Kepā and Onaona Maly: Saving History
By Ma‘ata Tukuafu Sharing stories is what Kepā Maly and his wife Onaona have been doing for almost 40 years now, working as record keepers and cultural historians for the people of Hawai‘i. This dynamic husband and wife team have…
Mālama Mokupuni—Caring for Our Island Environment: Know Your Place
By Rachel Laderman As we celebrate the 50th Earth Day, we are faced with environmental problems that are larger than ever—sea level rise, coral bleaching, extinctions, extreme weather. What can we possibly do in the face of these super-sized challenges? One…
Talk Story with an Advertiser: Kokoiki Brands LLC at Hawi.Center
Kokoiki Brands LLC. is now the umbrella for Hawaii Cigar & Ukulele, Mother’s Cigar & Hemp Lounge, Hawi Nice Day Hemp Co., and CBD.CENTER, all located in the historic Kohala Trade Center in the center of Hawi, next to one…
The Art of Stopping the World: Gary Ackerman
By Sara Stover Most people would label their day as a bad one after being stung by a jellyfish. Gary Ackerman classified it as inspiration. Stung during one of his routine morning swims, the Hawai‘i resident and artist behind a…
Talk Story with an Advertiser: Shops at Mauna Lani
Shops at Mauna Lani is a boutique shopping center that features everything from local to international items. As they say in their ads, “Enjoy the Experience,” and the experiences they offer are delightful! Where else on the island can your…
Talk Story with an Advertiser: Jeanna Rimmer
Jeanna Rimmer moved to Puna with her husband, David, and son, Schaefer, in June 2014, after visiting the previous two years. The Rimmer family felt at home in the Puna area right from the beginning. After moving here just a…
Sailing into the Future: Nā Pe‘a Participants Apply Canoe’s Lessons to Life
By Sara Stover “Stay off the rocks,” Kalani Nakoa instructs his young crew. The wind is light out of the west as they launch one of the three 26-foot single-hull canoes from Kīholo Bay. Within minutes, the wind shifts to…
Ka Puana: Make no ke kalo a ola i ka palili
Mālama Mokupuni—Caring for Our Island Environment: Mauna Loa Observatory’s Keeling Curve Reveals Carbon Dioxide Rise to the World
By Rachel Laderman For more than 60 years, at a station perched at 11,000 feet on Mauna Loa, researchers have been meticulously collecting data that has changed our relationship to the earth. Based on their work, we have learned that…
Tong Wo Society’s Historic Kapa‘au Building Opens Once a Year
By Ma‘ata Tukuafu Situated high on a hill in Kapa‘au is a colorful historical building constructed by early Chinese immigrants in 1884. Called the Tong Wo Society building, it served several purposes: a spiritual Taoist gathering place, a meeting house…
Featured Artists: Diane Tunnell & David Gallegos
Cover Artist: Diane Tunnell Diane Tunnell was born in Billings, Montana. She grew up in Bartlesville, Oklahoma and Littleton, Colorado. Her dream at age five was to become an artist. She studied art at Colorado State University, received a BA…
Island Treasures: Hawaii’s Gift Baskets
Hawaii’s Gift Baskets offers local arts, crafts, and food items made by people who live on Hawai‘i Island, contained in fun, reusable packaging. The inspiration for Hawaii’s Gift Baskets (HGB) came in 2008 when owner Tamarra Sullivan was working at…
‘Iolani Luahine Festival Honors and Perpetuates Hula Tradition
By Tiffany DeMasters ‘Iolani Luahine was more than just a hula dancer—she was a storyteller and teacher who shared and perpetuated the traditions of ancient Hawai‘i. “It was like at times she became whatever she was dancing. You could really…
Celebrating a Long Time Advertiser: Paradise Found Realty
Lorraine Kohn has been providing real estate services in West Hawai‘i for over 28 years now! When asked why she chose a real estate career all those years ago, she says, “I wanted to get into real estate because I…
Celebrating a Long Time Advertiser: Kohala Grown Market & Deli
Kohala Grown Market is a rare find. Located in Hawi, on the northwestern tip of Hawai‘i Island, the market offers a unique selection of island-grown fruits and vegetables, along with locally sourced groceries and natural body care products. Kohala Grownʻs…
Island Treasures: R.K. Woods
Ray and Gloria Kobayashiʻs 47-year marriage has always been a partnership in business and in life. Originally both Realtors®, they met at a real estate convention in Honolulu. When Ray discovered that he had more fun building homes than selling…
Maka Gallinger: A Performer with a Purpose
By Tiffany DeMasters For singer-songwriter Maka Gallinger, it’s not about the number of shows she books, but the message she spreads through her music. Born and raised in South Kona, Maka has been surrounded by music her entire life. She…
Talk Story with an Advertiser: Paradise Plants
Paradise Plants is a unique home and garden center offering everything needed to create a beautiful and joyful home environment. In 1978, Lesley Hill decided to open a small plant nursery attached to Davie’s Building Supply in Keaukaha. Over the…
Ka Puana: Ke kani nei ka ‘ālana
Talk Story with an Advertiser: Kings’ Shops
Kings’ Shops opened in December 1991 as part of development associated with the Waikoloa Resort on the Kohala Coast. It was the first retail center, following the opening of hotels and golf courses. Roy’s was one of the first restaurants,…
Mālama Mokupuni—Saving Our Island Environment: Can We Protect ‘Ua‘u, The Hawaiian Petrel?
By Rachel Laderman Imagine gazing out over the Hawaiian ocean to a sky darkened by swirling seabirds. That was the view, thousands of years ago. Many of those species are extinct today, while others fight for survival. ‘Ua‘u, the federally…
Stan Kaina: The Voice that Connected to the Aloha in Us All
By Sara Stover Hula dancer Pi‘ilani Rodrigues of Hilo passed by the enduring trees of Banyan Drive, their roots descending from thick branches towards the ground below. Heavenly music floated out of Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel, carried into the…
Featured Artists: Richard Mortemore & Gail Griffin
Featured Cover Artist: Richard Mortemore Richard Mortemore, better known as “Dick”, was born and raised in Lambertville, Michigan where he remembers running around barefoot and exploring the farmlands and surrounding woods and streams. This is where his fondness and fascination…
Animal Rescue Goes Hi-Tech Grassroots: Lava Flows and Dairy Farm Closures Help Create a Rescue Response
By Lara Hughes With the recent lava flow and dairy farm shut downs happening on Hawai‘i Island, a number of grassroots animal rescue organizations have sprung forth from the ashes. There was suddenly a movement to save animals from suffering…
ʽĀhua A ‘Umi Heiau: King ‘Umi’s Legacy
By Sara Stover Across a high plateau between Maunaloa and Hualālai lie numerous ‘āhua (stone piles) that appear to be the remains of an ancient structure. The man who initiated the building of this heiau was more than the commoner…
Featured Artists: Rita French & Tommy Adkins
Featured Cover Photographer: Rita French Rita French was born and raised in Montana, but knew from about seven years old that Hawai‘i was her real home. It only took her 55 years to get here! 11 years ago she sold…
Aunty BJ Pa: Tahitian Dance Pioneer Paved the Way
By Tiffany DeMasters 82-year-old Betty Jane “BJ” Pa is the perfect role model for helping kūpuna (elders) live their lives to the fullest, as she continues to fulfill her passion as a hula dancer, despite her own health issues, and…
Talk Story with an Advertiser: Team Sold
Derinda Thatcher was raised in the Canadian Rockies and loves the mountains. She’s a country girl at heart, and though she loves each island for its unique features, Hawai‘i Island felt like the best fit for her, with its three…
Ka Puana: Proverb 804—He manu ke aloha, ‘a‘ohe lālā kau ‘ole
Island Treasures: Puna Kamali’i Flowers, Inc.
Vicki Nelson, co-founder of Puna Kamali‘i Flowers, Inc., started her business with her husband in 1998 after searching for employment for her son with developmental disabilities. After realizing there were limited jobs available for him, Vicki said she saw a…
