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Christian Shimabuku

Sports

The University of Hawai‘i football team's Mountain West Conference title hopes took a near-fatal blow in a 38-10 rout to the hands of UNLV at Allegiant Stadium on Friday night. 

UNLV improved to 9-2 overall and 8-2 in Mountain West games, while Hawai‘i dropped to 7-4 overall and 4-3 in Mountain West Conference games. While the loss did not mathematically eliminate Hawai‘i from the 

, the 'Bows could very well see their hopes officially dashed when the rest of the conference plays on Saturday. 

After holding UNLV to a field goal in the game's first possession, the Rainbow Warriors took their first and only lead on a 70-yard touchdown pass from Micah Alejado to Jackson Harris with 8:16 left in the first quarter. 

The Rainbow Warriors could not keep pace with the Rebels, who gashed UH with 470 yards of total offense, including 217 on the ground. 

UNLV quarterback Anthony Colandrea completed 21 of his 26 passes for 253 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, completing his passes at an 81% clip. Meanwhile, Hawai‘i quarterback Micah Alejado was 15-for-24 with a touchdown and an interception for 163 yards, although multiple Rainbow Warrior receivers dropped a pass. 

Hawai‘i trailed 24-10 at halftime after 

 made a 45-yard field goal at the end of the first half, upping his 2025 total to 23-for-23 on field goals. He also made his lone extra point attempt to get to 33-for-33 on PATs. 

 had a game-high 10 tackles for the 'Bows. 

If the Rainbow Warriors are eliminated from the Mountain West Conference title race, they are in all likelihood bound for the 

 a game the program has not competed in since 2019.  

Hawai‘i wraps up its regular season against Wyoming on Nov. 29. The annual battle for the Paniolo Trophy is set for 6 p.m. at the Clarence T.C. Ching Ahtleics Complex. 

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<title>Hawai‘i football's Mountain West title hopes take near-fatal blow in rout at UNLV</title>

The Rainbow Warriors were not mathematically eliminated with Friday's loss, but very well could be by the end of Saturday's action across the conference.

Hawai‘i football's Mountain West title hopes take near-fatal blow in rout at UNLV

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Government & Politics

Real Estate

A Hilo hotel will soon be repurposed for affordable housing.

Hawai‘i County announced Friday that its Office of Housing and Community Development, or OHCD, has acquired the Dolphin Bay Hotel for $1.28 million, a purchase made possible by using federal funds from the Emergency Rental Assistance 2 Program.

Guest rooms will be converted into 18 affordable rentals, the county says, noting that studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments will be available for residents earning up to 50% of the area median income. Income limits are determined by household size. Find the 2025 

Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda said in an announcement Friday that through the sale, the hotel will continue its legacy of serving the Hilo community.

“For decades, Dolphin Bay has been a gathering place and a home for many,” former owner John Alexander said in the announcement. “I’m happy it will continue that role as affordable housing for local families.”

 by the Alexander family in 1968 and is in the Pu‘u‘eo area of Hilo.

County Housing Administrator Kehaulani Costa said in the announcement that the acquisition is part of OHCD’s plan to more quickly expand affordable housing opportunities.

“Building new housing takes time but families need help now,” Costa says. “By purchasing existing housing, we can deliver affordable units faster and provide immediate relief for residents struggling with high housing costs.”

 of Hilo Brokers Ltd. facilitated the sale and Mark Development Inc. is slated to manage the property.

The first units are expected to be ready early next year, pending renovation schedules and permitting timelines, the county says.

Read more about Hawai‘i County housing 

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Dolphin Bay 1

<title>Hawai‘i County acquires Hilo hotel for affordable housing</title>

Guest rooms will be converted into 18 affordable rentals available for residents earning up to 50% of the area median income.

Hawai‘i County acquires Hilo hotel for affordable housing

Abbey HA Headshot Color crop Large

Abbey Seitz

Viewpoints

In neighborhoods across Hawaiʻi, when the sun sets and the bus stops fall into the shadows, the simple act of walking or waiting for transit can make a person feel vulnerable. But thanks to a new initiative led by the Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice, residents of Waipahu and ʻEwa are poised to benefit from brighter streets and safer crossings.

Hawaiʻi Appleseed has been selected as one of only four organizations nationwide to participate in Phase 2 of the federal 

Mobility, Access, and Transportation Insecurity (MATI) Program

. Hawaiʻi Appleseed’s project—titled “Improving Women’s Mobility in Waipahu and ʻEwa through Pedestrian Amenities and Transit Lighting”—responds directly to community-identified gaps in pedestrian and transit safety for women, families and other vulnerable travelers.

Why the focus on lighting and pedestrian amenities?

Hawaiʻi Appleseed’s prior research—which included listening sessions, travel surveys, and design workshops with over 200 residents—found that inadequate lighting, unsafe crossings, and a lack of welcoming pedestrian infrastructure were among the top mobility barriers for women who walk or ride transit in the two communities.

 One resident put it plainly: crossings that are poorly lit or poorly marked feel risky even during the day, and waiting for a bus after dark becomes a matter of “I hope I don’t have to walk alone.”

 By investing in solar-powered lighting at high-ridership bus stops, and improving intersections near elementary schools (with curb extensions, raised crosswalks, and colorful street art), the initiative aims not just to change infrastructure, but to shift how safe mobility is experienced for entire families.

For families, students, and workers in Waipahu and ʻEwa, the project has several ripple-benefits:

Greater access to education, work and services:

 Safer pedestrian routes and better transit lighting means fewer barriers for those relying on transit or walking—especially if travel involves early morning or after-dark commutes.

When transit stops are illuminated and crossings feel visible and welcoming, people are more likely to choose transit or walking. This helps reduce car-dependence, traffic congestion, and household transportation costs.

By involving local residents, students, artists and community-health workers, the project fosters a sense of ownership and ensures the project responds to real-lived experience.

, Hawaiʻi’s transportation landscape is changing—and the spotlight is moving beyond solely buses and roads to the “last-mile” infrastructure that determines whether transit is genuinely accessible. For many people, waiting at a dark bus stop or crossing a wide, unlit intersection is the kind of barrier that wins out over the promise of mobility.

This MATI-funded project illustrates a shift in focus: infrastructure that enhances community safety and access to transit options—especially for those too often invisible in transportation planning. By making public transit more viable, visible and safe for women, families and youth, the project speaks to what transportation security can look like in practice.

Pedestrian improvements and lighting installations are expected to be completed by late 2026. To carry out this project, Hawaiʻi Appleseed will work in partnership with the Honolulu Department of Transportation Services, as well as local traffic engineers and contractors, to design and install the amenities. Appleseed will also work with community health workers and students at the University of Hawaiʻi to research project benefits.

Transportation is rarely just about moving from A to B—it’s also about access, safety, freedom, and the dignity of mobility. When a child can walk to the bus stop without worry; when a working mom can wait after dusk with confidence; when transit becomes the obvious choice because it is reliable and safe, our communities thrive.

This project is more than bright lights and new crosswalks. It’s a clear statement that every resident deserves safe passage—to school, to work, and to home.

Abbey Seitz is Hawaiʻi Appleseed Director of Transportation Equity

Crosswalk at night

<title>Community Voices: Lighting the way to safer streets in Waipahu and ‘Ewa</title>

Residents in these Leeward neighborhoods are about to make their bus stops and crosswalks safer in a project led by the Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice, aided with federal grant money.

Community Voices: Lighting the way to safer streets in Waipahu and ‘Ewa

MĀNOA — Members of the University women's basketball team could barely hear themselves warm up. Of the 1,747 that passed through the Stan Sheriff Center turnstiles on Friday, 1,200 were elementary schoolers from various schools across the state, some coming from as far as 

As part of UH's "Education Day," tipoff time between the Rainbow Wahine and Loyola Marymount, the first game of the Bank of Hawai‘i Classic, was set for 11 a.m. on Friday. When the crowd of keiki was at its loudest, attendance numbers may as well have shown that the arena was filled to its maximum capacity of 10,300 fans. Using the energy from the atmosphere, the 'Bows held on for a 55-51 victory, clinching their first 3-0 start since the 2015-2016 season. 

"I just want to say thank you to the parents and Department of Education, our upper campus people. It was loud, and I know these guys felt that energy, and I think maybe it made them a little bit nervous during warm ups, because they would scream every time they all would just make a layup," Hawai‘i head coach 

 said after the game. "That's why we do what we do, right? We're playing basketball to help develop these kids. And these guys are such unbelievable role models. I think the little kids saw from them that you just don't give up. If you don't give up and keep working, good things are going to happen. So, I wanted to say that first. 

"Second, this team is just continuing to find a way. It's not pretty, it is gritty and we're learning every single time we step on the floor. ... We played a good team that pressured us, and so we just have to continue to grow. But incredibly proud of this group for once again, finding a way being down in the fourth quarter and coming back."

Friday's contest between the Rainbow Wahine and Lions was close throughout. Loyola Marymount's largest lead of the game was 39-34 with 8:15 left in the fourth quarter, prompting a UH timeout. 

With the game square at 51 with 20.5 seconds remaining, the Rainbow Wahine put the ball in the hands of true freshman Bailey Flavell, who delivered with a layup that gave the 'Bows the lead for good. Hawai‘i put the game out of reach with a pair of trips to the free throw line in the closing seconds. Flavell finished with nine points and two rebounds. 

"I know for so many freshmen that doesn't happen often," Flavell said. "I'm just super grateful to be in this team and be with this coaching staff that gives me the opportunity to be able to play the game that I want and to be able to get those looks and those opportunities."

"That's an incredibly humble answer," responded Beeman immediately, sitting beside Flavell in the postgame press conference. "She works hard for those moments. ... She has worked for those moments, and so, I appreciate the humility."

Following the game, the elementary schoolers left the arena but remained on campus to continue Education Day, which included a tour of campus. Each student at the game also received a gift bag. 

"It was really fun. It was very loud," said Hawai‘i forward Saniyah Neverson, who finished with 10 points, five rebounds and three assists. "But I feel like it didn't get to us."

Added Flavell: "It gives you energy and adrenaline in the warm up. But, yeah, I think once the game starts, I don't even hear it"

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Hawaii womens basketball 112125

<title>Hawai‘i women's basketball outlasts Loyola Marymount in front of keiki-laden crowd</title>

As part of UH's "Education Day," Friday's early tipoff at the Stan Sheriff Center featured the attendance of 1,200 elementary schoolers from across the state.

Hawai‘i women's basketball outlasts Loyola Marymount in front of keiki-laden crowd

Business & Tourism

Food & Dining

Zippy’s Restaurants and NOHO HOME Hawai‘i have cooked up a new collab that encourages connection during the holiday season.

The two local businesses will release a limited-edition capsule collection of four items, “aimed to capture the deep-rooted tradition of pilina – connection,” a Friday announcement from Zippy’s noted.

The collection includes a set of two tea towels in two separate colorways, a pack of five reusable chopstick sets and a foldable picnic blanket. The designs featured in the collaboration are the work of 

 president and creative director Jalene Kanani just for Zippy’s, the restaurant says.

“This collaboration has been in development for over a year and brings together two Hawai‘i-born brands with deep local roots: 

 Hawai‘i and Zippy’s Restaurants,” Kevin Yim, vice president of marketing and communications for FCH Enterprises, Inc., Zippy’s parent company, told Aloha State Daily in an email. “Both brands reflect a lifestyle and pilina unique to Hawai‘i. 

 tells the story of Hawai‘i through patterns, textures and home goods. Zippy’s tells the story of Hawai‘i through the shared experiences around our tables. This collaboration bridges those two worlds which made it something we were excited to help bring to life.”

Yim says this is a limited-release collection available only while the inventory lasts.

starting at 9 a.m. Nov. 28 — that's Black Friday — 

 website and its Ala Moana Center retail store beginning on Dec. 4.

 offers a variety of Hawai‘i-inspired home décor products, including bedding, pillows, rugs and more.

 in 1966, when brothers Francis and Charles Higa opened their first restaurant on King Street in Honolulu. There are now 25 locations on O‘ahu, Maui, Hawai‘i Island and in Las Vegas. It’ll 

25 1010 noho home collab style 64

<title>New collab between Zippy's and NOHO HOME Hawai‘i available Nov. 28</title>

The two local businesses will release a capsule collection of four items, “aimed to capture the deep-rooted tradition of pilina — connection,” Zippy's said Friday.

New collab between Zippy's and NOHO HOME Hawai‘i available Nov. 28

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Michael Brestovansky

A proposal to allow certain media organizations access to police radio channels is on the verge of passage.

Honolulu Police officials and media representatives alike were largely favorable Thursday toward the latest version of a 

 aimed improving police transparency regarding in-progress operations.

The proposal would designate certain media organizations as “trusted,” allowing them access to HPD’s dispatch radios. Such organizations must be certified broadcasters by the Federal Communications Commission, to have been a reputable outlet for at least 10 years, or be otherwise listed as a publication of note for the dissemination of public notices.

Aloha State Daily, an outlet founded only one year ago, would not qualify.

Despite previous misgivings about the measure, HPD interim chief Rade Vanic told the Honolulu City Council Committee on Public Safety and Economy Thursday that he supports its intent.

Vanic had previously warned that releasing information about current police actions could compromise officers’ safety or potentially disclose confidential private information.

 of the bill alleviates this concern by codifying “timely emergency messaging alerts.” These alerts would be messages about in-progress incidents sent to the aforementioned trusted media outlets no more than 10 minutes after HPD receives that information.

The alerts are required to include the nature of the incident, the street name and block where it took place and a general description at minimum, but would be prohibited from including personal identifiable information or other protected data.

Based on the text of the bill, the release of the alerts would not necessarily preclude trusted media sources from also having access to police radio channels, although the specifics for providing that access are not specified. The bill requires the HPD chief to develop a plan providing radio access or timely alerts to media sources, but not necessarily both.

[{"type":"text","text":"HPD is already testing the policy, Vanic said."}]

“They’re in the process of going through data testing,” Vanic said. “We released it to 16 individuals already, executives and select reporters. So they’re testing it out.”

The only complaint Vanic still had with the bill was the requirement for annual reports to the City Council detailing the information being released to the media. Vanic said these reports were “not a real big ask” but questioned how useful those reports would actually be.

“If you guys want an update, it’s as easy as asking us,” Vanic told the council committee.

KITV President Jason Hagiwara spoke in support of the measure, saying it “allows journalists to share vital news to viewers, readers and listeners.”

Retired TV reporter John Deutzman supported the bill, but questioned its potential for legitimizing certain news organizations over others.

“I don’t think the city or any government is in any position to designate what a legitimate media organization is,” Deutzman said. “You’re in no position to exclude the many online social media platforms that I rely on for breaking news.”

In any case, the committee voted unanimously in favor of the bill, and forwarded it to the full council for its third and final reading.

Vanic 16x9

<title>Police positive on media access proposal</title>

Bill proposes alerts about police activities within 10 minutes to certain news outlets.

Police positive on media access proposal

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Kady Pascual

Arts & Entertainment

PoGo’s “Wild Area: Global” event draws crowds of trainers to Ala Moana Center, highlighting how the mobile game continues to connect people years after its launch.

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Gotta catch ‘em all — at Ala Moana Center: voices from Pokémon GO’s “Wild Area: Global” event

Starbucks released cups that went viral on social media this morning. Aloha State Daily joined in on the madness to see what the hype was about.

Hello Kitty and Starbucks collaboration line

Starbucks holiday launch draws crowds for limited-edition cups

Today’s social media find comes from @IslandMagicMike, who has a hidden talent.

IslandMagicMike

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Dreams do come true

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ASD Staff

"I’m a special girl who’s hoping to find a special home to call my own."

Sunshine

Adopt-a-Pet: Let Sunshine light up your life

If you’re searching for a sweet, loyal companion who just needs a second chance, come meet Aspen in person at Maui Humane Society or inquire about how you can adopt her from just about anywhere.

Aspen

Adopt-a-Pet Maui: Aspen ʻenjoys life at a calmer paceʻ

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Aloha Spirit

Cassondra “Cassie” Christman, a volunteer at Maui Humane Society who wears many hats, loves working with animals — dogs in particular. Christman has used her own social media platform to advocate for adopting and fostering furry friends, in addition to sharing the organization’s needs from wishlists for specific pets to relocating dogs from Molokai and Lānaʻi.

Daily Features - Saturday, 22 November

Scene on Social: voices from Pokémon GO’s “Wild Area

Hawai'i Skies

Hawai‘i Skies: Flaming clouds at sunrise

Hawai'i Skies: After a long day

Hawai'i Skies: A magical sight

Adopt a Pet

Adopt-a-Pet: Let Sunshine light up your life

Adopt-a-Pet Maui: Aspen ʻenjoys life at a calmer paceʻ

Meet this Maui Humane Society volunteer and the pets she cares for