A Brief History of Queen Lili‘uokalani
By Peter T. Young She was born Lydia Lili‘u Loloku Walania Wewehi Kamaka‘eha to High Chiefess Anale‘a Keohokālole and High Chief Caesar Kaluaiku Kapa‘akea on September 2, 1838. At that time, children often were named in commemoration of an event.…
The Voice of an Angel: Kanani Enos
Kanani Enos grew up in a world of music, Hawaiian rhythm and melody reverberating through generations to create the living song she is today. “I grew up listening to my dad playing slack key guitar all the time,” she says.…
Featured Cover Artist: MField
Field (Mike Field) is the epitome of living the dream. The dream of balancing work, family and play to where they all blend together and afford a life with limited aggravation and continued delight. Raised in Hawai‘i, a celebrated waterman,…
Viewpoint: Ahu‘ena Heiau
Kahu Mikahala Roy Publishers Note: The following mele and story, copyrighted by Mikalaha Roy, are in response to a story we published in the March/April 2014 issue. It is our desire to be pono by sharing more details on the…
Wood Sculptor Jan C. Orbom
By Margaret Kearns Spanning more than four decades, Jan C. Orbom’s art has journeyed though many different mediums—from Hollywood set designer, to poet, wood sculptor, and classical guitar musician. Today, in his home perched high above the spectacular South Kona…
Kūpuna Talk Story: Clayton Bertelmann, 1946–2004
By Keith Nealy As a filmmaker and a storyteller I have been blessed with the gift of sharing the mana‘o of more than 60 of Hawai‘i’s most revered kūpuna in spirited conversation exploring the cultural legacy they carry in their…
Kiernan Music: A Legacy of Love from Father to Son
By Fannie Narte When you walk into Kiernan Music in Kainaliu, the guitars, ‘ukuleles, and musical paraphernalia that fill every wall and floor space overcome your visual senses. Without taking another step, you notice the unique instruments hanging on the…
Signature of One’s Life: The Story of Ben Mahi Samson
By Gayle ‘Kaleilehua’ Greco A signature is an imprint, a sign of one’s self that signifies who we are. A signature comes in many forms, as common as a signed name to as subtle as a familiar color. What happens,…
Kolohe Diamond: Aunty Maile Spencer Napoleon
By Catherine Tarleton It could be “Twilight at Kalahuipua‘a,” or another cultural event on Hawai‘i Island where people gather to enjoy music, hula, and camaraderie by the ocean. As the audience waits for the first strum of ‘ukulele, the sun…
Edwin Kayton: Advocate of Island Renaissance
By Margaret Kearns Ka’ū-based artist Edwin Kayton approaches his work in just the same way he lives his life: quietly with humility and respect for humanity, spirituality, culture, and nature. And it’s these very qualities that have endeared him to…
Crafting the Rhythm of Hula: Vea’s Polynesian Gifts
By Catherine Tarleton I had to make an ‘ulī‘ulī for hula class. If you don’t know, ‘ulī‘ulī is a rhythm instrument, a gourd rattle, decorated with a circle of kapa cloth to which feathers are sewn. Finished, it looks kind…
Kūpuna Talk Story: Kumu Raylene Ha‘alelea Kawaiae‘a, Native Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner
By Keith Nealy As a filmmaker and storyteller, I have been blessed with the gift of sharing the mana‘o (knowledge) of more than 60 of Hawai‘i’s most revered kūpuna in spirited conversation exploring the cultural legacy they carry in their…
Luana Kawelu: Community Builder and Protector of the Merrie Monarch Legacy
By Paula Thomas This year, Luana Kawelu will celebrate 44 years of working with Queen Lili‘uokalani Children’s Center (QLCC). Her area is Keaukaha, and her work supports children up to 18 years of age. Luana manages and coordinates programs that…
Bruddah Waltah: The Father of Hawaiian Reggae
By Le‘a Gleason It’s amazing—and not surprising—how many people in Starbucks recognize Walter Aipolani. To them, he’s Bruddah Waltah, a 30-year music sensation sometimes called “the father of Hawaiian reggae.” “My family was always into music,” he explains. Walter was…
Weaving Kona: Aunty Jo Barney’s Life’s Work
By Kate “Kealani” H. Winter Her hands move with quick certainty taming the narrow lauhala strips into a pattern that often only she can see. Today she is weaving a hat that is going to Mexico when it is finished.…
The Love Story of Harp and Soul: Manuel and Bernice Roberto
By Gayle “Kaleilehua” Greco The strum of the harp mixed melodically with the sound of the flute leaves an echo lingering in the air. It weaves with the breeze, playing on heartstrings, as if one is sitting in heaven. Lost…
Healing Art: The Metamorphoses of Phan Nguyen Barker
By Alan D. McNarie “Never in my life did I see more beautiful, beautiful flowers, foliage, ocean,” recalls Phan Nguyen Barker (pronounced Fawn), of her first days in Hawai‘i. “So I began painting—painting flowers like crazy.” That’s a story shared…
Sean “Peaman” Pagett: Founder of Frozen Pea Productions
By Hadley Catalano Go ahead and call Sean “Peaman” Pagett’s home phone and listen to the message. Don’t worry, he won’t mind. He doesn’t answer it. After a couple rings the answering machine (updated every 24 hours) picks up and…
Kūpuna Talk Story–Kai Kaholokai: Native Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner, Kumu Lā‘au Lapa‘au
By Keith Nealy As a filmmaker and storyteller, I have been blessed with the gift of sharing the mana‘o (knowledge) of more than 60 of Hawai‘i’s most revered kūpuna in spirited conversation exploring the cultural legacy they carry in their…
I Live. I Love. I Race. Kailua-Kona’s Own Triathlete Bree Wee
By Margaret Kearns “Nice.” Who would expect that to be the first descriptor for a fiercely competitive triathlete? That, however, is the word heard repeatedly from fellow competitors, fans, sponsors, and trainers when asked about Hawai‘i Island’s most stellar female…
Speaking the Language of Love: A Conversation with Kahuna Kalei‘iliahi
By Cynthia Sweeney Our kāhuna, or our indigenous elders are our spiritual and physical connection with where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going. Kāhuna have optimism about our spiritual evolution on this planet and…
Kona’s Onion House: The Sydney Opera House Meets Stonehenge
By Barbara Fahs They said it couldn’t be built. Later, they said it couldn’t be repaired. Yet the Onion House stands proudly today in South Kona as a living work of art and innovative architecture. Thanks to the vision of…
Kumu Hula Etua Lopes, E Ola E Ola Mau
By Gayle ‘Kaleilehua’ Greco When the moments in between chicken skin are filled with laughter or tears, you know you are in the presence of the great storyteller, Kumu Hula Etua Lopes. Born on August 29, 1953 in Damien Track…
Ali‘i Keana‘aina Shares Music From His Heart
By Shirley Stoffer He is an imposing figure, being of large build, with a full head of long, wavy hair. Carved bone earrings spiral through his earlobes. He smiles, and any feeling of intimidation one might have first felt in…
Uncle Billy Paris Talks Story
By Fern Gavelek He makes the best guava jelly and can sing a mean rendition of “Kona Kai ‘Opua.” Uncle Billy Paris has done many things during his 90 years of life and easily recalls all of them with pinpoint…
The Man Behind the Flowers: Peter Honeyman Transforms Botany Into Art
By Le‘a Gleason Peter Honeyman stands inside a booth at the Hilo Farmers Market addressing passersby. “That’s not silk, it’s not a fabric, not a synthetic. They’re all the real thing,” he says, pointing. It’s hot. Everyone who passes by…
Kupuna Talk Story: Kenneth Francis Brown–Native Son, Holistic Visionary Inspires the Future of Hawai‘i Island
By Keith Nealy As a filmmaker and storyteller, I have been blessed with the gift of sharing the mana‘o (knowledge) of more than 60 of Hawai‘i’s most revered kūpuna in spirited conversation exploring the cultural legacy they carry in their…
The Life and Legacy of Guy Toyama: Remembering a Green Power Hero and Friend
By Susan Cox The first time I met Guy Toyama was about nine years ago. A mutual friend arranged a business meeting between us. I didn’t live on Hawai‘i Island yet, even though I dreamed about finding a way to…
Lessons of Light: Ethan Tweedie Captures the Beauty of Hawai‘i Island
By Gayle ‘Kaleilehua’ Greco Sitting on the front steps of Parker School, a teenage boy pensively gazes at Mauna Kea, not knowing why, and yet, in his heart he knows he is home. One winter day, living in New Jersey,…
Stepping Back in Time, and into Hilo’s Shipman House
By Denise Laitinen Stepping into Shipman House Bed and Breakfast on Reed’s Island in Hilo is like stepping into a piece of history. The house reflects a century of Hilo’s history, one filled with grandeur, decline, restoration, and preservation. In…
