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…
Living, Breathing, Eating Music: Hawaii Performing Arts Festival’s Music Education Program
By Catherine Tarleton These kids have to spread their wings,” says Genette Freeman, Executive Director of Hawaii Performing Arts Festival (HPAF), an annual summer music immersion program that pairs professional teachers with potential stars. HPAF creates opportunities for Hawai‘i’s young…
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…
Healthy Boundaries
By Ku‘ulei Keakealani I forgot I booked one meeting after obligating myself to another. Then I confirmed one excursion while planning to have lunch with some friends at the exact same time—can’t be two places at once. Nope, not possible…
Keau‘ohana Forest Restoration
By Mālielani Larish A strawberry guava tree quivers as Jaya C. Dupuis tugs at its roots, freeing them from beneath a mossy log. One stubborn root remains anchored to the earth, so she follows it to a cluster of young native kōpiko seedlings. Kneeling down,…
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…
Strong in Spirit and Build: Puna’s Historic Congregational Churches
By Denise Laitinen Puna residents are a hearty lot, known for their resiliency and ability to survive. So it should come as no surprise that their places of worship are equally strong, having withstood a myriad of natural disasters. In…
The Voice of Skylark: Radio Diva and Passionate Advocate for Hawaiian Music
By Karen Valentine A voice that could melt butter—velvety smooth and honed over a few decades of broadcasting and emcee gigs—is that of Skylark, professional name of the radio diva born as Jacqueline Leilani Rossetti. It’s not put-on or pretentious;…
Lovely Hula Hands of Sammi Fo
Buddy Fo had an impeccable ear for music…and a sharp eye for a beautiful woman. The popular musician and Lifetime Achievement Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner from the 1960s was recognized for his tune, rhythm, and complicated harmonies. It was…
The Man Behind The Makery: Dr. Neil Scott
By Le‘a Gleason There’s a saying that if you can dream it, you can build it. At Hilo’s The Makery, if you can build it, you can learn to make it. That’s way this new workshop-meets-art-gallery is one of inspiration,…
Growing Sustainability: How Some Puna Residents are Becoming Self-Sufficient as Lava Approaches their Community
By Denise Laitinen Sustainability is a buzzword bandied about by a lot of people these days. Residents in two lower Puna communities believe the region, which is facing new realities as it is impacted by the lava flow, can serve…
Kona’s “Grama Lee”
By Kate Kealani H. Winter The first thing you might notice about Grama Lee is the fire in her eyes. It matches the colorful language that she uses freely in conversation. Grama Lee, now 97 years old, was born Irene…
Puakea Ranch: Sustaining the Land, and the Story
By Catherine Tarleton The high green hills of North Kohala have evolved over generations, from forests and farms to blankets of sugar cane and rolling ranch country. As do most places here, Puakea Ranch has a story to tell in…
From Seed to Soul: North Kohala’s Eat Locally Grown Community Initiative
By Galye Kaleilehua Greco The churning sound of mixing wet cement shovel-by-shovel, two able bodies continuously mixing in rhythmic timing, are met by the words of David Fuertes, “we need ‘em, we make ‘em.” Uncle David is referring to the…
Voices of the Bamboo: The ‘Ohe Hano Ihu, Hawaiian Nose Flute
By Leilehua Yuen The ‘ohe hano ihu, or bamboo nose flute, is found on many island groups in the Pacific. In Hawai‘i, it is considered a sweetheart’s instrument. It is not a loud instrument; rather, the tone is intended to…
Pacific Tsunami Museum: Promoting Awareness and Research
By Alan D. McNarie It was April of 1946, and U.S.S. LST-731 was on her way home. In the three previous years, she’d pushed her huge bow doors up against the shores of Guam and Iwo Jima to unload tanks…
Ka Puana: Images of America—Hilo
By Karen Valentine Cracked and fragile, the photographs sit in folders waiting to be carefully handled. Peering at handwritten notes several centuries old, I see that someone cared enough to leave a trace of history… A c. 1895 photograph shows…
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…
Healing Plants: Vervain
Don’t whack that weed! Vervain packs a practical punch all its own By Barbara Fahs Vervain looks a bit like mint, which is its relative, so it’s easy to identify. However, it has no distinctive minty fragrance. Called ha‘uoi and…
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…
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…
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…
