J u ly - A u g u s t 2 010
The Life of the Land Beyond Organic: Natural Farming
The Life of the People Anti-Aging Secret: Paddling Nealy’s Film Documentary Remembers Kindy Sproat
The Life in Art Catching Fire: Lavapix by Bryan Lowry
The Life at Home There’s Power in Photovoltaics
C O P Y
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Experience your pet deserves, experience you can trust. RRReow!!!!! RRRRRREOW!!!!!! RRRREOWWWWW!!! What is going on? One minute I am basking in the sun out on the lanai in my new Hawaiian digs, the next I am being assailed by an unseen force. I have endured boarding for a month, and 2, count them, 2 trips to the airport before my sister and I finally arrived on Oahu only to have my mother promptly put me on yet another plane to Kona. Clearly enough is enough, but wait I’m being attacked by something that looks and smells like something I should be chasing or eating but this thing, this oh my …RRRREEOOOWWW!!!!! Help me! Something is stuck to my leg. My front leg is now shaking uncontrollably, yet this green monster has me, no matter how hard I shake, it will not let me go. REOOOWWW!!! The more I shake the harder it holds on, why? WHY? WHY????? RRREOWWWW!!! Where is my mother? Can’t she hear me? Wait, here she comes, she will know what to do. REOOWWWW!!!! Help me I cry REOWWWW!! HURRY UP AND HELP ME. Wait...Why is she laughing? I am being attacked and she is REOOOWWWW laughing at me and pointing. What is going on here? The more I shake my leg and cry out for help REOWWWW, the more she laughs. This is not fair! Not fair at all. My tail is puffed up like a raccoon, all the hair on my body is standing at attention REEEOOOWWW and this green thing is stuck to me and my mother is laughing at me and wait SHAKING, REALLY SHAKING NOW REOOOWWWWW!!! It’s gone! I see it hurtling through the air. It has to be at least 6 feet away and still going because I am running the other direction as fast as I can. I need to get higher. Where do I go? Up, up, up faster and higher to the top of the metal thing in the living room. I am up 10 feet in the air and the relentless creature is still where it sailed to waiting to attack me again. My hair is still standing at attention and my leg feels like it is broken, tired and sore from all the shaking. My mom is standing and laughing now at the bottom of this metal contraption she is calling a ladder, saying, “Come down Jenner, come here buddy”, like we are friends! She has spent the last few minutes laughing her head off at me, now she thinks we should be friends. Right, just wait until I accidentally miss the litter box. Traitor I think, but what comes out of my mouth is MEOWW! Meow!! Really pathetic, I am pathetic. I hope my sister Rune did not see this. I am so embarrassed. My mom takes me down and walks me back to the scene of the most terrifying event of my life, she puts me face to face with this breathless, lifeless green villain and tells me, “ Jenner this is a Gecko”. A gecko I think, really? I sit there a moment then put out my paw and smacked the beast to make sure the fiend has indeed died. To the victor go the spoils I think. Just for the record the spoils taste like chicken. 78-6728 Walua Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI
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“The Life” A magazine for those who love life on the Big Island
J u ly -A u g u s t 2010
The Life in Spirit: 11
Pu‘ukoholā by Kumu Keala Ching
The Life of the People: 16
Hut Ho! “Octo-paddlers” Pulling Together for Fun and Fitness
21
Filming the Story of the Storyteller Filmmaker Keith Nealy Remembers Kindy Sproat
29
The Bread Line Stops Here Itinerant Bread Baker Kevin Cabrera
The Life of the Land: 32
Holuakoa Gardens Restaurant and Café Connecting the Place with the Planet via Slow Food
43
Beyond Organic: Natural Farming
The Life as Art: 24
Catching Fire The Watchful Lens of Bryan Lowry
The Life at Home: 35
Building with Bamboo
41
Let There Be Light There’s Power in Photovoltaics
The Life in Business: 38 46
Is it Your Business or Your Life?
The Life in Music: Feeling Good, Bringing Joy and Cleared for Take-Off Mili Nanea
Ka Puana --- The Refrain: 58
A Dream of Old Hawai‘i By Robert James
Publishers Talk Story..............................................................................08 Farmers Markets......................................................................................45 Community Calendar............................................................................48 The Life in Business................................................................................57
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Departments:
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Immerse yourself in our history, culture and landscape with three unique journeys that offer a rare opportunity to experience, appreciate and help preserve traditional Hawaiian ways of life. The ancient arts and crafts of Hawai`i’s history are indelibly woven into the beauty and the bounty of this land- and are ready to be experienced by everyone eager to journey beyond the norm. Come - touch, listen and feel. You will return with a deep connection to this land and its people and a completely new way of looking at your world. Our stories and our warmth await you. Join us‌
For reservations and program information, call 808-324-2540.
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“The Life” A magazine for those who love life on the Big Island
UA MAU KE EA O KA ‘AINA I KA PONO.
The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness. [Its sustainability depends on doing what is right.] Proclamation by Kona-born King Kamehameha III in 1843. Later adopted as the state motto.
Publishers
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Editor: Karen Valentine Marketing Director: Barbara Garcia Bowman Creative Design
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Advertising Design: Tahiti Huetter www.tahitihdesigns.com
Production Manager: Richard Price Ambassadors
MASTHEAD
Mars Cavers w Devany Davidson w Mahealani Henry WavenDean Fernandes w Marya Mann w Fern Gavelek Eric Bowman w Deborah Ozaki w Greg Shirley
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Business Development
Carolyn Greenan–Kona w 808.345.3268 Randy Botti–Kohala, Hamakua and Hilo w 808.558.9857 Mars Cavers–Art Gallery Consultant w 808.938.9760
Contributing Writers Hadley Catalano w Keala Ching w Fern Gavelek Grif Frost w Robert James w Colin John Marya Mann w Mike Moore w Noel Morata Ann C. Peterson w Catherine Tarleton
Photography
Jeff Beck w Hadley Catalano w Fern Gavelek Bryan Lowry w Noel Morata w Catherine Tarleton KE OLA is printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks. Hawaii Island Publishing, Inc., is a recognized member of the Kuleana Green Business Program of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce
Subscriptions: www.KeOlaMagazine.com or mail name, address and payment of $24 US/$42 International for one year to P.O. Box 1494, Kailua-Kona, HI 96745 808.329.1711 x103 w Fax: 808.882.1648 © 2010, Hawaii Island Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved P.O. Box 1494, Kailua-Kona, HI 96745
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Indulge Yourself
Publishers Talk Story...
Feel the Heat S
teamy, simmering, even sultry, it’s not easy to forget that we have a power generator under our island. Some days we just take it for granted; some days we might make it an occasion for a drive to the end of the road to gaze amazingly. The passion of Pele is never dormant and it colors the landscape of our island in a magnificent way. Did you ever consider the courage and dedication it must take to be one of the volcano’s up-close watchers? We thought about that as we talked with the quite-humble Bryan Lowry, welcoming passersby to his booth at a recent Kokua Kailua Village Stroll event. His vibrant photo prints spoke much louder than he needed to. When you read Marya Mann’s story in this issue, you’ll get a feel for walking in his sizzling hot shoes.
Photographer Bryan Lowry, on night watch at Pu‘u ‘O‘o vent on Kilauea Volcano.
And, you must check out the website, lavapix.com, because there is no way we can even begin to showcase the breadth and depth and jaw-dropping grandeur of all the images we had from which to choose. It was a very difficult challenge.
… and Entrepreneurs...
200th Anniversary of Pu‘ukoholā
The unification of the Hawaiian Islands under King Kamehameha was a monumental accomplishment at the time, ushering in an era of peace after many years of wars and battles among the island chiefs. The huge heiau that stands as a temple to that event is being repaired following the major earthquake of 2006, and a celebration will be held this August. Read Kumu Keala Ching’s tribute and see the calendar for the cultural festival marking the occasion.
Speaking of Steam...
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Railroads once chugged across gulches and streams on this island, carrying both sugar cane and passengers. Some suggest a rail system might yet be a good alternative mode of transport. One
bold entrepreneur did it once before. Read about Dillingham’s “Folly” and remember when. [“Then & Now” on page 13.]
We know there are special challenges and also rewards to doing business in Hawai‘i. Ke Ola celebrates the lifestyle of this island, and our business activities are a big part of it. How do we work? How do we manage to enjoy paradise, too? We’re happy to introduce a new feature, sharing more stories of work-lifestyle in “The Life in Business.” See page 54.
... and Food.
If you’re eating anything that arrived on this island on a barge, you’re missing the boat. The stories about locally grown and locally produced foods are endless, and this issue showcases not only artisan breads but a restaurant embracing the Slow Food movement. We invite you to really taste the difference, and head to your nearest farmers market this week. Aloha, Karen Valentine and Barbara Garcia
CORRECTIONS: Send us your comments and letters! We take email, snail mail, submissions through our website or posts on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter! Editor@keolamagazine.com Follow us:
Coverage of Doc McCoy in May/June’s “Then & Now” referred to the original name of Arc of Kona as provided by Gretchen Lawson, the organization’s executive director and was not what had been written by Jolene Head, the author.We are sorry if these facts seemed “politically incorrect” to any of our readers. In the caption for the same story, Keauhou Veterinary Hospital was inadvertently referred to as Keauhou Veterinary Clinic. Our apologies to Dr. Jacob Head and Jolene Head for this error.
On the Cover: A large lava flow behind the photographer paints a neon glow on the foreground as a nearly full moon lights up the night sky and stars above the Waikupanaha ocean entry on Halloween night, 2009. Fine Art Photo by Bryan Lowry www.lavapix.com
From Readers... From Readers...
SUSTAINABLE
Mahalo to Cecily Reading of Kailua-Kona for sharing this photo, which she captured on June 4 while snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay. “I shot it from in the water. It is an Olympus underwater camera. I lifted it out of the water to try and get the jump, which I have done tons of times, but never captured it before now! I was blown away when I saw it. It was about 8:30 a.m. and I was pretty far out, maybe two-thirds of the way to the monument.”
ORGANIC
Tell Us Your Stories
YOU ARE WHAT YOU WEAR
RECYCLED
Here are a few more topics that we would like to include: 1. Someone who has inspired you. Tell us who they are and how they have made an impression on you. 2. A humorous story about something that happened here. 3. A “chicken-skin” story. 4. What is special to you about living on this island? 5. Ideas for building a better community.
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We are happy to report we now have more space to display the many stories suggested to us by our readers. If you enjoy reading this magazine, you’ll find even more stories and more stories behind the stories on Ke Ola’s new blog. It’s now part of our website, which has a few new features. In addition to our blog, on which you can post comments, we now have a “Share your Story” section and a “from our Readers...” section. You can post directly to the “Share Your Story” section at www.KeOlaMagazine.com. If you prefer, you can e-mail a note or mail a letter to us and we may post these in our “from our Readers..” section. We accept photos taken at community events. Just make sure you give us the name of the event and identify people in the photos.
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IN SPIRIT
The Life IN spirit
The Life
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“Dillingham’s Folly” or How the Railroad Came to Hawai‘i
I
By Ann C. Peterson
magine a time when the only way to get from the Hamakua district to Hilo and points south was by walking, by horse, or by “the most scenic railroad in the nation,” the Hawai’i Consolidated Railway—a railway whose history is as rich as the route was beautiful. The railway was a testament to the vision of one man, Benjamin Franklin Dillingham, a Yankee who had found himself in Hawai‘i after many adventures and, as history records, many misadventures. Dillingham, born in West Brewster, Massachusetts in 1844 into a reputable Puritan family, dropped out of school at age 14 to pursue adventure as a sailor that included trips around Cape Horn and capture by the Confederate raider, the Alabama. While on shore leave on Oah’u in 1865, he fell off a horse while riding, breaking his leg. His boat sailed off, leaving him in the hospital to mend and, during his long recovery, he began building a network of friends who induced him to stay in the islands. He soon secured a job in a hardware store, and within four years purchased the store in partnership with Alfred Castle, son of Samuel Castle, of Castle & Cooke, who financed the purchase. By 1889, Dillingham retired from the hardware business and put his full attention into a venture that was being called “Dillingham’s Folly.” He had proposed irrigating 60,000 acres of Oahu ranch land, planting it with sugarcane, and transporting the tons of cane with a rail system. Railroads received early support from King Kalākaua, who in 1878 signed an act to promote their building in Hawai’i. Even with this level of support, it wasn’t until 11 years later, and with the backing of such notables as S.N. “Father” Castle that the first railroad excursion took place. On Sept. 4, 1889, Dillingham’s 45th birthday, the Oah’u Railway & Land Co. ran from Honolulu to the rice fields of Palama one-half mile away.
On Hawai’i Island, Dillingham began his venture with the purchase of acreage in what was then called Ola‘a—now Kea‘au—in the late 1890s, and began growing sugarcane. He received a charter to lay the first eight miles of track on March 28, 1899, and the route from Ola‘a to Waiakea was opened in 1900. A 17-mile extension to the Puna Sugar Company in Kapoho and the Pahoa Lumber Company, which was manufacturing ‘ohia and koa railroad ties for export to the Santa Fe Railroad; two branches to other southernbased sugar plantations; and a link directly into Hilo quickly followed. Branching out solely for tourists visitng the volcano, the next expansion connected Ola‘a to Glenwood, 12.5 miles
up the mountain. One trip offered by the railroad carried intrepid visitors most of the way to Kilauea Volcano with food and entertainment and a night’s accomodation included. Visitors would travel from Hilo on rail, through Mountain View, but had to go the last eight miles by horse and wagon since the end of the rail line was in Glenwood. At this point, Hilo Railroad Company had become a thriving business, hauling tons of sugarcane and freight, and hundreds of passengers. It was the final 33.5-mile extension from Hilo up to Pa’auilo, along the rugged Hamakua coast that took a bit of time, was much more expensive to build, and drastically changed the fortunes of Dillingham and other investors. In negotiating a deal with Hawai’i’s territorial government and the U.S. Congress in 1907 to build a breakwater in Hilo Bay and improve its harbor, Hilo Railroad agreed to connect Hilo with the lush sugarcane lands north to Pa’auilo. Those of you who have driven along this coast can appreciate the barriers that engineers faced to create what was to be (at the time) the most expensive rail line, mile-for-mile, in the world. Because of the rugged nature of the Hamakua Coast, the railway had to cross hundreds of streams and valleys. A combination of tunnels and distinctive curved trestles enabled the trains to negotiate the daunting topography. Dozens of
Continued on page 15
Laupahoehoe Train Museum with caboose replica.
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The rail corridor quickly expanded to 160 miles through productive sugar and pineapple plantations, and Dillingham’s Folly became the single greatest factor in the development of O“ahu and Honolulu during that era. With this success in place, he set his sights on duplicating the rail model on the islands of Kaua’i, Mau’i, and Hawai’i.
The 190-foot-high Maulua Trestle on the Hawai’i Consolidated Railway, October 22, 1924, shortly after the train on the left had hurtled out of the tunnel and plowed into the train at the right, which had stopped to let passengers get off to view the scenery. Surprisingly, nobody was hurt. From: Early Hawaiian Bridges, Robert C. Schmitt
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Continued from page 13 steel trestles rose over 150 feet above the streams underneath them. Thirty-five trestles were built, crossing over 12,000 feet, with 211 water openings. Some of the individual steel spans were up to 1,006 feet long and 230 feet in height. At three enormous gulches, over 3,100 feet of tunnels were constructed, blasted through the lava rock hills. Most notable were those spanning the Maulua and Honoli’i gulches, and the Wailuku River in Hilo. The Maulua Tunnel alone was over half a mile in length. The resulting financial burden forced the company into receivership in 1914. Reincorporated as the Hawai’i Consolidated Railway, the line became very a popular passenger line with more than 600,000 annual trips. Folks visited family and friends, went shopping into Hilo, or just went sightseeing. Some students rode five days a week to classes in Hilo. Catering to popular demand, special excursions (including a delicious lunch featuring cow’s tongue) were run along the breakwater as it was being built. Along with passenger trips, freight—particularly that hauled from the numerous sugar plantations along the line—helped move the company out of debt. During the war, troops on leave packed the passenger cars en route to Camp Tarawa in Waimea. Oldtimers recall Marines passing meal rations through the train windows into the hands of local children, who eagerly exchanged them for guavas and mangoes.
It was estimated that $500,000 in repairs would get the line running again. The outlying plantations encouraged reconstruction of the lines, but those located closer to Hilo, and no longer as dependent upon trains, successfully voted to close down the operation. While this rich part of Hawai’i Island’s history is sadly gone, there are still many remnants of this past transportation system to be found. A must see for all train and history enthusiasts is the Laupahoehoe Train Museum, right on Highway 19 in Laupahoehoe. The museum is in the old station agent’s house and is testament to community involvement.
The museum has in its collection a segment of track that was uncovered behind the house during community workdays, clearing years of overgrowth. They uncovered a switching stand where the trains were once turned around. The museum also has an engine that Richard Chong, of Hilo donated and a team of volunteers, including Lisa’s husband, Michael restored to running order. Michael also serves as engineer on the trains that run along the track for special events, and he spearheaded building a replica of a caboose that visitors can climb around in. As Hawai’i Island’s leading railroad history proponent, Lisa is advocating another train museum, this one located in Hilo, where there would be a larger potential audience. “The actual roundhouse where trains were reversed and stored is still standing. It is the perfect place for this museum,” she says. The eight-bay concrete roundhouse, built in 1921 next to the county swimming pool on Kalanikoa Street, is in desperate need of repair. Other remnants of the railroad can be seen along its old route, which for the large part has become Highway 19. Two inverted trusses, that were once part of Wailuku River’s trestle, buttress the bridge over Kolekole gulch between Pepeekeo and Honomu. And, if you take the old Belt Highway down into Hakalau Gulch, look up to see how the old trestle was widened for two lanes of traffic. The old railroad alignment through Puna remains fairly intact and is under consideration for a different mode, yet equally old form of transportation, bicycles. The creation of a share-use pathway would allow for an alternative to riding along Highway 130, also provide an evacuation route is ever needed, and perhaps allow one to harken back to the days before the advent of cars. v Author’s note: I encourage all of you with Internet capabilities to follow this link to a short film made in 1916 of part of the ride from Hilo to Hamakua. It shows some of the spectacular scenery, a great view of the flumes that carried sugarcane, plantation shacks, the tunnels and trestles, and some brave local behavior where folks are sitting and standing on boards angled out from the trestles. One of my favorite scenes is of a train traveling along a wooden trestle followed in perfect cadence by a car. The song is pretty catchy, too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQSBOEbEqzU&feature= player_embedded
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Unfortunately, just as the company was beginning to recover, on April 1, 1946, a tsunami hit the windward side of the island, causing death and devastation—including the destruction of the bridge trestles at Wailuku and Kolekole. Much of the track near the Bayfront was uprooted and twisted, and train sections lay next to the wreckage of homes and businesses.
Lisa Barton, the museum’s coordinator, credits community donations for the incredible collection of train memorabilia on display. Even as we stand admiring a display, a fellow from Kurtistown comes in to donate some books. “Surprises come very much like this,” she says with a smile, and refers to one of the old engine’s bells that a neighbor found and donated. Then there are the photographs – hundreds of them. And you have to see the 8-minute video that she and friend Ray-Jo Baker made.
OF THE PEOPLE
The Life
“Paddling encourages me to honor our Lord, who created all the wonder around us,” says Moller, who has enjoyed the ocean all his adult life. Born and raised in South Africa, the retired CEO has done his share of sailing and continues sculling at his summer home in Connecticut. Mathyssens, a retired special ed professional from LA, says she can’t imagine life without paddling. “It doesn’t matter how old you are, or how short, you can get out and paddle,” she states.
Octogenarian paddlers who practice three times a week as members of Keauhou Canoe Club’s recreational program include from left: Paul O’Brien, Joanie Clark, Cari Mathyssens, Joan Lawhead, Virginia Isbell (who’s the youngster at 78 and sometimes helps as steersman) and Elton Moller. Photo by Fern Gavelek
A
t 6:30 every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings, a canoe full of paddlers heads out of Keauhou Bay for a morning workout. They come from all walks of life and hail from different parts of the world. The one thing five of them have in common is age—they are all octogenarians. The oldest was born in 1927, while the youngster of the bunch turned 80 in March.
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These octo-athletes are members of Keauhou Canoe Club’s (KCC) recreational program, which enables people to paddle for fun, even while others compete in the sport. The kupuna paddlers were recently honored during KCC’s Founder Regatta when they paddled during a “special event,” racing against keiki crews steered by adults. The 80-something paddlers include Joanie Clark, Joan Lawhead, Elton Moller, Cari Mathyssens and Paul O’Brien. Virginia Isbell, 78, steered the octo-crew during the regatta and her husband Don, who turns 80 in August, subbed for Moller who was out of town. “We’re probably the only club in the state with active, 80-year-old paddlers,” says Bill Armer, KCC athletic director. “And it’s because of our strong, recreational program.” Founded in 1980, KKC is one of the state’s 75 canoe clubs, which promote the Hawaiian sport and cultural activity of outrigger canoe paddling. In ancient times, Hawaiians used the ocean as their super highway and the outrigger canoe was their SUV. When talking to the octo-crew after a morning workout, they all seemed to agree that paddling is one of the highlights of their lives. They say it’s “a spiritual experience” to be out on the ocean in the early morning, watching the sun slowly rise over Hualalai.
For O’Brien, a great-grandfather who teaches online college chemistry, “Paddling offers me a place I can get away
from my existence; it’s a sanctuary. It helps me integrate and appreciate the culture where I live.” Steersman Isbell, who is also a lifetime member of Kai ‘Opua Canoe Club, has been paddling for 35 years. The former state legislator of 16 years is proud that outrigger canoe paddling was named Hawai‘i’s official team sport under her watch in 1986.
Powered by Paddles
While the sport has evolved in the last 15 years to include one-man (OC-1) and two-man canoes with its own winter racing season, team paddling involves a crew of six: the stroker, who sets the pace; seats two through five, who provide the power; and the steersman—who does just that. The narrow and deep, 400-pound-plus ocean canoe is designed to slice through the water and is balanced by an outrigger lashed to the canoe’s left side. Crew in seats one, three and five paddle in sync on one side of the canoe while seats two and four paddle on the other. A designated crew member calls out “hut-ho,” alerting paddlers when to simultaneously switch sides. Each paddler
tries to mimic the other in timing and technique so they all “feel the glide” as the canoe thrusts forward. Made of coveted koa and fiberglass, canoes are the prized property of canoe clubs, who can easily have a dozen or more of the 45-foot-long boats. Clubs provide organized instruction and practice time, plus insurance, in exchange for annual dues. Clubs also belong to their island’s racing association. From May through July, the Big Isle’s Moku O Hawai‘i Outrigger Canoe Racing Assn. (MOH) stages exciting club regattas at rotating locations. Competition in 2010 culminates with the Big Isle championship July 24 in Hilo. The isle’s top winning crews then travel (not paddle!) to O‘ahu August 7 for the Hawai‘i Canoe Racing Assn.’s 58th state championship at Ke‘ehi Lagoon. During regatta racing, crews strive to paddle together in splitsecond unison. They vie in sprints ranging from a quarter-mile to 1.5-miles long. Most races involve turning on a dime around a colored flag—dousing the flag results in disqualification. Each regatta has nearly 40 events (races) that are classified by sex, age and skill set. Club racing continues info fall for the long distance season. Major events attract international competitors, such as Kai ‘Opua’s Queen Lili‘uokalani Races (which includes a double-hull race where two, six-man canoes are lashed together for an OC-12 event). The Hawai‘i season ends with the 41-mile Moloka‘i Channel crossings: the Na Wahine O Ke Kai for women and the Moloka‘i Hoe for men.
Recreational Program
After the commitment-heavy racing season, some paddlers take a break from the sport over the winter. Others have oneman canoes and vie in events staged by the Hawai‘i Island Paddlesport Assn.
“It’s great, especially for older paddlers, to have the availability of year-round conditioning,” says Bockus, 67, who has been paddling since 1978. She said the program was also spurred by the amount of snowbirds coming down to the club’s Keauhou Bay canoe halau asking to paddle from October to March. “The snowbirds aren’t here during the racing season,” Bockus, a native of Canada, continues. “They just want to get out in the ocean and paddle, while meeting people in the community.”
Armer oversees KKC’s racing and rec programs, making sure there are enough canoes available to accommodate two morning shifts of rec paddlers, plus post-practice coffee and pastries. He also schedules the monthly birthday potlucks, which may include speakers on Hawaiian culture and fitness. “We’ve had a high of 96 recreational paddlers go out one winter morning,” Armer details. “We’ve probably got the largest rec program in the state.” He adds that 80 percent of KCC’s rec paddlers are over the age of 55. A retired school principal from Denver, Armer credits KCC’s rec program with changing his and his wife’s retirement plans. “Cindy and I figured we’d travel for 10 years, staying awhile here and there,” he confides while watering the grass outside the canoe halau. “But that all changed in 2002 after we hooked up with the canoe club.”
Continued on page 19
New Race Honors Jane Bockus
In its 30th year, Keauhou Canoe Club (KCC) honors founding member Jane Bockus with the first annual Jane’s Long Distance Race on Sept. 11. Bockus says the race is a warmup to the Moloka‘i Channel crossings with a 32-mile course from ‘Anaeho‘omalu Bay to Keauhou Bay. Crews of up to 12 members must perform open-ocean seat changes so all entries must be accompanied by an escort boat. For info, visit http:// www.keauhoucanoeclub. com/home/janes-s-raceinfo-and-rules. Photo by Vytas Katilius
KE OLA | www.KeOlaMagazine.com | 17
The desire to “stay in shape” and continue paddling with crews over the winter provided the seed for Keauhou Canoe Club’s recreational paddling program. Jane Bockus, a KCC founding member, is credited with pushing for an organized rec program in the mid-1990s.
Today, more than half of KKC’s 500 members paddle recreationally; they are not obligated to race if they don’t want to. Both Bockus and Athletic Director Armer admit they will race, if available, to fill an empty crew seat. A long-time competitive paddler, Bockus still enjoys the excitement of racing but due to summer traveling, can’t commit to a racing schedule.
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Continued from page 17 Armer explains that paddling “opened up a world of ocean activities” to the Colorado couple. “Our connection to the club led to all these other connections,” the 63-year-old steersman details. “While we still go visit our kids, the club is our ‘ohana here—we think of it as family.” Some of those connections have linked the Armers to volunteerism, such as manning aid stations for Ironman or helping with the logistics for the annual GEMS workshop. Isbell points out that rec paddlers are the ones to most often attend club functions and lend a hand, whether it’s the annual Christmas potluck or a funerary spreading of ashes in Keauhou Bay. “Rec paddlers are in it for fun and fitness. They aren’t competing for seats on a crew and everything is more relaxed and social.” A 50-year Big Isle resident, Isbell paddled competitively up until a couple years ago and has a box of medals to prove it. “Paddling helps keep your mind focused,” she adds. “And you really get to know somebody once they’re with you in the canoe.” Octogenarian paddler Joan Lawford sums up the feelings shared by many KCC rec paddlers, “When I’m out on the water, I feel the blessings of living in paradise, including being healthy.”
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Whether 8 or 80, in it for racing or recreation—stroke by stroke, paddlers pull together for a common goal—to “feel the glide.” For information on KCC, visit www.keauhoucanoeclub.com; find info on Big Isle paddling at www.mokuohawaii.org.
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KE OLA | www.KeOlaMagazine.com | 19
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From left: Cindy and Bill Armer and Jane Bockus enjoy paddling in Keauhou Canoe Club’s recreational program, one of the largest in the state. Photo by Vytas Katilius
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The Life
Keith Nealy filming with his latest technology, the RED Digital Cinema camera.
OF THE PEOPLE
K
eith Nealy will start any conversation off with a good story. With more than 30 years of experience in the art of filmmaking and production, Nealy has become a living library of narratives. Gathering personal anecdotes, tales and legends, the local documentary film-maker has turned his focus toward using his cinematic skills to help, guide and change the way people view Hawai’i and the world. “I’ve been in this business since I was 13 years old,” said Nealy, who at one time was creative director for one of the largest multimedia corporations in the world and now operates Keith Nealy Productions LLC (KNP), based in Kohala. “Now, with my own projects, I can generate ideas that resonate with me because I have a desire to make a difference and use the power of filmmaking to create change.”
The local director/producer struck up a kindred relationship with the late Kindy Sproat, known internationally as the “Ambassador of Aloha,” roughly 12 years ago when Nealy, his wife and children returned to settle in Hawai‘i. (He had lived on O’ahu for a time 30 years ago). Sproat, renowned for his mastery of the art of song and story, had touched the lives of many with his infectious spirit and graceful presence as he transported listeners to ancient Hawai’i through his repertoire of more than 600 songs. “I was over at his house one day and we were talking story and I started hearing stories I hadn’t heard before, ” said Nealy in relating how his current documentary film, “Kindy Sproat: A Gift to the Heart” got its start. “I had my equipment in the car and I asked would he mind if I shot some footage. Due to the level of respect and trust we had already established and my reputation of working with the Hawaiian community, he said yes. I didn’t
Nealy felt he was in the presence of a living encyclopedia, a man whose memory held a vast knowledge of life in Old Hawai’i—information that was quickly vanishing. What started as a lengthy monologue planted the seed for a documentary inspiration—the Kindy Sproat story and the collective narration of ancient Hawaiian life. Passing down descriptions heard from his grandparents, Sproat told of the history of Kohala more than 100 years ago, when his grandparents were cape makers and canoe builders for the ali’i. He spoke of the plantation era, when sugar replaced royalty, bringing with it an influx of immigrants from across the globe, enriching the diverse makeup of Hawai‘i’s ethnic tapestry. Slipping between song and tale, Sproat’s shared ballads painted a picture of the developing mountain region of the north during the paniolo days, describing Hawaiian cowboy heritage. The tales continued with recollections of the musician’s own childhood growing up in Honokane ‘Iki, the remote third valley beyond Pololu—accessible only by mule train—and his Hawaiian mother and father, a descendant of an original Mexican paniolo. Nealy realized he had captured living proof of a true Hawaiian legend and the heritage he held. “It is the mission of this film to capture the heart of the legacy carried by Kindy Sproat and carry it forward for the benefit of generations to come and to honor a very humble man in his twilight years, whose infectious aloha, touching stories, colorful music and gentle humor express the best of another era, ” Nealy explained. “ Kindy is one of Hawai‘i’s Living Treasures and is revered by all who knew him, but most have never experienced the intimate side—on his front porch, spinning tales of days gone by,
Continued on page 22
KE OLA | www.KeOlaMagazine.com | 21
So it happened one day, about five years ago, during a routine visit with long-time friend Clyde “Kindy” Halema’uma’u Sproat that Nealy found his chance to tell the story of arguably one of the greatest Hawaiian storytellers of all time.
know how long I’d get but he was having so much fun that we talked story for about three to four hours.”
The late Kindy Sproat, singer/storyteller, on his favorite front porch perch.
Big Island Glass Gallery Continued from page 21
laughing and singing about waterfalls jumping off the cliffs. I know they will resonate, instilling a sense of continuity and oneness. He also inspires newcomers to connect with the land and culture of a people who lived in harmony and balance with the land and each other, a template of how life can be.” Creating a bond between cultures and celebrating the human spirit drive the premise of the movie, but worked into the fabric of the film’s sub-themes is the focus on the unity of the Kohala ‘ohana and establishing a sustainable model for existence.
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“When a kupuna dies (it’s as if an) entire library is lost,” Nealy said, explaining that in his sunset years Sproat understood the significance of this legacy and agreed to let Nealy share his story in the form of a documentary. “He understood the wisdom he held and we are deeply honored to have his and his wife Cheri’s blessing to carry his story to the people of Hawai’i.” Since Sproat’s passing in December of 2008, Nealy has taken his documentary process to the community to gather what he refers to as Kohala’s mana. He is interviewing numerous kupuna, friends, musicians and those touched by Sproat’s life. He plans to interweave all the stories together to create a film that tells the story of a man and the impact he had locally and globally. “The way I work on this type of film is I let all the recorded material speak to me. I sit with it and listen… and it tells me what it wants to be… where it wants to go. I learned many years ago to trust the process and stay out of the way,” he said. As with his previous culturally sensitive films, Nealy is working with two friends, Kaniela “Danny” Akaka and Kumu Raylene Kawaiae’a. On “A Gift to the Heart,” the pair share their mana’o and making sure that everything in the film is pono. The documentary film, under the financial umbrella of the North Kohala Community Resource Center, is currently in the production stage. When completed, the film will be self-distributed to film festivals and will be shown on public television stations and cable channels. The film is being shot on a state-ofthe-art RED Digital Cinema camera that produces movies with the same look as 35 mm film at a third-less the cost.
Keith Nealy has worked extensively worldwide writing, directing and producing films, television and theatrical productions. His work includes projects for entertainers such as Tony Bennett, The Pointer Sisters, Ellen DeGeneres, the Boston Pops and many others. While the award-winning director/producer is proud of his international résumé, since moving to Hawai`i he has focused on seeking out projects that make a difference and his work onisland has been equally impressive. He has completed projects for diverse organizations including The Earl and Doris Bakken Foundation, Na Kalai wa’a Moku Hawai’i, the Makali`i Voyaging Project, North Hawai`i Community Hospital, Five Mountains Hawai`i, The Kohala Center and the Kokua ‘Ohana, among others. In addition to his widespread connections professionally, Nealy, a student of Hawaiian history, has numerous affiliations within the island community. His closest connection formed during filming was when he shaped a friendship with then captain of the Makali`i, Clayton “Cap” Bertelmann and his younger brother Shorty Bertelmann. The friendship has led to opportunities for Nealy to collaborate with respected community members such as Herb Kane, Chadd Paishon, Pomai Bertelmann and Ku Kahakalau on various culturally informative and educational projects.
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Aside from Nealy’s extensive resume of professional experience as a director, producer and cinematographer, it is his kind spirit, genuine interest and ability to make his interviewees feel at ease that has contributed to his success as a filmmaker. As an active member of the Mankind Project, an international organization dedicated to supporting men’s work and creating missions of service, Nealy lives and works by his personal mission: “to create a sustainable future with insight, courage and leadership, inspiring others by blending light, shadow with love.” Due to the economic hard times, many grants and sources of funding have diminished. If you are interested in giving a donation to “Kindy Sproat: A Gift to the Heart,” please visit www.keithnealy.com or www.northkohala.org/donate. v Email Hadley Catalano at hadleycatalano@hotmail.com. Photos courtesy of Keith Nealy
KE OLA | www.KeOlaMagazine.com | 23
A mule train on Moloka‘i, the late Kindy Sproat in the lead.
The Life
‘Lunar Halo’
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Oh play catch with the sun, Your feet to the fire, building on the run. Incandescence in the skies, Captured by attentive eyes.
B
ryan Lowry, watchful and calm, wedges his boots into warm fissures on the south slope of Pu’u ‘Ō ‘ō, the 800-foot cone of churning magma in the volcanic heart of Kilauea. Seven hours ago, he left his gear below and ascended the south slope, a steep wall of loose cinder, to hover near the hissing vent, shrouded in mists of sulphuric acid. A colorful display of liquid fire leaps into the sky, spattering crimson lava in fractal patterns that blaze against the blue, Big Island sky. Clinging to the basalt-rich lava stone below crater’s lip, the award-winning adventure photographer gazes at the bursting and blossoming of new earth, touches the air respirator around his neck and rechecks his camera settings. The shot he wants already has a name: “Fire and Ice.” He began his search 13 years before, when he stood on the
AS ART
Nature’s night sky produces some spectacular effects, such as this lunar halo, to complement the glowing lava.
snowy summit of Mauna Kea and spotted ruby tongues, lasers of fire, and sparks of gold leaping from the throat of Pu’u ‘Ō ‘ō. Sulfur clouds swerve and he’s in zero visibility, hugging the edge of the crater. Pungent vapors cloud the distant view of Hawai‘i’s regal queen, Mauna Kea. He knows the view is there, if the sky will just clear before the awesome sight of flying fire stops, or he wears out and has to try another day. He knows the shot. He’s has aimed at it with his mind’s eye a thousand times. It must, at some point, be revealed, like Moses’ burning bush, a fountain of fire rising from the sloshing pit of magma, illuminating the sky, with the ultimate photograph: a clear shot framing the effusive Pu’u ‘Ō ‘ō against the backdrop of the icy peak of the ancient mountain. Bryan knows the subtle movements of the entire flow area from Chain of Craters road in the park to its stunning entry into the sea at Kalapana. When the action is hot, he can hike the pitted ravines and rounded “toe” shapes of cooling pahoehoe of Volcanoes National Park in the billowy dark. He’s been known to stay awake for 65 hours, inside the craters and spillways of one of the world’s most active volcanoes, keeping his artistic vigil so close to the radiant fire his cheeks will “flashburn” in the unimaginable heat.
Stationed like a sentinel at the gates of Pele’s labor, he feels the thundering beneath his fingers, waiting for the once-ina-lifetime moment, to capture an other-worldly scene, never before seen.
“I’d always been into photography, but I didn’t get serious about it until I saw my first lava flow. Even though I moved here with nothing and knew no one, I went out to the volcano and hiked and I just knew. This is where I belong.”
Spectacular Beauty
He’s never had a guide, but he’s “spent a fortune on shoes,” wearing out four pairs of shoes every year for the last two decades, walking on the burning ground. “I need orthotics because one leg is shorter than the other. I can’t just go get new shoes,” he says. “They have to be melt-proof, rugged, and outfitted with costly lifts. “I need the exact same slippage on both feet, for safety.”
Extraordinary glimpses of Kilauea like “Fire and Ice,” captured in February of 2005, and the even more lyrical pieces like “Lunar Rainbow,” convey the wild, timeless spectical of our planet recreating itself, but they don’t come easily. To capture these images, Bryan has concentrated all his energies on being in, living with, absorbing, learning, and reading the subtle signals of the Pu’u ‘Ō ‘ō-Kupaianaha eruption of Kīlauea, which began in 1983. While geologists study the magmatic differentiation in olivine basalt flows and write papers on rock composition in the Uwekahuna laccolith, Bryan combs the crenellated crevices of ruby-fringed lava pouring from the volcano to Kalapana and the sea.
Lava Training Area
“Safety is always first,” he says as we walk the lava flats north of Kona Airport, one of his favorite “lava training areas.” The crunch of a’—sharp chips of lava— sounds beneath our feet. “I wouldn’t have taken you where I was the past two nights. My experiences aren’t typical out there,” he says, gazing at me with intense blue eyes. He points to frozen lava plains that rigidified more than 200 years ago after pouring from Hualalai, the calm brother of Kilauea, cozy in his two-century nap—for now. Kilauea, however, is wide awake and flexing her fertility.
Lava at First Sight
“I like hiking at night. I can find my way with only two feet of flashlight in front of me. Maybe it’s the Native American in me.” Lowry’s family stems from the Lumbee tribe in North Carolina, but he grew up in Michigan, where he picked up his first Kodak 110 Instamatic at the age of 10. Flashing his first photo, a Christmas tree, it was love at first sight. As he matured, he started traveling, got married, moved to California, split with his wife, and made his way to Hawai‘i in 1991. At the volcano, it was lava at first sight.
“I’ve hiked every inch of Kilauea before eruptions. I know eruptions. I’ve stashed food and water along the routes I walk.” He doesn’t always get his shot, because “microclimates” can come and go in a flash of muffled torches and subdued glows, shape-shifting his fiery mistress. My motto is, “Live to shoot another day,” he says. “You can’t get the photo if you’re dead. I hope to learn to paint so I can show some of the visions I’ve seen but couldn’t catch with a camera.” He now shoots digitally with a Nikon DSLR. “I don’t need to do a lot on my computer, maybe tune up and resize. When the shot is good, it doesn’t need it.”
Continued on page 27
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He points out relics of lava pits and tumulus mounds, saying, “The smell of lava relaxes me. As he walks he avoids the “shelly pahoehoe,” the brittle lava that flows with lots of gases. “It leaves pockets, and you walk over it, it’s like going through pie crust. If it breaks through, you can get cut. And don’t walk on stuff when it’s hot.”
Does he have a special connection to Pele? “Pele shows up in my pictures sometimes. People notice. I don’t. For some, the volcano is a spiritual experience,” he says. “For me it’s a geological spectacle. I view it as a living art museum and nature is the artist. I am just lucky enough to be able to capture some of its images with my camera.”
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Not in Michigan Any More
Making his way among the frigid lava “toes” at night requires high-intensity flashlights, special shoes and a cell phone with extra-long battery life to call his mother in Michigan. His mother? Michigan? “Yes, I trained her to read the updates on eruptions from the USGS. She gets the reports on the website, so when I’m out shooting at the crater in middle of the night, it’s daytime for her. She gives me details from geological readings of the eruptions so I can avoid too many risky situations and capture the best shots.” Still, his intuition and long experience in feeling the flow of nature serve him best. “I haven’t missed much since the Kupaianaha to Kalapana eruption,” he says.
Around 9:30 a.m., he gets up and stretches. Abruptly, the mist lifts, like a rising stage curtain, and in that moment a set of circumstances converge into a perfect scene. The largest mountaintop on Earth, the snow-capped summit of Mauna Kea, comes into view, standing guard over his little sister, Kilauea, with her Pu’u O’o conduit. He must get his shot. He aims. He calmly shoots off 16 pictures, testimony to the vision he has held in his mind for most of the 20 years he has offered his eyes in service to the volcano. He gets his shot. The moment is over. Yet the moment lives forever in his photograph. Start to finish: three minutes. Preparation: a lifetime. v
Through Art You Can Change a Life
“When I was born, I had two severe club feet,” says Bryan. His mother, Violet Lowry, was told, “He’ll never walk.” Dr. Corbett of the Easter Seals Society entered their lives and said, “I can fix it.” It took seven surgeries to turn his feet around and he had six surgeries on his hands in the first 12 years of his life. He wore braces similar to Forrest Gump, even to bed. So Lowry has developed a plan to give back to the program that brought him to his mastery. Without Easter Seals, he would not have been able to walk the thousands of miles it has taken him to know, develop and share his gift for giving eyes to the volcano. “I have now teamed up with Easter Seals of Hawai‘i and 20 percent of all my website print sale profits go to help disabled children in Hawai‘i. I myself am a product of Easter Seals. This island is far from any large population and any and all charity help is needed for disabled children.”
Fire and Ice
The day has come. Bryan rests in the radiant warmth of Kilauea and munches on a granola bar, waiting. Everything needs to be perfect—the flow, the fire, the spewing, the weather, the snow on Mauna Kea and the incandescent visual music rising into one sublime sonata. One moment there’s a shuddering waltz, the next a chaotic explosion, percussive shouts of a mother in labor, a steam engine spattering flames that bring a glow to the sharp lava needles beneath Bryan’s folded legs. The lighting changes by the second, as though a knob turned. Lowry shifts his camera settings in accord with the mood of the volcano.
Photo of a lifetime, Kilauea’s Pu‘u ‘O‘o vent erupting with snow-capped Mauna Kea in the background. “At night you can see the 30-40 foot flame of burning gases come out first and then the spatter,” says Bryan Lowry. “In the actual image you can see the clear flame.” Bryan Lowry’s prints can be purchased at www.lavapix.com or at these Big Island locations: Kona Mountain Coffee www.konamountaincoffee.com 73-4038 Hulikoa Drive Kailua Kona, HI 96740-2722 808.329.5005 Krazy About Kona www.krazyaboutkona.com 75-5744 Alii Dr Kailua Kona, HI 96740 808.329.4749 Trudy’s Island Arts www.artandgiftshawaii.com 74-5533 Luhia Street Kailua Kona, HI 96740-3643 808.329.7711
KE OLA | www.KeOlaMagazine.com | 27
Kona Mountain Coffee is also matching Bryan’s 10 percent donation of profits from retail-location sales to Easter Seals Hawai‘i, making 20 percent of every purchase of his artwork a donation to the empowering service.
“Fire and Ice”
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OF THE PEOPLE
I
The Life
t’s a party at the Parker School Farmers Market, and Waimea is at her blue-green, sunny Saturday best. Evangelista and Palafox are rocking and reggae-jamming near the entry gate, between Woody’s tomatoes and the Hamakua coffee stand. On the other side, two guys are deep-frying taro chips, serving up cups of ‘awa to the curious. In the center, polite dogs on leashes stare at kids playing life-sized chess, sniffing hopefully in the direction of Chef Tom’s sizzling breakfast grill. Stretched across the back is Kekela Farms’ display with at least three dozen different veggies; jewel-like roots and leafy greens; plus rich, glisten-y peppers begging to be picked for a still life.
But dominating the corner, with the longest line and most seductive of smells, is Sandwich Isle Bread Company, flagged with the tall smokestack of its Le Panyol oven on the little red trailer. Smiling and chatting, Kay Cabrera and coworker Karen Warthman happily tempt customers with bread crumbs, cookie crumbles, coconut muffins and cranberry orange scones. A pile of empty baskets on the side speaks to the success of the main event this morning: warm, crisp-crusted, tender-hearted, artisan bread. “Try it with some of our local Hula Cow butter,” Kay says, nodding at the inevitable mmmm’s. “Isn’t it? He’ll have more bread ready in about half an hour.” Behind them, “itinerant baker” Kevin Cabrera talks about hearth baking as he places perfectly-shaped loaves of pane pugliese (Italian peasant bread) onto a long-handled peel to slide into the igloo-shaped oven. Each loaf is hand-formed; the ingredients are high quality—organic whenever possible. Pane pugliese is one of up to 16 different varieties of artisan breads, foccacia, pizza rounds and other choices available on a given day.
“I mean, at the resorts, you would plate up 900 dinners for a banquet, with piles of dinner rolls and a display from the freezer,” says Cabrera. “It’s backwards. Faster and more is not necessarily better. That’s the American model for success. But I say keep it small, keep it local. Elevate the community with it.” Historically, bread has always been a community tradition, as wheat farmers from the surrounding areas would all take their grain to a central village mill to grind it into flour for bread. Millers were some of the earliest bankers, according to Cabrera. “It was all about trust.” As for ovens, the Egyptians may have invented them. Early bakers used earthenware “tandur” pots, placed mouth-down over a fire to keep heat around the dough as it cooked. Later Greek bakers thought to turn the tandur on its side, with a door Photo by Catherine Tarleton
Continued on page 30
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“The attraction to baking for me,” says Cabrera, “is when I have the peel in my hand and I’m pulling the bread out and it’s hothot-hot and making that sound and it smells real.” He pauses to check the temperature with a laser thermometer.
Continued from page 29 in the front. Cabrera’s Le Panyol oven is based on that 2,000-yearold technology.
Field, books about Swiss breads, German, French...I kept thinking, ‘I want to make bread that looks like that.’”
The dome shape provides very even heat, a critical factor in bread-baking. Developed in Provence in the 19th Century, the wood-fired oven is constructed of individual tapered refractory bricks made of “terre blanche” (white earth), still quarried from the original location at Larnage. The Cabreras ordered their oven kit from France, by way of Australia, and, with the help of Aphorism Engineering and friends, began welding up a heavy-duty trailer with custom turntable.
At the time they did a lot of work with highly detailed, decorative breads for special events. “Chef David taught me about using shapes that you see in the kitchen for your forms; we made swans from a gravy boat for example. I spent a lot of time in the carpentry shop with him, doing things like turning pears on a lathe. We called it ‘bakentry.’”
Some four months later they received stacks of pre-shaped, individual bricks, bags of “grog” for heat retention and “beton” to seal the joints. Many hands rallied to place bricks, tamp grog, smear slurry, set and let it “proof” for 30 days. Finally fired up with donated kiawe, Le Panyol produced bread for the angels. “The satisfaction was immense,” says Cabrera. “I wish I had figured out how to do what I wanted to do years ago.” Kevin and Kay Cabrera (Kay is a well-known pastry chef in her own right) live in Waikoloa Village. Originally from the West Coast, Kevin is the son of an Irish mom and Puerto Rican policeofficer dad, and grandson of a chef on the Matson Line, sailing between Hawai‘i and Oakland. In the ‘70s Kevin and Kay came to the Big Island, where they opened a little bakery called Kay’s Creations. “When we go to Hilo, people still ask for her liliko’i tart,” he says. Eventually, resort work drew them to the west side, where Kevin worked with creative chef David Brown at the (then) Hyatt. “He had all these books,” says Cabrera. The Italian Baker by Carol
During his successful career as baker chef, Cabrera continued to learn and expand his bread repertoire, attending the finals of the Coup de Monde (world cup of bread) at the Artisan Bakers Conference in Los Angeles, baking for statewide Chaine des Rotisseurs galas in Honolulu and teaching workshops through the University of Hawai‘i-Hilo. In May 2007, Cabrera first saw Le Panyol at the Breadmakers Guild of America “Camp Bread” and decided he wanted one of those babies for his own. He left resort pastry kitchens behind to follow his bliss, at the top of his game. “People told me they had been waiting for good bread to happen,” says Cabrera. “We got this amazing, amazing reaction from the public.” Today, they have a second, larger oven, a small staff and a six-day baking week that produces more than 400 loaves, all of which usually sell. Big Islanders and mainland visitors from Belgium, Denmark, France and England seek it out religiously. One faithful fan doesn’t even eat bread but loves to see a fresh loaf on the table. “Macrobiotic diet people are probably our most loyal customers,” said Cabrera. “And we have some vegans, some ‘locavores.’ They buy our pan au levain (a French sourdough) because the starter actually originates here; it’s like ‘Hawaiian yeast.’ Of course the wheat has to come from someplace else.” Cabrera would love to bring the bread community full circle. “I’m looking for somebody to grow some wheat for me and make some grain. Then we can have somebody mill it and I can take it to a school. Kids eat bread but have never seen where it comes from... It’s one thing to know myself, another thing to share.” In a down economy, the faithful think nothing of shelling out $20 or more for fresh bread on a Saturday morning. “People feel OK spending that amount of money for that item,” says Cabrera. “It’s impressive to me when people buy more than one loaf. But I always said, if the economy falls completely apart and we’re all broke and out of work, the bread line stops here.” v For more information, visit www.SandwichIsleBread.com, or follow your nose to find Sandwich Isle Bread at weekly Waimea farmers markets: Tuesdays, 2-5 p.m. Kekela Farmers Market on Mana Road Saturdays, 7-10 a.m. Parker School Farmers Market at the intersection of Mamalahoa Highway and Lindsey Road
Kay Cabrera (right) and coworker Karen Warthman happily tempt customers, while Kevin Cabrera answers queries by the curious at the rear. Photo by Catherine Tarleton
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, baking days at Tropical Dreams Ice Cream location, Lalamilo Farm Rd., Waimea (across from Watanabe Floral, Inc.)
PHOTO: James Cohn
Sandwich Isle Bread Company is also available for private pizza parties and bread baking seminars. Call 989.5655, or e-mail SandwichIsleBaker@Gmail.com
Susan J. Moss
Itinerant artisan-bread baker Kevin Cabrera tends his prized, Le Panyol iglooshaped oven, mounted on a trailer and built from a kit shipped from France. The wood-fired oven is constructed of refractory bricks made of “terre blanche” (white earth), still quarried from the original location at Larnage, in Provence, since the 19th Century. Photo by Jeff Beck
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A “next day” bread recipe from Chef Kay Cabrera, inspired by the flavors of Chef David Brown’s grilled cheese sandwich from the (former) Waikoloa Beach Grill menu.
Olive Bread Panzanella
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spread the cubed olive bread on a half-sheet pan and toss with half the olive oil. Bake until lightly browned, about 12 to 15 minutes, stirring once or twice. When the bread is toasted toss it immediately in a large bowl with the grated fontina cheese, stirring so the cheese melts to the bread. Add the capers, onion, tomatoes with their juice, olives and dill, tossing to blend. Whisk the vinegar and remaining ¼ cup olive oil together and pour over the salad, mixing to evenly coat the bread and vegetables. Season to taste with coarse sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes to an hour so the flavors blend. Makes 6-8 servings.
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6 cups leftover olive bread, cut in ½ inch cubes ½ cup good quality olive oil, divided 8 ounces grated fontina cheese 3 tablespoons drained capers 4 cups ½ inch dice fresh tomatoes with their juices ¾ cup thinly sliced sweet onion ½ cup pitted kalamata olives, coarsely chopped (optional) ¼ to ½ cup chopped fresh dill (to taste) ¼ cup balsamic vinegar sea salt and freshly ground pepper
OF THE LAND
The Life
Relaxed dining al fresco at Holuakoa on terraced, covered lanais.
H
andmade potato gnocchi…house-cured bacon…homemade fresh pasta lasagna…
Admit it—the above is not your normal restaurant fare. They can be had, however, in the heart of Holualoa village at Holuakoa Gardens Restaurant. The delicious, labor-intensive delicacies illustrate the restaurant’s philosophy toward food, which “combines pleasure with responsibility.” “We’re a Slow Food establishment, committed to a food system that is based on the principles of high quality and taste, environmental sustainability and social justice—in essence, a food system that is good, clean and fair,” reads the restaurant’s mission statement.
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True to the tenets of the Slow Food movement, owners Chef Wilson Read and partner Barb Gerrits don’t sutbscribe to fast food and fast life. They disdain the disappearance of local food traditions—such as making pasta and tortillas from scratch. As Slow Food proponents, the couple hopes to reverse people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat—where it comes from, how it tastes and how our food choices affect our community. And they’re doing it one entrée and soup at a time.
Fresh Food
Slow Food, which was founded as a non-profit in 1989, believes food that tastes good gives us pleasure. To get that fresh taste, it advocates for growing and using seasonal food that is harvested when perfectly ripe. In addition, locally suitable varieties of food should be used, rather than those that withstand long-distance transportation. Fewer food miles means less transport time and less packaging means less pollution. “We try to get our food from Holualoa sources and others as close as possible, but Holualoa first,” says Chef Read, who studied cooking at the French Culinary Institute in New York City. “We support our producers by offering a daily changing menu based on the food they can provide. And what we don’t use, we let our farmers sell at our Saturday farmers market.”
White carro
t soup
Those farms include Chez Marquis for figs, citrus, bananas and veggies; Holualoa Organic for arugula, tatsoi, mustards, rainbow carrots, turnips and heirloom tomatoes; Lehualani Farm for rainbow lettuces, Adaptations for organic produce and Kona Blue Sky for coffee.
Clean Food
According to Slow Foodies, what we eat should be produced with respect to the environment, animal welfare and our health. It’s also better to have knowledge and control over what we eat and how it’s produced. To practice these principals, Holuakoa uses pasture-raised beef from the Big Island. The grass-fed cattle range free for forage; they aren’t fattened up in feedlots and are free of antibiodics and hormones. Always on the dinner menu is grilled beef tenderloin, presented in a melt-in-your mouth Cabernet sauce and accompanied by red potatoes, crunchy purple wax beans, succulent cherry tomatoes and soft Boursin cheese. Only locally caught seafood is served. Chef Read, who spent some time as a young adult in Louisiana, doesn’t approve of the largescale, commercial shrimp industry and so shrimp isn’t on the menu. “We currently can’t get free-range chicken so we aren’t serving it, except in chicken salad,” says Gerrits. Eggs are farm-fresh from Holualoa. As part of the Holuakoa Pig Project 2010, the restaurant recently raised its own pigs at nearby Wai‘aha Farm, providing daily restaurant “slop” to feed the animals, along with spent grains from Kona Brewing Company. The pigs were harvested at the Big Isle’s Kulana Foods and are USDA approved. “This project enabled us to use all of the animal—nose to tail,” details Chef Read, who butchered the pigs and has been curing his own bacon and smoking hams. For example, the jowls were dried for guanciale, Italian bacon made by rubbing salt and peppers into the meat and letting it cure for a few weeks.
Chef smoked some of the pork shoulder for tasso ham, a Louisiana specialty that’s marinated and richly seasoned. It’s served as a “small plate” with organic red beans, house-cured bacon and freshly baked cornbread. Ever heard of confit? It’s a French culinary term used to describe meat cooked and preserved in its own fat. Find Chef’s own pork confit on the menu; it’s seared and accompanied with a savory white carrot puree, turnip greens, caramelized onion and red wine sauce.
Fair Food
Slow Food asserts that those who produce food should receive a fair wage and recognition for work. In addition, it’s everyone’s responsibility to protect the heritage of food by ensuring the survival of traditional, sustainable production methods and indigenous varieties. Otherwise, the belief is that the diversity of our food will be lost. To that end, Chef Read gets to know his food producers, visiting them and understanding their challenges. “Relationships are important, and I want growers to be appreciated,” says Chef Read. “We barter on pricing and keep things flexible so we both (restaurant and growers) can benefit from all our hard work.” Chef supports agricultural diversity and uses heirloom and unusual varieties of veggies. Also called heritage foods, heirlooms are nonhybrid, open-pollinated cultivars that were commonly grown before industrialized agriculture. A must-try at Holuakoa is the creamy white carrot soup with its hint of ginger; it’s beautifully topped with sautéd carrots, thyme and a drizzle of Tuscan olive oil. The couple concedes they must “ship in” food that’s locally unavailable: organic dried beans, lentils, peas, oils, some nuts and cheeses. Also brought in is a variety of organic flours, which Chef Read fashions into pastas and in-house baker Ryan Salerno, who trained at the New England Culinary Institute, uses for all the fresh baked bread, pizza dough, pastries and desserts, such as the fresh fruit cobbler— perfect with Holuakoa’s homemade ice cream. Spelt, an old-world grain with reduced gluten, is used to concoct large, griddle-made pancakes, served with fresh island fruit, whipped cream and pure maple syrup. Gluten-free breads are served on the weekends.
Named for its upstairs holua sled made by esteemed Hawaiian artisan Herb Kane, Holuakoa has cozy seating in little nooks and crannies around a garden and koi pond. The main dining area has a courtyard feel across from the coffeehouse. All seating is covered, but open air. The restaurant sells out on certain nights, maxing out at 60 for dinner. “We limit the amount of people we serve for dinner,” says Gerrits. “The Slow Food philosophy is to take pleasure in your food and the company you keep. We don’t rush people through here.” It’s easy to jump on the Slow Food bandwagon—the concept considers consumers to be “co-producers.” The idea is that by being informed about how our food is produced and actively supporting those who produce it, we become a partner in the production process. Ready to go for a ride? Holuakoa Garden Restaurant: brunch 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. TuesdayFriday and 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. weekends. Dinner is served 5:30-8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Full bar and wine list, local beers, organic ales and gluten-free beer. Reservations are recommended, 322.2233. Located on Mamalahoa Hwy. just north of the post office; parking also in rear. Holuakoa Café: 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. weekends. Serving specialty coffee drinks, fresh fruit smoothies, organic pastries and desserts, pre-made sandwiches, dips, salads and breads, plus fresh eggs and produce. Seating inside and out, carryout service. v Holuakoa Farmers Market: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays Photos by Fern Gavelek Email Fern Gavelek at ferng@hawaii.rr.com. Proponents of the Slow Food movement, owners Chef Wilson Read and partner Barb Gerrits.
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Holuakoa culinary facts: Chef makes all his stocks from baked bones. He considers his demi-glaze or brown sauce to be one of his finest accomplishments. He’s proud of his homemade pasta and potato gnochi—it takes an hour just to make the pasta part of the tasty
dumpling. Using self-described, classic French cooking techniques, Chef says he cooks “a la minute” (to order) and makes food in small amounts. “It’s creative cooking,” he muses.
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The Life AT HOME
O
f the fastest growing and reusable materials, bamboo is becoming a viable building material to be utilized in a tropical environment.
Ed Smay and Ralph Brydges are proud owners of a beautiful bamboo home located in Orchidland in the Puna District. Their home exudes a real natural touch and affinity for the ‘aina. “When Ralph was searching online for alternative types of structures, he discovered bamboo homes and Bamboo Living in Maui,” says Ed. “We initially visited Maui to see some of the model homes and were impressed with the quality and look of these tropically-inspired homes and knew that this is what we wanted.” Every detail of the two main pavilions, the covered bridge connecting the pavilions, the large centerpiece kitchen and counter, and every fixture were carefully chosen to create this cohesive look. A unique and well-appointed outdoor shower pavilion located next to the master suite is another design feature with pebbled floors and curtains to provide total, open-air privacy. “We planned this home for a very long time and we love it,” says Ed. “We are completely off-grid, we use solar panels and batteries, and we are starting to plant fruit trees and getting a vegetable garden going,” he says, proud of their sustainable lifestyle.
Continued on page 36
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David Sands is one of those passionate individuals who advocates and evangelizes the use of bamboo for constructing bamboo homes, especially here in Hawai‘i. “Bamboo use in homes All the structural posts, inside is starting to become more and outside wall materials, noticed and is a fantastic green roof trusses, even the interior alternative to conventionally ceiling thatch, to the finish built homes, especially on the materials like bamboo doors, Big Island,” says Sands, the chief cabinetry and flooring can be architect of Bamboo Living, a made of bamboo. sustainable green builder and manufacturer based in Maui. The company has been designing and building panelized homes made of renewable bamboo for the past15 years.
Getting bamboo approved as a building material has been a very intensive and lengthy process in the United States. “It was a 10-year commitment and a labor of Love,” Sands says. His company spent more than $500,000 just for testing and to get just one species of bamboo accepted into the UCC Building Code.
A desire for an alternative home and sustainable lifestyle inspired Ralph Brydges (left) and Ed Smay to build this all-bamboo home in Orchidland in Puna.
Continued from page 35
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The bamboo home manufacturer first constructs the homes in Vietnam, then disassembles it into panels and ships to the buyer’s home site. The major parts of the construction and finish materials are made completely of bamboo, which is the structural bamboo, bambusa stenostachya, a building material approved in Hawai‘i. Since the homes are mostly pre-built into panels in Vietnam, the rebuilding process is relatively quick, with the exception of the foundation set-up and the finishing details. With an experienced crew, reassembly of the shell using a crane can be done in an average of two to seven days or less depending on the size and square footage of each home. The rest of the detailed electric, plumbing and finish work takes a standard building timeframe to complete. The cost of building these homes and shipping them onsite would be comparable to a custom-made home here in Hawai‘i, just a little bit higher in cost per square foot than a standard HPM or other kit home, Sands states. “But for this cost, you get a unique and quality built home with the knowledge that each structure has been built with the latest of new, green living standards and sustainable lifestyle.” To date, more than 100 of these bamboo homes have been completed and shipped to their various locations within Hawai‘i. Of those homes, 15 have been built and located on Hawai‘i Island. One of Sands’ long-term goals is to see bamboo grown here in Hawai‘i for use in building homes. The Hawai‘i Bamboo Society is also advocating using local bamboo as a building material. “We’re trying to get various bamboo species approved for building homes here in Hawai‘i” says Donna Manion, vice president of the Hawai‘i Bamboo
Society. “The process is very time consuming and slow, it is very expensive to set up and it takes a lot of dedication. We are a very determined organization, and we want to make locally-grown bamboo available for use as an approved building material.” Even though the process has been slow and difficult, she says they are effectively working through all the red tape and making progress in getting those certifications. A very active organization on Hawai‘i Island, Hawai‘i Bamboo Society members are growing a variety of bamboo that will be suitable for use in furniture and home building. Now their main emphasis is on education and outreach, and also working with the regulatory agencies to get some viable species of bamboo approved through the UCC. “Once some of the bamboo species are approved,” says Manion, “our members can then market bamboo as a viable green, alternative building material. This will hopefully spur a new green industry in Hawai‘i and even export this back to the Mainland.” To learn more about the Hawai‘i Bamboo Society, visit its web site at www.americanbamboo.org. The Society will be having a special event this September 12th from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 pm at Papaiko Hongwanji. The event will showcase exhibits, demos, vendors, plant sales, recipe contests, arts and crafts and more. Free admission to help celebrate all things bamboo! v Email Noel Morata at emorata@yahoo.com. Visit his blog, “A SariSari Life – Hawaiian Style” at noelmorata.blogspot.com.
Surround shower in the Smay/Brydges home.
KE OLA | www.KeOlaMagazine.com | 37
Beautiful vaulted ceilings, exposed bamboo rafters and many other finish details radiate a natural and inviting warmth and feel inside the home.
IN BUSINESS
T H E
L I F E
B U S I N E S S
The Life
Reflections on doing business on Hawai‘i Island
Is it Your Business or Your Life?
Big Island Business Owners Find the Critical Balance
W
By Grif Frost, Business Consultant
hile a member of the faculty at the University of Hawai‘i Hilo College of Business and Economics I worked with my students to identify the key factors in creating a business lifestyle model that enhances the owner’s own quality of life. We determined the key factors for a high lifestyle quality for a business owner are the balance between personal health, ‘ohana harmony and business. We also found that the business owners with the highest quality of life prioritized their lives by focusing first on personal health, because without health we can’t do anything; next on harmony in their ‘ohana, because without family harmony it is tough to focus on business; and, only lastly, on the business itself. As owner of a number of different businesses myself, I learned early on that some of these businesses enhanced my quality of life, and many of them actually lowered what I now call my “LQ.” Since that time I’ve helped other business owners find balance in their business and personal lives and I want to share some of their success stories with you. Here are two stories, one from East Hawai‘i and one from West Hawai‘i.
No More 12-Hour Days
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I N
Scott Fleming, a leading architect in Hawai‘i and owner of the Hilo-based architectural firm, Fleming & Associates, is a good example of using these principles. He says he learned early in his career that finding a balance between business and personal life is dependent on establishing personal and professional priorities and time management.
Scott Fleming (39) is the owner of the architectural firm Fleming & Associates, whose current projects include South Kona Police Station, the Thirty Meter Telescope Headquarters Facility and the Bay Clinic Ka‘u Family Health Center. (www.fleminghawaii.com) He saved time for this moment with daughter Lillian at Mauna Kea Beach.
“While working as an architect-in-training during college and immediately thereafter,” he says, “I was quick to notice that every single one of my employers was either divorced, obese, a workaholic, or a combination of all three. Long hours and weekends spent at the office were expected and encouraged, but it was obvious that the level of production was not necessarily proportionate to the time investment. When people are expected to work 12-hour days, one can only really expect that they will deliver eight hours or less of meaningful and thoughtful work. It’s better to invest yourself to an eighthour day and maximize your efficiency and productive output by being fully committed to your work activities.” For his own business, he said, “I do not expect, or even want, my staff to work overtime or on the weekends because morale, productivity and quality ultimately suffer in the end.” A lucky few work simply because they enjoy doing what they do, Fleming says. “The great majority of us work because we need to purchase items required for the happiness and sustainability of our ‘ohana and for the ongoing attainment and fulfillment of how and where we choose to live our lives.” Because we work for the good of our families, he noted, it doesn’t make sense to disappear into work and never spend time with your family. “And as we spend every day investing significant affection, time and money into our families and businesses, it doesn’t make sense to jeopardize them by ignoring our own personal health.”
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“Rarely do I work more than an eight-hour day or on the weekends. This doesn’t mean that I’m not thinking about some element of work after hours but it does give my body time to rest and recharge and have fun with the kids.” Fleming is dad to four girls: Hannah, Anastasia, Lillian and Katherine. He also finds time for reading, landscaping and practicing his hobbies of oil painting and photography. “Another way that I have helped improve my business-life balance is by surrounding myself with experienced, proactive and positive creative thinkers that love doing what they do, not only because they have to, but because they also want to,” he says.
What Makes Me Happy Makes My Business Happy In West Hawai‘i, Bob Brown, a professional photographer who owns Eye Expression Photography, told me: “Early on in my business, my biggest challenge was that the business was becoming all-consuming. I found that, even when I was not working, I was working. My personal health suffered and I wasn’t really ‘there’ for my family even when I was physically present.”
Marathoner Bob Brown (35) owns Eye Expression Photography based in Kailua-Kona. Specialties include family and visitors’ photographic records of “Life’s Special Moments.” (www.eyeexpression.com) He also enjoys spending time with his wife Naomi and children Casey and Calvin, while working in a movie or game of golf, too.
Practically, as he learned personal boundaries and to honor his family, he decided to move his office out of the house and into their ‘ohana. “This allowed me to develop the habit of really leaving the office at 5 p.m. and not going back. Since I usually work weekends on photo shoots when most people spend time with their families, I cut my work schedule to four days per week so I could have three days to spend fulltime with my family.” Brown also realized that his health was suffering and just decided one day that he was going to do a triathlon. “It helped so much to relieve stress and, although it took time out of my work day, I found that my work day became more efficient and more pleasurable. I had more energy for photo shoots, was more focused and was getting more done.”
Keys to Life Quality in Business 1. Focus first on personal health, because without health we can’t do anything. 2. Focus next on family harmony, because without that it is tough to focus on business. 3. Focus on the business itself.
more efficient.”
Grif Frost helps Big Island business owners “LQ” their Businesses (www.LQBusiness.com).
KE OLA | www.KeOlaMagazine.com | 39
Brown said his breakthrough in finding better balance in his business life came when he realized that the business was a means to an end—to provide for himself and his family, and that he works to support his family and not to define himself.
After applying these principles, Brown reports, “I did not realize that I was unhappy when the business was all consuming, but as the business has taken less of a priority, I am finding what it means to be really happy, what is really important— that my health and family have to have a priority in my life and in doing so it makes my business more pleasurable and
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The Life AT HOME
I
t’s been said that the amount of sunlight that hits the Earth’s surface in one hour is enough to power the entire world for a year. Given that within the next 25 years our world’s energy demands are expected to more than double, it’s about time we started looking up and take advantage of this boundless energy from the sun.
Current technology allows us to effectively harness this renewable energy resource, and local suppliers are saying Hawai‘i is in a boom cycle for PV installations. Photovoltaics is the direct conversion of light into electricity. Common semi-conductor materials such as silicon are used in solar panels to absorb photons of light and release electrons. These electrons are then directed into a current to supply electricity. An inverter converts the direct current into alternating current, which becomes compatible with our household needs. Panels are combined in arrays that are sized according to our energy demands. There are three basic types of photovoltaic (PV) electrical systems on the market today.
2) Battery-based, grid-tie systems are connected to the utility grid so they can use utility electricity when needed and send back unused surplus of generated electricity to the grid. Battery storage becomes a backup system in case of a blackout, although this is not possible for an extended length of time. 3) Battery-less grid-tie systems are the simplest of all renewable systems, having only the energy generation technology and an inverter connected to the utility grid. Without batteries, there is no backup system in case the grid goes down. The primary advantage of off-grid systems is complete energy independence. They are not affected by frequent utility company rate increases, blackouts or brownouts. Off-grid systems require energy conservation measures, as every decision that increases your energy demand must be carefully considered. System maintenance, such as battery replacement, tree trimming
and troubleshooting skills are often necessary responsibilities. If surplus energy is generated, it is wasted. This is not the case with a grid-tied system that feeds it back to the utility. The primary advantage of a grid-tied system is the lower upfront cost, as panels can be added incrementally as finances allow. This is referred to as “scalability.” A major disadvantage is that there is less incentive to conserve, even if the appeal of never receiving a utility bill remains quite tempting. Michael Longo of Onomea, who recently installed a grid-tied PV system, says, “Our electric bill has been zeroed out and we even produce a surplus of energy without compromising our everyday usage. This has proven to be a terrific investment, not only financially, but also for our environment.” How much will a PV system cost? Well, that depends on several variables. Your electrical “appetite” includes the appliances you use and your usage habits. First, it is advisable to lower your overall demand by installing a solar hot water system, Energy Star appliances, propane fixtures, compact fluorescent and LED lighting. A general cost guideline for most systems is about $5.50/watt or $20,000-$30,000 for the average home. A solar professional will assist you in calculating your actual KWh demand. Despite the high entry cost, the popularity of photovoltaic systems continues to grow as financial incentives in the form of State and Federal Tax Credits become more enticing. They are currently at 35 and 30 percent, respectively. In general, the return on investment for a complete PV system is around 14 percent with a 7-9 year payback and a 25-30 year useful life. If you consider where utility rates will more than likely be in the next 10-20 years, the real financial return on investment for the life of the system becomes much more attractive. PV modules are a commodity and pricing will fluctuate based upon worldwide supply and demand. Right now the industry is experiencing a real “boom-bust” cycle according to local solar expert Louis Valenta of Inter-Island Solar Supply. In his 33 years
Continued on page 42
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1) Stand-alone, off-grid systems are completely independent of the utility grid, and must have batteries to provide energy storage during times of low input or high usage. A backup generator can be utilized if the available sunlight is inadequate.
Solarman puts the finishing touches on the photovoltaic system installation for Michael Longo and Rob Nunally, who chose a grid-tied photovoltaic system for their home in Onomea.
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The larger the system, the more roof area you will need. John Adams, who owns Kohala Pacific Realty in Hawi, made the decision to invest in a sizable grid-tie PV system on his building to lower his utility bill. Panels can be added on at any time, if finances necessitate a phased approach.
in the industry, he says he has never seen anything like this, and large commercial installations impact the availability of panels for residential customers. “The market really needs to stabilize to provide customers with locked-in pricing beyond 30 days and more predictable lead times when ordering.” Valenta advises anyone considering a PV system to plan well in advance and allow sufficient time for proper delivery of all necessary components. As innovations in the technology continue to improve, the price for most components will invariably come down. It is safe to say there is no such optimism for the future price of fossil fuels, which directly impact our utility rates.
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Hawai‘i receives great “peak sun hours.” To be cost-effective, you must have unobstructed and unshaded, solar access at your
site from the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. year round. South facing orientation is ideal for the highest efficiency, whether the system is mounted on the roof or on the ground. Sufficient space for a roof mount must be considered, along with the appropriate roof angle (pitch). For flat panel systems, monocrystalline PV cell panels are the best-quality modules available on the market today. Thin film solutions are gaining in popularity and are the fastest growing segment of the technology. There is no shortage of dealers, distributors and installers of PV systems today, as the technology has gained mainstream acceptance. Be sure that the person designing and installing your PV system has the expertise to make it efficient, safe, and reliable. Don’t be swayed by the lowest price, as experience will pay off in the long run. As noted by Paul Moore of Solarman, with over 22 years experience in the photovoltaic industry, “We are certainly seeing more and more PV installers coming in every year, which can be a benefit to the customer if the proposed products are equivalent in quality and performance. Healthy competition may drive down the pricing, but you don’t want to cut any corners.” This is not a project for the do-it-yourselfers, no matter how tempting it is to save a few dollars. Inquire about product warranties from any manufacturer or supplier, as well as ongoing technical support and advice, client references, appropriate PV experience and proper licensing for the solar professional. Yes, clean and green technology is all the rage, but do your homework, count the cost, and carefully weigh the anticipated benefits. The sun will continue to shine down on us, no matter how long it takes to get our attention. v
OF THE LAND
John Cavarly of Onomea has achieved increased production and improved fertility on his organic farm with natural methods.
The Life
from Master Han Kyu Cho, founder of the Cho Global Natural Farming Institute. This Korean organization has trained many large-scale farming communities and is now expanding into other countries.
A
The main goal of natural farming is to create fertile soil by developing an enriched growing environment that supports indigenous micro-organisms (IMO’s) and worms. These live components are the keys to increasing soil fertility, nutrient development and natural tilling of the soil. The farmer creates a welcoming environment for the organisms by creating natural nutrients for fertiliza-
Beyond Organic: Natural Farming
new trend—natural farming—is being embraced by backyard gardeners and farmers here on Hawai‘i Island. These methods have been shown to enhance growing organically, focusing on long-term sustainability and using local, raw products and indigenous, green materials to provide bountiful, organic crops. One of the early adopters of natural farming is Onomea Organics, John Cavarly’s farm in Onomea. “I have recently embraced natural farming along with my organic farming and this has produced amazing results in a very short timeframe,” Cavarly says. He has been an organic farmer for more than 30 years and just recently started the natural farming process at his farm, which currently produces a variety of dry land taro, cassava, bananas, papaya and white pineapples. Even though John has been growing plants organically, he has already seen a marked improvement to his operations, productivity and, most important, the fertility of his soil.
A new non-profit group called Cho Global Natural Farming USA has been established in Hawai‘i to spread the knowledge of natural farming techniques. It is planning extensive farming seminars on all the islands. An initial program sponsored by Hawai‘i County and various local organizations attracted more than 300 participants from all over the Hawaiian Islands. This gathering learned new, innovative natural farming methods
tion and natural pesticide control. Master Cho showed different approaches to natural farming that replace expensive fertilizers, pesticides, equipment and labor,. He explained how using natural farming techniques and materials actually reduced costs, increased production and created enriched and healthy environments for the soil, along with spiritually connecting farmers back to their environments. One illustration cited was excessive manipulation of the soil through tilling, which he countered was actually detrimental to the soil’s environment. Apparently, heavy tilling destroys the majority of healthy micro-organisms that are prevalent just below the surface of the soil. Instead of heavy tilling, the farmers were told to make shallow holes to sow or transplant their seedlings. Instead of excessive weeding and efforts to eradicate weeds, the growers were advised to just cut down most of the weeds and use them as a preventative layer. An initial “mulch crop,” such as corn, can be used as mulch, weed prevention cover and nutrient development for the soil. Natural farming concepts are often the exact opposite of what is generally accepted today. In fact, there were many conventional farming concepts that were challenged during this seminar. Overall, a majority of the farmers participating took away new ideas that they may take with them to the fields, even though many will likely find it will take time to incorporate all of this new thinking into their practices. On Cavarly’s farm, six flats of poha berries and parsley were started with indigenous micro organisms as an initial test batch and, within two weeks, John says excitedly, “I noticed incredible growth and solid root systems—at a much faster growth rate than normal. I also did a test batch of beans in a trenched area of extremely poor soil, with no nutrients and worms,” he added. “After treating the soil with IMOs, the beans were growing like crazy in a very short time—starting flowers and developing pods.” After digging into the soil, John noted a huge difference
Continued on page 44
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Natural farming uses farming techniques before western and conventional farming methods became the de-facto standard. In simple terms, farmers use only what nature provides to farm their properties. They gather indigenous, local and other raw materials to create nutrients to fertilize their crops. This might include crushed egg shells, cow bones or even green materials like bamboo leaves, mugwort, dropwort or pig weed (also known as portacula). They use natural nutrients to control pests and to enrich their soils without excessive manipulation of the land. This “return to nature” farming is paying off with more bountiful crops, decreasing farming expenses and an increasing awareness of stewarding farms in a better way.
By Noel Morata
Continued from page 43 in the soil culture with worms popping up everywhere. He also mentioned that the new convergence of worms resulted in better nutrient development, including calcium deposits which are a major requirement for the soil. This has been a major cost savings for him in both minimizing his reliance on organic fertilizers and in reducing the need for pesticides. Taro patches throughout Hawai‘i Island have been affected with the Dacheens Mosaic virus, which creates malformations in taro leaves and decreases overall production. “After treating my taro beds with IMO,” Cavarly says, “the virus has been eliminated from my taro patch and my plants are all very healthy and green.” He also planted a patch of taro before a severe drought hit this side of the island and, pointing to the plants, adds, “Those taro are looking very healthy even though they received no rainfall for over a month’s timeframe.” John has been further experimenting to see what additional effects might be gained through various methodologies. He is constantly creating new beds with different complementary plants, experimenting with bio-char (charcoal) applications on various beds, and experimenting with different solutions and improvements. This is only one farm that has initially started the natural farming process to treat extremely poor soil conditions that had no worm cultures and suffered various viruses on plants. Within a short growing cycle, positive results included more fertile soil, eradication of viruses and pests and increased plant growth and productivity.
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Other natural farming concepts utilized include minimizing excessive weeding and efforts to eradicate weeds; growing an initial cover crop like corn, which is used primarily for mulch, a weed prevention cover and nutrient development for the soil. Another concept is shallow digging for starts and seed cultivation. Digging shallow creates a tougher environment for the plant and doesn’t disturb the soil’s composition and natural elements at the surface of the soil. A monthly group forum has also been started to meet and share more information about natural farming techniques being used locally. v For more information: www.localgarden.us/
Save 25-60%!
Hawai‘i Island Farmers Markets East
North Saturday: North Kohala. Across from Hawi Post Office, under the banyan tree. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday: Waimea Hawaiian Homestead Farmers Market. Hwy. 19, two miles east of Waimea town. 7 a.m.noon. First Saturdays celebration with additional vendors, program. Saturday: Honoka‘a Farmers Market. Honoka‘a town near Honoka‘a Trading Co. 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Friday: Kekela Farms Organic Farmers Market. 64-604 Mana Road, Waimea. Tues.: stone-oven breads 2-5 p.m.
Sunday: Laupahoehoe Farmers Market. Next to the MinitMart on Hwy. 19. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday: Kino‘ole Farmers Market. Kino‘ole Shopping Plaza, 1990 Kino‘ole St., Hilo, 7 a.m.-noon Saturday: S.P.A.C.E. Farmers Market. S.P.A.C.E. Performing Arts Center, 12-247 West Pohakupele Loop, Pahoa. 8 a.m.-noon. Saturday: Hilo Coffee Mill Market, Hwy. 11, Mountain View. All local produce; plus hot breakfast. 7 a.m.-noon. Saturday, Wednesday: Hilo Farmers Market, Corner of Mamo and Kamehameha Ave., downtown Hilo. 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sunday: Pahoa Farmers Market. Luquin’s/Akebono Theater parking lot. 6 a.m.–3 p.m. Sunday: Maku‘u Farmers Market. Kea‘au-Pahoa bypass road. 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
South Sunday: Volcano Farmers Market. Cooper Center, Wright Road., Volcano Village. 6:30–10 a.m. Saturday, Wednesday: Ka‘u Farmers Market. Ace Hardware lawn, Na‘alehu. 8 a.m.-noon
West Saturday: Keauhou Farmers Market. All local farm products. Keauhou Shopping Center, Keauhou. 8 a.m.-noon Saturday: Holuakoa Farmers Market, Hwy. 180, Holualoa,
north of post office, 9 a.m.-noon Saturday: Waikoloa Village Farmers Market. Waikoloa Community Church across from Waikoloa Elementary School. 7:15 a.m. Sunday: South Kona Green Market. Locally-grown produce, food and live music. Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, Captain Cook (Across from Manago Hotel). 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Phone 328-8797 or visit www.skgm.org. Wednesday: Keauhou Wednesday Market. All locally grown or made. Lawn at Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort. 8 a.m.-noon Wednesday-Sunday: Kailua Village Farmers Market. Corner of Ali‘i Drive and Hualalai Rd. 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
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The Life IN MUSIC
T
ake three pedigreed and talented musicians with mutual respect for one another. Add patience, perseverance, family, community, faith and friends. Combine together in a laid-back home environment utilizing a strong work ethic. Stay focused while bringing and sharing joy through music. Remember the past fondly while living Aloha and looking towards the future. Throw in a dash of good-natured humor. The Result? Mili Nanea, a unique, Hilo-based musical group whose music and spirit are far-reaching. On a sunny Hilo morning, I am greeted by Christy Lassiter, one-third of Mili Nanea, at her family’s homestead. A picturesque setting on Hilo Bay, where the band is finishing recording their new CD, it looks and feels like the perfect, peaceful place to create. Interestingly, this beautiful home was also used as a kama’aina house of hospitality during World War II, no doubt due to its unintentional strategic placement. Christy is tall and elegant, with a regal yet unpretentious air and undeniable social etiquette, as she gives me an unhurried tour of the music room, pointing out the grand piano.
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“This is where my grandparents lived and I spent much time growing up. My grandmother often hosted parties here and I was expected and encouraged to participate. When the music started playing, I would crawl under the piano and hug its legs, feeling the vibrations and soaking up the resonance. It was a warm, good feeling. My sister was my first musical partner and we would play ‘ukulele and sing together” She leads me out onto the lanai, overlooking a large backyard (and only slightly larger Pacific Ocean) where the other members, Darrell Aquino and Randy Lorenzo, have taken a break during the recording of their debut CD. It is clear that they enjoy each other’s company and are a firm yet respectful ‘ohana; they smile and laugh easily at each other’s stories and they know that when it’s time to work, nobody gets to slack off. “I rule them with a velvet glove and cast iron fist,” quips Darrell Aquino, the group’s Hoku-award-winning musical director, with a slight glint in his eye. “Actually, they both do,” Christy says, acknowledging both Darrell and Randy Lorenzo, the Grammy and Hoku-award-winning songwriter-bassist/guitarist who is the shy, quiet one in the band.
Mili Nanea—left to right: Darrell Aquino, Christy Lassiter and Randy Lorenzo. “Along with surfing at Sandy Beach, I loved listening to and playing soul music. I had a band in the ‘70s called “Soul Five-O”. We played Sam and Dave, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, all that kine stuff,” says Randy in a lilting, local accent. “Through hanging out in this scene I knew who Darrell was, but we were both busy working in different bands, so we didn’t know each other personally”. Aside from his own prodigious musical activities with Mili Nanea and Sugah Daddy, Darrell, a proud father, donates his time to after-school band projects in Kea’au for students in grades four to seven. He strongly believes there’s a need to help all children develop their talents and provide opportunities for them to share their accomplishments. “Kids today need to be able to express themselves musically, rather than just sitting around watching TV or playing games. It brings me great pleasure to see the joy on their faces after realizing they are capable of achieving musical success.”
Hilo Bound
“Just because I am a woman, they cut me no slack nor do I expect that. In fact, working with them makes me push myself harder to step up to the plate and swing”.
“I was playing music on Oahu and traveling back and forth to Hilo to play as well, when I got a call to put together a band to play at Hilo International Airport for arriving and departing passengers. I knew Randy would be great to have in the band and we started playing and really enjoying it,” says Darrell.
Blessed with award-winning songwriting skills, Randy has worked with Gabby Pahinui, Peter Moon Band, Country Comfort, Charles Brotman, Chaka Khan and Ry Cooder, among others. Growing up on O‘ahu in Waimanalo, the youngest of ten children decided music was a sensible way to express himself.
Christy came into the picture after having worked hard several nights a week at a Hilo establishment, where she played Hawaiian music on the ‘ukulele and sang popular songs. These nights weren’t always pleasant or rewarding but it did instill a strong work ethic and allowed her to hone both her musical and
stage skills. “I was working for an hourly wage and learning to be a good communicator while developing a rapport with the audience,” says the former Miss Aloha Hawai‘i and UH Hilo grad. “It was a blessing when I got the call to work with Randy and Darrell.” During performances at Hilo Airport, they realized that they were not only making sweet music, but they were touching people profoundly and intuiting the visitors’ musical subconscious. Proof is in their guestbook: “You are all sparkling gifts to me, a memory that both touches and blesses my heart beyond words. Thank-you for sharing your precious gifts with me... how much I needed this beauty, this life, this love overflowing. With your music, with enthusiasm, with humor and open hearts you invite us to a piece of pure Heaven on Earth. May God bless you in all your giving.”
Sunshine on the Horizon...
Like many good things, due to a tanking economy, decreased tourism and state budget cuts, Mili Nanea soon found themselves grounded. “We thought, ‘Ok, that’s pau, so what should we do now?’” says Darrell. “We all realized that we enjoy working with each other and believe in giving back, especially to kids, since they are the future. Christy’s family has a beautiful homestead at Kainaliu Beach near Kona and we thought it would make an ideal location for a Hawaiian Music Camp where everybody can learn both traditional and contemporary music.” At this camp, students can learn guitar, ukulele, bass guitar, and hula and they will also camp under the stars and receive a totally
rustic, true Hawaiian experience. (Note: The next camp will take place August 3-7, 2010; see resources below.)
Looking Forward—Imua
With the release of their debut, self-titled CD (July 2010), Mili Nanea will continue bringing their music to many fans, both here in Hawai’i and around the world. Their Hawaiian Music Camp will help insure that Hawaiian music is being perpetuated through three very capable and enthusiastic individuals. Their live performances validate their understanding and expression of Aloha, through their engaging and joyous presentation. When it was time to say goodbye, with the late afternoon Hilo sun gleaming over the water, I turned and asked Christy, “What exactly does Mili Nanea mean?” Without hesitation, she stood and gracefully began a hula, with a beaming smile and fluttering, lovely hand movements. I knew at this point that sometimes words are not necessary; it’s the Aloha that matters. v
Upcoming Mili Nanea Events:
Twilight at Kalahuipua’a at the Mauna Lani Resort July 24 Hawaiian Music Camp August 3-7, 2010 hawaiianmusiccamp.com To Contact Mili Nanea: 808.935.4021 hawaiianmusiccamp@gmail.com
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July~August 2010 H A P P E N I N G S
Note that information on events is gathered from various sources and Ke Ola is not able to reconfirm all details. In addition, this publication goes to press several months prior to event dates and details may change. Please use the contact information listed to get updated details.
July
Sunday-Monday, July 4 – 5 Anuenue Freedom Festival Pahoa A 10-day event (June 29-July 11) celebrates the “independent spirit” of Puna. Samadhi in the banyans, Kalani Honua
Great Waikoloa Rubber Ducky Race & 4th of July Extravaganza Waikoloa Beach Resort An all-day fundraiser for United Cerebral Palsy of Hawai‘i, the family fun features a wild and wacky rubber ducky race, live entertainment and lots of exciting activities, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display over Kings’ Lake. 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. 808.886-8811 or visit www.waikoloabeachresort.com. Independence Day Celebration Kailua-Kona Enjoy live music, games, children’s activities and the traditional parade (5:30 p.m.) along Ali‘i Drive with the Hawai‘i County Band, floats, antique cars and more plus a fireworks display over Kailua Bay (8:30 p.m.). 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Coconut Grove Shopping Center. Visit www.konaparades.com.
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Sunday, July 4 Annual Parker Ranch Rodeo Waimea This award-winning, Independence Day weekend tradition includes actionpacked rodeo events, keiki activities and delicious food. Paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys) vie 9 a.m.-noon at the Parker Ranch Arena in Waimea. 808.885.5669 or visit www.parkerranch.com.
Sunday, July 4 Turtle Independence Day Kohala Coast Held purposefully on July 4th, this event educates attendees about endangered Hawaiian green sea turtles. Watch as the young honu (turtles), which have grown up in the ponds at the Mauna Lani Resort, are given their freedom as they are released back into the ocean. 808.885-6622.
July 7 – July 27 Hawai‘i Performing Arts Festival Island-Wide Annual series includes two dozen mostly free concerts featuring talented students with renowned artists in a variety of venues and settings. Includes opera, classical, chamber, baroque, vocal, cabaret, theatrical and instrumental performances such as piano, woodwinds and strings. 303.221.0399 or visit www.hawaiiperformingartsfestival.org.
Saturday, July 3
Saturday, July 3
work, learn, grow and share. Bring food from your ‘aina or kai to contribute. Lihikai Hawaiian Cultural Learning Center in Keaukaha, Hilo. More information at www.hoeaea.com or email Prana Mandoe, prana@hawaiiantel.net. Sponsored by He Ola Hou O Ke Kumu Niu, ‘Ike A‘o, Queen Lili‘uokalani Children’s Center.
Friday, July 9 “Festival Freedom Day,” July 4, begins with sunrise yoga followed by Kalani’s popular 10:30 a.m. “Sun Dance.” Afternoon features art/eco trek, wellness samplings, pool party with two DJs plus live Musasa Marimba Ensemble. The evening will showcase “ExtrABBAganza” by the Puna Men’s Chorus, plus fireworks. Presale ticket ($20/adult or $10/ child age 12 and under) includes all activities plus a meal. “Ho’olaule’a Holiday,” July 5, begins with ceremonies at heiau sites, followed by an all afternoon family day at the pool, featuring hula halau on the lawn and an evening Tahitian “Te-ao Maohi” performance plus Hawaiian music, crafts and fire-spinning. Kalani Oceanside Retreat in Pahoa on Hwy. 137 between mile marker 17-18. 808.9657828 or visit www.kalani.com.
July 7 – 11 Hoea Ea 2010 Hilo A camp-out retreat for youth and ‘ohana of all ages, this 5-day, 4-night, hands-on Hawaiian cultural event is aimed at activating our kuleana to produce our own food. Activities include preparing and cooking pig in imu, fishpond restoration, net throwing, gardening and lots of cooking and eating food. Come ready to
Nature Photography Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Bring camera or binoculars for this easy, hour-long stroll on the rim of Kilauea caldera in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park with renown wildlife biologist/ photographer Jack Jeffrey. Learn about the area’s ecology and geology and get photo tips. Meet at Volcano Art Center Gallery next to Park Visitor Center. 9 and 10:30 a.m. Free. 808.967.8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.
July 9 – July 29 The Nature of Things Hilo As its name suggests, this art exhibit at Hilo’s Wailoa Center will feature nature themes from Hawai‘i Island in a variety of media – sculptures, painting on silk, wood, ceramics and others – all by Big Island artists. Wailoa Arts and Culture Center at Wailoa State Park in Hilo. Free. Hours: Mon/ Tues/Thurs/Fri 8:30 – 4:30; Wednesday noon – 4:30. Call (808) 933-0416. “Milo” by Arthur Johnson
H A P P E N I N G S
Saturday, July 10
Saturday – Sunday, July 10 – 11
Kilauea Cultural Festival Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park This popular annual festival showcases Hawaiian culture and traditional arts with Hawaiian music and hula by various halau and musicians. Try your hand at Hawaiian crafts and play Hawaiian music and games. Taste native foods and learn many traditional crafts, lomilomi massage, and how to use plants as medicine and food. 10 a.m-3 p.m. Free. 808.985.6166 or visit www.nps.gov/havo.
Big Island Hawaiian Music Festival Hilo Celebration of Hawaiian music— including ‘ukulele, slack key and steel guitar, plus falsetto singing— is at this two-day event featuring artists from around Hawai‘i. Hilo Civic Auditorium, noon-6 p.m. each day. Sponsored by the East Hawai‘i Cultural Center. Visit www.ehcc.org.
Saturday, July 10 Anuenue Freedom Festival Finale Pahoa The “Finale Performance,” culminates a 10-day event celebrating the “independent spirit” of Puna. (See July 4-5). The 8 p.m. show features the faculty and students of intensive performing arts training in dance, drama, hula and music. 6 p.m.‘Ohana Barbeque. Kalani Oceanside Retreat in Pahoa on Hwy. 137 between mile marker 17-18. 808.9657828 or visit www.kalani.com.
Sunday, July 11 Tails at Twilight A Concert for the Animals Four Seasons Resort Hualalai An afternoon of music about animals, including favorite musical theater and opera works, performed by the artists of the Hawai‘i Performing Arts Festival. A benefit for Hawaii Island Humane Society and the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival. 4 p.m. at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai ballroom. 808.329.2135 or visit www.performingartsfestival.org.
Saturday, July 17 Aloha Saturday Hilo A monthly program featuring musical performances by Hawai‘i Island musicians and hula halau, along with presentations by community groups. Also featured are authentic arts and crafts vendors and food booths. Noon-4 p.m. Kalakaua Park in Hilo. Free. 808.961.5711 or visit www.ehcc.org.
Sunday, July 18 Kailua Village Stroll & Hulihe‘e Palace Concert Kailua-Kona Ali‘i Drive is closed to traffic and lined with friendly vendors, merchants and restaurants offering a wide variety of specials from 1-6 p.m. At 4 p.m., enjoy hula by Halau Na Pua Ui o Hawai‘i and a free Hawaiian music concert on the lawn at Hulihe‘e Palace honoring John Adams Kuakini. Bring your own mat or chair and they will be checked for free while you stroll Ali‘i Drive. 808.329-1877; www.huliheepalace.org.
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Continued on page 50
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KE OLA | www.KeOlaMagazine.com | 49
Francine Alexander
H A P P E N I N G S
Continued from page 49 Sunday, July 18 Kupuka Forest Hikes Kahuku Join Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park rangers on this hike to a kupuka or isolated section of remnant native vegetation to discover the rare plants and trees that live there. A challenging, 3-mile hike. Participants are limited. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Hawai‘i Volcanoes Kahuku unit near mile marker 70 on Hwy. 11. For registration, information call 808.985.6011.
Monday, July 19 Isabella Bird Hilo A one-woman living history performance based on letters and other published and unpublished material written by intrepid English traveler Isabella Bird during her visit to Hawai‘i Island in 1873. The play is a production of the Kona Historical Society and is performed by noted actress Jackie Johnson Debus. 7 p.m. at the Lyman Museum in Hilo. 808.935.5021 or visit www.lymanmuseum.org.
July 19 – August 9
YOGA DANCES BY THE SEA
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Kalani Yoga Dance Retreat July 16- 17 • Puna Kona Yoga Dance Retreat August 20-21 • Kailua Weekend & Daily Options Schedule Yoga & PSYCH-K® Energy Balances with Dr. Marya @ The Lotus Center
maryamann.com • 808-345-0050
Kona Historical Society Online Auction The Kona Historical Society offers an online auction July 19-August 9 at www.konahistorical.cmarket.com. Unique, rare and vintage items are offered. Contact Ramona Amoguis, 808.323.3222, ramona@konahistorical. org or visit www.konahistorical.org.
Saturday, July 24 Cream of the Crop Four Seasons Resort Hualalai Annual coffee competition. Sample brews and vote for your favorite, as well as coffee desserts by area chefs. Enjoy
coffee-related arts and Hawaiian music. 10 a.m.- -2 p.m. at Four Seasons Resort in Ka‘upulehu. Free. 808.328.1666 or email ” jimmonk@alum.mit.edu.
Saturday, July 24 Gallery Opening & Reception Kapa‘au Reception for Julia Rooney (Oils) and Malia Welch (Photography), 5-8 p.m. On exhibit for one week at North Kohala Artists’ Cooperative Gallery, Kenji’s House, Kapa‘au. 808.884.5556. www.kenjishouse.com.
Sunday, July 25 28th Daifukuji Orchid Club Show Honalo Celebrate orchids at a colorful and popular annual mauka Kona event hosted by Daifukuji Orchid Club. The theme of this year’s show is “Walk into the World of Orchids.” Displays of blooming cattleya, cymbidium, dendrobium, phalaenopsis, miltonia, vanda and other orchid varieties. Educational displays, complimentary refreshments, orchid plants sale. 8 a.m-2 p.m. with a rousing 10 a.m. performance by the Daifukuji Mission’s taiko drummers. Daifukuji Mission Hall in Honalo next to Teshima’s Restaurant. The Kona Daifukuji Orchid Club is West Hawai‘i’s oldest orchidaceae organization. It meets the second Wednesday of every month at the Daifukuji Soto Mission Hall. 808.328.9005.
Friday, July 30 Fireside Stories Volcano Learn about the history, culture, and people of Hawai‘i in this series of informal talks near the fireplace in the Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This month’s presentation is “Voyaging and Healing Arts of Hawai’i” with Hawaiian cultural practitioner Dane Silva. Hear about what
H A P P E N I N G S Polynesian-based healing practices and traditional navigation have in common. 7 p.m. Free. Park entrance fees may apply. 808.967.8222 or visit www. volcanoartcenter.org.
Saturday, July 31 Zoo Family Fun Day Hilo Find family fun at the only natural tropical rainforest zoo in the nation. Food, games, crafts, entertainment, petting zoo and a feeding of Namaste, the zoo’s rare white tiger. Get to know the fascinating plant and animal collections found here. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens in Hilo. Free. www.hilozoo.com.
Saturday, July 31 Healing Garden and Mango Festival Keauhou All-day family fun celebrates Hawai‘i’s delicious and diverse mango varieties, with juicy mango recipe and fruit tastings, a mango tree and plant sale, grafting and growing demonstrations, mango-themed activities, plus arts and crafts. Also visit organic agriculture and cultural healing arts displays. Eco Fashion Show, Hawaiian music and hula on the scenic grounds of the Keauhou Beach Resort’s Royal Garden. The event joins the statewide series of Hawaii Healing Garden Festivals, which offers cultural health practitioners, educators, botanical and sustainability experts, healthoriented businesses and nonprofits. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort in Kona. www.hawaiihealthguide.com/ healinggarden/
August Aug. 2 – 6 Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament Kailua-Kona This year marks the 51st anniversary of this storied fishing tournament, in which teams from Hawai‘i, and around the world compete for five days to catch prized Pacific blue marlin and win the coveted HIBT’s Governor’s Trophy (no cash prizes are given). Most marlin caught are tagged and released to promote conservation. 808.836.3422 or visit www.hibtfishing.com.
Aug. 2 – Aug. 14 A Plantation Town of the Past Honoka‘a Historical photo exhibit of 50-plus vintage images taken from the 1930’s – 1970’s by Paul Christensen. Shots depict the rich ethnic mix of plantation workers, equipment used, plus community and war-related activities. Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday. North Hawai‘i Education and Resource Center in Honoka‘a. For information, directions call 808.775.8890.
Aug. 6 – Aug. 8
Continued on page 52
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58th Hilo Orchid Society Show & Sale Hilo Thousands of orchids are on display and for sale in this colorful, three-day extravaganza, the state’s largest orchid show. Judging and awards. Experts offer demonstrations, growing tips, cultivation, flower arranging with orchids, sales of exotic varieties. Admission by donation at the door. Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo. 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. 808.333.1852 or email hiloorchidshow@gmail.com.
Ceremony at Pu‘ukohola
Continued from page 51 Saturday, Aug. 7 Artists Invitational Kea‘au and Volcano Arts event sponsored by Big Island Arts Annual. 9:30- -11:30 a.m. at Kea’au Fine Art Center, 16-643 Kipimana St., Kea‘au. www.keaaufineart.com From 1-3 p.m. at Volcano Garden Arts in Volcano Village. www.volcanogardenarts.com. Also in Kailua-Kona, 2- 4 p.m. Aug. 12 at Tink & Ink www.tinknink.com, Kaloko Business Park, near Costco.
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Saturday, Aug. 7 “Pacific Moon Under the Stars” Hilton Waikoloa Vilage The Orchestra Simmons of the Hawaiian Islands performs “Pacific Moon Under the Stars,” Saturday, August 7, 6:00 PM, at the Hilton Waikoloa Village Kamehameha Court. The concert will include Hawaiian, Japanese, and European favorites. Guest conductor will be Ueba Hiroaki (Japan) with American Music Festivals Artistic Director Philip Simmons as guitar soloist. Tickets $35, call 3150885 or visit www.americanmusicfestivals.com.
Sunday, Aug. 8 Kupuku Forest Hikes Kahuku Join Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park rangers to a kupuku to discover the rare plants and trees that live there. A challenging, three-mile hike. Participants are limited. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Hawai‘i Volcanoes Kahuku unit near mile marker 70 on Hwy. 11. 808.985.6011.
Thursday, Aug. 12 Nature Drawing Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Capture the unique plant life and landscape of Kilauea Volcano in your own sketch. Basic drawing techniques and tips are covered.Ages 8 and up. 10:30 a.m.-noon at Volcano Art Center Gallery. Free. 808.967.8222 or www.volcanoartcenter.org.
Saturday – Sunday, Aug. 14 – 15 38th Annual Ho‘oku‘ikahi Establishment Day Hawaiian Cultural Festival Kawaihae The public is invited to experience the “Bicentennial Celebration” of the unification of Hawai‘i by Kamehameha the Great in 1810. Royal Court ceremonies at Pu`ukohola Heiau National Historical Site, traditional warrior exhibitions, cultural demonstrations, Hawaiian crafts, music, games, double-hulled canoe
H A P P E N I N G S rides and food tastings. Workshops from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on both days include: ancient hula, lei making, quilting, lauhala weaving, plus nose flute, rain cape, fishhook and net making. Located about a mile south of Kawaihae on the Kohala Coast. 808.882-7218 or visit www.nps.gov.puhe.
Saturday, Aug. 14 Don the Beachcomber Mai Tai Festival Kailua-Kona This event attracts aficionados of the famous tropical libation from far and wide, with bartenders competing for title of Best Mai Tai and $10,000. Also enjoy a farmers market, food from Big Island restaurants and live entertainment along with a mai tai history seminar and sampling. Royal Kona Resort. 808.329.3111 or visit www.hawaiianhotels.com.
Aug. 20 – 22 Hawaii Horse Expo 2010 Waikoloa Educational and informational event for horse owners and horse lovers features presentations by various prominent equine experts on horse care, horsemanship, behavior, training and more. Proceeds will benefit the Hawaii
Humane Society’s Horse Rescue Fund. At the Waikoloa Stables in Waikoloa Village and at Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort. Visit www.hawaiihorseexpo.com.
Friday – Saturday, Aug. 20 – 21 International Haari Boat Festival Hilo Enjoy the cultures of Hawai‘i and Okinawa with Haari boat races, an open market with Okinawan food, a country store, cultural exchanges and other activities. Wailoa State Park in Hilo, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 21 Kalapana Culture Day Kalapana Spend some time with the welcoming ‘ohana at Kalapana in Puna with musical entertainment, interactive crafts and other demonstrations, made-in-Hawai‘i vendor booths and tasty foods. Free. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Kikala – Keokea subdivision off Highway 137 between mile markers 20 and 21. 808.965.1976.
Saturday, Aug. 21 Rain Forest Runs Volcano Run at the cool, 4,000-foot elevation of Volcano Village through a native rainforest with views of Mauna Kea
and Mauna Loa. Half-marathon, 10K or 5K run/walk open to runners, walkers, volunteers or spectators. Inaugural races are sponsored by the Volcano Art Center; all three start and finish at Cooper Center on Wright Road. www.volcanoartcenter.org or raceinfo@volcanoartcenter.org Call 808.967.8240.
Saturday, Aug. 21 The Taste of Life Keauhou Annual fundraiser features dinner served by Kona’s finest chefs and auction to benefit Hawai‘i Island HIV/AIDS Foundation. Sheraton Keauhou Resort. 6 – 9 p.m. Tickets $75 in advance, $85 at the door. Visit www.hihaf.org.
Saturday, Aug. 21 Aloha Saturday Hilo These monthly programs feature musical performances by Hawai‘i Island musicians and hula halau, along with presentations by community groups. Also featured are authentic arts and crafts vendors and food booths. Noon-4 p.m. Kalakaua Park in Hilo. Free. 808.961.5711 or visit www.ehcc.org.
Continued on page 54
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H A P P E N I N G S
Continued from page 53
Sunday, Aug. 22 Kailua Village Stroll & Hulihe‘e Palace Concert Kailua-Kona Ali‘i Drive is closed to traffic and lined with friendly vendors, merchants and restaurants offering a wide variety of specials from 1-6 p.m. At 4 p.m., enjoy hula by Halau Na Pua Ui o Hawai‘i and a free Hawaiian music concert on the lawn at Hulihe‘e Palace honoring late Hawaiian royalty, King Kamehameha III “Kauikeaouli.” Bring your own mat or chair and they will be checked for free while you stroll Ali‘i Drive. 808.329-1877; www.huliheepalace.org.
Friday, Aug. 27
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Fireside Stories Volcano Learn about the history, culture, and people of Hawai‘i in this series of informal talks near the fireplace in the Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. 7 p.m. Free. Park entrance fees may apply. Call 808.967.8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.
Saturday, Aug. 28 Gallery Opening & Reception Kapa‘au Reception for Catherine Morgan (Block Prints) and Theodore Jankowski (Oils), 5-8 p.m. On exhibit for one week at North Kohala Artists’ Cooperative Gallery, Kenji’s House, Kapa‘au. 808.884.5556. www.kenjishouse.com.
Aug. 28 – Sept. 26 Hawai‘i Island Festival – 30 Days of Aloha Islandwide A cultural celebration with years of tradition, now called the “Hawai’i Island Festival – 30 Days of Aloha,” has a mission of “perpetuating the cultural traditions and the aloha spirit of Hawai’i.” Itinerary:
• Sat. Aug. 28, 10 a.m. - Royal Court Investiture, Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park • Fri., Sept. 3, 6 p.m. - Ms. Aloha Nui Pageant, Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa • Sat., Sept. 4, 11 a.m. - Poke Contest, Hilton Waikoloa Village • Sat., Sept. 4, 6 p.m. - Kindy Sproat Falsetto/Storytelling Contest, Waikoloa Beach Resort • Sun., Sept. 5, 11a.m. - Hawaiian Elegance Brunch, Hilton Waikoloa Village • Thurs., September 17, 5 p.m. - Kupuna Hula Festival, Keauhou • Sat., Sept. 18, 10 a.m.-Waimea’s 35th Annual Paniolo Parade & Waimea’s Ho‘olaule‘a Residents and visitors are invited to help sustain the festival by purchasing “Hawai’i Island Festival - 30 Days of Aloha” keepsake ribbons. www.hawaiiislandfestival.org.
Saturday – Sunday, Aug. 28 – 29 Lavaman Keauhou and Lavaman Keauhou Expo Keauhou This Olympic distance triathlon is put on by Hawaii Sports Connection and is open to elite triathletes as well as participants and relay teams of all ages and levels. The two-lap course through Keauhou Resort includes a 1.5K swim, 40K bike and a 10K run, with a number of vantage points where spectators can cheer on the athletes. Lavaman Keauhou for Kids and the Keiki Dash & Picnic is Aug. 28. www.lavamantriathlon.com.
Coming in September: Friday – Saturday, Sept. 3 – 4 14th Annual “Run For Hope” Four Seasons Resort Hualalai This fun-filled, two-day event benefits cancer research in Hawai’i. Taste of
GIFTED HANDS
H A P P E N I N G S Hawai’i Island on Friday night features some of the island’s best chefs and restaurants; Saturday features 10K run and 5K run/walk, golf scramble and tennis tourney. 808.325-8052 or email monica.balanay@fourseasons.com.
Saturday – Sunday, Sept. 4 – 5 36th Parker Ranch Round-up Club Rodeo Waimea This exciting rodeo is a scholarship fundraiser for children of Parker Ranch employees. Family-style fun includes team roping, bull riding, barrel racing and more. Noon to sunset at Parker Ranch Rodeo Arena. 808.885.5669 or visit www.parkerranch.com.
Saturday – Monday, Sept. 4 – 6 Queen Lili‘uokalani Canoe Races Kona Considered the largest, long-distance outrigger canoe event in the world, this paddling extravaganza is headquartered from Kailua Pier and features single-hull, double-hull and individual races along the Kona Coast with a dramatic torchlight parade, dance and lu‘au awards ceremony. 808.334.9481 or visit www.kaiopua.org.
Sunday, Sept. 5
Celebrating 31 years of outstanding Dental Service to Kona
Honu‘apo Ho‘olaule‘a Na‘alehu A day-long Labor Day festival at beautifully restored Honu‘apo Beach Park (aka Whittington Beach Park). Cyril Pahinui headlines an all-day line-up of music, hula and presentations. Silent auction, Hawaiian cultural demonstrations, food and crafts booths. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sponsored by Ka `Ohana O Honu‘apo, a community-based, tax-exempt nonprofit in Ka`u whose mission is to care for, maintain, and protect Honu‘apo Park. 808.929.9891 or visit www.honuapopark.org.
Sunday, Sept. 5 Kona Style Slack Key Guitar Festival Keauhou Hawai‘i’s trademark method of tuning and playing the guitar, slack-key, is showcased at this free music festival. Fifteen of the state’s best slack-key artists perform noon-5 p.m. Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa. 808.226.2697 or visit www.slackkeyfestival.com.
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KE OLA | www.KeOlaMagazine.com | 55
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56 | www.KeOlaMagazine.com | KE OLA
Glenn Beck ● Dr. Laura ● Michael Savage Allen Hunt ● Phil Hendrie Good Day USA ● Dr. Bob Martin ● Kim Komando
T H E
L I F E
I N
B U S I N E S S
Glimpses into the stories behind a few of our ads
The Pilates Center of Kona LLC and GYROTONIC Kona
Mountain Gold Jewelers
M
L
Steve Von Hargett and Laura Cretendon
aura Crittendon and Steve Von Hargett started a unique business as a result of their own search for healing a painful injury. In 1999 a major low back injury left Laura bedridden and unable to perform the simplest of daily activities. Doctors told her she would need surgery and that it would end her career as a massage therapist and yoga instructor. “It felt like I was handed a death sentence,” she says. “I was determined to avoid surgery and regain my freedom of movement. I tried everything: chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, physical therapy and yoga. Each modality helped, but only in subtle ways that did not appear to last. Then I found Pilates and manual therapy. It was the winning combination that gave me my life back.” In 2003, the couple opened The Pilates Center of Kona and Laura says it brought together the two therapies “in a unique way that would complement each other (not ala carte like I was receiving them).”
”Our goal at our studio is to help those who are in similar situations as I was with pain, or to learn skills to avoid pain and injury in the first place,” Laura says. “We work with clients of all ages and goals from pain relief, increasing flexibility and overall strength, to preparing for the Ironman, the Hawai‘i Triple Crown, or simply improving your golf game.” The Pilates Center of Kona LLC and GYROTONIC Kona is located at 74-5563 Kaiwi St. in the Old Industrial Area in Kailua-Kona. For more information, visit the websites www.KonaPilates.com and www.GyrotonicKona.com. Phone: 808.329.3211.
ountain Gold Jewelers is a jewelry store and design studio owned and operated by master goldsmith Moses Thrasher. Specializing in diamonds, opals and pearls of all kinds, Thrasher has been a goldsmith for over 35 years and can design and make anything you can imagine. The story of how he started making jewelry is somewhat magical in itself. It happened during a journey across the American Southwest to visit Indian reservations. Driving on the back roads of a Hopi reservation in Arizona, Thrasher came across a crudely painted sign that read “Jewelry.” At the end of the driveway was a weathered wooden house, which appeared to be abandoned. “I called out, but there appeared to be no one at home,” Thrasher says. He walked inside and discovered two jewelry cases. “What a shock! It was the most beautiful jewelry I had ever seen. Not your typical silver and turquoise Indian fare, but gold, lapis, opal and other precious gems. What was this incredible jewelry doing way out here?” Hearing banging outside, he found an older, Indian man crouched over a tree stump and pounding on a piece of metal with a hammer. “As I stood there I observed that he had a crude, but well organized, semi-outdoor jewelry workshop. I was so fascinated that I knew that I needed to stay, and I started watching this artisan,” says the Kawaihae goldsmith. “He hardly spoke to me the first two days. Then it was ‘hold this’ and ‘fetch that.’ By the time I left I had observed practically every jewelry-making technique there is. I was on fire! I wanted to stop everything and make jewelry right then.” Later he read about the man in a magazine, he says. “I discovered that the Indian man, whose name I did not even know, was the foremost American Indian craftsman of the 19th century. Royalty all over the world owned his jewelry, as did presidents and captains of industry. He has pieces in the Smithsonian. His name was Charles Laloma. Had I known that, I never would have had the nerve to expect that I could spend so much casual time with him. This was my apprenticeship. This was my brush with a master.“ When Thrasher arrived back in California, he bought his tools and set up a workbench inside his bedroom. Later he came to Hawai‘i and opened his own store, accumulating loyal customers over the past 30-some years. To learn more about the fine jewelry of Mountain Gold Jewelers and the man who makes it, stop by the Kawaihae Harbor Center at the intersection of Kawaihae Rd. and Akoni Pule Hwy. Phone: 808.882.4653. Website: www.mtgold.com
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Steve specializes in Pilates and manual therapy and Laura specializes in Pilates and Gyrotonic exercise. (“It’s like yoga and tai chi on a machine.”) They both have extensive background and training. Laura has been in the massage therapy and personal training/therapeutic exercise field since 1980, and Steve has thousands of hours of training and multiple degrees. Currently he is pursuing a masters degree in Clinical Ayurveda and also owns and operates Hawai‘i Freestyle Martial Arts. (www.thedojo-hawaii.com)
Moses Thrasher
Ka Puana
“Hawaiian Beaches” by Big Island artist Suzanne Dix www.dixstudios.com
By Robert James
I
had a dream, a dream of old Hawai‘i. And in that dream, a woman stood beside me, And in her arms were stories that were pure as gold, but stories that looked sadly old, stories that had not been told, in years, to the children of Hawai‘i. I asked her name, I asked her how she knew me? She touched my hand, I felt her love flow through me, I bowed in grace, as I looked upon Aloha’s face, through a face that looked so sad and old, because of stories no longer told, to the children of Hawai‘i. 58 | www.KeOlaMagazine.com | KE OLA
Then Aloha spoke, saying: “You called to me, in your nights of wonder, in your nights of peace. I come to all souls if they’ll only ask; I can’t live in the PAST. You called to me, you asked and wondered what I am, I wait within the heart of man, in the heart of my Hawai‘i.” Then in my dream, the children gathered around Her, with eyes aglow, they looked so proud that they had found Her. Then with one voice, they asked Her if She’d guide their lives, as I watched Her place a fiery spark, in every heart, it was the Spirit of Aloha.
And in my dream, my dream of old Hawai‘i, I saw Aloha change. Her youthful spirit filled the air as flowers adorned Her flowing hair, and all Hawai‘i seemed so aware of sweet Aloha standing there. Then in my dream, my dream of old Hawai‘i, Aloha took me by the hand, I saw Hawai‘i through Her eyes, I saw its strength, its passion and its pride, as parents sat, on tapa mats, telling stories that were pure as gold, stories that were always told, in days of old, to the children of Hawai‘i. And in my dream, Aloha asked me if I’d tell her people of this dream, and just how lonely She had been, without them. And how She longs for the day, when all Hawaiians turn Her way, to bring Her from the past, to look within their hearts and find that fiery spark, Aloha, in their hearts. You called to me, in your nights of wonder, in your nights of peace. I come to all souls, if you’ll only ask, I can’t live in the PAST! Call to me, ask and wonder what I am, I wait within the heart of man, in the heart of my Hawai‘i. ©Copyright, words and music by Robert James
Robert James is a poet, professional photographer and writer. His book, “What is This Thing Called Aloha,” published by Island Heritage, is available throughout the Hawaiian Islands in more than 2,100 outlets including Walmart, K Mart, Borders books and on Amazon.com. About “A Dream of Old Hawaii,” James said, “It’s actually a song or production number if you will. I wrote the words and the melody followed at the same time. I’ve worked with a few musicians on the dream that it becomes part of a CD. The truth is there are so many great artists and musicians that I can envision performing the song that I’ve just decided to leave it all in the hands of Aloha.” Robert James can be reached at Paradisephoto@aol.com. 808.298.4332
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