ASD icon blue inverse lighter

ASD Staff

Daily Smile

[{"type":"text","text":"Bad to the bone..."}]

Smile 26 6 23

<title>Daily Smile: Tuesday, June 23, 2026</title>

Bad to the bone...

Daily Smile: Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Crime & Courts

A Maui police lieutenant is facing federal corruption charges after reportedly taking payments to look the other way during cockfights.

Michael Vaitu‘ulala, a 17-year veteran of the Maui Police Department, was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud after he was accused of using his position with the MPD to protect lawbreakers from prosecution.

According to a criminal complaint filed Thursday, Vaitu‘ulala was charged after an FBI investigation in which multiple witnesses described how the officer helped to arrange illegal cockfights for years and took cash payments to ensure the fights would go on without police enforcement in 2025.

One witness told the FBI investigator that he paid Vaitu‘ulala a percentage of the proceeds from the chicken fights he ran; according to one witness, “the low end of the payments” to Vaitu‘ulala for an event was about $3,000. Another cockfight organizer would pay Vaitu‘ulala out of pocket for “thousands of dollars.”

Vaitu‘ulala also allegedly took a trip to Las Vegas with one of the cockfight organizers, who gave the lieutenant “the most money he had ever given [him] in a single payment.” Vaitu‘ulala reportedly gambled more than $30,000 at blackjack that trip.

When arranging these transactions, Vaitu‘ulala would reportedly insist on communicating using apps like Instagram or Facetime on burner phones specifically to avoid detection by law enforcement.

However, Vaitu‘ulala also allegedly used his position at the MPD to warn people about pending investigations into other illegal activities since at least 2019.

In February 2025, one of the cockfight organizers attempted to ship cocaine and methamphetamine from San Diego to Maui, a shipment that was intercepted by the United States Postal Inspection Service. During the subsequent investigation, Vaitu‘ulala reportedly provided confidential information of the investigation to the cockfight organizer.

In another case, Vaitu‘ulala reportedly told someone that the Drug Enforcement Administration had plans to set up a wiretap on that person’s phone and, later, that there was a warrant for that person’s arrest.

According to witnesses, Vaitu‘ulala tried to position himself as a major crime figure on Maui: one witness said Vaitu‘ulala wanted to be the “Larry Mehau” of Maui, referring to a Hawai‘i Island businessman and former police officer 

 in the 1970s to be “the godfather of Hawai‘i organized crime.”

That same witness said “everybody” pays Vaitu‘ulala, and another said he would pay the lieutenant — “generally $3,000 or more,” according to the criminal complaint — to avoid arrests for selling drugs, or to avoid a DUI charge.

“[Vaitu‘ulala] has demonstrated that — even as a law enforcement officer — his loyalties lie not with the Maui Police Department … but with the drug traffickers and other criminals he shielded from prosecution,” read a motion by Ken Sorenson, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawai‘i.

Following Vaitu‘ulala’s charge, the MPD has placed him on administrative leave pending the outcome of the case.

“We recognize that allegations involving law enforcement personnel can erode public confidence,” read an MPD statement. “Maintaining the trust of our community requires accountability, appropriate transparency, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law. When allegations involve one of our employees, we have a responsibility to address those matters promptly, fairly, and in accordance with the law and established procedures.”

[{"type":"text","text":"MPD can make no further comment on an active criminal matter."}]

If convicted, Vaitu‘ulala faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Vaituulala2

<title>Maui police lieutenant charged with corruption</title>

Michael Vaitu‘ulala, a 17-year veteran of the Maui Police Department, allegedly took thousands of dollars in bribes to protect illegal cockfights, drug deals, and more.

Maui police lieutenant charged with corruption

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

Business & Tourism

In late June, Waikīkī Beach Marriott Resort & Spa recently opened its ʻOhana Entertainment Center, a 6,000-square-foot space that includes bowling, virtual reality attractions, sports simulators and more than 60 arcade games.

The space, which is located near the lobby, is open to resort guests, visitors staying at other places in Waikīkī and 

Since the venue opened recently, data on visitation trends was not immediately available, Mark Weatherill, general manager of Waikīkī Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, told Aloha State Daily via email.

“What we are seeing is a healthy mix of resort guests, island visitors and local residents, which is exactly the outcome we were hoping for when the project was envisioned,” he said.

Representatives of the resort declined to comment on the cost of the project. It was developed in partnership with Family Entertainment Group.

Weatherill considers the bowling lanes his favorite part of the center, he said.

“While the virtual reality attractions and arcade games are incredibly popular, bowling has a unique way of bringing people together,” Weatherill shared via email. “Whether it's grandparents, parents, teenagers or younger children, everyone can participate. Every time I walk through the venue, I see families laughing, cheering each other on and creating memorable experiences together. That really captures the spirit of ʻohana and what we hoped to achieve when we created the entertainment center.”

Prior to becoming an entertainment center, the area included administrative and back-of-house space.

“The planning, design and development process began approximately a year before the official opening, with our teams working closely with Family Entertainment Group to bring the vision to life,” Weatherill told ASD.

Waikīkī Beach Marriott Resort & Spa spans more than five acres and features more than 1,300 guest rooms and suites, plus a one-acre pool and cabana deck with panoramic ocean views.

“The inspiration was simple, in that we wanted to create a place where families, friends and groups could come together and create lasting memories,” he wrote. “Today's travelers are looking for more than just accommodations; they're seeking shared experiences, and we saw an opportunity to add a unique indoor attraction that could be enjoyed by both our resort guests and the local community.”

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

ʻOhana Entertainment Center

<title>Waikīkī resort opens entertainment center</title>

Family bowling is possible in Waikīkī at this entertainment center, which opened in June. The 6,000-square-foot space also includes more than 60 arcade games.

Waikīkī resort opens entertainment center

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

 is almost one year old; the business opened on Aug. 8, 2025, in the former Ba-le space, next to the Don Quijote Pearl City food court.

According to business owner Nathan Wu, the cafe's name is inspired by his family.

“It stands for Nathan, Ava, Katy and Sheldon,” Wu says. “Ava is my daughter and Sheldon is my younger son.”

Wu has worked in the restaurant industry for the past 25 years; his previous culinary experience includes roles at Hau Tree 

when the property was still called The New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel 

“The chef (from Le Bistro) was really talented,” Wu says. “I learned a lot from him; I got a lot of inspiration from him. I was there (at Le Bistro) for around 10 years.”

Wu always wanted to open his own restaurant; he currently operates Mezzo Bistro & Bar, which is in Market City Shopping Center.

“That restaurant is American-Italian fusion,” he says. “It’s been open for five years.”

He wasn’t necessarily looking to open a new concept in Pearl City, but once he learned about the space, he thought it was a good fit.

“In Hawaiʻi, everybody is so busy,” Wu says. “After work, maybe people just want to go home and enjoy a good meal. I wanted to have upscale takeout for busy people; they can still get takeout with restaurant-quality food.”

Wu describes Naks Cafe's cuisine as “international fusion.” He says many of the featured dishes are personal favorites.

“I’ve been putting more wagyu items on the menu,” he says. “We have a supplier directly from Japan, we are getting A5 Toriyama wagyu directly from their farm. We are trying to introduce more wagyu items to the Pearl City area.”

When Naks Cafe first opened, the biz only had ramen on the menu. Now, the menu offers a variety of sandwiches, pastas, wagyu dishes and specials.

“We now have the wagyu beef burger, wagyu loco moco and wagyu beef curry,” Wu says. “I’m thinking we’ll have more wagyu items in the future.”

The wagyu beef burger ($18.85) is one of the most popular dishes. It features a wagyu beef patty with caramelized onions, cheese, arugula and wasabi aioli. The burger comes with fries and mixed greens.

“The salad comes with our housemade dressing, which is a raspberry vinaigrette,” Wu says.

The cafe also offers specials like the Cajun shrimp plate ($17.85) and barbecue chicken and shrimp mix plate ($19.85). The Cajun shrimp plate comes with fresh greens and rice; the shrimp boasts a slight spice.

The fettuccine al funghi ($16.85) and The Naks ($16.85) — which is a bite-sized French toast — are also customer favorites, according to Wu. The latter features crispy, deep-fried French toast bites, tossed in cinnamon sugar and served with a housemade cream cheese whip.

“Kids love it; our homemade cream cheese whip is really good,” Wu says.

Customers can also choose from drinks like Oreo milk with Nutella cloud ($6.85), and mango or strawberry matcha lattes ($6.85). While most customers order their meals to-go, they can also enjoy their meals in the adjacent food court area, which offers seating.

Naks Cafe is celebrating its first anniversary this Saturday, Aug. 8. The biz will be offering a 16% discount on food, along with a buy-one-get-one-free special for drinks.

“We’re offering 16% percent off because Aug. 8 is like 8 plus 8,” Wu says. “We want to make it memorable.”

Open from 11 am. to 7 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Naks Cafe owners 073126

<title>Naks Cafe offers gourmet takeout meals in Pearl City</title>

The business, which is located next to the Don Quijote Pearl City Food Court, has been open for one year. Business owner Nathan Wu strives to provide the community with affordable, high-quality meals for takeout.

Naks Cafe offers gourmet takeout meals in Pearl City

Lopaka and Tanya Kapanui

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya Kapanui

Hawai‘i History

Columnists

Prior to Western contact, the Waiākea Peninsula at the edge of Hilo Bay sustained a thriving Hawaiian community for generations. As Hilo gradually developed into an important port for the sandalwood trade, supply replenishment, and the whaling industry, the area began to change.

Although the traditional stewardship of the ʻaina ensured the loʻi kalo (taro fields) and the loko iʻa (fishponds) continued to provide food for the area, the peninsula slowly took on a different purpose. Then, the introduction of private ownership through the Great Mahele of 1848 forever changed how Waiākea would be managed.

With the expansion of Hilo Harbor, the wetlands were drained, and fishponds fell into disuse. To accommodate larger ships, the bay was dredged, and the fill from the bay was used to create new land along the shoreline. Ancient canoe landings disappeared beneath that newly created land, and much of the ceremonial landscape surrounding Kūakaʻananuʻu Heiau was erased. Roads, homes, and public buildings gradually spread across the shoreline, covering many of the features that had defined Waiākea for centuries.

Due to the harborʻs continued growth and change, today’s shoreline bears little resemblance to the one that greeted the first Western merchant vessels. During the early 1900s, a new public park was created to honor the last reigning monarch. Liliʻuokalani Gardens, with its walking paths, decorative bridges, and ornamental gardens replaced the loʻi kalo and loko iʻa, creating a space where residents and visitors could enjoy the shores of Hilo Bay.

In 1933, the Hilo Parks Commission invited director Cecil B. DeMille and other celebrities from the film "Four Frightened People" to plant banyan trees along a new roadway. Later that year, Babe Ruth planted a tree, and the road was formally designated the following year in time for a visit from President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who planted his own tree. Over time, nearly 50 trees were planted by aviators, entertainers, politicians, and other notable visitors, and the Banyan Drive became known as “Hilo’s Walk of Fame.” In 1939, the Naniloa Hotel opened its doors on the site of a former yacht club, welcoming visitors to its tranquil location by the sea.

Like the rest of Hilo, the Waiākea Peninsula has had to face the destructive power of the sea. Tsunamis in 1946 and 1960 devastated the coast, destroying homes, businesses, and facilities along the waterfront. While many of the banyan trees survived, a new infrastructure once again reshaped the landscape and Banyan Drive soon became the center of Hilo’s visitor industry.

By the 1970s, Banyan Drive was already established as the center of Hilo’s visitor industry. The Naniloa and the new Hilo Hawaiian, along with other new hotels, welcomed travelers from around the world, while nearby golf courses, parks, and public spaces drew both residents and visitors to the bay.

Although centuries of development had transformed nearly every part of the peninsula, places like Mokuola (Coconut Island) continued to preserve a connection to an older Hawaiʻi. The landscape may look different from the days of loʻi kalo, loko iʻa, and Kūakaʻananuʻu Heiau, but its mana cannot be erased.

Perhaps that is why, despite decades of change, stories continue to emerge from Banyan Drive, describing experiences that seem to be connected to a long-lost past. Former staff have mentioned doors of empty rooms rattling for no reason, and housekeeping staff talk of the water faucets in one of the rooms turning on by itself.

However, the scariest stories are the ones about a group of visitors who turn up during specific moon phases, without reservations. One security guard said it starts with the sound of drums. It’s distant, but the sound is a consistent beat that doesn’t change like modern music. As the drums get louder, a mist appears on the building’s mauka side and moves through the wall and the hotel rooms, exiting through the wall on the opposite end of the building on their way to the ocean.

“I know it’s not my imagination,” he said. “The lights dim and flicker, pictures on the wall shake or fall to the floor, sometimes the furniture moves.”

The guard said that the employees at the hotel know to make themselves scarce during that time, but no one really talks about it with each other.

Grand Naniloa Hilo

<title>Night Marchers at the Naniloa</title>

Babe Ruth and President Franklin D. Roosevelt are among the Mainland luminaries who planted banyan trees along Banyan Drive. The history of the Hilo area surrounding the Naniloa Hotel goes back to ancient times, and as hotel staff tell it, on some nights the old days come marching through in a mist.

Daily Smile: Tuesday, June 23, 2026

ASD Staff

Reporter

More in Daily Smile

Daily Smile: Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026

Daily Smile: Friday, Aug. 7, 2026

Daily Smile: Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026

Daily Smile: Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026

Most read

Daily Smile: Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Authors

ASD Staff

Reporter

More in Daily Smile

Daily Smile: Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026

Daily Smile: Friday, Aug. 7, 2026

Daily Smile: Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026

Daily Smile: Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026

Most read