Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

Asia’s large convenience store chain’s flagship store will be in Downtown Honolulu.

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This Korea-based convenience store is opening in Hawaiʻi this fall

Fumi’s Kahuku Shrimp celebrated its grand opening at Ala Moana Center

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You can now get this original garlic butter shrimp in Honolulu

OAKBERRY ACAI launched its first Hawaiʻi location

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Kapolei’s newest acai bowl spot is grand opening May 31

Lopaka and Tanya Kapanui

Lopaka Kapanui and Tanya Kapanui

Hawaii History

Columnists

Something more than the memory of thousands of failed bills haunts the State Capitol, possibly including a gubernatorial ghost.

Queen looks upon the state seal

Smoke and Whispers at the State Capitol

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

The most recent episode of the ongoing eruption drew thousands of visitors to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park over the weekend.

HAVO 20250525 Episode 23 fountain flows J Wei

Kīlauea eruption, long weekend leads to big crowds and traffic jams

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Aloha Spirit

Leadership of The Salvation Army Hilo Temple Corps says since its opening last September, the Hilo Overnight Safe Space “is doing well.” Looking ahead, the organization aims to expand bed and staff capacity, along with its services.

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Salvation Army’s Sam LeMar shares updates and plans for growth for Hilo shelter

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Government & Politics

Transient accommodation tax hike will pay for climate change mitigation measures

Greenfriends

Green signs green fee

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

Bolstered by a $1.5 million donation, Mid-Pacific's new track and field facility is expected to be completed in 10 months.

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Mid-Pacific Institute breaks ground on first-ever $7.5 million track and field facility

Katie Helland Headshot

Katie Helland

Entertainment

Arts & Culture

This Honolulu-based theatre has announced its line-up of shows for next season. The plays focus on strong leading women as protagonists and “magnify the feminine voice,” according to Donna Blanchard, the nonprofit’s managing director.

Kumu Kahua Theatre

Kumu Kahua Theatre announces five-show season

Real Estate

Trevor Benn, president of the Honolulu Board of Realtors and president and owner of Forward Realty, says O'ahu's condo market has about 6.8 months of inventory while the single-family home market has about 3.5 months of inventory — the norm is about two months.

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Active home inventory up in April

Kale’s Hale offers AYCE sushi on Wednesdays only for $39.99.

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This yakiniku spot in Kalihi now offers all-you-can-eat sushi

Kam Napier Headshot

A. Kam Napier

The Hawai‘i-filmed remake has already grossed nearly $342 million and was the top ticket-seller in the biggest Memorial Day weekend Hollywood has seen in years. Here's how it stacks up with critics and audiences.

Stitch

"Lilo & Stitch" ranks among top 10 live-action Disney remakes

i this fall. One of Asia’s largest convenience store chains, CU’s first location in Hawaiʻi marks its debut in the United States.

BGF Retail, CU’s parent company, signed a Master Franchise Agreement with Hawai

i LLC. CU operates more than 18,000 stores across South Korea and more than 600 stores across central and southeast Asia.

The first CU stores will be in urban Honolulu; the flagship store will be in Downtown Honolulu at the Executive Centre. Stores will range from 700 square feet to 2,500 square feet.

i stores will include viral Korean snacks and beverages, along with cosmetics and household items; modern store designs; popular Korean national brands; interactive dining (including instant ramen cooking stations); local fusion dishes and more.

<title>This Korea-based convenience store is opening in Hawaiʻi this fall</title>

In the heart of downtown Honolulu stands a structure with clean lines, an open ceiling, and ominous whispers. Modern and minimalist, the Hawai‘i State Capitol building is a striking departure from the domed, classical government buildings found across the Continental U.S. But beneath its sleek geometry and sunlit courtyards lies a deeper story that begins with royalty, dislocation, and spirits that may never have left.

The land beneath the Capitol wasn’t always reserved for democracy. It once held the castle-like ‘Iolani Barracks, also known as Hale Koa, the House of Warriors. Built in 1871 of coral blocks, the barracks housed the royal guard of King Kamehameha V. Surrounding the open courtyard were rooms once used by the guards for various purposes, including a kitchen and mess hall, a medical dispensary, and a temporary jail.

After the disbanding of the Royal Guard and the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, the building was repurposed in a variety of ways. It served as a temporary shelter for refugees of the devastating 1899 Chinatown fire, became headquarters for the National Guard of Hawaiʻi, housed government offices, and even functioned as a storage facility. Though its role shifted with the times, the stone walls of the barracks remained. For nearly a century, Hale Koa stood firm while the cultural and political landscape evolved around it.

When Governor John A. Burns envisioned a new Capitol to symbolize Hawai‘i’s future, builders carefully dismantled Hale Koa, meticulously numbering each block, and reassembled the structure within the grounds of ‘Iolani Palace, where it remains today.

From this transplant grew something entirely new.

Completed in 1969, the Hawai‘i State Capitol breaks from tradition. There’s no dome. No rotunda. Instead, its architecture is shaped by island geography and cultural symbolism. A wide reflecting pool surrounds the structure, representing the Pacific Ocean that embraces the Hawaiian Islands. Housing the Senate and the House of Representatives, two conical chambers rise on either side, representing the Islands’ volcanic origins. Tall concrete columns line the perimeter of the building, shaped like majestic coconut palms. The central courtyard is open to the sky, allowing sun, rain, and wind to move freely, just as they do in nature.

At the dedication of Hawaii’s state Capitol in 1969, Governor John A. Burns stated, “The open sea, the open sky, the open doorway, open arms, and open hearts — these are the symbols of our Hawaiian heritage. In this great State Capitol, there are no doors at the grand entrances which open toward the mountains and toward the sea. There is no roof or dome to separate its vast inner court from the heavens and from the same eternal stars which guided the first voyagers to the primeval beauty of these shores.”

Reflecting balance and openness, the entire structure is a conversation between earth and sky, people and place. But some believe the conversation has grown … crowded. They say Governor Burns never left.

John A. Burns, Hawai‘i’s second elected governor and the man who championed the construction of the Capitol, is often felt within its walls. Governor Burns was well known for smoking cigars in his office on the fifth floor. People would know the governor was in whenever the pungent scent of cigar smoke drifted through the halls and along the lānai. Now, visitors and staff routinely catch the distinct aroma of a burning cigar in various places around the building, even though the Capitol has been smoke-free since 2006. But not all the hauntings are so stately.

The women’s restroom on the chamber level has a reputation all its own. Staff have complained of the hand dryer turning on suddenly, followed by the sound of water running, even when the room is empty. While skeptics blame faulty sensors, others aren’t so quick to dismiss the encounters. Staffers that say the restroom feels creepy and those who’ve had strange experiences there are office managers and legal aides whose professions demand logic and order, making their encounters all the more eerie.

Unfamiliar with the story, one woman recalled her eerie experience on her first visit to the Capitol building just a few years ago. She explained that while she was in the stall, she heard low, continuous mumbling, just soft enough that she couldn’t make out words. She assumed someone else was in the restroom, but when she stepped out, the restroom was completely empty. The murmuring had stopped, and the woman realized she had been alone all along. When asked if she noticed anyone outside the door, she said there was no one. Nobody outside the door and no one disappearing down the hall. She said aside from the chicken skin moment, she had a nice visit that day at the Capitol, but she doesn’t think she’ll be returning any time soon.

Although the building was designed to echo the harmony of the Islands’ natural beauty, some strange presence still lingers. Maybe it’s the land that was once home to royal warriors, speaking out. Or perhaps some spirits feel they still have work left to do.

Whatever the cause, the Capitol is not as silent as it seems.

<title>Smoke and Whispers at the State Capitol</title>

Mid-Pacific Institute broke ground on a new $7.5 million track and field facility on Tuesday morning, commemorating the moment with a ceremony and Hawaiian blessing. 

The project, which was announced in the summer 2022, was bolstered by a $1.5 million donation by Michael Wood, a local businessman and former track athlete at Cal, along with his wife, Joanne. 

In Mid-Pacific's 117 years in Mānoa, the campus previously never had a track facility. 

"It's a dream come true," Mid-Pacific track and field head coach Rick Hendrix told Aloha State Daily. "I've been here 17 years, and I never thought I'd see this day coming. But it's all about the kids, and they're gonna have a great facility next year. We won't have to ride a bus for 40 minutes one way, and 40 minutes back. They'll be able to just come out of  campus and hop on the track. So, it's a blessing."

Track and field practices for the Owls previously included bus rides to Hawai‘i Kai on Kaiser High School's track or Kalihi on Farrington High School's track. Other times, the Owls would practice on the grass field on campus. 

MPI's new track facility, spearheaded by local firm G70, will feature a six-lane track. The facility will also accommodate other track and field events such as pole vault and triple jump. 

In addition to the Wood family donation, local organizations such as the 

Atherton Family Foundation and Central Pacific Bank Foundation contributed to the funding of the facility. 

"The goal is that 100% will be funded by donations, and we're clearly on our way there," said Dr. Paul Turnbull, Mid-Pacific president. "We've got just a few months left to close out, and we're really making great progress."

Construction of Mid-Pacific's new facility is expected to be completed well in time for the school's Class of 2026 to graduate on it. 

"Pure joy for the students," Turnbull said. "We have so many students who are dedicated not only to the sport of track and field, but also just to improving themselves and really pulling together mind, body and spirit. When you think about a total school experience, this is the beginning of generations of that happening on campus, rather than us needing to look for other facilities for those particular students."

Included in Tuesday's festivities was a blessing for Mid-Pacific's Wailele Spring, with plans to beatify and revitalize it. 

Renderings of Mid-Pacific's new track and field facility are below (courtesy Mid-Pacific):

<title>Mid-Pacific Institute breaks ground on first-ever $7.5 million track and field facility</title>

Kumu Kahua Theatre announced its lineup of shows for its 55th season on Saturday, May 24. The five plays will be making their world premiere and include strong female characters in the cast. The choices were curated by Harry Wong III, the nonprofit theater group’s artistic director.

“I’m so happy that Harry had these five scripts ready to go in one wonderful female-forward season,” said 

 the theater’s managing director, in a written statement. “The first known scripted play is Aeschylus’ ʻThe Persians,ʻ written in the wake of the Greco-Persian Wars. In the 2,500 years since, the vast majority of plays staged have been written by men and dominated by great roles for male actors, including those produced by Kumu Kahua. I hope this season inspires our local playwrights to magnify the feminine voice for at least the next 2,500 years — and encourages more women to proudly take center stage!”

 produces plays about life in Hawaiʻi written by local playwrights for the people of Hawaiʻi.

Here are the shows for the 2025-2026 season, listed by date. Plot summaries for each show are based on information provided by the theatre:

“Smother” Aug. 28 – Sept. 28, 2025: 

Written by Sara Ward, this story focuses on Julia, who has a history of bad choices in men and struggles with a mother who goes to extreme lengths to control her love life. 

“Outlandish” Nov. 6 – Dec. 7, 2025: 

This story from Eric Anderson follows Isabella Bird, a Victorian travel writer who visits Hilo on Hawaiʻi Island and tries to join the local community with occasional blunders. The story follows her adventures including an introduction to the new ruling monarch, King William Charles Lunalilo.

“Blu’s Hanging” March 26 –  April 26, 2026: 

show is based on the coming-of-age novel by Lois-Ann Yamanaka. It was adapted for the stage by R. Zamora Linmark. “Blu’s Hanging,” follows a 

, as he mourns the death of his wife and struggles to provide for their kids.

“Two Nails, One Love” Jan. 22 –  Feb. 22, 2026: 

novel by Alden M. Hayashi, which was adapted by Lee A. Tonouchi, this story follows Ethan Taniguchi, a newly single gay man living in New York City when his estranged mother from Hawaiʻi pays an unexpected visit. The show unravels family history, including incarceration and a hostage exchange in World War II. 

This is the story of Joni, who knows Alzheimer’s Disease runs in her family and fears its impact on her mother and herself. Written by Diane Aoki, the story shares how Joni collects memory beads of her family’s journey from Okinawa in what becomes a story of the relationships between mothers and daughters across five generations of family.

General admission is $28. Discounts are available for students and season ticket holders.

<title>Kumu Kahua Theatre announces five-show season</title>

Everyone’s looking to save money and get the most bang for their buck. This series will show you where you can save while still savoring a good meal.

Located in the Waikīkī Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, 

 offers an early bird special every Sunday and Monday. Customers can get up to 50% off on select small plates and sushi from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. This deal is available at the sushi bar or main bar; first come, first served.

It can get a bit confusing, but basically, everything on the Sansei menu without an asterisk is eligible for the deal. This includes hot and cold small plates like fresh Hawaiian ‘ahi carpaccio ($10 early bird) and shrimp dynamite ($9.75 early bird). The latter, featuring crispy shrimp tempura tossed in a garlic masago aioli and sushi glaze, is one of the eatery’s most popular dishes and one of my favorites.

The discount also applies to select sushi rolls (the ones not marked by asterisks on the menu). Choose from dishes like the shrimp tempura roll ($7.25 early bird), scallop and cucumber roll ($7.50 early bird) and crispy salmon skin roll ($5.25).

The eatery is also starting a new happy hour menu this month. The eatery’s happy hour is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the bar and on the lanai. Food specials include blue crab dip ($14), dry-aged Duroc pork rib-eye with garlic mashed potatoes ($28), DK Steakhouse cheeseburger ($20), grilled fresh island ‘ahi sandwich ($22) and New York steak frites ($40). The latter features a 12-ounce Prime New York steak served with garlic fries and chimichurri.

Even if you don’t make during the happy hour or early bird hours, customers can still enjoy kamaʻāina and military discounts ($10% off). This can be used on any menu item, ranging from chirashi bowls ($40) and sashimi platters ($54 to $76) to specialty sushi rolls like Thai stick roll ($22) and spicy tuna crunch roll ($26).

Four hours complimentary parking with validation

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<title>Budget Bites: Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Steak House’s early bird special</title>

You can get up to 50% off select dishes for a limited time on Sundays and Mondays.

Budget Bites: Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Steak House’s early bird special

Interested in serving on one of Oahu's 33 Neighborhood Boards or voting in the 2025 to 2027 Neighborhood Board Elections? You have until February to register to do so.

, the island's Neighborhood Board System was created in 1973 to "assure and increase community participation in the decision-making process of government." It is overseen by the Neighborhood Commission, a nine-member body with four members appointed by the mayor, four by the Honolulu City Council and the ninth appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the council, the site notes.

Neighborhood boards are made up of community members who represent fellow residents at the board's meetings.

These meetings often include reports from the area's elected representatives, including city council members, state legislators or their representatives, Mayor Rick Blangiardi's office and other officials, as well public safety updates from Honolulu Police Department and Honolulu Fire Department. They also serve as a forum where residents can voice issues and concerns.

The deadline for both voter and candidate registration is Feb. 21, while paper registration forms filed by mail and postmarked no later than Feb. 21 must be received at the Neighborhood Commission Office —  925 Dillingham Blvd. Suite 160, Honolulu, HI 96817 — by 4:30 p.m. Feb. 28. Walk-in registration is available from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, at the Neighborhood Commission Office.

Voting starts April 25 and ends May 16. May 23 is the deadline for ballots postmarked no later than May 19 to be received.

For more information about the upcoming elections or to find registration forms, visit the 

News

Government & Politics

Crime & Courts

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Aloha Spirit

Hawaii History

Opinion

Daily Features

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Government & Politics

Crime & Courts

Sports

Business & Tourism

Real Estate

Food & Dining

Entertainment

Arts & Culture

Aloha Spirit

Hawaii History

Opinion

Daily Features

This Korea-based convenience store is opening in Hawaiʻi this fall

You can now get this original garlic butter shrimp in Honolulu

Kapolei’s newest acai bowl spot is grand opening May 31

Smoke and Whispers at the State Capitol

Kīlauea eruption, long weekend leads to big crowds and traffic jams

Salvation Army’s Sam LeMar shares updates and plans for growth for Hilo shelter

Green signs green fee

Mid-Pacific Institute breaks ground on first-ever $7.5 million track and field facility

Kumu Kahua Theatre announces five-show season

Active home inventory up in April

This yakiniku spot in Kalihi now offers all-you-can-eat sushi

"Lilo & Stitch" ranks among top 10 live-action Disney remakes

Latest News

News

This Korea-based convenience store is opening in Hawaiʻi this fall

You can now get this original garlic butter shrimp in Honolulu

Kapolei’s newest acai bowl spot is grand opening May 31

Smoke and Whispers at the State Capitol

Kīlauea eruption, long weekend leads to big crowds and traffic jams

Salvation Army’s Sam LeMar shares updates and plans for growth for Hilo shelter

Green signs green fee

Mid-Pacific Institute breaks ground on first-ever $7.5 million track and field facility

Kumu Kahua Theatre announces five-show season

Active home inventory up in April

This yakiniku spot in Kalihi now offers all-you-can-eat sushi

"Lilo & Stitch" ranks among top 10 live-action Disney remakes