Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

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WEB square crop Hayley Lehman Headshot RGZ1636

Haley Lehman

ASD Staff

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Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

[{"type":"text","text":"This Kapahulu eatery specializes in charcoal-grilled skewers."}]

 is soft opening on Saturday, Aug. 15; it’s in the former space of Yakitori Glad. The modern Chinese tavern features quality meats that are grilled over charcoal to achieve a smoky flavor.

We’re told “enkari” refers to smoke and fire in Chinese; this restaurant is similar to a Japanese izakaya, but features Northeastern Chinese cuisine.

Skewers are priced a la carte. Choose from options like chicken thigh (two pieces for $8), spicy beef (two pieces for $9), chicken skin (two pieces for $7), pork belly ($4) and lamb ($4).

There are assorted spices like chili powder and barbecue seasoning customers can use to dip the skewers in.

The eatery also features shareable appetizers — ranging from unique options like braised duck head ($6) and braised duck wings ($12) to marinated crawfish tails ($12) and marinated edamame ($5) — and teppanyaki-style dishes like Northeast Chinese-style grilled cold noodles ($12). This dish comprises a flat sheet of noodles cooked on a hot grill, resulting in a chewy texture.

Customers can also opt for clay pot specialties like the eatery’s spicy hot pot ($16) and seafood rice soup ($22).

Enkari also offers housemade shave ice in flavors like peach or watermelon for dessert.

The restaurant will be open from 5 p.m. to midnight every day except Wednesdays. The biz is still waiting for its liquor license, and is aiming to celebrate its grand opening in late August or early September.

Street parking is available; customer parking is also available in the paid public lot behind the restaurant.

Open 5 p.m. to midnight Thursdays to Tuesdays (closed Wednesdays)

Enkari beef skewers 081026

<title>New skewers spot opening in Honolulu</title>

Enkari, a modern Chinese tavern, is soft opening on Aug. 15 in the Kapahulu neighborhood. The eatery is known for its charcoal-grilled skewers; choose from pork belly, lamb, chicken thigh and more. Enkari will be open from 5 p.m. to midnight every day except Wednesdays.

New skewers spot opening in Honolulu

Sports

The University of Hawai‘i recently announced the launch of the Shoji Society, a new fundraising initiative for its athletics department. 

Named after legendary former UH women's volleyball coach Dave Shoji, the Shoji Society was introduced as a new way to honor those who donate $50,000 or more to Hawai‘i Athletics annually. Membership in the Shoji Society starts with a minimum pledge of $50,000 a year for five years, with membership perks set to be unveiled soon. 

A press conference was held on Wednesday morning to announce the birth of the Shoji Society, a branch of newly-launched 

 Hawai‘i athletics director Matt Elliott, men's volleyball coach Charlie Wade, women's basketball coach Khalilah Mitchell and Shoji himself all spoke of the impact the new initiative will bring to the school. 

Funds raised by Shoji Society members will go towards student-athlete support, which includes NIL and scholarship funds, as well as facility improvements. Donors also have the option to directly support UH teams of their choice. 

"Whether it's folks that support us through ticket sales, support us through coming and being a part of our games wherever they take place, and the folks that are philanthropic and generous for UH athletics, that's really the focus today: is us being able to share our gratitude, share our deep appreciation for everybody in this community, past, present, and future, that allows UH athletics to do what it does and be successful in the way that we represent this community," Elliott said in the press conference. 

The star of the show, without a doubt, was Shoji, who coached the UH women's volleyball team from 1975 to 2016, racking up 1,107 wins and four national titles. UH leadership found it appropriate to honor Shoji, who humbly accepted the use of his name in the initiative. 

Shoji, 79, talked about how his support of UH began during his childhood, back when his father was a professor at the university for over a decade. His two sons, Kawika and Erik, went on to become national championship men's volleyball players at Stanford, but they remained lifelong fans of the Rainbow Wahine and Rainbow Warriors, looking up UH football box scores no matter where in the world they were playing. 

"I just want to encourage everybody out there, if you check the box score on Sunday morning, I think you should give whatever you can give to UH because we need the support and we need just to stay up with the rest of the country," Shoji said. 

, just months into her new gig, discussed the impact of what the funds from the Shoji Society can do for her program as it enters its first year of Mountain West membership. 

"People ask me what investment in women's basketball actually buys, and here's my honest answer: It buys opportunity," Mitchell said, explaining that financial support allows her staff to go on recruiting trips, allows her players more resources for mental and physical health, and provides countless options for her program to thrive. 

When it was Wade's turn to speak, he told a story about how he owes a large part of his success to Shoji. It was Shoji who brought in Wade as an assistant coach in 1995. Wade returned to the Islands in 2010 to take over the men's program, which won its 

"It really is an honor to to be a part of this, and obviously Dave and I go back. I literally would not be standing here before you if it wasn't for Dave Shoji," Wade said. "He took a flyer on me in August in '95. We were in Florida, and he asked me to go to dinner. ... The original plan was for me to come and be here for four months. Turned out to be a little longer than that."

Matt Elliott Dave Shoji 081226

<title>Hawai‘i Athletics launches Shoji Society</title>

On Wednesday, a press conference was held to announce the school's new fundraising initiative, named in honor of one of its most iconic coaches.

Hawai‘i Athletics launches Shoji Society

Letters to the Editor

What Hawai‘i’s 1954 Democratic Party platform says about today

I appreciate Mr. Arrasmith's curiosity regarding the Democratic Party's domination of Hawaiʻi politics, his research, and article.

I found of interest his statement, "It’s a bombastic document that hails the Democratic Party as 'the greatest political party in the world today.'" 

Why did the Democratic Party put that statement in the document since they could have used other words? What was happening in 1954 that gave them confidence to use those words? Mr. Arrasmith didn't put their statement in context of the time. 

Could the statement have been accurate given the state of the Republican Party in 1954? The statement may be guilty of hubris, but was it bombastic?

We would definitely have more unity in our country if we kept party platforms simpler and more universal.

[{"type":"text","text":"Mary Ellen Williams, Honolulu"}]

Spark Matsunaga Patsy Mink Lyndon B Johnson John Burns Daniel Inouye 1966 A1901 36 A

<title>Letter to the Editor: A statement of hubris, sure, but 'bombastic'?</title>

A reader from Honolulu writes in to thank Aloha State Daily columnist Perry Arrasmith for his recent article but questions what was really going on during 1954 with both political parties.

Letter to the Editor: A statement of hubris, sure, but 'bombastic'?

Business & Tourism

The Best of Hawaiʻi’s Best Kitchens event

 is coming up Saturday, Aug. 29, at Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort & Spa. 

 ($300 each) are still available for the event; individuals must be age 21 years or older to attend.

This year’s event theme is “The Next Chapter,” according to 

Darrell J. Chock, owner of Viper Group Media

 and creator of The Best of Hawaiʻi’s Best Kitchens event.

“What I’m looking forward to most this year is seeing The Best of Hawaiʻi's Best Kitchens continue to evolve beyond a culinary gala,” he says. “With our new HBK Philanthropic Partners initiative, we’re bringing together culinary, community, and connection while giving smaller organizations an opportunity to be part of a premier gala experience and raise awareness and support for the work they do.”

Reserved tables, reserved high-top tables and elite tickets holders receive early entry at 6 p.m.; general admission starts at 7 p.m. 

Self-parking ($10) or valet parking ($15) will be available at the resort.

Participating restaurants (subject to change) include:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Adez Steakhouse & Lounge"}]

: Tomahawk “wagyu” seasoned with garlic, salt and pepper; smoke pork marinated in shoyu and ginger; sauce trio (kalbi marinade, kitsami wasabi shoyu and Hawaiian chili pepper dry rub)

: Tagliatelle ai ricci di mare (fresh housemade tagliatelle pasta with uni, garlic and white wine tomato cream sauce)

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Dean & Deluca Hawaiʻi"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Hinata Hawaiʻi"}]

: Garlic ‘ahi hand roll (house spicy ‘ahi mixed with garlic sauce, topped with garlic chips and green onions); spicy ‘ahi hand roll (house spicy ‘ahi mixed with truffle pate, topped with garlic chips and green onions)

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"HMS Host by Avolta"}]

: Grilled wagyu hot dog, sweet coconut rice, Prunier Osetra caviar and chives

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Luna Events & Catering"}]

: Barbecue brisket with homemade kimchi slaw; homemade oyster bar inspired by seafood pan roast, served with rice; Vietnamese fruit cocktail with lychee, longan, jackfruit, coconut jelly, grass jelly and chestnut tapioca jellies; pandan and rambutan; Vietnamese lemongrass chicken meatballs served with Nuoc cham sauce and pickled vegetables; wagyu chazuke

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Maile’s Thai Bistro"}]

: Lao poke served on rice paper chips; tapioca dessert with fresh fruits

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Memoirs Hawaiʻi"}]

: Seared polenta cake with truffles crème fraiche, arugula salad topped with Imperial Osetra caviar

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Pop Culture Artisan Pops"}]

: Handcrafted frozen dessert made with organic strawberries, tropical guava nectar and fresh cream

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Solera Waikīkī"}]

: Kuroshio Kona kampachi, black dashi, yuzu, charred chile and ginger lime

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"The Buffet at Hyatt"}]

: Torched garlic miso aioli salmon, thin sliced cabbage with pickled ginger vinaigrette, furikake and unagi drizzle

Best of Hawaiis Best Kitchens 2026 Solera dish 081226

<title>Save the date for The Best of Hawaiʻi’s Best Kitchens event</title>

The 11th annual event is coming up Saturday, Aug. 29, at Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort & Spa. Attendees can look forward to specialty dishes from restaurants like Adez Steakhouse & Lounge, Arancino Ristorante Italiano, The Buffet at Hyatt, Solera Waikīkī and more.

Save the date for The Best of Hawaiʻi’s Best Kitchens event

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Several new retailers and restaurants have recently opened at Ala Moana Center in Honolulu and more are set to open soon, the center announced Wednesday. Here’s what you should know.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"What's new:"}]

, a locally owned coffee roaster serving breakfast, lunch and craft coffee, has opened on Street Level 1 of the ‘Ewa Wing.

 can be found on Mall Level 2 of the ‘Ewa Wing.

Korean beauty retailer Lume Harmony can be found on Street Level 1 near Center Court.

, offering a selection of toys, plushies, collectibles, stationery, beauty essentials, home goods, fragrances, electronics, snacks and other accessories, can be found on Level 3 of the ‘Ewa Wing.

, an ear piercing and jewelry brand, has opened on Level 3 of the ‘Ewa Wing.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Coming soon: "}]

, which will showcase contemporary works by local and international artists, is set to open this month in an 8,000-square-foot space on Street Level 1 of the ‘Ewa Wing.

, an indoor family entertainment venue and indoor playground spanning more than 42,000 square feet, will open in October on Mall Level 2 of the Mauka Wing. The space will have multilevel play structures, slides, an indoor zipline, trampolines and other play areas, along with amenities like supervised drop-off services, private party rooms, luggage storage and the Kids City Café.

, a modern beauty and wellness boutique offering a curated selection of facial and body spa treatments, personalized skin consultations, lash services, permanent makeup, Korean beauty products and more, will open this month on Level 3 of the ‘Ewa Wing.

, known for designer toys, blind boxes and collectible figures, will open its first Hawai‘i location this month on Level 3 of the ‘Ewa Wing.

, a luxury wellness and recovery destination, and 

, offering a modern take on traditional tea culture, are expected open in October. You'll find BB Wellness on Street Level 1 of the Diamond Head Wing and Molly Tea on Mall Level 2 of the Mauka Wing.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Relocations and renovations:"}]

 will reopen its expanded and newly renovated permanent location on Street Level 1 near Center Court in September.

 will relocate to a temporary boutique on Mall Level 2 of the Diamond Head Wing later this month, while its permanent location undergoes renovation. The newly renovated permanent shop is currently expected to open in late 2027.

Ala Moana Center opened in 1959 and is the world's largest open-air shopping center with more than 2.4 million square feet of retail space. It offers more than 350 stores and restaurants, including more than 160 dining options.

Ala Moana Center 052526

<title>What's new at, and coming to, Ala Moana Center</title>

The shopping center has recently welcomed a number of new tenants with more coming soon.

What's new at, and coming to, Ala Moana Center

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Government & Politics

Aloha Spirit

Residents are advised to make preparations as a tropical storm bears down on the state.

A tropical system, currently designated Tropical Cyclone One-C, is expected to strengthen into a tropical depression or storm by the end of Wednesday.

 for the system places Hawai‘i squarely in its path, with the system expected to reach the state Saturday morning. Heavy rains are expected to reach Hawai‘i Island on Friday, Maui on Saturday, and the remaining islands on Sunday.

NWS is currently anticipating the winds speeds of at least 39 miles per hour, with an outside possibility of speeds as high as 74 miles per hour. The first winds from the storm are expected to reach the Big Island also on Friday.

In anticipation of the storm, county and state officials have urged residents to prepare now. Residents should ensure they have emergency supplies — food, water, medication, batteries and other essentials — to last at least 14 days, review household emergency plans including evacuation routes, secure outdoor loose items, clear drains and gutters to prevent flooding, and keep vehicles fueled.

Hawaiian Electric advises residents to also note the location of power lines around homes, and stay at least 10 feet away from them while securing the property. Portable generators should be placed in well-ventilated areas outside the home.

As high winds are expected, residents are also urged to use extreme caution with open flames or equipment that could generate a spark.

The Hawai‘i County Mayor’s Office warned that, because the storm is developing closer to the state than is typical, impacts could occur with less warning than usual.

 via the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency and their county’s Civil Defense or Emergency Management department.

On O‘ahu, the Honolulu Police Department announced Wednesday morning it may activate its Joint Operations Center to coordinate emergency response efforts.

The City and County of Honolulu is also conducting additional preparations for the storm, including clearing debris from waterways such as 

 to mitigate potential flooding, and securing construction areas to prevent wind-blown materials.

[{"type":"text","text":"Additional updates are expected as the storm continues to develop."}]

121506 5day cone 16x9

<title>Residents asked to prepare as storm approaches</title>

Tropical Cyclone One-C is approaching Hawai‘i and is expected to reach the Islands on Friday.

Residents asked to prepare as storm approaches

<title>Letters to the Editor</title>

A reader from Lāʻie writes in to Aloha State Daily to thank Higa, who has opined on the stateʻs "increasingly steep slide into societal suicide."

Tree on fertile soil in Hana Maui

Letter to the Editor: Reader thanks ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa for ʻike

An ASD reader writes in to say mahalo and share the newspaper clipping she keeps in her own Mary Pukui Hawaiian Dictionary.

2019 newspaper clipping

Letter to the Editor: 2019 newspaper clipping confirms pronunciation of Molokai

An ASD reader, born in Honolulu who now resides in Louisiana, gives kudos to columnist Sterling Higa for his take on the May 30 beating on Oʻahu's North Shore. "His article was faith-affirming and much needed in these days of violence," she writes.

Cross over beach Firefly Gemini Flash 843996

Letter to the Editor: ʻPraise and accoladesʻ for speaking truth

A Chaminade student shares how habitat loss threatens Native Hawaiian land snails and how the Green Fee can help safeguard its resources.

Greenfriends

Letter to the Editor: Keep the Green Fee project portfolio intact

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.

Kaahumanu Hale 16x9

Letter to the Editor: Mediation plays a major role

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

Krauss HI Observer Image 1975 16x9

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?"

I Stock 675323774

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

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

Quinn Eisenhower 16x9

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

Latest from Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: A statement of hubris, sure, but 'bombastic'?

Letter to the Editor: Reader thanks ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa for ʻike

Letter to the Editor: 2019 newspaper clipping confirms pronunciation of Molokai

Letter to the Editor: ʻPraise and accoladesʻ for speaking truth

Letter to the Editor: Keep the Green Fee project portfolio intact

Letter to the Editor: Mediation plays a major role

Letter to the Editor: Remembering Bob Krauss

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

Letter to Editor: Important to remember Gov. William Quinn

Letter to the Editor: Lahaina's path to rebuilding

Letter to the Editor: My own eerie Topa Tower experience

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