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…
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…
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…
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…
Every Store Has Its Story: The Greenwell General Store becomes ChoiceMART
By Le‘a Gleason Standing on the event lawn at Kealakekua Ranch Center (KRC), looking all the way down to the sun-kissed Pacific Ocean, it’s easy to tell there’s something special about this place. In fact, a rich history surrounds KRC,…
Healing Plants: Pia
By Barbara Fahs Haupia, the ever-popular coconut pudding dessert, has been a staple in Hawai‘i since World War II. If you have ever attended a lū‘au or a local style wedding, chances are you have eaten this gelatinous culinary confection.…
Aloha Wale ka Nikiniki
Aloha wale ka nikiniki Ke kanaenae pua o Mailehuna E ae ia ana ia Kapaa I ke kahuli a ke kalukalu Honi u i ke ala o ka hinalo e Pe wale i ka uaua E lei ae au E…
Lessons in the Land: Connecting with the “Dryland Kine” Kūpuna
By Ku‘ulei Keakealani The inspiration, or perhaps subtle dictation for this story came from a phone call that sounded a bit like this, “Bebe, daddy just saw what you wen write in dis magazine ova hea. Nice what you wen…
Healing Plants: Lau Kahi, an All-Around Helpful “Weed”
By Barbara Fahs If you have a lawn, a pasture, or garden beds, you have probably mowed, weed whacked, or pulled out lau kahi. Commonly called plantain, this small broadleaf herb has no relationship to the plantains we know as…
Through the Years: Hawai‘i Museum of Contemporary Art
By Le‘a Gleason Lourdan Kimbrell is running late. It’s because he’s at the airport picking up photographs for an upcoming show of Kohala’s archeologically significant areas. Inside the Hawai‘i Museum of Contemporary Art (HMOCA), it’s not just the Director, Lourdan,…
Then & Now: Kīlauea Lodge–Warm Up, Freak Out, Chow Down: Friendship, Ghosts, and Gourmet Cuisine
By Alan D. McNarie Even from a distance, the fireplace in the dining room of the Kīlauea Lodge and Restaurant in Volcano is an impressive structure. Large memorabilia imbedded in the fireplace matrix grab your gaze: Hawaiian poi pounders, dinosaur…
Ka Wehena: Mele Ho‘omana
Na Kumu Keala Ching HE ALI‘I He ali‘i, he ali‘i, he ali‘i ho‘omana Ho‘omana ‘oe ia‘u, he ali‘i. He aloha, he aloha, he aloha ho‘omana Ho‘omana ‘oe ia‘u, he aloha. He mihi, he mihi, he mihi ho‘omana Ho‘omana ‘oe ia‘u,…
Ka Lei Maile Ali‘i—The Queen’s Women
An original reenactment based on a newspaper article printed in The San Francisco Call This story begins with a listing on KonaWeb.com. January 13, 2013 “KA LEI MAILE ALI‘I; THE QUEEN’S WOMEN,” A PLAY—KEAUHOU A short play remembering a meeting…
Talk Story with an Advertiser: Aloha Aina Wellness Center
By Le‘a Gleason “You have changed my life forever,” begins a letter written by Ann Hemmingway. This letter is to Mary Dressler and the staff at Aloha Aina Wellness Center (AAWC). Her letter goes on, “My experience of going through…
Talk Story with an Advertiser: Aloha Metal Roofing
By Le‘a Gleason Where can you go for quality roofing supplies whether you’re a contractor, do-it-yourselfer? Aloha Metal Roofing is a one-stop-shop that provides “service with aloha,” says manager Jon Hunter. Jon has been in the business more than 10…
Coffee Time
By Sonia R. Martinez Hawai‘i Island has been known for coffee for many years, and in the last 10 or so, several ‘new’ areas of our island have become award-winning coffee growing regions. Our island is also growing vanilla beans…
Island Treasures: True Hawaii Blue—Waimea
By Le‘a Gleason Jamie Hoskinson has always worn an apron. She grew up a farm girl in Mt. Hood, Oregon and wore her first apron as a child while making plum jam with Grandma. Later, she sold strawberries on the…
Managing with Aloha: ‘Ike loa
‘Ike loa: The value of learning. To know well. To seek knowledge and wisdom. Twelfth in an ongoing series. By Rosa Say New knowledge is food for mind, heart and soul. Without it, you deny yourself vital nourishment for overall…
Sing-Song, Sing-Along! Celebrating 25 Years with the Kona Choral Society
By Fern Gavelek With one thing in common—the love to sing—Kona Choral Society’s 70-some members rehearse weekly to perform concerts for the enjoyment of the community. This year, KCS is marking its 25th year with a new name, additional performances,…
Kūpuna Talk Story: Warren Vignato
By Keith Nealy I first met Warren Vignato about 15 years ago. He was dangling from a thin rope attached to a huge ironwood tree 30 feet above the ground, trimming back the overgrown branches, shaping and pruning one of…
Kāko‘o ‘o I Nā Keiki (Support the Keiki) to Advance the Common Good for All Hawai‘i Island Keiki
By Gayle ‘Kaleilehua’ Greco A child’s big, innocent eyes gaze out into the distance. He waits street side, anticipating excitement, yet remaining ever-so-patient. He is surrounded by his ‘ohana who summon the minivan down the street. Reminiscent of waiting for…
A Place to Remember: POW-MIA Memorial Garden at West Hawai‘i Veterans Cemetery
By Barbara Fahs Every year we honor the men and women who have fought for our freedom on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Susan “Awapuhi” Graffe emphasizes we should honor them every day. Awa, her husband Paul, along with generous volunteers…
