Featured Cover Artist: Nelson Mākua
Nelson Mākua has been an artist and designer for more than 35 years in Hawai‘i. It all began with him drawing on napkins at his grandmother’s house at the age of four. Born and raised in Kailua, O‘ahu, he and…
Celebrating a Long Time Advertiser: The South Kona Green Market
In 2008, husband and wife team, Tim Bruno and Karen Kriebl, teamed up with Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden and 24 founding members to begin a truly local farmers’ and artists’ market. Tim says with pride, “Again the ancient…
Ka Puana–The Refrain: Kamehameha: The Rise of a King
By David Kāwika Eyre Like Kaha‘i, Kamehameha would grow the land. Slowly, the life of the land would return. Slowly, for too many people had died. There were not enough kānaka left for the heavy work. It was later that…
Talk Story with an Advertiser: Home Tours Hawai‘i
“I fell in love with the island lifestyle and culture at the age of 10 when I was invited to a local family lū‘au and tasted the wide variety of fruits and flavors here on the islands,” recalls Lisa Christian,…
Talk Story with an Advertiser: The Fireplace & Home Center
The Fireplace & Home Center in Historic Downtown Hilo was originally opened by Jeffrey Mermel in 1979. In April 2014, he passed the torch to Cary and Susan Freeman. Cary began his career in the stove, fireplace, and chimney business…
Talk Story with an Advertiser: Big Island Honda Kona
There are a number of reasons why so many drivers flock to Big Island Honda’s Kona showroom. They’re renowned for their superb selection of new Honda models. When it comes time to upgrade, many customers trade in their vehicle. These used cars are also…
Talk Story with an Advertiser: Kohala Zipline
Rob Pacheco has a passion for the natural world of Hawai‘i. His passion began almost as soon as he stepped off the plane in 1990 and quickly realized that these islands contained diverse and unique ecosystems rivaling any place on…
Talk Story with an Advertiser: Botanical World Adventures
Would you like to fly through a rain forest canopy, find your way through a maze, glide along a trail to view amazing gardens and waterfalls? You’ll find all of this and more at Botanical World Adventures on the Hāmākua…
Celebrating a Long Time Advertiser: Keauhou Veterinary Hospital LLC
Keauhou Veterinary Hospital is an AAHA accredited hospital in Kailua-Kona dedicated to the care and wellness of dogs and cats. Dr. Jacob and Jolene Head started Keauhou Veterinary Hospital in July 2007 after purchasing an existing practice that had been…
Featured Cover Artist: Sarah Week
Sarah was born and raised in Kailua-Kona and lived in San Francisco for about five years while attending the Academy of Art University, where she graduated with a BFA in animation. She recently moved back to Kailua-Kona. Although she has…
Worldwide Voyage Update: What Guides Us
By Pomai Bertelmann In many ways he is the kaula—the rope that binds, the man who possesses many intuitive skills. He is one of a few who can harness the energies of the ocean, land, and sky and center them…
Ka Puana: Suzanne’s Edible Art Cookbook
These excerpts and art are from Kailua-Kona resident Suzanne Bearth’s book, Suzanne’s Edible Art Cookbook. Used with permission. Whale’s Tail Seafoam Candy Ingredients 1 pound white sugar 1 C water 4 T white vinegar 3 T light corn syrup 1/2…
Aloha Wale ka Nikiniki
Aloha wale ka nikiniki Ke kanaenae pua o Mailehuna E ae ia ana ia Kapaa I ke kahuli a ke kalukalu Honi u i ke ala o ka hinalo e Pe wale i ka uaua E lei ae au E…
Publisher Letter, Maui County
As we close out 2014, I am excited to share news about the growth of Ke Ola’s Maui County edition. As you’ll notice, this issue is more substantial than the previous one. Mahalo nui loa to the many businesses which…
Pubisher Letter, Hawaii Island Wedding
We are pleased to bring you more inspiring Hawai‘i Island stories in our second bi-annual Wedding and Special Occasion issue. Features include a story about the popular “Baby Lū‘au,” as well as potluck parties, eco-friendly décor, along with traditional Hawaiian…
Unusual Places to Get Married on Hawai‘i Island: Beaches
By Denise Laitinen From powdery white to tantalizing shades of green to dramatic black sand beaches, Hawai‘i Island’s 266 miles of shoreline offers breathtaking beach locations to hold your wedding ceremony. While many couples choose perennial favorites, such as Hāpuna…
Ka Puana–The Refrain: ‘Io Lani
Following are excerpts from Kapa‘au resident William S. Chillingworth’s book, ‘Io Lani: The Hawaiian Hawk. Used with permission. I had been hiking with a camera in the wild eastern valleys for thirty years or more, and had seen ‘auku‘u, ‘ulili…
Talk Story with an Advertiser: Precision Auto Repair
By Aja Hannah Raymond and Shelly Ciriako operate Precision Auto Repair as if it were Precision Family Pediatrics. They treat every car with patience and understanding, knowing how much every customer values their vehicle. Opening at 7:30am most weekdays, Precision…
Talk Story with an Advertiser: Kona Boys
Frank Carpenter and Brock Stratton are passionate about protecting the ocean and its sea life and are involved with several organizations working towards that goal. They have been proactive in helping to create voluntary standards for people and businesses to…
Island Treasures: The Blue Sea Artisans Art Gallery—Kailua-Kona
By Anais Gude In May 2014, The Blue Sea Artisans Gallery finally became the true cooperative gallery of artists that Teresea Boswell had envisioned when she first opened the space in 2009. Featuring 17 different local artists, one may feel…
Celebrating a Long Time Advertiser: Hawaii’s Gift Basket Boutique
By Aja Hannah Upon entering the store, customers are greeted with an array of products from about 100 different vendors, all local to the Hawaiian islands. While Hawaii’s Gift Basket Boutique does carry products from other Hawaiian islands, it specializes…
Featured Cover Artist: Mary Lovein
Ordinary becoming extraordinary—this describes Mary Lovein’s art journey to a T. As a young mother, she took up oil painting for a hobby, and found she had a knack for it. Her first painting sold when she was a 21-year-old…
Worldwide Voyage Update–Mālama Honua
‘Ike Hawai‘i: ‘Sense of Place, Sense of Identity’ Mālama Honua Take Care of the Earth “Mālama Island Earth—Our Natural Environment, Children, and All Humankind” Kaulana e ka holo o Hōkūle‘a I ka ‘ale ī I ka ‘ale moe I ka…
Kūpuna Talk Story: Warren Vignato
By Keith Nealy I first met Warren Vignato about 15 years ago. He was dangling from a thin rope attached to a huge ironwood tree 30 feet above the ground, trimming back the overgrown branches, shaping and pruning one of…
From Soil to Toil: Celebrating Kona’s Finest Crop and the Volunteers of the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival
By Aja Hannah For 44 years, the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival has celebrated the coffee pioneers, farmers, and artisans alongside the coffee bean, itself. This year the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival is one of the winners of the 10 Best…
Ka Puana–The Refrain: My Year in a Yurt
Following are excerpts from Pa‘auilo resident Jen McGeehan’s book, My Year in a Yurt. Used with permission. Look Up! There are many elements to yurt living that make it both unique and enjoyable. The ceiling is just one of them.…
Talk Story with an Advertiser: BMW of Hawaii
When customers first walk onto the 2.5-acre property of the BMW parking lot in Kailua-Kona, they are greeted by BMW staff who stay within sight and earshot to answer any questions, and are allowed to browse at their leisure. “It’s…
Talk Story with an Advertiser: Fair Wind Big Island Ocean Guides
The beginning of Fair Wind Big Island Ocean Guides is a recognizable one. The family-owned company was started by Michael and Janet Dant, when they built their first boat in 1969 in Monterey, California, and planned a trip through the…
Talk Story with an Advertiser: Hawaii Marine Center
Tucked away in the Shipman Industrial Area, Hawaii Marine Center is no small business. Manager Glenn Marsteller grew up on the North Shore of Maui and was raised in the ocean—surfing, scuba diving and boating. He worked for Valley Isle…
Talk Story with an Advertiser: Maika‘i Veterinary Clinic
Alfred Mina, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) has a deep-seated interest in caring for animals and for serving the Hilo community. He was born on Kaua‘i and raised in Hilo on Hawai‘i Island. As a child, he was active in…
