Island Life: Can you see me now?
A master of disguise, the peacock flounder (Bothus lunatus) hides in plain sight on the sand next to some coral at Kahalu’u Bay. (Tony Mitchell/Community contributor)
Living sustainably has been called many things over the years
Back in the 1940s, progressive and futuristic farmers were aware of the big mistakes farmers and ranchers had made in the earlier days causing lands to deteriorate. Today, we are still trying to improve our relationship with the environment Terms like sustainable agriculture, integrated pest management, organic farming and permaculture are used by folks concerned about minimizing our negative impact on the planet. We now focus on minimizing our carbon footprint as we experience the effects of global warming.
‘Your house becomes your story’: Fall décor gets personal in 2021
As fall nesting season returns, home décor retailers are presenting collections that reflect the idea that home is where our hearts and heads are.
Announcements: September 25, 2021
Youth council members to recognized for leadership
Island Life: Lily in da watah
Lily pads in a garden in Hawi on Sept. 3. (Susan Grant/Community contributor)
Island life: Sunset West
A Wednesday sunset at Kahalu‘u Bay. (Leslie C. Greer/Community contributor)
Announcements: September 24, 2021
Walmart to host Wellness Day
Island Life: I egret nothing
A cattle egret perches on top of a Norfolk Island Pine in Hualalai Colony in Kona. The Hawaii Board of Agriculture and Forestry introduced cattle egrets to Hawaii in 1959 to help cattle ranchers manage flies. Today, cattle egrets are considered invasive because they eat eggs from nests of native birds. (Elizabeth Weintraub/Community contributor)
VFW announces student essay contests
Island life: Ooh, barracuda
Cleaner wrasse fish clean a barracuda in Honaunau Bay on Monday morning. (Terri Brache/Community Contributor)
Learn to cook fast, healthy and ono: AARP webinars cover cooking locally grown, sustainable foods
Learn recipes for locally grown and sustainable foods at AARP Hawaii’s popular Fast, Healthy and Ono cooking webinars with Windward Community College and ‘Uala Leaf Café Chef Daniel Swift.
Curry powder shortcuts savory beef skewers
Across Southeast Asia, sidewalk hawkers offer sizzling meat skewers bathed in the smoky aroma of smoldering wood coals and a seemingly endless combination of savory sauces.
Gretchen’s table: Cider-braised chicken with apples and Brussels sprouts
Fall ushers in a different kind of cooking for many home cooks. When the weather gets cooler, we’re happy to trade cooking outside on the grill for baking, roasting or sauteing dinner on the stovetop.
The ultimate lunchbox cookie
These impressive, easy-to-make molasses crinkles are a perfect back-to-school treat.
Police to offer virtual car seat safety checks
The Hawaii Police Department will be holding free virtual car seat safety checks from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday as part of National Child Passenger Safety Week, which began Sunday and continues through Saturday.
Island Life: Beautiful blooms
A hibiscus displays its colors. (Philip Bechtel/Community contributor)
Island Life: Blessed morning
The Big Island coastline is highlighted by lantana on a recent morning. (Stefani Scotto/Community Contributor)
Announcements: September 19, 2021
Vaccination clinic scheduled at Kona Commons
Mood enhancing drugs nothing new
Coca, opium, marijuana and hundreds of other plants used to alter our perceived reality are nothing new to earlier cultures and civilizations. We often think of mood altering drugs with trepidation but they have been part of the human condition for thousands of years. Marijuana, opium poppies and coca leaf have been used as were certain mushrooms and even the sap of the angel trumpet tree. As in the case of the angel trumpet, it can be also very poisonous so only the shamans of South and Central America might be trusted with its use. Many of the substances derived from these plants are now illegal in some countries due to the possibility of dangerous misuse. In the case of angel trumpet sap, it can easily kill you if ingested. Others are so much a part of our culture that we hardly give them second thought. These include coffee, tea and chocolate.
A job well done: Couple reclaims 6-acre farm in South Kona
When Carolyn Witcover and Debbie Coke bought the lease on a ramshackle coffee farm in South Kona, they knew they had some work to do. Though they were prepared for a steep learning curve and months of hard labor, they were determined to make their farm productive and try to find pleasure in the process.
