HONOLULU Magazine November 2023

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Editor’s Page

Meet Our HONOLULU Team The staff behind the bylines and credits of our multimedia operation.

Robbie Dingeman helps tell the stories of her hometown as editor at large for HONOLULU Magazine. The awardwinning journalist’s earlier gigs include reporting at newspapers, on television and co-authoring two wonderful daughters and two books. While she still thrives on news, she’s happy to be part of a team that’s always ready to eat and write about food.

Christine Labrador is the senior art director of HONOLULU Magazine and a mom of two young adults and a Frenchie. Her previous stints in marketing communications in architecture, nonprofit and horticulture industries have led her back to art (and home) and to a fulfilling, creative career in visual communications and graphic design.

Andrea Lee is the digital editor of HONOLULU Magazine. Born and raised in Honolulu, she has written professionally for more than a decade.

With extensive experience in the content creation and marketing realm, she takes on all things digital for the magazine.

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Thomas Obungen is the associate editor of HONOLULU Magazine and Frolic Hawai‘i. Born and raised on O‘ahu though only recently a townie, he has been writing about food and the folks that make it for more than 10 years. His passion for creating engaging digital content has taken him across the country and throughout Asia to document and discover viral food trends.

Mari Taketa is editor of Frolic Hawai‘i and dining editor of HONOLULU Magazine. She’s been a reporter with The Associated Press Tokyo, editor of Hawai‘i Business and contributor to Hana Hou!, Eater and other publications, with a long break in between doing no journalism but a lot of eating in Ho Chi Minh City.

Brie Thalmann is HONOLULU Magazine’s managing style editor, a post which feeds her obsession with all things design, including fashion, interiors, art and architecture. Trained in merchandising, her retail stints have run the gamut from Betsey Johnson to Theory. She’s styled award-winning editorials and has covered fashion weeks across the globe.

Diane Seo is the editorial director of HONOLULU Magazine. A veteran journalist, she’s worked as a writer, editor and digital strategist for various media, including the Los Angeles Times and Salon.com. She is also the founder of Frolic Hawai‘i.

Katrina Valcourt is the executive editor of HONOLULU Magazine, which she joined in 2013 after the alternative newspaper Honolulu Weekly, where she was the managing calendar editor, folded. Her column has won first place at the Society of Professional Journalists Hawai‘i Chapter Excellence in Journalism Contest multiple times.

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Jasmine Chagnon is the editor of HONOLULU Family and the senior editor for HONOLULU Magazine, and a mom of two rambunctious (and adorable) little boys.

She’s worked for luxury magazines, a shopping magazine, and a variety of regional publications.

Currently, she’s happiest to write about the two things she loves most: family and Hawai‘i life.

James Nakamura is the creative director of HONOLULU Magazine. He has won design awards from the American Advertising Federation, the American Institute of Graphic Arts, the Public Relations Society of America, the Society for Professional Journalists, and the City and Regional Magazine Association. His design work, photography, illustration and writing have appeared in various local publications, including Hawai‘i Magazine, Honolulu Weekly, MetroHNL, MidWeek and The Hawai‘i Review of Books.

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NOVEMBER 2023 | VOL . LVIII NO. 4

Find out why we love this Windward O‘ahu neighborhood starting on page 26.

FEATURES 20 Where Is the Money Going?

Donations for Maui fire relief efforts continue to pour in, with Hawai‘i’s nonprofits leading the fundraising. Here’s how the money is being spent, and how the people of Maui will benefit. by christine hitt

DEPARTMENTS 26 Great Neighborhoods Whether you’re looking for somewhere to settle down or just to play on the weekends, these seven favorite neighborhoods on O‘ahu stand out. by jasmine chagnon, robbie dingeman, andrea lee, natalie schack, diane seo, brie thalmann and katrina valcourt

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTIONS

4 Editor’s Page Meet the staff behind the bylines and credits of our multimedia operation.

15 Style Artists supporting Maui, a new homewares brand and more.

9 Calabash 10 November Picks 11 Where to go plant crazy 12 Golfer Allisen Corpuz 13 Fishcake’s pop-ups 14 From Our Files

75 ‘Ono Where to eat around the Skyline rail stations.

80 Afterthoughts Our neighborhoods are changing, but some things still stick out.

35 Best In Real Estate A celebration of excellence and dedication in the real estate and mortgage industry across the Aloha State.

51 Give Big Hawai‘i We celebrate the spirit of philanthropy in our Islands, plus other ways you can give back in the community.

On the Cover Photo: James Nakamura

(ISSN 0441-2044) © 2023 PacificBasin Communications, LLC. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized copying, distribution, or adaptation is strictly prohibited and will result in liability of up to $100,000.

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➸ GOLFER ALLISEN CORPUZ P·12 // FISHCAKE POP-UPS P·13 // A LOOK BACK AT KĪLAUEA ERUPTIONS P·14 P E O P L E P L A C E S C U L T U R E

photo: kenna reed

See page 11 to learn about Mari’s Gardens’ new Kailua space.

New Growth

➸ ELEVEN YEARS AFTER OPENING ON AUAHI STREET, PAIKO HAWAI‘I, the botanical shop that helped

kick off Honolulu’s indoor plant craze, is moving to new digs. “I’m excited to have a blank canvas to create exactly what we need,” says owner Courtney Monahan (pictured). The shop will house Paiko’s floral workspace, retail boutique and workshops. Keep an eye out for cool black-and-white accents, custom wallpaper and possibly a special pick-up window for floral orders. “And I’m definitely taking our leaf door handles,” she says.

547 Halekauwila St., Suite 106, (808) 988-2165, paikobotanicals.com, @paikohawaii HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023 9

King David La‘amea Kalākaua—aka the Merrie Monarch—was born on Nov. 16, 1836, in Honolulu.

November Picks Treat yourself to live music, theater and the largest food festival in Hawai‘i before the holi-daze happens.

For more things to do visit honolulum agazine.co m/ things-to -do

BY JASMINE CHAGNON

COMEDY

Live and Livid! Comedy Tour Nov. 30 / 7:30 p.m.

Hawai‘i Theatre / $64–$94 Catch five-time Grammy- and Emmynominated comedian and actress Margaret Cho. The show will celebrate her 40 years in show business and, as always, she’ll tackle a variety of important subjects with sensitivity and sharp insight. hawaiitheatre.com, @hawaiitheatre

FOOD & DRINK

Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival Nov. 2–5 / Various times and locations The 13th annual Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival will feature more than 90 internationally renowned culinary talents. This nonprofit program is spread out over three weekends and takes place on O‘ahu Nov. 2–5. It aims to showcase the quality of locally grown ingredients at more than 20 events, from seminars and tastings to wine dinners and even cooking classes for kids.

Proceeds from the events benefit community and ‘āina-based organizations that support sustainability, culinary and agricultural education, cultural programs and more. The program has donated more than $3.5 million since its inception. hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com, @hifoodwinefest

ART

Project Banaba Nov. 4–Feb. 18, 2024 Bishop Museum / Prices vary Explore the history of Banaba Island in the Pacific Ocean, a place that was destroyed by phosphate mining, which led to the relocation of all its people in 1945. For the exhibition, Banaban scholar and artist Katerina Teaiwa brings together rare historical archives and multimedia works showcasing little-known facts and the ongoing impact imperial phosphate mining and global agricultural interests have on Pacific communities. bishopmuseum.org, @bishopmuseum THEATER

Clue

Nov. 16–26 / 3 and 7:30 p.m.

Mānoa Valley Theatre / $25–$45 Inspired by the classic board game and 1985 movie, Clue is the hilarious murder mystery we know and love to play—and now it’s coming to the stage. You’ll be belly laughing while you ask who? Where? What? manoavalleytheatre.com, @manoavalleytheatre COMMUNITY

Ka‘iwi Coast Run & Walk Nov. 19 / 6:45 a.m.

Ka‘iwi Coast / $55–$160 Soak up the scenes as you run or walk 4 miles along this beautiful stretch of East O‘ahu. The course begins at Awāwamalu (Sandy Beach) and ends at Hui Nalu Canoe Club; proceeds from the event help support various programs in Hawai‘i Kai. kaiwicoastrun.com, @kaiwicoastrun FESTIVAL

HOLIDAY

Waikīkī Holiday Parade Nov. 24 / 7 p.m.

Waikīkī / Free Held annually on the Friday after Thanksgiving, this holiday parade honors survivors of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor and members of the U.S. military. Since 1998, residents and visitors alike have gathered to watch this festive march, which includes Island bands, military members and local officials, dignitaries, entertainers, keiki and more. The torch-lit 1.5-mile night parade begins at Fort DeRussy, continues along Kalākaua Avenue and ends at Kapi‘olani Park. waikikiholidayparade.com

10 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

ANA ‘Aha Mele Nov. 19 / 6:30 p.m.

Waikīkī Shell / From $59 Celebrate the music and culture of Japan and Hawai‘i—and be entertained by world-renowned Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, elementary school music students, and other artists from the Islands. blaisdellcenter.com, @blaisdellcenter

➸ Looking to get the word out about your upcoming event or activity?

Email info@honolulumagazine.com.

photos: tommy pierucki/courtesy of hawai‘i food & wine festival; sergio garcia; courtesy of gateway music festivals & tours; opposite page: aaron k. yoshino

calabash | THINGS TO DO

calabash | COMMUNITY

See more photos of Mari’s Gardens in Kailua at honolulumagazine.com.

Planting Joy Mari’s Gardens takes root in Kailua, its third location, as the grow-local family business attracts gardeners, flower fanciers and young plantfluencers.

BY ROBBIE DINGEMAN

M

ARI’S GARDENS IN KAILUA bursts with stun-

ning plants, whimsical and practical pots, and tools to nourish greenery and souls.

This third branch of the family-run business opened in September, shaped by the design aesthetic of 26-year-old Mari Lau. Happily, Lau sees the pandemic trend that prompted so many of her peers to embrace their inner gardener is still going strong: “Plants improve our moods, purify the air around us, and help us to disconnect from technology for a second.” (In 2019, houseplant sales soared 50%, according to the National Gardening Association.)

With her generation focused on careers, traveling and selfcare, she says, they’re ready to nurture, but not yet ready for pets or babies. “Plants feel like a step in the right direction that won’t drastically change our lives, homes or budgets,” she says. “I call my plants my babies, and it really is true!”

For her part, Lau grew up with plants and enjoys sharing what she knows. Her father, longtime landscaper Fred Lau, started Mari’s in 2008 as an 18-acre Mililani nursery. Two years ago, she led her family to open a second location, a shop devoted to houseplants.

Tucked into a Kaka‘ako high-rise, they dubbed it Mari’s Urban Garden. The Laus then spruced up the Kailua spot that Ko‘olau Farmers ran for decades, offering a mix of familiar and exotic plants as well as lots of local products, books, cards and gifts. “I’m just trying to create someone’s happy place,” Mari Lau says. “A lot of people tell me all the time that taking care of their plants and getting more plants really helped them through challenging times.”

It’s difficult to browse through any of Mari’s Gardens shops and not find a plant we love or an idea for a project. The layout makes it easy to dream up our own terrariums and succulent arrangements.

We ask the Laus to show us their favorite plants. She selects a variegated monstera while her dad grabs an old-man cactus. “I like thorny old things,” he jokes. They confess their favorites change often.

Growing local is their family mission, whether they’re helping someone find the right flowers, citrus or native Hawaiian ground cover, or “encouraging younger generations to grow their own food and know where their food is coming from,” Mari Lau says.

Both of her brothers are also involved in the business. Brendon Lau, 36, found his passion growing local produce, which includes leafy greens, sprouts and edible flowers, while Tyler Lau, 33, focuses on business administration and company operations.

And yes, Fred Lau named the business after his daughter when she was only 10.

He remains delighted by her enthusiasm and the ways she makes plants cool for her generation and beyond. “I call it farm-y chic,” he says. 

Mari Lau picks up a Cebu Blue pothos at the new Kailua Road location of Mari’s Gardens.

 Multiple locations, marisgardens.com, @maris_gardens

HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023 11

Allisen Corpuz is known on the golf course for staying calm and steady, traits that have helped her rise up the ranks.

calabash | BREAKTHROUGH

Dreams on the Green With a major tournament win under her belt, Hawai‘i golfer Allisen Corpuz is one of the LPGA’s newest standouts.

A

Allisen Corpuz at the HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore. Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images

LLISEN CORPUZ STARTED OUT LIKE LOTS OF OTHER YOUNG ATHLETES IN HAWAI‘I. Her

dentist dad, an avid golfer, taught her to golf as a preschooler, taking her and her older brother out on weekends to hit balls. She wasn’t good at first, but kept practicing, took lessons and started playing competitively. She won local junior tournaments, then excelled nationally. As a standout on Punahou’s golf team, she earned a scholarship to the University of Southern California, where she was a two-time All-American. After graduating, she took a shot at the LPGA’s Qualifying School, gaining membership into the pros for the 2022 season. In her rookie year, she played 24 events, making the cut 17 times and recording three top 10 finishes.

Promising, for sure, but then things spun well beyond even her own imagination.

The 25-year-old made international news this past summer when she captured the U.S. Women’s Open in Pebble Beach, California, one of five major golf tournaments in women’s golf. Along with earning $2 million in prize money, her ranking soared and the golf world turned its lens on her. As of late September, she was No. 9 on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.

Cheered on by Michelle Wie—her idol as a kid—along with fellow Punahou alum Barack Obama, she was heralded as the sport’s newest breakthrough star. “It still feels like it hasn’t sunk in yet,” Corpuz says. “I was just trying to have a good week.

It was my first time out at Pebble Beach, and it was the first U.S. Women’s Open to be played there, so there was a lot of excitement. I was just trying to go out there and play well.”

12 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

She’s now playing tournaments across the globe, accompanied by her mother, who Corpuz says keeps her comforted with her favorite Korean foods. And despite the onslaught of attention (and scrutiny), she’s staying grounded, focused on playing her best day by day.

When relaying her golf story, however, she too marvels at how far she’s come since her small-kid days trying to keep up with her dad on the greens of O‘ahu.

“When I was younger, it was more just like, wow, it would be really cool to do that,” Corpuz says, recalling how she used to watch the action at the annual LPGA event on O‘ahu. “Playing college golf was my first golf dream. I thought it was cool to see all these golfers from Hawai‘i come back from breaks carrying their college golf bags. Then once I went to college and saw a few teammates turn pro, I was like, hey, maybe this is something that I could do as a career.”

Her goal now is to help grow women’s golf. And as the only player from Hawai‘i currently on the LPGA tour, she knows people at home are rooting for her. “I know how much Michelle (Wie) inspired me, so I hope that I can do the same for the future generations,” she says.

Her other big dream: to make the U.S. Olympic team and play at the 2024 Games in Paris.

Although the competition will be fierce, it would be foolish to think she won’t earn her place.

photos: courtesy of andrew redington/getty images and the lpga tour; courtesy of stuart franklin/getty images and the lpga tour; opposite page: aaron k. yoshino

BY DIANE SEO

Beyond Pastry Studio, known for its epicurean cheesecakes and contemporary Filipino-inspired pastries, graduated from Fishcake’s incubator to open its Downtown bakery.

calabash | FOOD

Fish Food A test café in an unlikely spot lets micro food businesses showcase their craft.

BY M A R I TA K E TA

L

AOTIAN CRISPY RICE SALAD ON A TUESDAY, gluten-

free tempura on a Friday, birria tacos on a Sunday. Not only do the menus at Fishcake’s test café change daily, so do the vendors. The idea evolved in tandem with the slew of offerings now populating a space that started out as a showroom for contemporary home furnishings and accessories. Sixteen years later, Fishcake is still that—only now, as its website sums up, it’s also “a ceramic studio, hair salon, art school, flower shop, tattoo studio, and a test café.”

It’s that last bit that’s been drawing foodies for several years.

Understandably so: In this part of Kaka‘ako, one block from Ward Avenue on a dusty stretch between Halekauwila and Auahi streets, food options are scarce. The showroom had carved out a café space that for years housed an extension of Mānoa’s Morning Glass Coffee.

When that closed, says Fishcake showroom manager Janis Lee, “we started thinking about what we wanted to eat for lunch.”

Now tiny food businesses cycle through the space six days a week.

Some days there are two. Fridays, for instance, you’re likely to find Nami Box’s gluten-free Japanese lunches alongside sourdough boules and pineapple ricotta buns by Bread Service (both pictured here). The schedule is fluid. C4 Table, the café’s longtime Wednesday vendor of upscale, locally sourced plates, is on hiatus while chef-owner Colin Hazama works his other gig as executive chef of the Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival. And that’s another draw: The food offerings reflect passion and craft. Hazama trained under Alan Wong, Roy Yamaguchi and San Francisco’s Gary Danko. Bread Service baker-owner Kathryn Overton made desserts at Yauatcha and was executive chef at Honolulu Coffee Co. Ryne Shimabukuro serves up his handmade udon on Saturdays.

The list goes on—check Fishcake’s website or Instagram for the latest.  Test café open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., 307c Kamani St., fishcake.us, @fishcakehawaii HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023 13

calabash | FROM OUR FILES

November HONOLULU Magazine emerged from Paradise of the Pacific, a publication commissioned by King Kalākaua that began in 1888, making it the oldest continuously published magazine west of the Mississippi. For this issue, we flipped back 55 years to see what the city was buzzing about in November 1968.

BY ALICIA LOU

I

n 1968, more than 50 volcanoes were erupting around the world, from IzuOshima in Japan to Fernandina in Ecuador and Kīlauea on the southeast side of Hawai‘i Island.

Kīlauea volcano’s Halema‘uma‘u fire pit was in steady eruption for 251 days, the longest since 1924. HONOLULU spoke with Nick Lycurgus, a park manager at the time, who was delighted that business was booming at the usually peaceful Volcano House. He carried on a custom that his father started: Every now and then, he would pour a fifth of gin into the fire pit, as a way “to keep Pele from kicking up her heels.”

Just like locals and visitors today, back then people flocked to Hawai‘i Island to catch a glimpse of her work.

Now, there are more ways you can see lava: Hiking trails at

14 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

The Wahiawā Lions Club Annual Veterans Day Parade started in 1949. Today it’s the longestrunning Veterans Day parade in the state.

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park offer great views, or you can try a lava boat tour, or even livestream volcano activity at home (usgs.gov).

Back in 1968, Kīlauea’s lava broke out along the cracks that led to the ocean. Since then, Kīlauea, which means “spewing” or “much spreading,” has erupted 21 more times, the latest from Sept. 10 to 16, 2023.

The longest nearly continuous eruption at Kīlauea in modern times, the Pu‘u‘ō‘ō eruption, lasted 35 years, from January 1983 to 2018, making it one of Earth’s longest-running volcanic eruptions ever.

The most devastating Kīlauea eruption was during the final year of the Pu‘u‘ō‘ō event in 2018. That year, a massive summit collapse coincided with the largest eruption in centuries; more than 700 homes in the Puna District were destroyed and 3,000 residents were displaced.

Now, five years later, the road to recovery is an ongoing challenge. Hawai‘i County was awarded $82 million by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to repair public roads destroyed by the eruption and is awaiting an environmental assessment to begin work.

A draft of the assessment was released in August.

Cover Girl Liz Logue is wearing a costume designed specially for the HONOLULU Holiday Annual by Joan Anderson, the founder of Princess Ka‘iulani Fashions. The photo was shot by Alma McGoldrick, a leading fashion photographer in Hawai‘i at the time who lives on O‘ahu.

Learn more about the evolution of covers in HONOLULU Magazine and Paradise of the Pacific: 125 Years of Covers, available at shop. honolulumagazine.com.

NOV

2023

AV E R Y L I LY D E B U T S P. 1 6 / / M E E T W A B I S A B I H A W A I ‘ I P. 1 7

BY BRIE THALMANN

Creative Solutions Artists around the globe join forces to bring attention and funds to Maui.

photos: courtesy of studio hale

I

N THE WAKE OF MAUI’S WILDFIRE DISASTER, many in Hawai‘i’s creative com-

munity sprang into action to lend support, including Jasper Wong, founder of the Worldwide Walls art festival, and JT Ojerio, the artist behind the Aloha de Mele label and the Studio Hale print shop. “Hawai‘i is so small that we all knew people affected by the wildfires,” says Wong. “Seeing the destruction and devastation is gut wrenching and I think our natural reaction as human beings is compassion and wanting to help those families in any way, shape or form,” Ojerio says.

What the friends dreamt up was Artists for Maui, a two-part fundraiser that included selling prints online and an in-person exhibition. Beyond offering their own works, the duo also reached out to their local, national and international networks to participate. The response was overwhelming. “It shows that people really love Hawai‘i and its people,” Wong says.

On the Studio Hale website, you’ll find nearly 80 fine art prints from painters, illustrators, photographers and digital artists from around the world, shoppable through Dec. 31, with 100% of net profits going to verified nonprofits. Locally, the roster includes names such as Kelsie Dayna, Wooden Wave and Brooklyn Hawai‘i. Outside of the Islands, Shepard Fairey, Jay Howell and Alex Solis are among the big draws. You can catch the in-person exhibit at Lana Lane Studios this fall.  studiohale.com, @studiohale Clockwise from top left: “Kaleidoscope” by Jasper Wong, “Swells” By Brooklyn Hawai‘i, “Jade” by JT Ojerio, “Here’s Some New Guys” by Jay Howell, “Lights Will Guide You Home” by Nyte, “Maui Aloha Aina” by MEGGS, “Lei Canoe Stand” by Wooden Wave, “Hawaiian Lands In Hawaiian Hands” by Kelsie Dayna.

HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023 15

style | INTERIORS

Lily Kanter and Avery Solmssen team up on an exciting new homewares brand that keeps community at the forefront.

A

LL IT TOOK WAS A TOUR OF HALE MAUNA for Lily Kanter (pictured above at left) to know she had to meet the creative behind its design. Some quick history: If Kanter’s name rings a bell, it’s probably because she’s one of the namesakes behind mega-popular homewares brand Serena & Lily. As it turns out, the Hawai‘i Island property, which has since become her family’s home, was the work of Honolulu interior designer Avery Solmssen, formerly of Philpotts Interiors.

A friendship quickly grew out of the pair’s collaborations. “She asked me to add more color and pattern to her home, or to ‘Lily-fy it,’ as I say, and we hit it off immediately,” Solmssen says. As in the case of Serena & Lily, Kanter recognized that the balance of their talents could make for a great partnership. “I get so much joy from decorating and designing my home, but my strengths are in entrepreneurship, bringing ideas to life,” Kanter says.

The result is the Averylily Home Collection, Kanter and Solmssen’s joint venture that offers “move-in basics”—bedding, bath, tabletop pieces, home décor and beach towels—ranging in price from $48 to $899. Its aesthetic takes cues from the energy and natural surroundings of the Islands. Boldly patterned pillows created with artist Andrew Mau are an early standout. “Every16 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

thing we do is with the mission to create deeply memorable, soulful environments,” Solmssen says.

Most importantly, the pair’s shared values inspired a company ethos focused on community. “Our intent is to hire local talent, use local materials and give back by investing 10% of profits to local organizations that support sheltering those in need,” Solmssen says. In hopes of building an environment in which local creatives can thrive, they tandemly created Averylily Design Studio, which specializes in full-service interior design for new-builds and renovations. “So many talented young designers are getting their education on the mainland and have nothing to come back to in Hawai‘i in terms of opportunity,” Kanter says. “We want to foster a design community right here in Hawai‘i.”

Be the first to snag some of the Averylily Home Collection at its launch during the Mana Up showcase at Nordstrom on Nov. 9; the label is among the accelerator’s 2023 cohort of companies.

Products will also be available at averylily.com and at select boutiques throughout Hawai‘i, including House of Mana Up. averylily.com, @averylilystudio 

Clockwise from top left: Averylily pillows at Hale Mauna, Averylily textiles, the Hale Mauna kitchen

photos: henry houghton/kenna reed/courtesy of averylily; opposite page: wabisabi-hawaii llc

Launch Pad

FURNITURE | style

The Simple Life Wabi Sabi Hawai‘i, the Islands’ newest furniture line, offers everything from modern-organic dining tables and modular sofas to customizable beds.

F

RUSTRATED WITH the lack of local furniture options for dressing their investment properties, Renee Yan, a lawyer, and Chuen Yee, the founder-principal designer of MCYIA Interior Architecture and Design, decided that it was time to create a line of their own. With the help of a few partners, the friends went to work creating Wabi Sabi Hawai‘i, their line of simple yet elegant furniture that launched this fall with a spacious storefront at Ala Moana Center.

“It’s modern but not cold,” Yee says of the line’s aesthetic. “The materials we use are warm and inviting.” You’ll find that pieces fall into one of three style categories. The Contemporary Collection focuses on minimalist, functional styles ideal for smaller spaces—condo owners will appreciate the modular couches, swivel lounge chairs and slimly profiled beds. The Wabi Sabi Collection offers luxurious materials, such as Italian Nappa leather, top-grade North American walnut and Italian marble—the handsome Mililani sideboard, with its wavepatterned panels, and gorgeous Nohea sofa are standouts. And the breezy Island Collection channels a casual-chic vibe with slatted wood accents and braided rope trims.

For many pieces, sizes, fabrics and other materials can be customized to taste. As for the price points? They come in around midrange. “We wanted to offer that high quality at reasonable prices,” Yan says. Those looking to refresh entire rooms or homes can reap the benefits of Wabi Sabi Hawai‘i’s furniture packages, which come with discounted prices.

And if you’re in need of interior design services, whether small scale or full overhauls, it offers those as well.

Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., (808) 475-5195, wabisabi-hawaii.com, @wabisabi_hawaii

Top to bottom: Nohea fabric sofa, from $3,530, Lilo swivel lounge chair, from $1,420, Hoku night stand, $660.

HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023 17

PROMOTION

Aloha-Made

There’s something to be said about a product made or designed in Hawai‘i. From too-cute keiki clothing to chocolates featuring locally sourced cacao, there’s an essence of aloha and an undeniably local vibe attached to Hawai‘i gifts.

So if you’re looking for the perfect present—from organic tropical tea by Tea Chest Hawai‘i to a pīkake-print charcuterie board from Laha‘ole—for yourself or for someone who loves the Islands as much as we do, check out this gift guide featuring products made locally with aloha.

Punalu‘u Bake Shop

Hawaiian Style Pineapple Macadamia Nut Fruitcake A delicious treat that can be enjoyed any time of year.

Sun-sweetened pineapple perfectly blended with fresh island coconut and golden roasted macadamia nuts give a tropical twist to a traditional holiday favorite! $22.99. bakeshophawaii.com

Big Island Candies

Sleigh Ride Box This assortment from Big Island Candies features Cinnamon White Dipped Macadamia Nut Shortbread, Dark Chocolate Peppermint Brownies and other goodies that deliver good cheer. $31.50 bigislandcandies.com

Kai Wahine

Keiki Rainbow Turtle Your keiki will love their new shirt, and you can add a matching mommy and me outfit—or tūtū and me and even auntie and me—for even more fun! $19.99. kaiwahinedesigns.com

18 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

Honolulu Jewelry Co.

Diamond Plumeria Chain Link Bracelet Embrace the allure of Hawai‘i with our Diamond Plumeria Chain Link Bracelet—a graceful fusion of island elegance and the brilliance of diamonds. $595. honolulujewelrycompany.com

PROMOTION

Laha‘ole

Pikake Lei Bamboo Charcuterie Board

KOHO Chocolates

Laha‘ole's Pīkake Bamboo Charcuterie Board comes in small, medium and large sizes and is ready to assist you in all your culinary ventures—and is perfect for an eco-friendly kitchen. The small boards do not come with a handle. $20-$40. lahaoledesigns.com

18pc Holiday Voyager Your island-inspired holiday flavor journey begins with our Peppermint Mocha, Gingerbread, Kona Coffee, Macadamia Blossom Honey, Liliko‘i, Guava, Coconut, Mango Ginger and Hawaiian Sea Salt Chocolates. $50. kohochocolates.com

Tea Chest Hawai‘i

Organic Tropical Tea Sampler Share relaxation and well-being with the Organic Tropical Tea Sampler by Hawaiian Natural Tea. Mālama ‘āina with sustainably grown ingredients and sustainable packaging made from recycled paper and plant-based inks.

Experience the warmth of Hawai‘i with every sip. $10.75. teachest.com

Honolulu Cookie Co.

Mele Pineapple Shape Box Large Delight in our classic Pineapple Shape Box Large, now decked out for the holidays with a festive red bow. Inside, you'll discover a merry assortment of 20 buttery shortbread cookies in all 12 of our signature flavors. Perfect for gifting or indulging! Note, product available beginning 11/1, while supplies last. $28.95. honolulucookie.com

HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023 19

DONATIONS TO MAUI ARE FLOWING IN

HERE’S WHERE IT’S ALL GOING.

20

20 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

BY CHRISTINE HITT

A

AFTER WILDF I R E S R AVAG E D MAUI, taking

lives, displacing thousands of residents and leaving Lahaina in ruins, people across the globe heeded the call for help and donated both essential goods and hundreds of millions of dollars to charitable organizations, fundraisers and personal GoFundMe campaigns.

Four of Hawai‘i’s longstanding nonprofit organizations—the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Maui United Way and The Salvation Army—took the lead, collecting record sums of money to assist the people of Maui. Donations are still being received today.

Yet, with Lahaina residents, business owners and the entire Valley Isle community still reeling from the Aug. 8 fires, the persistent questions many are asking are: Where is the money going? Is it going into the pockets of those impacted, or will it be?

And who’s deciding how to distribute the money, and with what criteria?

Many in the community are depending on those contributions to help in the rebuild, and they’ll face plenty of challenges along the way. We spoke to the four nonprofits spearheading Maui relief to learn how donations have been or will be used. Here’s what we learned.

PHOTO: AARON K. YOSHINO, COMPOSITE: JAMES NAKAMURA

HAWAI‘I COMMUNITY FOUNDATION MAUI STRONG FUND The biggest fundraiser, the Maui Strong Fund, has collected more than $120 million in donations designated for Maui fire relief.

It’s the largest fundraiser in the Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s 87-year-old history.

Now with the herculean task of allocating and distributing such a massive sum, the nonprofit’s leaders have mobilized their existing operation to move quickly, collaboratively and responsibly. “Basically, you pop up

a $120 million global company when you do this,” says Micah Kāne, president and CEO of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, which launched the fundraiser the day after the fires broke out. “Your IT platform changes, the way you execute on the ground changes, and so we’re basically operating two organizations right now with the same people.”

The foundation awards more than $80 million in grants every year and is accustomed to doling out large sums. It also has been involved in past disasters, such as the 2018 Kaua‘i floods and Kīlauea eruption.

Five years ago, HCF created a disaster response plan for all Islands so it would be prepared for future crises.

Still, determining how to distribute the money after the overwhelming devastation the Maui fires caused has been an enormous undertaking involving HCF’s board, community leaders and many others. “The biggest challenge is you realize that it’s not enough money,” Kāne says. “So, you’re always going to be making trade-offs. And the more intel you can have, the better decisions you can make. The better organizations and stakeholders are collaborating, the better decisions you can make.”

As of late September, HCF had distributed more than $24 million to 115 organizations, as part of Maui Strong.

“When I did call the mayor that evening [on Aug. 8], I told him we would have resources ready to commit to organizations on the ground by the end of day tomorrow,” Kāne says. “By 10 a.m. the following morning, we had the first million dollars in by some very committed organizations and individuals that are trusted partners of ours. Within four or five days, $4 million or $5 million was already in and we were deploying those dollars to organizations on the ground.”

In the first weeks after the fires, with needs so urgent, HCF awarded funds as quickly as possible to organizations that it already had trusted relationships with. This included $3.5 million to Maui Economic Opportunity for securing transitional housing, $300,000 to Imua Family Services to help children and families with mental health services, and $5 million to Maui United Way

HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023 21

“It’s going to be trying to bring a comfortable interim new normal for families, and you’re going to hear that term I think a lot.”

— Micah Kāne

→

HAWAI‘I COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

MAUI STRONG FUND TOTAL DONATIONS RECEIVED

$127,117,583

TOTAL AMOUNT AWARDED

$24,769,144

ORGANIZATIONS AWARDED GRANTS

for direct financial assistance to adults who resided in the fire-affected zone. “[Maui United Way] has intake procedures that can gauge need, and we’re strong believers of cash assistance, especially in the early days of the disaster,” Kāne says. “That’s why we flushed the system with funds that went to organizations like Maui United Way and Maui Economic Opportunity and Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement. They know how to do this kind of work. We’re better intermediaries than trying to do that ourselves.”

Now, Kāne says, they’re transitioning to phase three, the recovery and stabilization phase, which will be followed by the final “rebuilding resiliency” phase.

He says the third phase will take years and will require the use of about 70% to 85% of the funds; the balance will be saved for the final phase. “It’s going to be trying to bring a comfortable interim new normal for families, and you’re going to hear that term I think a lot,” he says. In this “interim new normal,” people should expect a certain level of quality of life “and that’s what we’re striving to deliver, as a hui of organizations, both from government to philanthropy to nonprofit.”

In early October, HCF, the County of Maui and American Red Cross announced that the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement would administer a new Host Housing Support Program, which offers monthly stipends up to $1,500 for up to six months to those who shelter people displaced by the Maui fires. Officials say the program, which has a $4 million budget of which HCF committed $250,000 toward, targets the estimated 25% of displaced individuals who are staying with friends and family members.

22 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November October 2023 2023

COUNCIL FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN ADVANCEMENT KĀKO‘O MAUI FUND After the fire consumed Lahaina, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement launched its Kāko‘o Maui Fund, a donation matching campaign to aid communities impacted by the wildfires. Kūhiō Lewis, president and CEO of CNHA, also told his staff when the fundraising began that he wanted a new program launched to help Maui by Sept. 15.

As of late September, the Kāko‘o Maui Fund had raised more than $8 million and awarded nearly $900,000 in grants. Donations are geared toward Maui-based relief efforts, with a focus on Native Hawaiian organizations, small businesses, families and cultural groups.

When it came to releasing funds, Lewis took charge quickly. “I basically gave to organizations that I identified that was on the ground and were moving and responding quickly,” he says. “We wanted to get them some aid, so we made a bunch of sweeping awards in the beginning, but now it’s going through a committee.”

The committee, made up of CNHA employees, is assessing key criteria from organizations requesting assistance. This includes verifying their nonprofit status, and making sure they have the capacity and ability to deliver the services they’re proposing.

On Aug. 19, CNHA opened a Maui relief storage facility. In early September, it started its Kāko‘o Maui Resource Hub at Maui Mall. (It also manages the Maui County storage and distribution center in Kahului.) And on Sept. 15, the nonprofit launched its Maui Workforce Development Program.

115

LARGEST GRANT

MAUI UNITED WAY $5 MILLION STILL ACCEPTING DONATIONS?

YES

*DATA AS OF 9/22/23

 FOOD AND SUPPLIES ALOFT CITIZEN CHURCH MAUI A CUP OF COLD WATER COMMON GROUND COLLECTIVE HAWAI‘I AGRITOURISM ASSOCIATION HAWAI‘I FARMERS UNION FOUNDATION HO‘OPILI FARMERS ASSOCIATION HUA MOMONA FOUNDATION KAIALAHUI FOUNDATION MAKANA ‘ĀINA FOUNDATION MAUI AIDS FOUNDATION MAUI FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES MAUI FOOD BANK THE PARAGENIUS FOUNDATION THE SALVATION ARMY (HAWAIIAN ISLANDS AND PACIFIC) THE SEWING HUI OF MAUI

$90,000 $50,000 $10,000 $200,000 $135,000 $125,000 $10,000 $150,000 $20,000 $15,000 $10,000 $75,000 $250,000 $34,000 $250,000 $5,000

TOTAL: $1,429,000

$200,000 $10,000 $10,000 $100,000 $100,000 $10,000 $40,000 $300,000 $20,000 $75,000 $108,434 $10,000 $5,000 $175,000 $85,000 $55,000 $250,000 $100,000

TOTAL: $1,170,010

 DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES $5,000,000

 HEALTH CARE ALOHA HOUSE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY COMMUNITY CLINIC OF MAUI DOCTORS ON CALL MAUI HAWAI‘I SELF ADVOCACY ADVISORY COUNCIL HUI NO KE OLA PONO MĀLAMA FAMILY RECOVERY CENTER MAUI ADULT DAY CARE CENTERS MAUI HEALTH FOUNDATION MAULIOLA PHARMACY NĀ HOALOHA - MAUI INTERFAITH VOLUNTEER CAREGIVERS PROJECT VISION UVSC WAI‘ANAE COAST COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CENTER WEST HAWAI‘I COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER KELEA FOUNDATION

$250,000 $100,000 $250,000 $250,000 $25,000 $75,000 $150,000 $100,000 $250,000 $500,000 $25,000 $250,000 $20,000 $20,000 $40,000 $25,000

TOTAL: $2,330,000

 ANIMAL WELFARE $56,000 $250,000 $5,000 $250,000 $50,000

TOTAL: $611,000

 BABY AND MATERNAL CARE ALOHA DIAPER BANK BABY2BABY HEALTHY MOTHERS HEALTHY BABIES COALITION OF HAWAI‘I PACIFIC BIRTH COLLECTIVE

$5,000 $100,000 $250,000 $27,300 $225,000 $50,000 $248,760 $5,000 $250,000 $8,950

TOTAL: $5,000,000

TOTAL: $1,653,434

HAWAI‘I ANIMAL KULEANA ALLIANCE HAWAI‘I ANIMAL RESCUE FOUNDATION LEILANI FARM SANCTUARY MAUI HUMANE SOCIETY KITTY CHARM FARM

BLUE WATER RAFTING MĀLAMA MAUI NUI FOOTPRINT PROJECT HAWAI‘I TECHNOLOGY ACADEMY HAWAIIAN HOPE ORG MAUI ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD MAUI NUI RESILIENCY HUI MAUI REEF ADVENTURES NĀ ‘AIKĀNE O MAUI PROJECT STRONG ONE

MAUI UNITED WAY

 CHILDREN AND FAMILY ‘AHA PŪNANA LEO ALBION SC HAWAI‘I BALL OUT ‘OHANA MAUI YOUTH FOUNDATION BOYS & GIRLS CLUB MAUI DOWNTOWN ATHLETIC CLUB OF HAWAI‘I EPIC ‘OHANA INC. FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN’S JUSTICE CENTER OF MAUI IMUA FAMILY SERVICES LEARNING ENDEAVORS MAUI HUI MĀLAMA PARTNERS IN DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION VILLAGE OF HOPE MAUI MAUI PUBLIC ART CORPS MAUI YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES NATIVE HAWAIIAN PHILANTHROPY WISDOM CIRCLES OCEANIA MAUI PREPARATORY ACADEMY PARENTS AND CHILDREN TOGETHER

 COMMUNICATIONS, LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORTATION

 IMMIGRANT SERVICES HAWAI‘I COALITION FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS THE LEGAL CLINIC MARSHALLESE ASSOCIATION OF KAUA‘I ROOTS REBORN

$246,500 $30,000 $50,000 $100,000

TOTAL: $426,500

$100,000 $20,000 $250,000 $150,000

 LODGING AND SHELTER AMERICAN RED CROSS (PACIFIC ISLANDS REGION) ARC OF MAUI COUNTY BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA ALOHA COUNCIL FAMILY LIFE CENTER IN HIS HOUSE OF RESTORATION CHURCH KA HALE A KE OLA HOMELESS RESOURCE CENTERS INC. KING’S CATHEDRAL AND CHAPELS MAUI ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY PUKALANI COMMUNITY CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE CATHOLIC CHARITIES HAWAI‘I HOMEAID HAWAI‘I

$250,000 $60,000 $50,000 $250,000 $15,000 $250,000 $250,000 $3,500,000 $10,000 $2,000,000 $250,000

TOTAL: $6,885,000

 MENTAL HEALTH AND GRIEF COUNSELING ASSOCIATION FOR INFANT MENTAL HEALTH HOSPICE MAUI NĀ KEIKI O EMALIA NAMI HAWAI‘I THE SPIRIT HORSE RANCH UH MAUI COLLEGE HOSPICE HAWAI‘I INC. MAUI COMMUNITY THEATRE MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA OF HAWAI‘I

TOTAL: $323,500

$10,000 $95,000 $5,000 $5,000 $65,000 $55,000 $8,500 $5,000 $75,000

 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN ADVANCEMENT HAWAI‘I LAND TRUST KUPU HAWAI‘I PIKO

$100,000 $1,135,200 $900,000 $145,000

TOTAL: $2,280,200

 MULTIFACETED ‘ĀINA MOMONA CLIMB HI GOODWILL HAWAI‘I GRACE BIBLE CHURCH MAUI HAKU BALDWIN CENTER HALE MAKUA HEALTH SERVICES HAWAI‘I PEOPLE’S FUND HAWAI‘I COMMUNITY LENDING KA ‘IKE MAU LOA O KE KAI HOHONU J. WALTER CAMERON CENTER LIVE LIKE TRE’ FOUNDATION MAUI FAMILY YMCA MEDIATION SERVICES OF MAUI REGENERATIVE EDUCATION CENTERS VALLEY GLOBAL YOUTH WITH A CALLING WOMEN HELPING WOMEN

$225,000 $17,000 $250,000 $50,000 $12,000 $500,000 $100,000 $250,000 $168,000 $50,000 $150,000 $66,000 $50,000 $100,000 $24,000 $3,500 $125,000

TOTAL:$ 2,140,500

TOTAL: $520,000

$1,429,000

$1,653,434

$611,000

$520,000

$1,170,010

$5,000,000

$2,330,000

$426,500

$6,885,000 $323,500 $2,280,200 $2,140,500 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023 23

“ This is going to be a multi-year effort that’s going to take a lot of resources to help fill voids where the federal government falls short, so please keep giving if you can.”

— Kūhiō Lewis

“While our focus is on Native Hawaiians, we are helping everyone,” Lewis says. The group’s new efforts are being funded by Kāko‘o Maui, but costs are low. He estimates spending about $50,000, for example, to run the resource center.

To determine the allocation of remaining funds, CNHA has divided the Kāko‘o Maui Fund into four categories, with 25% going to individuals; 25% to nonprofits that support individuals; 25% to support businesses; and 25% for direct services, such as the resource center and future initiatives.

CNHA is now transitioning to the third phase of its disaster relief plan, which aims for long-term stability through financial assistance. The organization intends to give directly to individuals but is waiting for FEMA’s application to close to minimize confusion and duplication of efforts.

The final phase of the plan targets the rebuilding of Lahaina—and for CNHA, that means filling in gaps, Lewis says. “We’re kind of a small fund compared to others. I mean it sounds like a lot, but in the greater scheme of what’s necessary, we might play a smaller role. This is going to be a multiyear effort that’s going to take a lot of resources to help fill voids where the federal government falls short, so please keep giving if you can.”

24 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

MAUI UNITED WAY MAUI FIRE DISASTER RELIEF

COUNCIL FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN ADVANCEMENT

Once the severity of the fires was known, Maui United Way quickly started collecting funds online to support Maui relief efforts. Soon, donations were pouring in from all over the world. As of late September, the nonprofit had raised more than $15 million for its Maui Fire Disaster Relief.

People are donating through electronic fund transfers and by sending checks in the mail, and “we’ve even received stock donations through our partners, as well as online, and then you know, fundraisers that are taking place all over the country and beyond,” says Nicholas Winfrey, president and CEO of Maui United Way. Maui United Way also launched an emergency financial assistance program to provide direct financial assistance to those in the impacted areas of Kula and Lahaina. The program is now closed, but 7,130 individuals were approved to receive a $1,000 direct payment (up to five adults per household).

Maui United Way also quickly distributed grants of up to $10,000 to 20 nonprofit partners in the first phase of its funding. The phase two grantees were awarded funds in mid-October,

KĀKO‘O MAUI TOTAL DONATIONS RECEIVED, AS OF 9/15

MORE THAN $8 MILLION TOTAL AMOUNT AWARDED

MORE THAN $800,000 STILL ACCEPTING DONATIONS?

YES

*DATA AS OF 9/15/23

PU‘UHONUA SOCIETY KANAKA CLIMBERS LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF HAWAI‘I NATIVE HAWAIIAN LEGAL CORP. MAKANA O KE AKUA PŪNANA LEO O LAHAINA IMUA FAMILY SERVICES NĀ ‘AIKĀNE O MAUI HAWAI‘I COMMUNITY LENDING

TBD $25,000 $100,000 $100,000 $125,000 $50,000 TBD TBD $100,000

with a stipulation that they must utilize all of the funds by the end of January 2024.

Maui United Way focused this phase on funding organizations that assist children and young adults, and provide mental health services, stable housing, job training, education and employment assistance.

“We’re designed to do this,” Winfrey says. “This is what we do—provide grants—so we have operating procedures in place to vet nonprofits very thoroughly. That process went to our boards, then it’s our partnership committee that is empowered to approve or deny grants, based on some really specific curriculum and quality assurance and quality control measures.”

Winfrey expects Maui United Way’s relief efforts to last years and to have an “infinite amount of phases.” It’s important to remain fluid and continue to pivot, he says, to ensure that no one is falling through the cracks and all people affected are receiving support.

“It’s a long, long, long road to recovery, and resources that we can get into our closed loop system are going to be greatly needed, not just by us, but really all the nonprofits in our community that were doing this work prior, and are going to continue in the future.”

THE SALVATION ARMY MAUI FIRE RELIEF On Aug. 8, The Salvation Army, which had been operating on Maui since 1985, lost its Lahaina facilities in the fires, including its building, church, store and residential quarters. Fortunately, staff members evacuated safely, quickly regrouped and began working out of the nonprofit’s Kahului location that night, cooking and serving meals to displaced survivors.

This wasn’t a case of an outside entity coming to aid. It was a group that was already positioned within the community, with a crisis that, “by God’s grace, we were able to respond to,” says Major Troy Trimmer, divisional commander of The Salvation

Army, Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division.

All funds donated to The Salvation Army through its website, social media or by phone go into The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Service Response Fund.

The day after the fires, Trimmer says he immediately received $50,000 from his territory’s higher headquarters to start meeting the needs of the Maui community. Total donations for Maui, as of late September, had reached $7.8 million.

“One hundred percent will be used directly in Maui fire response,” Trimmer says.

The difference between The Salvation Army and other Maui relief funds is that The Salvation Army doesn’t typically disperse funds to other agencies. Rather, it utilizes funds to manage efforts itself.

It’s difficult to quantify how many people The Salvation Army has helped on Maui, Trimmer says, but he estimates it’s in the thousands based on the number of services the organization has provided.

So far, the local Salvation Army team has prepared and served 80,000 meals and helped coordinate more than 600,000 additional meals on the island. The organization also has provided emotional and spiritual care to more than 2,100 people on Maui since the fires.

Of the total funds it’s raised for Maui relief, The Salvation Army has spent about $1 million in the first phase of its response. It recently authorized another $1.5 million for its next recovery phase. “That assistance is going toward recovery efforts like transportation, gas, groceries, clothing, general needs for the Maui wildfire survivors, including some of those who are located on other Islands,” Trimmer says. “One of the things that we’re finding is people who have been displaced have found themselves on neighboring islands.”

About 900 families have already been interviewed by the organization’s case management team. Once their needs have been assessed, The Salvation Army will reach out to offer assistance, Trimmer says.

MAUI UNITED WAY MAUI FIRE DISASTER RELIEF TOTAL DONATIONS RECEIVED

MORE THAN $15 MILLION WHO HAS BEEN APPROVED FUNDS?

20 NONPROFITS; 7,130 INDIVIDUALS TOTAL AMOUNT AWARDED TO NONPROFITS

$197,300

HOW MUCH HAS BEEN PAID OUT TO INDIVIDUALS SO FAR?

$6 MILLION

STILL ACCEPTING DONATIONS?

YES

*DATA AS OF 9/22/23 HALE MAHAOLU THE SALVATION ARMY - MAUI CORPS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY MAUI INC. CAJUN RELIEF FOUNDATION HAWAI‘I PET NETWORK PLAYERS PHILANTHROPY FUND HOUSING AND LAND ENTERPRISE OF MAUI LAHAINA ARTS GUILD PARENTS AND CHILDREN TOGETHER PACIFIC BIRTH COLLECTIVE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS COMMON GROUND COLLECTIVE MAUI FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES HUI NO KE OLA PONO NĀ HOALOHA - MAUI INTERFAITH VOLUNTEER CAREGIVERS AMERICAN RED CROSS (MAUI) ARC OF MAUI COUNTY KA HALE A KE OLA HOMELESS RESOURCE CENTERS INC. MAUI ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY NĀ KEIKI O EMALIA J. WALTER CAMERON CENTER

$10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $8,000 NEARLY $6 MILLION $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $9,300

TOTAL: $6,197,300

SALVATION ARMY TOTAL DONATIONS RECEIVED

ABOUT $7.8 MILLION TOTAL SPENT ON MAUI RELIEF

$1 MILLION

STILL ACCEPTING DONATIONS?

YES

*DATA AS OF 9/22/23

HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023 25

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K AK A‘AKO

26 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

O‘ahu’s Great Neighborhoods O‘ahu is full of notable neighborhoods, each with its own character. Some are havens for urban singles and couples, others for young and growing families. Hot spots for foodies, emerging local businesses, retro charm, outdoor activities, nightlife: Here are seven of our favorites.

BY J A S M I N E C H A G N O N , R O B B I E D I N G E M A N , A N D R E A L E E , N ATA L I E S C H A C K , D I A N E S E O, B R I E T H A L M A N N , A N D K AT R I N A VA L C O U R T

P H O T O S BY A N T H O N Y C O N S I L L I O

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HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023 27

G R E AT N E I G H B O R H O O D S

Kaimukī

A SUPPORTIVE SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY WHERE OLD-SCHOOL MEETS HIP AND NEW.

T

HE SKY SEEMS DIFFERENT IN KAIMUKĪ . The sunlight and

air, too. Softer, gentler, more welcoming. The visceral feel of the familiar. My history with Kaimukī runs deep. I attended elementary school on Koko Head Avenue and spent summers with my grandparents, who lived a few streets from Kaimukī Middle School. That meant field trips to Kaimukī library, afterschool Icees with liquid li hing mui from the Crack Seed Store, visits to Harry’s Music for clarinet reeds. And, yup, that off-key screeching you heard during any of the ’90s Christmas parades could have been me. As a teenager my first job was slinging anpan at the awkwardly named Le Bon Pain bakery at the bottom of St. Louis Drive. Years later, I lived in the little apartment complex next to Chaminade University, the one with the red Spanish tile roof, for nearly a decade.

Never at any point during those 20-someodd years would I have described the quaint neighborhood as hip or trendy as it’s often thought of now, and it wasn’t a foodie hot spot, either. “How about you?” I ask Summer Shiigi, owner of the Ten Tomorrow clothing boutique and Daily Whisk Matcha café, both on 11th Avenue. We’re close in age, and Shiigi grew up near the top of Wai‘alae Avenue, where her parents still live. “Back then I just saw it as a place where my parents wanted to hang out,” she says. “So, it was nice to return as a smallbusiness owner and see how much it’s evolved, to where I now want to be.”

In Hawaiian, Kaimukī translates to tī oven, named for the legend about Menehune cooking tī roots in the area. King Kamehameha posted his lookouts on its mountainsides, taking advantage of the sweeping views of Waikīkī.

According to the Historic Hawai‘i Foundation, during precontact times the area was so arid that few people lived there. And when Dr. Georges Phillipe Trousseau, the royal family’s physician, acquired the land in 1884, he used it for cattle grazing and an ostrich farm—amazing when you consider its current population of 19,660 and what a wellspring of new businesses it has become.

28 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

Kaimukī’s blend of nostalgia and newness, and its appreciation of both old-school and rapid change, are big parts of what makes it so special. Up and down its main thoroughfares, you’ll find 20-year-old businesses and older holding their own next to much newer concepts— think Okata Bento and boba haunt Cowcow’s Tea, The Calico Cat fabric shop and eco-store Everything Better, Sconees and the Ami Mei tea and wellness boutique.

“It’s such a charming neighborhood,” Shiigi says. “It sounds cliché, but it really is just a collective of small-business owners. What sets us apart is that we could have five or 10 businesses that share the same service or goods, but we don’t see each other as competitors.

We’re all really friends and we’re supportive of each other.”

Further uniting the community is Keep it Kaimukī, the grassroots initiative founded

by The Public Pet owner Jordan Lee in 2016.

Shiigi co-runs the program, which has grown to include an Instagram account, a website with a digital map, merchandise and an annual event, all designed to draw business to the area, including visitors. Currently, most of Kaimukī’s customers are local—around 90% for Shiigi’s shop. “Sometimes I feel like we’re this undiscovered gem,” she says.

I too want all the small businesses to thrive, but to retain their local character. I don’t ever want to see a Starbucks pop up. I love that the W&M parking lot is as crazy as its burgers are delicious. A takeover of slick high-rises would break my heart. Deep down, I hope that Kaimukī stays just undiscovered enough. —BT

P O P U L AT I O N : 19,660 HOUSING UNITS: 6,939 MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $ 1 0 8 ,1 2 9 MEDIAN SALE PRICE OF HOME: $1,284,000 IN AUGUST 2023 H O M E VA LU E I N D E X : $ 1 , 0 2 8 ,1 5 6 I N AUGUST 2018 TO $1,349,234 IN A U G U S T 2 0 2 3 —A 3 1 % INCREASE IN FIVE YEARS

SOURCES: HONOLULU DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND PERMITTING NEIGHBORHOOD PROFILES, REDFIN, ZILLOW

Mililani GREAT FOR YOUNG FAMILIES IN SEARCH OF SPACE, BACKYARDS AND GOOD SCHOOLS AT A MORE AFFORDABLE PRICE.

I

N SOME CIRCLES, “SUBURBIA” IS A DIRTY WORD,

Large-scale planning means additional space, and on an island, that’s golden. Especially for young families: For less money than a midlevel Kaka‘ako condo, you can buy a house with spacious yards for pets and kids to tumble in. And despite the image of cookiecutter dwellings, homes in Mililani come in a surprising range of styles, from patio dwellings with connected back gardens and luxury townhouses with grand fireplaces, to raised properties with front porches and wraparound lawns.

For Torie Johnson, Mililani has been a “middle ground,” a place between the country and town (where she had worked), both in distance, but also ambience.

The townhouse she and her husband live in with their toddler has a spacious backyard, smaller than a country farm, but much bigger than an urban lānai. It’s comfortably roomy enough for outdoor gatherings and a small tomato garden, and there’s plenty of space for her dog to roam, too.

Johnson’s neighborhood is not bustling, but it’s not remote, either. She lives within a few minutes’ walk of two elementary schools that are rated among the top 20 in the state, as well as two pools, three playgrounds and three parks. A quiet jogging trail nearby ends right before a small shopping center with a coffee shop, brew pub and ramen spot, where she grabs lunch with her son after a walk.

She loves that Town Center hosts events for kids, and that all of her neighbors also have children. She loves the quiet and space and the safety she says she feels when she’s out on her evening walks. And she loves the farmers market, the hip local shops and

evoking images of sprawling, car-centric mazes and endless rows of identical tract homes. So why are millennials moving there en masse? Media like Curbed and Bloomberg point to suburbia not just growing, but also evolving. And on O‘ahu, single-family housing communities are popping up across the island, with young families happily heading there to raise kids in homes they own.

—T O R I E J O H N S O N What sets Mililani apart? The answer, interestingly, may be the same today as it was half a century ago, when the idea for the master-planned, spacious and accesrestaurants in nearby Wahiawā town, and how some of the best beaches in the world are just 20 minutes away. sible suburban community that would become Mililani was “It’s kind of in between,” she says. “It’s a place for first hatched by Castle & Cooke Hawai‘i. Despite its quintessentially away-from-town reputation, Mililani bucks many of families.” And, perhaps that is the best, simplest way to the characteristics that give suburban neighborhoods a bad describe Mililani’s appeal, as an in-between place for urban millennials navigating life after young adulthood rap. It’s a remarkably walkable place, with well-used trails, tree-lined parks, playgrounds, and recreation centers with and before old age. For them, it’s a time to have chilpools—the types of amenities that condo dwellers and other dren, to raise families, to reach milestones. And to slow down, breathe deeply and stretch out. —NS progressive urbanites yearn for, only here, they’re stretched comfortably over a 10-square-mile area.

“It’s kind of in between.

It’s a place for families.”

2 1 P A R K S 7 R E C R E AT I O N C E N T E R S 1 9 7 1 : T H E Y E A R T H E F I R S T H O M E S I N M I L I L A N I W E R E C O M P L E T E D 1 9 . 4 % O F T H E P O P U L AT I O N I S U N D E R 1 8 2 . 9 2 P E O P L E P E R H O U S E H O L D 8 0 . 2 % : O W N E R - O C C U P I E D H O U S I N G R AT E SOURCES: CASTLE & COOKE HOMES HAWAI‘I, U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023 29

LAHAINA PHOTO BY AARON K. YOSHINO

G R E AT N E I G H B O R H O O D S

Kāne‘ohe

T

A WINDWARD NEIGHBORHOOD WITH HAWAIIAN CULTURE, LONGTIME RESIDENTS AND SCRAPPY SMALL BUSINESSES.

H E B E ST V I E W O F K Ā N E ‘O H E

may well be from high above, the one that reminds Windward commuters of the mauka-tomakai beauty of their neighborhood each time they leave behind the hustle of Honolulu and head home.

Driving through tunnels punched through the Ko‘olau Range offers that dramatic reveal whether you’re visiting for the first time or your family’s been here for seven generations, like cultural interpreter Mahealani Cypher’s.

“What I love the most is the view of the pali when you come out of the tunnel into Windward Side. You can let your air out, you can just relax. You feel, you know, comforted by looking down at the bay as you’re coming down the pali,” she says.

Decades ago, this community fought to remain residential and resisted big developments, which means its population remains under 40,000. There are chain stores but Cypher remembers the battle to keep out high-rises.

Here, buildings are limited to heights of six stories. That helps preserve the small-town atmosphere, which is supported by a diverse mix of hometown businesses selling everything from poke, musubi and crack seed to ube noodles and sushi. Fixing something at home?

Choose between two locally owned hardware stores. Need an expert? You can find a kumu hula, fishing supplies, a furniture upholsterer and a vacuum repair shop, all off of Kahuhipa Street.

Folks still miss Kāne‘ohe Bakery, which closed in 2021 after 70 years, and its well-loved custard pies, but residents remain upbeat about many enduring family-owned businesses. Even Windward Mall has evolved, with a mix of tenants that includes medical offices, movie theaters as well as local shops. Owned

by Kamehameha Schools, the mall has often struggled with its own identity. Target moved in this year after the closing of the Sears and Macy’s stores.

30 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

Cypher looks out across Kāne‘ohe and sees many layers. It’s a place rich in Hawaiian history, she says, and blessed by natural resources and families that have made the community home since the early 1900s. And it’s “not just Hawaiian, but Okinawan, Filipino, all different races.”

She notes that the community has helped revitalize fishponds and maintain farms and streams that gave the area its reputation as ‘āina momona, a rich agricultural land since before the time of King Kamehameha I. And she’s especially proud to have helped return the historic name of Naoneala‘a a Kāne‘ohe to what had been called Kāne‘ohe Beach Park. This marks the site where the chiefs of all the islands gathered in January 1737, to make peace after years of war. And we know that because of the work of the Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club funded by the National Geographic Society and the Awesome Foundation.

At 77, Cypher has earned a reputation as a strong independent voice. She worries when she hears that many longtime Hawaiian residents now rent rather than own their own homes, “because when you lose the land, you also lose the opportunity for generations to live in the same place,” she says.

But she’s encouraged when she sees generations of families line Kamehameha Highway for the popular annual Christmas Parade (Dec. 2 this year). “The sidewalks are crammed with Hawaiian families, so they’re still here. To me that is the power of Kāne‘ohe, the mana,” she says. —RD

P O P U L AT I O N A S OF 2020 CENSUS: 3 7, 4 3 0 MORE THAN TWOTHIRDS OF HOMES ARE OWNEROCCUPIED. MEDIAN AGE: 44 SOURCE: HONOLULU DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND PERMITTING

I

Kaka‘ako PRIME LOCATION IN THE HEART OF THE CITY WITH AFFORDABLE OPTIONS FOR THE LUCKY FEW.

A L A M O A N A - K A K A‘A K O P O P U L AT I O N : 26,338 A L A M O A N A - K A K A‘A K O H O M E O W N E R S H I P R AT E : 4 4 % , R E N TA L R AT E : 5 6 % SOURCE: CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU 2021 DATA

The Hawai‘i Community Development Authority Reserved Housing program, which allows eligible purchasers to buy homes below market rates, targets Hawai‘i residents earning 80%–140% of the area median income ($85,000/1 person; $97,100/2 people; $109,250/3 people; $121,400/ 4 people; up to $160,250 for 8 people) HOWARD HUGHES AFFORDABLE HOUSING U N I T S K A K A‘A K O : 1 ,1 2 1 U N I T S (4 2 4 AT K E K I L O H A N A ; 6 9 7 AT U L A N A ) SOURCE: HOWARD HUGHES

O U R K A K A‘A K O : 1 , 2 1 1 R E S I D E N T I A L U N I T S (4 5 6 AFFORDABLE/WORKFORCE UNITS) 351 UNITS ARE RENTED (KEAUHOU L A N E , T H E F L AT S @ P U ‘ U N U I , 6 8 0 A L A MOANA)

’M 29, INDEPENDENT and living on my own for the first

time—and I’ll soon be a homeowner in Honolulu. It’s a milestone achieved with some good luck and fortuitous timing.

Hip but not pretentious, artsy but not posh, urban but not grungy, Kaka‘ako is home to a diverse mix of small businesses, artists, urbanites and off-the-wall entertainment.

Where else are you going to find a rock-climbing gym, cat café and rage room all within blocks of each other, not to mention the diverse eateries and boba shops? Kaka‘ako makes supporting local easy and cool, and even before I moved there, it’s where I hung out.

I have my mom to thank for my foray into homeownership. She learned about Ulana, an affordable housing project in Ward Village, and encouraged me to enter the lottery. She insisted that owning is better than renting, and that the upfront investment required to buy a home would pay off long term. What did I have to lose?

And in March 2022, I found out I actually won— the hand of fate rolled my number out of the lottery wheel, 55th out of 880.

Long story short, that’s how I secured a studio apartment with my mom’s help. It’ll be a tiny studio, but it’ll be mine, and in the heart of Kaka‘ako, a neighborhood full of art and energy and ingenuity. “Prime location,” my mom likes to say.

Ulana won’t be built for another two years, and I needed a place to stay in the meantime. At the top of my list while looking at rentals was Our Kaka‘ako, where several condos offer affordable programs to middle-income residents. And after getting through the rigorous rental application process, it was a relief and joy to move into a place to call my own.

I spend many evenings just walking around the area. I see cute dogs on the street and in elevators. I pick up groceries at H Mart and Whole Foods, meet up with friends at Ward theaters, check out community events and pop-up markets. I’m settled in and making a life for myself.

It looks like I got my Hawai‘i dream, and it might sound like it was easy. But the reality is that Honolulu’s cost of living is becoming exorbitant, and many people need to choose between scraping by living in town or living somewhere more affordable and dealing with an awful commute. Some people can’t make ends meet at all and move off-island.

That easily could’ve happened to me, so I’m grateful for the opportunities and sheer luck of the lottery that brought me to Kaka‘ako. Because of affordable housing and rental projects, I can live here. Say what you will about gentrification, but without these kinds of community-driven initiatives led by the government and big corporations, locals would have an even tougher time surviving and thriving in the Islands.

I’m almost 30, but I feel like my life is just getting started.

Growing up means letting go of what you thought being an adult would be like and acknowledging how much your mom was right. —AL

SOURCE: KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS

HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023 31

G R E AT N E I G H B O R H O O D S

Lē‘ahi

I

Diamond Head / Kapi‘olani Park

IT’S WHERE MANY URBANITES GO WHEN WE WANT (OR NEED) TO GET OUTSIDE.

GREW UP ON KIELE AVENUE , steps from

Tonggs Beach and a half block from Kapi‘olani Park. That was the ’70s and ’80s, when you could buy a home in the area for less than $100,000, like my parents did. I returned to the neighborhood last year after living for many years in East O‘ahu and for two decades in nine other states.

While planning this series about the island’s great neighborhoods, I knew I had to vouch for my own. What makes it a standout not just to me, but to hundreds of thousands of others can be simply expressed—it’s our backyard. The park, the beaches, the path circling Diamond Head—it’s where we go year-round when we want, or need, to get outside.

On any given day, countless activities take place within Kapi‘olani Park’s 200 acres. People of all ages run, walk, bike and stroll, sometimes with dogs and babies. They play tennis, soccer, volleyball, Bocce, lacrosse and rugby. They do hula, yoga, tai chi, Zumba and capoeira. They meditate, take naps, lie on the grass, swing on hammocks. They beat bongos, play the ‘ukulele, have impromptu jam sessions. There are art festivals, concerts at the Waikīkī Shell, and so many other events, including the Honolulu Marathon. There are AA meetings, group worship sessions, kids’ birthday parties with inflatable bouncy houses, reunions, picnics, barbecues. Some of the unique things I’ve seen: glowstick fire dance performances, aerial acrobats swinging from the banyan trees and folks dressed in Obi-Wan Kenobi-like robes facing off in light-saber duels.

And that’s just the park. Include the nearby beaches (Kaimana, Tonggs, Lē‘ahi, Queen’s Surf, Mākālei, Diamond Head), and you’ve got crowds of ocean lovers here daily, surfing, swimming, foil surfing and more. Even monk seals seem to favor the beaches in the ’hood.

It’s also a prime area to watch the evening sunset transform the sky with dramatic swirls of violets, oranges and reds. And the ocean dazzles too, turning vibrant shades of aqua, cobalt and emerald throughout the day. Some days, it’s surreal.

What impresses me most though is the area’s resilience. I sometimes take my mom’s dog, Ikaika,

32 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

out for early morning walks around the park, and I’m always amazed how fresh the park and beaches look despite the constant use. Of course, like other areas across the island, it has issues, including a rise in homelessness and crime. Still, considering how many people come here daily, the area has a way of rejuvenating itself, with, of course, the help of city workers who tend to it.

I wondered if there might be a deeper reason for this self-rejuvenation, and learned of the area’s sacredness. Papa‘ena‘ena Heiau, where La Pietra School is now, once stood on the western slope of Lē‘ahi, overlooking the Waikīkī coast. Other nearby heiau, known for possessing great spiritual energy, include Kupalaha; Pahu-a-Maui on the crater’s eastern cliffs where Diamond Head Lighthouse now stands; Kapua, near the present Kapi‘olani Park; and Ahi on Lē‘ahi’s peak. Native Hawaiians have long recognized the area’s uplifting spirit, which remains intact.

Personally, I have so many memories of growing up and now living again in the neighborhood.

As a girl, I played “forest” in the little park where Kalākaua Avenue curves into Poni Moi Road. My mother taught me to ride a bike at Kapi‘olani Park (even though she doesn’t know how to). I walked home every afternoon from Waikīkī Elementary School, through the park and past the old archery area. I ran high school cross country races here, played tennis, flew my first kite. During the height of the pandemic, it’s where I met friends. We’d sit on benches by Kaimana, savoring being outside by the water and talking about the strangeness of life.

One evening last year, while walking Ikaika after a particularly stressful day at work, I started thinking about leaving Hawai‘i. It’s so expensive.

Better job opportunities exist elsewhere. I need a change. That was the beginning of the walk. Somewhere toward the middle, while strolling down Kalākaua near Queen’s Surf, I felt the cool dusk breeze. I saw the ocean and trees, and I was struck with an overwhelming sense of well-being. I took a photo of the gorgeous view in front of me and texted it to a friend. “Magical,” I said. —DS

Named after his beloved wife and queen, Kapi‘olani Park started as King David Kalākaua’s playground for polo fields. In 1877, he dedicated this royal land as a public space. The Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation has preserved and has maintained this large green open space with many outdoor recreational activities since 1913. Kapi‘olani Regional Park also includes the Honolulu Zoo and the Waikīkī Shell, which are all now held under a public charitable trust, as a free and open public park.

One of the largest public parks and the second oldest on O‘ahu, Kapi‘olani Regional Park was listed on the Hawai‘i State Register of Historic Places in 1992.

SOURCE: CITY & COUNTY OF HONOLULU

“Within a few months, we were like, oh, yeah, we’ll never move back to town.”

—CHERIF GUIRGUIS

Kapolei/ Makakilo A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD FOR URBAN DWELLERS WITH KIDS.

K

APOLEI WAS DESIGNATED O‘AHU’S “SECOND CITY”

almost 50 years ago, though many people back then saw it as simply a cheaper place to live. After all, they still needed to work and play in Honolulu. That’s not the case anymore. While the median sales price of single-family homes in the Kapolei area has remained lower than many other parts of the island, the number of businesses and variety of things to do in the second city have increased, making it an attractive choice for families.

“I would never move back to town,” says Cherif Guirguis, who moved in 2017 with his family from Mō‘ili‘ili to Makakilo, located just above Kapolei and covered by the same neighborhood board. “And I was a townie my whole life.” But after a few months of living up against the mountain, with cows in the backyard, he says he loves how quiet it is. “I can go to Target, Home Depot, Costco in one run and then it’s gonna take me all of three minutes between each. … It’s all the restaurants I want up here. It’s just everything I want, less congested.” The 43-year-old owns Manoli Builders and moved his general construction company from Kalihi to Waipahu during the pandemic, so his commute has improved, too.

According to census information gathered by the City and County of Honolulu, the area covered by the Makakilo/Kapolei neighborhood board is the third-most populated on the island (after nearby Waipahu and ‘Ewa). From 2010 to 2020, the number of housing units in the area increased 38.4%.

It’s also one of the more diverse places, where the most-represented race (Asian alone)

comprises only 28.5% of the population, the lowest majority of all O‘ahu neighborhoods.

Compared to neighborhoods like Hawai‘i Kai and Mānoa, Kapolei and Makakilo are younger, both in terms of families and infrastructure. “Everything’s new, the streets are wider. It’s a grid system out here, which I love as an engineer,” Guirguis says.

Guirguis and his wife, Jenna, who also works at Manoli Builders, value living close to Wet’n’Wild Hawai‘i, Wai Kai and the lagoons of Ko Olina. They have two young kids: Chase, who’s in third grade, and Cooper, in first grade, both at Island Pacific Academy.

An ‘Iolani grad, Guirguis believes in IPA’s teaching philosophy and likes how the school engages the kids. He also coaches a club soccer team at the Waipi‘o soccer park.

The area has a mix of family-friendly bigbox chains like Walmart and Target, small local businesses, as well as Kapolei Commons and Ka Makana Ali‘i. And restaurant wait times are significantly shorter than in town. Jenna Guirguis says she’s excited for the state’s largest Don Quijote to open in the area soon, along with a new Popeyes. And, she says, she enjoys going to Moani Island Bistro for live music and pau hana. “That’s always a fun girls or guys night out for parents,” she says.

She doesn’t miss town, either. “Honolulu is so congested,” she says, adding that everything she wants—the kids’ school, the Ko Olina lagoons, shopping centers—is close by. “We can go to Home Depot, we can go to soccer, we can go to the beach, we can go to the movies and shop and have lunch all in one day. So don’t ask me to go to Honolulu,” she says with a laugh, “unless you give me like three months heads up.” —KV

P O P U L AT I O N I N K A P O L E I / MAKAKILO: 46,389 HOUSING UNITS: 15,059 MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $108,328 MEDIAN SALES PRICE OF S I N G L E - F A M I LY H O M E S (JANUARY THROUGH AUGUST 2023): $945,000 SOURCES: HONOLULU BOARD OF REALTORS, HONOLULU DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND PERMITTING NEIGHBORHOOD PROFILES

BEST PLACES FOR KIDS

• • • • • • • •

‘ŌLINO BY C O N S O L I D AT E D T H E AT R E S REGAL KAPOLEI COMMONS KO OLINA LAGOONS WET’N’WILD WHITE PLAINS BEACH C O R A L C R AT E R A D V E N T U R E PA R K KIDS CITY KAPOLEI AULANI, A DISNEY R E S O R T & S PA

HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023 33

G R E AT N E I G H B O R H O O D S

Hawai‘i Kai

er island waterway. Instead, it was named for and by its controversial developer, Henry J. Kaiser, a real estate tycoon and industrialist who also built the Kaiser Hawaiian Village Hotel, later known as the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Here’s how Time magazine described O‘ahu’s first planned community in 1960: “Last week Kaiser showed off the first houses in his most ambitious project: Hawaii Kai, a projected $350 million dream city on the eastern end of Oahu Island, to be built on 6,000 acres between picturesque Maunalua Bay and Kuapa Fishpond.”

And for people seeking a scenic, coastal lifestyle, Hawai‘i Kai has over the years become the “dream city” that Kaiser envisioned.

It’s minutes away from world-class bodysurfing beaches—Awāwamalu (Sandy Beach) and Makapu‘u—and one of the few places on O‘ahu where you can Jet Ski, off Maunalua Bay Beach Park. Both residents and visitors head to the pristine marine ecosystem of Hanauma Bay, one of the island’s optimal spots for snorkeling. And no matter the swell conditions, keiki can splash around in the tide pools at nearby Baby Makapu‘u, or in the calm shallow waters around Portlock. The unobstructed view of Lē‘ahi is just another perk, along with the gorgeous sunsets seen from Koko Kai Mini Beach Park and China Walls.

Hawai‘i Kai’s coastal vibe is decidedly different from that of beachier communities like Lanikai and Hale‘iwa. Along with barefoot surfers, boards in hand, the area is also a hot spot for boat enthusiasts. In fact, boat life and the marina are at the heart of this community, and several residents along its roughly 300 acres of waterways have their watercraft docked right in back of their houses, townhomes and condominiums. One of the most beloved community events is the annual Festival of Lights Christmas Boat Parade, with boats decked out in themes and spectacular lights.

Boaters can also dock at any of the three town centers—Koko Marina Center, Hawai‘i Kai Shopping Center and Hawai‘i Kai Towne Center—and enjoy a meal at a waterfront dining spot.

As you drive through the neighborhood, you’ll see plenty of colorful kayaks and paddleboards. And canoe paddlers are here, too: Maunalua Bay is home to the Hui Nalu Canoe Club, founded by legendary waterman Duke Kahanamoku, William “Knute” Cottrell and Kenneth Winter in 1908.

As residents of the nearby Kuli‘ou‘ou neighborhood, my family and I are lucky to call this larger East O‘ahu community home. Our kids go to Hawai‘i Kai schools, and on most afternoons around sunset, you’ll find us (and our dog) wading in the pet- and keiki-friendly waters at Kuli‘ou‘ou Beach Park. My husband impatiently waits for the perfect conditions so he can surf Portlock Point, and he regularly gets smashed by the waves at Sandy’s and Makapu‘u. We were hesitant to leave our former neighborhood, Kapahulu, with its proximity to Waikīkī and Diamond Head, but as beach-loving parents of young kids, Hawai‘i Kai is definitely the slice of suburban paradise that we now know we needed. —JC

A “DREAM CITY” FOR ISLAND-STYLE COASTAL LIVING.

P O P U L AT I O N : 28,398 HOUSING UNITS: 11,410 MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $128,079 SOURCE: HONOLULU DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND PERMITTING NEIGHBORHOOD PROFILES

FAV O R I T E W AT E R F R O N T E AT E R I E S

• • • •

KONA BREWING CO. L I K O ’S TA P A N D TA B L E ISLAND BREW COFFEEHOUSE MĀLA MARKET

34 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

T

HE NAME “HAWAI‘I KAI” ISN’T AN ODE TO THE OCEAN or some oth-

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ILLUSTRATION: GETTY IMAGES; OLGA NAUMOVA

A celebration of excellence and dedication in the real estate and mortgage industry across the Aloha State. We invited Hawai‘i’s real estate and mortgage companies to submit a list of their best performers. This special section is a testament to the hard work, expertise and unwavering commitment of the real estate and mortgage professionals who have consistently set the bar high, forging new paths in this ever-evolving field.

35 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM August 2020 2

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REAL ESTATE

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hawai‘i Realty O‘AHU

Reine Ah Moo Lectie Altman Rachel Bradley Liz Bills Courtney Dennison Caroline Faringer Brittany Fee Joelle “Joey” Foti Jennifer Freas Liane Freitas Heather Hatcher Carole Kaili-Daly Derek Kamm Ayumi Kim Kelly La’a Scott Larimer Marilou Lorica Stacey Barbara Martin Rick Maxey Amanda McCann Ululani Nauka Hillary Norrell Shannon Smith Sisi Takaki Corinda Wong

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Advantage Realty O‘AHU

Scott Adams Brett Aka Daria Andreev Kim Wong Balisacan Rachel Barnette Tracy Bean

Dianne Ho Bosworth Allan & Soomi Crooks Tania De Jesus Judy Hwang Sue Jo Myron Kiriu Grace Koreyasu Neil Kuioka Colin Lee Daniel Lee Kim Joshua Mun Margarita Munden Cheryl Nekota Mathew Ngo Michelle Nouchi Ogata Mei Pang Stacy Loe Paris Rolanda Racoma Jaymes & Becky Song Sean Takamori Will Tanaka Tim & Lisa Tengan Wendy Tenn Michelle Doo Van Rafelghem Sachiko Yanagihara Jeff Char & Taryn Loo Nicole Velasco & Kalyn Queypo Sal Gonzales & Renato Besabe Tahiti Reed & Nani Cockett

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Advantage Realty Valley Isle MAUI

Michelle Bosque Erin Clapper Jana Dean-Saribay Lauren Nottage Hogan Lorelee Robello Amy Sword

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Advantage Realty West O‘AHU

Joe Castaneda Desmond Cura Asako Nishikawa

Carvill Sotheby’s International Realty O‘AHU

Kelly Allen Patty Bell Scott Carvill Ann Cuseo Mike Dilks Maureen O’Guin Eric Olson John Schamber Nancy Young-Vieira

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Advantage Realty North Shore ChaneyBrooks O‘AHU Choice Advisors Trish Kim Karin & Meme Moody Michael Pieklo

36 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

O‘AHU

William “Billy” Robillard

Coldwell Banker Realty O‘AHU

Cora Agliam Tracy Allen Dolores Panlilio Bediones Mary Browne-Burris Koa Cassady Beth Chang Jordan P. Chow Tess de Jesus Robert Jensen Garces Lisa Haeringer Shari M. Hooks Diane O. Ito Malia Kakos, J.D. Miki Kanda Holden Lau Kainoa Lee Andrew Leitheiser Matty Liu Anne Oliver John Peterson Douglas Shanefield Eleanor Simon Glenda R. Somera Sissy Sosner Mikiko Terahira

Forward Realty O‘AHU

Trevor Benn Robin Boolukos Austin O’Leary Ryan Oda

Tracy Allen

Vice President Global Luxury Ambassador Luxury Property Specialist RS-46610

808.927.6415 Tracy@TracyAllenHawaii.com www.TracyAllenHawaii.com Tracy Allen knows real estate. As an industry leader with 34 years of dedication, Tracy is honored to be the #1 Individual Sales Agent in Hawaii and #4 Individual Sales Agent Nationwide for Coldwell Banker Realty. Additionally, Tracy was just named the #1 Agent in the Nation for AREAA, acknowledging exceptional achievements in the real estate industry.

Tracy’s extensive market knowledge and skill have consistently placed her among the elite of Hawaii’s Realtors.

Tracy’s clients have a distinct advantage. Her in-depth home design and staging experience, superior people skills and determination to indulge her clients with exceptional service set her apart. She can transform the look of your property, negotiate the terms to your benefit, and help you achieve a successful closing at top dollar.

Tracy is a leader in her profession with prestigious accolades for her skill, expertise, and results. In addition to holding the record for the highest closed residential sales on the Island of Oahu, Tracy consistently ranks in the top 1% among her colleagues locally and nationally. Tracy was bestowed NRT’s prestigious Society of Excellence Award for achieving an exceptional level of sales in 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and again in 2022, representing the very top tier of sales performance. Tracy repeatedly dominates the luxury sales market and is the Top Producer of Coldwell Banker Realty in Honolulu, Hawaii. If you are looking for results and a proven leader, call Tracy today!

See some of our newest Luxury Listings & Recent Closed Sales below!

3707 Diamond Head Road, Honolulu, HI Listed at $14,975,000 FS

1118 Ala Moana Boulevard, Villas 1/6, Honolulu, HI Listed at $14,950,000 FS

281 A Portlock Road, Honolulu, HI Listed at $8,750,000 FS

4505 Kahala Avenue, Honolulu, HI Sold at $15,000,000 FS*

626 Kaimalino Street, Kailua, HI Sold at $8,675,000 FS

4317 Kaikoo Place, Honolulu, HI Sold at $8,350,000 FS* *Represented Sellers & Buyers

COLDWELL BANKER REALTY | 1585 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 1010 | Honolulu, HI 96814. ©2023 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Anywhere Advisors LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

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Hawaii Life- Oahu O‘AHU

Pete Arnold Sanjay Arora Kyle Bernhardt John J. Climaldi Julia Napua Fetzer Julianna Garris Sean F. Ginella Erik E. Hinshaw Leane Horton David Lundstrom Tyler Lundstrom Dan Madden Dawn Marie Melanie Meinken Cynthia Nash Don A. Persons Cathy Possedi Jeanie Schmaltz Noel Pietsch Shaw Kimberly Soares Cherie Tsukamoto Kaety Enos Tsukamoto Jake Vaughn Michelle Wood Charlie Q. Zhao

Hawaiian Isle Real Estate HAWAI‘I ISLAND

Gretchen Osgood

Island Sotheby’s Int’l Realty MAUI

Rick Brandt Courtney Brown Philip Chiesa Heidi Dollinger Daniel Gonzalez Becky Hanna

Tiffany Hyde Mari Ippolito Mark Jackson Ryan MacLaughlin Candi Matthews Mino McLean Candy Mulcoy Teresa Nelle Elena Panigada Wendy Peterson Lori Powers Jack Roden Rob Shelton Jordan Smith Truman Taoka Sam Utley Cynthia Warner Anita White

Kukio Properties HAWAI‘I ISLAND

Ben Garner David Johnston James A. Schneider

Pacific International Realty O‘AHU

Gradys Dai Hana Dawley Ryan Kurihara Brad Long Melanie Long Toni Maehara Lori Miano Christine Mitchell Kimberly Mok Juliana Park Yaxin Tao

38 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

Candyce Tsuneyoshi Earl Tsuneyoshi

Refined Real Estate Hawaii LLC O‘AHU

Michel Arakaki Jewel Henderson-DeGerald Dennis Noah-Casison Eric Yamamoto

TLC Realty O‘AHU

Cherise Antoque-Tilton Justin Morikawa Iris Rapoza

True Real Estate Hawaii LLC O‘AHU

David Saka Justin T. B. Walthall Mark H. Young MORTGAGE

Central Pacific Bank KAUA‘I

Derrick Adams Erin Murray HAWAI‘I ISLAND

Morgan Prendergast MAUI

Kimberly Macadangdang Cindi Pojas Smith Joe Agpaoa Cindy Basioa Tom Chua Rowena Cooper

Celia Fujikami Donn Hoshide Ian Kemsley David Lee Juo Leung Amanda Lien Phuong Matsuura Gay McPhail Linda Miyasaki Craig Nakashima Tommy Nguyen Stacey Nishiki Annie Pahayahay Trong Son Paul Tse

Finance Factors Ltd O‘AHU

Romeo Anacan Josh Grant Rory Matsumoto

Mortgage Hawaii O‘AHU

Zachary Gaynor Clint Hamabata Marshall Lum Cathy Nguyen

Smart Money O‘AHU

Eddie Akabane Everett Arakawa Huyen Bledsoe Eric Cordeiro Darci Harris Tami Hashimoto-Chan Sean Iwanski Devan Kwee Daryn Ogino William Rodriguez Tyler Taniguchi

Best in real estate CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WHO MADE THIS PRESTIGIOUS LIST!

Cora Agliam

Mary Browne-Burris

Beth Chang

Jordan Panina Chow

(RA) RS-71106 808.780.7226 coraa@cbrealty.com

(R) RB-18601 808.285.6642 mburris@cbrealty.com

(R) RB-14022 808.478.7800 beth@bethchang.com

(R) RB-21901 808.392.1906 jordanpchow@gmail.com

Tess de Jesus

Lisa Haeringer

Shari M. Hooks

Diane O. Ito

(RA) RS-58003 808.783.4468 tess.dejesus@cbrealty.com

(R) RB-20517 808.927.7177 lisah@cbrealty.com

(RA) RS-64966 808.721.1600 shari.hooks@cbrealty.com

(R) RB-19444 808.222.0978 diane@dianeito.com

Malia Kakos, J.D.

Andrew Leitheiser

Anne Oliver

John Peterson

(RA) RS-74485 808.741.8292 maliak@cbrealty.com

(R) RB-22557 808.781.5378 andrew.leitheiser@cbrealty.com

(R) RB-17132 808.292.2800 oliver@cbrealty.com

(R) RB-12469 808.220.5555 john@residencehawaii.com

Douglas Shanefield

Eleanor Simon

Sissy Sosner

Mikiko Terahira

(RA) RS-54692 808.551.5551 dougs@cbrealty.com

(RA) RS-63850 808.256.0188 eleanors@cbrealty.com

(R) RB-21875 808.938.5588 sissys@cbrealty.com

(RA) RS-70424 808.258.8258 mikikot@cbrealty.com

ColdwellBankerHomes.com

guiding you home since 1906

Affiliated real estate agents are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2023 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logo are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Anywhere Advisors LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

2020 2021 2022

Congratulations to our 2023 Best in Real Estate Winners!

Gladys Dai RS-60868

Brad Long RS-74223

Earl Tsuneyoshi RS-78316

Candyce Tsuneyoshi RS-76747

Lori Miano RS-75253

Toni Maehara RS-75570

Hana Dawley RS-67066

Christine Mitchell RS-53055

Yaxin Tao RS-83723

Kimberly Mok RS-68032

Melanie Long, (R) PB, GRL , ABR, A H W D, C D P E , E - P RO, G R E E N L ICENSE NO: RB -190 4 5

808.375.9223

Locally owned and operated! Real Estate with ALOHA!

PAC I F I C I N T E R N AT I O N A L R E A LTY 41- 03 8 PU U O N E ST. , WA IM A N A LO, HI 96 795 O F F IC E EMAIL WEBSITE

8 08 . 3 9 4 .9223 eFA X 8 6 6 .470. 8 8 36 M E L A N I E @ M E L A N I E LO N G .C O M PAC I F I C I N T L R E A LT Y.C O M LICENSE NO. RB -19 059

M A K IN G A D IFFE RE NC E Please donate to our Maui project going on now.

Thank you for supporting and helping the people of Maui.

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William ‘Billy’ T. Robillard  ( R A ) R S - 6 2 2 0 1 , PA R T N E R C H A N E Y B R O O KS C H O I C E A DV I S O R S

14 4 0 K A P I O L A N I B LV D. , S U I T E 1 0 1 5 | H O N O L U L U, H I 9 6 8 14 M: (808) 221-4376 | O: (808) 753-9033 | CHOICEHI.COM W R O B I L L A R D @ C H A N E Y B R O O KS. C O M

F

or over two decades, William “Billy” T. Robillard has dedicated himself to perfecting his exceptional client service, earning a reputation as one of Honolulu’s top real estate agents. Growing up in Japan as a military brat, he was exposed to the Japanese service industry renowned for its excellence, inspiring Robillard to stand out among his peers with his genuine care and hospitality. His unwavering commitment to assisting clients in selling or buying homes, ensuring a seamless and stress-free process, and fostering enduring client trust has resulted in lifelong relationships.

Fluent in both English and Japanese, Robillard primarily serves high-end clients from Japan seeking secondary homes in Hawai‘i. However, he also works with many local and Mainland clients, extending his high-quality service to guarantee a hassle-free transaction, regardless of the budget.

Among the many accolades and awards, Billy has been included on HONOLULU Magazine’s Best in Real Estate list since 2016, Hawaii Business Magazine’s Top 100 Realtors in 2013 and recently nominated for Aloha ‘Aina Realtor for 2023. Additionally, he also reached another milestone in both his career and Hawaii State records for highest price condo sale in September of this year.

Park Lane Grand Penthouse $27.5 million SOLD

“ H I S U N WAV E R I N G C O M M I T M E N T TO ASSISTING CLIENTS IN SELLING OR BUYING HOMES, ENSURING A SEAMLESS AND STRESS-FREE PROCESS, AND FOSTERING ENDURING CLIENT TRUST HAS R E S U LT E D I N L I F E L O N G R E L AT I O N S H I P S .”

HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023 41

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Scott Adams  R E A LTO R – AS S O C I AT E , R S - 6 6 47 2

O F F I C E S I N K A I L UA , K A K A A KO, K A H A L A , A N D K A P O L E I ( 8 0 8 ) 7 7 9 - 5 1 3 5 | H I H O M E S. C O M S C OT TA @ B E T T E R H AWA I I . C O M

“T

hank you to our friends and clients for your trust and confidence over the years. It’s been an honor and blessing to help you with your real estate needs! We are grateful for your support and helping our business grow.”

Our full-service team specializes in residential sales on Oahu. Strong local ties and decades of sales, construction, and investment experience has put us among the Top-100 Producers on Oahu for 15 years.

Services include:

• Relocation Assistance • Coordinating Repairs/Renovations • Investment Strategies • VA Sales

We’ve helped hundreds of families reach their real estate goals in the most successful and stress-free way possible.

Let us show you how. Call me or meet our team at our KAILUA, KAHALA, KAKAAKO, or KAPOLEI office.

• Top 100 Realtors on O‘ahu, 15 Years (Honolulu Board of Realtors) • Top Performer/Top 100 Realtors in Hawai‘i, 12 Years (Hawaii Business Magazine) • Voted Best In Real Estate, 10 Years (Honolulu Magazine) • Voted Hawai‘i’s Best Real Estate Firm 13 Years in a Row (Honolulu Star-Advertiser) • Voted Best of Honolulu Real Estate Firm 12 Years (Honolulu Magazine)

“ S C OT T G O E S A B OV E A N D B E YO N D W H AT YO U W O U L D E X P E C T F R O M A R E A LTO R . N OT O N LY D I D H E G E T T H E H I G H E S T P R I C E E V E R R E C O R D E D ( I N T H E N E I G H B O R H O O D ) F O R M Y PA R E N T S ’ H O M E , H E A L S O H E L P E D M Y PA R E N T S M OV E A N D S E L L T H E I R B E L O N G I N G S . H E WA S E X T R E M E LY PAT I E N T A N D P O S I T I V E T H R O U G H O U T T H E E N T I R E P R O C E S S …” – C A R L A W. ( S E L L E R )

42 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

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Myron N. Kiriu  C E O, OW N E R , R E A LTO R , R B - 1 7 24 2

4 2 1 1 WA I A L A E AV E . # 9 0 5 0 | H O N O L U L U, H I 9 6 8 1 6 ( 8 0 8 ) 8 6 4 - 9 0 0 0 | M Y R O N K I R I U. C O M | @MYRONKIRIU M Y R O N K I R I U R E A LTO R | @ M Y R O N K I R I U R E A LTO R

M

yron Kiriu is the CEO and co-owner of BHGRE Advantage Realty along with his wife and business partner Ambur Kim Kiriu.

Myron has over 33 years of Hawai‘i real estate experience and is consistently one of the top 5 agents in the state. As a UC Berkeley alumnus and former CPA, Myron brings a wealth of experience and keen financial insight to every transaction. Having successfully closed over 2,300 transactions, Myron works diligently with his “client first” approach. He’ll selectively focus in on your real estate needs with a discriminating eye for what makes sense from an aesthetic, functional, and economic point of view given your particular set of circumstances. Myron does all of this on your timetable without rushing or pushing, but with the sustaining energy and enthusiasm you’ll come to depend on. He will seek out all the information you require to make informed and correct decisions. Myron knows that important decisions like this happen over time, not overnight. He utilizes the latest technology and marketing to provide excellent service for his clients. Put his award-winning (national and local) service to work for you.

PROPERTY LISTING

2835 Round Top Dr. Honolulu, HI 96822 $7,900,000 5 beds / 6 baths MLS: 202313441

Hypnotizing, panoramic ocean and sunset views from Diamond Head across the Waikiki/Downtown skyline to the Waianae Mountain range from this energy efficient executive style residence in highly coveted Makiki Heights. With 99 owned PV panels producing 30 kW of power, LFP batteries providing 90 kWh of storage, and a solar water heater, this home can be taken entirely off the grid.

HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023 43

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Dennis Noah-Casison  BROKER IN CHARGE, RB-23834

9 1 - 1 1 2 1 K E A U N U I D R I V E ST E # 2 0 4 | E WA B E AC H , H I 9 67 0 6 ( 8 0 8 ) 2 5 6 - 7 0 1 1 | D E N N I S N OA H CAS I S O N . C O M | D E N N I S @ R E F I N E D H AWA I I . C O M I N STAG R A M : @ D E N N I S. T H E . R E A LTO R | FAC E B O O K . C O M / N OA H CAS I S O N

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ennis has over a decade of experience within the Hawai‘i real estate industry and together with his business partner, Eric K. Yamamoto, they founded Refined Real Estate Hawaii LLC in 2021. He is the Broker In Charge and assists with day to day operations and management whilst remaining a high producing agent.

Dennis is a PBN 40 Under 40 Honoree for this year’s class and has been featured as American’s Best Real Estate Professionals, the top 1.5% of 1.6 million agents. He is also a member of the Asian Real Estate Association of America and has been featured as an “A-List” Top Producer. He is proud to have been featured by HONOLULU Magazine’s Best in Real Estate before and is consistent Aloha ‘Āina REALTOR® Awards Nominee.

Born and raised on Oahu, Dennis is an active supporter of Kapiolani Foundation & Ronald McDonald House Charities to name a few.

“ D E N N I S I S A P B N 4 0 U N D E R 4 0 H O N O R E E A N D H A S B E E N F E AT U R E D A S A M E R I C A’ S B E S T R E A L E S TAT E P R O F E S S I O N A L S — T H E TO P 1 . 5 % O F 1 . 6 M I L L I O N AG E N T S .”

44 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

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Eric K. Yamamoto  P R I N C I PA L B R O K E R / C O - OW N E R , R B - 2 3 0 57

9 1 - 1 1 2 1 K E A U N U I D R I V E ST E # 2 0 4 | E WA B E AC H , H I 9 67 0 6 ( 8 0 8 ) 3 4 8 - 1 5 5 5 | E R I C S E L L S R E A L E STAT E H AWA I I . C O M E R I C @ R E F I N E D H AWA I I . C O M | I N STAG R A M : @ E R I CYA M A M OTO _ R E A LTO R

I brokerage sales.

n 2021, Eric and his business partner Dennis Noah-Casison founded Refined Real Estate Hawaii LLC. Eric is the Principal Broker overseeing all agents at their firm while continuing general

Eric is a member of the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) and has consistently ranked in the top 1% of agents within this organization of 17,000. He was also selected as Pacific Business News’ 40 Under 40 for 2020 and was a finalist for Pacific Edge Magazine’s Social Media Influencer of the Year in 2019. Eric continues to be named one of HONOLULU Magazine’s Best in Real Estate from 2020 through 2023.

Eric understands that buying or selling a home is one of life’s most significant decisions, and he approaches each transaction with a unique blend of market knowledge, empathy, and attention to detail. His approach to real estate is characterized by a dedication to providing a refined experience from beginning to end. Eric listens to his client’s needs, tailoring his services to ensure they achieve their real estate goals.

Giving back to the communities Eric serves is important as shown by his longstanding relationship with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hawai‘i along with many other organizations. Eric is a lifelong resident of Hawai‘i and currently lives in ‘Ewa Beach with his husband, Sean Tanabe-Yamamoto.

E R I C U N D E R S TA N D S T H AT B U Y I N G O R S E L L I N G A H O M E I S O N E O F L I F E ’ S M O S T S I G N I F I C A N T D E C I S I O N S , A N D H E A P P R OAC H E S E AC H T R A N S AC T I O N W I T H A U N I Q U E B L E N D O F M A R K E T K N O W L E D G E , E M PAT H Y, A N D AT T E N T I O N TO D E TA I L .

HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023 45

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Dolores Panlilio Bediones  R E A LTO R , PA R T N E R , R B - 1 5 5 6 8

Desmond Cura  R E A LTO R - AS S O C I AT E , R S - 8 4 87 3

D

olores Bediones is a seasoned and well respected Real Estate Agent who has been a staple in the International Luxury Housing Industry for the past three decades.

Dolores has created a trusted name for herself within the profession, and is an in-demand agent for those looking to sell a property and receive top-dollar for their home.

With over 500 transactions to her credit, Dolores has formed a connection not only with her industry but to her community as well. Real Estate has become a tradition for her family. Both of her children have followed in her footsteps.

1 5 8 5 K A P I O L A N I B LV D S U I T E 1 0 1 0 , H O N O L U L U, H I 9 6 8 14 C : ( 8 0 8 ) 3 8 3 - 9 787 | O : ( 8 0 8 ) 5 9 6 - 0 4 5 6 D O LO R E S. B E D I O N E S @ C B R E A LT Y. C O M D O LO R E S B E D I O N E S. C O M

46 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

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ESMOND CURA, a devoted husband and father of two boys, was born and raised in Guam. He dedicated 20 years of his life to the Coast Guard, relocating to Hawaii in 2010, and eventually retiring in August 2022. In November 2021, Desmond began his transition into a new career as a Realtor, using his commitment to duty and keen attention to detail to assist clients in their real estate journeys. Rooted in a strong service background and fueled by a passion for serving others, Desmond embodies integrity, dedication, and a profound appreciation for effective communication in every real estate transaction.

9 1 - 5 4 3 1 K A P O L E I PA R K WAY # 1 1 0 9 , K A P O L E I , H I 9 67 0 7 | ( 8 0 8 ) 67 9 - 5 2 7 6 DESMONDCURA.COM D E S M O N D C @ B E T T E R H AWA I I . C O M LINKEDIN.COM/IN/DESMOND-CURA/ @ D E S M O N D C U R A _ H AWA I I R E A LTO R @ D E S M O N D C U R A . H AWA I I R E A LTO R

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Noel Pietsch Shaw  M B A , S. R E A LTO R - AS S O C I AT E , R S - 7 5 8 8 8

4 6 14 K I L A U E A AV E ST E 2 0 1 , H O N O L U L U 9 6 8 1 6 ( 8 0 8 ) 2 2 1 - 8 8 8 9 | N O E L S H AW. C O M N O E L S H AW @ H AWA I I L I F E . C O M | I N STAG R A M : @ N O E L P I E TS C H S H AW

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HANK YOU, HONOLULU Magazine, for this honor and recognition!!! 2023 proved to be another banner year for luxury Real Estate, in Honolulu and a record year for me personally. These coveted islands and Honolulu continue to be one of the world’s most soughtafter destinations as a tropical place of refuge and reprieve.

These post-covid years have taught me that a technologyforward approach combined with a lifetime of local expertise and valuable island-wide connections remain the most powerful means of helping my clientele secure the most successful buying and selling results. Looking to the horizon for 2024 in the luxury segment of the market, it remains a seller’s market on Oahu. Extremely low inventory of high-quality single-family homes and luxury condos makes for an opportune time for homeowners seeking to take advantage of a strong market. Feel free to reach out to me to discuss your Real Estate needs or visit one of my listings.

PROPERTY LISTING

Oceanfront luxury turnkey condo at Park Lane’s Sky Residence, designed by awardwinning Philpotts Interiors.

2022

Park Lane #5704 $9,900,000 SOLD

HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023 47

Congratulations and Mahalo!

Mahalo to all of you who joined us for a whimsical night at our 40th Hale ‘Aina Celebration presented by First Hawaiian Bank Priority Destinations World Elite MasterCard! On Saturday, Sept. 9, we gathered food lovers at the Hawai‘i State Art Museum, where guests enjoyed live entertainment, bottomless cocktails and dishes

by Y.Hata & Co., 100 Sails Restaurant and Bar, Arancino at the Kāhala, Kapa Hale, Miro Kaimukī, MW Restaurant, The Seaside, Tane Vegan and Tim Ho Wan. Guests also enjoyed specialty cocktails from First Hawaiian Bank and BMW of Honolulu.

M A H A L O P R E S E N T I N G

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S P O N S O R S G O L D

D I A M O N D SIN

CE 1913

110 YE

S I LV E R

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B R O N Z E

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I N PARTN E RS H I P WITH

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WHO WE ARE Give Big Hawai‘i, formerly Hawai‘i Gives Back, celebrates the spirit of philanthropy in our Islands. There are so many nonprofits across the state doing exceptional work to make Hawai‘i a better place. Yet, many organizations have limited resources to meet the diverse needs, and depend on the generosity of donors, as well as the hard work of volunteers, to fulfill their missions.

To support the wide range of services and programs offered by nonprofits, we hope you’ll join us in supporting organizations who are pushing forward with their visions for a better Hawai‘i.

VISIT GIVEBIGHAWAII.COM TO MAKE AN IMPACT STARTING NOV. 28 THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR.

CONTENTS 53 A LETTER FROM 62 YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS! Last year, Give Big Hawai‘i raised $243,000 for 87 local organizations. Here is how some of those dollars went to work.

DONNA KODAMA-YEE Publisher donnaky@honolulumagazine.com • (808) 534-7501 MICHELLE STOFLE Strategic Partnerships michelles@honolulumagazine.com • (808) 534-7532 CHRISTY DAVIS Marketing Director MARISA HEUNG Branded Content Creation Manager JANELLE YOU Events & Marketing Coordinator

64 FIVE WAYS TO VOLUNTEER Giving isn’t just about money.

Make a difference in the community by donating your time.

LENNIE OMALZA Project Writer JAMES NAKAMURA Creative Director jnakamura@honolulumagazine.com • (808) 534-7151 CHRISTINE LABRADOR Senior Art Director

A BO UT TH E COV E R A R TI ST

Honolulu-based artist and muralist Kris Goto was born in Kagoshima, Japan. After spending her adolescence in Hong Kong and New Zealand, she moved to Honolulu in 2006. She once aspired to be a manga artist and this period established the foundation of her detailed penmanship and the characterization of her subjects in her works today. She is inspired by the local island lifestyle of Hawai‘i and the melding of cultures, especially with her own Japanese heritage. krisgoto.com,

@kgotoart,

artofgoto

52 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

DONNIE FORD Account Executive donnief@honolulumagazine.com • (808) 534-7131 PUI-HENG TANG Advertising Project Manager puiheng@honolulumagazine.com • (808) 534-7175 MICHELLE OKADA Client Relationship Specialist michelleo@honolulumagazine.com • (808) 534-7533

Written, designed and published by:

HONOLULU Magazine, November 2023. © 2023 by aio Media Group, 1088 Bishop St., Suite LL2, Honolulu, HI 96813.

photo and illustration: courtesy of kris goto; opposite page: courtesy of southwest airlines

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES

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A LETTER FROM

Southwest Airlines ALOHA AND THANK YOU for taking the time to read this special section of HONOLULU Magazine. I have the pleasure of working in communities across the country, but my heart is always drawn back to Hawai‘i because of the unique and beautiful soul of the people and this place. At a time when the world feels heavy, I’m reminded of this beauty through the many organizations and community leaders featured throughout the stories in this month’s publication.

At Southwest Airlines, our approach to community is centered around loving people, building resilience, and living responsibly. These pillars show up differently as we champion the causes most important to each community we serve. It looks like giving complimentary flights to students to go on neighbor island field trips or college visits. Or providing resources to organizations that support survivors of human trafficking as they get back on their feet. Or our employees volunteering their time and talents to give back to the land. Or responding to disasters by transporting relief workers and critical supplies.

Making Hawai‘i a better place is not done by one company, industry or individual. It’s through collaboration and everyone’s commitment to putting service above self. We celebrate our fifth year of service in the Islands in 2024—it’s been our pleasure to live and work alongside you all, in good times and in the times that test our resilience. Because at our heart, we’re more than an airline, we’re your neighbor.

Kelly Knox Corporate Responsibility Advisor Southwest Airlines

HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023 53

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Heart for Hawai‘i At Southwest Airlines, we refer to ourselves as the airline with heart.

You’ll see the symbol on our planes, incorporated in our uniforms and throughout our marketing efforts. While it’s a beautiful part of our logo, it’s so much more than just a symbol to the more than 70,000 employees who serve our customers and communities with heart every day.

One of our core pillars is being prepared and ready to support our communities through our national and local partnerships when the unexpected occurs. This is a kuleana we take with great seriousness and pride.

This is a shared responsibility, and it was inspiring to see the community’s response to the recent tragedy on Maui. Our fellow airlines and businesses across the state and country answered the call to do whatever was necessary to show aloha to Maui. We continue to do our part to assist with Maui’s recovery efforts and want to highlight some of the incredible partners we’re collaborating with to put our heart into action.

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FLIGHTS • At the onset of the fires, we added daily service across the Pacific and within the state to help move people, pets and critical supplies. This resulted in thousands of additional seats to help evacuees get to safety and to allow relief workers to arrive on island quickly.

• The road to recovery will be long, but the number of people willing to donate their time and talents to the relief efforts are plentiful. The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement shared with us that Honolulu-based firefighters were in need of flights. They’d work their two-day shifts on O‘ahu, then immediately fly to Maui for another two-day volunteer shift, paying their own way. We were able to provide complimentary travel for more than 90 volunteer firefighters. Additionally, the Asian Firefighters of San Francisco came to Maui to support relief efforts.

• Organizations across the state and country have a heart to serve Maui. In partnership with Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke’s office and University of Hawai‘i Athletics, nearly 50 student athletes spent the day at distribution centers across the island to volunteer.

• Help Maui Rise has been leading workshops to help the Filipino community access much needed aid. Through complimentary flights, the organization has been able to come to Maui to host multiple workshops, helping those impacted navigate the way to receive support.

CARGO - Ensuring critical supplies are able to get to the Islands has been and will continue to be crucial in the response and recovery efforts.

- We’ve supported nonprofit organizations in need of critical supplies with complimentary shipments. During the early days of the fires, more than 30,000 pounds of air purifiers were shipped from the mainland.

- Thousands of pounds of food were donated by Southwest’s employees and delivered directly to distribution centers around the island. We also transported food donations from Greater Good Charities, World Emergency Relief, and API Initiative of San Diego.

PETS In addition to helping people evacuate, we supported our furry friends by partnering with Greater Good Charities, Lucky Dog Animal Rescue and the Maui Humane Society to conduct an emergency airlift to transport shelter cats and dogs from Kahului, Maui, to Portland, Oregon. Southwest Airlines employees and crew members helped transport 136 shelter cats and dogs in secure carriers and crates in the aircraft cabin of a Boeing 737-800. These shelter cats and dogs had already been in shelters on Maui, and this transportation made room for an expected influx of injured and displaced pets that will continue to arrive at Maui Humane Society. Once in Portland, these shelter cats and dogs will continue their journey toward forever homes.

Greater Good Charities worked with veterinarians on the ground on Maui to ensure the safety and health of the shelter pets boarding the flight. A licensed veterinarian accompanied them to Portland and all the cats and dogs will be evaluated and receive any follow-up medical care needed before being put up for adoption.

To our friends on Maui, we’re here for you. Our hearts have been with you since our first planes touched down nearly five years ago and we’ll walk alongside you throughout the recovery process.

To the other businesses, communities and individuals supporting Maui, mahalo for your efforts.

We’re honored to walk alongside you.

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Catholic Charities Hawai‘i Mission: Catholic Charities Hawai‘i (CCH) provides a wide range of social services for the people of Hawai‘i, regardless of their faith or culture. We are a community of hope providing services with dignity, compassion, social justice and a commitment to excellence.

EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

• Make a donation online, by mail or by phone • Make a Tribute/Memorial Gift • Matching Gift to Double Your Donation • Gifts of Appreciated Securities, Property or Life Insurance • Planned Giving Visit our website to learn more about Maui Relief efforts.

KE Y S E RVICE S PROVI DE D

Through our over 40 programs and services, Catholic Charities Hawai‘i last year provided help and hope to over 80,000 individuals statewide. Our services include: • Assisting homeless and at-risk families, individuals, veterans and seniors with supportive and financial services to obtain/maintain stable housing • Offering outreach and counseling services for families, children and individuals • Keeping foster youth of all ages safe and supported in caring and nurturing homes

• Strengthening at-risk families to develop the skills and support they need to provide a safe and stable environment • Empowering immigrants to have a significant role in their self-determination • Keeping seniors active & healthy

1822 Ke‘eaumoku Street Honolulu, HI 96822 catholiccharitieshawaii.org P: 808-524-4673

LEADERSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS Vernon Wong, Board Chair

Shannon Alivado, Board Vice President

David M. Kostecki, Board Treasurer

Linda Puu,

Board Secretary

Join our team at: catholiccharitieshawaii.org/ careers/

Michelle Bartell Toni Bissen Jeff Callangan Abe Correia Alan Ito Sister Bitrina Kirway David Kurohara Christina Laney Mitre Diane Murakami Jacob B. Noh Eddie Ontai Greg Peros Shantel Santiago Very Rev. Msgr. Gary Secor Most Rev. Clarence Silva Robert Van Tassell

E X EC U TI V E S TA FF Robert Van Tassell, President & CEO

Tina Andrade,

Vice President Mission Integration

Paul Kobayashi,

Vice President - Finance

Be-Jay Kodama, Vice President Philanthropy

facebook @catholiccharitiesHI

Vice President Programs

instagram @catholiccharitieshawaii

Stella M. Q. Wong,

Additional leadership team members: catholiccharitieshawaii.org/leadership/

56 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

General Inquiries: info@catholiccharitieshawaii.org Development Office: development@ catholiccharitieshawaii.org

youtube @catholiccharitiesHI

PROVIDING HOPE FOR PROVIDING PROVIDING HOPE HOPE FOR FOR PROVIDING HOPE FOR OVER 75 YEARS OVER OVER 75 YEARS OVER75 75YEARS YEARS Since 1947, Catholic Charities Hawai‘i has been a Since Since 1947, 1947, Catholic Catholic Charities Charities Hawai‘i Hawai‘i has has been been aa Since 1947, Catholic Hawai‘i has been a community of hopeCharities that promotes the dignity of each community community ofof hope hope that that promotes promotes the the dignity dignity ofof each each community of hope that promotes dignity ofCatholic each person by helping others empower the themselves. person person byby helping helping others others empower empower themselves. themselves.

Catholic Catholic person by helping others empower themselves.

Catholic Charities Hawai‘i has been committed to serving our Charities Charities Hawai‘i Hawai‘i has has been been committed committed toto serving serving our our Charities Hawai‘i has been committed to serving our community, especially those with the greatest need. community, community, especially especially those those with with the the greatest greatest need. need. community, especially those with the greatest need.

CCH has more than 40 programs and services, including: CCH CCH has has more more than than 4040 programs programs and and services, services, including: including: CCH has more than 40 programs and services, including:

HOUSING/HOMELESSNESS ASSISTANCE HOUSING/HOMELESSNESS HOUSING/HOMELESSNESS ASSISTANCE ASSISTANCE HOUSING/HOMELESSNESS ASSISTANCE Catholic Charities Hawai‘i’s housing placement programs Catholic Catholic Charities Charities Hawai‘i’s Hawai‘i’s housing housing placement placement programs programs Catholic Charitiesfamilies Hawai‘i’s housing placement programs help individuals, and military veterans stay safely help help individuals, individuals, families families and and military military veterans veterans stay stay safely safely help individuals, families and military veterans stay safely sheltered. Our various rental assistance programs aided sheltered. sheltered.

Our Our various various rental rental assistance assistance programs programs aided aided sheltered.

Our various rental assistance programsthe aided those financially impacted during and following those those financially financially impacted impacted during during and and following following the the those financially impacted during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 COVID-19 pandemic. pandemic.

COVID-19 pandemic.

CARING FOR OUR KŪPUNA CARING CARING FOR FOR OUR OUR KŪPUNA KŪPUNA CARING FOR OUR As the largest senior centerKŪPUNA in the state, our Lanakila

AsAs the the largest largest senior senior center center inin the the state, state, our our Lanakila Lanakila As the largest senior the state, our Lanakila Multi-Purpose Seniorcenter Centerinoffers recreation, education, Multi-Purpose Multi-Purpose Senior Senior Center Center offers offers recreation, recreation, education, education, Multi-Purpose Senior Center offers education, and social interaction for seniors 60recreation, years and older.

Our and and social social interaction interaction forfor seniors seniors 6060 years years and and older. older.

Our Our and social interaction for seniors 60 years and older.

Our Benefits Enrollment Center program helps provide lowBenefits Benefits Enrollment Enrollment Center Center program program helps helps provide provide lowlowBenefits Enrollment Center helpsMedicare provide lowincome kŪpuna 65 and olderprogram and disabled income income kŪpuna kŪpuna 6565 and and older older and and disabled disabled Medicare Medicare income kŪpuna 65 and older and disabled Medicare beneficiaries access to food benefits. beneficiaries beneficiaries access access toto food food benefits. benefits. beneficiaries access to food benefits.

FOSTER CARE PROGRAMS FOSTER FOSTER CARE CAREPROGRAMS PROGRAMS FOSTER CCH offers aCARE number PROGRAMS of programs that help children and

CCH CCH offers offers a number a number ofof programs programs that that help help children children and and CCH a number of emotional, programs that children and youthoffers address physical, and help psychological youth youth address address physical, physical, emotional, emotional, and and psychological psychological youth and psychological needs address throughphysical, services emotional, that focus on building confidence needs needs through through services services that that focus focus onon building building confidence confidence needs through services that focus on building and core values while strengthening families. confidence and and core core values values while while strengthening strengthening families. families. and core values while strengthening families.

COUNSELING CENTER COUNSELING COUNSELING CENTER CENTER COUNSELING CENTER Our professional therapists can help address issues such

Our Our professional professional therapists therapists can can help help address address issues issues such such Our professional therapists can help address issuesfamily such as depression, anxiety, stress, grief, abuse, trauma, asas depression, depression, anxiety, anxiety, stress, stress, grief, grief, abuse, abuse, trauma, trauma, family family as depression, anxiety, stress, grief, abuse, trauma, family problems and relationship challenges. problems problems and and relationship relationship challenges. challenges. problems and relationship challenges.

To make a donation or learn more about our programs, ToTo make make aa donation donation oror learn learn more more about about our our programs, programs, To to make a donation or learn moreor about our programs, go catholiccharitieshawaii.org call (808) 524-4673. gogo toto catholiccharitieshawaii.org catholiccharitieshawaii.org oror call call (808) (808) 524-4673.

524-4673 524-4673. go to catholiccharitieshawaii.org or call (808) 524-4673.

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Hawaiian Humane Society Mission: We are dedicated to promoting the human-animal bond and the humane treatment of all animals.

H OW YO U C A N H E L P

Join our cause by adopting, volunteering, fostering, advocating for stronger animal welfare laws, making in-kind or monetary donations, or sponsoring or attending our signature community fundraising event, PetWalk, which takes place every October.

KE Y S E RVICE S PROVI DE D

The Hawaiian Humane Society is a nonprofit education and advocacy organization that shelters, protects, rescues, reunites and rehomes animals. Established in 1883, we are O‘ahu’s largest animal welfare organization helping local pets and people in need.

We are committed to being the animal welfare organization O‘ahu’s animals need and deserve by embracing an animal sheltering model called socially conscious sheltering. With the eight tenets of SCS as a compass, Hawaiian Humane is dedicated to fostering a culture of transparency, ethical decision making, mutual respect, continual learning and collaboration.

Between June 2022 and July 2023, the Hawaiian Humane Society’s 30-plus programs and services helped tens of thousands of animals. This included finding new homes for 7,227 pets, fostering 2,857 animals and providing 15,584 spay/neuter surgeries to help curb pet overpopulation. Hawaiian Humane’s Pet Food Bank also distributed 71,000 pounds of pet food to families in need.

LEADERSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mike Ching, Board Chair

Melissa Teves Pavlicek, Vice Chair

David Okabe, Treasurer

Rebecca “Becki” Ward, Secretary

M EM B ER S O F T H E B OA R D Eric Ako, DVM Gina Woo Anonuevo Robert H. Armstrong Tim Brauer

Leslie Campaniano Shelley Cramer Elisia Flores Ernest H. Fukeda, Jr. Dede Guss Mi Kosasa Susan Kosasa Nathaniel Lam, DVM, DACVS Whitney Limm, M.D. FACS Stephen B. Metter Mike Regan Lawrence D. Rodriguez Ginny Tiu Rick Zwern Robert R. Bean, Director Emeritus

58 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

E X EC U TI V E S TA FF Anna Neubauer, President & CEO

Natalie Spencer,

Director of Operations

Hawaiian Humane Society Mo‘ili‘ili Campus 2700 Wai‘alae Avenue Honolulu, HI 96826 Hawaiian Humane Society Kosasa Family Campus at Ho‘opili 91-1945 Fort Weaver Road ‘Ewa Beach, HI 96706 HawaiianHumane.org P: 808-356-2200 E: info@hawaiianhumane.org

Stephanie Kendrick,

facebook @hawaiianhumanesociety

Rachel Fukumoto,

instagram @hawaiianhumane

Director of Community Engagement Director of Finance

Rick Hanna,

Director of Human Resources Michelle Garcia, Associate Director of the Kosasa Family Campus at Ho’opili

tiktok @hawaiianhumane youtube @hawaiianhumane

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In 1883, we made a commitment to serve.

We’ve been keeping it ever since.

For 140 years, we’ve been helping people and animals on O‘ahu.

You can join our cause by adopting, donating and volunteering.

HawaiianHumane.org HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023 59

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Shriners Children’s Hawai‘i Mission: Transforming the lives of keiki by providing exceptional specialty care for all bone, muscle and joint issues in a family-centered and collaborative environment, regardless of a family’s insurance status or ability to pay.

EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Community Outreach: • Outreach clinic visits on Kaua‘i, Maui and Hawai‘i Island • Satellite clinic visits throughout the Pacific Basin • Hawai‘i research symposiums • Community educational sessions

H OW YO U C A N H E L P

KEY SERVICES PROVIDED

Shriners Children’s Hawai‘i is a modern, state-of-the-art, keiki-friendly hospital that offers pediatric scoliosis and complex spine care, clubfoot diagnosis and treatment, pediatric sports medicine and injury care. We also offer specialized treatment for cerebral palsy and complex or rare neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Since 1923, our hospital has cared for more than 52,000 patients with nearly 80% coming from Hawai‘i. Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons also provide outreach services throughout Hawai‘i and the Pacific Basin.

In-house services include: • Prosthetics and orthotics lab (POPS) for creation and custom fitting of artificial limbs or devices including bracing • Physical and occupational therapy with gym equipment, assistive device assessments and an indoor therapy pool • Hawai‘i’s fi rst EOS X-Ray system, delivering quality imaging at a fraction of the radiation dose of standard

When it comes to fundraising, the possibilities are endless! Whether you attend a community event or host a fundraiser of your own, every dollar you raise helps make an immediate and memorable impact on keiki and their ‘ohana.

Volunteer opportunities are also available. For ways to participate, contact (808) 941-4466.

x-ray imaging, delivering on our commitment to keeping keiki safe • Recreation therapy providing adaptive sports and expressive arts to enhance recovery • 17-room Family Center for out-oftown families needing a place to stay during treatment of their keiki

Shriners Children’s™ is a registered name under which Shriners Hospitals for Children conducts activities.

• Convenient telehealth options • Dental under sedation program

LEADERSHIP Drew Graul Administrator, Hawai‘i Richelle Asselstine, PhD, RN Nurse Executive, Director of Patient Care Services Francel Visini, MBA Director of Fiscal Services Jonathan Pellett, M.D. Interim Chief of Staff

60 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

B OA R D O F G OV ER N O R S E X EC U TI V E CO M M IT T EE Mark Leo, Chairman Joseph Ernst, Vice Chairman Dustin Verity, Secretary Anthony Escasa, Treasurer

1310 Punahou Street Honolulu, HI 96826 shrinerschildrens.org/hawaii 808-941-4466 Facebook: @ShrinersHawaii Instagram: @ShrinersHawaii

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Your Support Matters!

When you donate to local nonprofits, you’re helping to shape a better, brighter future.

BY MARISA HEUNG



Heading into its fifth year, Give Big Hawai‘i gives donors near and far a simple, streamlined way to support the causes closest to their hearts with our online giving portal, givebighawaii.com. Last year, more than 1,700 supporters came together to donate $243,000 to local charities that support all members of our community, including keiki, kūpuna and pets. Here’s how some of the nonprofits spent those dollars.

BOYS & GIRL S CLU B OF HAWAI ‘ I Everyone deserves a great future, and Boys & Girls Club of Hawai‘i has made it its mission to give all young people the resources they need to reach their full potential. Its clubhouses and centers, located on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i, are safe spaces that offer keiki and teens everything from a balanced meal to homework help to a compassionate ear. Last year, supporters from across the country donated $8,000 to the nonprofit, which helped to fund its after-school efforts, especially its food programs that provide much needed nourishment to families during the holidays. bgch.com

HABITAT FOR H U MANIT Y MAUI Habitat for Humanity Maui believes that everyone deserves a place to call their own. The all-volunteer organization fights housing insecurity on the state’s third-most populous island by building houses, then selling them to low-income families for no profit, at zero interest. The donations it received last year through Give Big Hawai‘i, which totaled nearly $7,500, were used to help build new homes and make safety repairs and retrofits for struggling homeowners. habitat-maui.org

62 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

JAPANESE CU LTU R AL CE NTE R OF HAWAI ‘ I Founded upon the values of our Islands’ Issei generation, the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i’s mission is to preserve, honor and share the evolving Japanese American experience for Hawai‘i’s current and future generations. The more than $17,000 raised last year through Give Big Hawai‘i was used to create more opportunities to connect keiki with their heritage. This includes Tanoshii Hawai‘i, a new cultural summer camp that offered activities including taiko, bon dancing, gyotaku, mochi making and kendo this past June. jcchawaii.org

WAOL ANI J U DD NAZARE NE SCHOOL It takes a village to raise a child, and nonprofit Waolani Judd Nazarene School is committed to providing O‘ahu’s keiki a quality private school education that builds character and celebrates Hawai‘i’s diverse culture. Donations to the school, including the $6,300 received from the 2022 Give Big Hawai‘i campaign, were used to begin renovations on a brand-new playground, which, when finished, will feature an innovative new play structure, shade and seating for its young students. wjns.org

photos: courtesy of boys & girls club of hawai‘i, japanese cultural center of hawai‘i, habitat for humanity maui, waolani judd nazarene school

P? TO HEL e WANT it s b e w r’s This yea n Giving o e v goes li ov. 28, and y, N Tuesda pen through will be o d of the the en year.

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Give Big Hawai‘i | SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

After-School Hawaii After-School All-Stars All-Stars Hawaii Mission: after-schoolprograms programs Mission:After-School After-SchoolAll-Stars All-StarsHawaii Hawaiiprovides providescomprehensive comprehensive after-school that keep children safe and help them succeed in school and life. that keep children safe and help them succeed in school and life.

EV VE EN NT TS S A AN ND D E OP PP PO OR RT TU UN N II T T II E ES S O

Visit asashawaii.org/get-involved asashawaii.org/ Visit to get-involved learn how of our Alllearn how youto can be part you can be part our All- or provide Star ʻohana as aofvolunteer Star ‘ohana as afor volunteer or opportunities our students to provide for our learn asopportunities a corporate partner. students to learn as a corpoDonate to our programs online at rate partner. asashawaii.org/donate and help provide exciting programs, classes, Donate to our programs field trips and experiences for our online at asashawaii.org/ students. donate and help provide exciting programs, classes, field Sponsor a table at our annual trips andAffair experiences for our All-Star Gala that features students. performances from our All-Star students. us at Sponsor a Contact table at our annual aloha@asashawaii.org to secure All-Star Affair Gala that a table for our upcoming event. features performances from our All-Star students. Contact us at aloha@asashawaii.org H W Y aOtable U Cfor A Nour H2024 ELP toO secure event.Hawaii inspires students to ASAS

KE Y S E RVICE S PROVI DE D K E Y S E RAll-Stars V I C E S Hawaii P R O V Iprovides DED After-School free after-school and summer

programs for middle andHawaii intermediate students. and ASAS supports After-School All-Stars providesschool free after-school summer pro-the social, emotional and intellectual development of underserved students grams for middle and intermediate school students. ASAS supports the social, by emotional providingand structured academic supports, health and fitnessby activities intellectual development of underserved students providing and enrichment programs.

In addition, ASAS offers special programs structured academic supports, health and fitness activities and enrichment profocused youth leadership, exploration, sportsgrams.on Inservice addition,learning, ASAS offers special programscareer focused on service learning, based youth development and high school transition.

ASAS Hawaii youth leadership, career exploration, sports-based youth development serves and high over 2,500 students ASAS at eight schools on over Oʻahu andstudents three schools Hawaiʻi school transition.

Hawaii serves 2,700 at eighton schools on Island every year.

O‘ahu and four schools on Hawai‘i Island every year.

be healthy, graduate high school and go to college, find a career they love and give back to their community. Donate to support our mission at asashawaii.org/ donate and help provide exciting programs, classes, field trips and experiences for our students.

L ELAEDAEDRESRHSIH PI P Paula Fitzell, President & CEO

Paula Fitzell, President & CEO

B OA R DRO TOTO R SR S B OA DFODFI R DEC I R EC

DVI ISSOORY RY BBOA OARRDD AADV

Dawn Dunbar,Chair Chair Dawn M.M. Dunbar, Brett Brewer,Founding FoundingChair Chair Brett Brewer, Richanne Lam,Vice ViceChair Chairand andTreasurer Treasurer Richanne Lam, Corey Lori Abe,Campbell, SecretarySecretary AJ Halagao Corey Campbell Lori Harrison AJ Halagao Jim Polk Lori Harrison Tiff any Vara Jim Polk Tiffany Vara

GregDickhens Dickhens Greg Bert BertA. A.Kobayashi Kobayashi Susan SusanKobayashi Kobayashi Maya MayaSoetoro-Ng Soetoro-Ng Jeff JeffWatanabe Watanabe Lynn Watanabe Lynn Watanabe Brady Yee Brady Yee

1523 Kalākaua Avenue Suite 202 1523 Kalakaua Avenue Honolulu, 96826 Suite HI 202 Honolulu, HI 96826 asashawaii.org asashawaii.org P: (808) 734-1314 P: 808-734-1314 E: aloha@asashawaii.org E: aloha@asashawaii.org Facebook/Instagram/Twitter: Facebook/Instagram/X: @allstarshawaii @allstarshawaii Youtube: AfterSchoolAllStarsHawaii AfterSchoolAllStarsHawaii

HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023 63

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Five Ways to Volunteer Giving isn’t just about money.

Make a difference in the community by donating your time.

BY LENNIE OMALZA

LOC AL NONPROFIT S LIKELY WOULD AGREE THAT TIME IS THE MOS T VALUABLE CURRENCY, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO VOLUNTEERS WHO S TEP UP TO HELP WITH CRITIC AL NEEDS. AND MORE KŌKUA IS ALWAYS NEEDED.

A

LOHA HARVEST HAS 1,200 REGISTERED VOLUNTEERS, but the food rescue and rehabilitation program is always looking for more people to join its cause. “We’re a really small team,” volunteer coordinator Madelaine Taylor says. “Drivers and admin staff included, we have well under 20 employees.”

The organization, not affiliated with Hawai‘i Foodbank, accepts food from restaurants, grocery stores and other places, then gets it to people in need. While more than 33 million pounds (16,500 tons) of food has been retrieved on O‘ahu since Aloha Harvest was founded in 1999, the nonprofit continues to seek more volunteers to host collection drives and to help on box assembly days.

Monthly boxing days are currently slated for November and December at the Aloha Harvest storage facility in Kaimukī. They’re open to people of all ages and are great opportunities for families and friends to come together to help the community, particularly around the holidays. “We’ve had 8- and 10-year-olds assisting us, and they really enjoy it,” Taylor says. “I have a 2-year-old, so she’s been to boxing events, strapped to my husband’s back.”

In 2023, Aloha Harvest started a volunteering program for groups of people. So if there’s a group of 10 to 20 people from work or church,

Instead of letting food go to waste, Aloha Harvest collects and redistributes food for those in need.

for example, Taylor and the team will try to coordinate a custom volunteer day. These volunteers often ask if they can gather food from Aloha Harvest’s partner farms. “That’s definitely been the most popular option, just because it’s unique,” Taylor says. “A lot of people live in the city, and the opportunity to get out into the country and be out on the farm is a really unique aspect of the volunteering that we offer.”

Volunteers also help with food pickup, and if it’s something they do regularly and it’s out of their way, Aloha Harvest will help offset their fuel costs with gift cards. “We try to remove as many barriers as possible for people to volunteer,” Taylor says.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 66 64 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

photo: michelle ewart, me creative

Feeding the Hungry

SUPPORT ALICE FAMILIES IN HAWAI‘I!

EVERY INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY IN HAWAI‘I DESERVES TO THRIVE. The ALICE Initiative is committed to enhancing financial and social stability for ALICE households. In Year One, we:

Every year, thousands of Hawaiʻi families experience the hardships of a system that doesn’t work for them. Despite being hardworking individuals and families, staying above the poverty line is a daily struggle. This is the reality for our ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households.

• Organized 17 local nonprofits to build a movement to empower ALICE families, increasing partnerships, collaborations, and referral services by 233% among this network.

In 2022, Aloha United Way (AUW) and the Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF) joined forces to lead the ALICE Initiative, addressing the financial insecurity affecting nearly half (44%*) of local households.

• Established a foundation for collective impact, with 96% of grantees engaging in advocacy to increase wages and benefits, and scale programs that are proven effective in supporting this work.

OUR VISION: We envision a Hawaiʻi where every individual and family thrives economically and culturally, enjoying generational prosperity while calling Hawaiʻi home.

• Served a total of 15,741 individuals. Participants benefitted from resources like job training, matched savings, and financial education to help increase income, housing stability, and to reduce expenses.

JOIN US IN CREATING A THRIVING FUTURE FOR HAWAI‘I. DONATE TO THE ALOHA UNITED WAY ALICE FUND.

AUW.ORG/ALICE-INITIATIVE

Meet ALICE here. (link to ALICE video on website)

* Data source for asterisk: ALICE in Hawaii - 2022 Facts and Figures Full Report.pdf (auw.org)

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The Power Powerofof Mentorships

CONTINUED ON PAGE 68 66 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

photos: courtesy of big brothers big sisters hawai‘i

F

OR THOSE SEEKING A ONE-ON-ONE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i is always looking for adults to be part of its mentoring program, which serves about 600 children every year. “Statistically, 1 in 3 children don’t have a sustained mentor in their life,” Chief Operations Officer Tyler Kurashige says.

BBBSH is looking to change that for the children in its program, who live on O‘ahu, Maui and Kaua‘i. Most of them are from single-parent homes.

Basically, the mentors are friends for the kids, Kurashige says, explaining that after mentors go through the application and screening process, they are asked for minimum one-year commitments. During that year, each volunteer spends time with a child twice a month. The children are between 6 The mentoring relationships fostered by Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i support children’s social and emotional development. and 18, and volunteers must be at least 18. Most of the children are boys, so let people know that it’s not as scary as it sounds,” BBBSH’s greatest need is for male volunteers.

Kurashige says. “We provide a lot of support, and And after a pandemic hiatus, a program aimed at teen it’s really just about having fun with the kids.” volunteers will resume in spring 2024. High school students As BBBSH celebrates its 60th year in the Iswill be paired with elementary-aged children, and they’ll lands, Kurashige hopes people realize how powspend time together at school, once a week while classes erful mentorships can be. “We can close different are in session. “Every child, every volunteer, every parent gaps that we have in our community by supportand guardian that’s involved in our programs is assigned to ing kids,” he says. “These little moments that we somebody that provides support,” Kurashige says. “People [create for the] kids … are very powerful, [and] understand what a case manager is, and that’s the equivait’s actually very easy to do. We’re just one of the lent of what we provide. That person checks in to ensure the organizations out there that is helping people to relationship is going in the right direction—that it is positive make these connections.” and safe.”

The support provided to volunteers helps alleviate conbbbshawaii.org cerns that some people might have about mentoring, especially if they haven’t worked with children before. “We try to

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Child & Family Service Mission: Strengthening families and fostering the healthy development of children.

Child & Family Service (CFS) is a Hawai‘i-born, impact-driven, community-based organization responding to family and community crises since 1899.

H OW YO U C A N H E L P

Family Giving Hub

Designate gifts by island or statewide to address the most pressing needs of the community, and to respond to community crisis such as the Maui wildfires.

Corporate Philanthropy

Consider CFS as a beneficiary of your employee giving or community support program.

CFS Stronger Families Fund® Comprised of dedicated individuals who invest strategically in the transformational work of CFS.

KE Y S E RVICE S PROVI DE D

Child & Family Service is dedicated to empowering families throughout the community with tools to reach their fullest potential.

At CFS, we go beyond simply delivering services — our unwavering dedication is to support families facing challenges, foster self-reliance, and inspire their resilience. We also work in partnership with community organizations to maximize our positive influence.

*100% of donations received from the sources above remain in the State and serve families in Hawai‘i.

CFS provides diverse programs such as preschool education, child abuse prevention, youth support, domestic violence services, counseling, employment aid, and elder care. With locations statewide and in-home visits, CFS utilizes a trauma-informed approach to aid families in healing, preventing abuse and neglect, and breaking the cycle of poverty.

Last year alone, CFS provided direct services to 15,691 individuals and touched another 110,000 lives through phone calls, referrals, educational presentations, and by providing for those visiting walk-in family centers that offer free resources and referrals for basic needs.

LEADERSHIP E X EC U TI V E S TA FF

B OA R D O F D I R EC TO R E X EC U TI V ES

91-1841 Fort Weaver Road ‘Ewa Beach, HI 96706

Selection will be announced after publication date.

Please see website for updates.

President & CEO

Louise Ing, Chair

Childandfamilyservice.org

Amanda Pump, MS, CSAC, ICADC Executive Vice President and Chief Program Officer

Beth Whitehead, Treasurer

LinkedIn: child-&-family-service

Arnold Martines, Past Chair

Facebook: @ChildandFamilyService

Anne Marie Rizzo Chief Advancement Officer

Glen Kaneshige, First Vice Chair Erin Kirihara, Second Vice Chair Michael Young, Secretary

P: 808-543-8413 E: cfsadvancement@cfs-hawaii.org

Instagram: @cfshawaii X: @cfshawaii

HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2022 2023 67

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 66

ers to contribute place-based content for its blog. Rather than covering broad historical topics, the pieces focus on particular areas of Hawai‘i. Volunteers tend to research and write about their favorite places, often with a desire to learn more, Nandoskar says.

Photographers and videographers are also welcome. Photos of historic places are used for the blog, and volunteers take photos during events.

Nandoskar says the foundation wants to add videos to its blog posts, showing historic areas around the Islands.

Above: Trainees, instructors and project partners at the Preservation Trades Training Workshop on Kaua‘i.

To fulfill its mission, the Top right: A tour group after taking the Hawai‘i Capital Historic District Story Map tour. organization is open to collaborating on new projects. For that, volunteers with expertise HE HISTORIC HAWAI‘I FOUNDATION HELPS in architecture or archaeology are especially ITS VOLUNTEERS make a different kind of consought-after. “We need people who care about nection. With its work to preserve historic buildplaces and want to help share stories about placings, sites and communities, the organization roots es and communities,” Nandoskar says, adding people to Hawai‘i’s past. that the foundation celebrates its 50th anniversaVolunteers are the backbone of the organization, says ry next year. “We will have a lot of things happenAndrea Nandoskar, the foundation’s education program ing in 2024, and volunteers who can help … on manager. They help with setup and breakdown at various different islands to tell the stories of these places events hosted by the foundation throughout the year. “It’s will be a need in the coming months.” a way to connect with the community and support all the historichawaii.org work we do,” Nandoskar says. The group also seeks writ-

T

CONTINUED ON PAGE 70 68 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

photos: courtesy of historic hawai‘i foundation

Sharing Stories About Places

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HDS Foundation Mission: The HDS Foundation was established by Hawaii Dental Service (HDS), to improve the oral health of Hawai‘i’s communities through oral health initiatives and grants to local nonprofits that provide oral health education, work to prevent oral disease, and increase access to dental care for underserved populations.

H OW YO U C A N H E L P

More community partners are needed across our Islands to help elevate the importance of good oral health. The HDS Foundation encourages local nonprofit organizations to apply for grants to support the development of oral health programs or projects that target our underserved communities statewide. Grant submission deadlines are on Dec. 15 and June 15 annually.

HDS Foundation will consider programs and projects that promote: • Oral health education • Prevention of oral disease KE Y S E RVICE S PROVI DE D

• Access to dental care by underserved populations

As the first and leading nonprofit dental benefits provider in Hawaii, HDS serves over a million island residents across Hawaii, Guam, and Saipan. The HDS Foundation invests in oral health initiatives such as Dentist by One, Seal Away Decay and Kupuna Smiles and has contributed more than $10 million in grants over the past seven years to vital programs and services that help Hawai‘i’s underserved, many of whom do not have dental insurance or access to dental care. The HDS Foundation also works alongside oral health stakeholders through its involvement with the Hawaii Oral Health Coalition.

In 2022, the HDS Foundation awarded more than $1 million in grants to the American Heart Association, Dental Lifeline Network, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, Molokai Community Health, University of Hawaii Foundation—Hawaii Keiki Sealants in Schools program, and Waimanalo Health Center. In 2023, the HDS Foundation awarded $110,000 in scholarships to Hawaii residents pursuing careers in dentistry or dental hygiene.

LEADERSHIP FO U N DATI O N B OA R D O FFI C ER S Mason A. Savage, D.D.S., Chair Emi Eno Orikasa, D.D.S., Vice Chair and President Diane S.L. Paloma, PhD., Vice President Quin Ogawa, Treasurer Shere Saneishi-Kim, Secretary H AWA I I D EN TA L S ERV I C E Diane S.L. Paloma, PhD., President and CEO

900 Fort Street Mall, Suite 1900 Honolulu, HI 96813-3705 HDSFoundation.gives HawaiiDentalService.com P: 808-521-9277 808-232-2533, ext. 277 E: Foundation@ hawaiidentalservice.com Blog: HawaiiDentalServiceBlog.com Facebook/Instagram: @hawaiidentalservice LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/ Hawaii-dental-service

HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023 69

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Supporting Moms and Families

CONTINUED ON PAGE 72 70 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

photos: courtesy of aloha diaper bank

A

LOHA DIAPER BANK IS ANOTHER NONPROFIT THAT SERVES MULTIPLE ISLANDS. Its main operation is on O‘ahu and it also has locations on Maui, Kaua‘i and Moloka‘i. Of households with children in diapers, 1 in 2 families struggle to afford diapers, and 1 in 4 parents or caregivers miss work or school when they’re unable to supply their kids with diapers at daycare and have to keep them home, says Cathy Kerch, the organization’s director of programs and operations.

The organization works with more than 30 partner agencies, including social services groups, advocates for homeless people, educators and hospice workers, and has distributed more than 830,000 diapers since its founding in 2019 by a group of moms.

Above: Vive Church Honolulu organized a holiday diaper drive to support families in need. Top right: Ward Village Moms organized a drive to launch National Diaper Need Awareness Week.

Individuals can donate new disposable diapers any time, whether they’re in original packaging or not. “If your newborn grows out of their diapers and you want to give organizations or businesses. Drives are usualyour diapers to us, we’ll take those, even if the packs are ly between a week and a month long but can be open,” Kerch says. Although there is less need for adult dialonger if the hosting group is up to it, Kerch says. pers, Aloha Diaper Bank will take and redistribute those as The groups bring their collected diapers to Aloha well. The same goes for wipes.

Diaper Bank for sorting and packing, then the diKerch says tourists often donate to the Aloha Diaper apers are sent to the organization’s partners for Bank as a way to directly help people in Hawai‘i. The orgadistribution. Not only do diaper drives help bring nization is registered with Target, Walmart and Amazon, so in supplies of diapers, they spread awareness people can donate diapers online too. about a growing problem.

Online ordering is ideal, Kerch says, because having diAs Kerch says, some people don’t realize how apers shipped directly to Aloha Diaper Bank keeps supplies much of an impact diapers can have on an ‘ohana. in stock at local stores.

“It really impacts a mother, which impacts the Along with making donations, Aloha Diaper Bank seeks whole family,” she says. volunteers to host diaper drives, typically with their clubs, alohadiaperbank.org

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The Institute for Human Services Mission: To create and offer tailored solutions for those in crisis, and nurture homeless people toward greater self-direction and responsibility.

EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Join us for “LeaderServe Friday.”

Help prepare and serve lunch at Sumner Men’s Shelter, connect with shelter guests and staff, and give back to the community. Learn more at ihshawaii.org/ leaderserve-friday.

H OW YO U C A N H E L P

Volunteer Share your skills and volunteer with us as an individual, family, or group. For current opportunities, visit ihshawaii.org/volunteer.

KE Y S E RVICE S PROVI DE D

IHS’ doors opened for the fi rst time forty-five years ago. During that fi rst year, an average of 60 individuals were helped daily. Today, over 1,600 people are assisted each day across our outreach, shelters, supportive services, employment, and housing programs.

The paths to stable housing are as unique as the households themselves. We listen to stories, hear challenges, help set personal goals, and offer tailored solutions. Where compassion and support are offered in large measure, we see guests regain hope, heal, begin to open up, ask and accept help, and even reconnect with family members.

Our heart has always been about mobilizing the community to heal brothers and sisters on the margins, gathering resources for those in need, and re-establishing people in a home. As a community, we’re ending the cycle of homelessness together.

Wish List Gift the items our keiki and programs are wishing for. Explore our Amazon wish lists at ihshawaii.org/wishlist.

Donate Become a recurring or one-time donor. Visit our website to donate by scanning the QR code below:

Services include: case management; children and family programming; community re-entry; emergency shelter; employment assistance; health services; homeless prevention; homeless triage; homeless veterans’ help; housing navigation; meals; medical respite; mental health treatment and crisis stabilization; outreach; pre-vocational programs; relocation assistance; substance use detox and recovery LEADERSHIP B OA R D O F D I R EC TO R S David Morimoto, President Lauren Nahme, Vice-President Lynne Unemori, Secretary Patrick McGuirk, Chair, Governance Joanna Oshiro, Chair, Finance Jim Steiner, Chair, Audit Keala Peters, Chair, External Affairs & Development Joe Viola, Chair, Internal Affairs

Julie Arigo Sondra Leiggi Brandon Claude “Duke” DuTeil Ellen Godbey Carson Bruce Coppa Jerry Gibson Jayson Harper Jeff Harris Ian Hogan Ed Hope

Dexter Kubota Marci LaRouech Andy Lee Craig S. McGinnis Liane Okumura LeeAnn Silva Curtis Saiki Tracy Tonaki Anthea Wang

546 Ka‘a‘ahi St. Honolulu, HI 96817 P: 808-447-2800 E: info@ihshawaii.org ihshawaii.org Facebook & Instagram: @ihshawaii

HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023 71

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 70

Foster a Friend

“We love what we do and we’re very passionate about rescue and helping underprivileged dogs, but we cannot do it alone.”

—T IFFA N Y K IM 72 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

photo: courtesy of fur-angel foundation

F

U R - A N G E L F O U N DATI O N , meanwhile, provides volunteer opportunities for animal lovers seeking ways to help O‘ahu’s houseless canines. President Tiffany Kim explains that unlike humane societies and other shelters, Fur-Angel Foundation doesn’t have a physical location. “We don’t have the typical [setup for] volunteers Actress Amy Hill and her newly adopted Fur-Angel pup, Baby-Belle. to come to a facility where you clean the runs or feed the dogs,” she says. “If people are at various events throughout the year, including the annual interested in working with the dogs, they could becanine carnival every summer. “That’s our biggest fundraiscome a foster.” er, so we need a lot of hands to help put that event together,” Since it was founded in 2014, FAF has directKim says. ed more than 600 dogs into foster care. Its team Kim and her team sometimes need help picking up or of three has been inundated with requests to take dropping off supplies, donations and dogs. There are also dogs, and it works with between 35 and 50 of them opportunities to help with social media, digital content and at any given time. “We’re at the mercy of the space merchandise creation. “It’s more of a sporadic thing because available with our fosters,” Kim says, explaining we don’t have a facility, but there are a lot of ways to get inthat all potential fosters go through an orientavolved,” she says. tion to learn about proper pet care, medical issues Because of the organization’s limited resources and inand what to do in the event of an emergency. There ability to accommodate large numbers of dogs, it sometimes are typically always animals on the waitlist, so a has to limit how many animals it helps. “We love what we foster won’t have to wait long for a dog. do and we’re very passionate about rescue and helping unFor those unable to foster, FAF offers other derprivileged dogs, but we cannot do it alone,” Kim says. “It’s ways for animal lovers to help. Businesses can the entire community that gets involved.” donate grooming or other services, and photographers are always needed to capture moments furangelfoundation.org

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PRINTS PRINTS FROM FROM THE THE COLLECTIONS COLLECTIONS OF OF JORDAN D. JORDAN D. SCHNITZER SCHNITZER AND AND HIS HIS FAMILY FAMILY FOUNDATION FOUNDATION NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 17, 17, 2023–MARCH 2023–MARCH 10, 10, 2024 2024 See six See six decades decades of of perception-shifting perception-shifting work work by one one of of the the world’s world’s most by most influential influential artists. artists.

900 900 S S Beretania Beretania St St 808-532-8700 808-532-8700 honolulumuseum.org honolulumuseum.org David David Hockney, Hockney, In In the the Studio, Studio, December December 2017 2017 (detail). (detail). 2017.

2017. Photographic Photographic drawing drawing printed printed on on paper, paper, mounted mounted on on Dibond.

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ono

NOV

Food and Drink in Hawai‘i

2023

BY T H O M A S O B U N G E N P H OTO S BY C O U RT N E Y M A U

ROUNDUP

Next Stop: Flavortown Where to stop and eat within walking distance of four Skyline rail stations.

 Pupusas are only 409 steps away.

Skyline’s first segment might only span 10.8 miles from East Kapolei to Hālawa, but that’s plenty of ground to cover when you look at it through a foodie lens. So put on your walking shoes, load up your Holo Card and explore some ‘ono West Side gems both classic and new.

HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023 75

‘ono | ROUNDUP

La Casita SKYLINE STOP POUHALA (WAIPAHU TRANSIT CENTER) WALKING DISTANCE 409 STEPS, 4-MINUTE WALK

B

EFORE LA CASITA, you couldn’t

find Salvadoran pupusas and pastelitos on O‘ahu, let alone in Waipahu. Now in a spacious new home in Tropicana Square, Yosselyn De Abreu’s Central American oasis weaves humble Latin fare into the fabric of this former plantation town.

WHAT TO ORDER: Pupusas are masa dough wrapped around cheese and shredded pork or loroco flower buds, then flattened and grilled on the plancha. I especially fawn over the small fried empanadas stuffed with beef and rice known as pastelitos. Most items come with a crunchy side of curtido pickled cabbage slaw to balance out the starch and cheese.

94-866 MOLOALO ST. D-11A, WAIPAHU, MONDAY TO SATURDAY 11 A.M. TO 7 P.M., (808) 676-6987, LACASITAHAWAII.COM, @LACASITAHAWAII

76 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

REVIEW | ‘ono

Shiro’s Saimin Haven The Pearl SKYLINE STOP HĀLAULANI (LEEWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE) WALKING DISTANCE 591 STEPS, 5-MINUTE WALK

photo and illustration: courtesy of leeward community college, christine labrador

SKYLINE STOP KALAUAO (WAIMALU SHOPPING CENTER) WALKING DISTANCE 803 STEPS, 6-MINUTE WALK

D

EAR HEARTS,

It’s impossible to pass Waimalu Shopping Center and not think about Shiro’s Saimin Haven. Since opening in 1969, the diner has become a fixture in this neighborhood and a destination for those far from it.

Shiro’s is that reliable friend who’s always ready to welcome you in.

A

S SOMEONE WHO went from

busser to executive chef at Roy’s Hawai‘i Kai, Chris Garnier knows about paying one’s dues. Now a chef instructor at Leeward Community College, Garnier mentors future culinary stars at The Pearl, the on-campus fine dining restaurant. The student-run Pearl is a real-life simulator that gives students hands-on training in all aspects of running a restaurant, as a team. This is a neighborhood favorite, which means you’ll be lucky to snag a reservation—they book up quickly.

WHAT TO ORDER: There are 58 varieties and I’m not talking about Heinz. That’s how many saimin bowls are on the menu.

Between the humble No. 1 small saimin with garnishes to the No. 58, the Dodonpa Ultimate King of Saimin, which is “bombarded with 10 garnishes”—plus fully customizable bowls—everyone has a favorite at Shiro’s.

WHAT TO ORDER: Menus change monthly, but a good general rule is to keep tabs on when new menus appear, and then order one of each of the three entreés and two appetizers to share. Dishes are crafted by culinary students who are experimenting with flavors and techniques learned in school.

98-020 KAMEHAMEHA HIGHWAY, ‘AIEA, MONDAY TO SUNDAY 7 A.M. TO 8:30 P.M., (808) 488-8824, SHIROS-SAIMIN.COM, @SHIROSSAIMIN

96-045 ALA ‘IKE, PEARL CITY, LEEWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE, WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY 11:30 A.M. TO 12:30 P.M., (808) 455-0475, LEEWARD.HAWAII.EDU/THEPEARL

HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023 77

illustration: christine labrador

‘ono | ROUNDUP

Straight Outta Husk SKYLINE STOP KALAUAO (WAIMALU SHOPPING CENTER) WALKING DISTANCE 906 STEPS, 6-MINUTE WALK

A

UTOMATIC DOORS slide open to the faint

beat of K-pop and the scent of simmering beef birria. The folks in line are ordering tamales, tacos, burritos and more. It’s Straight Outta Husk at Pālama Supermarket. Koreatown in Los Angeles is the only other place where I’ve encountered a cultural juxtaposition like this. If that tickles your taste buds, get in line with everyone else for Marhen Yee Luevano’s cooking.

98-020 KAMEHAMEHA HIGHWAY, ‘AIEA, TUESDAY AND SATURDAY 11 A.M. TO 6 P.M., FRIDAY 11 A.M. TO 4 P.M., (808) 765-1990, @STRAIGHTOUTTAHUSK

78 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

photo: tktk

WHAT TO ORDER: Pork and cheese tamales loaded with cheese and sides of rice and beans. One is a meal by itself.

ROUNDUP | ‘ono

Minasa SKYLINE STOP POUHALA (WAIPAHU TRANSIT CENTER) WALKING DISTANCE 412 STEPS, 4-MINUTE WALK

T

ROPICANA SQUARE is a fascinating microcosm of ethnic commerce. The green strip mall is home to Elena’s Filipino Foods, Wong Kung Chop Suey, and Da Fish Market, known for lechon. The new kid on the block is Minasa. The Tagalog word means to mash—which is exactly what Maleko Lagmay does, and he does it well.

WHAT TO ORDER: Ube churros dusted with amethyst sugar, and crinkle-cut fries mounded with crispy pork belly laced with spicy-sweet hints of lechon sauce. Also: steak bowls loaded with bacon garlic fried rice, eggs sunny-side up and crispy fried shallots plus a tart calamansi dip to wake up the palate. Kanak attack will hit on the ride home—don’t blame me if you miss your stop.

94-866 MOLOALO ST. D-12, WAIPAHU, WEDNESDAY TO SATURDAY NOON TO 4 P.M., (808) 202-8555, MINASAHAWAII.COM, @MINASAHAWAII

Local Joe West SKYLINE STOP KEONE‘AE (UH WEST O‘AHU) WALKING DISTANCE 405 STEPS, 4-MINUTE WALK

M

UCH LIKE THE apartment

pool it’s adjacent to, Local Joe West is a beacon—not only against the heat of the ‘Ewa Plain but also the drought of craft coffee in West O‘ahu. Charles Asselbaye’s first expansion since opening Local Joe in Chinatown in 2015 is the perfect point to start a Skyline journey. Jessica and Jeffrey Haynes, who coown this new micro roastery café with Asselbaye, are often there preparing baked goods and pulling espresso shots for velvety Royal Hawaiian Mochas. The menu of coffee beverages and baked goods rotates seasonally, but it’s the consistently cheerful vibes that I return for. And those velvety smooth mochas.

WHAT TO ORDER: For the purists, the Regular Joe (drip coffee) is the best way to savor Local Joe’s original roasts. For mocha lovers, the shop’s crème de cacao syrup enhances the darker espresso roasts. If you’re in the mood for spice, the dirty chai latte is your ticket.

92-3598 NANA HOPE ST., SUITE 1425, ‘EWA BEACH, MONDAY TO FRIDAY 6:30 A.M. TO 2 P.M., SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 7:30 A.M. TO 2 P.M., (808) 364-0681, LOCALJOEWEST.COM, @LOCALJOEWEST

HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023 79

afterthoughts

BY KATRINA VALCOURT

executive editor

Standing Tall

Y

OU KNOW THE BUILDINGS I’m talking about, even if the

name Century Park Plaza doesn’t ring a bell. Central O‘ahu’s twin towers— the only condos higher than seven stories in Pearl City—are a whopping 43 floors and visible from the freeway for miles.

For years I’ve wondered about these wildly out-of-place skyscrapers, protruding far above their neighbors. How are they allowed to be that tall? And if they’re legit, why aren’t there more of them? It seems like a no-brainer that more towering dwellings would have shot up to accommodate the island’s growing population.

A recent drive along Kamehameha Highway took me right past one of the towers, and it was even taller than I thought. Turns out that before many of Kaka‘ako’s newer condos sprang up, the two buildings were among the tallest on the island at about 400 feet. They were built in the early ’80s, but as more zoning laws and land use ordinances came along, the height limits in many areas were capped at 60 feet, leaving Century Park Plaza rising well above the rest.

Those laws and ordinances are changing again. In October 2022, parts of ‘Aiea and Pearl City were rezoned to accommodate transit-oriented development, bringing the limit up to as high as 250 feet in some areas for mixed-use buildings. The director’s report accompanying the ordinance notes that the Century Park Plaza buildings “do not block the panoramic view of the Waianae Range,” and any

80 HONOLULUMAGAZINE.COM November 2023

new buildings that qualify for a bonus height would still be “150 feet shorter than Century Park Plaza. Therefore, the proposed heights are not expected to impede the view cone.” These bonus heights would be granted to places that offer community benefits such as affordable housing, parks or “facilities that enhance the pedestrian experience.”

As someone who supports more housing, especially as part of mixed-use buildings, I think this is good news. We have to build somewhere, so creating better-connected communities along the rail line makes the most sense. But I can’t help but get sad about the prospect of these towers no longer standing out on my long drives to and from the West Side. Whether people like them or not, they’re defining features of the neighborhood, just like the circular Kaimukī Jade apartment building that also feels out of place. (I always laugh at the story of how writer Guy de Maupassant hated the Eiffel Tower so much, he would eat at its café every day— the one place in the city where he couldn’t see it.) They’re quirky and unique. If a bunch of 30story buildings pop up nearby, the towers won’t be as special.

It’s not like I have a personal tie to these apartments. And nostalgia can be the enemy of progress. But as O‘ahu continues to look and feel different, seemingly with each passing month, I hope our neighborhoods can retain at least some of their distinct character.

photo: katrina valcourt

Our neighborhoods are changing, but some things still stick out.

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8/24/23 10:43 AM