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Bill Brennan

Christian Zuckerman

Kalani Akana Cultural D opt

Kalani Akana

Hina Kneubuhl

Screenshot 2026 04 20 at 10 30 23 PM

Richard Turbin

HPU School of Nursing Dean Edna Magpantay Monroe

Edna Magpantay-Monroe

A Le Jeune headshot small

Annabelle Le Jeune

Lopaka and Tanya Kapanui

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya Kapanui

Hawai‘i History

Named after the famous author and poet Robert Louis Stevenson, this facility was the first in Hawaiʻi to adopt a middle school concept in 1988, hosting students in grades 6-8.

It was initially named after Robert Louis Stevenson in 1937, when it opened as an intermediate school on the site of the Territorial Normal School, teaching children from grades 7-9.

I initially learned that RLS Middle School was built over the site of an important heiau in the Pūowaina complex. These heiau were used for various purposes by aliʻi and kāhuna to support the Pūowaina Heiau at the top of the crater we now call Punchbowl. I’ve quoted this bit of information as fact for years.

As we constantly expand our research and knowledge, we continually uncover new information that sheds light on previously accepted norms. Some of what we learn was passed down from mouth to ear, which may result in misunderstandings of certain moʻolelo or the locations where they took place. In these circumstances, we always offer our apologies and ask for forgiveness from our ancestors. Then, we correct our course and take full responsibility for our hiccup. It’s why research in all its aspects is crucial: because you, the reader, are very important to us. Our humble mahalo to you.

As it turns out, the information I had was partially correct. RLS Intermediate School was actually built over the remains of a heiau. However, the current site is not its original home. The Territorial Normal School, which served as a temporary site for Roosevelt High School, Pūowaina Elementary, and then RLS Intermediate, was located near the corner of Green and Alapai Streets.

By the 1940s, the need for a larger campus was clear, and the search for nearby locations began. A parcel in Kewalo-uka, located at the base of Punchbowl Crater, was chosen, where the U.S. Agricultural Experiment Station used to be. Finally, on November 16, 1952, a dedication ceremony was held on what would have been Robert Louis Stevenson’s 102nd birthday, with more than 600 students, parents, and teachers in attendance.

Although the heiau isn’t where I thought it was, that doesn’t mean the school isn’t haunted. The current location of Stevenson Middle School falls directly in the path of Kamehameha’s warriors as they battled for control of O‘ahu against Kalanikupule’s army. And as we’ve mentioned before, the land has a way of remembering past trauma.

After sharing a video about the middle school, my account was overwhelmed with comments and messages about people’s personal experiences. Many claim to have seen headless bodies, near the banyan tree and on the roof of the building. A general eeriness and the feeling of being watched are common. Two people mentioned the P.E. rooms feeling spooky, and one person said he saw the ghost of a man walk through the cafeteria wall.

Stevenson was one of the stops on the Ghost Hunters Bus Tour that my late mentor, Glen Grant, did before I eventually took over. He shared many of his personal encounters there, and he assured me that as time went on, whatever was haunting the school would soon make itself known to me. 

One evening, my group stood under the banyan tree and began to take pictures. This was in the late ’90s, so people were still using film cameras. When the burst of flashes went off, sparkles floated down toward us in a slow descent. It was a wonderful thing to behold. It didn’t feel spooky, but we made sure there was no one hiding in the branches, raining sparkling lights down on us.

On another night, the usual busload of 25 people was standing in front of the cafeteria’s double doors. I shared the story of the old Kānelā’au, which we believed once stood there, where human sacrifices were offered to the gods. As I shared this account, we all heard the sound of high heels walking down the sidewalk from the far corner of the cafeteria, and we could tell it was coming our way. I continued talking while waiting for the person in high heels to appear so we could get out of her way. No one manifested, but the sound of the high heels walked right past us.

A second later, police cars rolled up, and the officers approached us. They asked if we’d seen a woman in a dress and high heels walking on the cafeteria roof. I explained that we all heard the heels, but it didn’t sound like it was above us. We hadn’t seen anyone, even though the sound seemed to pass right through us.

“That’s the call we got,” one of the officers said, and then they left us to continue our tour while they investigated the rest of the campus.

Many other strange events took place during my tours, including a group of people seeing headless bodies under the portable buildings. But the strangest account comes from a retired police officer who, along with his former partner, used to patrol the area around Stevenson Middle School. His partner had been on the force for many years and was well regarded by his peers.

There was a major car accident in the area, and all officers were called to respond. The man’s former partner didn’t reply and never showed up for the call. His vehicle, a black Crown Victoria, was seen in the Stevenson parking lot. The officer was found inside, slumped over. He had died of a heart attack.

Later, people reportedly saw a black Crown Victoria pull into the parking lot in the late hours of the night. No one could see inside the car, but almost everyone knew who it belonged to. Some patrolmen would drive by that late officer’s house to make sure that the Crown Victoria was parked in the garage, and it was, I was told.

Wanting to see for himself, the retired officer went to the Stevenson parking lot to wait. Sure enough, a little after 1:00 a.m., the black Crown Victoria pulls up.

“Holy crap,” was the only thing I could say as I was covered with chicken skin.

“End of watch, John,” the officer called out, “We got it covered. You can go home and rest.”

He said he couldn’t see inside the car, but he knew it was his friend, and that was all he could think of to put his soul at ease. The car left the parking lot and was never seen again.

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Stevenson Middle School

<title>Intermediate Ghosts</title>

If you thought just being in the 7th or 8th grade was scary, imagine if some tragic set of circumstances had you trapped there in the afterlife! Stories abound about the things seen at Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School in Honolulu, long known as an "Intermediate School" in the DOE naming system. Ancient warriors. Headless bodies. A cop on his beat. A mysterious woman in high heels.  All these and more.

Intermediate Ghosts

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

[{"type":"text","text":"Playoff time has arrived for the University of Hawai‘i baseball team. "}]

On Wednesday, the Rainbow Warriors will take on Cal State Fullerton in the play-in game of the Big West Conference tournament, UH's final Big West tournament before it 

Before it looks ahead to life in a new conference, the 'Bows will attempt to win the Big West for the first time. After joining the conference in 2013, the 'Bows have never finished higher than third in the standings. 

Hawai‘i, the No. 4 seed in the Big West tournament, will face Cal State Fullerton, the No. 5 seed. The winner will advance to join UC Santa Barbara, Cal Poly and UC San Diego in the double-elimination four team tournament. Meanwhile, the loser will head home. 

After wrapping up their regular season on Friday against CSUN, the rested Rainbow Warriors will be at full strength against the Titans on Wednesday. 

"We got a really good schedule. This just worked out right," UH head coach Rich Hill said on Friday. "Our pitching staff's ready, position players are ready."

Taking the mound for the 'Bows to open the tournament will be ace pitcher Isaiah Magdaleno, who won Big West Pitcher of the Week for the third week in a row on Monday following his 

latest game, a 14-strikeout shutout against CSUN in which he allowed just one hit

On Tuesday, Hawai‘i got its first practice in at UC Irvine's 

Cicerone Field, the site of the tournament. The Rainbow Warriors also took a moment to celebrate their 

Big West All-Conference selections, featuring Magdaleno and reliever Tsubasa Tomii making the first team. Additionally, Hilo native and No. 2 starter Hekili Robello made the second team, while Ben Zeigler-Namoa and Tate Shimao were named honorable mention. 

"It's great," Tomii said in a media call on Tuesday. "So grateful. I thought I'm not gonna get it, so I'm grateful. ... It was good season, but still I gotta do my job. We still have a lot of games left, so the job is not done yet."

Tomii held hitters to just a .163 batting average and a 1.11 ERA in 24.1 innings over conference games. Meanwhile, Robello, who is currently 9-4, is hoping to get the chance to become Hawai‘i's first 10-game winner since Steven Wright in 2006. If UH defeats Cal State Fullerton on Wednesday, he would in all likelihood be penciled in as the starter against UC Santa Barbara on Thursday. 

"It would be awesome to win the first game and keep on going," Robello said. 

But like its move to the Mountain West, Hawai‘i isn't looking ahead just yet. 

"We had a practice today, everyone's smiling. It's been great," Tomii said. "Honestly, we don't care who we play, we just want to play Hawai‘i baseball, we just trust each other, and then once again just having fun, and then hopefully get the win tomorrow."

Hawaii baseball 051926

<title>Hawai‘i baseball set for final Big West Conference tournament</title>

The Rainbow Warriors will take on Cal State Fullerton in Wednesday's play-in game.

Hawai‘i baseball set for final Big West Conference tournament

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Government & Politics

A controversial music festival on Hawai‘i Island has been given the go-ahead despite complaints from neighbors.

The Windward Planning Commission on the Big Island voted 

 to approve a request by landowner Andrew Tepper to hold a multi-day music festival on a portion of his 1,400-acre parcel of land in Pāpa‘ikou.

, called “Falls On Fire,” is described in the request as a four-day event “centered on principles of inclusion, gifting, self-reliance, self-expression, communal effort, civic responsibility and respect for the environment.” The event is repeatedly compared to the annual “Burning Man” festival in Nevada; similarly, Falls On Fire would also feature the burning of an effigy.

Tepper had previously held Falls On Fire annually since 2023, but had not received proper permits from the county for the event, leading the county Planning Department to fine Tepper’s company, Teppy Mountain LLC, more than $34,000. The Planning Department later stated that Tepper claimed he was unfamiliar with county and state regulations that required a special permit.

At the Planning Commission’s May 14 meeting on the subject, dozens of residents argued the merits and flaws of the festival, echoing the arguments made during a contested case hearing about the subject in November.

“I’ve heard his festivals,” said Pāpa‘ikou resident Eliza Folkman. “It’s been wildly disruptive already. And I believe this raises questions about accountability and commitment to stewardship. When we start turning these lands into venues for big parties or festivals, especially ones that have already ignored the rules and caused problems before, we risk losing something we can’t get back.”

People opposed to the festival complained about the noise from previous events and worried about the potential impact that 500 festivalgoers will have on the single private road that accesses the festival grounds. Others worried that not all attendees will heed rules on the Falls On Fire 

 urging attendees to not use soap while bathing in streams, leading to pollutants and human waste accumulating downstream.

On the other hand, previous festivalgoers argued that the festival has improved over the years to accommodate neighbor’s complaints.

“Unfortunately, none of us at the camps realized how the sound was carrying,” said Casey Jedynak. “By year two, we organized listening tests and lowered our levels. Looking back, the sound was definitely too loud at times … Going forward, I believe we, the Falls On Fire community, can be more curious about all of it, how loud the music is, where the speakers are directed, what hours the music is playing.”

An attorney for Teppy Mountain, Jake Honigman, said Tepper has agreed to follow most of the recommendations made by the Planning Department, including a commitment to repair any damages caused to the road within a month of the festival, a prohibition on all parking on the road, directing all amplified sounds inland toward the uninhabited portion of Tepper’s land, having at least 5,000 gallons of water onsite for fire suppression, having a sufficient number of portable toilets, and more.

“[Tepper] would explain that he loses money because he provides all of these things for the event like the portable toilets,” Honigman said. “There’s a suggested donation [for attendees], but it doesn’t remotely cover his costs and if people can’t make it, he doesn’t turn them away. This really is about him sharing and giving and bringing people … to the land to experience this festival.”

Ultimately, the commission voted 4-1 in favor of Tepper’s application, albeit with a few additional requirements such as the construction of sound dampening barriers and a 25-foot height limit on whatever effigy is burned.

 For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Fallsonfire 16x9

<title>Hawai‘i Island 'Burning Man' festival given green light</title>

Windward Planning Commission approves application for "Falls On Fire" festival, despite trepidation from neighbors.

Hawai‘i Island 'Burning Man' festival given green light

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

Aloha Spirit

Ready to make plans for the long weekend? Some of the events coming to Oʻahu soon include 

 ceremonies, a benefit gala for Hawaiʻi Foodbank, and a car show in Hawaiʻi Kai.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Friday, May 22"}]

Want to help create the 38,000 lei placed on the graves of the service members laid to rest at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific? Join one of these 

bring lei you made at home to one of the donation sites

. Hawaiʻi Foodbank is hosting its inaugural Nourish Gala where guests can enjoy a cocktail reception, multi-course dinner with curated tasting stations and live music from 

, and the Hoʻoheno Duo at ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach. The event supports the Hawaiʻi Foodbank. Individual tickets are available for $375. Tickets must be purchased by Thursday, May 21. 

Catch this special exhibit about Robert Cazimero. 

A special exhibit honoring the legendary musician, composer and Kumu Hula Robert Uluwehionāpuaikawēkiuokalani Cazimero has been extended through Saturday, May 30, at Gallery ‘Iolani, which is located on Windward Community College’s campus in Kāneʻohe. Learn more about the 

kumu hula of Hālau Na Kamalei o Lililehua

, which was the kāne overall winner for the Merrie Monarch Festival of 1976, the first year that men were allowed to compete, as previously reported by Honolulu Star-Advertiser. He was also part of The Brothers Cazimero, a 

more than two dozen Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards

, which performed decades of May Day is Lei Day concerts at Tom Moffatt Waikīkī Shell. The gallery is open from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. daily, except Sunday and Memorial Day. Free. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Saturday, May 23"}]

Head to the Waikīkī Community Center and join in this hands-on event where attendees can make and toss 

. Made of clay, rice bran, molasses and microorganisms, Genki Balls are said to digest sludge and leave water cleaner, although there is 

. Up to 28 participants can attend this event which runs from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. Tickets cost $10 plus fees. 

Head to the Waikīkī Aquarium and support University of Hawaiʻi alumni owned businesses in a special market, starting at 9 a.m. Admission is $5 and includes access to the Waikīkī Aquarium. Want to start the day earlier? Arrive at 8 a.m. for a pilates sculpt workout led by Annie Chang, a current UH student, for $30, which include access to the aquarium, the class and a towel. 

Wear white and head to this yacht party, hosted by Atlantis Cruise. Drinks are available for purchase. Boarding starts at 9 p.m. The yacht returns at 1 a.m. Individual tickets start at $125. A pair of tickets can be purchased for $170, plus fees. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Sunday, May 24"}]

Ready to add some dinosaurs to your life? “T. rex” chronicles the story of three boys discovering a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex fossil in North Dakota in 2022. It will be playing at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Bishop Museum’s J. Watumull Planetarium. Admission is $5 per person and includes access to the planetarium’s lobby exhibit, “Wayfinders: He Waʻa He Moku, He Moku He Waʻa,” plus a seat in the theater. Tickets to the rest of the museum are an additional cost. 

The Honolulu Museum of Art will offer a guided tour of its Renaissance Collection. These tours start at 2 p.m. on Sundays. Gather in the front of the Central Courtyard for tours which are between 45 and 60 minutes. These tours are included in museum admission, which is $15 for kamaʻāina and free for youth who are 18 years old or younger. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Monday, May 25"}]

The event starts at 8:30 a.m. and there will be an oli, a speech from Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, a presentation of wreaths, a firearm salute, a military aircraft flyover, and performances from the Royal Hawaiian Band and Sounds of Aloha Chorus, as well as 

. The ceremony also features taps. Parking is limited. Additional parking is available at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School and Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School starting at 7 a.m., and a courtesy shuttle will take attendees to the cemetery. Free. 

Join Gov. Josh Green, Maj. General Stephen Logan, and Lt. Col. John Alamodin for the Governor’s Memorial Day Ceremony at 1 p.m. at the Hawaiʻi State Veteran’s Cemetery in Kāneʻohe. There will be a musical prelude by the 

Spend Memorial Day at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, where you can visit the 

 (reservations recommended, although some standby admission is available) or the 

 submarine. Visitors can also book a tour to Ford Island, where they can visit the 

, where authentic WWII hangers hold a variety of aircraft and visitors can step into flight simulators. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial’s visitor center is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Cruise over to the Hawaiʻi Kai Towne Center and check out this showcase of classic cars in the parking lot in front of Costco. The event starts at 2 p.m. Free. 

. This Memorial Day ceremony brings thousands to the water’s edge to release floating lanterns and remember loved ones and fallen service members at Ala Moana Beach. The ceremony starts at 6:30 p.m. 

 are available on a first-come, first-served basis with pick up between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., or as long as supplies last. Messages can also be added to 

Learn why these volunteers keep coming back, 

Planning to be outside this weekend? Send us your pictures of rainbows, sunsets and more for a chance to be featured in our Hawaiʻi Skies series. Include your name and where the picture was taken plus why the moment was special. 

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawai‘i

<title>What to do on Oʻahu for Memorial Day weekend</title>

From sewing lei for service members to the Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi, there are lots of events happening on Oʻahu this weekend. Aloha State Daily rounded up some of the ceremonies and activities, so you can make plans.

What to do on Oʻahu for Memorial Day weekend

From sea to summit, Haleakalā is a living, breathing, ancestral system whose most sacred part is its piko, or highest point. To understand its sacredness, we must begin at the origin of our islands and the life that fills them.

Our most extensive genealogical chant of creation is the Kumulipo. Long before Charles Darwin came up with his theory of evolution, Hawaiians were chanting their universe, from the walewale hoʻokumu honua 

 much like the western idea of a “primordial soup” 

 to the plants and animals, and eventually to themselves.

In this genealogy, the coral polyp was the first true organism. Then plants were born in the ocean and paired with others born on land. This land/sea connection is a foundational and enduring concept in our worldview, epitomized by the Kāne/Kanaloa water cycle.

After land and sea plants came the fish, birds, insects, and mammals. Collectively, these organisms filled the ʻāina and created the foundation for human life, which was the last to emerge.

As the muli loa, or last born, in this long line of life forms, we honor them all as kūpuna, or ancestors, and we show our gratitude to them through respect and protection.

I want to be clear here that we don’t choose to stand up for the ʻuaʻu and the ʻāhinahina, for example. Rather, as Kumu Kīʻope Raymond has put it, we have a familial obligation to do so. This is also why the first rule is to take only what you need and no more. Hoarding is abhorrent and forbidden, as it’s unsustainable and breaks the contract with our family of life.

Our akua, our deities, also come from the Pō. Other genealogies tell us of the unions of various akua and the birth of our islands. Wākea and Papa came together and the first islands Papa birthed were Hawaiʻi, Maui, and Kahoʻolawe. This is part of the reason that Kahoʻolawe is considered a kalana (land area) belonging to the Honuaʻula district of Maui.

Among the many gifts of the god Kāne are sunlight and freshwater. In concert with Kanaloa, whose realm is the ocean, they are the water cycle. The abundant wai of East Maui activates the fertility of Papa (in her many Haumea forms), driving primary productivity on land and enabling the symphony of life that came to be on Haleakalā.

These kūpuna plants and animals arrived and evolved there for nearly 2 million years after Papa gave birth. This created what biologist Art Medeiros refers to as a lei, or garland of forest, that once went all the way around Haleakalā, comprising roughly 450 native species in habitats from rainforest to dryforest. Many of these species are endemic 

The koʻolau, or northeast part of that lei of forest is a 100,000-acre watershed that produces 60 billion gallons of water annually, on which we, the people, survive. It does this because we have protected it and limited the amount of human activity there.

This is one of several reasons that the land from where the forest begins all the way to the summit is called the wao akua, or the realm of the gods.

This brings us to the summit itself, which is called the piko, or navel. This is where Haleakalā was connected to its mother, Papa. While the physical piko was severed at birth, an energetic connection remains to Papa in her forms as Haumea.

Haleakalā, through its piko, draws nourishment from Haumea and our celestial ʻohana and that mauli, that life force, feeds the entire living, breathing, mountain system. The symphony of life we talked about earlier, which includes us as Kānaka, is nourished through this critical point of connection.

In fact, when we go to the summit for special occasions or ceremonies and our piko align with that piko, we experience an especially profound connection to life force that is unique to that place. This is at the heart of why obstructions and developments at the summit are highly detrimental.

So, the piko draws down this nourishment and feeds the ʻāhinahina, the ʻuaʻu, the koa, the ʻōhiʻa, and all the forms of life on the mountain. Amazingly, Haumea is found both high above in the heat of the stars and deep below in the earth’s molten core; as above, so below. Haumea’s daughter, Pele, is embodied in the most recent flows on our mountain, where molten rock once again broke the surface and formed new land.

Some folks tend to think of Pele’s activity as confined to the lua, or crater portion of the national park, but we must break out of this fragmented mindset that is not in line with our cultural history.

Pele’s activity spreads across the whole kualono (ridgeline) of Haleakalā. Entire hula traditions are devoted to the dances that honor this akua and her wondrous work across the mountain. Much of the extent of her influence is within Honuaʻula and the ahupuaʻa of Pāpaʻanui.

Pele eventually went on to Hawaiʻi Island, but the goddesses Lilinoe and Poliʻahu continued to shape the summit and the crater with their clouds, mist, rain, snow and ice. Lilinoe is still with us today, casting her kīhei of clouds around the mountain, feeding many areas with her gentle rain and fog drip, and helping to regulate temperatures.

This is just a fraction of the knowledge that exists about Haleakalā, the kuahiwi that is our malu (sanctuary), our life source, and the only home many of us will ever know. Its sacred summit is second to none and telescopes do not belong there. We will forever stand in protection of this piko of nourishment and connection.

Adapted from a presentation at the Hanohano ʻo Haleakalā forum. For the full version of this presentation, go to 

, hit the “watch livestream” button, and advance to 35 minutes.

This article is reprinted with permission from 

OHA's Ka Wai Ola newspaper: "Why is Haleakalā a sacred place?" by Hina Kneubuhl in its May 2026 issue, Vol. 43 No. 5. Read more at 

Haleakala, Maui

<title>Community Voices: Why is Haleakalā a sacred place?</title>

On Haleakalā, the land from where the forest begins up to the summit is considered a wao akua (realm of gods). The summit itself is called the piko, or highest point, which draws down nourishment that feeds the entire, living, breathing mountain system.

Community Voices: Why is Haleakalā a sacred place?

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

While she was working at Hawaiian Airlines, Aubrie Usui — the owner of 

 — recalls traveling often to Japan and Korea. She remembers how experiencing both coffee and matcha there changed her perspective on the popular beverages.

“The quality is unmatched, and they don’t cut corners on ingredients or portions,” she says.

Usui had the idea to open her own café business for a few years, but while working full-time at Hawaiian Airlines, she couldn’t find the time to fully commit.

However, once Alaska Airlines acquired Hawaiian Airlines and she was given notice that she would be laid off in the upcoming months, Usui took that as a sign to go “all in” on the business idea.

“I wanted to bring that same level of quality back home and re-create the drinks I fell in love with, while also experimenting with my own flavors,” she says. “I developed a deeper passion for coffee and matcha. I especially fell in love with the creative side — how you can take something as simple as a latte and turn it into something unique and memorable.”

From that point on, Usui devoted her full attention to building her business — working on branding, developing recipes and planning operations.

“I was able to open the shop within five months of my last day (at Hawaiian Airlines),” she says. “One of the first major steps was meeting with my coffee distributor, who plays a huge role in the quality and consistency of our drinks.”

Da Morning Grind Café officially opened on April 6 in King Laundromat — owned by Usui's parents — located at the intersection of South King and Pensacola Streets. The business’s name was a collaborative effort among her family members, according to Usui.

“The name actually came from a family group chat,” she says. “At first, we were trying to incorporate the word ‘Corner,’ but nothing felt right. My sister suggested ‘Morning Grind,’ and it immediately clicked.

“Our family has always been active and involved in sports, so we’re very familiar with early mornings and having something to work toward,” she adds. “‘Da Morning Grind’ represents that shared experience — everyone has something they’re waking up early for, and we wanted to create a place that fuels that.”

There are two ways to order — customers can visit the takeout window on South King Street, or visit the takeout window located within the laundromat. Just ring the doorbell when you’re ready to order.

The café offers a variety of coffees, teas, dirty sodas and specialty drinks. For coffee lovers, Usui recommends the black honey cold brew latte and dirty matcha latte, which includes espresso, honey and matcha. Most drinks are available in 12- and 16-ounce sizes.

“These are stronger, more bold drinks designed for people who want a real kick to start their day, but they’re still smooth and enjoyable,” Usui says.

She notes that lattes come with a double shot of espresso, regardless of size.

“If you prefer a stronger coffee taste, the smaller size will be more concentrated,” she says. “The medium size is more balanced and gives room for add-ons. We will be adding a 20-ounce size soon.”

The business’s cold brew is steeped overnight in the fridge to develop a deeper flavor, according to Usui.

“To match it with something sweet, I chose Kuromitsu (a Japanese sugar syrup that translates to 'black honey') because it wouldn’t overpower the cold brew’s taste,” she says. “The dirty matcha came from experimenting with how to create a high-caffeine drink that feels smoother than a typical multi-shot espresso.”

Consistency and balance are important when developing new flavors, according to Usui.

“Our matcha lattes are carefully scaled so the flavor stays consistent every time,” she says.

The café’s newest drinks — Da Matcha-nana and Da Big Island Vog — feature the café’s new homemade pudding cloud. Da Big Island Vog latte is the business’s twist on a London Fog latte, which usually includes vanilla syrup, steamed milk and earl grey tea.

“My mom loves ordering them [London Fog lattes] because she doesn’t always want espresso, but still enjoys a creamy, latte-style drink,” Usui says. “We elevated it by adding our matcha pudding cloud to make it more unique.”

Of course, the name is a play on Hawaiʻi Island’s vog. Da Matcha-nana features a matcha latte base that’s topped with a homemade banana brown sugar pudding cloud.

“It was inspired by local flavors,” Usui says. “Banana lumpia is something a lot of people in Hawaiʻi love, and we wanted to translate that into a drink without making it taste artificial.”

The pudding cloud is also available in flavors like salted caramel and salted maple, which can be added as toppings for espresso lattes.

The café rotates its seasonal specials every two to three months to keep introducing new flavors and ideas, according to Usui, who encourages customer input.

“We’re always open to feedback and continuously refining our recipes to improve the experience for our customers,” she says. 

Customer parking is available in the laundromat lot (entrance is on Pensacola Street).

Da Morning Grind Café is currently open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays to Fridays and from 7 a.m. to noon on Saturdays and Sundays.

Open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays and Sundays

Da Morning Grind owner 051826

<title>Da Morning Grind Cafe is tucked away within a laundromat</title>

The business’s takeout window is located on South King Street. Open for grab-and-go, the café offers a variety of coffees, teas, dirty sodas and specialty drinks, including a twist on the London Fog latte.

Da Morning Grind Cafe is tucked away within a laundromat

Donalyn Dela Cruz photo

Donalyn Dela Cruz is passionate about storytelling and strategic communications. From reporting to guiding communications for notable leaders in Hawaiʻi, she now runs DDC Consulting. A Wahiawā native who once danced hula under the guidance of the late Kumu Hula Hokulani DeRego, Donalyn earned her BA in journalism at UH Mānoa and a master’s in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Donalyn Dela Cruz

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