Island Treasures: The Captain’s Paw Pantry
Sabine-Maeva Andresen’s business started in the fall of 2008 when her friend asked if she would bake a few dog treats for a no-kill sanctuary benefit event on Hawai‘i Island. Her husband, Torsten, had established a reputation as a hobby…
Managing with Aloha: Mālama
I have a client who refers to Mālama as “my take care of business value.” I love his focus with Mālama’s value alignment, and I couldn’t agree more. To ‘take care of business’ in your culture-building with Mālama, is to…
Island Treasures: Cliff Johns Gallery—Kealakekua
Aurora King, owner of Cliff Johns Gallery in Mango Court, Kealakekua, glows with pride when she describes the artists who have their work on display. “The thing to understand about these wood artists is their long and varied histories. These…
Island Treasures: Susun Gallery — Kailua-Kona
Susun Gallery is an acrylic painter, hula dancer, lover of the ocean, and all things Hawaiian. She opened Susun Gallery Artschool in Santa Cruz, California in 1987, after a career as a sign painter in the San Jose area, 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…
Every Store has a Story: The Japanese Pioneers of the Kimura Lauhala Shop
By Gayle Kaleilehua Greco “Come, come, here is the room I was born in; there used to be a shoji door here,” says Alfreida (Kimura) Fujita, as we walk down the hall of the Kimura Lauhala Shop in Hōlualoa. Alfreida’s…
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…
Managing with Aloha: Alaka‘i
Alaka‘i The value of leadership. Lead with initiative and with your good example. You shall be the guide for others when you have gained their trust and respect. Fifteenth in an ongoing series. By Rosa Say Alaka‘i is the Hawaiian…
Pono Practices at Honoka‘a’s Green Market and Café
By Barbara Fahs Imagine a restaurant that generates virtually no waste. Also imagine, a menu chock-full of fresher-than-fresh, organic, in season, locally produced ingredients. Wait, there’s more! Under the same roof is a small natural foods store, the only one…
Talk Story with an Advertiser: Closets ‘N Things
By Le‘a Gleason New to Kona’s Old Industrial Area is Closets ‘N Things, a business that provides affordable yet elegant solutions for closet storage systems. Owners Beth and Robin Wells offer customers an alternative to the production-line construction methods that…
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…
Island Treasures: Isaacs Art Center — Kamuela
By Le‘a Gleason Isaacs Art Center has developed a reputation over the years as one of the most important collections of Hawaiian art in the state. It’s part of Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy (HPA) and operates on a mission to raise…
Island Treasures: Tai Lake Fine Woodworking — Holualoa
By Le‘a Gleason For the last 35 years, Tai Lake has been creating finely crafted wood pieces here on Hawai‘i Island. Part of what sets him apart from the many excellent woodworkers that work and reside in Hawai‘i is his…
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…
Managing with Aloha: Ho‘ohanohano
Ho‘ohanohano: The value of dignity and respect. Honor the dignity of others. Conduct yourself with distinction, and cultivate respectfulness. Fourteenth in an ongoing series. By Rosa Say Ah, Ho‘ohanohano! I’ve looked forward to showcasing this lesser known value in our…
Every Store Has Its Story: The Greenwell General Store becomes ChoiceMART
By Le‘a Gleason Standing on the event lawn at Kealakekua Ranch Center (KRC), looking all the way down to the sun-kissed Pacific Ocean, it’s easy to tell there’s something special about this place. In fact, a rich history surrounds KRC,…
Managing with Aloha: Ha‘aha‘a
By Rosa Say Let’s talk story about initiative, humility, and ‘the local way.’ Having initiative is a very good thing. With initiative you use the ability to assess situations; you have insight. You can begin things independently, and you do.…
Then & Now: Kīlauea Lodge–Warm Up, Freak Out, Chow Down: Friendship, Ghosts, and Gourmet Cuisine
By Alan D. McNarie Even from a distance, the fireplace in the dining room of the Kīlauea Lodge and Restaurant in Volcano is an impressive structure. Large memorabilia imbedded in the fireplace matrix grab your gaze: Hawaiian poi pounders, dinosaur…
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…
Talk Story with an Advertiser: Aloha Aina Wellness Center
By Le‘a Gleason “You have changed my life forever,” begins a letter written by Ann Hemmingway. This letter is to Mary Dressler and the staff at Aloha Aina Wellness Center (AAWC). Her letter goes on, “My experience of going through…
Talk Story with an Advertiser: Aloha Metal Roofing
By Le‘a Gleason Where can you go for quality roofing supplies whether you’re a contractor, do-it-yourselfer? Aloha Metal Roofing is a one-stop-shop that provides “service with aloha,” says manager Jon Hunter. Jon has been in the business more than 10…
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…
Island Treasures: True Hawaii Blue—Waimea
By Le‘a Gleason Jamie Hoskinson has always worn an apron. She grew up a farm girl in Mt. Hood, Oregon and wore her first apron as a child while making plum jam with Grandma. Later, she sold strawberries on the…
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…
Managing with Aloha: ‘Ike loa
‘Ike loa: The value of learning. To know well. To seek knowledge and wisdom. Twelfth in an ongoing series. By Rosa Say New knowledge is food for mind, heart and soul. Without it, you deny yourself vital nourishment for overall…
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…
