The Rental and Utility Relief Program has been an immense help in keeping many Oahu families housed through the COVID-19 economic fallout. It is good to know that the city and its contractors, Catholic Charities Hawaii and the Council of Native Hawaiian Advancement, have earned high marks for delivering the aid.

But many beneficiaries are hitting set limits for the aid. Although we all hope many have used the time to right their sinking ship, there’s reason to worry that homelessness will soon rise.

High honors for Roy Yamaguchi

Chef Roy Yamaguchi was honored as a Champion of Global Cuisine this month at the 2022 Culinary Institute of America Leadership Awards in New York City. He has certainly earned the acclaim.

Yamaguchi, who founded Roy’s Restaurants, is part of the visionary chefs’ hui that transformed dining in the islands with the advancement of Hawaii Regional Cuisine. Islanders also owe him a debt of gratitude for co-founding, with Alan Wong, the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival, which supports local agriculture and culinary endeavors.