Island Tropical Fruitcake
By Sonia R. Martinez Fruit cake (or fruitcake) is traditionally a dark and dense cake made with chopped candied or dried fruit, nuts and spices, and usually wrapped in linen and soaked in spirits for several weeks. Comedians have made fun of…
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…
Managing with Aloha: Kūlia i ka nu‘u
Kūlia i ka nu‘u: The value of achievement. “Strive to reach the summit.” Pursue personal excellence in all you do. Sixth in an ongoing series. By Rosa Say As the Hawaiian value of achievement, Kūlia i ka nu‘u promotes personal…
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…
What the World Needs Now: Peace, Harmony, and Love, Sweet Love
By Margaret Kearns Sacred lands, historical treasures cherished and protected by the people of Hawai‘i, exist throughout the island chain. All possess special mana (power or energy) and some much more than others. On Hawai‘i Island, one such place is…
Lights! Camera! Ocean! Waimea Ocean Film Festival
By John J. Boyle As the Waimea Ocean Film Festival lines up for the next set, the fourth year bodes to follow the swell of the previous three, growing in size and direction. With more venues, films, and jaw dropping…
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…
Where Art Found Its Place: Donkey Mill Art Center
By Le‘a Gleason Nineteen years ago—before a collaboration like this existed for South Kona—a group of artists gathered to share a vision. It was this decision to come together to “develop and expand opportunities in the community to enrich lives…
Christmas on Parade: Celebrating the Season Island Style
By Barbara Fahs When the weather is warm, we might not feel very Christmasy. Leave it to the Aloha State to come up with original, distinctive ways to make this time of year all its own. Santa, known here as…
A Mele Kalikimaka to All: ‘Elves’ Around Hawai‘i Island Helping ‘Ohana in Need
By Catherine Tarleton This is the first in an occasional series where Ke Ola Magazine highlights some of the important work of our on-island nonprofits. Enjoy learning about these two organizations and please support them. If you have a favorite…
Ka Wehena: Alo ke alo
Na Kumu Keala Ching Maka i luna, kuli i lalo Alo ka lani, lani ke alo Nani ke alo, alo ke ‘ike Alo ke alo, pili ke alohaMaka i mua, I mua ke ‘ala Alo nā puna, ola ke ola…
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…
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…
Feather Art: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
By Barbara Fahs Na lima mili hulu no‘eau is a Hawaiian expression that means “the skilled hands that touch the feathers.” It honors the ancient art of feather lei, capes, headdresses, and other ornaments. In today’s world, it can easily…
Success! Hakalau Forest Refuge: Scientists and Volunteers Partner to Save Forest Birds
By Fern Gavelek Hawai‘i’s geographical isolation means that the plants and animals found here have evolved unlike any other species found on earth. Human interaction and interference with once untouched habitats has rendered Hawai‘i the endangered species capital of the…
Sounds of Peace: A Joyful Noise in Honoka‘a
By Catherine Tarleton What does peace sound like? In Honoka‘a, on Peace Day, September 21, it sounds like marching bands and taiko drums, ‘ukulele music, bon dance, bells, and gongs. It might sound like rock and roll with a mix…
The Journey of Hula Competition: The Experience of One Haumana
By Gayle ‘Kaleilehua’ Greco When you are asked to be in a hula festival, contest, or competition, the journey for oneself starts at that moment. Inevitably, it is really not about the contest at all; it is about the passage…
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…
Then & Now: Hilo Sugar Mill/Wainaku Center
By Denise Laitinen Situated on the sea cliffs just north of Hilo and tucked behind old concrete walls is the former Hilo Sugar Mill, which in its heyday processed 1,400 tons of sugar a day. Now, surrounded by tropical flowers…
Ka Wehena: Lanikepu
Na Kumu Keala Ching I uka, kua mana o Lanikepu Waiwai Kohakohau, i ola ai Wahi uluwehiwehi o Waiaka Ua Uakoko i Hōkū‘ula Noho ‘ia ka wahine i laila nō Pu‘u Pu‘ulaelae hānau hānauna Pali Kapu o nā li‘i o…
The Avocado
By Sonia R. Martinez As you visit the different farmers markets around the island, you will find avocadoes being sold in all of them during season. This is because although Kona’s terrain is known to be suited best for growing…
Craftsmanship that Sings: Big Island Ukulele Guild
By Le‘a Gleason I am no stranger to the tangy smell of sawdust and the intense groan of power tools, as my father is an ‘ukulele and guitar builder who has successfully made a name for himself over the last…
Managing with Aloha: Ho‘omau
Ho‘omau: The value of perseverance. To persist, to continue, to perpetuate. Never give up. Fifth in an ongoing series. By Rosa Say Several managers have told me Managing with Aloha’s chapter on Ho‘omau is their favorite, and I can easily…
Mangoes
By Sonia R. Martinez The mango (Mangifera indica), a native of Southeast Asia and India is a member of the Anacardiaceae family, which includes cashews, pistachios, poison ivy, and poison oak. The tree was transported to the Philippines and other Pacific…
Managing with Aloha: ‘Imi Ola
‘Imi ola: To seek best life. Our purpose in life is to seek its highest form. The value of mission and vision. Fourth in an ongoing series. By Rosa Say To ‘Imi ola is to seek life. When we practice…
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…
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,…
