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Daily Smile

[{"type":"text","text":"This ain't gonna fly....."}]

Smile 26 7 17

<title>Daily Smile: Friday, July 17, 2026</title>

This ain't gonna fly.....

Daily Smile: Friday, July 17, 2026

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

Aloha Spirit

Make plans for Halloween and paint pumpkins or check out the OnoFest & Fall Expo. It’s also time for the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s homecoming football game.

 featuring more than a dozen musicians at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Friday, Oct. 16"}]

Go to the Aloha Tower Centennial Celebration. 

The 10th floor observation deck will reopen for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic on Friday, Oct. 16, offering panoramic views of the harbor and downtown Honolulu. Check out these photos from 

. The tower has undergone an $8.5 million rehabilitation. There will be live entertainment, food trucks and a drone show between 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. as part of Aloha Tower’s Centennial Celebration. Free. 

Looking for ways to celebrate Halloween? Check out Aloha State Daily’s guide for 

. From Trial of Fears and Haunted Plantation to trick-or-treat opportunities and costume contests for surfers, there are lots of events happening on Oʻahu in the next few weeks. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Saturday, Oct. 17"}]

Keiki and families can paint pumpkins, learn the art of lauhala weaving, and tour a fruit orchard as part of Saturday at the Garden: Fall Harvest. The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at CARES Waiawa, which was previously known as the Urban Garden Center, in Pearl City. There will be a plant sale, a chance to talk with Master Gardeners and more. The event is hosted by Oʻahu Master Gardener Program, which is a 

 of the University of Hawaiʻi Cooperative Extension Service. Admission is free. Some activities have a fee. 

Say ʻaloha’ to ASD at OnoFest & Fall Expo. 

Eat ʻono food and check out emerging brands at this family friendly event at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. The event is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18. ASD is a stage sponsor. General admission is $6.50, with discounts for kūpuna and military. Keiki who are 12 years old or younger can attend free. 

About 5,000 marchers, 15 floats and five bands will be part of the Honolulu Pride Parade, which is sponsored by the Hawaiʻi LGBT Legacy Foundation. Pride 2026: Hoʻomau is a celebration of queer resilience, unity and perseverance. The parade route starts at Atkinson / Ala Moana Blvd and proceeds down to Kalakaua Avenue, eventually ending on Monsarrat Ave. at Queen Kapiʻolani Regional Park. The parade starts at 3 p.m. and will be 

Watch the Rainbow Warriors face New Mexico for Homecoming. 

The University of Hawaiʻi football team will take on New Mexico for the homecoming game at the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex. Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m., and the game will be broadcast nationally on Fox Sports 1. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Sunday, Oct. 18"}]

The nonprofit Music for Live Foundation is hosting a free ʻukulele tune-up from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kamaka Community Center, located at 500 Alakawa St., Suite 100 A, Honolulu, next to Simply Storage of Hawaiʻi. Bring an ʻukulele and get a complimentary restringing with new strings provided at no cost, as well as minor repairs, advice and referrals. 

 and others will be on hand, along with staff from local music stores. Free. 

Head to the Honolulu Museum of Art for Community Sunday: Honolulu Pride at HoMA, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be family friendly performances by drag artists Melody Lucas and Miss Tara Way and music by DJ A.i.T and sirdanpaul, who just released a new album, “Shapeshifter.” There will also be dance with Aloha TapCo., and opportunities to create art, connect, and celebrate community. Community Sunday events are free for kamaʻāina. 

Go to the final performances of “Duke.”

 The one-man show tells the story of the legendary waterman Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, who popularized surfing and was 

 in swimming, in addition to being a lifeguard, actor and sheriff. The story is brought to life by 

and is an actor, playwright and cultural practitioner. The final shows of the tour will be at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and include an opening musical set from The Liliʻu Project. The sale of each ticket supports the 

, which was started by Goods with a mission to preserve and perpetuate Native Hawaiian stories. Tickets start at $30.50. 

Learn who is part of Mana Up’s Cohort 11.

 The names of the newest cohort of Mana Up participants will be announced during a 7 p.m. television broadcast, which will be live streamed by Hawaiʻi News Now. The cohosts will be Meli James, one of the founders of Mana Up, and Honolulu-born singer and actress 

, the daughter of Hawai‘i entertainer Don Ho. The duo will also be sharing details for the Mana Up Showcase, which will take place on Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Bloomingdale’s which is part of Ala Moana Center. 

Chris Kamaka Sr.

<title>Aloha Tower, Pride parade and ʻukulele tune-ups: 10 things to do on Oʻahu this weekend</title>

Ready to make plans for the weekend? From celebrating 100 years of Aloha Tower to the Honolulu Pride Parade, there are lots of opportuntities to get outside this Friday, Oct. 16, Saturday, Oct. 17, and Sunday, Oct. 18. Don’t miss the guide for spooky season activities, and get ready for some Halloween fun.

Aloha Tower, Pride parade and ʻukulele tune-ups: 10 things to do on Oʻahu this weekend

WEB square crop Hayley Lehman Headshot RGZ1636

Haley Lehman

Government & Politics

When you hear sirens and see the white, orange and blue City and County of Honolulu ambulance 34 race through Kaimukī, the paramedics and emergency medical technicians are likely coming from the newest Honolulu Emergency Medical Services station on Waiʻalae Avenue.

The Kaimukī EMS station is centrally located in Kaimukī in the Civil Beat Plaza, making it what Emergency Medical Services Director Jim Ireland said during a blessing ceremony Tuesday is an “ideal place for us.”

Kaimukī is a busy area filled with families, kūpuna and businesses, Ireland said, and the call volume necessitated expanded ambulance service. The 

 to Kaimukī were at Wailupe Fire Station and the Pāwaʻa I unit at the Waikīkī Fire Station.

First responders from the Kaimukī EMS station have responded to more than 200 911 calls and transported more than 100 patients to emergency rooms since the station opened on Oct. 4. The ambulance serves Kaimukī, Pālolo Valley and Kāhala and serves as a backup ambulance for East Oʻahu and East Honolulu.

The city considered purchasing land and building a station next to the Kaimukī Fire Station on Koko Head Avenue, but Ireland said that construction would cut into the mountain, disrupt a cultural site, cost upwards of $10 million and take three to five years to build.

“We can stay here at the current rent for 80 years for what it would have cost us to build that station,” Ireland said.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi credited EMS leaders for responding to the demand and need for medical coverage in Kaimukī and applauded the paramedics and EMTs for their hard work.

“When you have to call an ambulance, chances are you’re having the worst day of your life at that moment in time,” he said at the blessing, adding that emergency medical services are critical to the city’s public safety. “These are just people who really want to serve, who understand the need to serve and find a way to do it. It doesn’t get any better than that.”

Kahu Brutus LaBenz provided the traditional oli during the blessing ceremony on Tuesday with a pule focused on prosperity and longevity.

When asked by LaBenz what energies they wanted in the space, Paramedic Reece Fujikawa said “positive, good vibes,” and EMT Riley Agtaguem said “welcoming, healing energy.”

Fujikawa, who supervises the station, told reporters that he sees the new station as a positive for the community.

“It’s a big impact having this Kaimukī station here,” he said. “Having this station here will have a big impact on call volume and the amount of calls we can respond to in the area.”

Fujikawa said that he enjoys the new space, which has two crew restrooms, a kitchen, bathrooms and showers for the four paramedics and four EMTs in the 850-square-foot space.

“Just having that area to just relax and decompress is big,” he said.

The ambulance will be parked on Koko Head Avenue from around 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and behind the Goodwill Hawaiʻi drop-off bay at night.

The Kaimukī EMS station marks the city’s 24th EMS facility, and the department has plans to expand medical coverage across the island.

Ireland told reporters that the step pay structure that the city implemented last year has already created improvements in recruiting and retaining paramedics and EMTs. The EMS department plans to hire 24 people in the coming weeks to fill vacancies and currently has 14 EMTs and four dispatchers in the academy, according to Ireland.

“By January we will have less than 10 vacancies in the whole department for a full force of about 310 people,” he said.

According to Ireland, the department plans to open the next EMS station on West Oʻahu by the end of the month and hopes to expand services on the North Shore and Windward Oʻahu over the next two to three years to address growing call volumes and gaps in services.

Kaimuki EMS station blessing ceremony

<title>New EMS station aims to lower ambulance response times, increase medical coverage in…</title>

The City and County of Honolulu Emergency Medical Services Department opened a new EMS station in Kaimukī this month and hosted a blessing ceremony Tuesday afternoon.

New EMS station aims to lower ambulance response times, increase medical coverage in Kaimukī

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

’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

Hawai‘i History

As the kids would say, “the vibes were immaculate” at Castle High School’s recent open house and community event Friday, July 31, held at its Upper Campus in Kāneʻohe. The fundraiser kicked off celebrations for the school’s 75th anniversary, which is in March of 2027, with exclusive merch drops and perks for alumni. 

The event, which ran from 4 to 9 p.m., included food trucks and vendors — school partner organizations, alumni groups, student clubs and retailers from the neighborhood — as well as live performances from Castle’s Poly Dance Group, alumni Kawika Kahiapo and Hoku Zuttermeister, and more.

Principal Bernadette Tyrell, who holds a Ph.D, told Aloha State Daily at the event that Castle has always had "a strong sense of belonging."

“We have gotten a lot of support from Castle alumni and the community over the years,” said Tyrell, who lives on the Windward side of Oʻahu and is going into her 12th year in the role.

When asked what it means to be part of Castle’s 75-year history, Tyrell said that she’s been reflecting on the school’s legacy, while finding ways to sustain the momentum of growth. Work-based learning opportunities that lead students to meaningful careers here in the Islands is top-of-mind going into the new school year. 

“Looking back at our history, Castle has been strong in the arts and technical trades,” she said. “We want to stay relevant and build partnerships that allow the kids to live and work in their community. So, our doors are wide open for that.”

As for recent improvements around campus, Tyrell told ASD that there has been some roof repairs done since the heavy rains this past spring; the track and field lights and sounds system have been updated; and work is underway to “improve the space for students to hang out with their friends and stay current on technology.”

, which provides students with a health and wellness center to use during and after school,” Tyrell said, adding that local volunteers can come engage with the students there.

She noted that staff retention has been good overall and that she feels “blessed that so many people have come back to work here.”

According to its school profile at the state Department of Education

, Castle High School “has a way of keeping its people, as many alumni have returned to teach, work, or volunteer.” 

“I also want to thank the staff who came together to put on this event — they planned this over the summer to really honor our alumni and school,” Tryell said.

Alumna Renee Omori, who has served as Castle’s student council lead for eight years, was bouncing around various vendor tents for part of the evening to check-in with folks.

“It’s never a dull moment,” she said with a laugh. “I oversee all of the student-led events, including this one, as well as fundraisers, assemblies, spirit days, etc."

Her favorite part of the job, she says, is working closely with the high schoolers. In return, she adds that the students often teach her new things, too, including “how to think about things differently.”

When asked what she’s most looking forward to this school year, Omori told ASD, “The possibilities with a new group of kids.”

“As an alumnus, its surreal being part of this legacy,” she continued. 

James B. Castle High School was formerly called Benjamin Parker High School — the original Kāneʻohe School (1st through 8th grade) that launched in 1927— as documented by local newspapers, 

per the school’s alumni/ community association website

. A newspaper clipping from June 8, 1944, said that Harold K. L. Castle offered to donate 40 acres of land for the site of the high school, which was named after Castle’s father, James Bicknell Castle, who was a businessman and son of missionary Samuel Northrop Castle. The high school opened January of 1951 “in [a] 28 room plant at Kāneʻohe” read a headline at the time, and it was later dedicated on March 14, 1952.

Founded in 1953 by Hank Iida, The Castle Alumni/Community Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that aims “to promote and support the development of James B. Castle High School, Samuel Wilder King Intermediate School, and the elementary schools in the Castle Complex,” according to its website. Castle High School alumni, former students, parents of students or former students, faculty and staff are encouraged to become members of the association, which is “dependent solely on donations from the public.” Robert Morita, class of ’82, serves as the association’s president. To learn more or donate, 

While at the recent anniversary kick-off, ASD also spoke with Castle junior Yuko Obatay, who wore many hats to help pull together the event with the help of teacher, 

Born and raised in Kāneʻohe, Obatay said she wants to become the first lawyer in her family. She is in the school's 

, leader pathway, she notes, and a member of various school clubs and volunteer groups. Her hope is to attend college on the Mainland.

“I’ve always had a passion for politics and government,” Obatay said, adding that she enjoys taking action with fellow students and giving back to make positive change in the local community. 

What has gotten her most prepared for life after high school? “Mock interviews and getting her resume ready,” she said with a smile.

Her advice for the younger generation? “Be ambitious, stay motivated; be supportive and open-minded.”

 for more upcoming events this school year celebrating its 75th aniverssary.

Castle HS Poly Dance Group

<title>Castle High School kicks off 75th anniversary with community event</title>

Last week, the public high school in Kāneʻohe celebrated its 75th anniversary with an open house free to the public, complete with food trucks, vendors and live performances. This was the first event of a few planned for the school year, which will culminate in March. Aloha State Daily spoke with Principal Bernadette Tyrell, Ph.D., as well as teachers, alumni and students who helped put together this fundraiser.

Castle High School kicks off 75th anniversary with community event

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Major bills impacting interisland shipping, immigration enforcement and more have made it to the governor’s desk in the final days of the 2026 legislative session.

The Senate and House finally closed out the legislative session Friday by voting dozens more bills through final reading hours before the final deadline.

Joining the more than 100 measures already awaiting Gov. Josh Green’s decision are:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"No pay, no permit"}]

 allows the counties to revoke or deny a building permit application if a contractor involved in that permit is found to have violated labor laws.

Any contractor found to have violated state laws relating to wages, benefits, work hours or employment status can have their permits pulled, under the bill. Contractors are therefore required to disclose information regarding employee wages, benefits, hours and employment status to the county.

Upon pulling a permit, the county must then inform the property owner within five business days and offer the owner a chance to select a replacement contractor, and process the replacement contractor’s application within another five business days.

The measure received significant support from unions — in particular the Pacific Resource Partnership, a partnership between the Hawai‘i Regional Council of Carpenters and hundreds of other contractors — which praised the measure’s potential to prevent bad actors from undercutting local labor.

The Carpenters Union referenced a contentious construction project in Waikīkī: the renovation of the former Maile Sky Court, a $25 million project that was plagued with labor violations such as unpaid back wages and overtime and failing to provide prepaid health care to employees.

“Similar situations occur across the state, and when violations are allowed to continue, it sends a message that cutting corners is tolerated while law abiding contractors are put at a disadvantage,” read a letter by the Carpenters Union.

However, the bill also drew some opposition, significantly from the Maui Chamber of Commerce, which found the bill redundant to existing laws and worried that it will take even longer than it already does to get permits granted.

Only four lawmakers voted against the measure Wednesday: Representatives Elle Cochran, Joe Gedeon, Elijah Pierick and Garner Shimizu, all Republicans, voted against it.

[{"type":"text","text":"The measure will take effect immediately should Green sign it."}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Rate increases for Young Brothers OK’d"}]

Interisland shippers — which effectively means Young Brothers LLC — would have automatic cost adjustments applied by the Public Utilities Commission annually under 

While Young Brothers currently requires PUC approval for any rate changes, SB 2694 streamlines the process, allowing the PUC to develop a “water carrier inflationary cost index automatic adjustment mechanism” to be applied to transport companies’ fees.

While the automatic adjustments would be limited to no more than 5% each year, they would be applied almost every year from this July through 2033.

Several major organizations — including multiple county chambers of commerce, the Maui Brewing Co., ABC Stores, and the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau — have opposed the measure on the grounds that it cuts out a public process for applying additional transportation fees that impact residents throughout the state.

 a 25.75% rate increase for Young Brothers that took effect in January.

Fifteen representatives voted against the bill Wednesday, including Diamond Garcia, Sue Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Nicole Lowen, Cochran, Gedeon, Pierick and Shimizu. No senators voted against it.

If signed by Green, the first automatic cost adjustment would be imposed July 1.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Some anti-ICE bills survived, many didn’t"}]

 to rein in Immigration and Customs Enforcement Activity in the state, three have made it to the end.

, which prohibits law enforcement agencies in the state from entering into an agreement that allows state or county law enforcement to assist in immigration enforcement.

Local officers would be prohibited from inquiring about a person’s citizenship, providing a person’s citizenship information to federal immigration authorities, allowing ICE to interview individuals while in police custody, and more. There are exceptions — cops could ask about a person’s immigration status during a criminal investigation, ICE could interview a person in custody if the person consents or if permitted by a court order — but the measure largely delineates immigration inquiries as outside the duties of local law enforcement.

, meanwhile, requires state and county police agencies to inform people in their custody of their rights before any interview with ICE and requires all records of such an interview be maintained as public records.

 requires state and county agencies to establish policies concerning “protected community locations” where immigration enforcement is not authorized. Under the bill, by next year, all agencies that operate such locations must have developed policies identifying those locations, establishing procedures for how police warrants are verified, and training staff for how to assist people in those locations.

All three bills received votes in opposition largely from each chamber’s Republican contingent, including representatives Garcia, Lauren Matsumoto, Chris Muraoka and David Alcos, and senators Brenton Awa, Kurt Fevella and Samantha DeCorte. However, House Democrat Sam Kong also voted against all three measures.

HB 1870 would take effect Jan. 1, 2027, if signed by Green. The other two would take effect immediately.

State capitol 022725

<title>Young Brothers rate hikes, anti-ICE bills cross finish line</title>

The 2026 legislative session finally ended Friday, with more bills passing at the eleventh hour.

Young Brothers rate hikes, anti-ICE bills cross finish line

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

The Taste of New York ($83.95) is one of my favorite indulgences from the happy hour menu at 

, the famed steakhouse by Wolfgang Zwiener that is located in Royal Hawaiian Center.

This popular selection is now also available at the open-air terrace located right outside of steakhouse called The W Lanai by Wolfgang Zwiener. It’s designed to offer customers the same premium quality and service the steakhouse is known for, but at a lower price point and in a more casual ambiance.

“In the face of rising dining costs due to inflation and currency fluctuations, we created The W Lanai to provide a more accessible dining option in Hawaiʻi,” states Masahiro Kido, general manager of Wolfgang’s Steakhouse Waikīkī.

The W Lanai by Wolfgang Zwiener soft opened in June, but celebrated its grand opening on July 1. We were invited to check out the new space during a recent media event.

Besides a luxury drink collaboration with LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy), W Lanai’s beverage menu includes sparkling wines and premium champagnes by the glass (ranging from $10 to $65), along with original cocktails made with locally produced spirits like Ocean Organic Vodka and Kō Hana Rum. Choose from cocktails ($14 each) like Road to Hana with Ocean Vodka, pineapple, liliko

i and lychee; Papa Hemingway with Kō Hana Kea rum, grapefruit, lime, simple syrup and club soda; and Liliko

i Mo He Toe with Kō Hana Kea rum, tropical gomme, lime, mint and club soda.

The W Lanai’s food menu includes a few exclusive dishes. The venue’s fish ceviche ($18), cheese board ($26), USDA prime beef and fish tacos ($18), jumbo garlic shrimp ($24) and Wolfgang’s meatball ($18) are all exclusive items that you can’t get in steakhouse. We especially enjoyed the refreshing ceviche’s bright flavors; the succulent, tender garlic shrimp; and flavorful, juicy meatball.

While it’s not a W Lanai exclusive, the seafood combo ($26) is one of my favorite dishes (it’s also available during the steakhouse’s happy hour). It features six crostini topped with ‘ahi tartare, lobster and a lump crab mix. It’s the perfect indulgence for any seafood fanatic, since you get a sampling of spreads and the eatery doesn’t skimp on the lump crab.

As mentioned before, diners can still enjoy the Taste of New York ($83.95), which is a popular choice from the steakhouse’s happy hour menu. It includes a 12-ounce, bone-in, dry-aged New York sirloin, sides of creamed spinach and mashed potatoes, and a New York-style cheesecake for dessert.

If you order the Taste of New York, remember that the steak is still cooking slightly on the sizzling hot plate when it’s delivered to your table. Keep that in mind when choosing your desired level of preparation.

Customers who dine at The W Lanai by Wolfgang Zwiener can receive validated parking at the Royal Hawaiian Center parking garage. The first hour is free with restaurant validation; parking costs $3 per hour thereafter.

Open 3-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 3-10:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays

Validated parking is available at the Royal Hawaiian Center parking garage.

Daily Smile: Friday, July 17, 2026

ASD Staff

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Daily Smile: Friday, July 17, 2026

Authors

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