Publishers Talk Story...
We’re Unique – A
loha, dear readers. As if a great alchemist were working with us to conjur up the most enlightening stories, plucked from every nook and cranny of the island, here is another example of just how diverse and unique is this place where we live. Often, we get story suggestions from Mainland press-release “factories,” which spit out promotional materials in hopes that magazines will need something to fill in the spaces between the ads. Not only does this material look foreign to us, it reminds us that we aren’t a Mainland-style magazine. These stories would look strange to our readers. In Ke Ola, we seek to reflect our own, unique communities with stories that remind our readers that we are a unique ecosystem in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. If we choose—and many Hawai‘i Islanders are choosing—to create our own model community, our own “country,” if you will, there’s nothing stopping us but our own mindsets. Just to demonstrate this reality, in this issue you will find: reef fish with personalities; chocolate that grows on trees; a place where Hawaiian hawks and zebras cohabitate to teach others and a new variety of grass that could help save our precious soil.
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We don’t usually print stories that promote controversy, but we do try to gently remind our readers that there are issues on this island that we must face if we wish to live together in harmony. One such issue is the rights of native fishermen versus the rights of landowners and the public to control the shorelines. It’s worth recognizing that native Hawaiians did a very good job of preserving these islands for many generations prior to the arrival of new interests and new ways. It’s also worth learning about and understanding others’ points of view. Ke Ola has a reverence for kupuna, and this issue highlights one kupuna who is finding joy and energy in expressing aloha to all. There’s another story about the “uprising” of indigenous grandmothers, both around the world and on this island, answering a prophecy and a call to help make a better world. So, join with us in celebrating spring, Earth Day, and our own special corner of Earth. Aloha,
Karen Valentine and Barbara Garcia
Ke Ola distributes 22,000 free copies on the Big Island. These are compliments of the businesses that advertise in each issue. To show your appreciation, please join with us in supporting all the advertisers! Let them know you saw their ad in Ke Ola! You can also have Ke Ola delivered to your door by subscribing. First-Class subscriptions (in addition to the 22,000 complimentary copies) are available for $24 annually in the U.S and $42 internationally. Go to www.keolamagazine.com.