What’s in a Seed? Seed Is the Living Source of Life on Earth
By Nancy Redfeather How many times have you bought seed in a store, planted it, and were disappointed at its failure to germinate, or worse, thought of yourself as a “black thumb?” The answer to this common complaint is in…
Motifs in Polynesian Design
By Ma‘ata Tukuafu From the earliest European voyagers who traveled the vast Pacific Ocean in the 1500s to the vast numbers of visitors who spend their savings on touring the Pacific islands, the lure of Polynesia has always been present.…
Love of Orchids Forges Perennial Friendships
By Fern Gavelek Mention the word “orchids” and smiles light up their faces like girls gazing at a dollhouse. These eight Kona women, who eagerly banter over growing media and ant control, are enthusiastic charter members of the Kona Daifukuji…
The Galactic Interpretations of Jon Lomberg in Flowers and Other Media
By Marya Mann Not bigger, however, than galactic, multi-media artist Jon Lomberg can imagine. He has made his living conjuring the scope of the heavens for Earth-centric people like me, who realize the enormity of our galaxy—100,000 light-years across—and feel…
Exquisite Kohala Cuisine and World-Class Wine Pair up at the New, Manta & Pavilion Wine Bar
By Fern Gavelek Since its opening in 1965, The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel has relied on the bounty of local farmers to supply its kitchen. The hotel’s first manager, Les Moore, knew the wisdom of using Big Isle products to…
Ao ka Pō i ke Ao ē, Pō ke Ao i ka Pō ē (Night Becomes Day; Day Becomes Night)
Na Kumu Keala Ching Huliau ka ‘ike, ‘ike o ka pono Pono ke ala, Ala o ka lā Aia ka lā, alo ka honua Ao ka pō i ke ao ē Pō ke ao i ka pō ē Huli iho…
Then & Now: Kailua Pier
By Ann C. Peterson The historic Kailua Pier covers a turtle-shaped rock that may have inspired early Hawaiians to name the small bay just north of the pier, Kamakahonu (lit.: the eye of the turtle). The extended rock outcropping later…
Healthful, Tasty Recipes Using Noni (Yes, really!)
By Barbara Fahs Noni is hot. People pay big bucks for a jar of the juice, believed to be a cure for cancer, helpful for chronic respiratory conditions such as tuberculosis, influenza, asthma, coughs, colds, sinusitis and sore throat. It…
The Magical Art of Francene Hart
Of the visionary artist, I now sing. Paint for us, Francene Hart, so our hearts are cleansed by your life-affirming purples and tangerine tetrahedrons. Pour forth your liquid lavenders, indigo insights, and passionate pinks to nurse our thirsty souls. May…
Bringing the Spirit of Heaven and Earth into Your Home
Feng Shui Hawaiian Style By Marta Barreras, Master Feng Shui Practitioner E ola au “Grant me life” From the heavenly wonders of the Mauna Kea summit to the powerful creative forces of Kiluea’s molten lava flow, our beautiful island of…
Garden Fresh, Asian-Style Cuisine with a Masterful Touch
By Fern Gavelek The enticing aroma of kaffir lime and ginger wafts through the entrance to Lotus Café and floats in the air like the expanse of silk that drapes from the ceiling. Water trickles down a lava-like fountain and…
The New Face of Tourism: Ecotourism
By Hadley Catalano Pull up your sleeves, find your gardening gloves and lace up your work boots – you’re on vacation. What seems less like rest and relaxation and more like manual labor has become the latest trend for traveling…
This Kupuna Radiates Beauty, from the Inside
Hawaiian Studies Educator & Kumu Hula Ulalia Berman By Ann C. Peterson One look at her and you understand the meaning of “Aloha”— she is always dressed in Hawaiian patterns, wearing a lei—made from any number of things…flowers, nuts, seeds,…
‘O ka hula ke ola kanaka
‘O ka hula ke ola kanaka, ‘a’ole nā kānaka āpau ka hula (Hula is the life of the people, not everyone is hula) Na Kumu Keala Ching ‘O ka hula ke ola kanaka, ho’onui ‘ike ke ola pili i ka…
Then & Now: Ka‘awaloa
By Ann C. Peterson To reach the remote site of the Captain Cook Monument, you have to kayak, hike, or ride on horseback to this narrow stretch of land between the base of Pali-kapu-o-Keoua and Kealakekua Bay. This land’s Hawaiian…
True Love Begins Within: The Power of Falling in Love with Your Higher Self
“Merry Mana”: Musings of a spirit in search of paradise By Marya Mann, PhD “…thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” – Leviticus 19:18 We’re sometimes so busy looking outward, to find ways, means and mana, we can forget to…
Leo Papa–Voice of the Land
By Nancy Redfeather I knew something was up the day my third grade teacher asked, “Who would like to help me plant a salad garden?” I found myself standing beside my desk with my arm raised and waving only to…
Dancing in the Light: Visions on Silk by Kristi Kranz
By Karen Valentine A gossamer weave of silk, light as light itself, dances in the morning sun. Stretched between two sawhorses at the studio of artist Kristi Kranz, it awaits the perfection of a completed image, born of the visions…
How do You Make Liquid Aloha?
By Fern Gavelek In a 3,500-square-foot brew house, carefully measure barley malt and blend with hot Hawaiian water to form a “mash.” Heat mixture until grain converts into a fermenting sugar liquid called “wort.” Separate the “spent” grain from the…
Then & Now: Moku‘aikaua Church
By Ann C. Peterson Church folks have gathered every Sunday for 185 years on the site where the stately Moku`aikaua Church now stands in Kailua Village. Their purpose has remained the same, but the structure sheltering their worship has changed…
Ka Wehena: Ko Honua Mauli Ola (The Earth’s Healing)
Na Kumu Keala Ching ‘O Wakea noho pu iā Papahanaumoku, he mauli ola Hānau ‘ia ‘o Ho’ohōkūkalani, he wahine mauli ola Hānau ‘ia ‘o Hāloalaukapalili, he kalo mauli ola Hānau ‘ia ‘o Hāloanaka, he kanaka mauli ola Hā mai ka…
It’s A‘ole Pilikia for Waimea’s “Parade Lady”: Lani Olsen-Chong
By Fern Gavelek Known by many in Waimea as “The Parade Lady,” Lani Olsen-Chong is often recognized by her neatly coiffed hairdo and wide grin. Personable, while efficient; friendly, yet business-like; Olsen-Chong is a hustle-bustle volunteer in this upcountry ranching…
Ka Wehena: Ho‘ohanohano ka Mana
Na Kumu Keala Ching Mai ke kinohi o ka lā, puka i Ha‘eha‘e Pi‘i akulā i ke alo o Mauna Kea ā Hualalai Wahi kaulana o Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa, Kona ‘Ākau ā Kona Hema ala Moemoeā i ka poli o…
Mood Medicine: RX: “Relax! Come to your senses!”
By Marya Mann, PhD. Taste more strawberries and chocolate. Smell homemade bread. Gaze at a magenta flower. Listen to Mozart. Touch someone you love. Signed: Mood Medicine Doctor of the Future The best way to resolve any health care crisis…
From Farm to Table: Touching the Earth Farm and Blue Dragon Restaurant—It’s All in the Family
By Fern Gavelek Fresh! That’s the best word to describe the culinary ingredients at the Blue Dragon restaurant. In fact, you can’t get much fresher. Most of the fruits and vegetables used at the Kawaihae restaurant are grown just 15…
Portraits of a Culture: The Photographic Artistry of G.P. Merfeld
By Karen Valentine with G.P. Merfeld Chances are, if you are a hula dancer performing at a local festival, a musician strumming at an outdoor concert, a proud member of the Royal Court, or a paddler in the Lili’uokalani Outrigger…
