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Sports

The tears came a little bit earlier for the University of Hawai‘i soccer team in 2025. 

Already out of Big West tournament contention entering Thursday's season finale, the Rainbow Wahine fell to UC Irvine 2-0 at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium. UH's 2025 season ends at 4-8-8 overall and 2-4-4 in Big West Conference play. 

In 2024, the Rainbow Wahine won the Big West regular season title and hosting rights to the conference tournament. Some of the contributors on that team, such as Amber Gilbert, Eve Bleam and Cate Sheahan were part of the 10 seniors honored following Thursday's contest as part of the senior night festivities. 

Despite falling short of preseason expectations in which it was 

 in the Big West preseason poll, head coach Michele Nagamine expressed gratitude towards the senior class. So did the rest of the team. 

"It's a very bittersweet evening. I love the fact that we're honoring our seniors. This was our elevator class, right? They took us to the next level and led us to the Big West championship last year," Nagamine said. "Asking our team to deal with so much adversity another year in a row was just a little bit much. ... I've been a part of 14 senior nights. I have never seen an entire team cry in the way that they were. I couldn't even turn to my right because every single girl was just sobbing, and it just shows how much they love and care about each other."

Logistical challenges have been part of the routine for the Rainbow Wahine, who drove five and a half hours between Davis and Bakersfield in last week's road trip. The Rainbow Wahine also did not have a solidified practice venue until their new grass field on campus was deemed ready at the end of September.

"I'm so proud of the effort. I know they're tired. I know we've what we've asked them to do this year, battling through all the travel and the injuries, that's sports, that's what this is all about. We told the seniors in the circle at the end that this was a blip on the radar. We're going to come back stronger and we're going to do it in their honor."

Although the new grass venue on campus was meant to eventually host Rainbow Wahine soccer matches, Nagamine says "we have some logistical and operational issues that we need to take a look at on campus. Phase one is just about done, and I think phase two is getting ready to go out to bid. We will wait to see what happens. Those are decisions that are way over my pay grade."

In Thursday's contest, UC Irvine took a 2-0 lead at halftime behind goals from Mia Colombini in the 27th minute and Kelsey Swyney in the 34th. The Anteaters will be the 4 seed in the upcoming Big West Tournament. 

Thursday's match was also Hawai‘i's last as a member of the Big West Conference. Starting in 2026, the 

vast majority of UH's sports will be members of the Mountain West

"We're going to make sure that we work really, really hard with our very small team in the spring season and and ensure that we can vault ourselves to the top of the Mountain West. It's going to be a lot of uncharted territory. Just as I was driving out here today, I was like, 'What's the temperature in Wyoming and New Mexico and Nevada in late October?' There's going to be some things that we need to figure out. For the first time ever, I wish I was 

 and I coached an indoor sport. ... I think every single coach told us, man, we're going to miss you guys. We're going to miss Hawai‘i and what you guys brought to our conference. It was nice to hear."

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Hawaii soccer 103125

<title>Hawai‘i soccer ends season and Big West Conference tenure with loss to UC Irvine</title>

The Rainbow Wahine fell to the Anteaters 2-0 at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium on Thursday night. The 'Bows will compete in the Mountain West beginning in 2026.

Hawai‘i soccer ends season and Big West Conference tenure with loss to UC Irvine

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

Hawaii History

“Defining Courage” is an immersive live show that honors the legacy of 

Hawai’i’s Nisei soldiers of World War II

. The show will return to Hawai’i for three performances in November. There will be shows on Nov. 8 and 9 at President William McKinley High School on O’ahu, and on Nov. 10 at H.P. Baldwin High School on Maui.

Immediately following the attack on Pearl Harbor, many Selective Service boards 

rejected Americans of Japanese ancestry from military service

. This live show merges footage, eye-witness interviews and original music to tell the story of the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the Military Intelligence Service and the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion — segregated Japanese American units which included many soldiers who were born and raised in Hawai’i. Tickets are $20 for the shows on Maui and $30 for the ones on O’ahu. 

“McKinley High School was the alma mater of U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye, as well as many other young men who went on to serve in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. At a time when Japanese Americans were being incarcerated on the continent, and even here in Hawai‘i solely because of the color of their skin, these brave young men registered to serve to prove their loyalty to the United States,” said Jennifer Sabas, director of the Daniel K. Inouye Institute and former chief of staff to Senator Inouye, in a written statement. “The courage and sacrifice of this greatest generation is deeply relevant today as we face new challenges throughout our country.”

The event is narrated by the Emmy Award-winning ABC7 Los Angeles News Anchor David Ono. The music is by Enzo De Roza and Sheridan Seyfried. The upcoming performances in Hawai’i feature the Grammy Award–winning Daniel Ho, acclaimed songwriter Harold Payne, and the Raise Choir.

Previously, this live immersive show was held in 

, according to the website for “Defining Courage.”

The show is presented by Story Boldly, the Japanese American National Museum, and Outside In Theatre, with support from The Henri and Tomoye Takahashi Charitable Foundation. The project was funded with support from the 

Japanese American Confinement Sites grant program

, which works to acquire and preserve the sites where Japanese Americans were detained during World War II, so “present and future generations may learn and gain inspiration from these sites,” according to its website. The grant program falls under the U.S. National Park Service, which is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Local partners for the Hawai’i performances include Pacific Historic Parks, Daniel K. Inouye Institute, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, and National Parks Service. The shows are sponsored by Kaimana Hila, Hawaiian Electric Industries Charitable Foundation, Island Insurance Foundation, First Hawaiian Bank, Servco, ABC Stores, and Zippy's Restaurants. The Wailuku performance is supported in part by the County of Maui. 

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"Defining Courage"

<title>“Defining Courage” returns to Hawai’i</title>

This live show honors the Japanese American soldiers of World War II. "Defining Courage" was previously at Hawai'i Theatre on O'ahu in 2023. Now, the immersive live show is back on two islands: O'ahu and Maui.

“Defining Courage” returns to Hawai’i

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

Entrepreneurs from across the Islands will be center stage at the Mana Up Show Case 2025.

An in-person marketplace, open to everyone, will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6 at Bloomingdale’s in Ala Moana Center, although early access tickets can get you in an hour earlier. You can 

 and Brittany Heyd, helps Hawai‘i companies expand within the state and globally through a six-month accelerator and alumni program that offers workshops, mentorship and sales opportunities, resources and more.

. Just 10 businesses were selected from a record 201 applicants this year.

The showcase is an annual event that spotlights the Hawai‘i-based companies — which now total more than 105 — that have gone through the accelerator program.

“The showcase is all about shining a light on the incredible talent we have here in Hawai‘i,” James said via email. “It’s a chance for people to meet the entrepreneurs behind their favorite local brands, try their products and see firsthand how these companies are helping build a stronger, more sustainable Hawai‘i.”

James says, too, that the showcase is a launchpad for Mana Up’s entrepreneurs.

“It connects them directly with customers, buyers and the media — helping them scale their businesses, create local jobs and share Hawai‘i’s stories with the world.”

Mana Up expects nearly 2,000 people to attend the Nov. 6 marketplace event and tickets are expected to sell out, the organization said. There will be product demos, giveaways, food and more. Haku Collective’s Artists to Watch concert follows at 8 p.m. at Mai Tai’s.

“We’re expecting a big turnout,” James says. “The energy at showcase is incredible — it’s a real celebration of local pride, innovation and aloha.”

In conjunction with the showcase, a number of Showcase Specials — limited-edition products and exclusive discounts — can also be found on 

 through Nov. 9. These include collaborations, gift sets and new releases from Cohort 10 as well as alumni brands. 

Mana Up Cohort 10 2

<title>Mana Up Showcase highlights Hawai‘i entrepreneurs</title>

Tickets are on sale now for an in-person marketplace set for Nov. 6 at Bloomingdale’s in Ala Moana Center.

Mana Up Showcase highlights Hawai‘i entrepreneurs

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

, which features a mix of Hawaiian, American and Filipino flavors, is celebrating its grand opening on Saturday, Nov. 1 from 2 to 5 p.m. Customers can look forward to live entertainment, along with a 20% discount on food.

Located on Kalākaua Avenue, the eatery took the place of Rock Island Cafe. It soft opened about two weeks ago, and is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For business owner Glory Escal, having this restaurant space is a dream come true. She says HI Shack has several other locations — a food truck at Ohana Hale Waikīkī; a location on Lemon Road near Honolulu Zoo; and a spot in Royal Hawaiian Center’s Pā

“Before this, the most recent (opening) was the location on Lemon Road,” Escal says. “This is my dream that I’ve been chasing since 2007.”

Escal says she chose the name HI Shack to represent her menu, which she describes as “a mixture of everything.”

i, everything wants different things,” she says. “I want to focus on all different kinds of dishes that people love most.”

The breakfast menu is served from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. It includes dishes like croffles, or croissant-waffles ($18.99), ube pancakes with ube cream cheese ($18.99), breakfast burritos ($15.99) and steak and eggs ($23).

Breakfast entrees also include local favorites like loco moco ($15.99) and adobo loco moco ($15.99), along with Filipino dishes like Longsilog ($14.99), or Filipino sausage, garlic fried rice and fried egg, and Tapsilog ($17.99), which features marinated fried beef.

The lunch and dinner menu also features Filipino staples like lechon kawali ($17.99), pork adobo ($15.99) and pancit ($18.99).

“I offer authentic Filipino classics; (they symbolize) where my roots came from,” Escal says.

The lunch and dinner menus feature an extensive assortment of burgers, tacos, specialty pastas, lobster rolls and Filipino classics.

Appetizers include dishes like wings and fries ($15.99)., seafood bruschetta ($18.99), and caprese ($14.99).

The latter features bite-sized toasted baguettes topped with fresh tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, pesto and balsamic drizzle, with an accompanying salad.

[{"type":"text","text":"“The caprese is one of my favorites,” Escal says."}]

The eatery features four different lobster rolls. If you want a traditional, East Coast-style roll, opt for the Connecticut lobster roll ($27). It comprises 3 ounces of Maine lobster meat — complete with knuckle and claw — with warm butter on a toasted, buttery hoagie roll.

[{"type":"text","text":"The Maine lobster roll ($27) is similar, but includes mayo."}]

Escal is partial to Glory’s spicy lobster roll ($27) — which is how she prefers to eat it — with a spicy mayo lobster sauce. Meanwhile, the Cali lobster roll ($27) includes three ounces of Maine lobster meat, coleslaw, bacon, avocado and tomatoes on a buttery hoagie roll.

“I like it (the lobster roll) spicy,” Escal says. “I make all the sauces here from scratch.”

Burgers and sandwiches are served with fries or tossed green salad with house dressing. Customers can choose from the HI Shack cheeseburger ($13.99), truffle Swiss mushroom burger ($17.99) and spicy Hawaiian burger ($18.99), but Escal recommends Glory’s smashed burger ($18.99) — which, of course, she designed.

The grilled double smashed burger is topped with onions, American cheese and housemade truffle sauce. We couldn’t get enough of that umami truffle sauce. 

Escal also recommends the Philly cheesesteak sandwich ($18.99). The unique option features shredded rib-eye steak with sauteed onions, mushrooms, bell peppers and white American cheese on a nine-inch Amaroso hoagie roll.

“Not many restaurants offer Philly cheesesteaks; this is an authentic one,” she says.

Specialty pastas range from crab and lobster tail (market price) and squid ink seafood (market price) to bacon carbonara ($25.99) and chicken pesto alfredo ($29.99). If you

’re a seafood afficionado, Escal recommends the crab and lobster tail pasta (it was $35 during our visit).

“It has fresh lobster tail with a tomato cream base,” she explains.

The dish features a generous amount of seafood, and we loved how the crab flavor was prevalent throughout the entire dish.

Desserts include tiramisu ($11.99), coconut and mango panna cotta ($10.99) and banana lumpia with vanilla ice cream and salted caramel ($9.99).

The eatery also offers specialty lemonades ($5.99 each) in flavors like mango, pineapple, passion fruit, honeydew and pomegranate, along with lava flow freezes, which are made with fruits and ice cream.

[{"type":"text","text":"HI Shack is currently BYOB."}]

The restaurant will partially validate customer parking at the Waikīkī Monarch Hotel, which is located across the street from HI Shack.

HI Shack chef Glory 102925

<title>HI Shack is celebrating its grand opening on Nov. 1</title>

The eatery, located on Kalākaua Avenue, features a mix of Hawaiian, American and Filipino flavors. During HI Shack’s grand opening, customers can enjoy live entertainment and a 20% discount on food.

HI Shack is celebrating its grand opening on Nov. 1

i is known for its imported snacks from Japan, China, Korea and Thailand. The business opened its third location today in Waipahu.

There’s currently no sign on the store, but look for the colorful yellow building. We’re told the store opened in the former space of Walgreens; there’s ample customer parking.

ako and Pearl Kai. We're told the Waipahu store is similar in size to the Pearl Kai location.

Many of the snacks still need to be unpacked at the Waipahu store, but you can find customer favorites like Lay’s chips in assorted flavors, Kit-Kats from Japan, ramen kits and more. The business will eventually have shelves and snack prices on display.

The Waipahu store differs from the others, as it also includes machines from Claw Kingdom. Some of the machines are filled with snacks, so customers can win those as prizes.

 The business will get its next shipment of snacks on Friday. Many snacks will be on sale for Halloween at all three store locations.

 1-2 Buy Hawaiʻi's Waipahu store is currently open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

1 2 Buy Waipahu claw machine with snacks 102925

<title>This popular Asian snack shop just opened its third location</title>

1-2 Buy Hawaiʻi is known for its imported snacks from Japan, Thailand, Korea and China. The business just opened its third location — and this one features claw machines from Claw Kingdom.

This popular Asian snack shop just opened its third location

Before Chad Kapanui was back coaching at his alma mater, he was helping his son, Champ, pick his own college destination. 

Chad Kapanui, who was a linebacker for the University of Hawai‘i from 2000 to 2004, was the quarterbacks coach for Bishop Gorman high school in Las Vegas back when Champ Kapanui, a standout two-way player for the Gaels, was picking a school. Of course Chad would have loved to see his son follow his footsteps to Mānoa. Although Hawai‘i was one of the finalists, Champ ultimately committed and signed with San Jose State. 

Champ Kapanui desired to build his own legacy at a new school. Plus, flights from the San Francisco Airport to Las Vegas were an hour and a half each way. He would be relatively close to family. 

"As a parent, all you do is try to set him up for success, for him to earn a scholarship on his own," Chad Kapanui recently told Aloha State Daily. "He chose to go to San Jose and we were happy for the decision he made, because it was a decision he made for himself."

Champ Kapanui signed with the Spartans in December 2024. Then in April, an unexpected opportunity came Chad Kapanui's way when his alma mater was looking for a quarterbacks coach following the departure of former UH QB coach Cade Socha. After over 20 years away from the Islands, Chad Kapanui came home to join the Hawai‘i coaching staff. 

On Saturday, the University of Hawai‘i football team take on San Jose State for a 4:30 p.m. HST kickoff. The Rainbow Warriors (6-2, 3-1 Mountain West) will look to remain in the conference title hunt, while the Spartans (2-5, 1-2) are aiming to stay on track to go to a bowl game for a second consecutive year under head coach 

San Jose State's coaching staff features a handful of former 'Bows in Niumatalolo, offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann, wide receivers coach Billy Ray Stutzmann, offensive line coach John Estes and offensive analyst Kolney Cassel. 

While there aren't any former Spartans on the Hawai‘i coaching staff, nobody in the matchup other than Chad Kapanui can say he's coaching against his son this weekend. 

"Nothing different. Just excited for my son," Chad Kapanui said. "He's over there, but I bleed green, you know? We talk every single day, and even though we're playing each other, it's still a game. We gotta play the game out."

Champ Kapanui, who was named after Champ Bailey, Chad Kapanui's favorite NFL player, is a linebacker for the Spartans. He's on track to redshirt as a true freshman, although his play on the SJSU scout team on both defense and special teams has earned him praise. 

"I think they're cheering for both," Chad Kapanui said of his household ahead of Saturday's matchup. "Obviously cheering for my son right now. ... It's exciting that they get to cheer for both teams. I know for sure they're cheering for both of us at the same time."

Following Saturday's game, father and son will go their separate ways, as Chad Kapanui will hop on a flight back to O‘ahu with the rest of the Rainbow Warriors. Champ Kapanui will continue to be a player the Spartans view as part of their future core, while Chad Kapanui's work with the UH quarterbacks, led by standout Micah Alejado, will continued to be viewed as a key piece of the 

"Our days are early mornings to (staying) late at night, from practice to meetings. We're here for the kids, you know? And we want to make sure they're successful. We got to make sure we prepare them well enough so when the game comes it's slow for them, and that's what we've been doing every single day," Kapanui said. "My quarterbacks, they're special because they want to be there, they want to learn, they want to get better. It kind of aligns with everything, with coach Chang, with all those things we're preaching to these kids. They're understanding, they're taking it in, and that's why I feel that we're doing great this year."

Chad and Champ Kapanui 102725

<title>Chad and Champ Kapanui set for father-son matchup ahead of Hawai‘i-San Jose State game</title>

Chad Kapanui is in his first year as the quarterbacks coach at his alma mater. Meanwhile, his son is an up-and-coming linebacker at a conference rival.

Chad and Champ Kapanui set for father-son matchup ahead of Hawai‘i-San Jose State game

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Andrew Pereira is director of public affairs for Pacific Resource Partnership.

<title>Andrew Pereira</title>

Andrew Pereira

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