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Daily Smile

[{"type":"text","text":"Practice makes paw-fect!"}]

Smile 26 10 11

<title>Daily Smile: Monday, Oct. 12, 2026</title>

Practice makes paw-fect!

Daily Smile: Monday, Oct. 12, 2026

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

Another effort filled with self-inflicted wounds resulted in another loss for the University of Hawai‘i football team, which fell short in a 30-12 defeat at Arizona State on Saturday evening. 

Hawai‘i dropped to 1-5 overall for the 2026 season, while Arizona State improved to 3-2. 

No sequence on Saturday was more symbolic of Hawai‘i's season than its first possession of the second quarter, when a DeVon Rice run gave the Rainbow Warriors a fresh set of downs at the Arizona State 2. After a false start penalty, a delay of game penalty and a pair of Micah Alejado sacks, the 'Bows found themselves trying to salvage points with a 51-yard Sean Olvera-Harle field goal attempt, which sailed wide right to leave UH empty handed. 

The Rainbow Warriors committed six penalties as a team for 47 yards, but none were more costly than the pair that prevented them from scoring in the second quarter. 

Arizona State, which was booed by its own home crowd on Saturday, still outplayed the Rainbow Warriors in each facet. The 'Bows trailed 17-6 with the ball three times in the third quarter but could never capitalize. Arizona State then pulled away with a 67-yard Cardae Mack rushing touchdown. 

Alejado was sacked three times by the Sun Devils, completing just 25 of his 49 pass attempts for 252 yards, a touchdown and an interception. 

Meanwhile, Mack gashed the Rainbow Warriors for 154 rushing yards on 13 carries, two of which went for touchdowns. ASU receiver Reed Harris had an additional two touchdowns after hauling in eight passes for 91 yards. 

The Rainbow Warriors will return home to face New Mexico in its homecoming game, which is set for 4:30 p.m. HST on Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. 

Hawaii football 101026

<title>Mistakes doom Hawai‘i football again in loss at Arizona State</title>

The Rainbow Warriors fell to 1-5 for the 2026 season with another lackluster effort.

Mistakes doom Hawai‘i football again in loss at Arizona State

Ever since it joined the Big West in 2012, the University of Hawai‘i women's volleyball program was the conference's dominant force all the way until 2025, its final year before departing for the Mountain West. The Rainbow Wahine sputtered through a 12-17 campaign, their streak of 31 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and five straight Big West Championships snapped. 

, the 'Bows have already surpassed their 2025 win total, as a 25-14, 25-14, 25-21 sweep over San Jose State on Friday night at the Stan Sheriff Center improved the 'Bows to 13-3 for the 2026 season. 

Despite being newcomers in the Mountain West, the Rainbow Wahine are 5-0 in conference matches, the 

. The 'Bows haven't even lost a set in Mountain West play with series sweeps over New Mexico and Grand Canyon. 

On Friday night, the Rainbow Wahine hit a clean .369 despite missing junior outside hitter Tali Hakas, who was ruled out prior to the match with her left foot in a boot. Kahuku alumna Cha'lei Reid had a match-high 13 kills for the 'Bows, while Panna Ratkai added 12 kills and Maeli Cormier had 10 on 15 swings to finish with a hitting percentage of .600. 

"Good team effort, just love the poise, especially obviously having one of our leaders go down and everybody just kind of stepped up and made sure that we took care of business," Walker said following the match. 

While Hakas was sidelined, the team benefitted from a breakout performance from Reid, who has only planed in eight of the team's 16 contests due to an injury suffered early in the season. 

 back," Reid said on Friday. "It's been good. Definitely still working and making sure I'm warm and just prepping for games and practices. It's super good, I'm 110% back."

As of one eight returnees from the 2025 team, Reid has certainly noticed a vibe shift among the team. Winning breeds positive morale, and the 'Bows are determined to hold on to the positivity. 

"The vibe's been amazing," Reid said. "I think we're all super hungry to keep getting better. Like yes, we have a good record, but we still have a lot more to go. I think we're just pushing each other every day and being able to compete in the gym and compete in the game, so it's been super good."

Hawai‘i will finish out its week with a rematch against San Jose State at 7 p.m. on Saturday. The Rainbow Wahine have 13 matches left in their regular season schedule to close out the 18-match conference slate. 

Though he prefers to focus on his own team rather than peruse the conference scoreboard, Walker was able to get an important message across to his team following a UC Davis loss to New Mexico on Thursday that put the Rainbow Wahine alone in first place. 

"I don't really look at other standings as much, but last night was significant because now we're the only team that's controlling our own destiny," Walker said. "That's all we needed. That's confirmed. Now, it's up to us. How bad do we want it? Do we want to finish? That's the goal for us now. Now it's completely on our side of net. We know we can control our own destiny. That's all that happened yesterday. Glad we came out tonight and we got another sweep."

Hawaii womens volleyball 101026

<title>Hawai‘i women's volleyball surpasses 2025 win total in sweep over San Jose State</title>

The Rainbow Wahine are off to a 5-0 start in Mountain West play and are the only remaining unbeaten team in the conference.

Hawai‘i women's volleyball surpasses 2025 win total in sweep over San Jose State

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

Aloha Spirit

Ready to get in a Halloween mood? Aloha State Daily compiled a list of 31 things to do this month, in honor of the 31 days of October. 

From haunted houses to themed drinks, there are lots of opportunities to celebrate spooky season. Check the list for where to take keiki to trick-or-treat and participate in costume contests. There are also opportunities to surf and dance.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Now until Oct. 31:"}]

This scary experience is back. Brutex Laboratories quarantine facility has an outbreak. See what happens when containment fails. There are live actors and immersive sets, plus hands-on challenges. General admission is $38. Express pass is $46. Get a 10% discount through Oct. 11 with the code EARLY10. 

Dead Letter Office (Downtown Honolulu). 

’s “Dead Letter Office” Halloween pop-up will run from Oct. 8 to 31. The speakeasy is part of AC Hotel by Marriott Honolulu. To enter, look for a wall of mailboxes. The themed drinks include the phantom ink ($18), moonlit martini ($18), autumn after dark ($20), and blood transfusion ($18). Individuals can get those cocktails “delivered” using the speakeasy’s signature mailbox system. The speakeasy is open Wednesdays through Sundays. 

. Doors open at 6 p.m. and close at 10:30 p.m. Late arrivals cannot be admitted. Not recommended for youth who are under 13 years of age. Tickets start at $20. 

Something Spooky for Everyone! (Kapolei). 

Catch three scary movies each Saturday of October at the Consolidated Theatres at Ka Makana Aliʻi. From “Corpse Bride,” “ParaNorman” and “Beetlejuice” on Saturday, Oct. 10, to “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit,” “E.T. The Extra- Terrestrial,” and “The Ring” on Saturday, Oct. 31, there are lots of movies coming to the big screen soon. 

Hitchcock Tober and Horror Fest (Oʻahu). 

 at Consolidated Theatres. The Master of Suspense is famous for films such as “Psycho,” “Rear Window,” “Vertigo,” “North by Northwest” and “The Birds.” October also marks 

, and Consolidated Theatres will be featuring scary movies on Wednesdays at its Kapolei, Mililani, Pearlridge and Ward locations. Featured films include “Hereditary,” “The Exorcist,” “Rosemary’s Baby,” “The Thing,” and “Psycho.” 

Go to Church, with a Spooky Twist! (Oʻahu). 

 to paniolo-themed festivals, check out some of the events being offered by local churches. Senior Editor Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros shares some of the events coming up across Oʻahu from Waikīkī to Lāʻie. 

Visit Wet ʻnʻ Wild and participate in a 

 at noon as part of daily admission on Saturday, Oct. 10. Also included in the lineup of Wet ʻnʻ Wild events is a 

 on Saturday, Oct. 31. Events are included with daily admission or season pass. 

Check out this pumpkin patch where you can pick your own pumpkin, attend a farmers market, shop local vendors and visit sunflower fields. Head to Aloun Country Market on Saturday, Oct. 17, in Waipahu to participate in the holiday activities. Tickets are $5. 

The Great Pumpkin Festival (ʻĀina Haina). 

Holy Nativity School will host The Great Pumpkin Festival from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 17. There will be pumpkins, games, live entertainment and ʻono food. Admission is $10 and includes access to the pumpkin patch and one free mini pumpkin. Attendees can also enjoy a petting zoo, silent disco, live entertainment and meet-and-greets with characters from “Toy Story.” 

 which explores twilight, mirages and ghost stories, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, at Hawaiʻi Theatre Center. The performance  features aerial performance from Samadhi Hawaiʻi, spoken word from Kealoha, the first poet laureate of Hawaiʻi, and contemporary and Polynesian dance. Tickets start at $30, plus fees. 

Chicken Skin Ghost Stories (Near Downtown). 

Ready for chilling legends and ghost stories? Catch

 “The Ghost Guy” who writes a column for Aloha State Daily, as he shares stories of the Islands’ folklore on Friday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. at the Doris Duke Theatre at the Honolulu Museum of Art. He and his wife, Tanya, run the ghost tour company Mysteries of Hawaiʻi and co-authored the books: “Hawaiʻi’s Night Marchers: A History of the Huakaʻi Pō” and “Kahuna.” Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for youth. 

Howl-o-Ween Dog Costume Contest & Parade (ʻEwa). 

Bring your dog and head to Hoalauna Community Park. The event, which includes Emcee Steezy, a live DJ, games, prizes and more, runs from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 23 in ʻEwa. Don’t have a pet? Everyone is welcome to join the fun. Free. 

Da Dream Lab is partnering with Kailua Dance Academy and Kailua Music School, plus other local businesses to host Hauntopia, which runs Oct. 23, 24, and 25, plus Oct. 28 – Oct. 31. The event is back for its third year. Its defined for keiki and families with a goal of 

 according to the listing on Eventbrite. Designed for keiki who are between three years old and 12 years old. Tours are 60-90 minutes. Costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $20 or free for keiki who are two years old or younger. 

Octo-Bear-Fest: Boos & Brews (Waikīkī).

 Go to the Honolulu Zoo on Saturday, Oct. 24, for an evening of fun, featuring food, live music, local breweries, and trunk-or-treat opportunities. There will be games and costume contests. Attendees who are at least 21 years old can sample beers from four local breweries: Aloha Beer Co., Waikīkī Brewing Co., Beer Lab HI, and Honolulu Beerworks. The event supports wildlife conservation and helps protect the Malayan sun bears, which are the world’s smallest bear species. Tickets are $10 for keiki and $20 for adults or $45 for the adult brew package, which includes pours from local breweries. 

Creatures of the Samadhi Lagoon (Kakaʻako). 

This Halloween-themed show presented by aerial dancers of Samadahi Hawaiʻi features otherworldy creatures. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. 

for the performance of “Creatures of the Samadhi Lagoon - A Circus Halloween Show.” Costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $30 plus fees. 

Trick or Treat (Hawaiʻi Kai, Kāneʻohe). 

On Oct. 24, go trick or treating at various locations across Oʻahu, including the 

 at Hawaiʻi Kai Towne Center, the Trunk or Treat at 

This dog, bird and car show features games and costume contests, plus activities for keiki at Wai Kai. There will also be local vendors, trunk-or-treat opportunities, and an aquatic exhibit. The Mega Monster Mash runs from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Oct. 24. Free. 

Keiki and pets are invited to dress up in their Halloween best and trick or treat at stores at the Town Center of Mililani on Sunday, Oct. 25. There will be a costume contest. Pets must be on leashes. Free. 

 The weekly Thursday Night Market at Wai Kai, which runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., will have a Halloween theme on Oct. 29 with a 

. The night market is pet and keiki friendly. Free. 

 Catch Emo Night at The Republik. Doors open at 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30. Tickets are $16 and include a $1 donation to support organizations focusing on mental health, harm reduction, children and families, poverty and homelessness, disenfranchised communities and terminal illness. 

Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre is bringing this best-selling novel by Stephen King to life at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall. This is a co-production of Opera Parallèle in San Francisco, Portland Opera, and Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre. The production is about two hours with an intermission. There are shows on Friday, Oct. 30, and Sunday, Nov. 1. Tickets start at $35. 

Trick or Treat (ʻEwa, Kapolei and Waimānalo). 

 on Oct. 30 with chances to trick or treat, participate in costume contests and enjoy haunted pop-ups. There will also be live entertainment, food and drinks and more. The Villages of Kapolei will host its 

, which includes trick or treat opportunities, a costume contest and a screening of the movie “Nightmare before Christmas.” Or catch Waimānalo School Family Resource Center will also host 

 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the parking lot for the school. The event includes a contest for best decorated trunk, as well as local food vendors. Free. Details in links.

Catch Natural Vibrations and DJ Jojo Flow upstairs at the Hideout and Likkle Jordee and DJ Hapa Boy downstairs at The Secret Spot. The Halloween bash is being presented by Hawaiʻi’s Finest. Arrive early to get zombie makeup done by artists. Doors open at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31. Tickets are $60. 

Tiki’s Annual Halloween Bash (Waikīkī). 

This annual event at The Twin Fin will transform a beachfront venue into an Island-inspired Halloween hotspot with live music, a DJ, handcrafted specialty cocktails, and a dance floor overlooking Waikīkī Beach. The event runs from 8 p.m. until closing on Oct. 31. There will be a costume contest. Pre-sale tickets are $15. Same-day tickets are $40. 

, a celebration featuring “cult camp, crimson lips, fishnets, corsets, glam rock, mad science, theatrical weirdness,” and more, according to its website. The party starts at 8 p.m. and is open until 4 a.m. this year on Oct. 31. There are more than $2,000 in cash and prizes. Tickets start at $15 with VIP experiences available. 

KSSK Perry & The Posse Bring Morning Live Show to Limelight (Ala Moana). 

The popular Saturday morning show will be live at Limelight Hawaiʻi from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Oct. 31. The entertainment lineup includes Lyric Medeiros, who was recently part of Season 28 of the television show “Big Brother,” the Mākaha Sons,

. There will also be a costume contest. Tickets are $60 for adults and $36 for keiki. 

. This family friendly event features trick-or-treating at more than 100 stores and restaurants, plus a dance party, prize giveaways and complimentary balloon creations and photo opportunities on Saturday, Oct. 31, at Ala Moana Center. Throughout the month, there will also be a 

, seasonal merchandise and themed dining experiences. 

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (Near Downtown). 

Catch “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Honolulu Museum of Art. Dress in your Rocky Horror best and check the website for 

. In collaboration with Hawaiʻi Opera Theater, the screening on Oct. 31 will be accompanied by a full cast of actors acting out the scenes playing on screen. Recommended for ages 18 years old or older. Tickets are $25. 

Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience (Chinatown). 

This high-energy, live tribute concert, “Who’s Bad: Thriller Nights,” is a celebration of Michael Jackson and starts at 7 p.m. on Oct. 31 at Hawaiʻi Theatre Center. It features a live band and dynamic dancers. Tickets start at $54.50. 

Surf, Style & Spooky Season (North Shore). 

The sixth annual Turtle Bay Halloween Surf Off returns to the lineup at The Ritz-Carlton Oʻahu, Turtle Bay. Presented by Jamie O’Brien Surf Experience, this contest brings together surfers of all ages and abilities in their best Halloween costumes. A panel of celebrity judges will give awards for division champions, best costume, and best surfing performance. The event starts at 2 p.m. on Oct. 31. Entry fees are $20 per participant, which is donated to the Kahuku High School Surf Team. 

Catch this tour from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 31 at the 

. Creepy tales and chills are part of the program and visitors will get to meet the animals who call the sanctuary home. There will be lots of opportunities for photos. Long pants and closed-toed shoes are recommended. So is water, sunscreen and bug spray. Attendees who wear costumes get prizes. 

Know of something that didn’t make the guide this year? Email katie@alohastatedaily.com to be considered in next year’s guide.

Ritz

<title>31 things to do for Halloween on Oʻahu</title>

Ready to get in the mood for Spooky Season? Here are 31 events happening between now and Halloween, which is Saturday, Oct. 31.

31 things to do for Halloween on Oʻahu

Kam Napier Headshot

A. Kam Napier

Columnists

Government & Politics

Aloha State Daily received a press release today from a Mainland-based national interest group, U.S. Term Limits (USTL), letting us know that “2026 Hawai‘i state senate candidate, Wallyn Christian (District 13) has committed support for term limits on Congress by signing the term limits convention pledge.”

Why does this matter to that organization? “(USTL, the leader in the national, non-partisan movement to limit terms for elected officials, is gathering support from state lawmakers across the nation,” the statement says. “Its mission is to get 34 states to apply for an amendment proposal convention specific to term limits on Congress.”

Term-limiting Congress is a popular idea, and USTL cites a 

 that, “An overwhelming majority of adults (87%) favor limiting the number of terms that members of Congress are allowed to serve. This includes a majority 56% who strongly favor this proposal, just 12% are opposed.”

The idea emerges often for local politicians, as well. Civil Beat has found public support for term limits to be as high as 70% in a 2018 poll of likely voters, a stat Honolulu Civil Beat resurfaced 

 of the lawmakers themselves to see where they stand on the idea of limiting their own time in office. “Nearly half of House members and more than a third of senators say they support term limits. There are enough undecideds in both chambers to give it a good shot if they held their position for two years,” CB found.

Respectfully, all of these people are wrong. Well intentioned, but they're aiming term limits at the wrong people.

I mean, I totally understand where the frustration is coming from. We elect people, nationally and locally, then are disappointed in their results. We could end their terms ourselves by simply not reelecting these people and yet obviously a lot of the people who say they want term limits do something very odd: They seem to reelect the lousy politicians they say they want to term limit.

You want to limit someone’s term? You’re just a month away from your next opportunity to vote for someone else!

So we’ve always had the power to fire politicians with every election, but don’t, then remain convinced that what we need is more turnover in government to make it more efficient, effective and responsive. Somebodies’ terms need limiting, but who?

Easy: The workforce. The bureaucrats. See, I want term limits, too, but I want them on the people staffing all the departments and agencies that we’re perpetually frustrated with. 

Consider, to cite just one example, how many different mayors you’ve seen over the past 20 or 30 years promise to reform the departments of planning and permitting in each county. The mayors have term limits. They come and go. Have any of them succeeded at this reform?

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi has done more than any predecessor but there’s a long way still to go.

How many Hawai‘i governors — term-limited governors — have promised Hawai‘i a public education second to none? Which of them succeeded? Who is still in place, immune to reform?

What happens in real life is, candidates make bold promises of reform, we elect them, then they announce bold plans for reform and those plans run headfirst into a culture of unfirable civil servants shielded by union protections. These folks don’t even have to noisily and aggressively oppose the reform, all they have to do is … not do it. And wait. Four years later, or eight years later, their antagonist is gone, the staff remains, with its culture of job security over excellence safely intact.

[{"type":"text","text":"We, the taxpayers and voters, then sit around wondering what happened."}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Two Hawai‘i’s"}]

What’s happened is simple: Since statehood, Hawai‘i’s people have steadily split into two camps, those who work for government and everybody else. The appeal of Government Hawai‘i is the security and benefits — lifelong employment, if you want it, totally protected from market forces and competition, with solid benefits like healthcare and retirement, paid for by the rest of us in Real Hawai‘i.

If you think the security and the bennies of government jobs are a trade-off to compensate for low pay, guess again. Government Hawai‘i earns more than Real Hawai‘i.

The annual average wage of a non-government job in Hawai‘i is 

 from the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

The average annual wage in state government? 

What does Real Hawai‘i get in return? One of the highest tax burdens in America for one thing, and then very little to brag about in high-quality government service. (

I would say that that two Hawai‘i’s have hardened into opposing camps, except that’s not exactly true. Government Hawai‘i drives an Us vs Them dynamic, that was never clearer to me than it was during Covid, when Government Hawai‘i showed us that it will shut the rest of down for years at a time given the slightest opportunity. It will also protect itself first, at the expense of the public is supposedly serves, as we see in the lingering effects of the schools closing for so long. That policy made no one safer, but it did mess up the kids. (And have you noticed ever since then, Government Hawai‘i takes the day off for even bad weather like it never did before, while the rest of us soldier on with our work?)

Out here in Real Hawai‘i, we grumble but otherwise settle for apathy (i.e., low voter turnout) or outright flight to states where it feels like a good life is more possible. I don’t know who Government Hawai‘i is going to tax when the last of us moves to Vegas.

With all that in mind, term limits on government service seem like the one revolution we haven’t tried, haven’t even discussed, but should. Say 10, 15 years max, total lifetime employment in government at any level. We want people to stay long enough to learn the ropes and finish things they’ve started, not so long that they just settle in and kill time until retirement.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"The upsides:"}]

Breaks up all the pockets of resistance to change. Turnover would occur systemwide, one person at a time, as they age out. Reformers at the top have a chance building support in the workforce among newer staff.

[{"type":"text","text":"Brings in new people and new ideas in government at every level."}]

Opens up more opportunities for Government Hawai‘i and Real Hawai‘i to trade places and live in each other’s worlds. This may be the biggest upside — more of us would get a chance to feel like we had a chance to change the system from the inside and deliver the service we’ve always wanted, while more of them would be forced to realize that Real Hawai‘i is something more than subjects to be ruled and tax cows to be milked.

Forces a revolution in how government hires. Using Mayor Blangiardi again as an example, he’s talked about how it took people six months on average to get hired by the City & County of Honolulu when he assumed office. 

, he had cut that down to three months. Compared to the speed at which the private sector can hire, that’s still an eternity, and that would have to change immediately to deal with the kind of turnover we need.

(To be fair, government is not alone on this front. In my decade at Pacific Business News, I heard executives at Hawai‘i’s larger companies talk endlessly about a labor shortage. At the same time, I knew plenty of talented people who could not land great jobs. Something is seriously broken in the hiring process, and I suspect HR, especially using automated keyword-based filters on resumes, is to blame. Make Direct Hiring by Managers Great Again!)

Loss of expertise, I suppose, but we’ve seen what the accumulated expertise gets us: A chief elections officer who thought a lauhala basket suited the dignity of a Hawai‘i electoral tie-breaker and ended getting his office sued — successfully — and 

. Scott Nago has worked at the Office of Election for nearly 26 years, almost 17 of those years as its chief election officer. As Civil Beat 

, it’s just about the only place he has ever worked in his life. Well, in the private sector, you can lose your job for bungling things so badly you get sued. Under my plan, the private sector is where he would’ve been sent years ago. Had someone else, perhaps with a wider range of life experience, been at the helm, maybe that person would've made better decisions.

[{"type":"text","text":"So, OK, there are no downsides."}]

Term limits on government service. If you like this idea, spread the word. We’d be moving a mountain to make it happen. But that’s got to be better than carrying the mountain of Government Hawai‘i on our shoulders forever.

A. Kam Napier is editor in chief of Aloha State Daily. His opinions in Pipikaula Corner are his own and not reflective of the ASD team.

Term limits i Stock 517737402 16x9

People take time out of their lives to participate in the democratic process by testifying before committee hearings. Too often, the committee isn't there.

I Stock 1169235347

Pipikaula Corner: Invisible Legislators

It's not getting much media attention, but the private diaries of Dr. Anthony Fauci have been published online by Sen. Rand Paul in advance of his hearings this week into Fauci and Covid-19. What they reveal across thousands of pages is man in love with the adulation he received, who privately knew that many of things he said publicly about the pandemic were wild exaggerations.

Getty Images 2155919948

Pipikaula Corner: Fauci revealed as fear-mongering, fame-loving fraud

<title>Pipikaula Corner: Limiting the wrong terms</title>

It's an election year, and some people are running on the popular idea that legislators and Congress should have term limits to prevent lifers from working the system. ASD Editor in Chief A. Kam Napier argues this is a great idea, with the wrong target. What if it's actually the government workforce itself that needs a term limit?

Pipikaula Corner: Limiting the wrong terms

Hawaiʻi County will rebuild the pedestrian bridge connecting Waiākea Peninsula to Mokuola, commonly known as Coconut Island, opting for full reconstruction after an engineering review determined that repairing the damaged structure would not be the safest long-term option.

The elevated bridge, the only pedestrian access to the island, partially collapsed Nov. 14 while county workers were transporting maintenance equipment to Coconut Island. A section of the walkway gave way as a mini excavator crossed the structure, prompting the immediate and indefinite closure of the popular island park.

Parks and Recreation Director Clayton Honma told Aloha State Daily engineers concluded that rebuilding the bridge would better address structural concerns than attempting to repair the portion that failed.

The bridge, built in 1969 just off Banyan Drive, was long used to transport light maintenance equipment needed to care for the island. Honma said the bridge deck was reinforced in the early 2000s to increase its load capacity, and similar equipment had crossed the structure in the past without incident. There was no posted weight limit for the bridge, he said, and the most recent inspection was conducted in 2022.

County officials had previously estimated the cost of repairing or replacing the bridge at about $2 million, but Honma told ASD the county does not yet have an updated cost estimate for reconstruction. That figure will be developed by a planning and design consultant the county is in the process of hiring.

Honma said the county expects to have a consultant under contract in February, with a preliminary cost estimate delivered during the early design phase.

While a firm timeline has not been finalized, the county is tentatively projecting an 18-to-24-month period for design, permitting and construction. Honma said the consultant will play a key role in refining that timeline as regulatory requirements and approval processes are identified.

“The mayor has clearly established this as one of the top priorities for the Department of Parks and Recreation,” Honma told ASD.

Honma said the rebuilt bridge will include a formal maintenance program tailored to its design and construction materials, providing long-term guidance for county upkeep.

Public access to Coconut Island will remain closed throughout the reconstruction period. County officials said requests for limited cultural access may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Coconut Island, also known by its Hawaiian name Mokuola, is a small island park in Hilo Bay near Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens. Historically, the island served as a place of healing and refuge, where those who broke kapu could seek protection and where families buried the piko, or umbilical cords, of newborns to symbolize life, health and connection to lineage.

Coconut Island bridge collapse 768x576 jpeg 16x9

<title>County to rebuild Coconut Island Bridge after collapse</title>

County officials say full reconstruction is the safest option after last fall’s partial collapse shut down the island park and cut off its only pedestrian access.

Daily Smile: Monday, Oct. 12, 2026

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Daily Smile: Monday, Oct. 12, 2026

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