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Daily Smile: Sunday, May 24, 2026

Let's throw a Corgi into the mix and compare and contrast...

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Daily Smile: Saturday, May 23, 2026

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Daily Smile: Friday, May 22, 2026

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Rick Hamada

Government & Politics

Columnists

Scandals within government feed the narrative that government overall is corrupt.

Such conclusions are subjective, however plenty of claims, statements and a record of past transgressions (including legal actions against those within government here) connect the dots between the perception of corruption and its reality.

Recently, Vice President JD Vance labeled Hawai‘i as a failure in Medicaid fraud prosecutions. Those accusations were rejected by the State Attorney General but, as with most allegations, it's the finger pointing that's remembered, and the responses are often lost in the cycle. The guilt by association leads to the perceived affirmation that Hawai‘i is corrupt.

Speaking of the State Attorney General, she and her office are on the other side of the coin. The declared investigation into bribery and fraud allegations that a high ranking, elected official in the Big Square Building allegedly took a paper bag filled with $35,000 in cash is still unresolved. Despite the cloudiness of the allegations the perception is, in fact, that not only did it occur, but all that remains is identifying which lawmaker took it.

Whether or not we accept these assessments by outsiders or listen to locals who lament the scarring of Hawai‘i's reputation, there is unfortunately a roster of documented cases that bolster the argument of corruption here at home.

27 individuals participated in an illegal scheme to boost Honolulu voter registrations for candidate Ross Segawa. Segawa was convicted on 10 counts of election fraud, criminal solicitation, and evidence of tampering. Segawa served a year in prison and was expelled from law school. State Sen. Clifford Uwaine was convicted of conspiring to illegally register voters and served three months in jail; and Debra Kawaoka, an aide to Uwaine who also played a part in the false registration, served numerous weekends in prison. Brian Minaai and the other students each pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor.

 reported on Andy Mirikitani's sentencing, "

He will spend more than four years behind bars. He used a kickback scheme to steal thousands of dollars from the city. Now, Mirikitani will pay for his crimes. Mirikitani's sentence, four years three months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He must also pay back the money he stole." 

2002, Hawai‘i News Now again, reported on the sentencing of former state Sen. Marshall Ige. "A state judge sentenced Marshall Ige to six months in jail after being convicted in two separate cases. The first involved a couple from Beverly Hills approaching Ige in 1998, asking he clear their daughter's criminal record of two drug convictions. Ige said he could do it for $30,000 dollars. When he never came through, they contacted the Attorney General's office. The second case involved this farmer who leased 5 acres of land from the former Senator. In 1999, Ige threatened to evict Hanh Lam if he did not pay $7,000 dollars, in advanced rent."

 in 2003, reporting on the sentencing of Gary Rodrigues. "[O]nce one of the most powerful union leaders in Hawai'i, [he] will be able to remain free for as long as an estimated two years as he appeals his federal prison sentence of five years and four months for felony convictions of mail fraud, embezzling union money and related charges. A federal jury convicted Rodrigues in November last year on 101 felony counts, accusing him of taking kickbacks and steering phony union consulting contracts to his daughter."

These cases proved to be the highlights of the lowlights when it came to scandals well over 20-plus years ago. But the revelations of power grabbing, manipulation, and so much more within a beloved Hawaiian institution defined the most public and devastating story of corruption in our history — the Bishop Estate scandal that played out from 1997 to 1999.

This one got national attention, as this lengthy 1999 

 attests. Trustees then — "Gerard Jervis, 50; Henry Peters, 58; Richard “Dickie” Wong, 65; Oswald Stender, 67; and Lokelani Lindsey, 60" — famously made $840,000 a year in commissions. That's $1.7 million in 2026 dollars. 

"The estate became the center of public melodrama in 1997, when the school community learned of a private confrontation between Lindsey, the lead trustee for education, and student body President Kamani Kuala’au, who was bound for Princeton University," wrote the LA Times. Lindsey reportedly threatened the student by calling Princeton to jeopardize his academic career. Once word got out protesters marched on the Bishop Estate offices demanding that Lindsey to "stop meddling". 

This led to the "Broken Trust" essay appearing in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin alleging mismanagement of trust assets, conflicts of interests by individual trustees and poor selection of trustees, who are named by members of the Hawai‘i Supreme Court. Other developments ensued including internal lawsuits calling for the removal of Lindsey, the state attorney general accusing the trustees of using trust assets to create an economic empire, engaging in kickback schemes, awarding improper contracts, making sweetheart deals for relatives and friends and using improper business practices.

Perhaps the most sordid, yet tragic, story involved a Bishop Estate trustee and an Estate team member caught engaging in sexual infidelity in a hotel restroom. The public revelations led to the suicide of the woman involved and the attempted suicide of the trustee. I'm purposefully redacting names because I want to. Even after so many years later, enough is enough.

The dissolution of the Bishop Estate, the criminal to immoral conduct of the trustees (Oz Stender was never implicated) and the incredible shock and awe of the betrayal of the Princess's legacy remains the most troubling scandal to this day.

[{"type":"text","text":"Is corruption in Hawai‘i a reality or a perception?"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Depends on where you look."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"But let's turn the light on."}]

In recent years, State Sen. Kalani English, State Representative Ty Cullen, HPD Chief Louis and Prosecuting Attorney Katherine Kealoha were each public servants found guilty of crimes and served time proving that scandal and corruption exists today.

[{"type":"text","text":"And these are the only the cases we can confirm."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"I will say this."}]

Hawai‘i has its scandalous moments because humanity is imperfect. As long as you have humans operating with a public expectation of perfection, some (not all) will succumb to failures. However, it is unfair to cast aspersion upon every governmental agency, elected official or public servant because that's a patently false premise. Most serve honorably. It's how you identify, investigate and prioritize the consequential actions against violators that makes a lasting and influential impact.

And the State of Hawai‘i has this opportunity to define our reputation regarding corruption starting with the swift and transparent answering of this question.

[{"type":"text","text":"Who the hell took $35,000 in a paper bag?"}]

Solve this and perhaps our state will be on the road to reputational repair.

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

[{"type":"hardBreak","marks":[{"type":"bold"},{"type":"italic"}],"text":""}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"italic"}],"text":" "}]

corruption I Stock 1093288618

<title>Hamada: How corrupt is Hawai‘i?</title>

Most public servants get through the day doing absolutely nothing wrong. But as ASD opinion columnist Rick Hamada observes, there have been more than enough high-profile cases of corruption to justify the perception that Hawai‘i can be pretty rotten.

Hamada: How corrupt is Hawai‘i?

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

Aloha Spirit

Ti leaves and plumeria flowers are needed to help create lei for service members this weekend for Memorial Day. Girl Scouts Hawaiʻi is hosting its annual Lei of Aloha event, where the materials will be used to make lei that honor the more than 10,000 service members at Hawaiʻi State Veteran’s Cemetery in Kāneʻohe.

On Saturday, May 23, members of the public are invited to join Girl Scouts in creating lei from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Windward Mall. Community members can also donate ti leaves and flowers to the cause. Girl Scouts will later bring the lei to the cemetery in 

Maggie Hirakawa, a retired sergeant of the Honolulu Police Department, started volunteering with Lei of Aloha at least 10 years ago when her granddaughter, Aiko Hernandez, became a Girl Scout. Hernandez will soon be a junior at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama in August. 

“One of the greatest things is that it not only brings the Girl Scouts together who come out and set up, and then start making lei — the community comes by,” Hirakawa said. “But then people that are just in the shopping center — visitors from other states, other countries — they stop by and they want to know what's going on. And they sit down, and they start making lei. They talk to the Girl Scouts that help them, and teen mentors. ... And they're so proud of themselves that they made a lei. They take pictures, and they send a picture back home to show them that they made a lei for a soldier or service member.”

For Hirakawa, the event is also a chance to honor and remember family.

“It's also special to me because my hānai parents are buried there, so we're able to actually go after everything's placed and place a lei on their grave,” she said. “My hānai father was in the Army. My father was in the Navy. … My mother was in the Navy. They met here at Pearl Harbor. And then our best man at our wedding — he passed away from Agent Orange out of Vietnam — but he's buried there, so we're able to put a lei on his grave, too.”

Lei of Aloha started more than a decade ago in 2013. At the time, Marissa Lum of Troop 1018, started the event as a Gold Award Project.

“It brings everybody together,” Hirakawa said. “It's just a wonderful experience.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"It is not too late to help."}]

“We always need more flowers and more tea leaves,” Hirakawa added. “Because some of the Girl Scouts know how to make ti leaf lei. And we need flowers always, because plumerias when they start being touched, they start to go brown right away, and so we need those.”

Volunteers don’t need to have prior lei-making experience.

“They don't have to come with anything,” she said. “They can just come on over and sit down.”

For more information about Lei of Aloha, go to 

. For more information about events happening this weekend, check out Aloha State Daily’s guide to 

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Lei of Aloha

<title>Flowers, volunteers needed ahead of Memorial Day</title>

Girl Scouts Hawaiʻi is collecting flowers and ti leaves for lei to honor the more than 10,000 service members at the Hawaiʻi State Veteran’s Cemetery in Kāneʻohe. On Saturday, May 23, members of the public are invited to join them in creating lei.

Flowers, volunteers needed ahead of Memorial Day

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

[{"type":"text","text":"Darren Matsuda is no longer the head boys basketball coach at Punahou. "}]

"After many years with the program, Darren Matsuda will no longer serve as our varsity head basketball coach," an email sent to Punahou basketball families and obtained by Aloha State Daily read in part. "We appreciate his years of service to Punahou and the time he has given to the boys basketball program as head coach, and we extend our best wishes to him."

Matsuda was first named the head coach for the Buffanblu in 2010. He led the Buffanblu to state titles in 2012, 2018 and 

Matsuda also coached Punahou to five state runner-up finishes, most recently in February, back when the Buffanblu lost to Kahuku 40-38 on a Inoke Lloyd layup with three seconds remaining. 

In addition to his success at the state tournament level, Matsuda also guided the Buffanblu to four ILH titles, including in 2026. 

Since the introduction of the state tournament in 1957, Punahou has won 12 HHSAA titles in boys basketball. 

Punahou boys basketball 052226

<title>Darren Matsuda out as Punahou boys basketball coach</title>

The Buffanblu won three HHSAA titles under Matsuda.

Darren Matsuda out as Punahou boys basketball coach

LĀ‘IE — For the Le Jardin boys volleyball team, destiny was decided by a vote. 

With O‘ahu battered by heavy rain, flooding and lightning strikes on Friday, the possibility of postponing the HHSAA Division II championship match between Le Jardin and Pearl City at BYU-Hawai‘i's Cannon Activities Center to a later date was floated to both teams. 

Back in Kailua, Le Jardin already loaded its team bus on campus. Head coach Makana Wade told his team they didn't have to play on Friday if they didn't want to, that tournament organizers could move some things around to get the match played later in the weekend. Wade asked his players to raise their hands if they wanted to play on Friday.

"Everybody's hand went straight up," setter Brennan Nakayama said. "We just knew we were ready for this, and we knew what we needed to do."

Following a commute to the North Shore that lasted three hours due to traffic brought on by the weather, the Bulldogs arrived prepared to do something the school had never done before. With a 25-18, 25-9, 25-21 sweep over Pearl City, Le Jardin won its first HHSAA boys volleyball championship in school history. 

"Just a real surreal feeling," Wade told Aloha State Daily following the match. "When I took this job, this is the last thing I could ever dream of, was being here. I'm just so happy for Le Jardin and everybody there for believing in me and giving me this job. And so blessed to be able to coach these amazing players."

When he saw the look of determination in his team, Wade knew they were destined to take the title home. 

"I wish everybody could have seen inside our bus for three hours. You would have thought we were gonna play UH or something," Wade said. "The guys were so locked in, having fun. I kept getting calls from our AD, my dad asking, 'Sure you wanna play tonight, coach?' I'm asking the guys, 'Are you sure?' And they're yelling at me, like, yes, of course. There's no way we weren't going to play this match tonight. I think we really took what was ours tonight."

The notion of playing against UH is something Wade would have deep knowledge of. The son of Hawai‘i head coach 

, Makana Wade was a UH men's volleyball assistant coach for multiple seasons. He departed the program in January in order to take the position of Le Jardin head coach, as NCAA rules prohibit one from coaching high school and collegiate teams of the same gender and sport in the same season.

leading Hawai‘i to a national title on Monday

 since arriving back to Honolulu on Tuesday. After taking care of business on Monday, Charlie Wade made it clear where his priorities were during the program's celebration event on Wednesday. Ahead of a scheduled autograph session, Wade told the thousands of fans gathered at the Stan Sheriff Center that he'd have to leave early in order to watch his son coach. 

On Friday, Charlie Wade sat courtside across from the Le Jardin bench, locked in on the match. When the Bulldogs secured the victory, father and son shared multiple long embraces following the match, the look of pride in Charlie Wade's eyes undeniable. 

"Very cool," he told ASD. "He's been coaching with me at the club level, and obviously the last couple years at the collegiate level. He's always kind of had that analytical brain that it takes to be a good coach, and he and I have spent uncountable hours out walking the dogs at night and talking about coaching. He's asked me about a lot of different stuff over the years, and it's great to see him take on that role as a head coach and have to deal with playing time and all that other stuff that is not coaching that's a part of it, but not the X's and O's part. He's doing a great job and has a lot of passion for it, so fun to see him have some success."

"I don't think we have enough time to talk about what I've learned, but I think the basic is just be a guy that people can lean on and trust," Makana Wade said when asked what he learned from his father. "My dad has taught me countless things, and I'm just so happy to be able to learn from him every day, really. I wouldn't be here without him."

For the 2026 season in particular, Makana Wade worked closely with UH associate head coach Kupono Fey on analytics and strategy. He suddenly received the opportunity to run his own program at just 21 years old. 

"It was really hard to leave," Makana Wade said. "I love those guys to death. It was only gonna be a special job like this, a place like this, where there's amazing people, amazing kids. ... It was pretty crazy. I got hired, couple weeks later, we had tryouts, and then next week we're playing our tournament, then we're playing ILH. It's been a pretty hectic couple months, but it's all worth it in the end."

Makana Wade, a UH-Mānoa junior, also had a French final exam he had to take on Friday morning. "It's been a crazy day, but it's been awesome," he said. 

On Friday night, the Bulldogs were in control for the entirety of the match. Nakayama paced the offense with 39 assists, while La‘akea Kamahale had 20 kills on 31 swings. Following a commanding win in Set 2, Le Jardin took a comfortable 24-19 lead in Set 3. After consecutive Pearl City points to cut the lead to 24-21, a calm Makana Wade called timeout to make sure his team was composed. The Bulldogs finished their 2026 campaign 16-1 and state champions for the first time in school history.

"Our whole team can't thank him enough for how lucky we are to have him," Nakayama said of Makana Wade. "The knowledge and experience is super cool. The scouting reports, and how tight he keeps the team and everything, all the way to the bus rides, everything you want. I think we started a legacy."

For the Wade family, the week started with Charlie and Kainoa Wade winning an NCAA championship. On Friday, Makana Wade coached his own team to a championship, capping an unforgettable week for a family that has no plans to stop chasing greatness in the sport for the foreseeable future. 

"Monday seems like a long time ago," Charlie Wade said. "It doesn't seem like it's the same week, but obviously very cool, a lot of positive stuff."

Added Makana Wade: "I'm just so happy for my dad, and they worked really hard this season. To be able to do this too is just a surreal feeling."

Makana Wade 051626

<title>Makana Wade coaches Le Jardin to first state title in boys volleyball</title>

Makana Wade, the son of UH men's volleyball head coach Charlie Wade, led the Bulldogs to the HHSAA title in his first season at the helm.

Makana Wade coaches Le Jardin to first state title in boys volleyball

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

 — owner of Jugo Life and new smashburger pop-up, the MF Burger Shop — first had the idea to create and sell smashburgers about a month ago.

“I was thinking about doing it, then I did a month of R&D and recipe testing,” he says. “I was just trying to find the right ingredients that I like.

“For smashburgers, you want a fatty beef,” he adds. “Wagyu is the fattiest beef that you can get, so I decided to use that.”

 did its first pop-up several weeks ago; the pop-up is in the space adjacent to Jugo Life in the Ala Moana neighborhood. Oh wanted the pop-up’s concept to be simple.

“I wanted to make a burger that I feel like I can eat often,” he says. 

The shop’s first pop-up was for walk-in orders only. Now, the business posts details about its next pop-up on Instagram with pre-orders open for customers. Pop-ups have been around once a week, according to Oh, who says he originally intended for the smashburgers to be a late-night concept.

Right now, the menu features two dishes — MF wagyu smashburgers ($15) and beef tallow fries ($6). All smashburgers feature double wagyu patties, American cheese, grilled onions, raw onions, pickles and a secret sauce.

To ensure freshness, smashburgers are always made to order when customers arrive to the pop-up. Check in at Jugo Life at your designated order time, then you’ll be directed next door to the pop-up. Limited seating is available.

The beef tallow fries ($6) are made with locally made beef tallow, resulting in an ultra-savory side. Oh recalls trying beef tallow fries on the Mainland. When doing R&D for his shop, he did a taste test to compare fries cooked in regular oil versus beef tallow, and said “there was a noticeable difference.”

“I saw other places on the Mainland doing it (beef tallow fries),” he says. “Even though it costs more, it tastes a lot better.

“For me, I’m going to make the food I want to eat; I care about quality,” he adds. “If you want a good, simple burger, give us a try.”

MF Burger Shop owner 041526

<title>MF Burger Shop is a new smashburger pop-up in Honolulu</title>

The pop-up is around once a week and located next to Jugo Life in the Ala Moana neighborhood. Business owner Tommy Oh is striving to make a “good, simple” burger, which he pairs with beef tallow fries.

MF Burger Shop is a new smashburger pop-up in Honolulu

, the award-winning contemporary Japanese restaurant from New York, is celebrating its grand opening tonight at 

. The restaurant rose to fame as the first hand roll bar in New York in 2015, and now offers everything from hand rolls and nigiri to a la carte dishes and its signature Domokase (DOMODOMO’s omakase).

The brand is celebrating its 10th anniversary on the East Coast, and has other locations in Jersey City and Dallas. The Hawaiʻi location is open to the public starting tonight for dinner. 

i is to create a space that feels both familiar and fresh — one that connects our East Coast roots with the Pacific’s welcoming spirit,” states Brian Kim, co-founder and DOMODOMO executive chef. Kim is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America with more than 20 years of experience.

i’s design features natural light and warm wood textures. The 3,000-square-foot restaurant boasts panoramic views of the ocean and golf course.

The extensive menu goes beyond hand rolls. You’ll find izakaya-style appetizers, sushi, katsu sets, rice and noodle dishes and a la carte hot dishes. 

The menu is inspired by popular Japanese and Korean comfort foods.

No visit to DOMODOMO is complete without trying the brand’s popular hand rolls. The hand roll combo ($24 for four pieces) includes spicy tuna, salmon cream cheese, spicy crab and shrimp tempura.

Sushi and sashimi options are plentiful, ranging from yellowtail crudo ($26) and chef

’s choice sashimi plate ($38) to a variety of rolls (shrimp tempura, salmon cream cheese, spicy crab and more). If you want a sampler, go for the chef’s choice sushi plate ($32), which features eight assorted nigiri.

During dinner, the eatery even offers a sushi and hand roll course ($42). It includes yellowtail crudo, chef’s choice of premium sushi, and choice of two hand rolls.

Appetizers range from shrimp yuzu salad ($16) and fried corn ribs ($14) to menchi katsu ($14), truffle salt French fries ($12) and fried kanikama ($14). The fried corn ribs are topped with corn cheese powder and shio kombu. We especially enjoyed the crispy fried kanikama (crab), which was topped with nori powder and served with smoked aioli.

Katsu sets include rice, cabbage salad and miso soup; choose from pork loin ($24), pork tenderloin ($24) or ebi katsu ($25).

Hot entrees are also served with rice, cabbage salad and miso soup (the NY-style smashburger with fries is an exception). Options include miso black cod with kabocha puree ($28), spicy pork bulgogi ($25) and tteokgalbi loco moco ($23). The latter features tender tteokgalbi (minced beef short rib patties) over rice with savory brown gravy and a sunny-side up egg.

The Korean-style chirashi bowl is a colorful medley of seasonal fish, tobiko, mixed vegetables, egg and yuzu chojang. The Korean fried chicken ($21) — complete with garlic soy glaze and pickled celery — is expected to be another customer favorite.

During dinner, customers can opt for the eatery’s signature Domokase ($79) experience, or its take on the chef’s choice omakase. The dining experience includes Kona kampachi, octopus, beef carpaccio, grilled seasonal fish, chef’s choice premium sushi, choice of one hand roll and choice of dessert. 

Speaking of dessert, options include sweet potato crème brulee ($13) and kakigori ($12), or Japanese-style shave ice. Choose from three flavors — strawberry, matcha or grapefruit.

i location represents a return to the essence of DOMODOMO’s spirit.

“After 10 years, bringing DOMODOMO to the Islands feels like the most natural step in our journey,” Kim states. “Hawai

i embodies harmony — between nature, culture and people. That spirit aligns perfectly with who we are as a brand.”

Open 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 4-9 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 4-9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays

DOMODOMO Hawaii owners 111925

<title>DOMODOMO Hawaiʻi is open in ‘Ewa Beach</title>

The contemporary Japanese restaurant from New York — known for its hand roll bar — is open in 360° Ewa Beach Country Club. DOMODOMO New York was featured on the MICHELIN Guide’s Bib Gourmand list from 2017 through 2023. Here’s what you’ll find at its new Hawaiʻi location.

DOMODOMO Hawaiʻi is open in ‘Ewa Beach

Square Kady Pascual Headshot RGZ5762

Kady Pascual

The community's point of view of the second Kona Low storm.

Kona Low pt 2

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Neighborhood weather updates

Jack Black felt the Island vibes immediately.

Jack Black

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Island vibes

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.

25 11 15 Po Go Go Wild Area Sml

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

Annual holiday photo event with pets supports The Hawaiian Humane Society.

IMG 4125 Santa Paws 2022 PC Hawaiian Humane Society

Adopt-a-Pet Oʻahu: Santa Paws event returns

"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.

Daily Features - Sunday, 24 May

Hawaiʻi Skies: A simple picnic