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Daily Smile

[{"type":"text","text":"Everyone knows not to mess with Frank..."}]

Smile 26 8 19

<title>Daily Smile: Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026</title>

Everyone knows not to mess with Frank...

Daily Smile: Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026

 Everyone knows not to mess with Frank...

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

MĀNOA — With the University of Hawai‘i football team's game against New Mexico State - and 2026 season - hanging in the balance on Saturday night at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, head coach Timmy Chang put his trust in analytics. 

Facing fourth-and-5 at the NMSU 7 with 5:17 remaining and clinging to a 3-point lead, Chang knew another field goal wasn't going to do his team any good. Following a New Mexico State timeout, Rainbow Warrior slotback Tama Uiliata emerged behind center and took the snap. The former star Waipahu quarterback rolled to his right and threw to a wide open Frank Abreu for a touchdown, ultimately sealing the team's 29-19 victory on Saturday night. It was the first college reception for Abreu, a redshirt freshman from Kamehameha-Maui. 

"We got good coaching," Chang said of his staff, "and we get creative in these situations, and it just keeps defenses on their toes. ... In that situation, the clock, the time and where it's at, three points doesn't really do anything for you, and so in a decision like that, you go for it. The clock is our enemy at that point. And if you don't get it, at least you've got them pinned down in that area. In those times, it works. If the play doesn't work, right, then you're gonna always question it."

, the Rainbow Warriors got off the schneid behind an opportunistic defense and a gritty effort on offense, particularly quarterback Micah Alejado, who endured yet another injury that appeared catastrophic to the naked eye on first watch. 

UH came out firing on Saturday, scoring in its first three possessions via two 

 field goal to go up 16-0 in the second quarter. The Rainbow Warrior defense, which didn't come up with any takeaways against Stanford or UNLV, forced one in the game's opening possession when 

 punched out a fumble that was recovered by Jamih Otis. 

New Mexico State trimmed the deficit to 19-13 at halftime after a 2-yard James Jones rushing score and 33-yard TK King reception. 

The Aggies suddenly tied the game at 19 when Alejado was tackled and fumbled as his helmet flew off on a scramble, with De'Marcus Peters returning the fumble 84 yards for NMSU. Alejado, writhing in pain, stayed on the ground for multiple minutes. He didn't end up missing a snap for the Rainbow Warriors, though he showed up to the postgame press conference with his right arm in a sling. 

"A lot of it just hurts to be honest. My whole right side (is in deep pain)," the left-handed Alejado said. "Probably the hardest hit I've took in quite some time, but that's part of football. You just got to get back up and keep chopping. When the team needs you, you keep fighting. You understand what's at stake. You got to keep going."

Alejado, who completed 41.4% of his passes with an interception against UNLV, returned to form against New Mexico State with a 33-for-45 performance, throwing for 346 yards and no interceptions. 

Uiliata hauled in 10 passes for 107 yards, while Audric Harris, in moving from slot receiver to outside receiver, had 105 yards on four catches. On the ground, Rice had 16 carries for 59 yards. 

Defensively, Otis had a team-high six tackles for Hawai‘i, including his fumble recovery and interception, accounting for two of the team's three takeaways. The other was a Jaylon Edmond interception in the third quarter. 

The Rainbow Warriors are idle next week before taking on Wyoming on Sept. 26 in Laramie for its annual Paniolo Trophy game. 

Frank Abreu 2 091226

<title>Late gamble pays off as Hawai‘i football earns first victory of 2026 season</title>

A late fourth down touchdown ultimately sealed UH's 29-19 win over New Mexico State, its first victory of the year.

Late gamble pays off as Hawai‘i football earns first victory of 2026 season

Higa headshot white shirt square

Sterling Higa

Columnists

I once took an evening flight from Maui to Honolulu. I was living on Maui then and commuting to Oʻahu for work, and I had the aisle seat next to a high school junior from Molokai, flying in to see family. We talked the way strangers do on short flights.

As the city lights came up under the wing he leaned to the window and said, “Concrete jungle.” Thirty seconds later he sighed. “They live like rats down there.”

He was not the first to feel it. The Romans suspected their towns of living off the countryside, and there was truth in it, since the town taxed the farmer and never the reverse. Thomas Jefferson wanted a republic of yeoman farmers, and the yeoman farmer has been the hero of the American story ever since, though almost nobody has met one. The myth has outlived the farmers.

Hawaiʻi is one city with a few outlying islands. The hurricanes made it plain. When Lala tore through Hawaiʻi Island and Lowell through Kauaʻi, the help came from Honolulu and from beyond Honolulu. Not much help could come from the next valley over.

The old ways are gone. The Neighbor Islands do not feed Honolulu, and they cannot feed themselves. Port, airport, university, the neurologist you fly to see — the dependence runs one direction.

Some people keep the illusion of independence going. The off-grid family has bins of rice and dry beans. The man with a full freezer and a diesel generator says he’ll be fine come the next storm.

The dependence of country on town shows on empty shelves after a disaster. But the countryside was running out before the storm. Rural Hawaiʻi has already lost its pharmacies, its specialists, its tradesmen. The roads crumble and nobody is left to fix them. Families leave for somewhere they can afford, and the ones who stay grow old. Every year these places become more dependent, not less, while insisting on the opposite.

Where was the diesel generator made? Not here; there is no manufacturing to speak of and no ore in the ground. Where did the diesel come from? Not here. And the money that bought the generator was earned in tourism, or the military, or from someone who works in one of them. The shirt on the man’s back, the rice in his bins, the power he is so proud of doing without: Imported, every bit. He is the most dependent man on the island, and he has arranged his dependence so carefully that he cannot see it.

Dependence is not a defect. It is how people were made. The gifts are scattered on purpose — one man can plumb and another can preach, one island grows coffee and another has a deep harbor — and they must work together to keep and work the earth.

Now, the young man next to me on the plane was not entirely wrong. A city can be a parasite on its countryside, and a ruling class a parasite on its people. Ancient Hawaiʻi knew this better than most. The chiefs roamed the islands, and wherever they went the commoners were called to hold feasts and bring hoʻokupu, offerings. The chiefs combined power with appetite, and the Hawaiians had a saying for it: “

” The chief is a shark that travels on land.

And a city can rot from the inside. Scripture’s first city was built by Cain, and the great ones after it — Babel, Sodom, Nineveh, Babylon — are remembered for their pride and their vices. Honolulu has Hotel Street and Waikīkī after midnight and more than one former legislator convicted of taking bribes. Nobody is obliged to pretend otherwise.

The rural contempt has two old roots: The city that takes and the city that corrupts. Neither city is imaginary.

Nor has the danger gone anywhere. A city that takes without giving is exactly what the state government in Honolulu can become. The shark goes inland now by way of new surcharges, permit delays, and Neighbor Island budgets set by committees that have never spent a night in Hāna.

The cure for the countryside’s illusion of independence is honesty about what it needs. The cure for the city’s appetite is to earn what it is given. That means doing more in office than feasting and taxing.

Still, my young friend said all this from the seat of a Boeing 717 assembled in Long Beach from parts made in Italy, South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan, and I doubt the irony would have troubled him. Cities are where trade happens. Honolulu, for all its faults, is a great one.

He was wrong. A city may be made of concrete, but it is not a jungle. Rats live in cities, but cities are made for humans — fallen yet redeemable humans, which explains both their sin and glory. When the people of Hawaiʻi are in trouble, it is to Honolulu that they turn.

The story that began in a garden does not end in one. It ends with a city coming down out of heaven, “its radiance like a most rare jewel.”

Downtown Honolulu 16x9 Large

<title>Hurricanes Lala and Lowell show Neighbor Islands depend on Honolulu</title>

A high schooler from Molokai looks down at the Honolulu lights and says, “They live like rats down there.” ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa on why the Neighbor Islands need the city more than they’d like to admit, and what the city owes them in return.

Hurricanes Lala and Lowell show Neighbor Islands depend on Honolulu

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

In May, owners Jimmy and Kim Tran of Hot Pot Heaven decided to start offering 

. The hot pot restaurant included pho, fresh spring rolls, summer rolls and papaya salad on its menu on a regular basis and, according to Kim Tran, the eatery started getting busier.

The pho started becoming so popular that the Trans decided to change the restaurant concept. 

 — which is still in the Hot Pot Heaven Kailua space on Hamakua Drive — is opening today, and it features a brand-new menu.

For its grand opening, Pho N Grindz will offer 20% off for one week (Sept. 10 to 17).

The restaurant now features authentic Vietnamese dishes and popular plate lunch plates, according to Tran. The plate lunch addition is for her husband, whom she says is “a local boy.”

“On a day that’s so hot — where maybe you don’t want pho — you might want plate lunch,” she says.

While hot pot is still her go-to dining experience, Tran says she wanted the new restaurant concept to incorporate hers and Jimmy’s favorites.

“We’re bringing you all of Kim’s favorite soups — pho, miso udon, bun Thai, wonton soup and more — and Jimmy gets his favorite grindz — garlic shrimp plate, shoyu chicken, ribs and plenty more local favorites,” the restaurant’s 

Customers will still find the eatery’s signature pho, which come with bean sprouts, basil, lime, scallions and onions. Choose from proteins like rare steak, brisket, tripe, meatball or more. Options include pho seafood ($20) — with fish fillet, shrimp, fishcake and squid — pho beef rib ($25) and a veggie pho ($18), which is vegan-friendly, according to Tran.

“We have a vegan pho that is truly vegan,” she says of the dish, which includes tofu, mushrooms, broccoli and carrots.

Diners can also still find popular appetizers — like spring rolls ($10) and summer rolls ($12) — from the eatery’s former menu.

New menu additions include the eatery’s selection of plate lunch-style rice plates, ranging from garlic chicken ($17) and braised pork spare ribs ($19) to garlic shrimp ($19) and barbecue baby back ribs ($25).

Tran encourages customers to try the Vietnamese beef stew ($23) — which includes carrots, onions and lemongrass, served with a choice of noodles or rice — and curry ($19-$21). The latter includes carrots, potatoes and onions; diners have a choice of chicken or shrimp.

Tran also notes that the restaurant also offers vegan-friendly dishes. Choose from braised vegan “scallops” (mushrooms) and bok choy ($19), tofu curry ($19), eggplant and tofu stir-fry ($19) and more.

“We have a lot of people in this community that enjoy vegan food,” Tran says.

The restaurant will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The 20% grand opening discount applies to both, dine-in and takeout orders, according to Tran.

Pho N Grindz owners 090926

<title>Pho N Grindz is opening in Kailua</title>

The eatery — in the former spot of Hot Pot Heaven Kailua, but under the same owners — is opening today. Instead of hot pot, the restaurant now features authentic Vietnamese cuisine and plate lunch staples. As part of its grand opening special, the biz is offering 20% off for one week.

Pho N Grindz is opening in Kailua

[{"type":"text","text":"Caizel Jesus-Kapesi's parents knew it the day he was born. "}]

The son of Clisha Jesus and TeeJay Kapesi, Caizel was the second of four children and weighed 10 pounds at birth. 

"Literally as soon as he was born, we took him home, and that's how it started — Fatboy. He was a chunky kid," Clisha Jesus-Kapesi recalled to Aloha State Daily. 

And thus, Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi, the one the world has grown to love in recent days, was born. Clisha and TeeJay can't remember which parent coined the nickname, but it certainly stuck. 

In a 14-13 locally televised win at Leilehua on Aug. 21, Jesus-Kapesi completed 13 of his 20 passes for 193 yards, two interceptions and a touchdown. The gritty victory included a key first down in the closing minutes in which ‘Aiea went for it on fourth down deep in its own territory and converted to seal the game. For his efforts, Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi was named the Spectrum OC16 Impact Player of the Game. 

While interviewed by Spectrum's Jimmy Bender upon receiving his award, a TV super displaying Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi's name, weight, position and class was on display. The 6-foot-1, 268-pound sophomore quarterback quickly became an internet darling overnight, fans from around the world smitten with his name and social media posts of him reaching hundreds of thousands in reshares. Google Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi, and it would be hard to find a national sports content website that hasn't recycled the same set of pictures of him. 

"You must be here for Fatboy," multiple members of the ‘Aiea football program tell a visitor at a recent Na Ali‘i practice. 

Perhaps the first thing to know about Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi is that he's fully embraced his lifelong nickname. He politely introduces himself as Fatboy, and in the days since his viral introduction to the world, people who have never met him will approach him and say, 'Hey, you're Fatboy!'"

Due to the viral nature of his name, Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi was asked if local brands, such as local restaurant chain Fatboy's, have reached out. 

"I don't know about the restaurant yet. Hopefully soon," 

. "I was thinking about the FatBoy ice cream. That too, hopefully."

For those curious to learn more about him, what else should we know about Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi?

"I love cheeseburgers. I love burgers. That's one thing about me. I love burgers, especially McDonald's burgers," he said while flashing a grin. "You know, that's the one right there."

Life for the Jesus-Kapesi family has not been the same since last weekend. Their phones are still constantly buzzing with memes and comments. Through it all, Fatboy has stayed the same humble kid. During his viral interview, before he conceived it was possible he'd become as famous as he has, Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi gave the credit to God and his offensive line.  

"Being (seemingly everywhere) on social media, I take a lot of pride in it," he said. "I

t means a lot not just to me, but to my family. I'm putting my family's name out there, too."

Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi has been the starting quarterback on the varsity team at ‘Aiea High School since the beginning of his freshman year. He has a 3.7 grade point average and aspires to play college football. As ‘Aiea awaits improvements to its on-campus stadium, all of its games are on the road in 2026. Na Ali‘i improved to 2-0 after the Leilehua victory and will next take the field at Nānākuli on Saturday.

"I really, really want to play college football one day," he says. "My recruiting process so far, I'm working on it, but I'm ready."

A conversation with Clisha and TeeJay about Fatboy's ‘Aiea upbringing reveals why their son has been able to remain grounded despite his newfound fame. Young Caizel had his "knucklehead" moments, Mom says, but through strong parenting, he eventually learned and began to appreciate the process of earning everything he has, both good and bad. 

"'You can't do this, don't go do that. You have to do this to get that.' Having him work for his rewards. You want that? Then you work for it," Clisha says. "If you think we're hard, we're teaching you. He'll always be a kid at heart, and that's what I love about him."

Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi wouldn't gave gone viral last weekend if he weren't the Impact Player of the Game, and those go to winners. 

"I'm really proud of where he's at and where his potential could take him. We always tell him that what's done in the dark comes to light," TeeJay said. "The work he puts in on and off the field, the drilling he gets, letting him know that football's an avenue, and you can have all the talent, but you have to do everything right on and off the field. The talent can't outshine everything, and the classroom and the football field, one can't overcome the other, and he handles his business on that."

TeeJay is also an assistant linebackers coach for ‘Aiea, and he doesn't take it easy on Fatboy in practice. 

"Every day, we try to get this defense to bring the best out of not just him, but our offense as well," TeeJay said. 

The ‘Aiea community has supported Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi long before his viral moment. The rest of the world is now catching up. As nice as the attention is, nobody involved is pretending it's all been positive. 

"Seeing not only the positive comments, but the negative was really harsh," Clisha says. "I just had to remind him to just keep with the positive. (The attention) is something that we're not used to."

Mika Li‘ili‘i, ‘Aiea's head coach: 

"We always talk to the kids about social media. It can be evil and stuff like that. But in this situation, it's also a blessing for our school, for Fatboy to represent and bring some attention to our school and what we're doing. I know he feels it and he understands he's getting all the notoriety because his teammates are catching his balls and blocking for him and stuff like that."

Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi has played football for as long as he can remember, but he didn't get an opportunity to play quarterback until he was 12. 

He also dabbled in soccer and competitive hula, his 

 taking home a runner-up trophy during his only competition in 2019. 

Always on the bigger side, TeeJay remembers how he was placed as a lineman by default. "When he finally got his shot to be a quarterback, we hit the ground running, and that's who we have here today," Dad says. 

When one watches Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi throw a football, it's clear that doing so is easy to him. Using his upper body to gain torque, Fatboy spins it effortlessly in practice while his receivers practice multiple routes with him. 

Another thing that appears seamless to Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi: blending in with his teammates. In pre-practice stretching and jogging, he truly is one of the boys. His demeanor remains mellow and approachable.

Following a set of reps, his teammates, perhaps in acknowledgement of media around, break the huddle with "1, 2, 3, Fatboy!" 

[{"type":"text","text":"Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi can't help but laugh coyly."}]

"More people seeing that I'm on social media, I mean, it would be great for them to come to our games so we could show love to our community, show them what ‘Aiea High School football is about," he says. "For me, ‘Aiea is more than just a football program. It's home to me, so it means a lot."

Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi 082726

<title>‘Aiea quarterback Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi takes his newfound name fame in stride</title>

Jesus-Kapesi, the overnight viral sensation, confirms it's fine to call him by his nickname. He says he even prefers it.

‘Aiea quarterback Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi takes his newfound name fame in stride

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

Several new retailers and restaurants have recently opened at Ala Moana Center in Honolulu and more are set to open soon, the center announced Wednesday. Here’s what you should know.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"What's new:"}]

, a locally owned coffee roaster serving breakfast, lunch and craft coffee, has opened on Street Level 1 of the ‘Ewa Wing.

 can be found on Mall Level 2 of the ‘Ewa Wing.

Korean beauty retailer Lume Harmony can be found on Street Level 1 near Center Court.

, offering a selection of toys, plushies, collectibles, stationery, beauty essentials, home goods, fragrances, electronics, snacks and other accessories, can be found on Level 3 of the ‘Ewa Wing.

, an ear piercing and jewelry brand, has opened on Level 3 of the ‘Ewa Wing.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Coming soon: "}]

, which will showcase contemporary works by local and international artists, is set to open this month in an 8,000-square-foot space on Street Level 1 of the ‘Ewa Wing.

, an indoor family entertainment venue and indoor playground spanning more than 42,000 square feet, will open in October on Mall Level 2 of the Mauka Wing. The space will have multilevel play structures, slides, an indoor zipline, trampolines and other play areas, along with amenities like supervised drop-off services, private party rooms, luggage storage and the Kids City Café.

, a modern beauty and wellness boutique offering a curated selection of facial and body spa treatments, personalized skin consultations, lash services, permanent makeup, Korean beauty products and more, will open this month on Level 3 of the ‘Ewa Wing.

, known for designer toys, blind boxes and collectible figures, will open its first Hawai‘i location this month on Level 3 of the ‘Ewa Wing.

, a luxury wellness and recovery destination, and 

, offering a modern take on traditional tea culture, are expected open in October. You'll find BB Wellness on Street Level 1 of the Diamond Head Wing and Molly Tea on Mall Level 2 of the Mauka Wing.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Relocations and renovations:"}]

 will reopen its expanded and newly renovated permanent location on Street Level 1 near Center Court in September.

 will relocate to a temporary boutique on Mall Level 2 of the Diamond Head Wing later this month, while its permanent location undergoes renovation. The newly renovated permanent shop is currently expected to open in late 2027.

Ala Moana Center opened in 1959 and is the world's largest open-air shopping center with more than 2.4 million square feet of retail space. It offers more than 350 stores and restaurants, including more than 160 dining options.

Ala Moana Center 052526

<title>What's new at, and coming to, Ala Moana Center</title>

The shopping center has recently welcomed a number of new tenants with more coming soon.

What's new at, and coming to, Ala Moana Center

Fun fact: Selling homemade cinnamon rolls was not 

While the business is currently known for its warm, fluffy rolls, Jasmine “Jaz” Milam, who co-owns Hele Rolls with Brittany “Kawai” Lopez, remembers she started out with doughnuts.

“It was doughnuts to begin with; I’m no good at doughnuts and I already knew that, but I think she (Lopez) really likes doughnuts,” Milam says. “After a couple weeks, I was like, doughnuts are not working.”

Milam, who always loved baking, remembers making homemade cinnamon rolls regularly when she was deployed.

“I was making homemade cinnamon rolls every Sunday to share with my fellow service members,” she says. “It became a tradition that brought everyone together, and seeing how something as simple as a warm cinnamon roll could create that sense of comfort and connection has always stayed with me.”

Milam suggested featuring cinnamon rolls for Hele Rolls’ main product and, long story short, they quickly became a hit.

“Cinnamon rolls felt like the perfect fit,” she says. “They’re nostalgic, comforting, and have a way of bringing people together, which is exactly what we hope every customer experiences when they enjoy one of our rolls.”

Hele Rolls officially launched last June, shortly after Milam’s father died. The business was created as a way to honor his legacy and the values he believed in, especially the idea of food having the power to bring people together.

The business’s name pays tribute to Hele Nui, the food truck Milam’s father previously operated.

“Everyone says it (the business name) should be Jaz’s cinnamon rolls, and I didn’t want my name on it,” Milam says. “All of a sudden, it came to me — his food truck’s name was Hele Nui, so what about Hele Rolls? It’s using his name, but kind of paving my own path, carrying his legacy forward.

“Now, I tell everybody, this started off as a side hustle, but it’s turned into so much more,” she adds. “I have a legacy that I’m trying to continue with my dad. It’s more than just making cinnamon rolls for some extra cash; it’s making him, my family and my community proud.”

The family-operated business accepts pre-orders and pops up at various events across O

ahu, such as the Taste of Aloha Night Market at NEX and What the Truck?! in Waikele. The business’s first What the Truck?! market was recent, and Hele Rolls sold out of its cinnamon rolls in 45 minutes, according to Milam.

“I had about 220 to 240 rolls at What the Truck?!,” she says. “Taste of Aloha was the most I’ve done at a market; it was a little more than 300.”

All cinnamon rolls are handmade in small batches, according to Milam, who says the business focuses on creating that soft, fluffy texture and homemade frostings.

While the business’s original cinnamon roll continues to be a bestseller, it also offers specialty flavors which change every month, according to Milam. Previous specialty flavors include strawberry shortcake, chocolate haupia, ube and Oreo. In July, the business featured Oreo and lemon blueberry cinnamon rolls.

“We love keeping our menu fresh with rotating flavors inspired by Hawai

i, classic desserts and seasonal favorites,” Milam says. “One of our favorite things is challenging people’s expectations of what a cinnamon roll can be. They can be familiar, nostalgic and comforting — or completely unexpected.

“Lemon blueberry had our housemade blueberry compote, our icing, homemade whipped cream, fresh blueberries, lemon zest and blueberry shortcake, which is like cookies with freeze-dried blueberries,” she adds. “The Oreo one was like a cookies and cream. Our menu rotates regularly, so there’s always something new to discover. We put a lot of heart into everything we make.”

At markets, customers can buy individual cinnamon rolls or get sample packs, which include two original rolls and two specialty flavors. If customers pre-order, only packs are available. At markets, original cinnamon rolls cost $6 each; specialty flavors cost $8 each.

When asked about her favorite cinnamon roll flavors, Milam says she likes her kūlolo one — “I still need to perfect it a little bit more” — and also recommends the haupia flavor, which features original icing, toasted macadamia nuts and coconut shavings. 

Besides pop-up events and accepting pre-orders, the biz also offers catering for private parties, corporate events and celebrations. Customers can opt for the full-sized cinnamon rolls or the business’s Cinni-Maninis, or bite-sized cinnamon rolls.

Hele Rolls wasn’t even a year old when the biz was asked to participate in Food Network’s “The Great Food Truck Race.”

“One day, we were making cinnamon rolls; I was in the kitchen, and Kawai yelled my name,” Milam remembers. “It wasn’t a panic yell; it was more of an excited yell. I came to her, and she said, ‘Look at this.’ It was a casting agent who reached out to us through Instagram. Obviously, like everyone else, we thought it was Spam.”

“We thought it was Spam for sure, but we were like, ‘Who knows, let’s just take a chance,’” Lopez says.

Hele Rolls responded to the message, the agent got back to them, and from there, “it just snowballed,” according to Milam.

That was earlier this spring; Hele Rolls left to compete on “The Great Food Truck Race” in April. Hosted by Tyler Florence, this season follows eight food truck teams from across the country, as they travel through the Great Smoky Mountains. The winning team gets a $50,000 grand prize. Previous show episodes can be viewed on HBO Max.

Keeping the competition a secret was a huge challenge, especially since Hele Rolls has regular customers.

“We couldn’t tell anyone,” Milam says. “On Instagram, we said, ‘This is our last pick-up and preorder until further notice;’ we didn’t know how long we were going to be there. Our regular customers were like, ‘What are you doing? Are you done?’ It was crazy to see all of that play out.”

The current season of “The Great Food Truck Race” premiered on July 26. The teams started in Nashville, according to Milam, who still remembers the first day of filming.

“We were so starstruck because we knew what we were doing there; everybody was looking at us,” she says. “It was insane; I will never forget that feeling.”

Hele Rolls usually pops up in tents at events; the business currently doesn’t operate out of a food truck, though that’s a future goal. Creating new friendships with other cast members and competing teams was one of the highlights of being on the show, according to Lopez.

“Though it was a competition, at the end of the day, we respected one another and cherished that experience as a whole,” she says. “We got a lot of different advice from everybody, their companies and their brands. A lot of them were more experienced in business; we’re freshly new in business. It was a lot to soak in, and also a chance for us to really be OK with being ourselves.”

[{"type":"text","text":"For Milam, being on the show instilled a newfound sense of confidence."}]

“This show has given me the ability to see the worth in ourselves,” she says. “All these people believed in me and believed in us. Being selected to compete on Season 19 of Food Network’s 

has been an unforgettable experience and an incredible opportunity to represent Hawai

“We continue to stay humble, but we’re so proud at the same time,” Lopez adds. “I think the best thing to do is to take a chance on yourself. You never know what can come out of any experience.”

As the business heads into its second year of operation, Milam and Lopez are focused on new goals for Hele Rolls. Milam — now running Hele Rolls full-time — says they would eventually love to own their own food truck and have a storefront.

“We’ve done so much in year one that we never thought was even possible,” Milam says. “We’ve been so blessed in one year — all these things that happened to us.”

She remembers when one of her first goals — in the business’s early days — was just to “have a line.”

“That’s all we wanted — two to three people,” she laughs. “A line means people are willing to sacrifice their time to stand in line for us and for our product. Having a storefront would be (amazing) because I know I can pump out more for them and it would be better quality; that’s always the goal.”

Being involved with the community is also important to the Hele Rolls team, who is always looking for ways they can support Hawai

“We want to be known not just for cinnamon rolls; we want to be known as a business that’s supporting our community,” Milam says. “If somebody needs something, I want Hele Rolls to be in the front of people’s minds. It’s literally about family, food and community.”

No matter what the future holds, staying true to themselves and maintaining the brand’s mission is essential, according to Milam.

“Beyond the cinnamon rolls themselves, I think what truly makes Hele Rolls unique is the experience,” she says. “From the very beginning, we’ve wanted every customer to feel like they’re part of our ‘ohana. That sense of connection is just as important to us as the product we serve.”

“We’re incredibly grateful for the support our community has shown us over the past year,” Milam adds. “As a women-owned, LGBTQ+-owned and family-powered business, it means so much to see people embrace not only our cinnamon rolls, but also the story and values behind Hele Rolls. We wouldn’t be here without our amazing ‘ohana and community, and we can’t wait to share what’s next.”

For updates and information, follow the biz on 

Hele Rolls The Great Food Truck Race credit Food Network 080526

<title>Oʻahu-based family business is 'on a roll'</title>

Hele Rolls, known for its homemade cinnamon rolls, started its business last June. The biz regularly pops up at events across Oʻahu and accepts pre-orders. Hele Rolls is also competing on the new season of Food Network’s "The Great Food Truck Race," which premiered on July 26.

Daily Smile: Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026

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Daily Smile: Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026

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ASD Staff

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Daily Smile: Monday, Sept. 14, 2026

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