu Police Department. His start date is up in the air, pending a deeper background investigation and contract negotiations.

Hawaiʻi Skies: Lunar halo

ASD Staff

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Hawaiʻi Skies: Lunar halo

Authors

ASD Staff

Reporter

More in Hawai'i Skies

Hawaiʻi Skies: Aloha Friday

Hawaiʻi Skies: Rain = rainbows

Hawaiʻi Skies: Legendary sunsets

Hawaiʻi Skies: In the moment

Most read