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[{"type":"text","text":"The best UPS driver ever....."}]

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<title>Daily Smile: Thursday, July 23, 2026</title>

The best UPS driver ever.....

Daily Smile: Thursday, July 23, 2026

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Michael Brestovansky

Government & Politics

Even though Hurricane Lowell’s forecasted path appears to be pulling westward, residents shouldn’t be complacent, warn state and county officials.

National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist John Bravender said Friday that 

 is continuing westward south of Hawai‘i, and is expected to make its northward turn around late Saturday or early Sunday.

“Any time you see a sharp turn like this in a hurricane track, it’s uncertain as to both where exactly it occurs and when exactly it occurs,” Bravender said. “For us, later is better. Later means it keeps going west and turns north later and tracks north farther west of the state.”

Current preliminary models by the National Weather Service show a trajectory where the eye of the storm passes to the west of Ni‘ihau. However, Bravender said there is still a wide margin for error in predicting the movement of a storm four days out, and that the heart of the storm could move an average of 150 miles off the projected course.

Even if Lowell maintains its predicted path, its winds will still reach Hawai‘i. Bravender said Lowell’s northward movement will expose it to high wind shear, which will reduce the hurricane’s power but also expand its wind field.

Consequently, Gov. Josh Green said Friday that emergency preparations are being made statewide, particularly in Kaua‘i County.  Green said the Agribusiness Development Corporation is monitoring reservoirs on Kaua‘i in anticipation of high winds and rainfall, while the Department of Health will open hurricane refuge centers on Kaua‘i.

Kaua‘i Mayor Derek Kawakami said he is in constant communication with the Robinson family — the owners of the island of Ni‘ihau — and added that he has “supreme confidence” that the island’s small population is well-prepared for Lowell.

“Our Ni‘ihauans are extremely resilient,” Kawakami said. “In fact, the Robinson family has come to our assistance more times than they’ve ever asked for help.”

Nonetheless, Green said the state Department of Human Services will keep hotel rooms available on Kaua‘i in case any Ni‘ihau residents need to relocate temporarily.

Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan, Adjutant General of the State of Hawai‘i Department of Defense, said 146 Hawai‘i National Guard personnel are standing by throughout the Islands, with more to come over the weekend. On Kaua‘i, 20 National Guard personnel are there already, with another 16 to come on Saturday, while several high-water vehicles and a potable water trailer have been brought to the island as well.

Green on Thursday signed an emergency proclamation in advance of Lowell authorizing the activation of the National Guard as needed to support disaster relief operations, and streamlines the process to secure and distribute resources among state agencies.

The emergency proclamation extends through Nov. 1, unless Green chooses to terminate it early. Therefore, the proclamation also covers potential impacts from Hurricane Karina, which approaches the state from the northeast, and Hurricane Marie, which is distantly to the east, near Baja California.

Bravender said Karina is expected to steadily weaken over the weekend and likely dissipate after Monday, without substantial impacts to the state beyond high surf on east-facing shores.

Kawakami said surf conditions this weekend are for expert surfers only, as Lowell brings powerful swells to south- and west-facing shores statewide.

Bravender said there is the possibility of intensely heavy rainfall this weekend, but estimates are still uncertain; he gave a ballpark estimate of about four to six inches of rain, with Kaua‘i and the Big Island getting about 10 inches of rain.

Kawakami said the approach of Lowell may bring traumatic memories of 1992’s Hurricane Iniki, the most powerful recorded storm to strike the state. He recommended that anyone feeling anxious to call the Hawai‘i CARES helpline at 988.

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<title>Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau prepare as Lowell approaches</title>

Hurricane Lowell to turn northward this weekend.

Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau prepare as Lowell approaches

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Real Estate

Honolulu-based real estate development firm ProsPac Holdings got its start a decade ago.

Tony Chen, a statistician and recently appointed director of the company, said it began with his brother, William, and their late father. 

"It really started with my father, Mr. Chen's vision, when he first visited Hawai‘i and it was just very apparent to him that there was a real need for housing of all types, really, in Hawai‘i," he recently told Aloha State Daily. "He was a very entrepreneurial man and saw that there was a great opportunity to do what we do here."

The core of the company's founding is in its name, one Chen says his father challenged the brothers to come up with. The name ProsPac — a combination of Prosperity and Pacific — "really gets to the heart of what we do and I think it speaks to our mission."

"It's about developing real estate and seeing real estate development as an engine of economic growth," he says. "When we develop, it means building homes for people. It means building spaces for businesses, and it's this common denominator across every thriving economy. That's where we saw we could provide the greatest benefit to where we are today."

Chen was promoted to director of ProsPac Holdings in June. In that role, he oversees key development initiatives and supports the company's long-term vision, an announcement at that time noted.

According to that announcement, Chen was a senior statistical officer at the Valuation Office Agency of Edinburgh, United Kingdom, before

. He holds degrees from Queen’s University, Peking University and the London School of Economics and Political Science; serves on the board of the Boys & Girls Club of Hawai‘i; and is an active member of NAIOP Hawai‘i and Statisticians for Society, a pro bono entity that connects professional statisticians with charitable organizations.

The Honolulu-based ProsPac developed Azure Ala Moana, a mixed-use project in Honolulu's Ala Moana neighborhood with 330 condos, 78 rental apartments and commercial space.

Its next project is Kali‘u, a boutique luxury condo in the works in Kaka‘ako.

Kali‘u — whose name is derived from the Hawaiian word for “well-seasoned”— will be constructed adjacent to SALT in Our Kaka‘ako, Kamehameha Schools’ mixed-use community. ProsPac was chosen to redevelop the block, bordered by Ala Moana Boulevard, and Auahi, Coral and Cooke streets, 

 Master Plan was approved by the Hawai‘i Community Development Authority in 2009. The Our Kaka‘ako Master Plan encompasses 29 acres across nine city blocks of KS land in the neighborhood, its 

The redevelopment of Our Kaka‘ako’s first four blocks have already been completed as part of Increment I. That includes Keauhou Place and Keauhou Lane on Block A; The Flats at Pu‘unui and 400 Keawe on Block B; The Collection on Block E; and SALT at Our Kaka‘ako and 680 Ala Moana on Block F.

Development partners have been chosen for four of the five remaining blocks in Increment II, KS notes.

 on Block G, KS previously announced that Kaka‘ako Block C LLC, an affiliate of Stanford Carr Development, 

 on Block C, Koa Partners and Castle & Cooke Hawai‘i will develop 

 on Block D and Kobayashi Group will develop 

[{"type":"text","text":"Kali‘u will offer 285 one-, two- and three-bedroom units."}]

, health and wellness are set to be at the forefront of 

. The development will offer several new wellness technologies, including an intelligent robotic massage system from Aescape, the Ammortal Chamber, zero-gravity flotation tubs and other amenities.

Chen says the developer hopes to break ground on Kali‘u in early 2027, although some infrastructure work has already started. Work is anticipated to take about 30 months. Units went on sale to the public in early 2025.

Joining a bevy of local developers in Hawai‘i, Chen says, as expected, it wasn't easy for ProsPac to enter the development sphere here.

"Hawai‘i has every right to be questioning towards people who think they can just move here and start a development company," he told ASD. "I think from early on, the key behind our initial success was how deferential and respectful Mr. Chen was to the way things were done here and I think that earned us a lot of credit — and it is a lesson that still sticks with us today. Instead of trying to come in and change the way things are done, to be mindful and to understand the way things are done."

[{"type":"text","text":"The company's goals are simple."}]

"Fundamentally, we want to build great things and housing is, right now, something we want to build," Chen says. "And for Kali‘u, as you may have already seen with the programming of the building, the experience we're trying to deliver, as you can see with what we did with our showroom, is to create something that hasn't existed here before — a boutique, wellness-centered living experience. We believe in this mission that we're on because I think we've done our research, we've looked at the data and we understand this is what people want."

Tony chen prospac 072326

<title>Coming soon: ProsPac's newest residential tower, Kali‘u</title>

The Honolulu-based real estate development firm got its start a decade ago. Its next project will take shape within the Kamehameha Schools portion of Kaka‘ako.

Coming soon: ProsPac's newest residential tower, Kali‘u

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Business & Tourism

Food & Dining

Opening a storefront wasn’t necessarily part of 

 founder Jess Kamanaʻo’s plan for 2026. However, things changed once Lanakai Juice’s Kamokila Boulevard location closed.

“We weren’t going to get back in the storefront game,” says Kamanaʻo, as HI Cravings is known for its multiple food trucks. “We were just good on mobile. The only reason why we would do a storefront again is if we could collab with some other companies.”

“We’ve been in business for 13 years now,” she adds. “Operating a storefront is definitely a challenge for a small business, especially a food business, because our margins are not as big as other industries. We thought, if we get into here, we have to do something creative and collaborative, which is something we’ve always done in our previous stores.”

HI Cravings Co-Op officially opened to the public on Aug. 29. The co-op currently features spaces for three vendors — HI Cravings, Main Squeeze Lemonade, and a rotating vendor.

“We thought, let’s create another mini storefront,” says Kamanaʻo. “It’s a co-op of other small businesses; we’re going to build a merch section so businesses can leave their stuff — whether it’s mochi or jewelry — for customers to buy. Our goal is to keep collabing with small businesses to give them that opportunity, to make it a community spot and keep it exciting for people to keep coming back.”

HI Cravings still operates three mobile trucks, which pop up at various locations across Oʻahu. Opening a Kapolei storefront has allowed the business to bring back some of its older menu items, according to Kamanaʻo.

“The Mauka is our leafy green and fruit base,” she says. “It’s honestly one of my favorite bases to eat by itself. It’s healthy and fresh; I love our fresh blends like acai, pitaya and Mauka.”  

Customers can choose their acai bowl size and base. Bases include acai, acai sorbet, mango sorbet, dragonfruit sorbet, and more. All bowls come with toppings like granola, raw honey, and fruits like strawberries and bananas. Additional toppings like peanut butter, Nutella and cookie dough are available for an additional charge.

Customers can also selection from pre-set specialty bowls like Bliss, Kapakahi, and Mangonada. The Mangonada features mangoes — when they’re available — and has chamoy walls, tajin, li hing Mexican candy stick and condensed milk. 

Kamanaʻo’s personal favorite is the Kapakahi bowl, which is topped with strawberries, bananas, pineapples, watermelon, grapes, granola, honey and coconut shreds.

“I like it with Cookie Butter, almond butter and cacao nibs,” she says. “It’s a balance of healthy-ish and a little bit of sweet in there.”

Kamanaʻo encourages customers to try the stuffed strawberry bowl, which is a new addition. She likens it to a “deconstructed stuffed strawberry,” as the bowl doesn’t include a base, granola or honey. The bowl features layers of strawberries or bananas (or both); a spread (Cookie Butter, Nutella or both); cookie dough crumbles, condensed milk, and warm melted chocolate.

“You get that melted, chocolate fondue, dipped strawberry effect,” Kamanaʻo says. “When you dip a strawberry (in chocolate) and it hardens, it’s not the same as that yummy, melted chocolate. It’s amazing in every bite.”

HI Cravings’ new store also offers half-, full- and party-sized acai trays with fruits, granola and honey.

“It takes two to three hours to freeze the base, and we’ll top it fresh,” 

 says. “You can add-on extra toppings, too; we’re just amplifying the customization a little bit more.”

HI Cravings Co-Op is still in its soft opening, and Kamanaʻo says it will take some time to get a feel for the parking, space and workflow. For now, the Co-Op is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day except Wednesdays.

“I’m hoping the community can continue to support us, as we continue these collaborations and run the trucks,” she says. “I’m excited to bring the ‘OG’ us back. It’s been 13 years; we’ve been a part of many people’s lives. We’re excited to have that sense of community.”  

Open Thursdays to Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closed Wednesdays)

HI Cravings Co Op acai bowl 090126

<title>HI Cravings Co-Op opens in Kapolei</title>

The acai bowl businesss’s new space is a co-op, designed to help support other small businesses, according to HI Cravings founder Jess Kamanaʻo. Customers can look forward to HI Cravings’ signature acai bowls, along with specialty options like the stuffed strawberry bowl.

HI Cravings Co-Op opens in Kapolei

De Soto 2025

DeSoto Brown

Hawai‘i History

Columnists

You can barely see it today, but once Kaka‘ako was largely composed of numerous individual homes. Constructed of wood starting around 1910-1915, and surrounded by yards with abundant trees, these houses were the signature of the district. Nobody was rich in Kakaako and this low-income population was, not surprisingly, prone to unsupervised children and a problem with crime. But this would start to change after the end of World War II in 1945 when the varied businesses already present would begin to gradually take over from residents as their property leases ended. Land owners sought the higher rents they could receive from commercial tenants, and Kakaako shifted mostly to this use.

Back when Kaka‘ako was home to thousands of people, necessary services and amenities were provided for them. Two examples of these were the Pohukaina Elementary School and its one-time playground /park, and the Kewalo Theater. The school is gone, the park remains, and the theater still exists although no films have been shown there for very close to 70 years.

By 1912, enough children resided in Kaka‘ako to justify the construction of a school there, leading to the completion of a two-story concrete building for the new Pohukaina School in January 1913. Over decades, other structures also came to occupy the grounds, but as the number of students in the area dropped the Department of Education pivoted to accommodating handicapped children at the school by 1967. Eventually, these were shifted to Waialae Elementary and Kaimukī Intermediate and Pohukaina at this location closed in 1980. By January 1987 only 14 school-aged kids were determined to currently be living in Kaka‘ako.

Debates about the Pohukaina site took place after its closure. As plans for the massive redevelopment of Kakaako were projected in the 1980s and ‘90s, some argued that a new school would be needed for new residents, but not surprisingly, a highrise condo today occupies part of the property.

An important historic figure in Kaka‘ako’s history was Mrs. Margaret Waldron, an Irish-Hawaiian woman who labored tirelessly for decades as a social worker in what was then a notoriously tough district.

Known to all by the affectionate nickname of “Mother Waldron” she began her time in Kaka‘ako as a teacher at Pohukaina School for 18 years before becoming the Director of Recreation at a neighborhood park. Her devotion to combating gangs and crime, particularly when it touched children, and serving as a positive and helpful influence was honored in June 1930 with the naming of the Pohukaina School’s playground as Mother Waldron Park. There she continued her instructional work, speaking of how she would be teaching girls the skills of sewing and cooking in a small structure in this new park. 

Her life came to an end in May 1936 but the following year, improvements and new structures in Mother Waldron Playground would be dedicated in September 1937. These cost $50,000 (or $1,162,417 in 2026 dollars) in government funding and the labor was provided through the federal government’s Works Progress Agency (WPA), an anti-Depression body that constructed innumerable public improvements all over the USA. These are still in place today; most immediately recognizable is the low zig-zag cement block wall on the ‘ewa side of the site.

In 1976 the Hawai‘i Community Redevelopment Agency was created to make over Kaka‘ako, and in 1981 its first plans for this project were presented. A foundational part of this government body’s goal was to improve the district’s infrastructure and in 1988 this led to the widening of both Pohukaina and Cooke Streets by 10 feet along with a major realignment of the latter. Along with condemnations and the clearing of former structures on its Waikīkī side, Mother Waldron Park approximately doubled in size.

The removal of Coral Street along the park’s other boundary added even more land to it in 1992. This was a wise move for the recreational needs of the increasing number of condo residents around it who would come in the future.

Kaka‘ako’s population in 1937 was significant enough to warrant the construction of the Kewalo Theater at the corner of Cooke and Queen Streets. Newspaper publicity for this event stated that the neighborhood was then “one of the largest and most densely populated sections in Honolulu.”

Consolidated Amusement, the biggest cinema chain in the Hawaiian Islands at that time, spent $75,000 ($1,743,626 in today's dollars) to open the latest of what it called “Neighborhood Playhouses” which served residential areas. Programs changed every day, which was true of all of Consolidated’s small theaters then, and admission was 25c for adults and only 10c for children ten years old and under.

Less than 20 years later, the Kewalo Theater was closed due to dwindling audiences as Kaka‘ako lost residents displaced by commercial tenants. Consolidated retained ownership of the empty structure for years and used it for storage, and surprisingly it still exists today. Currently occupying what had been the theater’s auditorium is the Lonohana Chocolate Company, and visitors who take a tour to see the variety of machinery which processes raw cocoa beans into tasty treats can also see remnants of the Kewalo’s 1930s interior decor still present on the walls and ceiling.

Kaka‘ako’s future growth will continue to displace the small industrial businesses that the area has been known for over the past decades, just as these displaced residents and private homes starting after World War II. As this process continues, we’ll see the diversity of Kaka‘ako today — as messy as it sometimes is — disappear as increasingly sterile new towers continue their takeover.

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<title>Changing Kakaako: Once a residential neighborhood</title>

More than a century ago, the modern development of Kaka‘ako started as modest, wooden single-family homes. Over time, these were displaced businesses. ASD historian DeSoto Brown takes down these streets of Kaka‘ako as they looked then, and now.

Changing Kakaako: Once a residential neighborhood

 "Lowell could be near major hurricane strength when it moves  close to the western Hawaiian Islands late Monday and Monday night," according to the 

.  "Regardless of the hurricane's exact track and intensity, there is a  risk of storm surge, wind, and rainfall impacts for portions of  Hawaii, particularly Kaua‘i County, early next week."

Residents are advised to "closely monitor the  progress of Lowell through the upcoming Labor Day weekend, listen to  the advice of local officials, and ensure they have their hurricane  plan and supply kit in place. Watches are likely to be issued for a  portion of the state on Saturday. Swells from Lowell are likely to cause life-threatening surf  and rip current conditions in portions of the Hawaiian Islands  during the next several days. These swells are likely to increase  early next week."

Residents are urged to make storm preparations as Hurricane Lowell is expected to veer toward the state over the weekend.

The National Weather Service’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center predicts that 

, which is currently passing south of Hawai‘i, will abruptly turn north around Saturday and begin passing closely west of the state as a major hurricane by Monday, with Kaua‘i particularly close to the hurricane’s path.

Consequently, people are advised once again to secure their properties in advance of the storm and to ensure they have 14 days worth of supplies — food, water, pet food, medical supplies, batteries, etc. — ready for each member of their households.

 says Lowell will likely bring life-threatening surf and rip currents to the state over the next several days. The storm is currently a Category 4 storm — with wind speeds between 130 and 156 miles per hour — and is only anticipated to weaken to a Category 3 hurricane, with winds between 111-129 mph — by the time it makes its closest approach to Kaua‘i, according to the Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency.

KEMA warns that coastal flooding is possible along the island's south- and west-facing shores, and that people should stay well away from the shorelines on Monday, when the most significant surf is expected.

Preliminary NWS wind forecasts predict a 20% to 40% chance of tropical-storm-force winds — e.g. winds averaging higher than 39 miles per hour over one minute — on Kaua‘i by Tuesday. O‘ahu has a 5% to 10% chance of those same winds.

However, the exact trajectory of the storm is still unpredictable; if Lowell tracks more to the east, stronger winds are possible. KEMA warns that major-hurricane-force winds of more than 110 mph, with even stronger gusts, are possible.

Consequently, KEMA recommends residents prepare now while the storm is still days away. Residents should assemble portable go-kits in case of evacuation, in addition to a battery-powered radio, a flashlight, any needed prescription medications and one gallon of water per person per day.

“Build your kit, fill your gas tank, secure your yard, check on your neighbors and your kūpuna, and talk story with your 

ohana about your plan before the weekend arrives,” said Kaua‘i Mayor Derek Kawakami. “If Lowell passes us by, we will have lost nothing but a little time. If it does not, we will be grateful we started today.”

Residents are also advised to check weather conditions before going outside this weekend, as outdoor recreation areas, rivers and trails can quickly become hazardous, and rescues may not be possible depending on conditions.

Gov. Josh Green announced Thursday that he has dispatched six additional high-water vehicles to Kaua‘i and has authorized the deployment of additional National Guard personnel to the island.

Emergency shelters or refuge areas on Kaua‘i are not currently open, but the public will be notified if they are. Residents statewide should 

 to emergency alerts via the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency and their county’s Civil Defense or Emergency Management department.

On O‘ahu, residents are also advised to stock up on supplies and secure their properties.

“We are heading into a holiday weekend, and the last thing we want is for people to become complacent or completely tune this out,” Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said. “We are not telling everyone to run out to Costco and load up on toilet paper and water. We are asking you to be aware. Pay attention to the city, your local weathercasters and news stations, and keep an eye on the forecast.”

Currently, another hurricane in the Central Pacific — Hurricane Karina — is expected to pass north of the state, and weaken to sub-hurricane strength by the end of the holiday weekend. 

032036 5day cone 16x9

<title>Residents urged to prepare as Lowell predicted to veer stateward</title>

Hurricane Lowell, currently a powerful Category 4 Hurricane, is anticipated to make an abrupt 90-degree lurch northward this weekend, bringing it close to Kaua‘i.

Residents urged to prepare as Lowell predicted to veer stateward

[{"type":"text","text":"Eggs-citing news — there’s a new egg salad sando in town."}]

ako is launching an egg salad sando ($5.25) and truffle egg sando ($5.99) on Saturday, Sept. 5. The egg salad sandwiches are a collab between La Tour Cafe and 

The filling is made with local eggs from Eggs Hawai

i, sandwiched between La Tour Bakehouse shokupan bread. The truffle egg sando features a furikake crunch.

i — located in Kalihi — features Hawaiian Maid or Ka Lei Eggs. The biz is known for its fresh local eggs, characterized by its bright, yellow yolks.

Limited quantities of the konbini-style (Japanese convenience store) sandwiches will be made daily, and the sandwiches will be available for a limited time.

The sandwiches will be available at La Tour Cafe’s Iwilei location the following week.

La Tour Cafe will also be doing a giveaway. Each egg sando or truffle egg sando purchase gets you an entry into a daily drawing for a pair of Japanese Family Mart/Lawson/7-Eleven socks. Customers must have a loyalty phone number with La Tour Cafe to enter.

For more information, follow La Tour Cafe on 

La Tour Cafe egg sando 090126

<title>La Tour Cafe launches egg sandos for a limited time</title>

The cafe’s egg sandos are a collaboration with Eggs Hawaiʻi. La Tour Cafe’s Kakaʻako location is launching the egg sando and truffle egg sando on Saturday, Sept. 5. The filling is made with local eggs between slices of La Tour Bakehouse’s shokupan bread.

Daily Smile: Thursday, July 23, 2026

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Authors

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