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Rick Hamada

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Christian Shimabuku

Sports

The Molokai Hoe returned after a four-year delay in 2024, a hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2023 Maui wildfires. The event's return was meaningful and cathartic to the world's best outrigger canoe paddlers, who compete 40.8 miles across the Ka‘iwi Channel before finishing in Waikīkī. 

While some competitors were fulfilled by the chance to paddle in the event after some time away, Healani Canoe Club head coach Kapuni Patcho had to wait another year due to what he called a "mix-up."

"But I still made it a point to come up to Molokai and spend the week up in Molokai and then fly back down to still be a part of the the race, even if I wasn't crossing, because I knew it was still special however you play a part in the race, whether you're competing or working as an official," Patcho recently told Aloha State Daily. "It's that connection that you make."

Patcho competed in each Molokai Hoe from 2006 to 2019. Now 38, Patcho was determined to find his way back in 2025 and will paddle on Sunday. 

"I made it a point last year where 100% it didn't matter who I was gonna cross with, I was gonna race it in 2025," said Patcho, whose club is entering four teams in the field across the open, 40 masters and 60 master division. 

After beginning his paddling journey at 15, the craft has become a major part of Patcho's life. Originally from Wai‘anae and a Moanalua High School alumnus, Patcho and the majority of his seven siblings became strong paddlers. During the day, Patcho teaches at Radford High School and coaches the paddling team at Pearl City High School. 

[{"type":"text","text":"\"It just becomes part of your life,\" Patcho said of the sport. "}]

Considered by many the pinnacle of paddling, the Molokai Hoe attracts teams from around the world. 

"It's a big event, it's a big culture, it's a big race," said Mooria Teva of Team Toatai, a team based in Tahiti. "Hawai‘i is our cousin, so it's always a pleasure to come here and share this mana with them."

After practices in Puna'auia, situated near Tahiti capital Papeete, Teva and Team Toatai made the five-hour flight to Hawai‘i for the week of festivities prior to Sunday's race. Teva, 51, is competing with Toatai's 50 masters crew. He is one of the few English speakers on the team, which converses amongst themselves mostly in French.

"Of course, (winning) is not only the main goal; the more important is that we keep the spirit (of the race). It's an accomplishment, because it takes so time to be prepared for that kind of event, and for the family, a lot of sacrifice. So of course, we would be proud to win the race. But it's not the only goal."

Added Patcho: "Whether it's cultural or competitiveness, it still keeps you grounded into what we do as Polynesian people, and I think in all aspects, whether it's for a cultural aspect or if it was to compete, but every crossing at the finish, it all feels the same, and that's that gratitude and respect that you get for everyone who did that race. 

"I think that's the most important thing is whether you're there for being a competitor or you're doing it for another reason."

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Molokai Hoe 100925

<title>Competitors from around the world set to participate in 2025 Molokai Hoe</title>

The world's most prominent outrigger canoe race will take place on Sunday.

Competitors from around the world set to participate in 2025 Molokai Hoe

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

[{"type":"text","text":"A new food court just opened in the Liliha neighborhood."}]

Liliha Food Court recently opened in the former space of Foodland Liliha on School Street. Right now, the food court is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. Hours will be extended in November.

The space — which includes seating for customers — currently features five local food vendors, but we’re told more (a bakery and a sushi spot) will be coming soon.

[{"type":"text","text":"Here’s what you can find:"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Desserts from Tiny Pyramid Express"}]

Tiny Pyramid is known for its French pastries; this express location features some of the shop’s most popular desserts, including chocolate peanut butter ($6.50), citrus tart ($6.95) and, of course, its chocolate pyramid ($7.85).

This express location also offers sandwiches ($9.99), pizzas ($8.99-$12.99), and pastas ($12.99).

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Build-your-own poke bowls from Mermaid Poke"}]

Mermaid Poke comes from the team behind Osoyami Grill and Bar and Noods Ramen Bar. The biz offers build-your-own poke bowls and poke nachos (called ‘ahi pokechos).

Poke bowls feature white rice topped with one ($15) or two ($18) poke flavors. Both include two sides.

Choose from unique poke flavors like yellow curry aioli ‘ahi poke, kimchi ‘ahi poke, truffle ponzu ‘ahi poke and more. Sides include crab salad, cucumber, seaweed salad, takuan, pickled ginger and more. You can also add free toppings like furikake, garlic chips, fried onions and masago arare.

The business’s ‘ahi pokechos ($18), or poke nachos, feature spicy or shoyu ‘ahi and kabayaki glaze, furikake and green onions.

Burritos, bowls, tacos and more from Jalapeno’s Authentic Mexican Food

Jalapeno’s Authentic Mexican Food — which has a storefront in Kailua — offers burritos, bowls, tortas, tacos and quesadillas with a variety of proteins. Meats range from chicken and carnitas to asada (steak) and shredded beef birria.

The three quesabirria tacos and consommé ($21.75) is one of the most popular options. You can add cilantro, onions and lime to the consommé to enhance its flavor. You can also opt for additional toppings on your tacos, ranging from lettuce and cheese to corn and jalapenos.

The biz also offers guacamole and chips ($10.50), nachos ($18.50) and loaded fiesta fries ($19.50).

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Homemade Italian dishes from Nonnas Hawaiʻi"}]

Family-owned and -operated Nonnas Hawaiʻi features homemade Italian dishes. Its Italian cocktails will be available soon; the business is still waiting to receive its liquor license.

Right now, a limited menu is available, including ballconi ($13) and mini minestrone shooters ($6). The eatery will eventually offer Mediterranean salads ($9) and build-your-own charcuterie boards ($25).

The ballconi ($13) is a unique option, as it features beef meatballs in a crispy parmesan cone. It’s topped with housemade sauce and Pecorino Romano.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Local favorites from Dave’s Ice Cream"}]

This location is operated by Dave’s Ice Cream Waipio. Choose from a variety of desserts, ranging from ice cream scoops ($4.99-$8.99) and soda floats ($5.99) to milkshakes and ($8.99-$10.49) and sundaes. Sundaes run the gamut from single scoop options ($7.49) to brownie sundaes ($10.99) and strawberry shortcake sundaes ($14).

This location also features a Dubai-inspired menu with treats like Dubai cheesecakes ($15) and Dubai sundaes ($15). 

Liliha Food Court spread 100925

<title>New Liliha Food Court is now open</title>

The food court, located in the former space of Foodland Liliha, features a variety of local vendors. Food options range from poke bowls and ice cream to quesabirria tacos, and Italian meatballs.

New Liliha Food Court is now open

Following a recent morning practice for the University of Hawai‘i football team, dozens of players stayed on the field for some extra work. Coaches even joined the players for up to half an hour of extra instruction. 

"Through six weeks, we've identified with all of our guys some things that they can work on," 

 coach Jared Ursua said. "Whether we get it post practice, pre practice, whether we get it in the afternoon window, we're just trying to continually get 1% better, like coach (Timmy) Chang preaches."

The Rainbow Warriors are 4-2 midway through their regular season slate in Year 4 of the 

 era. The 'Bows have inched closer to bowl contention each season that Chang has been at the helm. 

Hawai‘i has three regular season home games remaining, starting with Utah State on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. 

In order to get one win closer to achieving their goals, the Rainbow Warriors will have to get past a program that has dominated them for a decade and a half. Utah State has eight straight wins over the Rainbow Warriors dating back to 2011. In the most recent meeting of the series, the Aggies throttled the Rainbow Warriors 55-10 in Logan on Nov. 16, 2024, putting an end to UH's bowl hopes. 

"It's a big game for us last year. They embarrassed us. It was bad," co-captain Zhen Sotelo said. "So, we take this one personal. We're gonna have to go take it to 'em, and we just have to execute our plays and perform."

Added Chang: "They're a good football team. They done a great job since they've been in the Mountain West, I even remember them winning the Mountain West (in 2021). Even though last year they didn't have a great year, they kind of spoiled our hopes for a postseason down the end of the stretch. They pose a problem for us and we have to be at our best to beat a team like that."

competing in the Mountain West for the final time

 before departing for the Pac-12 following the season. 

UH's remaining home schedule in 2025 following Saturday will be spread out. After Utah State, the Rainbow Warriors will not play another home game until San Diego State on Nov. 8 before closing out the regular season at home against Wyoming on Nov. 29. The 'Bows are hoping to make each home game count. 

"We'd love to just pack this stadium, right? We have three opportunities, and this being one...we would love our fans to be out here," Chang said. "I love that the whole state 

 and we're good to go. But to have everybody here, their energy, it just means a lot to our players. They love playing in front of the packed stands and all the loudness and all the great things that happened here at Clarence T.C. Ching."

Entering Saturday, Utah State and Hawai‘i will both take the field following bye weeks. On UH's end, the Rainbow Warriors are anticipating the return of standout receiver Nick Cenacle, who has been sidelined with an injury and has not played since an Aug. 30 loss at Arizona. 

"He's ready to rock and roll. He's full go," Ursua said. "If we played last week, he would have played, and he was really close to playing at 

, but going into the bye it was just too much of a risk, and so we thought it was important to get that week. He is touching top speeds every day on his speed report, so we're excited to have him back full go."

 have accumulated over 100 receiving yards. 

"We're happy for the success that we've had. We still feel like there's another level to this," Ursua said. "The first part of that is we got to be able to be able to consistently throw the ball as we did at Air Force, which is just completing the football, being in our spots, making the right reads, being on the same page as a quarterback. 

"The second piece of it is really just getting the consistency and just being the same every single play. What we love is the depth. We've established some with the group of guys that are coming in and making good plays. Tama (Uiliata), Blaze (Kamoku), everybody knew about Pofele Ashlock and Cenacle from the jump. Koa Eldredge get his first catch. You see Nick Delgadillo jump in the mix and play, Max (Ware) is playing, Karsyn Pupunu, Jackson Harris, (Brandon) White, a lot of these new guys now are starting to establish themselves, and we're happy with the growth."

Timmy Chang 100925

<title>Hawai‘i football set for pivotal home matchup against Utah State</title>

The Rainbow Warriors have lost eight straight matchups against the Aggies, a losing streak that dates back to 2011.

Hawai‘i football set for pivotal home matchup against Utah State

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Government & Politics

The second segment of the Skyline rail, 5.2 miles of guideway that runs from Aloha Stadium to the Middle Street Transit Center, is set to open to the public next week, bringing passengers closer to the places they live and work.

Members of the media got a sneak peek of the new leg Thursday, a ride that stopped at each of the four new stations along the route: Makalapa (Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam), Lelepaua (Daniel K. Inouye International Airport), Āhua (Lagoon Drive) and Kahauiki (Middle Street Transit Center).

An opening ceremony is set for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the Kalihi Transit Center followed by the grand opening at 4 a.m. the next day.

 and spans just under 11 miles from East Kapolei to Aloha Stadium. This section includes the rail's first nine stations: K

aualakaʻi (East Kapolei), Keoneʻae (University of Hawai‘i-West Oʻahu), Honouliuli (Hoʻopili), Hōʻaeʻae (West Loch), Pouhala (Waipahu Transit Center), Hālaulani (Leeward Community College), Waiawa (Pearl Highlands), Kalauao (Pearlridge), and Hālawa (Aloha Stadium).

Scott Humber, communication director for the City and County of Honolulu, told Aloha State Daily on Thursday that ridership on Skyline's first segment currently averages about 3,500 a day.

But segment two will "take people where they want to go, to the biggest employment centers: Pearl Harbor and the airport," he says. "The goal for this segment is 25,000 a day. That is the goal. That is the goal that Mayor [Rick Blangiardi] has been talking about. I don't anticipate it happening right away, but that is the goal for us — 25,000 [rides] per day on this portion once it gets up and running."

[{"type":"text","text":"When segment two opens, the rail project will be 83% complete."}]

According to Honolulu's Department of Transportation Services, Skyline will operate segment two from 4 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. everyday. Trains arrive every 10 minutes until 8:30 p.m. and every 15 minutes between 8:30 and 10:30 p.m.

Segment one operates from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends and city holidays.

or the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, the public transit authority responsible for planning and building the rail system for the City and County of Honolulu, 

 on the next phase of the project, the city center guideway and stations.

The CCGS project includes the construction of nearly three miles of elevated guideway and six rail stations, starting near 

Kahauiki, or the Middle Street Transit Center station, and ending at the the Civic Center station, just east of the intersection of Halekauwila and South streets, ASD previously reported. 

Construction is expected to be finished by 2030.

 for the design and construction of the CCGS project to Tutor Perini Corp. in August 2024.

Skyline 100925 1

<title>Second segment of Skyline to open Oct. 16</title>

Members of the media got a sneak peek of the rail's new leg Thursday, a ride that stopped at each of the four new stations along the route from Makalapa to the Middle Street Transit Center.

Second segment of Skyline to open Oct. 16

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

As teachers struggle to make ends meet in Hawai‘i, progress continues on a teacher housing project in Mililani.

In 2023, the Hawai‘i State Legislature tasked the Hawai‘i School Facilities Authority develop workforce housing for teachers and education staff in order to offset the high cost of living in the state, which has exacerbated a teacher shortage across the islands.

As its first project, the HSFA announced last year plans to build a teacher housing project at Mililani High School. Cheri Nakamura, HSFA’s program and policy officer, told Aloha State Daily that an environmental assessment for the project is underway, with a draft expected to be published in early 2026.

Construction on the project is scheduled to begin in late 2027 and be completed in 2029.

The project, a public-private partnership with the Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation — an O‘ahu-based nonprofit affordable housing developer — initially pitched 109 housing units to be built on the Mililani High School campus. That initial proposal is subject to change, however, after the initial planned site received pushback from residents.

“The previous site was planned to be on the same site as the school’s ag program,” Nakamura said, adding that the original site on Hookelewaa Street was also considered to be too close to the school’s academic buildings and could cause traffic congestion nearby.

After taking public feedback, the project’s new site remains on-campus, but in a southeastern corner of the property near the ballfields on Meheula Parkway.

Nakamura said she believes residents are more amenable to the new site, and added that a successful project in Mililani could serve as a model for future developments around the state.

“School land has space, it has infrastructure,” Nakamura said. “On undeveloped land, it can be hard to build affordable housing because there’s no infrastructure and it’s expensive to build that … And in Mililani, you’re within walking distance from the town center.”

The project would not be free for teachers: Nakamura said the developers are considering an even split between rental units available for people making up to 60% of the area median income — she estimated that most teachers early in their career fall under this margin — and those available for people making up to 120% AMI.

Housing would not be exclusively for teachers, said Nathan Hokama, HSFA spokesman, as other education staff and faculty could qualify for residency, as could spouses or children.

While the project would be fenced off from the campus proper, other specifics about the development — amenities, conditions for residency — are still up in the air.

However, Nakamura pointed to a 2023 survey by the state Department of Education that indicated the desire of Hawai‘i teachers for employee housing options. According to that survey, only 50% of respondents own their own homes and 41% believe themselves likely to leave their job within the next five years because of the high cost of housing.

“The DOE’s trying some incentives,” Nakamura said. “But it’s the cost of living. We all know teachers don’t get paid a whole lot.”

The survey also found that 70% or more respondents want an in-unit kitchen and an on-site laundry, and the most they are willing to pay for a 1-bedroom apartment is $1,400 a month.

The cost of the project itself is still undetermined. Nakamura said that, as a public-private partnership, the Pacific Housing Assistance Corp. will be the one setting the cost. The state Legislature in 2023 appropriated $170 million for teacher housing, but slashed that investment to $5 million following the Maui wildfires.

Map of WH Site 16x9

<title>Teacher housing project in Mililani progresses</title>

Housing development for teachers and education workers to open in 2029.

Teacher housing project in Mililani progresses

Business & Tourism

Hawai‘i hospitality executive Elliot Mills says he and Jerry Gibson, another longtime industry leader, have — first and foremost — been friends "for many many years."

Both men have spent decades working in the sector, leading some of the largest hospitality operations in the Islands, but they've now teamed up to launch Hawai‘i Hospitality Group, a new asset management firm headquartered on O‘ahu, "focused on hotel, resort and tourism-aligned real estate" across the state, a recent announcement noted.

Mills, who serves as CEO and managing partner of HHG, has held leadership roles with Marriott International, oversaw Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, as well as the Disneyland Resort hotels in California, and is a board director for the Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau.

Gibson, the president and founding member of Hawai‘i Hotel Alliance, previously held senior leadership roles with Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott and Blackstone, and was area vice president for Hilton Hotels and Resorts. He serves as president of HHG.

Mills told Aloha State Daily on Monday that an effort like this has "always been in the back of my mind," with both men having spent time with different brands, working in the industry and working locally at different resorts.

As the pair thought about what their careers might look like in the future, Mills says, "we thought that we could provide more value at this stage of our careers, working with specific individuals in the industry, and using the talents that we have locally, along with our strategic partners, to bring added value to some of the ownership groups — also to lend to a broader sense of place for Hawai‘i."

The work they're doing, focused on Hawai‘i as a hospitality asset management group, "doesn't really exist" in the state right now, he said.

According to Mills, the pair thought that with a local perspective, with an understanding of the business here — marketing, sales, revenue, government relations, public relations, cultural issues and other facets —  they could "add a lot of value in that space, and also create a space where Jerry and I could actually work together along with a lot of our long-time friends and associates within the hospitality area."

It also is a chance to "have some fun and work for good people and create value for those individuals who would appreciate us working with them and bringing higher performance levels to the assets that they're managing now and into the future — and also creating a great connection with our community."

Mills says Hawai‘i is a unique place and it benefits the hospitality industry to align with and understand the culture and communities in which it works.

"When that alignment happens, when we consider those issues, the priorities of the community and the host culture and the values that it brings, I think it creates more value for the entire ecosystem, collectively," he said. "Having that perspective and having the experience that Jerry and I have, along with the rest of our partners, helps to create that alignment a little bit better than we have in the past. To share that narrative with ownership groups, the management companies, as well as the guests and consumers who are coming to Hawai‘i, to us is really important. I think the greater we create that alignment, the more successful everybody will be."

Gibson told ASD Monday that the ultimate goal is to create "great value" for their future clients.

"Hawai‘i is really a different community to come into," he says. "We're blessed with all these different ethnic cultures that we have, and a lot of people who do come into Hawai‘i have a difficult time beginning because they don't understand that. Because we have been involved and immersed in this culture so long, I think that that's one real big thing that we could do, obviously, to help them with their businesses, as they begin to hire people in the community, whether they bring in people or not."

Mills said, too, that what's important with the organizations they'd like to work with is creating a great organizational culture within the companies that are tied to assets here.

In the short-term, though, the Mills said one goal is to "make sure everybody understand who we are and what we're doing."

The new organization already has a client list that includes Waikīkī Beach Marriott Resort & Spat and Kaimana Beach Hotel on O‘ahu and Hotel Wailea on Maui.

According to the announcement, HHG offers a range of asset management services including strategic planning and capital alignment, operator and brand oversight, performance optimization, and cultural integration and community engagement.

HHG also works with a "Strategic Partner Network," which includes advisers likes chef and restaurateur Roy Yamaguchi; cultural producer and consultant Afatia Thompson; B.J. Kobayashi, founder and CEO of BlackSand Capital, 

a Hawai‘i-focused real estate private equity firm

; employment and labor law attorney Darin Leong; Eric Heenan, president of Alaka‘i Executive Search; Rob Iopa with WCIT Architecture; Alana Kobayashi Pakkala, CEO of Kobayashi Group; Dean Yamamoto, an attorney focusing on corporate, financing, real estate and regulatory law; Joan Bennet, president and CEO of Bennet Group Strategic Communications; and hospitality real estate consultants and brokers Tim Powell and Kevin Aucello, principals at Powell & Aucello.

Mills told ASD that this team is not comprised of people they trust and have worked with throughout the years, but they're also individuals who are "very deeply rooted in Hawai‘i, best in class in their discipline," who can provide expertise in all facets of hospitality.

Mills gibson

<title>Veteran Hoteliers Launch Next-Gen Hospitality Venture - Aloha State Daily</title>

Elliot Mills and Jerry Gibson have spent decades working in Hawai‘i's hospitality sector, leading some of the state's largest hospitality operations. They've now teamed up to launch Hawai‘i Hospitality Group, a new asset management firm.

Hotel legends launch high-powered hospitality group

Child & Family Service authors 002

<title>Amanda Pump and Michael Young, Child & Family Service</title>

Amanda Pump and Michael Young, Child & Family Service

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we must confront the reality that where you live can define whether you receive life-saving care or none at all.

Amanda Pump and Michael Young, Child & Family Service

Latest from Amanda Pump and Michael Young, Child & Family Service

Community Voices: Your Zip code shouldn’t determine your access to mental health care

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