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Hawai'i Skies

Today's Hawai‘i Skies was captured by A. Kam Napier over Mō‘ili‘ili. "A recent full moon rising over Mō‘ili‘ili, near Isenberg and Kapi‘olani."

To submit your Hawai'i Skies photo, visit us 

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

<title>Hawaiʻi Skies: Moon rising</title>

Today's Hawai‘i Skies was captured by A. Kam Napier over Mō‘ili‘ili.

Hawaiʻi Skies: Moon rising

Today&#039;s Hawai‘i Skies was captured by A. Kam Napier over Mō‘ili‘ili. &quot;A recent full moon rising over Mō‘ili‘ili, near Isenberg and Kapi‘olani.&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":"There’s a new salt bread bakery in Honolulu."}]

 officially opened in the former space of Hawaiʻi Banchan Co. on Kapiʻolani Boulevard. The bakery is currently open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or until sold out.

The business specializes in salt breads. Right now, flavors like original, truffle and spicy arabiki are available; salt breads are limited to four per customer.

Salt breads are baked fresh throughout the day, according to baker Edrian Bautista, who says it takes about two hours for a batch to be ready.

’s mostly inspired by a Filipino bread called pan de sal, Japanese milk bread, and Korea’s salt bread,” he explains.

When asked about a good salt bread’s qualities, Bautista refers the bread’s crispy bottom and soft, fluffy interior.

“It’s like a milk bread inside,” he says. “It’s not dense at all; it’s still fluffy. Personally, I like to eat it when it’s cooled down.”

Eventually, the business will have a total of eight salt bread flavors, according to Bautista. The menu lists flavors like mentaiko, kimcheese and avocado.

While only the original, truffle and spicy arabiki salt bread flavors were available during our visit, Kilo Deli will also offer other desserts like ube butter mochi ($4), brown butter mochi ($4) and Kouign-Amann ($8).

Customers can look forward to a variety of beverages, ranging from strawberry milk ($6) and strawberry matcha ($9.50) to honey oat lattes

The salt breads are conducive to takeout, but there's limited customer seating inside the cafe. 

 for updates. There’s limited customer parking in front of the store.

Open daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or until sold out

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Kilo Deli salt breads 080526

<title>New salt bread bakery in Honolulu</title>

Kilo Deli just opened on Kapiʻolani Boulevard, in the former space of Hawaiʻi Banchan Co. The bakery specializes in salt bread, which is available in flavors like original, truffle and spicy arabiki. Salt breads are limited to four per customer. Kilo Deli is currently open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or until sold out.

New salt bread bakery in Honolulu

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Government & Politics

A series of new state rules to protect indigenous wildlife is up for public review.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources has proposed 

 to the state’s administrative rules concerning indigenous and endangered wildlife, in an effort to increase local protections for native flora and fauna.

Among the proposed rules are an extended list of prohibited activities with respect to indigenous wildlife. For example, the new rules specifically prohibit the “take” of indigenous wildlife, an umbrella term which includes harming or harassing animals, where current rules only prohibit catching, possessing, injuring, killing, selling or transporting such species.

Other changes include a prohibition against “significantly [modifying or degrading an animal’s] habitat such that it kills or injures indigenous wildlife.”

“Currently, there are no federal prohibitions on significant modification or degradation of habitat that kills or injures indigenous wildlife that are not federally listed as threatened or endangered species,” reads the DLNR’s rationale for that addition. “[DLNR] interprets state law to extend habitat protections to indigenous wildlife.”

Another new rule prohibits the feeding of indigenous wildlife, as feeding wild animals can sicken them, habituate them to humans, or lead them into harmful areas.

Meanwhile, the new rules also include sections for “introduced wild birds” — which similarly prohibit catching or killing them, but not “taking” them — and “injurious wildlife,” including a list of dozens of “injurious” animal species which are known to be harmful to indigenous species or agriculture.

People are also prohibited from bringing domestic animals onto DLNR lands, unless they are leashed or caged, or from riding horses on DLNR lands. Any domestic animals found running wild on DLNR lands can be impounded and destroyed, under the proposed rules.

The penalties for violating these rules, as outlined in 

, would be fines of up to $250 and/or up to one year in jail for a first offense. Furthermore, killing or displacing a threatened species incurs a fine of up to $5,000, or up to $10,000 for an endangered species.

Members of the public are encouraged to submit feedback about the proposed rules either 

 for written testimony until Aug. 26 or at a public meeting in-person on Aug. 13 

from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. at 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 132 (Kalanimoku Building), in Honolulu.

Palila6 scaled 16x9

<title>DLNR proposing stricter wildlife conservation rules</title>

Harassing native wildlife to be prohibited under proposed rules.

DLNR proposing stricter wildlife conservation rules

i Kai Shopping Center. It’s located nearby sister company Island Brew Coffeehouse, in the former space of Kawaii Ice Wave. 

Pastries and breads are baked fresh daily. Right now, the bakery is open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Customers can find a variety of sweet and savory pastries, according to manager Rocco Baez. The selection includes salt bread, butter croissants, dark chocolate cranberry scones, oatmeal raisin cookies, biscuits with honey butter and more. The bakery is also known for its focaccia loaves.

“The salt bread is the top seller, but the spinach puffs are my favorite,” Baez says. “We’re experimenting (with flavors) every day. People like our oatmeal raisin cookies and gluten-free pastries as well.”

The bakery’s salt bread ($4.50) is available in its original flavor for now, but additional flavors, like chocolate, may come in the future.

Pastries are available for grab-and-go, and the shop offers limited outdoor customer seating.

The shop sells other desserts and treats, including croissant sundaes, Moku Pops, locally made ice cream, crepes and bingsu. Bingsu flavors range from mango and matcha to strawberries and cream and peanut butter dream.

Bakehouse by Island Brew is celebrating its grand opening this Saturday, Aug. 8. starting at 8 a.m. Follow the biz on 

Bakehouse by Island Brew manager 080426

<title>Bakehouse by Island Brew is open in Hawaiʻi Kai</title>

The new bakery, whose sister company is Island Brew Coffeehouse, is celebrating its grand opening this Saturday, Aug. 8. The shop offers freshly baked pastries like chocolate chip muffins, salt bread, biscuits with honey butter and oatmeal raisin cookies. It also features gluten-free pastries and other desserts like bingsu.

Bakehouse by Island Brew is open in Hawaiʻi Kai

[{"type":"text","text":"This popular Sunday brunch buffet recently revamped its offerings."}]

 is known for its brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays. It costs $125 per adult ($67 for children ages 5 to 10 years).

The buffet recently added an antipasto and artisan spread station to its line-up. This station includes a variety of spreads — including chicken liver pate, smoked salmon mousse, seasonal mushroom spread, baba ghanoush and more — along with bruschetta and freshly baked crostini.

“We have prosciutto sliced to order; we have hummus, baba ganoush, housemade pickles and pate,” says Halekūlani chef de cuisine Melissa Kaniki. “The pate is the most popular.

“That (the artisan spread station) used to be the ramen station, but we removed it,” she adds. “There aren’t very many places you can get housemade Italian pickles.”

The paella and Italian sausage are also new additions to the buffet, according to King.

“We took off the flank steak, but the paella is very popular,” she says. “It has seafood, chicken and some chorizo. Next to it, we also have coiled Italian sausage. It’s so good; it’s my favorite. It’s going to be on rotation.

“My uncle used to go to New York often and bring home Italian deli sausages and meats like bison,” she adds. “One of our purveyors, Pasquale Allegrini, said, ‘I have a new sausage’ and I was like, ‘We need to put it on (the buffet).’”

Orchids’ buffet offers a variety of seafood, ranging from shucked oysters and snow crab legs to a selection of Hawaiian poke, fresh sashimi and chef’s selection of nigiri and maki rolls.

The carving station features Waimanalo-raised suckling pig, herb-crusted prime rib, sage butter roasted turkey, honey bone-in ham with brussels sprouts and roasted brisket.

Finally, the dessert spread includes options like classic Halekūlani coconut cake, strawberry mousse tarts, key lime tarts, bread pudding, mango passion macarons and more. There’s also a gelato and sorbet section with assorted toppings, and artisanal breads and croissants from Halekūlani Bakery.

Orchids also started a new executive business lunch experience that’s available from Monday to Friday. This curated menu is designed for professionals seeking an elevated meal within a condensed timeframe.

The executive business lunch costs $52 per person. It features a two-course prix fixe menu with a choice of an appetizer and main entrée, or main entrée and dessert.

Appetizers include mozzarella di bufala campana (fresh tomatoes, basil, oregano and extra virgin olive oil); crab salad New York croissant (with crab meat, celery, shallot, chives, lettuce, mayonnaise and mixed greens); and vine-ripened Kamuela tomato soup (served with thyme crème fraiche, pesto and a crouton).

Choose from main entrees like gnocchi Portofino (housemade potato gnocchi with creamy, fresh tomato sauce and basil pesto); catch of the day with grilled asparagus and Kalamata olive sauce; and the Orchids burger. The latter features a prime beef burger with bacon, American cheese, sauteed shiitake mushrooms, romaine, guacamole, tomato and onions.

Desserts include Halekūlani’s signature coconut cake — chiffon cake with coconut-amaretto cream — or gelato, available in flavors like vanilla, chocolate, Kona coffee, hazelnut or pistachio.

Orchids’ executive business lunch menu will change monthly to feature new seasonal dishes and ingredients.

“Today’s professionals are looking for dining experiences that balance quality, efficiency and an exceptional setting,” states Alec van Meijeren, director of food and beverage. “Our new executive business lunch allows guests to enjoy the signature cuisine and gracious hospitality of Orchids while accommodating the pace of a busy workday.”

Orchids dessert display 072026

<title>Orchids revamps its Sunday brunch, adds executive business lunch for weekday dining</title>

The popular Halekūlani eatery added a new artisan station — which includes hummus, chicken liver pate, pickled vegetables and more — along with Italian sausage and paella to its Sunday brunch buffet. Orchids also started a business lunch option, available from Monday to Friday.

Orchids revamps its Sunday brunch, adds executive business lunch for weekday dining

IMG 1445

Rick Hamada

Columnists

[{"type":"text","text":"This Saturday is Primary Election Day."}]

Usually around this time there is a plethora of TV, radio and print advertisements for candidates seeking your vote and more. Interestingly, there has been a dearth of ads, proving spending is somewhat down overall. However, there are two specific races where cash is being spent.

In the 1st Congressional district race, substantial spending is apparent. And let's be honest. Saturday's vote will determine the winner and either incumbent Rep. Ed Case will return or State Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole will stage an upset and become the new Congressman representing District 1. I know this is a shock and surprise but, yes, both are of course Democrats. No intentional dis but the Republican Party of Hawai‘i is not offering a competitive candidate so the general election will be a simple formality.

The comparison of spending for the 1st Congressional district and the 2nd Congressional district is no comparison. 

This is an interesting race that will come down to November. Rep. Jill Tokuda, the Democrat incumbent, is facing off against GOP State Sen. Brenton Awa and their resource investments will ramp up the day after the primary results. The general election is November 3, which will then be 86 days right after the primary. However, this race holds great interest in that the candidates are polar opposites. Rep. Tokuda has incumbency, name recognition and a D next to her name. But she espouses less content and more MAGA invocations and criticisms. Her anti-Trump rhetoric seems gleaned from social media posts and DNC talking points rather than major realistic proposals.

Sen. Awa also has some differentiations than a traditional elected member of the GOP. 

During his first term, Awa promoted policies to prevent foreigners from purchasing land in Hawai‘i in an effort to keep local residents from being "priced out of paradise." He was also instrumental in developing a tree planting program featuring ‘ulu and mountain apples to help feed people in and around Kahalu‘u and he is also known for a similar program in Haleiwa replacing the much-maligned coconut tree population devastated by the coconut rhinoceros beetle. Finally, Sen. Awa is not a sycophant regarding President Trump. He articulates his differences but embraces similarities.

[{"type":"text","text":"Again, this will be a race to watch."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"And, of course, the race for Lieutenant Governor."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Strap yourself in; it's gonna be a bumpy ride."}]

I referred to campaign spending as somewhat limited for the upcoming primary election. However, there is no doubt that Pacific Resource Partnership representing the Hawaii Carpenter's Union via the super PAC (Political Action Committee) For a Better Tomorrow and a subsidiary super PAC entitled 

The Hawaii Carpenters Market Recovery Program Fund PAC and others have dominated campaign donations.

 with most of those funds derived from dues paid to the Hawai‘i Carpenters Union. Of that $7 million plus, according to Campaign Spending Commission records, $2 million of the $5.2 million spent has gone to LG candidate Mayor Derek Kawakami. Further examination of the CSC report shows that of the Top 10 campaign donors eight are unions or union associations. 

You may ask why. Why so much money in politics from unions?

The 1st quarter of 2026 there was $2.09 billion dollars in construction spending.

That's only in the first three months of this year.

There has to be a bit of congratulations to organized labor in Hawai‘i.

Over the generations, labor has supplanted the Big 5, ridden the coattails of the 1954 Democrat Revolution, dominated all aspects of city and county elections (rendered non-partisan to give the illusion of bipartisanship), defeated the first governor of Hawai‘i, Republican Bill Quinn, fought against Republican Linda Lingle and despite her narrow loss in 1998 to Gov. Ben Cayetano, she went on to defeat in 2002 Lt. Governor Mazie Hirono in a spirited battle. Then, interestingly, the Democrats fielded perhaps the weakest challenge possible to Gov. Lingle's reelection: State Sen. Randy Iwase and State Sen. Malama Soloman. In searching for explanations, the conclusions ranged from the conspiratorial to the incredulous. Did organized labor and the Democrat party allow Gov. Lingle's second term because she was unbeatable or was there another reason? One thing is certain. The democrats have dominated the fifth floor and The Big Square Building ever since.

There are other top of mind thoughts headed into this election cycle.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Please allow me to ask you the following:"}]

I ask because these are fundamental questions that should rather easily elicit an answer.

I would appreciate any feedback, and your responses may appear in a follow-up piece.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Mahalo plenty."}]

State capitol 022725

<title>The races to watch</title>

ASD opinion columnist Rick Hamada talks about the races he's most closely watching in the upcoming Primary Election. Is it going to be Case or Keohokalole? Tokuda or Awa? What about the LG's race? And he has questions for you about the elections and politics in Hawai‘i for further discussion.

The races to watch

Lopaka and Tanya Kapanui

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya Kapanui

Hawai‘i History

Hūnānāniho Beach Park sits along the Waimānalo shore, but many people know the place by its nickname, “Sherwood Forest” or simply “Sherwoods.” At the end of a narrow lane just across from the Polo Club, this pocket of land is covered with tall ironwood trees that are not native to Hawai‘i. While the ironwoods provide welcome shade for beachgoers and campers, they’re a relatively recent addition.

Long before the towering trees were planted, this stretch of the Waimānalo shoreline was already home to generations of Native Hawaiians. Historic photographs from the early 1900s show an open beach with very few large trees. Very different from the dense forest that later became famous.

Perhaps the most sobering reminder of Hūnānāniho’s past lies beneath the sand. Archaeological evidence shows Waimānalo to be one of the earliest permanent settlements on O‘ahu. Radiocarbon dating from nearby excavations places occupation between A.D. 1040-1219, with documented home sites, imu, stone tools, midden deposits, shell fishhooks, and burial grounds containing iwi kūpuna, the ancestral remains of Native Hawaiians.

Hūnānāniho was known to Hawaiians as a pu‘uhonua, a place of refuge or sanctuary. Anyone who violated a kapu or fled a losing battle and could successfully reach the grounds of a pu‘uhonua was granted protection from harm or execution. A pu‘uhonua is recognized as a sacred place where kāhuna would perform cleansing rituals and offer prayers for affected individuals. Through these solemn practices, they were absolved of their transgressions and were allowed to return to society.

In 1917, the Waimānalo Sugar Company sold around 1,500 acres of beachfront property to the U.S. Government, after which Pres. Woodrow Wilson’s Executive Order established the Waimānalo Military Reservation. What followed were sweeping changes to the landscape, including the destruction of archaeological sites, the grading of natural dunes, and the construction of an airfield.

In 1933, the reservation was renamed Bellows Field, honoring 2nd Lieutenant F.B. Bellows, who was killed in an airplane accident. The military expanded the facility during World War II to train Air Force personnel for combat. In the 1950s, the military discontinued recreational use of the area, and by the 1960s, it became known as Sherwood Forest, likely named after the famous den of thieves due to high crime rates.

When the military no longer required portions of the property, the land was returned to the state and, eventually, to the city and county. The park was officially named Waimānalo Bay Beach Park until 2021. After a years-long battle to prevent the city from building athletic fields at the park, the Honolulu City and County voted to restore the park’s original name, Hūnānāniho. 

Hawaiian place names have mana, and they often convey the cultural significance of a place. The literal translation of Hūnānāniho is “hidden teeth,” but Hawaiian names often have a deeper meaning. Waimānalo cultural practitioner Kalani Kalima shared an explanation given by Kumu Hula Frank Kawai Hewett that Hūnānāniho means to keep something so sacred and personal that it is hidden, as one’s teeth. 

Today, beachgoers come to Hūnānāniho for its soft sand and shaded shoreline, unaware of the history beneath the sands. While the daytime hours are spent in fun and frolic, the area can quickly become something else entirely.

A few years ago, Rich and his friend, John, crashed a beach party in Kailua, just looking for a good time. After everyone started heading home, the pair snuck a few beers and made their way to Sherwood Forest. Sitting on the tailgate of John’s truck, the young men were facing the beach, sipping their beer and talking story, when Rich noticed some fishermen’s lights bouncing along the shoreline. Not thinking much of it, Rich began texting another friend to see if he’d come and join them until he realized John had become quiet.

When Rich finally looked at John, he noticed his friend’s face was pale, and he was staring at something on the beach. Turning his head in the direction John was looking, he noticed that the lights he saw weren’t flashlights; they were fire, like torches. Then he noticed a long line of them, with dark figures walking beside them.

“Every hair on my body stood up,” Rich said, “and even though I already knew, I asked John, ‘What is that?’”

John started coughing, leaning forward and holding his throat like he couldn’t breathe. Not knowing what else to do, Rich started pounding on John’s back as if he were choking on something.

[{"type":"text","text":"Finally, John sat up and whispered, “Night marchers!”"}]

Rich grabbed John’s arm and helped him to the passenger’s side of his truck and shoved him in, and then jumped in the driver’s seat. He put the truck in gear and sped out of the tiny parking lot, realizing the cooler and some other things had slid out of the bed because the tailgate was open.

They drove to a friend’s house, and someone there told them the moon phase was Kāne, the night when the huaka‘i pō are said to walk the earth. Although it’s been years since that happened, Rich said that he and John never forgot it, and they always make sure to check the moon phase when they go out at night.

Sherwood Sunrise

<title>Beneath the Sand at Hūnānāniho</title>

Waimānalo is one of the earliest human settlements on O‘ahu, dating back as much as a thousand years. For Native Hawaiians, it was a pu‘uhonua, a place of refuge. Later the area hosted a sugar plantation then a military airfield. In 2021, the City and County of Honolulu restored Waimānalo Bay Beach Park's traditional name, Hūnānāniho. Some say that's not the only presence from the past that walks the beach when the moon is just right.

Hawaiʻi Skies: Moon rising

ASD Staff

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Hawaiʻi Skies: Moon rising

Authors

ASD Staff

Reporter

More in Hawai'i Skies

Hawaiʻi Skies: Through the trees

Hawaiʻi Skies: Another one

Hawaiʻi Skies: On top of the world

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