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[{"type":"text","text":"Your Honor, my client is innocent....."}]

Smile 26 11 14

<title>Daily Smile: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026</title>

Your Honor, my client is innocent...

Daily Smile: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

Aloha Spirit

Get into the holiday spirit and support small businesses in the process — the 10th annual Keep It Kaimukī Saturday returns to the Honolulu neighborhood later this month.

The free, daylong event takes place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28.

In addition to discounts and promotions at a number of retailers and restaurants a Kaimukī, there's plenty more to do around the community, according to a recent announcement:

Find free self-parking at St. Patrick's Church. Complimentary trolley rides will be available along Wai‘alae Avenue between St. Louis and Goodwill from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

, an urban pet supply store located on Wai‘alae Avenue, also founded Keep It Kaimukī several years ago. Keep it Kaimukī is a "grassroots movement committed to preserving and promoting our community of unique, locally-owned businesses that give our neighborhood its distinct charm," its 

"Keep it Kaimukī Saturday is a celebration in our neighborhood of the small businesses that really create the fabric of our community," Lee told Aloha State Daily. "It's the lifeline to so many families and entrepreneurs in the neighborhood, so it really is a celebration of our neighborhood, what makes our neighborhood unique in regards to maintaining small businesses, supporting small businesses and really just helping small businesses to thrive and have a platform."

Keep it Kaimukī Saturday falls in line with 

, a now-annual event founded by American Express in 2010 to drive consumer spending at small businesses. It’s held every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving — between Black Friday and Cyber Monday — and has been co-sponsored by the 

"Here in Kaimukī, where we have a plethora of locally owned small businesses, we reclaim it as 

Keep it Kaimukī Saturday," Summer Shiigi, a partner at Keep it Kaimukī and owner of Ten Tomorrow and Daily Whisk Matcha, told ASD.

Lee says Keep It Kaimukī Saturday is important to both he and Shiigi because they're both small business owners in the neighborhood and "we see the immediate impact that the community has with either supporting us or supporting other locals in the neighborhood." The event, he says, is "just honing in on that and really celebrating what we're all creating together day-by-day."

"This community's really special," Shiigi says. "It's hard when you're in a mall, you're fighting for survival, you maybe don't get to know your neighbors. But here in Kaimukī, I think there's a unique blend of us. We're friends inside and outside of work; the support that we have for each other is just celebrated." 

Lee says that it "feels really good" to see Keep It Kaimukī Saturday reach its 10th anniversary.

"It's been such a long and fast and crazy and fulfilling ride, and we've met so many inspirational and so many outstanding entrepreneurs," he says. "Summer and I have learned so much about the neighborhood, about our neighbors and community, even more so about ourselves and each other, so it's been a whirlwind and I love it."

What's the biggest lesson they've learned over the last decade of Keep It Kaimukī Saturday?

For Shiigi, it's how much the community, the island and the aloha spirit is alive.

"We created this event to highlight who we are and what we do, but really it's the customers, the families, the people, everyone who shows up for the day, who spends their hard-earned dollars at our local businesses, restaurants, yoga studios, cafes, stores," she says. "It means the most. It's been a hard year, and so to celebrate the 10 years, I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone come out and show their support for us."

Lee says he's learned about the resilience of the community and that "support is all around you."

Aloha State Daily is a Gold Sponsor of this year's Keep It Kaimukī Saturday event. Stop by our booth at Ali‘iolani Elementary to say hi to the ASD team, play games and win prizes.

Find more information about Small Business Saturday 

General Store keep it kaimuki saturday 1126

<title>Keep It Kaimukī Saturday returns for 10th year</title>

The free event, which aims to support small businesses throughout the Honolulu neighborhood, is planned for Saturday, Nov. 28, and coincides with Small Business Saturday.

Keep It Kaimukī Saturday returns for 10th year

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

After a shocking 1-6 start to its 2026 season, all the University of Hawai‘i football team wanted was an opportunity to play meaningful games in November. 

Following consecutive victories on the road, the Rainbow Warriors have set themselves up for a true game of consequence on Saturday 

when Mountain West Conference newcomer North Dakota State comes to the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex

At 3-6 overall and 2-4 in Mountain West games, Hawai‘i needs to win out in order to achieve bowl eligibility. With three games left, North Dakota State will be its toughest test remaining in its pursuit of its second consecutive bowl appearance under head coach Timmy Chang. 

As a true FCS powerhouse, the Bison won 10 national championships, all of which came after 2011. Wanting to raise the profile of the program, the school made the transition to FBS play, paying the Mountain West a $12.5 million entrance fee in order to become an affiliate member of the conference. 

Right away, North Dakota State has established itself as a Mountain West contender with a mark of 7-2 overall and 4-2 in conference games thus far. Its two losses have been by a combined 12 points to UNLV and New Mexico. The Bison are looking to stay in the Mountain West championship game race, though a loss on Saturday would muddle their place near the top of the standings. 

When the Bison and Rainbow Warriors collide for the first time in front of a sold-out crowd on Saturday night, both teams expect to play with the intensity that comes with the feeling that each team has everything to play for. 

"It's a great opportunity, a great opponent that's coming in," Chang said. "We're going to be tested physically, mentally. It's a good football team. For us, we're just focused on our end, focused on the game plan, and getting ready to execute and and go out there in front of a sold-out crowd and have some fun."

UH has already announced that there are no tickets remaining at the 15,194-seat Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, the penultimate home game on the regular season schedule and first home game since Oct. 17. The school has deemed the game a "blackout," where the Rainbow Warriors will wear black from head to toe and fans are encouraged to do the same. 

"I'm glad to be back home, man. It's too much traveling for me," linebacker Jamih Otis joked. "The plane ride is good for the road trips and the vibes. But I'm glad to be back home, back in the city. I expect it to be packed out. It's nothing like playing at home. The love of your family and friends, seeing everybody, all the kids coming out. I think for us, we just feed off that. When we play at home, we're playing for something way bigger than ourselves —playing for the whole state."

While North Dakota State was a dominant force at the FCS level, the sense around the Rainbow Warriors is a consensus of confidence that they can win the war of attrition against a Bison program that's playing a full FBS schedule for the first time. In this instance, it also includes a trip nearly 4,000 miles from Fargo to Honolulu. 

"They got to come out here to our own backyard, and I'll tell you this — 10 hours [on a flight], your back will be aching," Hawai‘i slotback Titan Lacaden says. "It's not no easy slate."

The same traits that allowed North Dakota State to become an FCS dynasty have also translated to the FBS level. Hawai‘i players and coaches on both sides of the ball have praised NDSU's discipline and execution in key situations. In 2026, the Bison also have an elite defense that allows just 11.89 points per game, good for second best in the entire country. 

"Definitely a bigger unit, bigger group of guys. Pretty nasty, no lie," Lacaden said. "Like I said, these guys are big. These guys are super physical."

 in which he hauled in 11 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown in a 17-14 win at UTEP, 

 was named the Mountain West Freshman of the Week. 

Saturday was a special weekend in the Lacaden household. In addition to Titan's performance, father Frank is on the coaching staff at Kapolei, which defeated Mililani for the school's first OIA Open Division football title in school history shortly after the UH game went final. On Friday night, the Hurricanes will take on Kahuku in the state semifinals. Then on Saturday, generations of the Lacaden family will be in Mānoa to cheer on the Rainbow Warriors. 

"He did catch a glimpse [of the UTEP game]," Titan Lacaden said of Frank Lacaden. "He had a game, but he did catch a glimpse. He watched my first touchdown, and eventually had to put the phone away. But I was able to catch the back end of his game, and we're just happy, and I'm happy for him. Our family celebrates us both, and it's never a one man kind of thing. It's always a 'we' thing, and I'm happy that he's able to teach the next generation. 

"Football is definitely his thing, it's my thing, it's our family's thing. It's something that doesn't just teach us just about the sport — it teaches us about life. He's just continuing that to teach other student-athletes. ... For him to be able to do that, I'm just happy, and he reciprocates that back to me. He's proud to see me play the sport. He's just happy for me, as well."

Titan Lacaden 2 110726

<title>Hawai‘i and North Dakota State collide for first-ever meeting</title>

The inaugural Mountain West Conference matchup features a pair of teams with plenty at stake in their respective seasons on Saturday.

Hawai‘i and North Dakota State collide for first-ever meeting

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

 in January, just opened a second location. The Indian and Nepali restaurant opened on the second floor of Westridge Shopping Center; the eatery is in the former space of Jessica’s Kitchen (which is now in Kapolei).

According to business owner Atam Shahi, the ‘Aiea location about the same size as the 

 is a little bigger,” he says. “The layout is the same (as when Jessica’s Kitchen was here); we just had to decorate (the interior).”

This location’s menu is mostly the same as the one at the 

 restaurant, but the ‘Aiea store has a few exclusive dishes. ‘Aiea exclusives include dal soup (lentil soup served with rice), chicken seekh kebab (minced chicken skewers) and chicken chili. The latter features a sweet and sour curry with bell peppers and onions, according to Shahi.

“The dal soup is a more popular soup in India,” he explains. “The chicken chili is popular in Nepal.”

The menu features a variety of momo (steamed or fried dumplings) and appetizers; tandoor and grill specials; chicken, lamb, shrimp and vegetarian curries; housemade naan breads and desserts.

Popular starters include chicken chili momo ($14.99) and chicken steamed momo ($13.99).

“The chicken chili momo is deep-fried momo tossed in chili sauce with bell peppers and onions,” Shahi says.

He says the eatery’s samosa chaat ($10.99) — crushed samosas (fried pastries filled with spiced potatoes) layered with chutneys and chickpeas — is another customer favorite

“We smash the samosa and chickpeas, and garnish it with green chutney, tamarind chutney, some tomato chutney, yogurt sauce and onions,” Shahi says.

The ‘Aiea location’s chicken seekh kebab comes out on a sizzling platter, and is served with a green chutney sauce for dipping, according to Shahi. Other popular dishes from the Kaneohe location include tandoori chicken ($19.99), chicken Malai tikka ($20.99), shrimp coconut curry ($20.99), mixed vegetable curry ($16.99) and saag paneer ($17.99); the latter is a vegetarian curry made with spinach.

“The tandoori chicken is like chicken marinated overnight in yogurt and spices,” Shahi says. “The chicken Malai tikka is chicken thigh meat marinated in heavy cream and other spices.

He notes that while chicken tikka masala ($19.99) and butter chicken ($19.99) are bestsellers, he always recommends Dhaniya chicken curry ($19.99), which is a classic dish with lots of cilantro.

“It’s a cilantro-based curry with tomato sauce; it’s a more authentic Nepali dish,” he explains. “I always recommend Dhaniya chicken, and everybody likes it.”

He explains that biryani features basmati rice cooked with spices and gravy, with a choice of meat or vegetables.

“It comes with veggie, chicken, lamb or shrimp; chicken and lamb are the most popular,” Shahi says.

The eatery’s housemade naan is available a la carte; bestsellers include garlic naan ($4.99) and garlic cheese naan ($6.99), according to Shahi.

“Our onion kulcha ($6.99) is also good,” he says. “It’s like onion stuffed inside of the naan bread.”

Diners can finish their meals with desserts like mango or pista kulfi ($5.99 each) — housemade mango and pistachio ice cream, respectively — or drinks like mango lassi ($4.99).

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Everest Grill Aiea owner 110626

<title>Everest Grill just opened its second location in ʻAiea</title>

The Indian and Nepali restaurant, whose original location is in Kāneʻohe, recently opened in Westridge Shopping Center. The biz is known for dishes like chicken tikka masala, lamb rogan josh and chicken biryani, but the ‘Aiea location has a few exclusive dishes.

Everest Grill just opened its second location in ʻAiea

WEB square crop Hayley Lehman Headshot RGZ1636

Haley Lehman

Government & Politics

Kakaʻako Waterfront Park will soon be home to an AIDS Memorial and Community Memory Site.

Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson, co-founders of Lei Pua ʻAla Foundation, the nonprofit arm of 

Lei Pua ʻAla Queer Histories of Hawaiʻi

, told Aloha State Daily on Friday that the purpose of the site is for people to gather, reflect and remember those impacted by HIV/AIDS and other epidemics.

The project got its start in August 2023 when 

, an independent film production company founded by Hamer and Wilson, received funding from the 

 through the Hawaiʻi Council for Humanities to document and memorialize queer and sexual history in Hawaiʻi through Lei Pua ʻAla Queer Histories of Hawaiʻi.

The need for a site like this one became more evident after Hawaiʻi Health and Harm Reduction Center (HHHRC) and Capitol Modern partnered to display Hawaiʻi panels of the National AIDS Memorial Quilt in December 2024, Wilson said.

According to Hamer and Wilson, Hawaiʻi’s initial response to HIV/AIDS was set apart from the rest of the country. HHHRC, formerly Life Foundation, became the first HIV/AIDS service organization in Hawaiʻi upon its founding in 1983. The state adopted universal testing, sex education in public schools and needle exchanges early on, Wilson said.

Hamer notes that they explored six or seven other sites, but Kakaʻako Waterfront Park quickly rose to the top for its history and beauty. The area once functioned as a quarantine camp for smallpox, Hansen’s Disease and the bubonic plague, Wilson said. Now, it’s a city park next to the Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine.

“It was known as a place of suffering and pain,” Wilson said. “In our view, this is now a place of healing, community and celebration, reflection and inspiration.”

The foundation partnered with the City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation in October 2024 to adopt the park. Since then, they’ve cleaned up trash, painted over graffiti and hired a contractor to repair the stone walls.

valued at $97,081 from Lei Pua ʻAla Foundation to design and create the site on Nov. 5. The Oʻahu Historic Preservation Commission approved the 

 in May and the Kakaʻako Neighborhood Board approved it in September.

Phase one of the project, which will be completed in 2027, will place interpretive signs about the memorial and Hawaiʻi’s response to HIV/AIDS at the high point of the park, install a reflection bench at the center, install wayfinding signs at the entrance of the park and along the path, paint a mural and stain a lei pattern onto the sidewalk leading to the memorial. There will be a memorial rock garden to honor people who were impacted by HIV/AIDS, including those who died, caretakers and community activists. HHHRC will host a digital component to the memorial and eventually serve as the caretakers of the site.

“We don’t want it to feel like a graveyard,” Hamer said. “We want it to be more of a place that’s looking forward to the future and reminding people to treat epidemics with science, compassion and rationale.”

Both Hamer and Wilson lived in Washington, D.C. during the 1980s and 1990s, and Wilson said that their experiences during that time drive their work today.

Wilson adds that it was “unbearable” witnessing friends experience health challenges, and the “painful ritual” of reading the obituaries in fear that he’d recognize someone he knew.

Hamer said, “I remember how frightening this was, this disease, to have one after another of your friends become sick and pass away,” adding that there was “a real feeling of helplessness.”

Hamer and Wilson said that while the site will remember those who were lost or suffered in past epidemics, they hope it relays the importance of public health.

“People don’t understand how the affected communities, primarily gay men, rallied to help people fight to survive and that had a radical and important impact on public health infrastructure,” he said. “It’s not just remembering individual loss, it’s remembering the collective energy that went into the response.

Wilson said that it’s important for people who are marginalized to see their stories in public spaces.

“It’s really important for people from our community to see our stories,” he said. “On one hand, it’s a mirror so that we can see ourselves reflected. But for other people, places like this are a window, they can look through and see things that they might not otherwise see.”

AIDS Memorial

<title>AIDS Memorial coming to Kakaʻako Waterfront Park</title>

An AIDS Memorial and Community Memory Site designed by Le Pua ʻAla Foundation and Hawaiʻi Heath and Harm Reduction Center will be installed at Kakaʻako Waterfront Park in 2027.

AIDS Memorial coming to Kakaʻako Waterfront Park

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Daily Smile: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026

ASD Staff

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Daily Smile: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026

Authors

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