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John Pritchett

Government & Politics

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Bissen hot water

<title>Pritchett Cartoon: Hot water</title>

Pritchett Cartoon: Hot water

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

Aloha Spirit

Make plans for Halloween and paint pumpkins or check out the OnoFest & Fall Expo. It’s also time for the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s homecoming football game.

 featuring more than a dozen musicians at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa. 

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Go to the Aloha Tower Centennial Celebration. 

The 10th floor observation deck will reopen for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic on Friday, Oct. 16, offering panoramic views of the harbor and downtown Honolulu. Check out these photos from 

. The tower has undergone an $8.5 million rehabilitation. There will be live entertainment, food trucks and a drone show between 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. as part of Aloha Tower’s Centennial Celebration. Free. 

Looking for ways to celebrate Halloween? Check out Aloha State Daily’s guide for 

. From Trial of Fears and Haunted Plantation to trick-or-treat opportunities and costume contests for surfers, there are lots of events happening on Oʻahu in the next few weeks. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Saturday, Oct. 17"}]

Keiki and families can paint pumpkins, learn the art of lauhala weaving, and tour a fruit orchard as part of Saturday at the Garden: Fall Harvest. The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at CARES Waiawa, which was previously known as the Urban Garden Center, in Pearl City. There will be a plant sale, a chance to talk with Master Gardeners and more. The event is hosted by Oʻahu Master Gardener Program, which is a 

 of the University of Hawaiʻi Cooperative Extension Service. Admission is free. Some activities have a fee. 

Say ʻaloha’ to ASD at OnoFest & Fall Expo. 

Eat ʻono food and check out emerging brands at this family friendly event at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. The event is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18. ASD is a stage sponsor. General admission is $6.50, with discounts for kūpuna and military. Keiki who are 12 years old or younger can attend free. 

About 5,000 marchers, 15 floats and five bands will be part of the Honolulu Pride Parade, which is sponsored by the Hawaiʻi LGBT Legacy Foundation. Pride 2026: Hoʻomau is a celebration of queer resilience, unity and perseverance. The parade route starts at Atkinson / Ala Moana Blvd and proceeds down to Kalakaua Avenue, eventually ending on Monsarrat Ave. at Queen Kapiʻolani Regional Park. The parade starts at 3 p.m. and will be 

Watch the Rainbow Warriors face New Mexico for Homecoming. 

The University of Hawaiʻi football team will take on New Mexico for the homecoming game at the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex. Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m., and the game will be broadcast nationally on Fox Sports 1. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Sunday, Oct. 18"}]

The nonprofit Music for Live Foundation is hosting a free ʻukulele tune-up from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kamaka Community Center, located at 500 Alakawa St., Suite 100 A, Honolulu, next to Simply Storage of Hawaiʻi. Bring an ʻukulele and get a complimentary restringing with new strings provided at no cost, as well as minor repairs, advice and referrals. 

 and others will be on hand, along with staff from local music stores. Free. 

Head to the Honolulu Museum of Art for Community Sunday: Honolulu Pride at HoMA, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be family friendly performances by drag artists Melody Lucas and Miss Tara Way and music by DJ A.i.T and sirdanpaul, who just released a new album, “Shapeshifter.” There will also be dance with Aloha TapCo., and opportunities to create art, connect, and celebrate community. Community Sunday events are free for kamaʻāina. 

Go to the final performances of “Duke.”

 The one-man show tells the story of the legendary waterman Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, who popularized surfing and was 

 in swimming, in addition to being a lifeguard, actor and sheriff. The story is brought to life by 

and is an actor, playwright and cultural practitioner. The final shows of the tour will be at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and include an opening musical set from The Liliʻu Project. The sale of each ticket supports the 

, which was started by Goods with a mission to preserve and perpetuate Native Hawaiian stories. Tickets start at $30.50. 

Learn who is part of Mana Up’s Cohort 11.

 The names of the newest cohort of Mana Up participants will be announced during a 7 p.m. television broadcast, which will be live streamed by Hawaiʻi News Now. The cohosts will be Meli James, one of the founders of Mana Up, and Honolulu-born singer and actress 

, the daughter of Hawai‘i entertainer Don Ho. The duo will also be sharing details for the Mana Up Showcase, which will take place on Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Bloomingdale’s which is part of Ala Moana Center. 

Chris Kamaka Sr.

<title>Aloha Tower, Pride parade and ʻukulele tune-ups: 10 things to do on Oʻahu this weekend</title>

Ready to make plans for the weekend? From celebrating 100 years of Aloha Tower to the Honolulu Pride Parade, there are lots of opportuntities to get outside this Friday, Oct. 16, Saturday, Oct. 17, and Sunday, Oct. 18. Don’t miss the guide for spooky season activities, and get ready for some Halloween fun.

Aloha Tower, Pride parade and ʻukulele tune-ups: 10 things to do on Oʻahu this weekend

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

’s Trini Kaopuiki Clark is planning to leave her role as president and CEO at the end of October for a new opportunity at Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association, or HMSA.

Chief Development Officer Madalyn Kenney Bumanglag will step up to serve in the interim to continue the organization’s “work of creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses across the state,” per an announcement from the nonprofit earlier this month.

“Trini has led Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi with heart, vision and an unwavering commitment to wish children and their families,” said Board Chair Cayenne Pe‘a in a statement. “We are immensely proud of all she has accomplished and deeply grateful for the strong, resilient organization she leaves behind. Madalyn’s experience, steady leadership and devotion to our mission make her exceptionally prepared to guide the organization forward. With our dedicated staff, volunteers, donors and community partners, Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi will continue ensuring children across the state experience the hope, strength and joy of a life-changing wish.”

Clark became Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi’s president and CEO in 2019, after a 20-year career in broadcast journalism. Under her leadership, the organization navigated granting wishes through the Covid-19 pandemic amid gathering restrictions, moved headquarters and saw an increase in annual fundraising.

“Although I am stepping away from my role, this mission — and the incredible community behind it — will always remain close to my heart. I look forward to staying connected to the mission as a volunteer and donor,” she told Aloha State Daily in an emailed response to questions.

Clark shared more with ASD about her tenure with the nonprofit and what’s on the horizon.

What prompted this decision for you to leave Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi right now?

The opportunity came to me during a season of transition for my family, when we were preparing our youngest to leave for college and my husband had recently decided to leave his job. That made me more open to change than I might have been even a month or two earlier. Additionally, the timing felt right because Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi is strong, stable and well-positioned for the future. With a talented leadership team, a committed board and a clear strategic direction in place, I felt confident that this was the right moment to pass the torch and embrace a new challenge. That said, leaving Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi was one of the most difficult decisions of my career. The mission and the people there have had a profound impact on me over the years.

Ultimately, the opportunity to join HMSA as vice president of strategic communications and marketing was one that aligned with both my professional interests and my desire to continue serving the people of Hawaiʻi in a different capacity.

What skills/experiences from this role will you take with you to the next one?

This role has taught me so much about leadership and the critical importance of people, purpose, and relationships. I've also learned a lot about how to build and lead high-performing teams, navigate challenges, communicate through periods of change, and align diverse stakeholders around a common mission. 

Most importantly, Make-A-Wish has reinforced my belief in the importance of aloha. Almost always, if your decisions and actions are guided by aloha and empathy, you're going to be okay. Every decision we make affects real people, and I will carry that perspective with me to HMSA.

How was the organization when you first joined, versus how you are leaving it? What improvements around staffing, operations, funding, etc., are you most proud of?

When I joined Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi, it was already a respected organization with a passionate team and strong community support. Today, the chapter has greater capacity, more efficient operations and a stronger foundation for long-term sustainability.

I’m particularly proud of the investments we’ve made in our people and the strong, healthy culture we’ve built around mission excellence and employee engagement. I’m also proud of how we guided the chapter through the pandemic, achieved record-breaking fundraising results, and earned local and national recognition for excellence and innovation. Those honors include first place in Hawaiʻi Business Magazine’s Best Places to Work for Women category and first place in Pacific Business News’ Hawaiʻi’s Best Workplaces competition.

Most importantly, we've remained focused on the children we serve. Every operational or financial improvement was designed to ensure that all eligible children can receive the transformative experience of a wish.

What is your most treasured memory from your time with 

Without question, I will miss the people. I have had the privilege of working alongside an extraordinary staff, board of directors, volunteers, medical partners, donors, and wish families who show up every day to make the impossible possible for local children.

I will also miss witnessing the life-changing impact of a wish. There is something incredibly powerful about seeing a child reclaim hope, joy, and strength during a difficult medical journey. Being part of those moments is indescribable. I never take for granted the privilege of being part of those experiences.

It’s difficult to choose just one memory because there have been so many extraordinary moments. I’ll never forget Lyla’s wish to be a Navy SEAL, when more than 100 volunteers showed up to play the “bad guys,” or watching Atticus perform on stage with his musical hero, Mr. Rob. I will also treasure the memories I’ve made with our amazing team. They inspire me every day, and I am a better person for having worked alongside them.

Currently, what are the organization's short- and long-term priorities?

In the short term, our priority is ensuring that every eligible child in Hawaiʻi has access to the life-changing power of a wish. That includes increasing referrals, reducing wait times, and continuing to rebuild and strengthen the wish pipeline.

Long term, the focus is on sustainable growth: strengthening awareness of the mission, deepening community partnerships and securing the organization’s financial stability for generations to come. The recently adopted strategic plan provides a clear roadmap for achieving those goals.

What is your best piece of advice for your successor?

Stay focused on the mission and never lose sight of the child at the center of every decision.

And remember, people are at the core of everything we do. Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi has been successful because of its people. Invest in your staff, trust their expertise, support their growth, and create a culture where everyone feels seen, heard, appreciated, and connected to the impact they're making.

Trini with Wish Kid Kainoa

<title>Trini Clark reflects on time with Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi, looks ahead to role at HMSA</title>

Clark will depart from her role as president and CEO of the nonprofit at the end of this month after more than seven years in the role. Chief Development Officer Madalyn Kenney Bumanglag will step up to serve in the interim to continue the organization’s “work of creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses across the state.”

Trini Clark reflects on time with Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi, looks ahead to role at HMSA

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

Looking back on how their sourdough business — 

 — began, Tyler and Kelly Kimura say everything started when they purchased a manual dough sheeter so they could learn to make croissants.

“We had some baking experience and simply wanted to challenge ourselves,” Tyler says. “At the time, we never imagined we’d eventually open a bakery out of our own home.”

The couple had run a bakery from 2012 to 2017 — before they had kids, according to Kelly, who says she and Tyler liked sourdough because of its simple ingredients.

After a lot of trial and error, the couple reached a point where they were making croissants they were proud of. They would often give their baked goods out to people in the neighborhood, in order to get feedback on their recipes.

Around the same time, they noticed the growing popularity of cottage bakeries on the Mainland.

“That’s when we had our ‘aha’ moment,” Kelly says. “We realized this could become more than just a hobby.

“Ever since our first child was born, we’d been looking for a business we could build together — one that we both enjoyed and that would also give us the flexibility to spend more time at home, and eventually, homeschool our children,” she adds. “It took us a while before we felt confident enough to take the leap.”

[{"type":"text","text":"The business’s name was chosen by the couple’s three daughters."}]

“We gave them a few ideas, but they were set on ‘742’ because those were their ages at the time — 7, 4 and 2,” Kelly says. “The idea actually came from our oldest, and the younger two agreed. After making sure there wasn’t already another Seven4Two Bakery, we decided to roll with it.”

 officially launched last April with its first pick-up day for orders. The business’s opening menu featured croissants, sourdough bread and sourdough dark chocolate chunk cookies.

“Since then, we’ve expanded to include scones, cinnamon rolls and sourdough English muffins,” Tyler says.

The business’s sourdough English muffins ($10 for a bag of four) are the business’s most popular item, according to Tyler.

“They’re thick, fluffy and make a great breakfast sandwich, but they’re just as good toasted with butter and jam,” he says. “If you’re ambitious, try making eggs Benedict with them.”

The business’s assorted croissant boxes (around $18 for four assorted pieces) are also customer favorites. Seven4Two Bakery offers butter, chocolate, ham and cheese, origami and apple origami croissants. The origami ones are inspired by the Kouign Amann (a pastry known for its caramelized sugar crust), according to Kelly. The origami croissant is sprinkled with sugar, folded and baked in a muffin pan to create a flower-like shape.

“They’re buttery, flaky and made from dough that’s folded and layered over multiple days,” she explains.

The apple origami features a sweet apple, brown sugar and cinnamon filling. Kelly notes that the apple origami and chocolate croissants — made with three batons of rich, dark chocolate — are the most popular flavors. She recommends the ham and cheese croissant, which is made with Gruyere, for those who want a savory option.

Customers can also opt for the business’s original sourdough ($10) and cheddar and roasted garlic sourdough ($13). The loaves are known for their soft interior and crust, according to Tyler.

“They have a nice crust, but not the kind that’s going to hurt your jaw,” he says. “By the time they make it to your home, the crust has usually softened just a bit.”

The business’s cinnamon rolls ($18 for four) are swirled with cinnamon and brown sugar, then topped with cream cheese frosting.

“The cinnamon rolls are kind of my passion project,” Kelly says. “We weren’t going to sell it — I just used to make it for people — but people were like, ‘You need to sell them.’”’

Customers can also opt for sourdough dark chocolate chunk cookies (six cookies for $12) — which feature the nutty flavor of browned butter — and sourdough mac nut chocolate chunk cookies (six for $12). Buttermilk scones (six for $18), which are hand-crafted in small batches, come in flavors like blueberry, pumpkin chocolate chip, bacon cheddar, matcha white chocolate and lilikoʻi.

The business is usually open for online pre-orders and pick-ups on Saturdays. Follow the Instagram account for updates; Seven4Two Bakery’s menu and pre-orders are available via 

. Orders usually open on Sunday mornings and close on Wednesday nights, giving the couple enough time to prepare.

“What makes us unique is the story of how we got here,” Kelly says. “We didn’t start out with the goal of opening a bakery. It started as a challenge to see if we could make croissants at home, and now it has grown into a little bakery serving our Pauoa Valley community every Saturday morning.”

Seven4 Two owners 100626

<title>Seven4Two Bakery offers a variety of sourdough pastries</title>

The husband-and-wife owned bakery, located in Pauoa Valley, is usually open for pre-orders online and pick-ups on Saturdays. Customers can choose from sourdough English muffins, breads, croissants, scones and cookies.

Seven4Two Bakery offers a variety of sourdough pastries

AKINA portrait 2

Keliʻi Akina

Viewpoints

It has been said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. If that’s true, then it helps explain why Hawaiʻi business leaders are so pessimistic about the state’s economy.

 of local business owners and executives conducted by Hawaiʻi Business magazine found that more than half of the respondents, 57%, said Hawaii is a worse state to do business than it was five years ago. In addition, 45% reported believing that the local economy will get worse in the coming year, and 31% said they anticipate needing to cut costs substantially to survive.

Of course, none of this is a surprise. Hawaiʻi is consistently rated one of the worst states in which to do business. In fact, as I remarked in one of 

 in July, the national news outlet CNBC recently ranked Hawaii dead last — for the first time — in terms of its business climate.

The reason for this is that Hawaiʻi lawmakers continue to make life hard for those who supply the many goods and services we need to live and prosper, namely through high taxes, excessive regulations and too many burdensome permitting and licensing requirements.

 that the U.S. states with the greatest economic freedom flourish the most.

In Hawaiʻi, business leaders have watched for years as state and county policymakers talk about lowering the cost of living or encouraging economic growth. But what has really happened? For the most part, they simply repeat the old, familiar cycle of “spend more, tax more and regulate more” that brought us to this point in the first place.

Even when substantial reform happened in 2024 with the passing of the biggest income tax cuts Hawaiʻi residents have ever seen, some state officials immediately moved to claw them back.

Under the circumstances, it is a wonder that the state’s business leaders didn’t express even more pessimism about the future.

Looking ahead, the Economic Research Organization at the University of Hawai‘i is 

 further bad financial news for the coming year, including a decline in tourism, a weak job market and just 0.5% growth in the state’s gross domestic product or GDP, compared to more than 3% last year.

How will Hawaiʻi’s lawmakers respond to this additional economic strain? I hope not with the same old same old, such as claiming that a weak economy justifies more spending, which would likely lead to even more taxation.

Instead, it’s time to finally stop the insanity and try something different — starting with meaningful budget cuts that give Hawaiʻi’s taxpayers and businesses some much-needed breathing room.

Reprinted with permission from the Oct. 4, 2026 "Presidentʻs Corner" of 

Shutterstock 112908430

<title>Community Voices: Tax, spend, regulate, repeat</title>

In Hawaiʻi, business leaders have watched for years as state and county policymakers talk about lowering the cost of living or encouraging economic growth. But what has really happened?

Community Voices: Tax, spend, regulate, repeat

Square Kady Pascual Headshot RGZ5762

Kady Pascual

[{"type":"text","text":"Want to help a local business decide what to put on the menu?"}]

The OnoFest & Fall Expo will be at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18. The event will feature new product debuts, a candy crawl, Kendama competitions, a collector alley for hobbyists and enthusiasts, live entertainment and more.

“A signature highlight of OnoFest is its New Food & Drink Menu, where participating vendors will debut a brand-new dish, flavor, or drink creation priced at $6 or less. Attendees can sample multiple items and provide real-time feedback, helping vendors decide whether their new creations should become permanent additions to their menus,” a recent announcement from Pacific Expos notes.

Food is not the only item in the spotlight. Retail vendors are also encouraged to showcase new and innovative products.

“OnoFest is a great opportunity for vendors to test-market their new product right here at our show and receive real-time feedback,” said Jas Pascua, event coordinator for Pacific Expos. “This showcase of Hawai

i’s most interesting flavors is becoming Hawai

i’s newest food tradition. And with items offered at $6 or less, attendees can try more than one food or drink vendor.”

Aloha State Daily is a stage sponsor, so stop by and say “aloha!” We will have games to play and prizes to win.

Tickets for the event are only sold at the door — general admission is $6.50; kūpuna over the age of 60 and military with I.D. are $4.50; and keiki 12 years old or younger are free.

 Provide us with your information using this 

 by Monday, Oct. 12, and we will send some of you two free tickets for the event.

ASD at Ono Fest 2 26 10 05

<title>Stop by and say ‘aloha’ to Aloha State Daily at OnoFest & Fall Expo</title>

Experience new food, shop with emerging brands and participate in family-friendly activities at the OnoFest & Fall Expo, slated for Oct. 17 to 18 at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. Plus, we are giving away free tickets to our newsletter subscribers ahead of the event.

Stop by and say ‘aloha’ to Aloha State Daily at OnoFest & Fall Expo

[{"type":"text","text":"This new izakaya is opening in Honolulu."}]

 is located on the second floor above Totoya on Piʻikoi Street (there’s currently no restaurant sign). The izakaya is opening today, Wednesday, Sept. 23. It will be open from 5:30 p.m. to midnight (last call is 11 p.m.) every day except Mondays.

The izakaya’s name is inspired by the Japanese kanji for “enjoy.”  The restaurant can seat about 22 people; customers can call to make reservations.

Izakaya Lala’s specialty dishes include maki kushi, or Japanese charcoal grilled pork-wrapped skewers, and oden. Maki kushi is especially popular in Fukuoka, Japan, according to server leader Aya Furuta.

“There’s lots of vegetables (to choose from), like tomato, lettuce, enoki mushrooms and eggplant,” she says. “We wrap it with pork.”

Skewers range from enoki mushroom and cheddar cheese ($5.90) and buttered potato ($4.50) to zucchini ($3.90), pork belly ($3.50), brie cheese ($4.90) and green onion ($4.50).

Oden is a comforting Japanese dish featuring a light bonito and kombu broth.

 The various ingredients soak up the warm broth.

Choose from fluffy homemade hanpen fish cake ($4.90), homemade mochi-stuffed tofu pouch ($3.90), daikon with shredded kombu ($3.90), fried vegetable fish cake ($4.20) and more.

“Our homemade hanpen fish cake is fluffy,” Furuta says. “We also have sashimi and small appetizers, designed to pair with sake.”

The izakaya features other small plates to share, including fluffy dashi omelet with ikura ($16.90), yellowtail with sesame sauce ($15.90), chicken karaage ($7.90), nori butter and cheese fries ($7.80) and sizzling mapo tofu ($13.50).

Izakaya Lala also features an extensive selection of sake. The restaurant features sake info cards at each table to help diners choose the sake that complements their preferences. The izakaya offers a variety of rich and savory, fruity and fragrant, and crisp and dry sakes to accommodate different palates.

“There are lots of different ways to drink sake,” Furuta says, noting that customers can drink sake chilled, at room temperature, gently warm or hot. The restaurant also features a map of Japan on its walls, so customers can see where the different sakes are from.    

Customer parking is available in the public lot; first hour of parking is free with restaurant validation.

Open from 5:30 p.m. to midnight (last call 11 p.m.) Tuesdays to Sundays; closed Mondays

Izakaya Lala server 092126

<title>Izakaya Lala is opening in Honolulu</title>

Located above Totoya on Piʻikoi Street, the new eatery features Fukuoka-style maki kushi — or grilled pork-wrapped skewers — oden, and an extensive sake selection. The restaurant’s name is inspired by the Japanese kanji for “enjoy.”

Pritchett Cartoon: Hot water

John Pritchett

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Pritchett Cartoon: Hot water

Authors

John Pritchett

More in Government & Politics

Maui’s Prosecutor Defends Mayor Bissen: What his press release leaves out

New EMS station aims to lower ambulance response times, increase medical coverage in Kaimukī

Construction 'ahead of schedule' on West O‘ahu affordable housing development

City preps for demo in Waikīkī as former Dee Lite Bakery site gets cleared

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