Ka Wehena: Kaulana Kō Kona
Na Kumu Keala Ching Kaulana kō Kona, ka makani ‘olu‘olu Pā ahe uka nō kō KonaKaulana kō Kona, I kai ‘Ōpua ‘O ke kai kaulana nō kō KonaKaulana kō Kona, Ma Hualālai ‘O ka mauna malu nō kō Kona Kaulana…
Parker, The Little School that Could
By Catherine Tarleton The red ranch building with the wide white porch rail is 101 years old, and has lived three different lives: as a social hall, USO, and now Parker School. This small school, originally created to serve “indigent…
Mālama i ka ʽĀina: The Dryland Forest Hui ʽOhana Gathers for the Forest
By Jan Wizinowich Expecting lush tropics, many visitors are surprised when flying along leeward Hawaiʽi Island, to see a landscape dominated by seemingly barren lava fields. There are treasures there, remnants of dryland forests that in the past stretched continuously…
A Hidden Gem: Historic Honomū—Local Businesses Join Forces to Mix the Old with the New
By Megan Moseley As locals and visitors alike stroll through the town of Honomū on their way to Akaka Falls, the remnants of yesteryear cannot be overlooked. Visiting Honomū, Hawaiian for “silent bay,” is like stepping into another time and…
Renaissance at Honomū: Successful Former Residents Return to Help Lift a Sleepy Plantation Town
By Karen Valentine A sleepy town sits with remnants of yesteryear, while locals and visitors drive by toward the Hāmākua Coast tourist attraction of Akaka Falls. Is there hope of rebirth, perhaps with the right formula of dreams and talent?…
Peace Through Mediation
By Shana Wailana Logan In this modern world of violence and rampant injustice, there are few solutions more powerful than peaceful mediation. Ancient Hawaiians would call it ho‘oponopono (to make right), a process which allows families and community members to…
Ulua Fishing Kau Lā‘au Style with Uncle Aku Hauanio
By Denise Laitinen Fishermen rarely share their secrets, yet Uncle Aku is about to tell me the special ingredient to his fish soup. Not just any soup; soup featuring ulua, the most sought-after shoreline fish in Hawai‘i. “Coconut milk makes…
Myths and Legends of Mauna Kea
By Leilehua Yuen In English, when we speak of literature, we generally classify works as fiction or non-fiction—made up or true. How does one define true? Sometimes, a story that does not adhere to quantifiable data, yet draws on emotion…
Managing with Aloha: Ho‘ohana as Our Work Ethic
Ho‘ohana is the value of worthwhile work. Work with purpose, and full intention. Work so it matters, and becomes fulfilling. By Rosa Say Ho‘ohana values the work ethic we most admire. I’m constantly able to observe work ethic within my…
Hawai‘i Island Festival of Birds
By Alan D. McNarie It’s one of the biggest, yet least-noticed spectator sports on earth. More people participate in birdwatching than go to NFL football games, according to at least one study. There are websites, magazines, and festivals devoted to…
Ke Ola Pono: Lā‘au Lapa‘au—What is it?
By Leilehua Yuen What is lā‘au lapa‘au? Is it herbal medicine? “Witch doctor” stuff? Homeopathy? Bush medicine? Is it real? Bogus? Compatible with biomedicine? I have seen practices of lā‘au lapa‘au that would fit any of the above. Lā‘au lapa‘au…
Building with Bamboo, Local Style: One Man’s Crusade to Prove it Can be Done
By Karen Valentine There has been a lot of talk over the years about the viability of locally grown bamboo as a building material in Hawai‘i. Here we must distinguish between building homes imported from elsewhere and building homes from…
Rupert Tripp Jr. Continues to Joyfully Sing
By Alan D. McNarie It’s Thursday night at Café Pesto in Hilo, and Rupert Tripp Jr. is singing and playing his guitar. It’s not easy. Café Pesto is famous for its food, yet the many glass windows and the high…
Worldwide Voyage: Hōkūle‘a connects Hawai‘i with Canada’s First Nations
Crew members were welcomed by the Nova Scotia community, dignitaries, and members of the Mi’kmaw (pronounced “Meeg Maw”) Nation on the Yarmouth dock. The celebratory arrival ceremony featured cultural dances and the rhythmic beating of drums. Feathers were presented by…
The Evolution of Kumu Auli‘i Mitchell: Dancing from Hawai‘i to Aotearoa for the Love of Hula
By Megan Moseley Kumu Auli‘i Mitchell’s life story is one of song, dance, ‘ohana, and aloha. His practice has taken him around the world and he has touched many lives. “I was birthed in the sands of Kakuhihewa, the island…
Living Pono: Bula Akamu
By Mālielani Larish Sitting on the white sands of Kamakahonu Beach, framed by the lush slopes of Hualālai Volcano and the dazzling waters of Kailua Bay, Bula Akamu closes his eyes and breathes deeply. Two hundred years of history unwind…
Featured Cover Photographer: Jack Jeffrey
Photographer and Hawai‘i Island resident Jack Jeffrey lives his life for the birds. His passion for nature photography and training as a wildlife biologist have made him a powerful force in the effort to preserve and raise awareness of Hawai‘i’s…
Edible Bamboo
By Sonia R. Martinez Bamboo is a grass. That was news to me. I knew you could eat the bamboo shoots or young canes, as I had eaten the canned varieties many times, however, I did not know what to…
Island Treasures: The Kona Coffee and Tea Company
Before Jan and Dan Bolton were the owners of The Kona Coffee and Tea Company, they were running Bolton, Inc. a Hawai‘i Island construction company. In 1997, they planted coffee on a plot of their 254 acre farm. When the…
Island Treasures: Volcano Art Center Gallery
Voted year after year as the best gallery in East Hawai‘i, the Volcano Art Center Gallery is a must-see stop in Volcano. Located in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park near the Kīlauea Visitor Center, the gallery features both traditional and contemporary…
Talk Story with an Advertiser: Law Office of Lee Mattingly
Lee Mattingly first came to know Hawai‘i Island when she was paddling for Lanikai and participated in the Queen Lili‘uokalani race. She has been licensed to practice law in the State of Hawai‘i for the past 15 years and moved…
Talk Story with an Advertiser: Mana Cards
Catherine Becker, owner of Mana Cards: The Power of Hawaiian Wisdom, says it was with a deep respect for Hawai‘i’s culture that these Hawaiian-like tarot cards were born. Whether it was the surf at Honoli‘i or the sacredness of Mauna…
Celebrating a Long Time Advertiser: Mountain Gold Jewelers
Mountain Gold Jewelers is a well-known specialty retailer exemplifying the best of hand-crafted, artisan gold jewelry on Hawai‘i Island. Founded July 1977 in Lāhainā, Maui, Mountain Gold Jewelers has a long history offering fine jewelry and related services that are…
Ka Puana: Managing with Aloha, second edition
Aloha Ho‘ohana ‘Imi ola Ho‘omau Kūlia i ka nu‘u Ho‘okipa ‘Ohana Lōkahi Kākou Kuleana ‘Ike loa Ha‘aha‘a Ho‘ohanohano Alaka‘i Mālama Mahalo Nānā i ke kumu Pono Ka lā hiki ola Aloha is a value, the outpouring and receiving of the…
