HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The monthly festival that celebrates art and culture in Hawaii is welcoming a relatively new venue in May.

The Manini Gallery recently launched on the mauka side of the historic Hawaii Theatre.

This month’s “First Friday” festival will feature local artist Solomon Enos and showcase his latest work from the exhibition “Future Island Cultures.”

“These are really just placeholders for hopeful futures — not how we’re going to fail as a species, but how we’re going to transcend the seemingly insurmountable challenges that we’re faced with,” Enos said.

The established Hawaii artist is hosting an artist talk Friday at 6 p.m. at the Manini Gallery in the Hawaii Theatre.

The exhibition will be on display in that space through May 26.

For more information on May’s First Friday celebration, click here.

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HONOLULU — A bill that would require that coffee labeled or advertised with a Hawaii geographic origin contains at least 51% of coffee (by weight) from that region passed the state Legislature on Wednesday.

Under current law, coffee advertised as being from Kona, Kauai or other highly regarded growing areas only needs to contain 10% of coffee actually grown in those areas.

“This initiative is about protecting Kona’s world-renowned coffee and ensuring that local farmers receive the prices they deserve for their products, and that dollars stay in Hawaii’s economy,” said state Rep. Nicole Lowen, who introduced the measure. “The percentage of Kona coffee required for it to be labeled Kona should be 100%, but given that this is the first progress made on this in more than 30 years, it’s a huge win.”

Two years ago, the Legislature passed Act 222, which requested that the Hawaii Department of Agriculture study the impact of coffee labeling laws on coffee farmers and determine the economically ideal proportion of Kona beans in products marketed as Kona coffee.

The resulting report asserted that increasing the minimum amount of Kona coffee from 10% to either 51% or 100% would benefit local farmers, with greater increases resulting in greater benefits. The report projected that proposed labeling changes could result in a price increase for Kona coffee but minimal impact on quantities grown or sold.

“By gradually implementing an increase in minimum standards, this bill protects the integrity of all regional coffee brands in Hawaii, like Kona and Kau, and supports our local farmers,” said Rep. Kirstin Kahaloa.

Beyond economic concerns, supporters said House Bill 2298, Conference Draft 1, also preserves the value and integrity of locally grown coffee.

As the bill itself notes, “despite existing labeling laws that include specific requirements for font sizes and disclosure of blend percentages, the simple inclusion of a geographic origin name on a product effectively misleads consumers into believing that the product is representative of the specialty product of that region, even though, for example, in a coffee blend that is 10% Kona coffee, the flavor of the Kona coffee is often undetectable at such low concentrations. Consumers are then deceived into paying a premium for a ‘Hawaii’ product that does not represent the name on its label.”

“HB2298 CD1 is a pivotal advancement in our ongoing commitment to safeguarding the integrity of Hawaii’s cherished agricultural industries,” said Senate Majority Leader Dru Mamo Kanuha. “By requiring a majority percentage of coffee from the specified geographic region in labeled products, we’re not only protecting our farmers’ livelihoods but also ensuring that consumers receive authentic, high-quality coffee synonymous with our beloved regions like Kona and Kau. This legislation reflects our dedication to fostering a sustainable and transparent agricultural sector, one that honors our traditions while promoting economic prosperity for generations to come.”

The bill has been transmitted to Gov. Josh Green for final approval.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.

The Hawaii beach volleyball team has been fully furnished with conference and national postseason awards heading into the NCAA Tournament.

On the eve of their first-round matchup against Loyola Marymount in Gulf Shores, Ala., the Rainbow Wahine received a haul of American Volleyball Coaches Association and Big West Conference honors.

UH’s top pair of Jaime Santer and Alana Embry was named to the AVCA All-America second team after going 24-11 in 2024. Santer, of Toronto, and Embry, of Poway, Calif., became the 13^th and 14^th All-Americans in program history. The most recent were Brooke Van Sickle and Kaylee Glagau.

In addition, UH’s pairs at the No. 4 and 5 courts, Riley Wagoner/Sydney Amiatu and Anna Maidment/Sydney Miller received AVCA Top Flight status. To be eligible, a pair has to compete in at least 15 dual matches at that flight and win 75% of its matches at that flight.

Wagoner, of Dublin, Ohio, and Amiatu, of Oceanside, Calif., went 21-6 at the fourth flight, including the match against Long Beach State for the Big West championship.

Maidment, of Winnipeg, Canada, and Miller, of San Diego, Calif., went 16-4 at the fifth flight and have lined up at the third flight in recent weeks.

The Big West’s postseason awards were also announced Thursday, with third-year program leader Evan Silberstein named BWC Co-Coach of the Year for the second time.

Silberstein encouraged a mantra of “fail fast, fail forward” during the season so the team could grow from its early setbacks. UH started 0-5 with a winless weekend at the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Beach Classic in February, a sequence that included a loss to LMU.

“Even all the way up until the Big West (championships), we were talking to them about three things,” Silberstein said. “Connection … composed … and stay curious. I think that element of curiosity and adaptability has been really helpful for us. Living those in the high-pressure moments has really panned out and put us in a position of success. We’re just stoked for everything that has happened up ‘til now.”

Santer/Embry and Wagoner/Amiatu were named to the All-BWC first team, while Maidment/Miller and Pani Napoleon/Glagau were named honorable mentions.

Cal Poly’s Todd Rogers was the BWC’s other Co-Coach of the Year.

Ninth-seeded UH (24-11) faces eighth-seeded LMU (27-13) for the third straight NCAA Tournament starting 7 a.m. Hawaii time Friday.

“We’re prepared, we’re hungry,” Napoleon told Hawaii media before the team departed for Alabama this week. “Honestly, we’re glad that we’re playing against them again because it gives us another opportunity to get our revenge.”

Evan Silberstein, middle, was named a Big West Coach of the Year for the second time. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)

Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.