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Daily Smile: Saturday, February 21, 2026

Little girl has her dogs say grace before dinner...

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Daily Smile: Friday, February 20, 2026

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Daily Smile: Thursday, February 19, 2026

Since my friend came over with her dog I haven't seen my cat anywhere, then I noticed this...

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Daily Smile: Wednesday, February 18, 2026

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Daily Smile: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Your grandma looked after your dog this summer...

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Daily Smile: Monday, February 16, 2026

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Daily Smile: Sunday, February 15, 2026

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Daily Smile: Saturday, February 14, 2026

“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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Daily Smile: Friday, February 13, 2026

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

[{"type":"text","text":"A new Korean grocery store just opened in Honolulu."}]

 just opened in the former Ross space on 

. The grocery store offers a variety of produce, noodles, seasonings, snacks, drinks and more.

The store is open this week from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., but starting next week, it will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Customers can get 10% off side dishes — including kimchi, cucumber kimchi and seaweed — during soft opening.

[{"type":"text","text":"Validated customer parking (one hour) is available with purchase."}]

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You Me Mart sign 022026

<title>New Korean grocery store open in Honolulu</title>

You Me Mart just soft opened on Ke‘eaumoku Street. The business is located in the same space as French-Korean bakery TOUS les JOURS, in the former Ross space.

New Korean grocery store open in Honolulu

 is popular for its seafood and prime buffet, which is offered from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Thursdays to Sundays.

The eatery recently launched a new chef selection dinner buffet option, available from 5 to 9 p.m. every Monday to Wednesday. This buffet experience costs $62 per adult and $42 for children 6 to 10 years old.

Instead of featuring action stations like prime rib, hand rolls and steamed crab legs, this buffet focuses on specialty items and elevated offerings. The new buffet menu comes from Prince Waikīkī’s new executive chef, Brooke Tadena.

Born in Honolulu and raised in Wahiawā, Tadena brings more than a decade of culinary expertise to his new role at Prince Waikīkī. He attended McKinley High School and Kapiʻolani Community College, and graduated from the Culinary Institute of America.

His previous experiences included serving as chef de cuisine for Hoku’s; executive sous chef and banquet chef at Hilton Hawaiian Village; executive sous chef at the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa; and restaurant chef for the iconic House Without A Key at Halekulani. 

Highlights from the new buffet include specialty options presented in sample-sized portions, like skirt steak with cilantro garlic chimichurri, fried beef ravioli with marinara sauce, seared fresh catch, and braised beef with creamy potato puree.

Other options from the hot station include angry mac n cheese, mushroom risotto, Spanish-style potatoes, guava barbecue pork ribs, jalapeno corn bread, and lamb ragu campanelli. We’re told the buffet offerings will change occasionally.

Meanwhile, the cold bar features maki rolls, shrimp cocktail, marinated seafood ceviche and nairagi crudo with citrus and pickles.

The salad bar offers mixed greens, Greek salad, assorted breads, assorted imported and domestic cheeses, and charcuterie.

Customers can also enjoy featured desserts like panna cotta, espresso tiramisu, creme brulee, cheesecake and the signature Prince bread pudding.

Tadena has also updated the eatery’s a la carte menu. The majority of dishes featured on it — ranging from margherita pinsa flatbread ($24) and taro burgers ($24) to pappardelle burrata pasta ($32) and lobster rolls ($36) — are brand new.

So far, the ‘ahi poke nachos ($23) have been the most popular appetizer. They feature a medley of chips — won ton, sweet potato, shrimp and taro — topped with shoyu ‘ahi, avocado, spicy mayo, yuzu crema, green onions, pickled red onions, pea tendrils, kizami nori and edamame.

The eatery’s lobster roll ($36) has also been a crowd favorite. It features a New England-style hoagie roll stuffed with lobster mixed with yuzu mayo and fresh dill; it’s served with  fries or salad.

The lobster rolls are on the eatery’s a la carte menu for both lunch and dinner, so customers can enjoy it all day long.

Other popular entrees include the coffee-rubbed rib-eye ($38) — a 12-ounce beef rib-eye served with potatoes, arugula salad with tarragon dressing and coffee demi glace — and Kona kanpachi ($35). The latter features a skin-on filet with hijiki edamame Japanese rice and dashi ponzu.

Conclude your meal with new desserts ($15 each) like mango cheesecake with calamansi sable; creme brulee; and Maui Ku’ia Estate chocolate crunch cake. The latter has been a bestseller so far, and features dark chocolate mousse, sea salted caramel, and Kula Maui strawberry compote.

Chef’s selection dinner buffet is from 5 to 9 p.m. Mondays to Wednesdays

100 Sails buffet cheese 021026

<title>New weekday dinner buffet at Prince Waikīkī</title>

100 Sails Restaurant & Bar just launched a new chef selection dinner buffet, available from 5 to 9 p.m. Mondays to Wednesdays. This buffet costs $62 per adult; instead of action stations like prime rib or sushi handrolls, it features specialty items like roasted beef tri tip, guava barbecue pork ribs, mushroom risotto and more.

New weekday dinner buffet at Prince Waikīkī

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

Architect Francis Oda, one of the founders of G70, died Feb. 14 surrounded by family, including wife Caroline and children Reid and Nalani. He was 84.

Francis was more than one of our founders — he was a mentor, spiritual father and source of inspiration for everyone who had the privilege of working with him,” G70 CEO Linda Miki said in an announcement of his passing on Wednesday. “His legacy lives on in our G70 ‘ohana, our projects and our commitment to serving Hawai‘i and beyond with integrity and car

[{"type":"text","text":"Oda led the firm, founded in 1971, for more than 50 years."}]

His work helped shape Hawai‘i’s built environment and reflected his deep respect for culture, community and place,” G70 says. “Over the course of his career, he mentored generations of professionals whose work continues to reflect his values of excellence, humility and service.”

Born and raised in Hawai‘i, Oda made his first trip to the Mainland in 1959 to study architecture at Cornell University, according to the university’s 

“At the time, no one in his family had ever visited the contiguous U.S. and jetliner travel wasn’t available,” the write-up notes. “It took Oda five days just to reach the Cornell campus.”

He received a Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell and a Doctor of Architecture from the University of Hawai‘i, where he was a “distinguished alumnus” and helped develop the Doctor of Architecture program, G70 noted.

Oda also was an adjunct associate professor at the UH School of Architecture.

According to G70, Oda received more than 50 design awards throughout his career, including the American Institute of Architects Honor Award for Our Divine Savior Church in Chico, California.

 His award-winning projects include the Four Seasons Lodge at Koele, the Four Seasons Mānele Bay Hotel, Hanauma Bay Nature Center and the Nanea Golf Clubhouse

He also helped envision master plans and design guidelines for the city of Kapolei, the UH Long Range Development Program, Kanu o ka ‘Āina and Kamehameha Schools Kaiaulu o Kaka’ako Masterplan

, and designed several international projects in French Polynesia, Mauritius and Canada, the firm noted.

Oda was a fellow of the American Institute of Architects, a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, designated a Mānoa Forum Fellow by UH, received the 

 and was inducted into the Hawai‘i Business Hall of Fame.

, the 2026 president of AIA Honolulu, the Honolulu chapter of the American Institute for Architects, and an associate principal at G70, told Aloha State Daily in an email that Hawai‘i has lost "one of its most influential voices in Francis Oda."

"I remember sitting with Francis a few years ago — he asked us what we were dreaming about. Not what we were working on. Not what our goals were. What we were dreaming. Then he asked about our reality. He understood that balance — between the possible and the present — and that is what stays with me," Hirai says.

"For Hawaiʻi's architectural community, he was one of a kind. He identified early on that our profession carries a unique responsibility — to place, to culture, to the people who experience what we design. You see it in the buildings he left behind across these Islands and beyond. You see it in the culture he built at G70. And you see it in the people he mentored — who are now doing the same for others.

"As AIA Honolulu president, that question still challenges me — what are we dreaming about? What could our profession look like if the next generation had people willing to push their thinking the way Francis pushed ours?"

 of what was then called The Hawai‘i Society, the American Institute of Architects. You can read a 1982 interview with Oda in 

Recently, though, the architect was featured in newest episode of AIA Honolulu’s Let’s Talk Story series, a video and podcast highlighting conversations between an emerging and experienced architect. You can watch the video and listen to the podcast, 

[{"type":"text","text":"Hirai encourages those who didn't know Oda personally to take a listen."}]

"I'll be honest — hearing his voice again is not easy," Hirai says. "But it's an incredible way to experience who he was, and to celebrate everything he gave this profession and the community he loved."

"The Hawaii Architectural Foundation mourns the passing of Francis Oda, FAIA, whose career reflected an exemplary commitment to architecture and a deep devotion to the community he served," HAF President Katherine MacNeil told ASD in an email. "A recipient of the Foundation’s Gordon W. Bradley Humanitarian Award, Francis was recognized for his far-reaching leadership and enduring contributions to Hawaiʻi’s civic and cultural life. Elevated to Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, he embodied professional excellence and principled leadership. Through award-winning architecture, visionary master planning, and dedication to architectural education, he strengthened Hawaiʻi’s built environment and the profession. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations."

In addition to his work, Oda was also a senior pastor and board chair of New Life Church Honolulu and served as global chair of Transform Our World.

A celebration of life service is set for Saturday, April 25, at First Assembly of God — Red Hill, Moanalua.

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Francis Oda G70 03 A6249

<title>Architect Francis Oda, founder of G70, dies at 84</title>

Hawai‘i has lost "one of its most influential voices," Lance Hirai, the 2026 president of AIA Honolulu and an associate principal at G70, says.

Architect Francis Oda, founder of G70, dies at 84

[{"type":"text","text":"A new dumpling shop recently opened in Honolulu."}]

Located on the second floor of Discovery Bay Center, 

 just soft opened. The business is known for its Northern Chinese cuisine, including handcrafted dumplings and specialized noodle dishes.

The business’s dumplings are its signature dishes; most orders contain 20 bite-sized pieces ($15.99). Choose from popular flavors like pork and cabbage and pork and chives, along with specialty options like shrimp and corn (20 pieces for $18.99), and the signature flavor (20 pieces for $23.99), which is a mixture of abalone, sea cucumber and shrimp. All dumplings are made in house.

Other menu items include wontons in bone soup ($15.99) — which is expected to be a popular dish — pork knuckle with cucumber salad ($14.99) and beef shank ($19.99). New dishes not on the menu — but are coming soon — include shredded chicken ($9.99), pigs’ ears ($15.99) and braised pork ($18.99).

Customers can also use the business’s Korean ramen station. Choose your instant noodles ($5); toppings — including cheese, eggs and sausage — are available for an additional price ($2).

If you’re craving something refreshing, check out the business’s shave ice station. Each dessert includes two toppings ($9.99); customers can get five toppings for $15.99.

Toppings range from passion fruit jelly and mango jelly to strawberry boba, peach jam and mango boba.

Waikīkī Snack Store also offers frozen, heat-at-home dumplings ($15.99). To celebrate the business’s grand opening, customers can take advantage of a limited-time promotion: buy four sets of frozen dumplings and get one set free. The promotion is valid until March 1.

The store will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Customers can enjoy free parking for the first two hours at Discovery Bay Center.

Free customer parking at Discovery Bay Center for the first two hours

Waikiki Snack Store dumplings 021726

<title>New dumpling shop in Honolulu</title>

Located on the second floor of Discovery Bay Center, Waikīkī Snack Store recently opened. The shop — which specializes in Northern Chinese cuisine, including handcrafted dumplings and wontons in bone soup — also offers interactive ramen and shave ice stations.

New dumpling shop in Honolulu

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

HĀLAWA — On Tuesday morning, the Aloha Stadium Authority held a blessing for its temporary offices in the facility's lower Hālawa parking lot. 

he New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District (NASED) and its developer, 

 (AHDP), were present on Tuesday. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Sen. Glenn Wakai and University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa athletics director 

 were some of the other names who attended. 

It turns out there was plenty more to celebrate. 

The temporary offices for the Stadium Authority was a tangible sign of progress in itself — the old offices were located inside Aloha Stadium, which is currently being dismantled in favor of the new one. 

In his speech during the blessing, Stanford Carr of AHDP mentioned that NASED and AHDP have agreed in principle on a master development plan, marking the third agreement between the two parties. All that's left to be agreed upon is a 

Reciprocal Easement Agreement (REA) and the associated Reciprocal Easement Shared Infrastructure Agreement (RESIA). 

Carr also says the new planned seating capacity for the new Aloha Stadium is 31,000, a sizable jump from the 

. The stadium will feature individual seating (as opposed to bleacher seating) and approximately 28 luxury suites. The surrounding housing and entertainment district will also have 4,500 housing units, two hotels and retail spaces. 

"It's going to be a place for economic revitalization, for homes, for new jobs and events that will showcase Hawai‘i to the planet," Wakai said during his speech.

After the blessing, the first piece of exterior demolition at the current Aloha Stadium took place when a high-reach excavator made contact with the stadium's side awning. Water was also being poured on the awning during the process. 

"Whenever you're doing construction, especially when you're ripping out old stuff, you never know what kind of dust and things that will kick up, so you spray it down. That's not uncommon," Aloha Stadium interim manager Michael Yadao explained. 

All in all, Yadao says he was extremely pleased with the order of events on Tuesday morning in Hālawa. 

"It was incredible. I think today was about making sure that all of our partners were a part of our forward momentum," he said. "It was about making sure that the Governor's office, the private sector, the Mayors the city, that everybody on the stadium authority was on board, and even Senator Wakai and his great vision and leadership, everybody was together to move this forward. 

"It was the first event where we were no longer talking about the old stadium, but now we're talking about what it can be. And so I'm over the top happy. If today had only been one of those things, had today just been the MDA (master development agreement), or just been the event, or just been a part of the demo, I would have been stoked, like, really happy. But the fact that today is all three, and it ain't over, it's really amazing."

Aloha Stadium 021726

<title>Officials gather for new Aloha Stadium milestones</title>

A blessing was held for the Aloha Stadium Authority's temporary office, where multiple new pieces of information were also revealed.

Officials gather for new Aloha Stadium milestones

 in Volcano — was among some of the most-loved Airbnbs on social media last year.

 its list of Airbnbs "topping Instagram and TikTok feeds" in 2025 — the list itself based on total engagement across the two platforms, combining likes, comments, shares and impressions on both platforms from Jan. 1 to Dec. 9, 2025. 

 about the listing received more than 550,000 views.

“Designed as a living, environmental sculpture, the treehouse invites guests to check off a once-in-a-lifetime experience from their bucket list,” 

. “With expansive windows and wraparound decks, guests can enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of lush surroundings and star-filled skies.

Citing survey data from Panterra Research, 

 that for Gen Z, platforms like Instagram and TikTok “have become the leading source for discovering new destinations.”

Aloha State Daily reached out to the treehouse hosts via email through an Airbnb representative but did not receive response to questions.

An alternative to traditional lodging options, Airbnb got its start in 2007 when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home. Since then, it has grown to more than 5 million hosts who have welcomed more than 2 billion guests.

This list, though, got us curious about other unique listing on Airbnb that might be found throughout the Islands. Here are a few provided by the Airbnb representative:

 custom-built, off-grid home in Pāhoa sits 15 feet above ground on a 24-acre fruit farm that guests can walk and pick fruit from in season, the listing notes.

 home in Pāpa‘aloa sits on 13 acres of forest land in Maulua Gulch. "There are many fruit trees, lush rain forests, flowers, waterfalls, and a river that run through the whole property," the listing states.

 open-air guest suite a mile from Kealakekua Bay is situated on a 1.7-acre mango farm. Fresh, seasonal fruits are available for purchase, the listing notes, and guests may also encounter “friendly farm animals.”

 on the Kalapana lava beds in Hawai‘i Island’s Puna district.

 on a horse ranch in Captain Cook is nestled in a kukui nut and hau tree forest, the listing notes.

(Of course, the topic of short-term vacation rentals can be contentious for some, and some local lawmakers have tried to address the impacts on residential communities.

 a measure that would phase out thousands of vacation rentals in Maui’s apartment districts. And in November, the Honolulu City Council 

 that would increase registration fee for vacation rental properties).