Aloha State Daily

Today’s top story: “New leaders for DLNR and Honolulu Zoo.”

Views expressed in this Hawaii news summary are those of the reporters and correspondents.

Accessed on 13 June 2026, 2210 UTC.

Content and Source: “Aloha State Daily.”

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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsjournal.com).

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SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2026

‘America’s Got Talent’ has Hawaiʻi contestants

These North Shore brothers will be featured in Season 21 of “America’s Got Talent.” READ MORE

Pipikaula Corner: Lawsuit filed against Act 11

Lawmakers said the state would get sued, even as they pushed SB2471 into law as Act 11, seeking to nullify the U.S. Supreme Court decision known as Citizens United. Grassroot Institute of Hawai‘i filed its lawsuit Friday, challenging the law as unconstitutional. READ MORE

Gov. Green announces new DLNR leadership

Dawn Chang will retire as chairperson and director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources next month. Gov. Josh Green has announced her replacement. READ MORE

House Without a Key launches new Sunday dinner buffet

The Halekulani eatery’s Aha ‘Aina Plantation Pā‘ina is a new Sunday dinner buffet that will run until Sept. 6. It celebrates Hawaiʻi’s diverse cultures, and guests will also have the chance to try the legendary KONG burger, created in partnership with radio icon Kamasami Kong. READ MORE

King Kamehameha Day, High Watah and hula: your guide to the weekend

Ready to plan the weekend? Don’t miss contests for mele, hula and mango recipes. There will be King Kamehameha Day celebrations, a Mele Conference & Hula Festival and the opening late-night event for Limelight Hawaiʻi, which will feature performances from High Watah and Three Plus. READ MORE

Former director of Smithsonian National Zoological Park selected to lead Honolulu Zoo

John Berry, who started in his new role as Zoo Director on Tuesday, has held several senior leadership positions in the federal government and also brings experience in conservation, having previously served as the director of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and director of the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. READ MORE

Coco’s Cravings 808 offers sweet and savory Japanese milk breads

While the business is known for its Cocobonz — cinnamon rolls made from Japanese-style milk bread dough — and savory pastries, connection through food continues to be essential for business owner Colleen Bui. READ MORE

Biryani King serves Punjabi-style soul food

The Sheridan Street eatery offers a casual cafeteria-style dining experience in which customers can create their own one- or two-choice plates with options like butter chicken, meat biryani, samosas and more. READ MORE

Sacred Hauntings at Pūowaina

Pūowaina — Punchbowl Crater — holds tremendous energy after centuries of profound human activities. In ancient times, it housed a heiau puhi kanaka, a fire temple involving human sacrifice. Now it is home to the National Memorial Cemetery for America’s war dead. In between those eras, it has housed canons and Easter services, a firing range and sledding slopes. Some say it houses spirits as well, who make themselves known even in broad daylight. READ MORE

State Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole reactions to Act 11 lawsuit

SB2471 was the signature piece of legislation to emerge from the recent legislative session. Now it’s a law, one that’s already been challenged as unconstitutional. ASD reached out to the law’s backers for comment. READ MORE

Uncles and Aunties: The Logan ʻohana serve up sweet treats

Paul Logan, who grew up in Wahiawā, is having the time of his life as the “Uncle” of Uncle’s Ice Cream Sandwiches, which wholesales its sweet treats to 150 retailers on the Mainland and close to 200 statewide, including Foodland, Whole Foods and ABC stores. His wife, Barbara, helps manage the finances for the business and enjoys sharing about his post-Merchant Marine ventures such as surviving a super typhoon in Saipan with their two-month-old son, renovating a 200-year-old chateau near Verviers, Belgium, and more. READ MORE

For sale: Queen Theater in Kaimukī

Originally constructed in 1936, the long-shuttered 12,497-square-foot theater sits on a 10,396-square foot parcel at 3588 Wai‘alae Ave. READ MORE

West O‘ahu landfill no longer in the works

Makaiwa Hills landfill goes unfunded in county capital improvement budget. READ MORE

Reader Submissions: Send us your sky photos

Kindly submit your high-resolution, horizontal Hawaiʻi Skies photo that you own and/or have the rights to general@alohastatedaily.com. Additional details here: READ MORE

Daily Smile: Saturday, June 13, 2026

Now, let’s all enjoy a hamster enjoying an omelette… READ MORE

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Hawaii News Journal

Today’s top story: “New leaders for DLNR and Honolulu Zoo.”

Views expressed in this Hawaii news summary are those of the reporters and correspondents.

Accessed on 13 June 2026, 2210 UTC.

Content and Source: “Aloha State Daily.”

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQgMMKdrXsdwcJVnHKQtMhFGgzl

URL–alohastatedaily.com.

Please check email link, URL, or scroll down to read your selections.

Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsjournal.com).

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Today’s top story: “New leaders for DLNR and Honolulu Zoo.”

Views expressed in this Hawaii news summary are those of the reporters and correspondents.

Accessed on 13 June 2026, 2210 UTC.

Content and Source: “Aloha State Daily.”

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQgMMKdrXsdwcJVnHKQtMhFGgzl

URL–alohastatedaily.com.

Please check email link, URL, or scroll down to read your selections.

Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsjournal.com).

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