Letters to the Editor

Columnists

Viewpoints

Opinion

Will Caron

E Kingma Large

Eric Kingma

ASD Logo

Michèle McCoy

Child & Family Service authors 002

Amanda Pump and Michael Young, Child & Family Service

Jack Danilewicz square

Jack Danilewicz

Jerry Clay Clay Partnering IQ5 A1553 1 CP

Gerald “Jerry” Clay

Cheryl Tsutsumi

Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

[{"type":"text","text":"A local developer is building deeper ties with the Korean visitor market."}]

JL Capital has acquired a 40% ownership stake in Tournet Hawai‘i Inc., a travel and transportation agency focused on the Korea-Hawai‘i market, it was announced Tuesday.

Founded in 2000 by David and Mira Jung, Tournet Hawai‘i has offices in Honolulu and Seoul, "and has established itself as the premier inbound travel partner for major Korean tour operators, airlines, entertainment agencies and government delegations," an announcement from JL Capital noted.

“This partnership represents our confidence in the future of Hawaii’s tourism industry and the vital role Korea will play in it,” Tim Lee, CEO of JL Capital, said in the announcement. “With our ownership of the Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa and now this investment in Tournet Hawai‘i, we are creating synergies to better serve the growing Korea-Hawaii travel market.”

JL Capital, a Honolulu-based real estate and private equity firm founded in 2017, is focused on Honolulu's Ala Moana neighborhood.

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

Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa, a Marriott brand

Underway now is a luxury residential and mixed-use condominium project at 1538 Kapi‘olani Boulevard called 

. Designed by architectural firm Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, its sales gallery opened in April.

, an adaptive reuse project that will convert a five-story former office building at 765 Amana St. into 32 studio, 20 one-bedroom and 12 two-bedroom affordable rental apartments. Lee told ASD at the May 30 groundbreaking that a second, a ground-up project at 

, is set to get underway in about six months and will create another 37 affordable units.

Lee told Aloha State Daily in an emailed response to questions that JL Capital has known of Tournet Hawai‘i's "strong reputation in the Korea travel market for some time." Discussions regarding this acquisition began in 2023 and the deal was finalized in late May, he noted.

Korea is one of the most resilient and rapidly growing international source markets for Hawai‘i," Lee says. "Korean travelers tend to stay longer, spend more, and seek high-quality experiences, making them a strong fit for Hawai‘i’s evolving visitor economy. With the right partnerships and infrastructure, we believe Hawai‘i can become the preferred destination for Korean travelers across leisure, business and group markets."

In the short-term, Lee says the partnership offers direct insight into visitor behavior, preferences and travel patterns, which helps inform how the firm positions its assets like the Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa.

"Over the long term, we see the potential to co-create targeted travel packages, streamline logistics for large groups and even influence airlift and event programming strategies," he continued. "The real synergy comes from aligning Tournet's inbound travel expertise with our hospitality investments and future developments to enhance the visitor experience from arrival to departure."

According to Lee, Tournet Hawai‘i will still be led by the Jungs, who he says "bring decades of trusted relationships and cultural fluency in the Korea-Hawai‘i travel corridor."

"JL Capital's role is not operational, but strategic," he continued. "We'll provide support in areas like long-range planning, business development and hospitality alignment."

According to visitor statistics from the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism's 

, there were 155,974 visitor arrivals statewide from the Korea in 2024. From January through April of this year, there have been a little more than 51,000 arrivals from Korea.

Unsplash waikiki aerial

<title>JL Capital acquires an ownership stake in Tournet Hawai‘i</title>

Find out what the move means for the real estate and private equity firm in the short- and long-term.

JL Capital acquires an ownership stake in Tournet Hawai‘i

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

 is back — well, sort of. The biz just launched its new burger concept, 

, which is still in Kaimukī — specifically in the former Hokkaido Ramen spot at 1108 12th Ave.

The biz announced its June 9 soft opening via 

, and the community showed up to support. We got there on the second day of soft opening around 11:40 a.m., and there was already a line outside the burger spot.

Note: Boarded Up will announce its hours for the day via social media; for the past two days, the biz has been open from 12 to 9 p.m. or until sold out.

[{"type":"text","text":"So, here’s what you need to know:"}]

Right now, only in-person ordering is accepted (no online ordering yet). When we stood in line, we were given a menu to look at. The menu is currently more limited and different from the one from Chubbies Burgers, but you’ll find some familiar flavors.

While there are a few tables for dine-in inside Boarded Up, the spot is more conducive to takeout. There are a few tables outside the eatery as well.

You’ll still find sides like Chubbies signature crinkle-cut fries ($5), which are always crispy and cooked with 100% trans-fat free, highly sustainable rice bran oil. Eating them was like greeting a long-lost friend — just as good, if not better, than what you remembered. Some fries are worth standing in line for.

If you want to take your fries to the next level, you can add a sauce for $1 more. Choose from 1950 sauce, garlic sesame aioli or Carolina Dijonnaise; the latter comes highly recommended. It reminded us of creamy Thousand Island and was positively addictive.  

You could also opt to bring the heat to your meal with spicy garlic fries ($8), complete with Spicy Nashville sauce, fresh garlic and garlic-sesame aioli.

All burgers come on soft potato buns — featuring Chubbies’ house recipe — that are baked fresh locally. You can opt for a single ($8-$10) or double ($12-$14).

There are currently four burger options — O.P. style, Carolina onion, The 1950 and a cheeseburger.

If you’ve been craving a Chubbies’ smashburger since the eatery closed in its original Kaimukī spot on Feb. 1, go for The 1950 ($10), which is described on the menu as “the bad boy version of a Chubbies’ classic.”

The smashed beef patty is topped with American cheese, housemade red onion relish, shredded lettuce, tomato and 1950 sauce. It’s simple, flavorful and comforting. The smashburger still boasts that signature, crispy, caramelized crust and flavorful patty that the eatery is known for.

If you want something with more texture, opt for the O.P. Style — smashed beef patty with American cheese, grilled onions, housemade hot pickles and garlic-sesame aioli — or Carolina Onion, complete with thin-sliced griddled onions.

When it comes to pucker power, this lemonade ($5) delivers. Cold and sour, it was refreshing after a savory burger — but if you’re on the fence about tart flavors, you might want to get the POG lemonade instead.

I was craving a Ghirardelli chocolate milkshake ($8), but alas, it wasn’t available during my visit. Neither were Chubbies new premium vanilla soft serve or Cali fries (topped with American cheese, grilled onions, 1950 sauce and diced pickles), which will be coming soon to the menu … and gives me another excuse to go back.

Boarded Up sign 061125

<title>Chubbies Hawaiʻi is back as Boarded Up Burgers</title>

The new smashburger concept soft opened in the former Hokkaido Ramen spot with a revamped menu and support from the Kaimukī community.

Chubbies Hawaiʻi is back as Boarded Up Burgers

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Entertainment

Arts & Culture

Looking for some weekend fun? Aloha State Daily compiled this list of upcoming activities.

. The USS Missouri Memorial Association, which handles the preservation of the vessel, is hosting a new Aloha Friday program for families with keiki between the ages of six and 11 years old. Families can explore the second deck to find markers connected to the ship’s history. The USS Missouri served in World War II, the Korean War and Desert Storm. The vessel was also the site of Japan’s formal surrender in Tokyo Bay on Sept. 2, 1945. This event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Friday until July 25.

 is back on Oʻahu this week. This Waimea-based shop is at Ka Makana Aliʻi in a former restaurant space between Panda Express and Earl. Select a hat of your choice and get it branded with custom designs or initials.

Designer and owner Chaz Lindsey Kamauu created the brand to honor his family’s paniolo legacy, while also giving customers an experience that speaks to their own.

A giant ʻumeke so large that people can gather inside of it for healing prayer, meditation and conversations has arrived at Kapolei Hale in West Oʻahu. It was created by artist 

for the Hawaiʻi Triennial 2025, which is the state’s largest thematic exhibit of contemporary art on view for 78 days on Oʻahu, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island. The ʻumeke was originally on display at Honolulu Hale, through Friday, June 6. It opened at Kapolei Hale on Thursday, June 12. 

The Super Saxophone Series continues with a concert at 6 p.m. at Hawaiian Brian’s Crossroads. The featured performer is Brandon Fields, who has performed with Elton John, Quincy Jones, Al Jarreau, Luther Vandross, Earth Wind & Fire and more. His music is featured on movie soundtracks and earned a Grammy Award for Latin Album of the year in 2002. 

Keola Beamer and the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra. 

Looking for live music? The world-renowned slack-key guitar player Keola Beamer and special guest Jeff Peterson join the symphony for this performance at 7:30 p.m. at Hawaiʻi Theatre. Moanalani Beamer will perform hula. 

Ward Village celebrates Founder’s Day. 

Enjoy a walk-through butterfly encounter tent, make a lei or participate in native planting activities. Ward Village is hosting its fifth annual Founder’s Day celebration at Victoria Ward Park. The family friendly event is an invitation to connect with nature and includes hands-on activities and cultural experiences. There will also be live music by Alx Kawakami, food from Middle Eats, and refreshments from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. All activities, which run 10 a.m. to noon, are complimentary, while supplies last. Guests will also receive a ticket to Foster Botanical Garden. 

Reporter Kelli Shiroma Braiotta shared some places to take dads this Sunday, June 15. Karaoke plus ono grindz — including barbecue and steaks — are on the menu. Read where to go for Father’s Day, 

Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra and a retiring legend. 

 is set to retire — but you still have a chance to hear her play! 

 has been playing harp for more than four decades. She is being recognized at the Masterworks concert finale featuring Brahms Symphony No. 1. 

Butterfly

<title>Eight things to do on Oʻahu this weekend: Friday, June 13, to Sunday, June 15</title>

Aloha State Daily rounded up some fun things to do this weekend. From a butterfly tent at Ward Village to a scavenger hunt at Battleship Missouri Memorial, there are plenty of activities to keep the family busy this Father’s Day weekend.

Eight things to do on Oʻahu this weekend: Friday, June 13, to Sunday, June 15

 opened last year, I was elated. The cozy musubi café — designed for dine in or takeout — reminded me of musubi shops that you find in Japan. The café specializes in made-to-order musubi made with freshly milled Tsuyahime rice from Yamagata prefecture in Japan, an original salt and high-quality Japanese nori.

The café recently introduced a new breakfast menu, which is available for dine-in only from 8 to 10:30 a.m. The café’s regular menu is still available during this time, so you can still get its popular grilled musubi and handrolls.

The breakfast menu has three options, but each is customizable. The most popular one is the musubi plate ($11.95) — Gohan is a musubi café, after all — and includes your choice of two musubi, miso soup or pork miso soup (additional $2), and two kinds of appetizers with tsukemono.

Salmon and tuna mayonnaise musubi are the most popular flavors, but other options include shio, mentaiko, saba, konbu, bonito flake and ikura (additional $2).

I love the café’s miso soup — it’s comforting and always served piping hot — but if you want a heartier option, try the special pork miso soup.

The dashi chazuke plate ($9.95) is a unique option with your choice of ochazuke — umehijiki (a combo of hijiki seaweed and pickled plums), salmon ikura (additional $2.95) or unagi (additional $3.95) — served with two types of appetizers with tsukemono. Perfect for a rainy morning — or when you just want Japanese comfort food — this dish features cooked rice with dashi (Japanese soup stock) on the side that you can pour into the bowl at your leisure.

I’m a huge fan of the salmon ikura ochazuke — the salmon is moist and the ikura adds refreshing bursts of flavor. If you’re looking for something more savory, opt for the unagi ochazuke.

The musubi rice combo ($6.95) will satisfy those craving a simple breakfast option. This set includes Gohan’s musubi rice served with miso soup or pork miso soup (additional $2), along with tsukemono, mentaiko and konbu. The tsukemono, mentaiko and konbu are served in small side dishes so you can add them to your bowl of steaming rice at your leisure.

Gohan also offers a variety of a la carte side dishes you can add to your breakfast sets. Options include natto ($2.50), kimchi ($2.50), Portuguese sausage ($2.75) and TKG egg sets ($3.75), or tamago kake Gohan. We’re huge fans of the latter, which is a popular Japanese dish featuring a raw egg designed to mix with hot rice and drizzle with soy sauce. It’s a satisfying breakfast option in and of itself, and a great add-on if you have some extra rice leftover.

I’m glad Gohan’s regular menu is still available during its breakfast hours. While the café offers cold brews ($5.75) and matcha lattes ($5.95), its Vietnamese coffee ($6.25) is my go-to. It’s a smooth, creamy combo of cold brew and condensed milk — which will be extra satisfying after a savory musubi breakfast and ideal for adding a jolt of energy to your day.

The café validates parking inside Interstate Building (30 minute validation per $25 purchase).

Breakfast available from 8-10:30 a.m. daily (closed Sundays)

Gohan breakfast spread 060925

<title>A new breakfast menu is available at this gourmet musubi café</title>

Gohan’s new breakfast includes musubi plates, ochazuke and more.

A new breakfast menu is available at this gourmet musubi café

At $110 per person — and with BYOB — 

 boasts one of the most affordable omakase experiences in town. The eatery is usually closed on Sundays, but will be open specially on Father’s Day (hint, hint, great idea if dad loves sushi).

Dinner is from 5 to 9 p.m., and there’s no set time for the omakase. There are about 13 courses in the omakase experience (if you count the nigiri pieces as one course).

The omakase starts with salad with sesame dressing, marinated aji with pickled onions and carrots, and chutoro ‘ahi nachos with “Yum Yum sauce.” The salad is a refreshing starter — I couldn’t get enough of the creamy sesame dressing — and the chutoro ‘ahi nachos are an explosion of flavor. The creamy, fatty chutoro is a nice contrast to the crispy chip.

Next comes one of chef’s signature dishes — unagi with avocado, cream cheese, uni and caviar. The cream cheese sounds like an unexpected ingredient, but the combination works well. The indulgent uni and caviar take this piece to the next level.

Next come steamed clams and octopus carpaccio. Ii explains that the fresh octopus is from Hokkaido, and it’s served with tomatoes and garlic. It’s refreshing and flavorful, and garlic lovers will especially be a huge fan of it.

Chawamushi — a steamed egg custard — is served before the sashimi and sushi courses. This version boasts a generous amount of seafood with scallop, shrimp and crab.

Every diner gets a petite sashimi platter with pieces of chutoro, kampachi, salmon and snow crab. Chutoro is always my favorite, but the snow crab is a unique offering. 

The salmon dish features a smoking presentation that’s social media-worthy. I enjoyed the smoky flavor, and the salmon itself was buttery and moist.

The highlight of the course is the nigiri — kinmedai, maguro, shima aji with yuzu kosho, Hokkaido uni and ikura and anago (sea eel). While all the pieces were tasty, the Hokkaido uni with ikura was my favorite.

The meal concludes with miso soup and yuzu sherbet for dessert. The restaurant is currently accepting reservations for Father’s Day.

Open for dinner from 5-9 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, closed Sundays (except for Father’s Day)

Sushi You sashimi 060525

<title>Sushi You’s affordable omakase experience is available for Father’s Day</title>

The eatery is usually closed on Sundays, but will be open for the holiday.

Sushi You’s affordable omakase experience is available for Father’s Day

Father’s Day is coming up on Sunday, June 15. Whether dad prefers steak, a buffet or seafood, check out these options:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Air Park Karaoke Lounge"}]

: 510 Pi‘ikoi St. (second floor), Honolulu

: In honor of Father’s Day, the business is offering 50% off any room rental on any Thursday during June when you bring your dad (or, if you’re a dad, when you bring your kids). The karaoke lounge recently launched its first zero-proof menu. Signature mocktails include Pink Passion, Melona Bliss, Lychee Dream and Tornado Twist. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Artizen by MW"}]

: This Artizen Feast ($295) is designed to feed six people. It includes Caesar salad, corn and bacon hush puppies, smoked brisket, Andouille sausage, fried butterfish, coleslaw, corn on the cob, cornbread with garlic butter, roasted potatoes and a peanut butter s’mores candy bar for dessert. Preorder deadline is June 12. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Buffet at Hyatt"}]

: Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort and Spa, 2424 Kalākaua Ave., Honolulu

: The Buffet at Hyatt is offering a Father

’s Day brunch ($105 per person) and a Father’s Day dinner ($105 per person). Children ages 5 years and under eat free; children ages 6 to 12 years enjoy 50% off admission. Buffet highlights include rosemary and Hawaiian salt-crusted prime rib with au just and horseradish cream; grilled rack of lamb with mint yogurt; Alaskan snow crab legs; Goosepoint oysters; ‘ahi poke; made-to-order temaki handrolls; crab meat frittata; roasted Hawaiian kampachi with ponzu; pipikaula poke; a chocolate fountain; Oreo cheesecake with caramel drizzle and more. 

: June 15; brunch (seatings 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.) and dinner (seatings at 5 and 7 p.m.)

: Enjoy a variety of specials during Father’s Day weekend, including a smoked beer-brined Cornish hen finished with the eatery’s dry rub and served with cornbread and two sides ($27); burger and beer special with one side and a 16-ounce beer ($22); and Lagerita, which is a margarita made in a 32-ounce mug and topped with a Modelo ($15). The burger and beer special features a Three Little Pigs burger, a combo of a beef patty with spicy pork sausage and pulled pork, topped with two strips of bacon in a brioche bun. The eatery will also have a Father’s Day raffle for a mug filled with goodies for Dad; customers must spend $75 at Dixie Grill during the first two weeks of June to be eligible. The winner will be announced on June 15. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Hy’s Steak House"}]

: This Father’s Day brunch buffet ($150 per guest, $75 for children ages 6 to 12 years, free admission for children ages 5 years and under) includes everything from Hy’s signature Caesar salad, dynamite ‘ahi poke and oysters on the half shell to smoked salmon eggs Benedict, Hy’s slow-roasted prime rib, marinated flank steak, steamed snow crab and banana fosters flambe for dessert. Note: a 1.5 hour dining time will be enforced. 

: June 15, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (last seating at 1 p.m.) 

: Royal Hawaiian Center, 2233 Kalākaua Ave., Building B Level 2, Honolulu

: Enjoy a limited-time selection of Father’s Day desserts, including a Father’s Day beer roll ($17.50) — an airy chocolate roll cake shaped like a beer mug — and Father’s Day Beard bear puff ($6.50). The latter features a decorated chocolate cream puff with a bearded bear motif. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"MW Restaurant"}]

: This MW Feast ($695) is designed to feed 6 to 8 people. It includes ‘ahi poke nachos, crab cakes, truffle mushroom arancini, ginger chicken salad, seafood boil (lobster, shrimp and clams, sausage, corn and potatoes), Brandt Brand prime rib with au jus and wasabi sour cream, roasted vegetables, and an 8-inch Hibiki Japanese whiskey “dream cake.” Pre-order deadline is June 12. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Quiora Waikīkī"}]

: The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikīkī Beach, 383 Kālaimoku St., Honolulu 

: This Father’s Day brunch buffet ($125 per guest, $63 for children ages 6-12 years, free admission for keiki ages 5 years and under) includes slow-roasted prime rib, crispy Mountain View Farms pork belly, smoked baby back ribs, Pacific oysters, king crab tails, snow crab claws, doughnut ice cream sandwiches, apple banana croissant bread pudding with crème anglaise and more. Guests can enjoy a two-hour dining period. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Sushi You"}]

: 1296 S. Beretania St. Ste. 103, Honolulu 

: Sushi You is usually closed on Sundays, but will be open on Father’s Day and offering its omakase ($110 per person). The omakase features around 13 courses, including chutoro ‘ahi nachos, octopus carpaccio, smoked salmon with lotus root, assorted sashimi and a variety of nigiri. The eatery is BYOB. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Wolfgang’s Steakhouse"}]

: Royal Hawaiian Center, 2301 Kalākaua Ave., Honolulu 

: This Waikīkī steakhouse is offering a Father’s Day Prime Rib-eye dinner. The prix fixe ($150 per person) Father’s Day menu includes a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, Wolfgang’s signature extra thick slice of bacon, a 24-26 ounce Prime bone-in rib-eye steak, and sides of mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. 

Fathers Day part 1 Dixie Grill 060525

<title>Where to go on Father’s Day 2025 – part 1</title>

Treat dad to unforgettable dining experiences.

Where to go on Father’s Day 2025 – part 1

Arrasmith Portrait

Perry Arrasmith has been navigating the historical complexities of Hawai‘i since his early childhood days on Center Street in Kaimukī. Born in southern Illinois and raised on O‘ahu, Perry earned a Bachelor's in History from Harvard University before returning home to earn a Master's of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. In his free time, he enjoys searching for strawberry guava in the hills of ʻAiea. The views expressed are his own. 

<title>Perry Arrasmith</title>

Perry Arrasmith

Hawaii History

He served two terms at a pivotal moment in Hawai‘i history, now his official portrait is in storage. Who was he and what happened to his legacy?

Perry Arrasmith

Latest from Perry Arrasmith

Hawai‘i's forgotten governor

More from our columnists