Square Kady Pascual Headshot RGZ5762

Kady Pascual

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

His fan just had a case of resting “killah guy” face.

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Outdoor concert

<title>🚧 Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Stink eye</title>

Today’s social media find comes from @ImLevz, who’s always prepared to fight.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Stink eye

His fan just had a case of resting “killah guy” face.  Make sure you follow @ImLevz on Instagram! For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter!

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

Cherylene Mendoza recalls when she got the idea to start a matcha business during a recent trip to LA with her husband, Janny.

“We sat and we put God first before our day,” she says. “We said, ‘Let’s go do devotionals.’ We sat at a café, shared coffee and did devotionals. From there, I felt called and led to start something that we can have (like that) here in Hawai‘i.”

The Mendozas launched their pop-up, called 

, about a month ago. Their matcha home café, based in ‘Ewa Beach, is currently open from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sundays, but the 

biz will soon be open on specific weekdays as well, according to Mendoza.

“DEVOS stands for devotionals; we’re just here representing Jesus,” Mendoza says. “One day, we want to open up our own café where people can sit, drink matcha or coffee, do devotionals and connect. It’s open for everybody.”

Preorders are required; customers can check out DEVOS Hawai

 to see the matcha menu and direct message the account to preorder (payments via cash and Venmo are accepted). Once customers set a pick-up date and time and arrive at the pop-up, they’ll be encouraged to write a prayer before receiving their order.

Mendoza calls this step “prayer before pour.”

“While we’re currently the only ones doing it, it does take a little bit of time, but it’s so powerful,” she says. “I remember the first time I did the pop-up — there were so many people and so many prayers. After everyone went home, that same night, I put my hand over every single card and was praying for them.

“It’s like our own prayer wall and we’re believing for everyone,” Mendoza adds. “I always believe that every good desire comes from the Lord. If there’s something you need us to pray for, we’re here to pray for you. God is the only one who can answer prayers, but he is going to use us to share his word or share his message.”

i’s menu features a variety of iced matcha beverages served in 16-ounce cups. All drinks are made with ceremonial-grade matcha, oat milk and homemade classic syrups.

“Our matcha is from Uji in Kyoto prefecture, Japan,” Mendoza says. “We love the benefits of matcha — how it’s good for the brain and body — and we love to drink it.”

The business’s classic matcha latte ($7), strawberry matcha latte ($8) and strawberry ube matcha latte ($9) have been customer favorites. The latter includes strawberry and ube purees, resulting in a colorful concoction.

The biz’s Cinnamon Toast Crunch matcha latte ($10) is a newer menu item that’s becoming popular. As its name implies, it’s inspired by that nostalgic cereal milk flavor.

“Many of our regular customers have been frequently requesting it,” Mendoza says. “It’s our smooth matcha latte infused with cozy cinnamon flavor. It’s topped with a creamy cold foam that brings everything together for the perfect balance of sweet, spiced and refreshing.”

Mendoza says she learned to make matcha from watching YouTube, but coming up with the drinks on her menu took a lot of trial and error.

“Finding something that actually worked for me was something I had to play with,” she says. “I just had to keep pouring, keep sipping and asking my close family, ‘Does this taste good?’”

For updates about the business’s menu and availability, follow DEVOS Hawai

“Thank you everyone for your support,” Mendoza says. “We have nothing but gratitude; everyone has been so supportive. All glory to God; I would not be doing this if it wasn’t for the Lord putting it on my heart.”

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Preorders required; direct message the business on Instagram

DEVOS Hawaii business owners 073025

<title>🚧 DEVOS Hawaiʻi is a new ʻEwa-based matcha pop-up</title>

This faith-based biz offers weekly matcha pop-ups. Choose from classic matcha lattes to more creative options like the strawberry ube matcha latte.

DEVOS Hawaiʻi is a new ʻEwa-based matcha pop-up

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

Real Estate

A Waikīkī project more than five years in the making has hit a milestone.

Developers last week topped off Ka Haku, a Hilton Club, a new timeshare property under construction by Hilton Grand Vacations, an Orlando-based timeshare company.

Dozens celebrated the topping off Friday at the Honolulu Zoo, including leaders and from HGV and Nordic PCL, the project's contractor, among others.

A senior superintendent told the crowd gathered that getting to this point was a group effort.

"There's a lot of work that's been put into this project, and it does take the group to get to where we're at," they said. "The structure top-off is a major milestone. Let's celebrate it today. Let's enjoy ourselves today. But we still have a lot of work to do."

Located at the former King's Village site at 131 Ka‘iulani Ave., the timeshare offers 213 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites; a private arrival and departure lounge; state-of-the-art fitness center, pool and pool bar; and a Japanese-style bathhouse.

Tyler Middleton, senior director of development for Hilton Grand Vacations, told Aloha State Daily on Friday that construction on the project began in 2019, "and we were about a year into all of the underground work and then Covid hit."

"We made the decision to shut the project down," he continued. "We quickly became the most expensive parking lot in Waikīkī."

Middleton says the developer got approval to restart the project in spring 2023 and "remobilized" that fall. Ka Haku is expected to be finished and open in summer 2026.

The last of the concrete has been poured and the roof has been completed, but Middleton notes that the crane will remain on site for a few more months to lift some heavy equipment onto the rooftop and into the tower.

As for the work that remains, he told ASD, "It's just going to be all the interior work," including mechanical, plumbing and electrical, furniture, mill work, finishes, paint, wall coverings, tile, flooring and more, as well as the work in the public areas.

[{"type":"text","text":"There will be two retail spaces on the ground floor, Middleton says."}]

After nearly six years, Middleton says it "feels great" to reach this point.

"[At the] end of the day, Hilton Grand Vacations has had very little to do with it other than selecting a great team to build the project, and [we] couldn't be more proud of everyone that's had their hands, their fingerprints on this project and to get us where we are today."

HGV currently operates 13 resorts across four islands, including six on O‘ahu. Ka Haku — which HGV says is named in honor of Prince Albert Kamehameha — is the 14th Hilton Grand Vacation resort in the state and is the only Hilton Club in Hawai‘i. 

[{"type":"text","text":"Middleton says Hilton Club is the company's \"luxury brand.\""}]

[{"type":"text","text":"He declined to disclose the cost of the project."}]

When asked what the project means for the Waikīkī community, he said, "This is just a continued testament that Hilton Grand Vacations is 100% committed to Waikīkī, O‘ahu, the Hawaiian Islands."

According to Middleton, the project has generated more than 500 construction industry jobs during the build, and will support 150 to 175 full-time employees once it opens.

He said, too, that HGV also will make a $1 million contribution to support projects selected by the Honolulu City Council that will "benefit both residents and visitors here in Waikīkī." Additionally, HGV will make a donation to the Waikīkī Community center for every sale, approximately $10,000.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Stink eye

Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

More in Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Daddy Day Care

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Man’s best friend

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Fruitful tree

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Morning kine action

Most read

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Stink eye

Authors

Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

More in Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Daddy Day Care

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Man’s best friend

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Fruitful tree

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Morning kine action

Most read