Letters to the Editor

Columnists

Viewpoints

Opinion

Arrasmith Portrait

Perry Arrasmith

Jack Danilewicz square

Jack Danilewicz

Mike Agcanas, Garrett Leong and Jarrett Silva

SCOUTING AMERICA 062125 EAGLE SCOUT GRADUATION 2025 002

Noah Kalehuawehe

RMHC President and CEO Ed Nishioka

Ed Nishioka

ASD Logo

Michèle McCoy

Child & Family Service authors 002

Amanda Pump and Michael Young, Child & Family Service

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

The Honua Finals, branded as the "World Cup of Interscholastic Surfing," is all set to return for its second competition after debuting in 2024. 

High school surfing teams from around the world converged at Ala Moana Bowls in 2024 and are set to do so again in 2025. Two days of competition will be held next week in a four-day holding period that runs from July 31-Aug. 3. 

On Friday, a luncheon was held at Duke's in Waikīkī to commemorate the second year of the tournament.

Davin Kazama, who organized the Honua Finals along with his daughters Sunny and Maia, was originally motivated to do for a variety of reasons. One of the objectives included giving surfing the platform to become an official high school sport. On July 16, the 

, with state championships set for Spring 2026. 

"It's been super fulfilling. We wanted to help usher in and unify the community voice for surfing to become a high school sport and that happened, and that's incredible. I'm so happy about that," Davin Kazama told Aloha State Daily on Friday. "Another one of the goals was to bring international competition and talent to Hawai‘i, because it's very expensive for Hawaii kids to go out and compete. So for that all to come to fruition, I'm just very happy for the kids, and just so thankful to our community."

Schools from O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i, the Big Island, California, Japan and New Zealand will be among the 25 schools competing in the 2025 Honua Finals. 

"It's going to be high-end talent, high-end competition, but we're really here to celebrate how surfing connects us all. Last year's event, everybody made great connections, built relationships. When they go to New Zealand, when they go to California, they have friends they can surf with," Davin Kazama says. "It's really fun. We're really trying to bring everyone together, make memories and make friends."

Although surfing recently became a high school sport in Hawai‘i, the Honua Finals are here to stay. Davin Kazama says teams from Canada and Japan are already making plans to compete in the 2026 edition. 

"I'm really excited for the opening ceremonies, because that's a great time where the surfers can really start intermingling with each other, meeting each other, and getting excited for the contest," Sunny Kazama said. "And then, of course, the contest days, we're gonna have good waves on the way. I'm just really stoked to just see all of the kids get in the water, have fun and meet new people. We have so many teams from all over, and I think it's a great way to bring the surf community together."

"I'm just excited to see everyone all together, people from all over the world and all different places," added Maia Kazama. "I think it's super cool that even though we're a small island, everyone's gathered here."

Friday's luncheon also served as an opportunity for organizers to thank tournament sponsors, which includes Nike Swim, as well as a bevy of local companies and organizations. 

"It's a lot of work, but it's very uplifting," Davin Kazama said. "We couldn't do anything without our team and our community. Just amazing, amazing support. Teamwork makes the dream work, and that's never been more true than with this contest."

High schools competing in the 2025 Honua Finals:

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"King Kekaulike High School (Maui)"}]

Hawai‘i Academy of Arts & Sciences (Big Island)

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Hosho High School (Japan)"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"‘Iolani (O‘ahu)"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Island School (Kaua‘i)"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Kahuku High School (O‘ahu)"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Kaiser High School (O‘ahu)"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Kalani High School (O‘ahu)"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Kamehameha (O‘ahu)"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Kapa‘a High School (Kaua‘i)"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Kaua‘i High School (Kaua‘i)"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Ke Kula ‘o Samuel M. Kamakau (‘Oahu)"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Kīhei Charter School (Maui)"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Kugenuma High School (Japan)"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Le Jardin Academy (O‘ahu)"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Leilehua High School (O‘ahu)"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Maui Christian Academy (Maui)"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Maui Preparatory Academy (Maui)"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Mito Shogyou High School (Japan)"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Pacific Buddhist Academy (O‘ahu)"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Punahou School (O‘ahu)"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Seabury Hall (Maui)"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Waialua High School (O‘ahu)"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Wai‘anae High School (O‘ahu)"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Whangamata Area School (New Zealand)"}]

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Honua Finals 2024

<title>Honua Finals set to hold world championships again after successful debut</title>

The holding period for the 2025 Honua Finals runs from July 31-Aug. 3 at Ala Moana Bowls.

Honua Finals set to hold world championships again after successful debut

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Government & Politics

Crime & Courts

The Hawai‘i Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is allegedly censoring books available to inmates, claims a human rights group suing the state.

 filed Thursday in U.S. District Court by the Human Rights Defense Center — a non-profit organization that advocates on behalf of U.S. prison inmates — state correctional facilities are blocking books and magazines being mailed to inmates in the state.

Paul Wright, executive director of HRDC, told Aloha State Daily that the organization publishes two monthly magazines, “Prison Legal News” and “Criminal Legal News,” which cover news related to the prison system and criminal rights.

“We’ve been publishing for 35 years and we’ve had subscribers in Hawai‘i for probably 34 years,” Wright said. “What happened was we started getting messages from subscribers saying they weren’t getting their magazines.”

The lawsuit alleges that, between April 2024 and July 2025, DCR has returned 56 items mailed by HRDC to Hawai‘i inmates. Many of those items — books, magazines, brochures and other correspondence — were marked as “UNAUTHORIZED MAIL,” and one was marked “CENSORED.”

DCR reportedly did not provide HRDC any reason for the rejection or a way to challenge or appeal the decision.

 lists a series of criteria that could lead a publication to be banned. These include descriptions of how to build weapons, how to escape prison, how to brew alcohol or make drugs, martial arts guides, sexually explicit material, seditious material, and the like.

The policy also states that, if a publication is rejected or denied, the publisher and inmate will be notified of the rejection, the reason for it, and an appeals process.

The lawsuit notes individual DCR facilities have their own mail procedures, and seven of DCR’s eight facilities have 

 stating that “books, magazines, food items, etc. may not be sent to an inmate.” The exception appears to be Kulani Correctional Facility, the minimum-security prison on Hawai‘i Island, where “there is no restriction on incoming and outgoing mail,” 

Wright said that “as far as [HRDC] can tell,” all mailed publications are being withheld from inmates, not just HRDC magazines.

"Basically, it's everything," said Jeff Portnoy, a Honolulu attorney representing HRDC. "This sort of blanket prohibition is very severe. Of course, there's always some censorship in prisons ... if these had instructions on how to build a bomb, that'd be a different story."

Portnoy — who also represents Aloha State Daily — said he doesn't believe anything in the magazines could be interpreted to violate any of DCR's criteria, but even if they do, DCR's own rules state the department should explain its reasoning. Instead, he said, DCR has not responded to any of HRDC's requests.

“It’s surprising, since we’ve never had problems with Hawai‘i corrections before,” Wright said.

Wright said the censorship is a violation of the First Amendment of the Constitution, and opined that withholding the ability for vulnerable groups to educate themselves is “the sort of thing you see in police states.” The suit also calls DCR’s actions a violation of the Due Process Clause of the 14

The lawsuit names as plaintiffs Tommy Johnson, DCR Director, and Pamela Sturz, DCR’s former deputy director of correctional institutions. Sturz has also 

 DCR for wrongful termination after she was fired in January; she alleged she received discrimination for her sexual orientation, sex and race.

 HRDC calls for DCR’s actions to be declared as unconstitutional, for an injunction prohibiting the department from continuing to violate HRDC’s rights, and unspecified nominal, compensatory and punitive damages.

Wright said HRDC has successfully litigated similar cases against dozens of Mainland prison systems, including in California, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, Illinois and more.

"Everywhere this has been challenged, they've lost," Portnoy said. "You'd think eventually they'd start learning from each other."

[{"type":"text","text":"Portnoy said no court date has yet been set."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"ASD reached out to DCR for comment."}]

Jail 16x9

<title>Publisher sues Hawai‘i prisons for censorship</title>

Suit alleges the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is illegally withholding books and magazines mailed to Hawai‘i inmates

Publisher sues Hawai‘i prisons for censorship

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Aloha Spirit

UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Hawai’i

 opened Jan. 6 as a “shade or covering of protection” for individuals and families seeking assistance. It was named by Kumu Sam 

Ohu Gon and a traditional Hawaiian blessing ceremony took place in March.

For UnitedHealthcare members and non-members alike, the center aims to refer people to subject matter experts and organizations already assisting with services such as health and wellness, including basic hygiene supplies, mental health and substance abuse support, information on health care benefits and coordination with providers. It also offers resources for those in need of food, enrollment in Medicaid and The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), emergency shelter or housing and employment, among other social services. Read the full brochure 

Malu Kou, which is located at 51 N. Hotel St., Suite A, in Chinatown, operates from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

According to Recovery and Resiliency Manager Adrian Contreras, the center to date has served more than 90 unique individuals and families, or about 200 aggregated visitors, with the help of eight community-based organizations

’s advantageous about this spot is that it’s off of 

’s a very high foot-traffic area, you can walk right in, and there’s a lot of social service providers and organizations around here,” Contreras told Aloha State Daily. “Our full-time staff members are generous with their time and energy, welcoming folks and making them feel comfortable. Because of them, we see a lot of members return."

In addition to him, the team also includes Housing Program Manager Roddy Marengo and Member Advocate Kerrian Bennett.

who holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Hawai

UnitedHealthcare for nearly a decade and previously ran Catholic Charities Hawai

 Family Assessment Center, which helped people move into or maintain affordable permanent housing.

For him, the most rewarding part of this job is working with people and helping people “take a load off,” he said, adding, “It

’s intended to be a place of respite – ‘shade from the kou tree.'”

It’s evolved into more of a shared space to talk story. ... 

We see about two-to-eight members per day,” Contreras said. “We want to get to point where every day something is happening here, where we have a new provider come in to satisfy different needs. Right now, our work is grounded in understanding what the needs are.”

Malu Kou is essentially a pilot program envisioned by local UnitedHealthcare leadership and supported by its funding and staff, he said. “I’m not sure if there are any other UnitedHealthcare brick-and-mortar, one-stop-shops like this elsewhere, but I know there’s interest from local leadership to expand office space and to bring this to different communities.”

Contreras added that the idea for the center came shortly after the health plan and others banded together in response to the 2023 Lahaina fire. During the aftermath of the fires, he was a part of UnitedHealthcare’s local outreach team, which provided medical services to anyone, regardless of insurance coverage. 

That’s where the inspiration to have a color-coded whiteboard at Malu Kou came from, with all the services and names/times for the month, said Contreras, whose hope for the future is to fill it with partner names.

Malu Kou Community Connection Center by UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Hawai’i

Address: 51 N. Hotel St., Suite A, Honolulu

Hours: 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

Chinatown Malu Kou 6 23 25

<title>Chinatown resource hub ‘a place of respite’ for those in need</title>

Malu Kou Community Connection Center operated by UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Hawai’i is focused on uplifting community by connecting ʻohana to services for health, housing and more. Its name means "shade from the kou tree" and the local team intends to help individuals "take a load off," says Recovery and Resiliency Manager Adrian Contreras.

Chinatown resource hub ‘a place of respite’ for those in need

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

 is iconic. On any given weekend, you’ll probably see crowds waiting outside the Kaimukī-based eatery.

But now there’s reason to visit the café in the evening — the eatery officially launched its dinner menu, available from 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays to Mondays.

“The idea is that they’re familiar, but they’re things you just won’t get at other restaurants,” says chef Lee Anne Wong, of the dishes on the dinner menu. She says that dinner service has always been in the works.

The menu features a variety of seasonally inspired, locally sourced dishes. In fact, at the bottom of the menu, you can see the various farms and local purveyors the eatery partnered with, ranging from Eggs Hawai

i, Ho Farms and Mari’s Garden to Maui Gold Pineapple, Sun Noodle and Sweet Land Farm.

“We are inspired every day by the beautiful and unique agricultural system that surrounds us here in Hawai

i,” says executive chef Ben Rosicky. “The menu is a reflection of our passion for fostering a relationship between the customer and local farmers. We hope to accomplish this by presenting our guests with creative and innovative preparations of local ingredients. The menu is designed to be creative and unique, yet approachable.”

We start with ‘ahi tataki in Koji glaze, fennel oil, oranges and fresh fennel. The dish is refreshing due to its bright flavors, and the ‘ahi is extremely tender.

“I truly believe that every dish on the menu will deliver in big and harmonious flavors,” Rosicky says. “I am really excited to promote Mari’s Gardens' cara cara oranges in our seasonal ‘ahi tataki with koji glaze and local fennel.”

Poisson cru is a raw fish salad that usually comprises tuna marinated in coconut milk and lime juice. This version features kanpachi with coconut, lime, corn nuts and — wait for it — pineapple shave ice on the bottom. It’s completely unexpected, but it works — and this dish ends up being one of our favorites of the evening.

Wong says that whenever she cooks for events across the country, people respond well to shave ice; the shave ice component is inspired by halo halo.

“I take pineapple for granted because I live on Maui,” she says. “When people who live in a landlocked state taste a Maui Gold pineapple, it’s like a revelation.

“It’s literally like a party-in-your-mouth dish,” she adds. “The coldness of it is unexpected, but the coldness is also what makes it so awesome; it keeps the kanpachi nice and chilly.”

If you have to choose one hot appetizer, the ‘ulu fried feta ($22) would be it. The feta is encased in a crunchy ulu Kohalā Brewery batter and topped with local herbs and greens, including shaved zucchini, fennel and radish. The exterior is nice and crispy, giving way to the creamy feta underneath. The bright veggies add some zing and pair nicely with the fried cheese.

“Everyone likes hot cheese,” Wong says. “Hot crispy cheese? Even better.”

Dumplings are a hot commodity on the eatery’s brunch menu, so it’s fitting that a different version is available during dinner. These housemade dumplings are topped with Mama Wong’s chili munch, cilantro and green onions. If you’re wondering about the price, rest assured that each dumpling is a generous size. The addictive chili munch is its crowning glory. 

This twist on butter chicken includes Makhani sauce, tamarind date chutney, and cilantro coconut chutney. The chicken is soft and tender, and the rich, creamy tomato-based sauce is aromatic and adds a slow-building heat.

This over-the-top bowl features Sun Noodle ramen topped with Westholme wagyu short rib, Maui onion rings, Ali

i mushrooms, horseradish garlic furikake butter, Sumida watercress, green onions and shiso. It’s served in an umami beef bone dashi. As a whole, the dish is savory and fun to eat; it’s a nice way to enjoy steak without getting it the traditional way.

There are currently three dessert options — creameux with bittersweet chocolate and liliko

i ($12), ‘ulu vanilla cruller with haupia gelato and toasted coconut ($12) and Bottom of the Bowl ($8). The latter is designed to be reminiscent of a cereal bowl filled with milk and soggy, sugary cereal goodness. It comprises Via Gelato’s vanilla gelato topped with macadamia blossom honey, sea salt and cornflake crunch.

The creamy gelato is offset nicely by the crunchy cereal, and the sea salt prevents the dessert from being overly sweet. It’s the perfect blend of sweet and salty — after one bite, you’ll probably wish this bowl was endless.

“I’m so grateful to be a part of the next chapter of Koko Head Café’s development,” Rosicky says. “I look forward to continuing to share my love and passion for food with the local community through this new endeavor. I’d like to share gratitude for chef Lee Anne, our general manager Patrick Salmon, and our outstanding team that fosters the incredible and infectious energy that makes Koko Head Café so special and has allowed us to grow over the last 11 years.”

Koko Head Cafe chef Lee Anne Wong 072525

<title>Iconic brunch spot Koko Head Café launches its new dinner menu</title>

Dinner service has been 11 years in the making. The menu debut includes dishes like wagyu ramen, ʻulu fried cheese and poisson cru with a shave ice surprise.

Iconic brunch spot Koko Head Café launches its new dinner menu

 is known for its local snacks — including its signature shortbread cookies — and often features limited-time, collaborative box designs.

Its newest collab is in partnership with local artist 

, who’s known for her inspirational artwork that encompasses island vibes and floral designs. The limited-edition box features Roth’s “From the Heart” design.

“The color palette for the artwork featured on the Big Island Candies box is a little bolder and brighter than my usual look,” Roth states. “I was experiencing a lot of change, and going through a very enjoyable creative time when working on this. This piece really speaks to me, which is why I titled it ‘From the Heart.’”

The Big Island Candies x Lauren Roth specialty box will be released on Aug. 2 ($59 at Big Island Candies’ Ala Moana store; $57 online and at the Big Island Candies Flagship Store and Factory in Hilo).

The special box contains a variety of the business’s popular confections. The assortment includes macadamia nut shortbreads, chocolate chip macadamia nut shortbreads, milk chocolate- and dark chocolate-dipped macadamia nut shortbreads, milk chocolate- and dark chocolate-covered macadamia nut brownies, milk chocolate covered macadamia nut toffees, dark chocolate covered Mika mints and macadamia nut biscotti with milk chocolate waves.

A portion of the proceeds from each sale of the Big Island Candies x Lauren Roth box starting Aug. 2 until the end of the month will benefit 

. The nonprofit organization’s mission is to provide support for Hawaiʻi’s seriously ill children and their families. 

Along with box launch on Aug. 2, a free community event will take place at the Ala Moana Center store. Children ages seven to 15 — including those from HUGS — will have the opportunity to paint with Lauren Roth from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Slots are available at 10:15 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Families can sign up in advance for complimentary 30-minute painting sessions by emailing 

 (include the desired time and mention “Art Event” in the email subject line).

Big Island Candies artist Lauren Roth 072425

<title>Big Island Candies’ newest collab will benefit HUGS</title>

The business’s collaborative box features a design from local artist Lauren Roth. A portion of proceeds from every sale of this special box will benefit HUGS.

Big Island Candies’ newest collab will benefit HUGS

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Real Estate

A Waikīkī property where a long-abandoned apartment building sat is now empty and its redevelopment has taken another step forward.

The City and County of Honolulu has selected Centre Urban Real Estate as its "preferred negotiating partner" for the redevelopment of 1615 Ala Wai Blvd.

The city, which acquired the property through condemnation in January 2024, demolished the existing, dilapidated building to make way for a future affordable housing development.

 and is on track to be finished by the first week of August — weeks ahead of schedule, the city said in an announcement Thursday. The site is already largely cleared.

Kevin Auger, director-designate of the city's Department of Housing and Land Management, told Aloha State Daily in an emailed response to questions that per the request for qualification issued by the city, the “negotiating partner” designation "initiates an exclusive negotiation period but does not obligate the city to enter into any agreement. It allows the city to begin structured discussions with the selected team to finalize deal terms, while reserving the right to cancel or reopen negotiations if it is in the city’s best interest."

Centre Urban Real Estate and the city now have 120 days to finalize a development agreement and ground lease, he said.

"After that, the project will move into predevelopment, which includes community engagement, design development, entitlements and permitting," Auger explained. "Securing financing will also be a critical next step. Construction timing is contingent upon the completion of these key milestones, so it’s too early to project a definitive start date at this stage."

Built in 1949, the apartment sat empty for more than two decades and had become "a magnet for blight, vandalism and trespassing" 

as well a source of "long-standing community concern," 

The selection of a development partner is an "exciting new chapter" for the property, Mayor Rick Blangiardi said in the announcement.

“We have taken this site from decades of vacancy and blight to a point where we can now reimagine its future," he continued. "This project represents our administration’s commitment to delivering housing that serves local residents and strengthens our communities. Just as importantly, we are committed to engaging with the Waikīkī community every step of the way to make sure we get this right for the people who live and work here.”

According to the city, Centre Urban Real Estate is a "vertically integrated real estate firm focused on urban infill and workforce housing."

Principal Martin Nguyen said in the announcement that the firm is "honored" to partner with the city on the redevelopment.

“As a local boy, I’m especially proud to be part of a team bringing forward a vision that reflects the natural evolution of the 1940s-era walk-up that has long stood on this site — an opportunity to pay homage to the past while addressing the pressing housing needs of today," he continued. "We are committed to being rightful stewards of this transformation, delivering high-quality, affordable housing in Waikīkī, the economic engine of Honolulu. We look forward to working closely with DHLM and the Waikīkī community throughout this journey.”

Partnering with the development community to build housing on city-owned lands is one of the components of a 

 the city unveiled earlier this year. You can 

Around the time the plan was announced, Honolulu 

 for the redevelopment of four underutilized city-owned properties into affordable rental projects: 1615 Ala Wai Blvd., 436 Ena Road, 130 S. Beretania St.; and 1421 Pensacola St.

1615 Ala Wai exterior 070925

<title>Honolulu selects preferred partner for redevelopment of Waikīkī property</title>

The City and County of Honolulu, which acquired the property at 1615 Ala Wai Blvd. through condemnation in January 2024, is demolishing an existing, long-vacant building to make way for a future affordable housing development. Demolition began earlier this month.

Honolulu selects preferred partner for redevelopment of Waikīkī property

Will Caron

Will Caron is communications director at Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice

<title>Will Caron</title>

Special for ASD, the Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice looks at the recent Legislative sessionʻs hits and misses.

Will Caron

Latest from Will Caron

Community Voices: Economic prosperity rises from the bottom up

More from our columnists