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Rick Hamada

Government & Politics

If you ever needed confirmation that our political condition in America is fractured look no further than President Donald J. Trump's recent State of the Union address.

Although not spoken by him I can summarize his speech by simply saying, "The state of our union is broken due to the Democrats hatred of me and my administration."

I have witnessed States of the Union addresses dating back to January of 1980 with President Jimmy Carter reporting that American hostages remain in Iran and Russia was poised for an invasion of Afghanistan. In his speech he proclaimed he would not support sending an Olympic team to compete in Moscow. Now I understand unanimity regarding threats to national defense and bringing home American hostages. Both sides, Republicans and Democrats, applauded his statements including priorities to resolve pressing national issues.

However, the decision to boycott the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics was controversial then and remains so today. The debate about the possible U.S. boycott was heated and animated with American opinion divided. So you can imagine what the reaction was in the 1980 joint session of congress.

[{"type":"text","text":"Brace yourself."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"It was respectful."}]

Yes, respectful. I know for some of the younger generations this word may be lost on you when contemplating current political conditions.

In those moments, and throughout Carter's speech, there was bilateral support and if there were points of disagreement and opposition you wouldn't really be able to tell because congressmen comported themselves befitting their roles and positions. They are sitting representatives of the United States of America and come hell or high water they were gonna act that way.

[{"type":"text","text":"Fast forward to today."}]

Here are two of the statements that elicited boorish response from Democrats in attendance. And, yes, I mean attendance since over 50 Democrats boycotted the president and his State of the Union address. Yet again another demonstration of disrespect and, well, immaturity.

[{"type":"text","text":"Oh, right, statements."}]

"When I last spoke in this chamber 12 months ago, I had just inherited a nation in crisis. Today, our border is secure, our spirit is restored, inflation is plummeting, incomes are rising fast, the economy is roaring, our enemies are scared, our military and police are stacked, and America is respected again — perhaps like never before."

"The Somali pirates who ransacked Minnesota remind us that there are large parts of the world where bribery, corruption, and lawlessness are the norm, not the exception. Importing these cultures through unrestricted immigration and open borders brings those problems right here, to the USA – and it is the American people who pay the price, in higher medical bills, car insurance rates, rent, taxes, and perhaps most importantly, crime. We will take care of this problem."

I stated earlier that if you wanted confirmation that our political condition in America is fractured then look no further than the State of the Union address.

Perhaps the most unsettling aspect is the vitriol that was spewed by democrat congressional members that was galvanized by actions and not words.

[{"type":"text","text":"The sitting on hands."}]

When you agree with a president and support a comment it's traditional that you rise in applause regardless of party.

The most impactful demonstration of the great divide between parties occurred when President Trump shared stories regarding illegal immigration:

"And yesterday, as you probably saw at the White House, I hosted a ceremony with Americans who lost their treasured loved ones to the scourge of illegal immigration. People came into our country — how we allowed this to happen with our open borders. These are the Angel Moms and Families that for decades our government betrayed and our media totally ignored — totally.

"It was terrible, hard to believe actually. In 2023, a 16-year-old high school cheerleader named Lizbeth Medina was supposed to perform in her town's Christmas parade, but she never arrived. Her mother Jacqueline went home to look for her and she found her lying dead in a bathtub bleeding profusely after being stabbed 25 times.

"Lizbeth's killer was a previously arrested illegal alien who had broken in and brutally — just brutally extinguished the brightest light in her family's life, violently and viciously. Her heartbroken mother is in the gallery to remind everyone in this chamber exactly why we are deporting illegal alien criminals from our country at record numbers and we're getting them the hell out of here fast.

[{"type":"text","text":"\"We don't want them.\""}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Then the president asked this question."}]

"One of the great things about the State of the Union is how it gives Americans the chance to see clearly what their Representatives really believe.

"So, tonight, I'm inviting every legislator to join along with my administration in reaffirming a fundamental principle. If you agree with this statement, then stand up and show your support.

"The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens."

The resounding applause as GOP members jumped to their feet in affirmation was the loudest and most sustained ovation of the evening.

President Trump acknowledged the raucous response and smiled. He then turned his attention to the Democrat side.

The camera captured images of democrat lawmakers sitting in cold silence. Expressionless. Seemingly indifferent. Other angles showed some who were agitated and scowling projecting their opposition to exactly what the president proposed.

They sat and glared as the applause continued with chants of "U.S.A." One very simple political position that the Legislative and Executive branches could agree upon, right?

That one moment was an opportunity to stand in unity assuring the citizens of our nation that despite our differences we can affirm our allegiance to their citizenship, to their lives and that we collectively put America first.

The president truly looked incredulous. He cocked his head at an angle looking at the seated and surly democrat members communicating a "No, really?" non-verbal message.

[{"type":"text","text":"That was followed by an abject look of disappoint as he said, "}]

"Isn't that a shame? You should be ashamed of yourself, not standing up. You should be ashamed of yourself. That is why I'm also asking you to end deadly sanctuary cities that protect the criminals and enact serious penalties for public officials who block the removal of criminal aliens, in many cases, drug lords, murderers all over our country."

[{"type":"text","text":"It was the most amazing yet unsettling political moment."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"And it confirms that our political nation is truly divided."}]

This counterproductive and borderline inertia ridden representation by leaders who have sworn an oath to serve this nation are succumbing to harmful partisanship.

If we don't fix and repair this broken foundation, we will no longer be able to claim the United States is the greatest nation on Earth.

[{"type":"text","text":"Stop sitting on your hands, stop the playground bullying and get to it."}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"italic"}],"text":" "}]

Trump state of union Getty Images 2263427166

<title>Hamada: State of the Union — fractured</title>

We're looking at a Congress in which one party would rather sit on its hands than stand or applaud the most basic decencies or functions of government.

Hamada: State of the Union — fractured

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Business & Tourism

Arts & Entertainment

The transportation company Roberts Hawaiʻi will open Limelight Hawaiʻi, a new entertainment venue focused on the kamaʻāina market next month, Roy E. Pfund, the company’s president and CEO, told Aloha State Daily. The venue, which was once Hawaiian Hut, is located on the grounds of the Ala Moana Hotel and will soft open on March 20.

Originally, Roberts Hawai’i purchased the venue as a place for its long-running show, Magic of Polynesia, which had been at the Waikīkī Beachcomber by Outrigger hotel. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, that show closed, and Roberts Hawaiʻi decided to reimagine the space as one that could serve kama’āina.

Limelight Hawaiʻi is a 6,000-square foot space designed to accommodate weddings, corporate events, fashion shows, and high-level night club entertainment. It can fit up to 700 guests with a stage and 400 guests with table service. The space can accommodate just under 900 with no furniture, he said. The total investment — including buying the space — was about $15 million, Pfund said.

“We're really focusing on the kamaʻāina market,” he said. “And from the history part of how Covid impacted our company —  everything got shut down on the tourism side, and it took a while to build back — I think that was one of the main reasons why we looked at shifting to diversify our base, seeking a greater portion of our business outside the direct tourism industry.”

Roberts Hawaiʻi offers transportation packages to popular tourism attractions on Oʻahu, Maui, Hawaiʻi Island and Kauaʻi, including natural sites, such as 

, and events, such as Germaine’s Lūʻau and Chief’s Lūʻau in Kapolei. The company also operates 

Roberts Hawaiʻi is still in the “hiring mode” for this venue, Pfund added. Eventually, he expects between 50 and 60 employees will be working at this space.

“One of the good things is we do have a large employee base because we're an employee-owned company, an ESOP [employee stock ownership plan] company,” he said. “Hopefully, we can draw on some of the existing employee base, as well, to fill in. Because you have events when you may need a lot of people, and then other days, you're going to need less people, so I think that does help provide some staffing flexibility for us.”

has a 4K LED screen, lights and a sound system. Kalani Rodrigues of OnStage Hawaiʻi, was a consultant for lighting, he added. For audio, they brought in a person who handles sound for national touring acts.

The space can be used for parties and meetings during the day and pau hana with live entertainment in the evenings, Pfund said. On the weekends, especially Fridays and Saturdays, Roberts Hawaiʻi may also bring back some kind of nightclub entertainment, he added. There will also be brunches for special holidays, such as Mother’s Day.

The executive chef for Limelight Hawaiʻi is Jim Gillespie. He brings more than 30 years of experience across Hawaiʻi’s hospitality industry, including executive leadership roles at 3660 on the Rise, Plaza Club, and Sunset Bar & Grill. Jeff Marcello has been named the venue’s general manager. 

“Limelight Hawaiʻi brings together the highest-quality audio and production technology available in a venue of this kind in Hawaii,” said Marcello, in a written statement. “But technology is only part of the story. We set out to create a truly versatile space where live music, conferences, weddings and corporate events are not only supported — but elevated. That same philosophy carries through our menus, which fuse island-inspired flavors with modern favorites, thoughtfully extended into our culinary offerings, craft cocktails, and beverage program. The result is a gathering place designed to flex with the needs of our community, giving both locals and visitors a reason to think of Limelight first for their next celebration.”

The venue has already broadcast its first Super Bowl for an internal audience, and the halftime show; with the volume turned up, it sounded like a concert, Pfund said.

“We did our own Super Bowl preview,” Pfund said. “It works great, showing the Super Bowl on that big screen — that type of thing is what we really are looking at doing. Providing really the opportunity for more kamaʻāina events. So, our focus really is on the local market, as opposed to creating a showroom for some kind of tourist show or that type of thing.”

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Limelight Hawai’i

<title>Roberts Hawaiʻi to open new entertainment venue</title>

The space is a $15 million investment, designed for weddings, corporate events, fashion shows, pau hana, nightclub entertainment, and more. Roberts Hawaiʻi plans to use the space — formerly known as Hawaiian Hut — to offer events that appeal to kamaʻāina.

Roberts Hawaiʻi to open new entertainment venue

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

Girls’ Day, or Hinamatsuri, is coming up Tuesday, March 3.

Whether you’re looking for mochi or other limited-time treats, the following are sure to please the girls in your life:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"A Cake Life"}]

: These Sakura sugar cookies ($7) are available for a limited time. 

: Available for purchase and pick-up until March 3

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Choco le‘a"}]

: This dessert shop’s March specials include:

: Available for pre-order; treats will be in store starting Feb. 27 

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

: Fujiya Hawaiʻi is offering a variety of treats for Girls’ Day. Choose from:

: Pick-ups and walk-ins available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 2; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 3

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Hokulani Bake Shop"}]

: The dessert shop will offer Sakura-shaped cookie and a four-pack of cupcakes ($23). Cupcake flavors include red velvet, vanilla buttercream, guava and chocolate buttercream; no substitutions on flavors are accepted.  

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

: Eaton Square, 438 Hobron Lane Ste. 102, Honolulu

: This Girls’ Day strawberry shortcake ($44.50) is designed to serve four to six people. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"La Palme D’or"}]

: Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu

: The dessert shop is offering specialty cakes with seasonal decorations for Girl’s Day. Choose from strawberry shortcake (6-inch cake $58, 7-inch cake $70, 8-inch cake $90) and raspberry mousse cakes (7-inch cake $65). 

: This online business is offering a three-pack strawberry set ($8), Sakura sweet box ($15) and assorted sweet set ($3). All treats are available in dark or white chocolate or matcha flavors. 

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

: 1111 Dillingham Blvd. No. 101, Honolulu

: The eatery is featuring a Girl’s Day special ($65). The special menu highlights sushi — featuring 12 pieces of seasonal fish — along with dishes inspired by pearls, peach blossoms and Nobori lanterns. 

Girls Day roundup Fujiya Hawaii 022426

<title>Where to find treats for Girls’ Day 2026</title>

Whether you’re looking for mochi or specialty desserts, we’ve got you covered.

Where to find treats for Girls’ Day 2026

The business’s second store is located in Kāhala — specifically Kāhala Korner, the same plaza where 

The new store — which is in the former Subway space — will be open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Due to its size, this location is more conducive to takeout.

While this store is smaller than the business’s Downtown Honolulu location, it includes some of its most popular features.

Customers can take advantage of the store’s smoothie machine and DIY ramen machine. Smoothies ($4.99 each) come in flavors like acai; strawberry and banana; and blueberry, strawberry and banana.

Customers can also choose from the extensive ramen selection, then use the machines to cook their ramen.

The store also features a large selection of grab-and-go hot and cold foods.

Hot foods include fried mandoo ($3.39), potato corndogs ($3.49), and tornado potatoes ($3.49). The latter — which features a crispy, spiral-cut potato on a stick — is a customer favorite.

Cold options include sweet and savory sandwiches, musubi, and kimbap.

Similar to its Downtown Honolulu location, this store offers a variety of assorted snacks and customizable drinks.

Customers can also find CU Hawaiʻi  x Sig Zane merch, along with popular Korean skincare products.

CU Hawaii Kahala sign 022526

<title>CU Hawaiʻi opens in Kāhala</title>

The Korean convenience store just opened its second location in Kāhala Korner, the same plaza as Kapa Hale and Olive Tree Café. The store opened in the former Subway space, and while not as big as the brand’s Downtown Honolulu location, it includes some of its most popular features.

CU Hawaiʻi opens in Kāhala

Lopaka and Tanya Kapanui

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya Kapanui

Hawaii History

For many of us, recollections of Paradise Park in Mānoa evoke memories of school field trips and weekend adventures with the family. Walking down the spiral entrance and finding your way through the maze, you might have seen a couple getting married in the gardens. Large bird cages held all sorts of tropical birds that chirped and squawked as you passed. Quite often, a gentle rain cooled you off as you followed the pathways, and then the mist gave way to sunshine once more.

Although the park closed in 1994, the property hasn’t been completely abandoned. The main building holds offices and a visitor’s center with a snack shop, restrooms, and activity rooms. The Halau features a gallery with numerous works by local artists and is available for meetings and events, such as instructional classes or storytelling events. Next to the Halau, the Classroom with its mirror-lined walls, is a hub for diverse dance classes, featuring weekly, in-person sessions that include Scottish Country Dancing, international folk dance, ‘Ori Tahiti (Tahitian dance), and more.

Visitors who hike the Mānoa Falls Trail will find a place to use the restroom, grab a snack, and relax a bit in the visitor’s center. And if you’re lucky enough to run into Aunty Pua, she might have time to tell you about the hauntings in the area.

Down in the park below the main building, nature has moved in, covering nearly everything with vines, mold, and moss. The gardens have all grown over the asphalt paths, leaving narrow, vague remnants of walkways. The remaining buildings in the park are now unstable, often damaged by fallen branches, and their walls are rotted by the continuous moisture of the valley. Fallen trees are left where they fell, no one remaining to clean them up.

Yet the quiet that settled over the grounds was never complete. Long after the birds were gone and the gates closed, caretakers began to speak of strange happenings. In a valley already steeped in legend, it wasn’t long before Paradise Park earned a reputation not just as a place of fond remembrance, but as a place where something still walks after dark.

According to Aunty Pua, a maintenance manager used to see a column of smoke in the mornings, moving down the pathway. He swears it wasn’t mist that often settles in the valley. This smoke seemed to move with a purpose. In another instance, a groundskeeper was catching chickens by the amphitheater one day when something grabbed him from behind and slammed him to the ground, holding him there. When he was finally able to get up, no one was around him. Night marchers are often said to appear as moving columns of smoke or mist, and one is advised to lie face down while in their presence.

Film crews working on productions such as Lost

and Hawaiʻi Five-0 also reported unsettling poltergeist activity around their food service areas. One incident, centered on a catering truck parked near the park’s amphitheater, so frightened the crew that they refused to return to that location. 

Upstairs in the restaurant, personnel would make a point of leaving by 10 p.m. If they dared to stay any later, they would experience the stoves and lights turning on and off by themselves. Some say it was almost like a “last call” or a “hurry up and leave” signal. Film productions that used the restaurant reported hearing giggling from a girl, and numerous workers saw a woman with wild hair and crazy eyes.

Even the parking lot is not without its own share of hauntings. As the site of several deaths due to accidents and suicides, people have claimed to see dark figures moving in the shadows.

In that dark parking lot, I had a brief conversation with a friend of mine by the name of Dexter Lum. He was the man whom I referred to as my “Sifu” in the craft of Freemasonry. Dexter had reached the height of all levels that a practitioner could reach in our fraternity, except that of the Grandmaster of all masons in the state. But even without the title of a Grandmaster, Dexter still held a measure of influence within the craft. However, when Dexter was in Blue Lodge, he was simply my Sifu, and he helped me understand the particulars of what is required to become proficient in my degree work as a Freemason.

Several years ago, Dexter Lum was killed in a tragic car accident in that same parking lot. I can’t say for sure that Dexter is stuck in that location due to the trauma of his death, but the fact that I had a conversation with his consciousness, his soul, his entity, whatever you want to call it, means that his ghost or spirit is cognizant to a degree. However, he may not be fully aware that he has passed. 

More than a few people have felt an unnerving presence in the lot at night. One of the former restaurant managers used to leave flowers as offerings in the parking lot to appease the spirits, hoping they would leave the restaurant alone.

Today, Paradise Park stands suspended between memory and mystery. What was once a place of celebration and song now rests quietly beneath a canopy of trees, overtaken by the forest. Whether the strange occurrences are echoes of the past or simply imagination, the valley has always carried a spiritual weight that demands respect.

But keep in mind that the park below the main building is closed to the public. There is no circumstance under which anyone is permitted to enter the abandoned grounds without the express permission of the property owners. While the stories may be intriguing and the atmosphere undeniably eerie, the structures are unstable, the terrain hazardous, and the risks very real. Paradise Park may be haunted, but it’s also very dangerous.

We invite you to visit Paradise Park, have a snack, explore the art gallery, and talk story with Aunty Pua, if you can catch her. She’ll almost always have a ghost story for you.

As she mentioned before, “I’d better be careful what I say.  Activity has been quietly increasing lately.”

Footbridge at Paradise Park Large

<title>More paranormal activity at Paradise Park</title>

Paradise Park stands suspended between memory and mystery. On one hand, the visitor center reasons open and lively, even if the majority of the park closed  years ago. As for the rest of the property, what was once a place of celebration and song now rests quietly beneath a canopy of trees, overtaken by the forest. Whether the strange occurrences are echoes of the past or simply imagination, the valley has always carried a spiritual weight that demands respect.

More paranormal activity at Paradise Park

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

A pair of historic rivals in Hawai‘i and BYU took the floor on an eerie March night in 2020, thrilling a sold-out Stan Sheriff Center crowd with five sets of elite volleyball. The Rainbow Warriors prevailed that night, sending fans home eager for the next home match. 

Days later, the season was called off due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 'Bows went on to win the program's first national championship in 2021, sweeping BYU in the NCAA finals, but played their entire home slate without fans in attendance due to local laws at the time. 

For the first time since March 2020, UH is set to host BYU at the Stan Sheriff Center for a pair of matches on Wednesday and Friday. Both contests begin at 7 p.m., and 

Asked about what he remembers from the last time the Cougars were in town, Hawai‘i head coach Charlie Wade recalls the whirlwind that followed. He was also appreciative of the fan atmosphere and hopes to replicate that this week.

"We didn't know it was going to be it for a while. They handed it to us pretty good on the first night, and then we got them back in five the second night," Wade said. "It's always a big rivalry when we play BYU, whether it's at our place or their place. That was an odd time (in 2020), and they shut down the whole season. We kept thinking, maybe we play later that year, but just thrilled to have a quality opponent back in here, and hopefully we can show them another sold-out crowd."

The first time the 'Bows and Cougars met since the 2021 national title match was a series in Provo in 2025. UH took both matches, led by the efforts of 

. As Titriyski continues to bounce back from an injury, Kainoa Wade, Charlie's son, has emerged as the team's leading attacker. 

Kainoa Wade, who estimates he was a 5-foot-10 middle schooler when BYU was in town in 2020, is now a towering 6-foot-10 sophomore opposite who has a team-high 123 kills for the Rainbow Warriors in 2026. 

"Obviously I'm excited," he said. "I think the last time BYU played here is right before COVID, with (former college men's volleyball stars) Gabi (Garcia Fernandez) and Rado (Parapunov) and those guys. I was a little chubby kid in the stands, so now being able to play in those matches, I'm stoked."

BYU was initially not on Hawai‘i's schedule in 2026, but the 

cancellation of an NIL tournament set to feature the 'Bows caused UH to pivot

. Despite not playing in the NIL tournament this year, a portion of the ticket sales this week will go toward the program's NIL fund. Another initial feature of Hawai‘i's 2026 schedule was zero home matches in February, which changes with BYU in town on Wednesday and Friday. 

"Obviously we're bummed to not be able to play against the USCs, the UCLAs, the Long Beaches, but BYU is up to par with those teams," Kainoa Wade said. "We're excited, especially getting to play in the the Stan Sheriff again."

The latest AVCA national collegiate men's volleyball poll has the Rainbow Warriors (12-1) ranked third in the country, while BYU (13-2) is ranked No. 6. Both teams will enter Wednesday's match winners of nine straight. Instead of scheduling another bye week, the 'Bows decided it would be best to challenge themselves and are now set to play for nine consecutive weeks, starting on Wednesday. 

"Definitely an exciting time of the year and this week kicks it off," Charlie Wade said. "BYU is playing at a really high level. They've won nine straight matches without dropping a set, and it'll be a big challenge. Every week going forward, it's going to be more of the same."

A lot has changed for Wade and his program since 2020. Back then, Hawai‘i didn't have a national title to its name but went on to win in 2021 and 2022. In evaluating his 2026 squad, Wade sees a team that's hungry to get back to the top of the sport. 

"That team was destined to win. I think we would have won in '20 and obviously won again in '21 and '22. I think this team's on the same kind of trajectory," he said. "They got to go out and prove it as all teams do. But I think they're recognizing that we literally are not just one of the best teams, but could be the best team."

Hawaii MVB 022426

<title>Hawai‘i men's volleyball reignites BYU rivalry on short notice</title>

The Rainbow Warriors will play at the Stan Sheriff Center for the first time in over a month, welcoming back a historic rival to the Islands.

Hawai‘i men's volleyball reignites BYU rivalry on short notice

Higa headshot white shirt square

 is a servant of Christ, husband, and father to four. As founding executive director of Housing Hawai‘i’s Future, Sterling helped pass Hawai‘i’s most significant statewide housing reforms in 40 years. Previously, he was a lecturer and debate coach in the Communications Department at Hawai‘i Pacific University, winning the Golden Apple Award for distinguished teaching. His writings for 

 have been recognized with awards from the Society of Professional Journalists.

Sterling is a Roosevelt High School graduate and holds 

a bachelor's degree in Speech from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and a

 master's degree in education from Harvard University.

<title>Sterling Higa</title>

Sterling Higa

Hawai‘i constantly says it wants economic growth but has been allergic to one thing necessary to make that happen: More people. We need bigger families, not smaller, and to be more welcoming to people moving to the Islands.

Sterling Higa

Latest from Sterling Higa

The growth we say we want in Hawai‘i (but really don't)

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