Talk Story with an Advertiser: Glass from the Past
By Brittany P. Anderson Glass from the Past has been in Honomū for 30 years and is not your typical antique store. “Digger” David Ackerman, the friendly owner, has turned his love of digging for glass bottles and other discarded…
Island Treasures: Michael Arthur Jayme Gallery and Studio – Honomū
By Brittany P. Anderson Charming downtown Honomū is home to Michael Arthur Jayme Gallery and Studio, a unique gallery offering over 19 different artists’ work that ranges from pottery to abstract paintings. Artist and owner Michael Arthur Jayme can be…
The Resilient Randy Parker
By Leilehua Yuen Growing up surrounded by music, it was little wonder that Randy Parker became a professional musician. “My Father played ‘ukulele, and Mom played piano and ‘ukulele and danced hula. I liked the music they listened to. A…
Kahua Ranch ‘Ohana Reunion
By Ma‘ata Tukuafu With humble pride in his voice, Godfrey Kainoa Sr. speaks about three gold and black plaques lined up in his living room. The inscribed awards are from the O‘ahu Cattlemen’s Association for three generations of hardworking Hawaiian…
Taiko Drumming
By Denise Laitinen There is something intrinsically mesmerizing about percussion—drummers performing in unison, beating out rhythms both simple and intricate. That rhythmic enchantment has led in part to the rise in popularity of Japanese taiko drumming across Hawai‘i Island, the…
To Ride the Wind: Hawai‘i Sailing Canoes
By Jan Wizinowich Kahakini and his three men arrive at Kohala’s Kēōkea Beach at moonrise. He walks to the cliff top and peers out into the ocean. The moonlight sparkles on small lines of white foam marking the swell direction.…
Dietrich Varez: A Malihini’s Legacy of Illuminating Hawaiian Culture and Legend
By Paula Thomas He makes his art to give back to his beloved Hawai‘i. He never set out to make a lot of money as an artist, however it worked out that art became his livelihood. He remains overjoyed this…
Managing with Aloha: Ho’okipa is a Game Changer in Service
Ho‘okipa is the hospitality of complete giving. Welcome guests and strangers with Aloha. Seventh in Series Two on Managing with Aloha By Rosa Say Did you “get your taxes won” in April? Let’s work on updating our business models and…
HPM: 96 years of Perseverance
By Mālielani Larish “Mike, wake up! There’s no school today!” Roused from sleep by his neighbor’s excited shouts, Michael Fujimoto awoke gradually. As the news percolated into his consciousness, Michael thought to himself, “Wow, that’s great!” He could spend the…
Kona Dance and Performing Arts Creates More Than Great Dancers
Beyond Shuffle Steps and Pointed Toes By Karen Rose Five, six, seven, eight! Every dancer is well acquainted with these four numbers. For the young students of Kona Dance and Performing Arts, their training goes beyond dance and into life…
Lauhala Weaving with Kupuna Art Murata: This teacher helped children understand their culture through the weaving craft
By Karen Valentine As a child who “asked too many questions,” Art Murata of Hōlualoa vowed he would try to answer any child’s question and not be afraid to say he doesn’t know. Growing up with the challenges of being…
To Celebrate the King: Kamehameha Day and Kamehameha’s Legacy of Aloha
By Jan Wizinowich Every June 11 the islands celebrate Kamehameha, the Hawai‘i Island warrior chief who changed the course of history in the 18th and 19th century by uniting the Hawaiian Islands, preparing Hawai‘i for the future in a rapidly…
The Summertime Table
Smashed Potatoes with Swiss Chard Chimichurri By Brittany P. Anderson With her hands full of fiery red, bubble gum pink, and blazing yellow Swiss chard, Maria Shirley smiles revealing deep dimples in each of her cheeks. It is no small…
Exceptional Art for an Exceptional Community
Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy’s Isaacs Art Center By Catherine Tarleton The Herb Kawainui Kāne painting is what draws me in. From the front door of the Isaacs Art Center, “Cook Landing at Kealakekua Bay” is like a window I need to…
Flower Power!
By Fern Gavelek It all started more than a half century ago. The late Harold Tanouye Jr. was a college student in Iowa. In those days, Hawai‘i students attending mainland colleges stayed off island for the duration of their studies.…
Implements of Hula
By Leilehua Yuen From ancient times, Hawaiian people have had a love of music and rhythm. This love was expressed through oli (chant), mele (song), and hula (dance). While many early visitors to the Hawaiian Islands were not trained in…
Gene ‘Uncle Bucky’ Leslie
By Karen Rose Gene Leslie, also known as ‘Uncle Bucky,’ was born and raised in Kona, yet unlike his Hawai‘i Island contemporaries, he found himself rubbing elbows with the rich and famous in the inner circles of Hollywood and New…
Worldwide Voyage of Hōkūle‘a
After spending several months sailing up and then down the East Coast of the US, Hōkūle‘a left US waters in Key West, Florida headed to the Panama Canal. The crew spent Christmas and New Years in the Caribbean, sailing to…
A Safe Haven For Hawai‘i Island Cats and Dogs
It’s a typical Monday morning for Mary Rose Krijgsman and the crew of dedicated volunteers who are busy feeding the more than 250 cats and 78 dogs plus several chickens and pigs at the Rainbow Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kurtistown.…
Komakakino: A Hilo Cultural Treasure on the Music Scene
By Paula Thomas They have stepped forward as keepers of the future flame, this band from Keaukaha. Called Komakakino, the band is a foursome that performs and entertains with traditional Hawaiian music from days of old. And they are simply,…
Mr. Yuen Wong and the Wong Yuen Store
By Karen Valentine If you find yourself in Wai‘ōhinu or Nā‘ālehu on the south end of Hawai‘i Island and you need a snack or a staple food item, or let’s say a six pack, don’t even think of finding a…
Managing with Aloha: With Kūlia i ka nu‘u, We Strive
Kūlia i ka nu‘u translates to “Strive for the summit.” It is a value of accomplishment through effort. Sixth in Series Two on Managing with Aloha By Rosa Say There are three different Hawaiian words used for the value of…
Ke Wehena: Nani o Pele
Na Kumu Keala Ching He ‘Ike I Ka Nani a ‘o Pele He ‘Ike I ka nani a ‘o Pele Ka wahine o ke ahi luapele Noho ka wahine Hōpoe Lehua Hi‘ileilani o Hi‘iaka Pā ahe Pu‘ulena o Kīlauea I…
Stuffed and Fried Squash Blossoms: A Recipe for Spring
By Brittany P. Anderson There is a date in everyone’s life that stands out to them—the birth of a child, their wedding anniversary, a favorite team winning the World Series. I will always remember a rainy August 4, 2011 as…
Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a: Energy Ranch
By Jan Wizinowich Approaching Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a Ranch, a sylvan scene of sheep and horses grazing in pastures unfolds. Standing above this pastoral landscape is the Blue Planet Energy Lab, a powerhouse that produces 400 to 450 kilowatt hours of renewable energy…
Recalling the Majestic Palm in Art: Artist Shelley Hoist Partners with the Palm to Create Natural Beauty
By Karen Valentine Who doesn’t love a palm tree? Swaying in a tropical breeze, it’s the stuff dreams are made of. Whether for a visitor or a local Hawai‘i resident, the palm tree is a living symbol of paradise. As…
Hula is Pleasing Because of the Drummer
By Leilehua Yuen Dancers gliding, hands gracefully depicting misty rains or delicate flowers. Feet grounding powerfully on the earth while knees thrust forward in the motion of a lava flow. Voices evoking the many moods of lyrics newly written or…
City of Murals
By Alan D. McNarie The aged plantation era buildings of downtown Hilo used to radiate an aura of slightly seedy gentility. That’s all changed— the city is now erupting in tropical pastels and bright primary hues. That’s partly due to…
Health: Ke Ola Pono—Ka Niho
By Leilehua Yuen I don’t care what “The Internet” says, don’t use a combination of baking soda and lemon juice to whiten your teeth. It’s the dental equivalent of using Brillo on your lacquerware. Sure, it will work the first…
Queen Emma’s Church
Kate Kealani H. Winter As visitors and locals hurry along the Hawai‘i Belt Road (Highway 11) near Kealakekua, they look mauka (toward the mountain) and see an old lava rock wall that seems to enclose a very old graveyard, and…
