Hawaii

Discover the culture and aloha spirit at the Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa

Published

1 year ago

October 18, 2023

O’AHU, Hawaii (KGO) — Shadowed by towering palm trees, waves crashing on the white shores, and sounds of the ukulele accompanying sweet melodies, you’ll find the Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa. Despite the vacation feel, the island destination upkeeps Hawaiian traditions and takes inspiration from O’ahu’s natural wonders.

Taking us back to the island he calls home, ABC7 anchor Reggie Aqui explores the heart of Aulani Resort: Hawaiian culture.

One of his first stops is catching up with the Aulani Disney Ambassador, Kanoa Kawai.

Kawai describes the importance of sharing Hawaiian culture to all of Aulani’s guests through the resort’s storytelling, music, hula, dance, and more, he said.

Walking into Aulani’s Maka’ala lobby, guests are met with traditional artifacts and murals adorning the walls that tell the stories of the Hawaiian people and their gods and goddesses.

“I love that we can continue to pass on those traditions to future generations,” Kawai said.

An Aulani fitness instructor, Kapiolani, leads Aqui and his husband Phil Heuring in a session of morning surfboard yoga.

She later explains the spirituality behind the word “Aloha.”

“It means compassion. It means forgiveness. It means grace. But most of all, it means love,” she said.

Kawai said the Disney cast members really make Aulani special.

“They are not just sharing a story, but they’re sharing a story that they’ve lived because they are from the islands,” he said. “They were born and raised. And they just add that special touch, that little extra magic.”

Aqui then stops into Aulani’s iconic luau.

The evening attraction combines classic Hawaiian dishes and lively entertainment, complete with a unique storyline.

Not only is the luau a draw for tourists, it is also ingrained in Hawaiian culture.

“It’s always important to come together,” Kawai said. “And any chance we have to come together and have a party, and just celebrate one another. We do not hesitate to come together for those things.”

When asked to name one Hawaiian word that is a concept to be shared with visitors, Kawai responds with “Le’ale’a.”

“Le’ale’a means to have fun, to enjoy,” he said.

And Kawai did just that. He strummed his ukulele and sang the Aulani Hula, detailing all the adventures one can find at the resort.

Learn more here.

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Hawaii

Plane crash under investigation on Hawaii Island

Published

2 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Plane crash under investigation on Hawaii Island

WAIMEA (HawaiiNewsNow) – Federal investigators are looking into what caused a plane to crash on Hawaii Island Monday.

The National Transportation Safety Board confirms it is looking into what caused a Cessna to go down at Parker Ranch in Waimea shortly before noon.

Investigators said preliminary information indicated the plane experienced a loss of engine power.

A witness said two people walked away from the aircraft on their own. No one was hurt.

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Hawaii

Hawaii Bowl announcers Tiffany Greene, Jay Walker get rare moment in spotlight

Published

9 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

Hawaii Bowl announcers Tiffany Greene, Jay Walker get rare moment in spotlight

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring … and the only sports on TV was the Hawaii Bowl on ESPN.

The Christmas Eve game pitting South Florida (6-6) against San Jose State (7-5) didn’t bring the same energy as a major bowl, but when you’re the only live major sporting event on U.S. TV, fans will take notice.

On social media, the matchup generated surprising buzz for a minor bowl game.

People treating the Hawaii bowl tonight like it’s the Super Bowl
— Zlatni Topki (@ZlatniTopki) December 24, 2024

Out in Honolulu, ESPN had play-by-play announcer Tiffany Greene and color analyst Jay Walker on the game, and the pair, who have worked together for years, made the most of their moment in the spotlight.

Greene, who was the first African-American woman to serve as a play-by-play commentator for college football on a major network, had the opportunity to call some big plays, including this kickoff return touchdown by South Florida’s Ta’Ron Keith.

Tiffany Green was VERY amped up about this kick return touchdown and later replay of the big play from USF returner Ta’Ron Keith. pic.twitter.com/FkHDlaYBPK
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 25, 2024

And here’s Greene on a big interception early in the game.

USF forces an interception that would later result in points and a 14-0 lead over San Jose State.
Tiffany Greene and Jay Walker on the call of the Hawai’i Bowl on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/eMyo4aHsXn
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 25, 2024

Unfortunately, everything did not go smoothly for Greene and Walker. Of particular concern, Walker’s audio sounded consistently muddy, as if he were doing the broadcast remotely.

Are they actually there? Her co host literally sounds like he’s on a zoom call
— HuskerJim (@jimtheplumber63) December 25, 2024

Others on social media were even less charitable in their comments on the announcers.

This is a horrible announcing crew. This is not a high profile game, but as the only one on Cmas Eve, likely with a decent audience of folks looking for distractions, why this crew & not a better one? Why not put these guys on one of the midday workday games with less eyes/ears?
— Justin Firesheets (@JFiresheets) December 25, 2024

Yet some fans were left wanting to hear more of Greene and Walker in the future.

Tiffany is awesome! She has the spunk of Gus & a little of Beth Mowins when she announces CFB👍
— Herbie Garcia (@herbieg55) December 25, 2024

[ESPN]

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Hawaii

College football's Hawaii Bowl highlights slowest sports day of 2024

Published

20 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

College football's Hawaii Bowl highlights slowest sports day of 2024

Sports fans can breathe easy on Christmas Eve as there will only be one game played on Tuesday before a full buffet of games on Christmas Day.

College football aficionados will be happy to know there is one bowl game on the slate. The Hawaii Bowl between South Florida and San Jose State. The game will start at 8 p.m. ET.

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South Florida Bulls quarterback Israel Carter runs the ball against the Florida Atlantic Owls at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida, Nov. 1, 2024. (Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images)

The Bulls finished 6-6 on the season and earned a second straight bowl game under head coach Alex Golesh. They had the same record last season before entering and winning the Boca Raton Bowl over Syracuse, 45-0.

The Spartans finished the season 7-5 overall in Ken Niumatalolo’s first season at the helm. The team is on a three-bowl-game losing streak. They lost the Hawaii Bowl last season and the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in 2022. The Spartans also lost the Arizona Bowl in 2020.

San Jose State hasn’t won a bowl game since the 2015 Cure Bowl under Ron Caragher.

San Jose State Spartans head coach Ken Niumatalolo after their win over the Stanford Cardinal at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, California, Nov. 29, 2024. (Eakin Howard-Imagn Images)

TEXAS FOOTBALL MASCOT BEVO BARRED FROM SIDELINES OF UPCOMING CFP GAME, ORGANIZERS SAY

Sports fans looking for some action should take it all in and be able to get some sleep before opening presents and starting Christmas Day at noon ET with NBA games.

The NFL also has games on Christmas Day for the second straight year – a two-game menu featuring the Kansas City Chiefs against the Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 p.m. ET and the Houston Texans hosting the Baltimore Ravens at 4:30 p.m. ET.

Browns defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. and linebacker Devin Bush rush Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland on Dec. 15, 2024. (Ken Blaze-Imagn Images)

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College football will return on Dec. 26 and the NHL will be back on Dec. 27.

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