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John Pritchett

Cartoons

Into the future

<title>Pritchett Cartoon: In the future ...</title>

Pritchett Cartoon: In the future ...

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ASD Staff

Daily Smile

[{"type":"text","text":"A bus filled with doggos? Yes please!"}]

Smile 26 10 24

<title>Daily Smile: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026</title>

A bus filled with doggos? Yes please!

Daily Smile: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

During one of the first official practices for the University of Hawai‘i men's basketball team ahead of the upcoming 2026-2027 season, a staffer was seen lobbing a silky, perfectly placed alley-oop to a Rainbow Warrior forward. Who was this mystery man with the assist, and what's his hoops background? 

Upon further inspection, it turned out the pass came from Brett Sheward, the team's new graduate manager. Sheward certainly knows a thing or two about dishing assists to high-flyers, though most of his expertise in that regard came from the volleyball court. 

Sheward, a Southern California native, was a member of the University of Hawai‘i men's volleyball team from 2019 to 2023. In the team's COVID-shortened 2020 season, he started eight of the team's 16 matches at setter. After backing up eventual AVCA Player of the Year Jakob Thelle in 2021, Sheward was the team's primary libero in 2022 and 2023, a crucial cog for a program that won national titles in 2021 and 2022 before losing in the 2023 NCAA championship match. 

Ahead of his final collegiate season in 2024, Sheward transferred to UC Irvine, where he went back to being a setter and helped the Anteaters reach the NCAA semifinals. 

With his playing career behind him, Sheward is back at UH-Mānoa pursuing a graduate degree in finance with eyes on a potential career in basketball. 

"I was always trying to get into basketball eventually," Sheward told Aloha State Daily. "I've always loved it and thought about it for the past four or five years, just trying to think about what's available in the basketball space, sort of the behind-the-scenes work, not the coaching side. Studying finance, trying to mix sports and the finance world, and just thought of ways I can get experience in that space. 

"That was the feedback I got from people I talked to in the industry: get a graduate degree, then move on to jobs further than that. It's a good experience to start as a GA, and honestly, it's been great because it's all new to me, right? I get to do a little bit of everything and be visible and learn everything about how a basketball team is run and operates."

Sheward grew up loving basketball and playing on various teams but chose to focus on volleyball midway through high school when it became clear the latter would be his sport at the college level. The new gig has allowed him to reconnect with basketball and as he's already shown, he doesn't mind getting in on the action from time to time. 

"I absolutely love [basketball]. I think it's an awesome game. It's another true team sport where everyone has to be connected. That part of it is awesome," Sheward says. "But I'm by no means a good basketball player. I just love it. ... I still love playing. We get to play usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays with the staff, so that part has been fun, and hopping in every once in a while in practice."

How would Sheward describe his game during pickup runs? 

"Definitely a pass-first, effort, defense guy," he says. "I'll hit an open 3 if it's a slow set shot, but definitely more of a defensive guy. I think defensive in every sport, honestly, if I really think about it, like trying to anticipate what the offensive guy is trying to do, and then just the effort part. So defense first for sure, and let the other guys on the team score."

Sheward describes the opportunity with the men's basketball team as "killing two birds with one stone." On top of the experience he's set to accumulate, he'll graduate with his master's in finance in the spring. Between now and then, he's ready to pay his dues on the hardwood. 

"You're starting at the bottom. You got to work your way up, and you have to be ready for anything. You're on call, and your goal is to try and make everyone's lives easier. Coaches, players, and trying to make it run smoothly. If there's something that you're asked to do, no matter how small the task, you got to be willing to do it, and you got to come at it with a lot of humility and no ego. It's been great," Sheward said. "The coaches have been awesome in terms of the relationship piece and just building trust with each other."

Though Sheward is still new to the gig and vice versa, count UH men's head coach Eran Ganot as one of those impressed by his presence in the early going. 

"His love for Hawai‘i, his love for UH, his love for the athletic department, his work ethic, his character, and he wanted to get into this side," Ganot said when asked how the Sheward hire came about from his perspective. "He's already made a big impact for us. Obviously, everybody knows about his leadership values, his understanding of winning, but he's just been a breath of fresh air. 

"He's a hard worker and has a bright future. He has a basketball background, and now he's getting thrown in the fire. But just such a great attitude every day, and it's really been helpful for us."

Brett Sheward 102326

<title>Former Hawai‘i men's volleyball standout Brett Sheward joins men's basketball program as…</title>

With his sights set on a potential career in basketball, Sheward is ready to pay his dues on Eran Ganot's staff.

Former Hawai‘i men's volleyball standout Brett Sheward joins men's basketball program as graduate manager

Hawai'i Skies

Today's Hawai‘i Skies was captured by Gail Fujimoto on Oʻahu. "Sunset as the waves come crashing on the rocks for a magnificent shot!"

To submit your Hawai'i Skies photo, visit us 

Gail Fujimoto 2

<title>Hawaiʻi Skies: Crashing waves</title>

Today's Hawai‘i Skies was captured by Gail Fujimoto on Oʻahu.

Hawaiʻi Skies: Crashing waves

De Soto 2025

DeSoto Brown

Hawai‘i History

Columnists

What happened to Waikīkī? Specifically, what happened to Waikīkī during its greatest period of change that began in the 1950s? Let’s look at these “then & now” comparisons of Waikīkī views to see very clearly how different things look today.

Why did Waikīkī change so much in the last 70 years? The growth of tourism, of course, was responsible. Speaking economically, it’s extremely fortunate that tourism did increase so dramatically during this period as it served to fill in the gap created as large-scale agriculture (sugar and pineapple) either contracted dramatically, or died altogether. These had been the foundation of the economy of the Hawaiian Islands but were outcompeted by other tropical countries, where workers were paid considerably less and thus their agricultural products were cheaper as well. This has been, and continues to be, the reason for the loss of domestic production in the United States and indeed worldwide.

When did Waikīkī's major changes begin? This is easy to pinpoint: it was the year 1955. That was when four new 10-story buildings were completed here; the Waikīkī Biltmore Hotel, the Princess Ka‘iulani Hotel, the Reef Hotel, and the Rosalei apartments. As insignificant as this would seem today, it marked a shift away from downtown as the focus of new construction, as well as starting Honolulu on its vertical growth.

We can also single out the shift in transportation for Waikīkī's increase in density, which was the replacement of cruise ships by airplanes for increasing numbers of tourists after World War II. While air travel grew significantly during the 1950s it was really the introduction of jets that kicked off the explosion. The first jets arrived in Hawai‘i in 1959, cutting hours from the trip from the west coast, carrying far more passengers on each flight compared to propeller planes and — most significantly — reducing air fares. Waikīkī couldn’t help but grow to accommodate all these new people. A major milestone was unexpectedly realized in late 1967 when the one-millionth tourist arrived for that year, ahead of what economists had predicted. There would be no looking back.

A change you might notice in these various pairs of Waikīkī views is the great increase in growing green vegetation today. This has been true in many parts of Honolulu and because trees increase so slowly in size, we don’t notice how large they’ve become until we see an older photo to be able to spot the difference. Kalākaua Avenue has benefitted from more than one improvement project since the 1960s, to where today’s sidewalks are paved with hand-set stones, many with inscriptions in Hawaiian. Shady shower trees along with grass and various shrubs greatly enhance the district’s appearance, and maintenance workers are on the job each day to sweep and clean. Waikīkī creates the biggest part of the income from tourism and its importance in keeping this income steady was recognized years ago — so this necessary work goes on.

By the late 1970s much of Waikīkī looked as it does today, because while more towers have certainly been constructed since then, much of what we know now was in place. Although Waikīkī has been a crowded and densely urbanized district for decades, and has been criticized for that, it must be said that a great many visitors enjoy this vitality and the over-abundance of things to see and do. And even while Waikīkī is undeniably a city of itself, it is still located on the magnificently blue Pacific Ocean, with the Ko‘olau Mountains as one backdrop and Diamond Head as another, with the trade winds often blowing through it. And love it or hate it, we owe our economy to it, and had therefore better make sure it continues to function as smoothly as possible.

1 Kuhio Ave 64 16x9

<title>What happened to Waikīkī?</title>

Back in the Statehood era, you could see Punchbowl from Kalākaua Avenue and Diamond Head from Kūhiō Avenue. ASD history columnist DeSoto Brown pairs then-and-now photos to show the dramatic changes from a low-rise Waikīkī to today's bustling mini-metropolis.

What happened to Waikīkī?

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Government & Politics

[{"type":"text","text":"A nearly four-foot ball python was captured in West O‘ahu Saturday."}]

According to the state Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, or DAB, Honolulu Police responded to a snake-sighting report in the area of Camp Wai‘anae on Oct. 17 and called the Hawaiian Humane Society, which in turn called DAB.

Biosecurity officers were dispatched and took possession of the 45-inch snake near 

85-1508 Haleahi Road, the department said Tuesday. DAB's Plant Quarantine Branch has custody of the non-venomous snake; testing is underway to determine its sex.

"We believe the snake was a pet because of its nature," DABS spokesperson Jai Cunningham told Aloha State Daily in an email, noting that the animal, which was found alive and trapped, "seems OK with being handled."

Cunningham says officers secured the snake, which was then taken to the plant quarantine facility on Sand Island.

Snakes have no natural predators in the Islands and pose a threat to Hawai‘i's environment "because they compete with native animal populations for food and habitat," the department says. Species like the ball python also prey on birds and bird eggs which can threaten endangered native bird species, while large snakes can pose a threat to humans, pets and other domestic animals, the announcement noted.

DAB says that ball pythons may grow up to six feet long and are common in the pet trade on the Mainland.

According to DAB, snakes are illegal in the state. Anyone found with illegal animals are subject to penalties that include fines of up to $200,000 and up to three years in prison.

Have information on illegal animals? Call the state's toll-free pest hotline at 808-643-PEST (7378) or turn them in under the state's 

A live three-and-a-half food non-venomous ball python was 

 in June 2025. Shortly thereafter, ag officials spoke with ASD about what happens when illegal animals and invasive stowaways are found in Hawai‘i. Read that story 

In regards to the recently found snake, Cunningham offered a comment from DAB Land Vertebrate Specialist Jessica Ann Miura who said that the snake will likely be relocated to a zoo on the Mainland, a research university, or society or organization that exhibits snakes; zoos in Hawai‘i are only allowed to have two non-venomous snakes and they must be males.

, when mammals that can potentially carry rabies, like skunks and opossums, are caught, they are euthanized to be tested for disease. According to the 

, Hawai‘i is the only state in the U.S. free of rabies.

Waianae snake 1

<title>Snake captured in West O‘ahu</title>

A 45-inch long ball python was found Saturday, Oct. 17, following a snake-sighting report from the Camp Wai‘anae area. Snakes are illegal in Hawai‘i, have no natural predators here and pose a threat to the Islands' environment.

Snake captured in West O‘ahu

Today's Hawai‘i Skies was captured by Barbara Rasmussen on Oʻahu. "

Watching the rain showers in front of the sun and play of colors on the clouds. Hawaiʻi skies are both beautiful and interesting."

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