News briefs for Aug. 8: Chef Rhoda’s Table, One ʻOhana Fund, promotions and more

Chef Rhoda’s Table to debut this fall at Mauna Lani

Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection continues to expand the vision for its recently launched Francis Brown Club — a private oasis and exclusive experience within the luxury property designed for travelers seeking greater privacy, personalization and unrivaled access. This fall, the Club will debut Chef Rhoda’s Table, a new ocenfront dining series led by Executive Chef Rhoda Magbitang following her recent win on Bravo’s “Top Chef” Season 23

Building on the success of this summer’s Surf Shack residency — which brought together Magbitang and fellow “Top Chef” contestants Sieger Bayer, Oscar Diaz and Brittany Cochran — the series will welcome acclaimed guest chefs and culinary experts for intimate dinners.

The 2026 lineup currently includes Chef Duyen Ha: From Carolina to the Kohala Coast on Sept. 12; Sake Master Stuart Morris: The Art of Sake on Oct. 17; and Chef Laurence Louie: From Carolina to the Kohala Coast on Dec. 12.

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ACLU of Hawaiʻi welcomes Lo as communications manager

American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi is pleased to welcome Nanea Lo as its communications manager. Lo will lead strategic communications efforts to amplify the organization’s public education, legal and policy work while strengthening connections with communities throughout Hawaiʻi.

She is a kanaka maoli from Papakōlea, Oʻahu, and brings immense communications, storytelling, advocacy, community engagement and public service experience. Lo previously served as executive director and producer for Native Stories, leading initiatives that uplifted Native Hawaiian voices connected to ʻāina through communications, digital content and community-centered storytelling. She also worked as a storyteller and reproductive rights advocate with Planned Parenthood of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Northwest.

Lo will help lead media relations, digital communications, storytelling initiatives, public engagement and strategic communications planning to advance the ACLU of Hawaiʻi’s mission of protecting and promoting civil liberties for all.

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Schatz leads introduction of bill to restore press freedom at Pentagon

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, a Democrat from Hawaiʻi, led a group of 14 senators in introducing the Protecting Pentagon Press Access Act. The new legislation would restore press access at U.S. Department of Defense, reversing attempts by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to suppress independent reporting at the Pentagon.

Hegseth since taking office imposed a series of unreasonable and retaliatory restrictions on credentialed journalists’ access to the Pentagon and their ability to report. These measures go well beyond reasonable rules of conduct and reverse the Pentagon’s longstanding approach to the press, maintained by officials from both parties.

The proposed legislation would restore press access to areas of the Pentagon accessible prior to the 2025 restrictions, including the “Correspondents’ Corridor”; restore unescorted press access to areas of the Pentagon accessible without an escort prior to the 2025 restrictions; require the secretary to ensure the integrity of the process to issue to reporters a Pentagon credential; and prohibit any changes to press access at the Pentagon.

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Governor’s One ʻOhana Fund continues Hawaiʻi’s commitment to Maui families

Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green announced the One ʻOhana Fund, formally known as the Maui Wildfires Compensation Program, offered the full $175 million available through program to families who lost loved ones and people who suffered serious physical injuries in the August 2023 Maui wildfires.

The program as of Aug. 4 offered compensation for 162 eligible claims as part of its two phases, including 102 death claims and 60 serious physical injury claims. More than $155.7 million was delivered to date. Phase One provided more than $38.7 million through 30 eligible claims. Phase Two received 226 claims. Of those, 132 were determined eligible for compensation, including 79 death claims and 53 serious physical injury claims. More than $117 million was distributed to date. Applicable amounts remain subject to required withholding for healthcare liens or attorney fees.

The One ʻOhana Fund is separate from the $4.037 billion global Maui wildfire settlement that is still in litigation proceedings. Eligible claimants can receive additional compensation through the broader settlement, subject to applicable offsets for One ʻOhana Fund payments covering the same loss.

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Hirono, Chu introduce bicameral legislation to block Trump’s so-called “public charge” rule

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, a Hawai‘i Democrat, and U.S. Rep. Judy Chu, a California Democrat, introduced the Protect American Values Act, legislation that would prevent federal funds from being used to implement, administer, enforce or otherwise carry out President Donald Trump’s Administration’s finalized “public charge” rule.

The rule scheduled to take effect Sept. 18 would make it more difficult for immigrants who rely on certain government benefits to obtain green cards or adjust their immigration status. It rescinds the the 2022 reinstatement of the longstanding public charge policy, which made clear that the use of non-cash public benefits could not be considered when making public charge determinations.

As noncitizens do not know which public benefits could result in a green card denial, many will likely avoid using any means-tested public benefits despite their eligibility. Furthermore, because this new rule removes the bright-line limitation on adjudicators considering benefit use by the immigrants’ family members, the new rule discourages the use of public benefits by U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents in mixed-status families.

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Hawai‘i Community Federal Credit Union promotes Kagawa to loan manager

Hawai‘i Community Federal Credit Union announces the promotion of Rose Kagawa to loan manager. Kagawa brings more than 20 years of experience in lending, real estate transactions and financial services to her new role. Since joining the credit union in 2014, she had several positions throughout the organization, steadily expanding her leadership responsibilities and expertise in lending operations.

Kagawa — a graduate of Konawaena High School with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from University of Hawai’i at Hilo — began her Hawai‘i Community Federal Credit Union career as a loan officer at the Kailua Branch before transferring to the Loan Center, where she specialized in originating, processing and underwriting mortgage loans. In 2018, she was promoted to branch manager of the Kaloko Branch, overseeing daily operations and leading a team of employees while helping drive growth in deposits, loans and membership. Most recently, she served as administrative loan officer, supporting lending operations and strategic initiatives across the credit union.

Kagawa in her new role will oversee the credit union’s lending team and loan operations, helping ensure members receive exceptional service and access to financial solutions that support their goals. She will also work closely with staff to maintain efficient lending processes, regulatory compliance and continued growth within the credit union’s loan portfolio.