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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

Today’s social media find comes from @__CocoBoy_, who took a big jump.

__CocoBoy_

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Going big

Today’s social media find comes from @Local_Eats, who had a great time in Hawai‘i.

Local_Eats

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Take a trip

Today’s social media find comes from @MrLovahBoy, who just needs some good sounds to have a good time.

MrLovahBoy

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Too busy vibing

Today’s social media find comes from @Ekahi808, with a horror story.

EKAHI808

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: It’s October 1st

Today’s social media find comes from @KookSlams, who is definitely taking advantage of Costco’s return policy.

Kook Slams SML

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Costco policy

Today’s social media find comes from @InstaMauiMatt, showing us what Maui means to him.

InstaMauiMatt

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: When in Maui

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Aloha Spirit

Within the next six months, Jed Gaines expects to take Read Aloud America’s family literacy program global, after two decades of trialing it across the Islands.

“We’re working with some great people overseas who helped build this Toolkit, which has taken over a year,” 

he told Aloha State Daily. “We’ve actually had the first draft edited and finalized, so it’s just fine-tuning everything and getting it together.”

Gaines said that The Read Aloud Program Toolkit will first be implemented in a local school to run as a pilot program. “And once they test it, then we could determine what needs to be changed, added or deleted,” he noted. “I see schools running it on their own. We’ll be there as a support system.”

The overall goal remains the same: to focus on family, and the communication and bonding that occurs through reading aloud.

He added that the Toolkit will include tips for family connection. “If you can get parents to shut down screens during dinner, so that families can talk, get to know each other and share love together, then we’re going to have a different society,” Gaines said. “Until we change the home, you’re never going to change our schools, communities, our nation or world. You’ve really got to get families to talk story, and the key is the parents.”

The Read Aloud Program offers immersive reading sessions for public school students and their families, as well as opportunities to enjoy entertainment, games and food. The program first launched in 1999 at Barber’s Point Elementary School serving 200 people. Attendance increases and a state grant in 2006 helped boost the program.

“Up until Covid-19, we had reached more than 350,000 adults and children. So why were they coming to these programs at such numbers? It

’s because they were having fun, and if you have fun, you’re going to learn.”

As gatherings ceased during the pandemic, Read Aloud America continued sharing it reading resources and lists, while pivoting to what's next.

For Gaines, the most rewarding part of this work is engaging with the families and seeing the impact. He shared the sentiment of a parent who had attended every session in a series and told him, “Jed, this is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to my family.”

Gaines admits he didn’t learn to read until 7th grade. He says school was difficult for him, being dyslectic, though he we went on to attend college and grew fond of the hobby while in the U.S. Navy.

“The carrier had a library. I became a reader on my own and self-educated myself, basically,” he said. “I’m an avid reader today. That’s my escape.”

In the early ’70s, he moved from New York to Hawai’i and began cleaning apartments professionally, running the business Apartment Appearance for over 25 years. During that time, in 1995, Gaines created nonprofit Read Aloud America, whose mission is: “Through the fun of reading and being read to, parents can promote literacy, bond families, and build communities of lifetime readers and learners.”

He has passed the gift of reading to his children and grandchildren. When asked what he’s currently reading, Gaines said, “Strangers in Time” by 

David Baldacci; “The Widow” by John Grisham; “

 by Clare Leslie Hall; and “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls.

For kids' book authors, he recommends Jerry Spinell

i, Alan Brennert, R.J. Palacio, and E.B. White.

Read Aloud America 003

<title>Read Aloud America readies for next chapter</title>

Founder and president Jed Gaines reflects on the Honolulu-based organization’s past and shares what’s ahead.  

Read Aloud America readies for next chapter

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

s looking to save money and get the most bang for their buck. This series will show you where you can save while still savoring a good meal.

 is offering an all-you-can-eat lunch special for $19.99.

The lunch special includes a choice of wagyu beef bone broth, 90 minutes of unlimited wagyu eye-round and pork belly, and a side of veggies (won bok and bok choy).

Broths include spicy, sukiyaki, miso and more. The beefy marina and beefy wild are the most popular broths. Beefy marina is like a light shoyu beef broth; beefy wild features a creamy bone broth and is a local favorite.

[{"type":"text","text":"No starch is included in the lunch special, but you can always add it on."}]

The eatery will eventually be changing its lunch special to include more veggies and a starch, but we’re told the price will remain similar.

Kamitoku Japanese Hot Pot also has a newer Japanese-style hamburger steak lunch special for $8.08 (regular price is $12).

The restaurant is open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays.

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Open for lunch 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays

Kamitoku Japanese Hot Pot cooking meat 112125

<title>Budget Bites: Kamitoku Japanese Hot Pot’s $19.99 AYCE lunch deal</title>

This all-you-can-eat lunch special includes a choice of wagyu beef bone broth, a side of veggies, and 90 minutes of unlimited wagyu eye-round and pork belly.

Budget Bites: Kamitoku Japanese Hot Pot’s $19.99 AYCE lunch deal

This new Japanese-style hamburger steak spot is opening on Monday, Nov. 24 in Kaimukī.

Located in the former Chubbies Burgers space in Kaimukī, 

 — owned by restaurant group Funergy Group Inc., which operates Tori Ton, Izakaya Tenkichi and Totoya — specializes in Japanese-style hamburger steaks.

The restaurant interior was modeled, and now boasts a vibrant yellow hue and anime on the walls. The design was inspired by Akihabara, a neighborhood in Tokyo, according to Funergy Group Inc. owner Takuya Tsutsumi.

Originally, Tsutsumi was thinking to open another izakaya, but decided to go with the “hamburger steak” concept instead.

“It’s very popular in Japan now, since maybe three or four years ago,” he says.

He explains that the eatery’s name refers to the hamburger steak’s shape (“maru”) and the sizzling sound made when it’s cooked (“ju”).

Tsutsumi explains that the hamburger steaks are first cooked on the grill, then in the oven, and are served on a sizzling platter; its sauce is poured tableside.

“There’s a combination of a little bit of pork, beef, the beef fat and a secret recipe,” Tsutsumi says.

He explains that the eatery’s sauces are homemade, making each dish unique.

[{"type":"text","text":"“The original sauce takes more than seven hours to make,” he says."}]

Hamburger steak sets come in two sizes — regular ($23.50) or large ($28.50) — and include vegetables, pasta, miso soup and rice.

Choose from sauces like signature onion, sweet garlic soy glaze, grated daikon ponzu, green onion salt marinade, and Gorgonzola cheese. While the signature onion — boasting a nice balance of sweet and savory — is projected to be the most popular option, I’m partial to the rich, creamy Gorgonzola.

The hamburger steaks are thick, juicy, tender and ultra flavorful — even before the sauce is added. Customers can add extra toppings like grilled onions ($2), garlic chips ($1.90), grilled bacon ($3.90) and more.

Tsutsumi also recommends trying the eatery’s braised hamburg in mushroom demi-glace sauce. This option comes with the same side dishes as the original hamburger steak; choose from regular ($24.50) or large ($29.50) sizes. There’s also a keiki size ($12.50) that is served with potatoes, carrots, broccoli and pasta.

Marujuu also offers chicken steak ($17.90) — choose from yuzu pepper sauce, signature onion sauce or sweet garlic soy glaze — and rib-eye steak ($29.50 regular, $38.50 large).

“We marinate the chicken overnight so it’s very tender,” Tsutsumi says. “We use chicken thighs.”

The eatery will be open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. and from 5 to 10 p.m. for dinner (last call 9:15 p.m.) Wednesdays to Mondays (it’s closed on Tuesdays). Right now, it’s first come, first served; a reservation system may be set up in the future.

Open 11 a.m.-2:15 p.m., 5-10 p.m. (last call 9:15 p.m.) Wednesdays to Mondays

Marujuu Hawaii hamburger steak cross section 112225

<title>Japanese-style hamburger steak spot is opening in Kaimukī</title>

Marujuu Hawaiʻi — sister restaurant of Totoya, Tori Ton and Izakaya Tenkichi — is opening on Monday, Nov. 24 in the former Chubbies Hawaiʻi space in Kaimukī. The biz specializes in Japanese-style hamburger steaks that are delivered on sizzling platters to your table.

Japanese-style hamburger steak spot is opening in Kaimukī

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

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 

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

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

Turkey Day is on its way. To help ensure local families have a place to stay and food to enjoy this Thanksgiving, four nonprofits are continuing their tradition of giving back. Here are some resources for Nov. 27:

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

What: Thanksgiving turkey distribution for the first 400 families who sign up. One meal per household. 

When: Saturday, Nov. 22, from 8 a.m. to noon

, who runs the small operation that helps the hungry and needy on Oʻahu’s East Side, previously told Aloha State Daily that local companies and organizations, including the Hawai‘i Foodbank, help make holiday distributions, as well as their monthly ones from Kahuku to Waimānalo, possible.

“This work is a labor of love, and every contribution — whether time, resources, or financial support — directly changes lives,” she told ASD in January.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Ko Olina Charities"}]

What: Ko Olina Resort’s Thanksgiving Outreach aims to distribute 4,000 meals to individuals and families across West O‘ahu. Longtime community partners UPS and Leeward Community College’s Culinary Arts Program have supported the initiative since its inception 26 years ago. Additional partnerships exist with local churches, businesses and nonprofits. Ko Olina Charities is generously supported by contributions from resort operators and residents, public donations and grants. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"When: Saturday, Nov. 22"}]

“This outreach is more than a meal — it’s about gratitude, connection and the true meaning of community,” said Sweetie Nelson, director of destination marketing for Ko Olina Resort, in a statement. “For 26 years, our Ko Olina ʻohana has come together with neighbors and friends to share aloha and provide west side families the opportunity to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal together. That spirit of giving and togetherness is what defines Thanksgiving for us.”

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Meals on Wheels"}]

What: Malama Our Kūpuna, a Thanksgiving Day Drive-thru Fundraiser. Meal packs cost $250 and feed eight people. 

Funds raised will benefit the organization's mission to serve homebound kūpuna. Sponsors First Hawaiian Bank, Par Hawaiʻi, the Pettus Foundation, and The Queen’s Health Systems have offered to match gifts through Thanksgiving, up to $65,000. Note: A gift of just $45 provides one week of meals for a kūpuna in need, according to the nonprofit.

When/Where: Thursday, Nov. 27, pickup at Hawaiʻi Okinawa Center

The Salvation Army and Pacific Islands Division

What: Along with sponsors the City and County of Honolulu and The Salvation Army’s Love Beyond the Holidays donors, the nonprofit will host a hot meal in Honolulu and Thanksgiving meal distributions across four Hawaiʻi counties and Guam.

When/Where: Locations for distributions vary on Thursday, Nov. 27; Annual Thanksgiving Dinner, doors open at 11 a.m. at Neal S. Blaisdell Center Arena. The event is staffed by 800 volunteers to serve 2,000 guests. 

Thanksgiving meals Ko Olina 2024

<title>Community to serve up Thanksgiving meals</title>

Four nonprofits — Giving Hope Hawaiʻi, Ko Olina Charities, Meals on Wheels and The Salvation Army and Pacific Islands Division — will be preparing hot and ready-to-go meals for thousands of ʻohana in need this Thanksgiving. Find out where to go and how to support.

Community to serve up Thanksgiving meals

Real Estate

JL Capital has taken another step forward in the development of its latest luxury condo project, selecting Layton Construction as the general contractor for 

“Muse Honolulu is a one-of-a-kind project, architecturally ambitious, thoughtfully designed and rooted in elevating the experience of everyday living,” Tim Lee, CEO of JL Capital, said in an announcement Wednesday. “We are proud to partner with Layton Construction, whose commitment to craftsmanship and collaboration aligns perfectly with our goals for this iconic tower.”

 is a privately held general contractor headquartered in Salt Lake City with offices in Honolulu and Līhu‘e.

Located at 1538 Kapi‘olani Blvd., the planned 39-story Muse Honolulu was designed by architecture firm Bohlin Cywinski Jackson and local partner Benjamin Woo Architects, the announcement noted.

Muse Honolulu will include 315 residences — a mix of penthouses, tower residences, urban lofts and two-story townhomes — and amenities across three levels, the developer says. Those amenities include a rooftop sky lounge; a wellness spa with steam rooms, saunas, treatment rooms and a multi-level fitness center; and a recreation deck with a pool, hot and cold plunge, golf simulator, putting green, private dining rooms and more.

Owner-occupant sales for the luxury high-rise 

. Construction on this project is slated to start in 2026.

JL Capital, a real estate and private equity firm founded in 2017, has completed or initiated a number of major projects in Honolulu's Ala Moana neighborhood and along the Kapi‘olani corridor in recent years.

, a $507 million mixed-use twin tower condominium and hotel at 1388 Kapi‘olani Blvd. 

Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa, a Marriott brand

, an adaptive reuse project that will convert a five-story former office building at 

 into affordable rental apartments. A ground-up project at 

 will create another 37 affordable units.

 three contiguous properties along Kapi‘olani Boulevard for a combined price of $36 million.

"We see the Kapi‘olani corridor as one of Honolulu’s most dynamic areas of growth, connecting Ala Moana, Waikīkī and Downtown with access to retail, recreation and emerging transit infrastructure," 

about the developer's focus on the area. "It's a natural location for thoughtfully designed projects that align with the city’s long-term vision for a walkable, connected urban core. Our investments here are part of a long-term vision."

In June, it also was announced that JL Capital 

 in Tournet Hawai‘i Inc., a travel and transportation agency focused on the Korea-Hawai‘i market.

The Muse Honolulu Sales Gallery, located at 1388 Kapi‘olani Blvd., Suite 101

, is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the week and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekend.