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Government & Politics

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Stephanie Salmons

Real Estate

[{"type":"text","text":"Sharon Har is passionate about affordable housing."}]

The former state legislator, who served in the Hawai‘i House of Representatives from 2006 to 2022, has joined Catholic Charities Housing Development Corp. as its housing development director.

In her new role, Har will focus on the day-to-day development of Hale Pilina, CCHDC's newest affordable housing project located in Kahului, and serve as the primary point of contact for financing, construction and consulting partners, a recent announcement noted.

Hale Pilina is CCHDC's first development designed for families, the announcement says. The 178-unit community, which will offer one- and two-bedroom apartments across four buildings, will serve families earning up to 60% of the area median income. And for the first two years, priority will be given to those affected by the 

Har says she started her career as an attorney — her background was in land use, real estate and construction, "and I think that was my first foray into any type of development."

[{"type":"text","text":"She represented developers, general contractors and architects."}]

"I've always just wanted to help people," she recently told Aloha State Daily. "That's why I became a lawyer; I thought I was going to help people, and then I had an opportunity to run for office back in 2005 and I thought I would be helping people on a greater scale, so I ran for office."

[{"type":"text","text":"While in the state Legislature, Har represented Kapolei and Makakilo."}]

"There I really focused on doing the same thing," she says. "It was about affordable housing. It was about public policy and getting sound public policy so that we could really help build affordable housing, making it a little bit easier."

She joined The Michaels Organization in 2019, where, the announcement notes, she most recently served as vice president of development and operations for the organization in Hawai‘i, leading the execution of affordable housing developments and overseeing statewide development activities. Har says that's when she "really started working nuts and bolts as a real estate developer, as an affordable housing developer, and it's been such a passion of mine."

"It is so hard. It is so hard and it is one of the hardest things I've ever done in my entire life, but it is so rewarding," Har says. "Anyone who understands the real estate development process, especially affordable housing — I mean, it can take anywhere between five to seven years to get a building online — you really have to be passionate about it. But at the end of the day, it's worth it because it's about putting our local residents in and giving them access to affordable housing here in Hawai‘i."

[{"type":"text","text":"Her past experiences have prepared her for her new role."}]

"I tell everybody, as a former attorney, you can go to law school but law school doesn't prepare you to be a lawyer,” Har told ASD. And the same goes for real estate development; Har says that you don’t really understand the complexities of development “until you've actually done it. I think serving as a vice president for The Michaels Organization here in Hawai‘i really prepared me for that role."

Most recently, Har said she was project manager for the developer’s 

"It was just such a learning experience and I think that really kind of put me into that echelon of being able to speak to the issues and why affordable housing is so difficult to deliver, and dealing with all the obstacles that you deal with in trying to build affordable housing and trying to bring it online so that our community has greater access to it."

Har says her background in real estate and affordable housing development also aligns with CCHDC's mission to provide affordable housing to local residents.

There was a "synergy there and that's why it was so exciting to come work here," she says. “ ... I've only been [here] for a few weeks, but I consider it a great honor because I feel that [CCHDC's] mission, it comports with my passion, just trying to continue on that momentum statewide of building affordable housing."

Stepping into this new role, Har says her first priority will be ensuring that Hale Pilina, which is slated for delivery next year, is “delivered on time and on budget, so that we can, again, begin leasing up as soon as possible so that our residents on Maui can have access to affordable housing. In the meantime, I also plan on doing our best to build pipeline.”

“Bringing Sharon onto our team strengthens everything we’re building at CCHDC,” Executive Director 

 said in the announcement. “Her experience and deep commitment to Hawai

s possible, not just at Hale Pilina, but throughout the Islands.

Catholic Charities Hawai‘i has been around since 1947, but CCHDC was incorporated in 1999 as a nonprofit affiliate. It owns, develops and manages real estate properties across the Islands for seniors, families and those in need.

In addition to Hale Pilina, CCHDC manages six other affordable housing developments on O‘ahu and Maui.

Sharon Har Headshot Courtesy of Catholic Charities Housing Development Corporation 16x9 Copy

<title>Former legislator joins Catholic Charities Housing Development Corp.</title>

In her new role as housing development director, Sharon Har will focus on the day-to-day development of CCHDC's newest affordable housing project, Hale Pilina, and serve as the main point of contact for financing, construction and consulting partners.

Former legislator joins Catholic Charities Housing Development Corp.

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

i’s first solo dining katsu experience is opening in Honolulu.

, located in the former space of Little G Café, is opening to the public in the 808 Center on Wednesday, July 29. The business will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day except Mondays.

The new eatery’s concept is focused on an individualized dining experience. It’s reminiscent of 

, the popular Japanese ramen chain that’s known for its solo dining booths.

The business is still owned by Jared Brown — owner of Little G Café — who explains that the individual dining booths are inspired by the idea that food can be enjoyed and savored without distraction.

“Everybody here understands katsu,” he says. “We want customers to enjoy themselves and not feel rushed, not feel pressured.”

Little G Café’s interior has been transformed to offer solo dining booths; the counter can seat 12 individuals. No reservations will be accepted; seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

However, if you’re dining with another person, the partitions can be taken down so individuals can eat together.

Scan the QR code to look at the menu, order and pay. You can communicate with the staff by using the wooden tags (“more rice, please;” “more cabbage, please”) and ringing the bell at your booth for assistance.

The menu features a variety of katsu sets and bowls. Choose from pork loin tonkatsu (240-gram and 180-gram portions available), pork collar, chicken katsu and tiger shrimp katsu. At the time of our media preview, menu prices were not finalized.

Sets include rice and soup; customers and enjoy unlimited rice and cabbage. Everything is made to order, and the sauces are made in house.

Customers can also get sesame seeds with a grinder to mix with the business’s tonkatsu sauce, which features a sweet-yet-tangy flavor.

The pork loin katsu and pork collar are expected to be bestsellers. The shrimp katsu is also expected to be a customer favorite, due to its generous portion.

This experience is currently available for dine-in only; no takeout for now.

“We wanted to feature something that was interesting and familiar at the same time,” Brown says. “Plus, nobody does this concept here; we’ll give it a shot and see what happens.”

Open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays to Sundays (closed Mondays)

Katsu Zen tonkatsu 072626

<title>Hawaiʻi’s first solo dining katsu experience is opening in Honolulu</title>

Katsu Zen — located in the former space of Little G Café in the 808 Center — is opening to the public on Wednesday, July 29. Customers can scan the QR code and choose from a variety of katsu bowls and sets; options include pork loin, pork collar, chicken katsu and tiger shrimp katsu.

Hawaiʻi’s first solo dining katsu experience is opening in Honolulu

Eloisa Ramos-Savellano remembers when she and her husband, chef Albert Savellano, made authentic Filipino lechon pork belly in ‘Ewa Beach for friends and relatives during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

“It’s a family-owned recipe,” she explains. “We offer crispy, juicy, lechon pork belly — the Savellano way. It’s slow-roasted for hours — never fried — in a direct-flamed oven. It’s famous for its super crispy skin and moist, tender and tasty meat.

“The lechon itself is delicately seasoned with salt, garlic, pepper, shallots, bay leaf, lemongrass and, of course, the Savellano’s signature and secret marinade,” she adds.

Word spread and the demand for the Savellanos’ lechon grew. In 2023, the husband-and-wife team officially opened 

 business as a caterer for whole lechon rolls; preorders were accepted for parties and events.

“The product got raving reviews, so we decided to expand and widen our brand’s reach by offering lechon plates to open markets,” 

The business launched its market pop-up last February at the Ono Grindz and Makeke night market, which is every Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Wai Kai in ‘Ewa Beach. At its market events, the biz usually offers three lechon plates — lechon and rice ($20); lechon, rice and pancit bihon ($22); and lechon, rice and Cajun butter garlic shrimp ($25). The garlic shrimp and lechon combo is one of the most popular orders, according to

“Chef Albert has manually perfected making lechon; it’s known for its consistency,” 

Ramos-Savellano says. “What most customers love about our menu is its simplicity.”

All plates come with complimentary lumpia pork shanghai (Filipino spring rolls).

Customers can still pre-order whole lechon rolls by direct messaging the business on Instagram. Aside from the ‘Ewa Beach market, the business is popping up at other markets in Kapolei, Waipahu, Mililani, Kaimukī, Waikīkī and Kāneʻohe, according to 

For updates, follow the business on social media.

The Savellanos Lechon business owner 021026

<title>The Savellano’s Lechon business specializes in crispy pork belly</title>

The biz officially launched in 2023 and offers lechon pork belly plates, along with whole lechon rolls. Its lechon is made using a family recipe, and is known for its ultra-crispy texture and tender meat.

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