Hawaii Brown Bag Ministry: Helping Hearts, Serving Our Community
By Lara Hughes Helping people is a common theme that both John and Theresa Kaiwi have enjoyed throughout their lives. Theresa and John run Hawaii Brown Bag Ministry, in Hilo. John graduated from Kamehameha Schools and University of Hawai‘i at…
Tūtū Lanakila Manini: A Hula Gem and Hawaiian Music Renaissance Torchbearer
By Lara Hughes Hose Lanakila Manini, known to many affectionately as Tūtū (grandpa) “Kila” Manini, has been singing and playing Hawaiian music for more than 50 years. Kila, who turns 89 in 2020, got his musical start in 1966 in…
Animal Rescue Goes Hi-Tech Grassroots: Lava Flows and Dairy Farm Closures Help Create a Rescue Response
By Lara Hughes With the recent lava flow and dairy farm shut downs happening on Hawai‘i Island, a number of grassroots animal rescue organizations have sprung forth from the ashes. There was suddenly a movement to save animals from suffering…
A Lifetime in the Trees: The Vision of Skye Peterson, Treehouse Aficionado
By Lara Hughes Skye Peterson moved to Honolulu on O‘ahu in 1980. He was a young pilot flying small planes, and he didn’t really like the work or life in the city, so he moved to the countryside of Lanikai…
Russell Ruderman: A Lifetime of Adventure and Purpose
By Lara Hughes Many of us know Russell Ruderman as a Hawai‘i State Senator and owner of the local Island Naturals stores. What many of us may not know is Russell’s background, and how he arrived on Hawai‘i Island. Starting…
The Gannenmono: A 150-Year Celebration of Faith & Fortitude
By Lara Hughes The Arrival In 1860, King Kamehameha IV met with the first delegation of Japanese people to visit the Hawaiian Islands. During this visit the king proposed a friendship treaty with Japan. This action, along with the rise…
Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden: One Woman’s Vision to Preserve Hawaiian Heritage
By Lara Hughes The Vision Amy Beatrice Holdsworth Greenwell was a woman with ideas beyond her time. As it goes, when one has a vision, itʻs essential to have help from others to carry it forward into the future. Amy…
Tropical Edibles: Dreaming of an Island Eden
By Lara Hughes The Dream On the mauka (mountain) side of the Māmalahoa Highway on the slopes where Hualālai and Maunaloa meet overlooking Kealakekua Bay, you can find a garden vision brought to fruition. Hailing from different places around the…
The Legacy: Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park – Celebrating 57 Years
By Lara Hughes Since opening in 1961, Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau, a place of refuge, has been a cultural beacon for residents and visitors alike. Kawailehua Domingo, a descendant of South Kona and currently the park’s interpretive supervisor, is the third…
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…
