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Kady Pascual

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Katie Helland

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ASD Staff

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A. Kam Napier

Daily Smile

“How my dogs act when my husband gets home after 12 hours vs when I get back from the store after 10 minutes..."

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<title>Daily Smile: Friday, February 13, 2026</title>

Daily Smile: Friday, February 13, 2026

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Michael Brestovansky

Crime & Courts

A Pearl City woman was sentenced Wednesday to three years of supervised release after threatening to kill President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden.

In March 2024, during the Biden administration, Rebecca Ann Folley, then 47 years old and and posting under the name Becca Waters, posted on Facebook a picture containing the message “Going to kill the president,” followed by “INSPECTOR GENERAL, I NEED YOU ASAP.”

The picture appeared to be a screenshot of a comment field on the official White House website; the threat to kill the president had been written in the comment field, under the prompt “What would you like to say?” It is unclear whether Folley actually submitted the comment via the White House website or merely screenshotted a draft message without submitting it.

, the U.S. Secret Service became aware of Folley’s comment in December of 2024, after the election of President Donald Trump, but before his inauguration. A pair of Secret Service agents met Folley that month at her Pearl City residence.

During an interview with the agents, Folley reportedly told them she was a victim of trafficking but law enforcement would not respond to her reports. In order to provoke a response, she posted “bad trigger words” online as a “cry for help," according to the agents' report.

Folley told the agents she had sent hundreds of such messages since 2022, but received no response, even after posting the White House screenshot on the Facebook page of Gov. Josh Green.

“I started bragging, I was like, ‘I’ve got to be the only person in the United States’ history that’s ever been able to get away with 200 of these things on record,’” Folley reportedly told the agents.

The agents then told Folley to “please don’t do that anymore,” to which she agreed, adding that she was taking medication and receiving mental health treatment.

However, about a week later, Folley herself submitted a tip to the FBI linking to another of her own posted presidential death threats, a Facebook post identical to the previous one. She also posted a new message, warning that, in January 2025, she would “certified mail something VERY VERY VERY special to the field office in Honolulu, the secret service dudes, a enduring gift.”

This went on for months, with Folley sending substantially similar messages to various state agencies, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, and the President’s official Facebook account. Her message to the president was direct: “I’M GOING TO KILL DONALD TRUMP.”

In other posts, Folley said she would blow up the White House, and on one occasion commented on a Facebook post by Hawai‘i Rep. Ed Case “Sir, would you mind if I killed you? Just spit balling.”

Secret Service agents once again interviewed Folley in March, whereupon she said she was no longer receiving mental health treatment and acknowledged that her repeated comments were federal crimes.

Court records also indicate that Folley had previously made threats to a family member in 2021, which prompted an FBI response, and was convicted of third-degree assault in Hawai‘i that year as well, for which she served five days in jail.

For her presidential threats, Folley was arrested in April, and she remained incarcerated for seven months. During this period, attorneys discussed Folley’s mental competence to stand trial, with a U.S. District Court Senior Judge Helen Gillmor finding it plausible that Folley was mentally unwell.

The details of a court-ordered mental competency evaluation are restricted from the public. However, the court found her mentally competent in October, and she shortly thereafter pled guilty to making threats against the president, a federal felony carrying a maximum possible sentence of five years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

However, Folley was sentenced only to seven months in jail — which she has already served — and three years of supervised release. As part of her supervised release terms, she is required to participate in substance abuse and mental health treatment programs, and will have her use of computers strictly monitored.

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Courtfed

<title>Pearl City woman gets supervised release following threats against the president</title>

Rebecca Folley made hundreds of Facebook posts threatening to kill Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Pearl City woman gets supervised release following threats against the president

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Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

[{"type":"text","text":"There’s a new lounge experience in Honolulu."}]

, Casamigos House of Friends opened at the end of December. The new lounge is open daily for walk-ins from 4 to 9 p.m. to both, local patrons and hotel guests.

The lounge showcases golden sunsets and skyline views, along with curated Casamigos tequila cocktails and shareable bites.

“Casamigos House of Friends is about effortless hospitality, great drinks, thoughtful flavors, and a setting that encourages guests to slow down and enjoy the moment,” states director of culinary experience Eric Hanano. “It’s social, scenic and unmistakably Waikīkī.”

Specialty Casamigos tequila cocktails include Pele’s Paloma ($24) — Casamigos Reposado, Fever Tree grapefruit, guava puree and lime — Waikīkī Sunset ($18), made with vodka, melon liqueur, pineapple juice and grenadine; and Margarita Made Your Way ($22). The latter features your choice of Casamigos Blanco, Casamigos Jalapeno or Casamigos Mezcal.

Bestsellers include the charcuterie platter ($28) and ‘ahi poke nachos ($22). The charcuterie platter — designed to serve two people — includes prosciutto, Genoa salami, soppressata, Asiago, sharp cheddar and Boursin cheeses served with crostini, lavosh, mixed nuts and grapes.

Meanwhile, the ‘ahi poke nachos ($22) comprise crispy wonton chips topped with fresh ‘ahi, sweet onions, ogo, green onions, avocado, a shoyu-sesame oil drizzle, spicy aioli, kabayaki sauce and a sprinkle of furikake.

Other menu options include ‘ahi poke ($18), teriyaki chicken skewers ($18), ‘ahi sashimi ($26) and caprese skewers ($17).

Happy hour is offered daily from 4 to 5 p.m. Customers can take advantage of discounts on select cocktails and pūpū. The dishes feature smaller portions to match the price points; enjoy ‘ahi sashimi ($15 instead of $26), ‘ahi poke ($12 instead of $18) and skewers ($4 each; two pieces minimum). Customers are able to mix and match skewers from the available choices.

Guests can also enjoy live music daily from 5 to 7 p.m., along with validated parking ($3).

Besides its nightly service, Casamigos House of Friends is also available to rent out for private functions and special events.

Casamigos Lounge spread 021026

<title>New Casamigos lounge experience in Honolulu</title>

Located on the 37th floor of the Hilton Waikīkī Beach Resort & Spa, Casamigos House of Friends is a new lounge that’s open to both, local patrons and hotel guests. Enjoy curated Casamigos tequila cocktails, along with shareable appetizers.

New Casamigos lounge experience in Honolulu

[{"type":"text","text":"There’s a new all-you-can-eat sushi option on Oʻahu. "}]

 at Ka Makana Aliʻi is offering a new AYCE sushi menu during lunch and dinner. Lunch costs $28.95 and dinner is $38.95. Children ages 5 to 11 years can enjoy half-price admission; children ages 5 years and under have free admission. 

Lunch is from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner is 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday. There’s a 90-minute time limit for the AYCE experience. 

The menu is extensive, and comprises appetizers, noodles and rice, nigiri, and sushi rolls. 

Appetizers include cold tofu, gyoza, shrimp tempura, crab rangoon, baked mussels, and chicken wings. In addition, appetizers available during the dinner all-you-can-eat experience include salmon poppers, tuna tataki, and yellowtail jalapeno.

Diners can also enjoy hibachi-style dishes — like chicken teriyaki and noodles — along with nabeyaki udon or ramen, hibachi fried rice and a variety of salads.

Nigiri options include tuna, hamachi, salmon, unagi, tako and more. Each order includes two pieces. Sashimi options include tuna, unagi, red snapper, squid, yellowtail and salmon.

Customers can also choose from a variety of six- or eight-piece sushi rolls. Recommended options include the Hawaiʻi roll — spicy crunchy tuna and cucumber topped with cooked shrimp, avocado, unagi sauce and spicy mayo — and Godzilla roll, comprising spicy crunchy salmon and avocado topped with eel, spicy kani (crab), unagi sauce and spicy mayo. 

The dinner AYCE menu also includes options like the sweetheart roll — spicy crunchy tuna and avocado topped with fresh tuna, and served in the shape of a heart — crispy yellowtail roll and crazy Friday roll. The latter features shrimp tempura and lobster salad topped with avocado, wasabi mayo and masago. 

For an additional $20 per person, customers can have access to premium dishes in addition to the regular AYCE menu. All individuals in each dining party will be charged accordingly with this selection.

Premium nigiri include ama ebi, ikura and scallop. Premium rolls include salmon belly Osaka roll, lobster delight roll, angry dragon roll and more.

The premium AYCE experience also includes sashimi like sweet shrimp, scallop and ikura.

AYCE sushi lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays

Sakura Kapolei assorted nigiri 021126

<title>Sakura Sushi & Hibachi has a new all-you-can-eat sushi menu</title>

The eatery, located in Ka Makana Aliʻi, now offers AYCE sushi during lunch and dinner on Mondays to Thursdays. The AYCE experience costs $28.95 per adult during lunch and $38.95 per adult during dinner.

Sakura Sushi & Hibachi has a new all-you-can-eat sushi menu

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Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue continues to serve up the plate lunch at more places across the U.S., opening 14 new franchise locations in eight states last year.

In addition to a new Makiki location, in 2025 new restaurants opened in East Harlem and 

, New York; Smyrna and Mulberry, Georgia; Escondido, Benicia, Clairemont Mesa and Davis, California; Fort Hood, Texas; Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, New Mexico; Tacoma, Washington; and Nampa, Idaho, the state’s first, a Feb. 10 announcement from L&L noted.

“L&L’s growth continues to be fueled by a franchise model shaped around accessibility and long-term partnership,” the announcement says. “Franchisees receive hands-on training in Hawai‘i, operational guidance and marketing support designed to set them up for success. This systemwide approach ensures consistent hearty portions, comforting flavors and welcoming aloha spirit across all locations.”

In the new year, the Hawai‘i-based L&L says it has a “strong development pipeline spanning the West Coast, Mountain West, Midwest, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.”

"The brand is on pace for its strongest Q1 opening period to date, positioning 2026 to begin as the strongest quarter in L&L’s history and reflecting sustained franchise interest and confidence in the system," the announcement states.

A new franchise, found in the Bonney Lake Retail Market Center at 20621 Highway 410 E. in Bonney Lake, Washington, officially opened on Jan. 20, bringing the total number of locations in the Evergreen State to 11. The new restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The new franchise is owned and operated by cousins Robert Ramos and Ephraim 

. While this is their first L&L, a Feb. 11 announcement notes that the duo operated a mobile food business for several years.

 and Johnson Kam acquired L&L Drive-Inn in 1976. The restaurant founded as L&L Dairy back in 1952.

"I look at a financial statement and it shows that it's making money," Flores told Aloha State Daily last summer. "You never see that in any small business. I decided to make an offer and I purchased the restaurant and I gave it to my mom as a gift." 

His mother had been working as a dishwasher and counter girl at Lynn's Deli in Ala Moana Center, he said in June, but knowing that she didn’t know much about running a restaurant, he called on Kam for help.

Flores said his mother ran the restaurant for two years, after which everything was sold to Kam.

The pair later decided to later franchise and expand the operations, and 

today, there are more than 230 locations across the globe.

, it was announced earlier this month. Now in its 47th year, the ranking evaluates factors like costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability.

“L&L Hawaiian Barbecue has always been rooted in relationships,” CEO Elisia Flores said in a Feb. 2 announcement. “As we continue to grow beyond 230 locations, that commitment remains central to how our franchisees operate and this recognition reflects their dedicated efforts.”

. According to a list of frequently asked questions on the site, the estimated initial investment for a turnkey L&L ranges from nearly $254,000 to a little more than $838,460, depending on location, size and existing facility.

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

CREDIT Matt Armendariz Shooter Stylist LLC LL Hawaiian Barbecue 2

<title>L&L Hawaiian Barbecue continues nationwide growth</title>

The chain opened 14 new locations 2025 and was recently ranked on Entrepreneur’s 2026 Franchise 500.

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue continues nationwide growth

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Christian Shimabuku

Sports

The top four teams in collegiate men's volleyball were supposed to converge in Southern California from Feb. 19-20 as part of an NIL tournament at the Honda Center in Anaheim. No. 1 UCLA, No. 2 Long Beach State, No. 3 Hawai‘i and No. 4 USC were set to compete against each other in what would have served as a first in the sport. 

As the start date for the landmark event crept up, no tournament sponsor was announced. Then on Jan. 27, teams were notified that the event was being scrapped in 2026. That meant all four teams suddenly had gaps in their schedule. 

The University of Hawai‘i pivoted quickly, securing a home series against No. 7 BYU. Matches are set to be played on Feb. 25 and 27 at the Stan Sheriff Center. The Rainbow Warriors, who originally 

did not have any home matches scheduled in February

, are set to host the Cougars for the first time since 2020. A thrilling five-set sellout victory over BYU on March 6, 2020 turned out to be the last time Hawai‘i played in front of fans until 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Prior to their home series against BYU, the Rainbow Warriors will head to the Bay Area for a pair of road matches at No. 18 Stanford (3-6) on Friday and Saturday. First serve for both matches is set for 4 p.m. HST. While UH will not look past the Cardinal, who took a match off the Rainbow Warriors in a 2025 series at the Stan Sheriff Center, there certainly is a sense of relief that the 'Bows will have more competition to come home to.

"It was a lot of good work by a lot of people," Hawai‘i head coach Charlie Wade said of the scheduling pivot. "I think we were in contact with both UCLA and USC about dropping down from Stanford to play them. That would have required us to literally stay on the road for another week. There wasn't a lot of help financially for that. And then our administration started asking the idea about finding an opponent to come here. 

"We were able to do that, not only an opponent, but a really good one. A team that's played really well, and we have a long history and tradition with so I give a lot of credit to (UH athletics director) Matt Elliott and to Brian Santiago, the AD at BYU. ... Those guys were able to come up with an understanding it works well for both teams. And I think it just it speaks to the fact that you're talking about two schools where volleyball means a lot, that the ADs are willing to get in and do what's right for the program. And we're excited to have a couple quality matches against a great opponent here at home."

Part of the agreement in getting BYU to come to O‘ahu entails UH heading back to Provo in 2028 for a road series. The Rainbow Warriors most recently visited Provo in 2025, winning both matches. Additionally, in lieu of the NIL tournament cancellation, a portion of the ticket sales for the BYU series will go towards the Hawai‘i men's volleyball team's NIL fund. 

"Again, it speaks to just a level of commitment that our institution has to men's volleyball," Wade said. "They're willing to step up and do something great for our program and for our fans. We're pretty fortunate that volleyball is a big deal here."

As for the NIL tournament, Wade is hopeful it can come to fruition in the future. 

"Certainly a lot of promise, right? I know the people are putting the event on are looking at doing a women's (NIL tournament) in the fall, and we've 

," Wade said. "The devil's always in the details. What's the venue, and how many teams in the field are you trying to do? I know there's going to continue to be discussion of a men's volleyball event, and we'll see what happens in the future."

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<title>Hawai‘i men's volleyball continues to take on the best amidst scheduling pivot</title>

The Rainbow Warriors will travel to No. 18 Stanford before taking on a longtime rival at the end of the month thanks to a new scheduling change.

Hawai‘i men's volleyball continues to take on the best amidst scheduling pivot

<title>Letters to the Editor</title>

Letters to the Editor

A reader shares a past example when mediation worked for evictions during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, renters unable to pay rent will have more resources to avoid eviction through the state's Pre-Eviction Mediation Filing Program.

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Letter to the Editor: Mediation plays a major role

Krauss had influence on Hawaiʻi politics, culture and more, including family.

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Letter to the Editor: Remembering Bob Krauss

"Even if you don't believe in God, how can you argue against these 10 basic rules for living?"

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Letter to the Editor: 'We're already fighting a civil war'

Thanks for the reminder of "Hawai‘i's Forgotten Governor."

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Letter to Editor: Important to remember Gov. William Quinn

Maui County’s obsolete zoning code is making life difficult for our community.

Letters to the Editor

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