President isn’t keen on recreational pakalolo

With long-awaited medical marijuana dispensaries prepping to open shop doors within months, state residents may be warming up to the notion of pakalolo for recreational use. Roughly 65 percent of respondents in a recent Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii survey supported decriminalization — up from 58 percent in 2012. But proponents might want to hold off on a legislation push. President Donald Trump’s administration warned on Thursday that it may disrupt the pot trade in eight states that have legalized recreational use, which it views as a violation of federal law. As it turns out, the 45th president is OK with medical marijuana. Whew.

Simeon packs his knives, but puts on a show

At the end of an elimination round that aired Thursday on Bravo, “Top Chef” host Padma Lakshmi was a bit teary-eyed when directing personable Maui chef Sheldon Simeon to pack his knives and go. Simeon just missed the cut for the show’s Season 14 finale.

Earlier this week, Simeon cooked for a sold-out crowd at the famed James Beard House. Stoked to “perform” at the New York City restaurant, Simeon said: “Being a kid from Hawaii, my humble upbringing, it’s just awesome to continue on this journey.”