Family of Service
By Catherine Tarleton For the Medeiros ‘ohana of “First Lava Flow” (Honokua) in South Kona, service is a way of life. Both Clarence Medeiros and daughter Kareen did military service in the U.S. Army, yet their legacy of helping others…
Mahalo, Hawai‘i Sail
After the homecoming ceremonies at Magic Island in June, 2017, Hōkūle‘a was put into dry dock for needed maintenance and repairs. Her first sail after returning to the water was to Honolua Bay, Maui. Hōkūle‘a and her crew arrived there…
Talk Story with an Advertiser: Polynesian Development, Inc.
Polynesian Development, Inc. (PDI) is a full service architectural design and general contracting company that specializes in cutting edge residential and commercial projects. They often work with challenging building sites such as cliffside and ocean front properties and are uniquely…
50 Years of Inspired Art at Hilo’s Wailoa Center
By Leilehua Yuen Since 1967, the Wailoa Center has graced Pi‘opi‘o, an ‘ili kūpono (chiefly holding place) in the Waiākea ‘ahupua‘a (district) of Hilo. The center was part of an effort to create a green zone and recreation area after…
Ka Wehena: ‘Ohai‘ula
Na Kumu Keala Ching I ka nani ‘o ‘Ōhai‘ula Ma ke kai hāwanawana Malu ‘ia ‘o Mauna Kea Pili maila (‘o) Pu‘u Koholā Eō mai ē, e ala ē Eō mai ē ‘o ‘Ōhai‘ula Lana mai nā kūpuna Puka maila…
Meet Hawai‘i’s Dr. Doolittle, Paul Breese
By Ma‘ata Tukuafu When Paul Breese and Jean DeMercer-Breese began co-authoring their book about the history of the Honolulu Zoo, they had no idea it would take ten years to complete. Paul Breese served as director of the zoo from…
The Hawaiian Cultural Center of Hāmākua
By Mālielani Larish On a balmy Thursday afternoon, the sounds of Hawaiian oli (chant) break the calm of downtown Honoka‘a. A student from Lanakila Mangauil’s Papa Oli class stands in the doorway of the Hawaiian Cultural Center of Hāmākua, embodying…
Managing with Aloha: Let’s Talk Story with Kākou Invitation
“Kākou is the value of inclusiveness. All of us. We are in this together. Learn to speak the Language of We.” Tenth in Series Two on Managing with Aloha By Rosa Say Ask anyone how they see your management style…
One of Hilo’s Unsung Heroes: Mary Matayoshi
By Denise Laitinen A staunch supporter of education, Mary Matayoshi has created programs that have benefited generations of Hawai‘i Island residents. Her work has led to educational opportunities for thousands of people, however her name is not as well known…
At Kilauea Military Camp: Morale, Welfare and Recreation are Served Along with Aloha
By Karen Valentine Eyes light up when visitors to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (HVNP) arrive during the holidays and they see the seemingly incongruous row of small cabins, lined up in military precision, bedecked with colorful holiday decorations, each one…
A Taste of History: The Magic of Malasadas
By Brittany P. Anderson I can still remember the first time I tasted a malasada; fresh and warm, the sugar glistening. First, there was the crunch of the fried outside as I bit into it, then the rich soft eggy…
Sustainable Living and Learning at Hawaiian Sanctuary
By Brittany P. Anderson Along the densely forested stretch of Pahoa–Kalapana Road, towering albizia reach into the sky. In their lacey shade sits the Hawaiian Sanctuary, a 44-acre haven tucked away from the busy thoroughfare. There is no large gate…
Puka‘ana Church: Steeped in History and Spirit
By Denise Laitinen Like a lei of vibrant Hawaiian flowers, you will find small historic churches dotting the landscape around Hawai‘i Island. Like the flowers bound together in lei, many of the churches are connected, either built by the same…
The Big Island Press Club: Then and Now
By Paula Thomas and Lara Hughes Celebrating 50 Years The Big Island Press Club is the oldest running media and journalism organization in existence on Hawai‘i Island. In September, the club celebrated 50 years of protecting the public’s right to…
Celebrating a Long Time Advertiser: Simple Elegance Gems
“Talking story” is the best part of almost any interaction on this island. Wendy Greenfiled, owner of Simple Elegance Gems, says it’s also one of the joys of having a shop at Ali‘i Gardens Marketplace. The marketplace and its shopkkeepers…
Talk Story with an Advertiser: Fire Ants Hawaii
Little Fire Ants are the biggest threat our island has ever encountered. The LFA are attacking all of the native species of insects. They are harming our native birds at an alarming rate, even the honu (sea turtle) can’t escape…
Hale Ohia Cottages’ Hidden Charms: Volcano Cottages Celebrate 25th Anniversary
By Alan D. McNarie Nestled among a grove of sugi pine trees, a mile or two from the entrance to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, is a unique lodging experience—or rather, twelve experiences. It all began with a large residence, a…
Hands On History: Relive the Life of Kona’s Coffee Pioneers
By Fern Gavelek Step back in time to the 1920s–40s and relive the simple, yet arduous, life of Kona’s Japanese immigrant farmers during Hands On History at the Kona Coffee Living History Farm. It was a time when Kona farmers…
In Memorium: Alfreida Kimura Fujita
Alfreida Kimura Fujita, who passed away on July 16, 2017, was a passionate advocate for Kailua-Kona’s rich history, including the Kona Coffee Living History Farm. Alfreida grew up along the Kona Coffee Belt in Hōlualoa, where she lived surrounded by…
Featured Artists: Roz Marshall, Colin Anderson, and Robert Andia
Featured Cover Artist: Roz Marshall Roz Marshall is a Welsh born Canadian artist who has lived mauka (uphill) from Kealakekua Bay for nearly twenty years in a house she designed and built with her husband, Bob Florent. Roz grew up…
Strike up the Band! Hawai‘i County Band Entertains Hawai‘i Island for Over 130 Years
By Karen Rose A great band makes music sound effortless—a cacophony of notes drifting through air like oxygen. Elements of music such as pitch, tempo, texture, and volume, when analyzed individually hold great importance, yet when married together, create an…
Island Treasures: Standard Bakery Inc.
Standard Bakery is known for baked goods that are made from scratch, using the best ingredients and baked fresh daily. Lloyd Fujino, owner of Standard Bakery, believes the bakery was first started in the early 1930’s by his grandparents, Masayuki…
