November–December 2021 by Ke Ola Magazine

Hawai‘i Island’s Community Magazine The Life |

ARTS CULTURE SUSTAINABILITY

November – December Nowemapa – Këkëmapa

Savoring the Moment with Kailee Spark Makahiki at Mālamalama Big Imprint, Small Footprint: Urban Farming

2021

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

The Life Hawaiÿi Island’s Community Magazine November – December | Nowemapa – Këkëmapa 2021

Arts

Savoring the Moment with Kailee Spark 42 By Sara Stover

Community

Meet Bernie Waltjen 16 By Carole J. Gariepy

Iopa Maunakea: Standing Firm with Men of PA‘A

By Ma‘ata Tukuafu

Culture

Makahiki at Mālamalama 10 By Stefan Verbano

Traditional Hawaiian Lomilomi 20 Is Alive and Well By Nancy S. Kahalewai, LMT

Big Impact, Small Footprint: Urban Farming on Hawai‘i Island

Mālama Mokupuni: Kaulana Manu Trail

By Brittany P. Anderson By Rachel Laderman

Front cover: Silent Tiki Night, polymer clay art by Barbara Hanson. Table of contents: Nene in a Pear Tree, a watercolor painting by Candace Lee. Read more about the artists on page 49.

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

Sustainability

The Life

Hawaiÿi Island’s Community Magazine November – December | Nowemapa – Këkëmapa 2021

Ka Wehena: The Opening Auwē Ke Ola ē

By Kumu Keala Ching

Business

Talk Story with an Advertiser O2 Lab of Hawaii at Mizuba Chiropractic

Volcano Heritage Cottages

Local Food

Family Traditions Recipe for Lomilomi Salmon

By Brittany P. Anderson

Featured Artists

Featured Cover Artist

Barbara Hanson

Table of Contents Artist KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

Candace Lee

Ka Puana: Closing Thoughts 2863: ‘Ukuli‘i ka ua, onaona i ka mau‘u

Mary Kawena Pukui. Olelo Noeau: Hawaiian Proverbs and Poetical Sayings

Annual subscriptions to Ke Ola Magazine available at: KeOlaMagazine.com/subscribe $45 for six issues, delivered First Class mail anywhere in Hawai‘i and the United States.

From Our Publisher

Ke Ola Magazine recognizes the use of the ‘okina [‘] or glottal stop, as one of the eight consonants of (modern) Hawaiian language; and the kahakō [ā] or macron (e.g., in place names of Hawai‘i such as Pāhoa). Ke Ola Magazine respects the individual use of these markings for names of organizations and businesses.

We know there is nothing else like Ke Ola Magazine and it is our honor to continue bringing it to you. Please understand, though, that the magazine is primarily funded by advertising, and we have only been able to keep it going because of an SBA loan—unfortunately, even with our loyal advertisers, sales revenue during Covid has not covered our expenses. If everyone loves Ke Ola as much as they say they do, we hope business owners and managers will consider (if you arenʻt already!) advertising in it to reach new customers, patients, or employees. Most of our advertisers are small businesses, and are going to survive and thrive in this new economy by supporting each other. We created Ke Ola to help them with affordable marketing. With prices starting at less than $200 a month for a full color ad in the islandʻs most popular magazine geared towards residents and frequent visitors, it really is a win/win to showcase local businesses in it, while ensuring its longevity. Please contact Tanya or me if youʻd like to discuss how we can help your business increase its visibility in 2022 and join with us to say, “Imua Ke Ola Magazine!” Me ke aloha, Barbara and Tanya

From Our Readers I just received my Sept/Oct issue of Ke Ola Magazine. Reading Kumu Keala Chingʻs ‘Kaulana Ke Alohaʻ brought tears to my eyes. Beautiful words for our lives always, but especially now during our current challenges. Cindy Ku‘upua Whitehawk, via email

Corrections In our story about Mikey “Redd” O’Shaughnessy, [Sept/Oct 2021] we mistakenly referred to surfer Kainoa Hauanio as Kainoa O’Neil. Our apologies, Kainoa. We look forward to publishing a story about you in a future issue. Mahalo to Sam Keli‘iho‘omalu for bringing this to our attention.

KeOlaMagazine.com Facebook.com/KeOlaMagazine Instagram.com/KeOlaMagazine LinkedIn.com/in/BarbGarcia Twitter.com/KeOlaMagazine

Send us your comments, letters, and photos! We accept email, snail mail, submissions through our website, or posts on Facebook. HIeditor@KeOlaMagazine.com

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

In our last issue, I wrote to let you know Ke Ola Magazine was for sale, and if it didn’t sell soon, that I would be closing it. Mahalo to everyone who took the time to reach out, letting me know how much they’ve enjoyed the magazine, and how sad they’d be to see it end. Hearing from readers across the island, subscribers from afar, and our advertisers—past and present—I kept the faith that a solution would present itself! First, I want to express how exceptionally grateful I am for our loyal advertisers who stayed with us during these uncertain times and for our new ones, too, as they are the people who have kept us in business. Please mahalo them by shopping at their stores for the holidays (and all other times), or utilizing their services, as they truly are the backbone of Ke Ola. This issue is a testament to our business community’s support of Ke Ola’s vision. We’ve had an increase in purchases of advertising space, which has enabled us to add pages for the first time since we had to cut it by 50% at the beginning of Covid. This improves the beauty of the magazine, as we are able to have larger photos and interperse the ads more throughout the pages. We are stoked about this growth spurt; it gives us optimism that it will continue into 2022! Next, I am ecstatic to announce that my dear friend, Tanya Yamanaka, has chosen to take charge of the day-to-day operations to make sure Ke Ola continues! She, like you and me, was not ready to have this island treasure end, especially after pulling through the past 18 months. Thankfully, Tanya loves a good challenge! I first introduced Tanya’s involvement with Ke Ola in our March-April 2021 issue. In addition to being our bookkeeper for the past several years, her involvement has continued to increase since she stepped into the role of editorial assistant and advertising graphic artist. Her education and experience include journalism and English, as well as business management, sales & marketing, so there really is no one better suited to move Ke Ola forward than Tanya. I am so grateful she wants to keep Ke Ola alive! Our mutual love of the arts, culture and sustainability of Hawai‘i Island has given us the spark to continue working together, making sure Hawai‘i Island’s only “life” magazine remains viable. I will continue as editor for the indefinite future—I enjoy it, and the feedback we get is positive. Although not presently on the island, I am available for phone or video meetings, and Tanya is available to meet both online and in person, so let us know if youʻd like to meet with either of us anytime.

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

Ka Wehena

Auwë Ke Ola ë Na Kumu Keala Ching

Lu‘ulu‘u ka maka o ka ‘Ōpua Uē ka ua kani Lehua Uē ka ua pulu ‘ole ka ‘āina Uē ke ola o Ke Ola ē Auwē, Auwē ke ola ē

Sadden the eyes of the ‘Ōpua cloud

I ka ‘o ‘Ōneo Kupu maila ke kupukupu Wili ‘ia ka lei ola He lei palena‘ole Ke Ola Auwē, Auwē ke ola ē

On the sea sprays of ‘Ōneo Sprout the beginnings Woven into a living child A child is a never forgotten lei Celebrate, Celebrate the life indeed

Kulu ka waimaka ola Uē ka ua kapakapa Uē ka ua hā‘ao Li‘u ka ua hā‘ao ala Auwē, Auwē ke ola ē

Forever tears of life Rains of Hilo Rains of Ka‘ū Hā‘ao rain pauses Enlighten, Enlighten the life indeed

Lu‘u ka wai kōloa ala Pā anuanu kō Waiki‘i Puka maila ke Aloha Auwē Ke Ola, he pā ‘umi Auwē, Auwē ke ola ē

Surrender waters of Waikōloa Cold winds of Waiki‘i Unconditional love always Rejoice the 10th year of Ke Ola Rejoice, Rejoice the life indeed

Lu‘ulu‘u ka maka o ka ‘Ōpua Uē ka ua Hawai‘i nei Pā aheahe ka makani ola Uē ke ola o Ke Ola ē Auwē, Auwē ke ola ē

Bowed down the eyes of the ‘Ōpua Rain upon Hawai‘i Gentle winds of life Recognized the life of Ke Ola Sadden, Sadden the life indeed

Rain upon the Lehua Light rains of Kona Recognized life of Ke Ola Sorrow, Sorrow the life indeed

He oli Kanikau iā Ke Ola. Ua no‘i ‘o Barbara Garcia lāua ‘o Karen Valentine ia‘u e kōkua iā Ke Ola. Ua launa ma ‘Ōneo ā hiki ke pau i ka hana o ia mau wahine. He uē o ia mau makahiki ā hiki ke ola o Ke Ola ma hope o kēia kani pau. E ola, e ola, he mahalo nō! A lamentation chant for Ke Ola. Barbara and Karen asked me to be a part of Ke Ola. We met at ‘Ōneo, Kona and now the completion of services by Barbara. This chant honors the life of services until the new life of Ke Ola. Let it live, Let it live, Gratitude Always!

For more information on Kumu Keala and Nā Wai Iwi Ola, visit nawaiiwiola.org

Makahiki at Mälamalama By Stefan Verbano

Students at Mālamalama Waldorf

School in Kea‘au will ring in the Makahiki season a little differently this year. Gone will be the crowds of spectators, the buffet tables groaning under the weight of steaming pots of taro and breadfruit, and the raucous spectacle of the

school’s annual game of hukihuki—Hawaiian tug-of-war—which have all become fixtures of the ancient harvest celebration akin to Thanksgiving held every November at Mālamalama’s 26-acre campus in Hawaiian Paradise Park. Like tug-of-war, many of the other games closely associated with Makahiki have been cut from the school’s program, too: wrestling matches, foot races, spear sliding competitions, and ulu maika—a game resembling American bowling where players try to roll disc-shaped stones between stakes set in the ground. Planners had to make dramatic changes to the typical festivities this year due to coronavirus restrictions, choosing to

go a similar route as 2020’s scaled-down version. With so many of the usual “Makahiki Games” out, Mālamalama’s celebration now focuses on the one event that will remain largely unchanged this year: a part of the school’s Makahiki tradition that honors a living cultural heritage connecting modern Hawai‘i back through the ages to its ancient past. It is this ancestral connection that the school’s Hawaiian studies teacher Mahina Peleiholani BlankenfeldKaheiki hopes her students will experience firsthand during what she calls “the ceremony.” It starts with a three-tiered raised platform built by the 8th

With clear skies overhead, the Akua Loa stands in reverence overlooking the Nuÿu Tower and the rest of Mälamalama Waldorf's campus after the end of 2020's Makahiki ceremony. The 8th Grade class built both structures themselves out of locally foraged materials like bamboo and strawberry guava branches, and will do so again this year.

photo courtesy of Mahina P. Blankenfeld-Kaheiki

grade class from natural materials they harvested themselves from school grounds in the weeks leading up to the big day. Fashioned from bamboo poles and strawberry guava branches, lashed together with rope, this is known in Hawaiian as the Nu‘u Tower, its three levels representing the akua (gods), the ali‘i (chiefs) and the maka‘āinana (common people). The classes gather outside on the school’s expansive lawn. The students’ hands are full. While their peers stand close by reciting over and over the oli lei, a traditional Hawaiian chant used while making offerings, each classmate takes their turn at approaching the tower and laying on its bamboo

shelves whatever gifts they have brought for Lono, the ancient Hawaiian fertility god around which all of Makahiki revolves. Chanting only stops when the final student has added their contribution to the shelves, which by then are overflowing with lei, ornamental ginger, hibiscus flowers, breadfruit leaves, papayas, pineapples, ti leaves, and citrus fruit. The Nu‘u Tower is left standing for the whole four-month season, and then finally disassembled and buried along with all of its weathered offerings in a sacred spot on the school’s grounds. The meaning behind this simple act of placing offerings on the tower drives the entire celebration, Mahina says, and is

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

deeply rooted in the Hawaiian tradition of ho‘okupu. This is why, even after so many other beloved events were cut from this year’s roster, the ceremony simply had to proceed. “Itʻs about gratitude,” she says. “Ho‘okupu is our main word for ‘offering.’ For us as a people, Makahiki is the time when we give our best. Traditionally, that meant whatever you specialized in: a weaver would give their best mat, made from the best materials they had. A fisherman would give their best fish; a farmer would give their best crops. They’d do it to give reverence and to honor Lono for giving us such a rich harvest for the season, for helping us with our productivity and making our land rich and fertile.”

The Akua Loa The other main component of the ceremony that festival planners like Mahina deemed crucial for the students to experience this year is the procession of the akua loa. This is when pupils in the eldest class parade around the school carrying a long pole draped in white cloth known as the “image of Lono” which, like the Nu‘u Tower, they build themselves out of local materials prior to the ceremony. In the age of ancient Hawai‘i Island, priests would carry the akua loa in a clockwise rotation around the island, ushering in the Makahiki season and collecting ho‘okupu in each community they visited. This effigy of Lono even has a peculiar connection to the history of European contact with ancient Hawaiians. Captain James Cook happened to arrive at Kealakekua Bay on Hawai‘i Island’s Kona Coast near a large heiau (temple) to Lono during the Makahiki season of 1778, and went on to make the first recorded European contact with the Hawaiian people. Some stories say the sails and masts of Cook’s ship resembled Lono’s akua loa enough that, along with these other coincidences, many were convinced that Cook was an incarnation of Lono. Traditionally, the akua loa would be made of wood from native trees like ‘ōhi‘a and adorned with white kapa cloth made from the beaten inner bark of select trees and shrubs. Known as “tapa” elsewhere in Polynesia, this material has been an essential element of Hawaiian textiles throughout its history. But real kapa—and ‘ōhi‘a poles for that matter—isn’t easy to come by these days, so the school improvises with what it has on hand. “What we have isn’t made of traditional materials since it requires resources not available to us, so we use modern resources to represent both,” Mahina says. Many aspects of Mālamalama’s Makahiki celebration seem to take place at this crossroads of ancient and modern. The Hawaiian studies kumu (teacher) admits that harvesting

Mälamalama students participate in the game uma, or hand wrestling, during the 2018 Makahiki events. Each takes a turn in trying to force their opponent's hand to the mat.

photo courtesy of Kelley Lacks

strawberry guava branches to construct the Nu‘u Tower is a deviation from tradition, which, like the akua loa, would have called for using branches from native trees rather than the emigrant guava, which some Hawai‘i conservationists consider to be the “most invasive plant” in the state. But, the wise teacher explains, opting to use the guava wood presents an important opportunity for the students to learn a lesson about ecology in Hawai‘i today. “I try to teach my students about the importance of managing our resources and the difference in what our forests were pre-contact to what they look like today,” she says.

photo courtesy of Kelley Lacks

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

Students from Mälamalama Waldorf and Mt. View Elementary Schools join in a traditional Makahiki game called ÿihe paheÿe during the 2018 celebrations. The goal is to slide the spear over the grass and between two stakes set in the ground 20 feet away.

Standing besides the Nuÿu Tower is Mahina Peleiholani Blankenfeld-Kaheiki, the Hawaiian Studies Kumu (teacher) at Mälamalama Waldorf School. Placed upon the tower are hoÿokupu (offerings) from every student from Kindergarten to 8th Grade as they participated in their annual Makahiki ceremony in 2020. photo courtesy of Mahina P. Blankenfeld-Kaheiki

“We know the introduction of invasive species has heavily impacted our native forests, so in order to teach them about preservation, we agreed to use readily available invasive species to help manage their population and to actually utilize them.”

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

Makahiki of Old This year, Makahiki festivities will last only one day at the school, and even during normal seasons the school’s events would typically only be one week long. Compare this with the four consecutive months ancient Hawaiians would spend celebrating: from late-October/early-November (as determined by the moon’s cycles), through February or March, making the revelry more a phase of the year rather than a solitary occasion. During Makahiki, work was prohibited and there were days upon days of feasting, hula performances, dancing, chanting, visiting of relatives, and sporting competitions where wagers would be placed on local champions. All warfare was

Fourth Grader Aila Lacks-Park smiles as she finished giving her hoÿokupu to Lono at the Nuÿu Tower during the 2020 ceremony. photo courtesy of Kelley Lacks

The 7th and 8th Grade classes surround the Nuÿu Tower after giving their hoÿokupu. Since this is their last Mälamalama makahiki celebration together, the class took a moment to honor the season. photo courtesy of Kelley Lacks Mahina says. “Makahiki is about peace, prosperity, celebrating the harvest, celebrating our relationships, and celebrating everything we are doing in school, in our homes, in our community.” When asked about how the traditional Hawaiian ethos of mālama ‘āina (caring for the land) plays into Mālamalamaʻs conception of Makahiki, Mahina says the school’s name pretty much sums it up. “Mālamalama means ‘shining with knowledge,’” she says. “If you are shining with knowledge and you are a child of this land and you go to this school, then it’s your job to mālama this ‘āina,” she says. “Mālama ‘āina isn’t only about taking care of something physical like the land itself, but the ‘āina can be something that feeds you spiritually or feeds you mentally: taking care of your parents because they raised you, taking care of your spiritual needs, taking care of everything that helps you develop as a person.” ■ For more information: hawaiiwaldorf.org

•Locally Sourced Specialty Foods •Smoothies and Smoothie Bowls •Sandwiches, Salads, Wraps •Tropical Fruit Market •Local Meats and Fresh Fish •Big Island Products & Gifts Open 7 Days a Week 808-937-4930

55-3419 Akoni Pule Highway, Hawi, Hawai‘i 96719

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

forbidden. The other eight months of the year were spent under the auspices and rituals of the god Kū, one of the four principal gods in Hawaiian mythology—the other three being Lono, Kāne, and Kanaloa. The Pleiades star cluster appearing in the night sky marks the transition from the season of Kū to the season of Makahiki. In Hawaiian, the Pleiades are known as Makali‘i, and it’s from the term Makali‘i hiki, or “rising of the Pleiades,” that the season derives its name. By pure coincidence, it occurs in mid to late November near the similarly harvest-oriented US holiday of Thanksgiving, prompting some to call Makahiki the “Hawaiian Thanksgiving,” although history contends that the celebration of Makahiki predates the advent of Thanksgiving by many centuries. For a school like Mālamalama Waldorf that specializes in place-based education, teaching its students all these hidden meanings through the celebration of a holiday like Makahiki is crucial to their understanding and appreciation of the cultural context of where they live. “It’s to pay homage to a place, to a time in our history,”

Meet Bernie Waltjen By Carole J. Gariepy

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

t’s a special treat when a snowbird from Massachusetts has an opportunity to hear the life story from a native Hawaiian who has many skills, diverse experiences, and a rich Hawaiian history. When I stopped in front of a neighboring house that had an assortment of fruit out front with a FREE sign, I deliberated whether they were meant for residents or if I, a visitor, would be welcome to take something. Then a voice called out, “Help yourself!” That’s how I met Bernie. I’ve chatted with him several times since, and realize he has a story that needs to be told. Bernie was born in 1941 in Hawai‘i National Park, the park’s name when Hawai‘i was a US territory. After it became a state, the park became one of America’s national parks and was renamed Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The park is Bernie’s heritage. His native Hawaiian mother, Harriet Hauanio, was also born in the park where her father, John, was a caretaker. Employees lived in small cottages near the entrance where the park offices are now. Bernie’s father, Bernard Waltjen, came to Hilo from Germany at the start of World War II. His family had sent him there temporarily to be safe, but Bernard remained on the island afterward. He married Harriet and obtained a maintenance job at the park, and also a place to live. Bernie remembers riding through the park every evening with his father (who was the park warden by then) to check that everything was secure and safe during the war years. The bombing at Pearl Harbor was imprinted in people’s minds. He said the headlights were covered so they wouldn’t be seen, only a two-inch opening was allowed to dimly light the roads. He sat close to the windshield to help his father keep watch. Tourism to the park was high after the war. The only airport

on the island at that time was in Hilo. Visitors to Kona were transported from Hilo by limousine, a long slow ride over a narrow winding road. A stop along the way to have a meal at Volcano House and to see the volcano erupting offered a delightful and much-needed break. Bernie said the crater was much smaller then, and it was active. “Watching it was like going to a big drive-in movie,” he recalls. In 1951, the cottages were turned over to park rangers, meaning the maintenance workers had to leave. Bernie and his family moved to the Hilo area where he experienced another dramatic piece of Hawaiian history, the 1960 tsunami. There had been seismic indications and warnings about a possible tsunami for a month, then reports came from Chile about an earthquake causing serious damage. Hawai‘i was warned that it was expected to arrive around midnight. Later, further reporting came in that no significant waves had hit other islands along the path to Hawai‘i Island, so most people didn’t take the previous warnings seriously. Bernie and his friends were part of that group. He laughs as he remembers, “We had more guts than brains.” Bernie and his friends parked his car across the street from the Wailoa River around midnight and they went down to the waterfront to see if anything was happening. First, they saw fish scattered on the beach—huge fish—and the water had receded. That was very unusual, it wasn’t a good sign. Then a policeman beckoned them to come help tie a boat to a dock by the Wailoa Bridge as the strong suction of the retreating waves was pulling boats out to sea. Together they tugged it in and tied it well. The real danger of the situation came when they saw a gigantic wave in the distance. Bernie said, “The foaming wave was higher than a telephone pole. We ran faster than we could ever imagine we could run. We flew. I didn’t turn around. It sounded like 10 bulldozers were knocking down

the buildings behind me. Then an explosion and sparks filled the sky. The power plant had been hit; everything went black. We barely made it. People behind me died and some were my good friends. The Omega brothers who lived in the Japanese village didn’t make it. Sixty-one people perished that evening. I still hear the sound today when a big wave comes in when I’m at the beach. My memory bank tells me to leave.”

. to secure the boat

Bernie went back the next day to look for his car. He found it crushed into pieces beneath an apartment building. The securely tied boat was found destroyed along with cars and other debris in a pile by the Civic Center. Bernie’s story and that of other survivors is preserved in the Pacific Tsunami Museum in Hilo. After graduating from Hilo High School, Bernie had several jobs. Like his father and grandfather, he could do most everything—he was a jack of all trades. He worked on construction for the Hilo Company, did maintenance at the Volcano House, operated heavy equipment for the Hawaiian Sugar Company, grafted macadamia nut seedlings for C. Brewer & Company—and then love beckoned him. His Hawaiian sweetheart, Grace Ortega, went to college in Los Angeles. Bernie followed Grace, they got married, and lived in Los Angeles from 1970 to 2000. While in Los Angeles, he

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

m the left, helping i. Bernie is third fro m na tsu 60 19 e th A magazine about

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

Tiki chess pieces.

Tiki scupltures made from structural foam. The black one is a candleholder.

All photos courtesy of Carole J. Gariepy

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

worked for Weber Aircraft and built the bathroom units for the Boeing 747, and later for the 757, 756, and 777. During that period, Bernie had an opportunity to develop his artistic skills. The structural foam he worked with was as hard as wood. He started experimenting with sculpting the discarded pieces and became skilled in carving interesting figures and designs with the unique material. The many ribbons he won in art competitions in Los Angeles show how greatly his skill was recognized. His Hawaiian heritage is evident in many of the designs, such as the tiki figures, and a tiki chess set. These figures will eventually be gifted to a cultural center. Like many whose native land beckons them as they grow older, he and his wife returned to Hawai‘i and settled in Nā‘ālehu in 2000. The stop at Bernie’s fruit stand sure opened my eyes to an interesting life and part of Hawaiian history. Thank you, Bernie. ■

Traditional Hawaiian Lomilomi is Alive and Well

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

By Nancy S. Kahalewai, LMT

Commissioned painting by Sonya Vogel, featured on the cover of Hawaiian Lomilomi: Big Island Massage by Nancy S. Kahalewai.

t wasn’t too long after the return of the inaugural Hōkūle‘a voyage, and wave of cultural pride in its aftermath, that Hawaiian lomilomi massage also experienced its own resurgence. Hōkūle‘a navigated the Polynesian triangle, sailing to and from Tahiti in 1976. Immediately, the excitement and historical significance of this voyage was deeply felt across the Hawaiian Islands, and throughout Polynesia. It accelerated a liberating chapter that opened doors for genuine reconnection and deeper appreciation of ancestral knowledge, such as the Hawaiian language, sustainable lifestyle practices, and healing arts, including traditional lā‘au lapa‘au (plant medicines), ho‘oponopono (making things right), and lomilomi massage. Before this, people didn’t speak about lomilomi massage, nor was it ever advertised as a service. Lomilomi subtly existed in small family contexts, or perhaps was recognized as a special gift that a certain ‘uncle’ or ‘tutu’ had. Often it was a fading memory of a practice by a past relative, or a casual occurrence in the home or community, where one naturally massages body parts needing movement, soothing touch, or energy. Calming a baby with colic, assisting someone with indigestion or constipation, treating an injury, turning a breeched baby, or helping sore muscles after exertion—it was an everyday part of life to address these situations with skillful hands-on touch. The true history of the art and science of lomilomi take us much further back, and this knowledge included more than physical massage techniques. Lomilomi includes a tool chest of compressions, stretches, kneading, percussions, squeezing, and soothing strokes, as well as enhancing treatments

with plants, herbs, salt, heat, ‘ili ‘ili stones, lomi sticks, and saltwater. For many centuries, traditions about Hawaiian healing practices were kept alive in narrative stories and genealogical chants. Two large classifications of practitioners were the kāhuna lā‘au lapa‘au, who used plants and medicinal materials in their practice, and the kāhuna hāhā, known as the diagnosticians, who excelled in the skills of touch. There are legends of traditional healers who could “breathe mana into the bones” to heal fractures, and the kāhuna kahea who could heal others from great distances. According to Dr. Maka‘ala Yates, author of Na‘auao Ola Hawaii–Hawaiian Principles and Practices of Being Well, the concept of “communicating down to the bones physically and energetically is significant…It is at the bone level that all memory is stored from past traumas, injuries or emotional links. As with many indigenous cultures, the bones are the most important and protected part of the physical structure…Tapping into the bones allows the Lomilomi practitioner to communicate on a soul level so healing can take place.” Lomilomi History In the 1700s and 1800s, there was a registrar of healing practitioners. The Territory of Hawai‘i passed legislation to have traditional practitioners licensed in 1917, which continued with the Department of Health in later years. Prior to World War II, permits were required to dispense traditional herbal medicines, and many native practitioners also received formal training in pharmacy, naturopathy, surgery, and other Western

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

medical specialties. In 1946, Elias Liko Jones, Kahuna Lapa‘au Lau Lā‘au o Hawai‘i Nei, explained his healing technique that he did “from the heart, not the pocketbook.” He “cured” simply by herbs (to clean out and tone the system), a semifast of fruit juices and water to rest the organs, then massage (to introduce and stimulate the patient’s vital energy), and patience. These and other stories can be found in KAHUNA Traditions of Hawaiian Medicinal Priests and Healing Practitioners, by Malcolm Naea Chun, PhD. Gradually, local traditional practices were pushed out with government regulation, while the Hawaiian lifestyle and language were also suppressed. Eventually statehood was passed, and the Department of Health, under the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affair’s Division of Private Vocational Licensing, began issuing licenses for massage. Meanwhile, the old kāhuna skills were forbidden. By the 1960s, “hippies” were flocking to Hawai‘i. In South Kona, they found an amazing Hawaiian woman, fondly remembered as “Aunty Margaret” Machado, with amazing healing skills. She soon gained wide recognition for helping people, using the power of akua (God), deep intuitive perception skills, and her famous saltwater colon cleanses. Unlike most native practitioners, Aunty Margaret was also a state licensed massage therapist. With her nursing background, she passed the Hawai‘i massage exam, which allowed her to legally teach and train apprentices. She had a unique healing gift, passed down from her grandfather, enabling her to “see” deep into the patient’s energetic and spiritual patterns. Doctors would send her their patients who had not responded to anything in their medical skillset. People near and far would travel to her for help, disclosing their journey of suffering and medical history. She would listen deeply, smile, and then reply with something seemingly Daniel Albers, LMT, demonstrates forearm lomi kupele (kneading) on the quadriceps.

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

photo courtesy of Nancy Kahalewai

Matanuku using gentle lomi mirimiri on the ÿöpü. photo courtesy of Nancy Kahalewai

What makes Lomilomi unique and effective? Lomilomi, sometimes translated into “breaking up into small pieces” (as in lomilomi salmon), is much more than massage. Typically, techniques are administered with the hands, forearms, elbows and feet, while the recipient is seated or lying on the floor or a table. Lomilomi can break up those “knots” of tension, traumatic memory, and scar tissue held

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

unrelated, such as, “You need to forgive your uncle!” She was amazingly accurate and in this way, she gained respect and achieved noteworthy results. Meanwhile, on the east side of Hawai‘i Island, other local healers were in the making. Hilo’s Mary Fragus became a selftrained specialist in lomilomi, as well as prenatal massage. She had contracted polio as a child, thus worked on a floor mat, and would put expectant mothers “on all fours’” to gently lomi the abdomen. She was never state licensed, but her pure spirit and expert skills were renowned within the community. By the late 20th century, lomilomi was making its way into spas, clinics, and international circles. The fascination of Polynesia and the thirst for traditional indigenous knowledge were at unprecedented levels of appreciation. Part of this was because of a shift from kapu (restrictions) put in place for protection of sacred knowledge, as well as the cultural suppression following colonization. The grassroots desire for knowledge, self-awareness, healing concepts, and a wholistic understanding of the body was flourishing. The lomilomi secret was out and the world wanted more!

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

in the body, bringing fresh circulation, flushing out metabolic waste, and restoring function and mobility. It can restore and renew the mana (life force) of the person’s body, mind, and spirit, as well as helping to increase function of certain organs and tissues, such as the ‘ōpū (intestines). Treatments begin and end with intention and pule (prayer) to align both the practitioner and recipient to the highest healing outcomes possible, during and after the session. Lomilomi, also called tau romi, romiromi, mirimiri, and many other names in the South Pacific, has a unique way of embedding ho‘oponopono into its practice. While the word pono carries the same meaning, the concept of mindfully practicing pono—of making things right or aligned—seems to be Hawaiian in origin. It is a common practice in Hawai‘i that has existed for centuries. It was also adopted and practiced within Christianity and professional counseling circles. The old stories refer to the deep, divine spark within all, and recognize that it is this indwelling light that is the innate source of one’s radiance and inner mana. This is where the sacredness of lomilomi can take us deeper yet. The use of the breath combined with divine guidance enables a lomilomi master to tap into higher states of awareness. The energetics may begin to shift, and a mutual zone of trust and knowingness unfolds. The breath deepens, the mind quiets, the heart opens, and time itself seems to shift. The person giving the session may find that his or her hands gravitate to certain places on the body that seem to be calling for attention. Subtle levels of palpation are heightened Paul Rambo LMT using kaomi (compressions) up the arm. photo courtesy of Nancy Kahalewai

Presenters (L-R) Mary Fragus, Nancy Kahalewai LMT, and Margaret Machado LMT at a Hawaiian lomilomi conference, circa 2000. photo courtesy of Kumu Dane Silva

as heat, tension, density, and blocked energy begin to dissolve. Stored emotions begin to seep out of their hiding places, while new layers of clarity and peace unfold. By this time, both the practitioner and recipient may sense the presence of ancestors and guiding wisdom. Old memories and new insights may arise while the present-moment awareness begins to expand. At this point, whatever needs to be released, may be released, and whatever needs to be restored, may be restored. A sacred understanding renews the spirit and infuses the breath. For those who want to learn more of this ancient art of healing, take time to seek out a lomilomi teacher or practitioner that you are comfortable with. Ask questions about their training, who their teachers were, how long they trained, and what their specialty is. Some of Aunty Margaretʻs students became teachers, and they and their students are practicing around the world. A few practitioners carrying on this lineage, here on the island, include Lehua Hobbs, Suzanne Kamaluhia Woolley, Jeanella Bingham-Keopuhiwa, Swami Om, Haunani Hopkins, and Dane Kaohelani Silva. Swami Om reflects, “Aunty taught us, ‘Lomilomi is a connection between heart, hand and soul with the source of all life. Love the body as if it were your own. If your hands are gentle and loving, your patient will feel the sincerity of your heart.’” Lomilomi massage should never push you into vulnerability or pain; rather, it should assist you to feel genuinely infused with the aloha spirit, with increased self-awareness and peace of mind. ■ For more information: howtolomilomi.com KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

Kumu Makaÿala Yates teaching floor techniques. photo courtesy of ManaLomi.com

Iopa Maunakea: Standing By Ma‘ata Tukuafu

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

ry land taro plants are being hand-watered by two young men, one with headphones and the other holding a sprayer, in the Pāhoa morning sun. Banana trees, young la‘i (ti leaf), coconut, ‘ulu, and other thriving endemic plants are carefully planted and encircled by lava rocks found on the land. This is the seven-acre headquarters for Men of PA‘A, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that was originally founded by Iopa Maunakea in 2006. Iopa explains that the leased land was run down and misused by tenants from 1994 to 2004. After regaining the land, he was able to clean up the acreage to prepare it for a positive and regenerative use, a reintegration program for released prisoners and other community projects for the betterment of community. PA‘A, which means solid or firm in Hawaiian, is also an acronym for Positive Action Alliance, a thriving organization that has done much good on this island. Iopa, also known as the musician Bruddah Kuz, says all of this would never have happened if he didn’t start out with his 2000 CD release “Talkin’ Da Kine,” with the Bruddah Kuz Band. “It was at the events from performing that helped create the partnerships we have today,” Iopa says. “It evolved into gathering community to help with church events and other local festivals and gatherings. The music of Bruddah Kuz was the vehicle that inspired the Men of PA‘A.” Iopa worked as an operating engineer with the Local 3 Union, surveying and flying back and forth from O‘ahu. Retiring in June 2020, he began planting food, rejuvenating the land, and uplifting men’s spirits. He says during his career, work was routine, following set hours, but he’s now busier than ever, sustaining the programs he has created. Iopa’s success story with helping others begins with his grandmother Katherine Maunakea. Born in 1907, Katherine is the kupuna who set the foundation for the work ethic and aloha that her descendants carry forth today. Despite high poverty while living in Nanakuli, O‘ahu, Katherine was a teacher to many people. She knew that imparting Working on Adopt-A-Highway, a project Men of Paÿa has participated in for the last 15 years.

The Imu Mea Aÿi Project with the University of Washington Justice for Hawaii project. self-confidence in the Hawaiian community would make them strong and capable. She published books on lauhala preparation and weaving, Hawaiian medicine, and a prayer book. Katherine, who was very humble, was awarded and recognized for her many deeds and accomplishments before she passed in 1994. “I’ve realized that she was setting me up to do much of the same work she did,” Iopa says. “I garner all the kūpuna ‘ike [wisdom] I can see, and exchange how it works for us today. We find resources, make strategic plans, and be administratively sound and transparent.” He mentions that one of his grandmother’s favorite ‘ōlelo no‘eau was, “Ne Huli ka lima iluna Pololi ka Opu, Ne Huli ka lima ilalo, Piha ka Opu.” (When your hands are turned up like a beggar you have an empty stomach. When your hands are turned down to the land, you have a full stomach.) His nephew, Dr. Alika Maunakea, is a geneticist at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Iopa’s sister helped found the thriving Ma‘o Farms, a nonprofit organic farm in Waianae, O‘ahu. She

Firm with the Men of PA‘A

The Malama Kumukahi Project, a regenerative tourism program with the students of Washington University.

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

was instrumental in assisting Iopa with setting up the Men of PA‘A as a nonprofit. Tutu Katherine’s legacy of empowering others has been carried forward through Iopa, his extended family, and her many students who are kūpuna today. Bradduh Kuz and Men of PA‘A tie everything together. Iopa had to learn how to be in compliance for the 501(c)3 and what it takes to set up a nonprofit. It allowed him to collaborate with other organizations and assist them with setting up their programs. Men of PA‘A, Iopa says, is about “people helping people, helping people. Itʻs an ‘āina-based recovery program from those coming out of the justice system.” The program has evolved, adding agricultural sustainability and stewardship of farms on the island’s varied districts. Iopa’s father and grandfather were born in Waipi‘o, and near the falls of Hi‘ilawe, the Men of PA‘A have established a lo‘i patch (irrigated, usually for growing taro) while taking care of the stream waters, culturally connecting the men who participate. The organization provides farming assistance to Sage Farms in Kohala, and also manages their own small farm in

Hawi. Kalo is grown and maintained in Pāhoa and they are propagating small mamaki plants in Miloli‘i. The nonprofit also helps farms in other areas of Ka‘ū. Iopa works with different hubs around the island, assisting farmers with “getting up to speed,” then leaving the farmers to maintain it. “We are creating our own economics, and we hire people out to other folks. We are working with both farms and churches,” Iopa says. With help from the County of Hawai‘i, Men of PA‘A utilizes various methods to support in the rehabilitation of the men: moving out abandoned cars, picking up rubbish along the roads, and assisting the community during the 2018 lava flow. Iopa says they are trying to change the way things have been done in the past, and works with the county in partnership to assist them in fulfilling their kuleana. “We cannot expect different results if we keep doing things the same way. Public works is starting to find different ways of doing things,” says Iopa. “There are 30 of us who are active and organized. It feels good to make a difference, and hopefully we have a good rapport with the county, the prosecuting attorney, and the mayor, because with collaboration we can get more done.” During 2020 and 2021, Men of PA‘A have continued to make a difference despite the hardships presented by Covid-19. In order to continue serving the people, Iopa made sure Covid protocols were in place: they sanitized every place they worked, adopted masks, did temperature checks, and submitted to monthly testing. He says that when they met face to face, it made them confident in their space. The group distributed food, gas cards, and plants to Puna residents. They were able to work with the census bureau and signed up 123 families which brought in approximately $700,000 worth of resources to the Puna district. He added that working the census allowed Men of PA‘A to engage their civil duties. Iopa feels tourism came back too quickly, and that decision has affected the people of Hawai‘i. Another decision by the “powers that be” that adversely affected the community was

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

when “people were let out of jail with no thought of what might happen,” he says. “We didn’t receive support for the release, yet we were affected deeply by it. We helped the clientele; we supported them and [eventually] by collaborating with the county, we have done good,” he said. Recovery is at the foundation of what Men of PA‘A represents. Iopa says, “When the kāne gets better, the family gets better, and who benefits? The community.” Working closely with Big Island Substance Abuse Council and other nonprofits helps with the success rate, as well as being productive and staying safe. After creating the offshoot program, Women of PA‘A, as a support system for the wives, girlfriends, and other family members, he sees the ‘ohana in the community healing and getting better. If they need help in any way, they are directed to resources and teamed up, or as he says, “We’ve created an ‘ohana piece. Mentorship for wāhine to share and to relate with one another. Now some women are really mentoring others.” The nonprofit has also begun mentoring in schools, specifically with 9th and 10th graders, a very crucial age of growth. Meanwhile, many of the newly released prisoners are not ready or prepared to enter the workforce. Men of PA‘A helps them get cleaned up, teaches them principles, commitment, discipline, and how to “get good” with self, family, and home. By helping them practice these principles, he says, unity is achieved. After developing a structured system, Men of PA‘A has seen hundreds of men through the program since its humble beginnings in 2006. It’s a process Iopa has enjoyed learning about, and he says he’s “seen a lot and learned even more.”

“I’ve found my niche—helping people. And living our ‘ohana’s legacy. I have rapport with people. When you know people well, they come to me and say they would go to hell and back to help out,” Iopa says. “We are creating our own ecosystem and bringing in agencies. We are creating our own space that has a symbiotic relationship. Now we have four other kūpuna and two administrators on our team.” With more team members, additional programs have been put into place. Men of PA‘A’s umbrella organization, Kanaka o Puna (which translates to “Being Stewards of Puna”) builds community. Hawaiian cultural classes are offered to the public as well as workshops about incorporating healthy food into the diet. Sustainable agriculture classes and lua (Hawaiian martial arts) courses are provided. Iopa believes two things are very important to a successful organization: being very conscious of the overall strategic plan, as well as being honest with what is needed so help may be offered. “The system we’ve had in place does not set us up for success and it’s been so divided. No waha/grumble…enough already because aloha ‘āina has to be lived, not talked about,” Iopa says. “We’ve set up our clientele to be successful. WE have to do it, not wait for anyone else. We’re fighting to identify ourselves and practice ancestral and cultural kuleana. We are helping through this program, and now we are collaborating throughout the islands.” ■ All photos courtesy of Iopa Maunakea For more information: kanakaopuna.org

Family Traditions Recipe for Lomilomi Salmon

Local Foods

By Brittany P. Anderson

workers, and they also exported 200–300 barrels to Hawai‘i. By the mid-1840s, more than a thousand barrels of salted salmon were shipped to the islands. There are no written records of the first lomilomi salmon recipe; however, we can imagine, with the barrels of salted salmon arriving in the islands, that it might have been sometime in the 1840s. Whenever it was, lomilomi salmon became a staple side dish at gatherings and family dinners. Passing great-great-grandfather’s koa bowl filled with lomilomi salmon, swiping poi from grandaddy’s dish, and heaping kālua pork from our bowl—we have all the generations present around the table. We may never find the true origin of lomilomi salmon, but its place in the meal is firmly rooted in our family tradition. This recipe for lomilomi salmon uses smoked Alaskan sockeye instead of more traditional salted salmon. Sockeye was Hawaiians’ preferred salmon imported by Hudson’s Bay Company in the 1840s. You can salt cure your own salmon or opt for a smokey, more modern style. Either way, I hope this recipe becomes a family favorite if it isn’t already. Ingredients Whole tomatoes, 3 Green onions, 1/2 bunch Sweet Maui onions, 1 Diced smoked salmon, 8 oz. to 1 lb. Hawaiian sea salt Method Wash tomatoes, then dice and place in a nonreactive mediumsized bowl. Remove the outer layer of a sweet onion, then dice and place in bowl with the tomatoes. Wash green onions and thinly slice the green tops. Add to mixture as well. Depending on taste you can use more or less smoked salmon. Dice the salmon and add to the tomato mixture. Sprinkle with a pinch of Hawaiian sea salt and mix well. Cover and store in the refrigerator. The dish is best made in advance and served either after several hours or a day later. Enjoy!

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

A holiday wouldn’t be complete without at least one night filled with traditional lū‘au foods. Family favorites are slightly sour fermented poi, slow-roasted kālua pua‘a (pig), squid lū‘au, and lomilomi salmon. Each dish is served in a wooden bowl passed down for generations, on a bed of banana leaves that dress the table. Lomilomi salmon, while a meal staple, can seem odd compared to the other Hawaiian lū‘au dishes. Neither salmon nor tomatoes are endemic to Hawai‘i, yet the combination of the two play a significant role in the culture. The precise origin of lomilomi salmon isn’t known, but we can explore the history of when the recipe might have become popular. In the early 1800s, Hawaiians were recruited to join fur traders in the Pacific Northwest. According to some historians, they joined the fur trade to escape tribal violence. Yet, some historians cite the superior navigation and swimming skills that made Hawaiians an asset to traders. One story mentions that Scottish traders insisted a Hawaiian be on their boat while hunting for beavers to rescue men who may fall overboard. In whatever capacity, it is clear Hawaiians were esteemed members of the operation. A significant trader, Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) recruited Hawaiians to work as guides, carpenters, interpreters, navigators, blacksmiths, and tradesmen. HBC had more than 500 Hawaiians in Vancouver, Washington, and the many outposts throughout the area. Some men would come back during the winters, bringing home salmon filets stored in barrels of salt, known as butts. Others would stay living amongst the Native Americans, especially the Nisqually tribe, and settlers in the area. Today, their ancestors live in communities along the Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia coasts. You can also find several locations in Washington state named after Hawaiians like Kanaka Bay in the San Juan Islands, and the city of Kalama. Sugar, molasses, coffee, and salt were island products commonly sent as provisions to the HBC outposts. At the time, the Moanalua salt lake on O‘ahu was prized for having high quality salt for preserving goods and ultimately used to salt the salmon for Hawai‘i consumption. In 1830, HBC preserved salmon primarily for company

Big Impact, Small Footprint: By Brittany P. Anderson

ost people envision Hawai‘i as a place to get away from city life, slow down, and reconnect with the land. But, according to US Census data, almost 92% of Hawai‘i State’s population lives in urban areas. Urban agriculture provides the opportunity to produce fresh local food for

Herbal Therapy Gardening is an activity so many people find therapeutic. There’s something calming about spending time amongst plants. Yet, it can be a challenge to find gardening space within a city landscape. Soni Pomaski, co-owner of Moon and Turtle, has a small herb garden carved out within Hilo’s historic downtown. Soni’s plot is tucked behind the restaurant she runs along with her chef husband, Mark. “There aren’t many little houses in historic downtown, and having a yard is unique,” she says of the home they share behind the restaurant. When the couple moved in, Soni and Mark found a kaffir lime tree already established in the little yard. “The kaffir lime is the first thing I used, and really I just enjoyed hanging out and finding peace and solitude in the garden.” Here Soni quiets her mind and cultivates herbs used in her specialty cocktails and their locallyminded menu. Soni’s first cocktail inspiration came from the kaffir lime, and quickly, she was exploring more herbs that spurred creativity in the kitchen. Then, her mother-in-law gifted Soni a small shiso plant that flourished in the small, yet burgeoning, garden. It did so well, Soni had to find creative ways to use the Soni Pomaski tending to her succulents and other plants in her garden. photo courtesy of Soni Pomaski aromatic herb. This gave birth to her famously good communities within a more densely populated area. For Hawai‘i signature cocktail, Shiso Sour. The couple soon had more Island residents, country living may be out of reach, but that herbs, producing further inspiration in the kitchen. hasn’t stopped island city dwellers from rolling up their sleeves “When we opened the restaurant and ended up living here, and getting their hands dirty. there was always this natural gravitation to be outside,” Soni says. “I could put things in the ground and watch them grow,”

Urban Farming on Hawai‘i Island Plant Food she adds in a peaceful tone. A stone’s throw from the famous La‘aloa (Magic Sands) “I’ve always been someone who loved nature. It’s made Beach in Kailua-Kona, amidst compact homes and carefree me feel really peaceful,” she says. Soni credits her mother for beachgoers, Paul Pencak tends to his secret permaculture cultivating her connection with nature. From second through farm. Like so many on Hawai‘i Island’s Kona coast, the eighth grade, Soni attended a Waldorf school in New Jersey. It had 20 acres and a big garden. “That’s where I learned the garden is my happy place,” Soni remarks. There is a natural regenerative element in gardening that can contribute strongly to our mental health and wellbeing. Increasing research in horticulture therapy shows that gardening is beneficial to psychological and physical health. “We have a big disconnect with nature,” Soni explains. “So many people are reaching out to nature even if they don’t understand why. We are nature. It all ties into mental health, feeding ourselves physically and mentally,” Soni continues. Owning and running a restaurant is hard work, but Soni carved out time to be amongst her plants. “Drained and overwhelmed from work, the garden recharged, and gave me peace. Especially during Covid, it has been great to have that space,” she remarks. Due to the pandemic, the couple’s eatery was Paul Pencak picking figs, surrounded by banana, papaya, and edible hibiscus in his backyard food forest. photo by Brittany P. Anderson shuttered for close to a year; however, they community affords little open space in the design, opting for were finally able to reopen in October. Soni maintains positive cement driveways and paver patios, instead. Yet, with a goal energy as she surveys the new growth in her plants. of food independence and self-sufficiency, Paul is turning his “Even if it’s a small thing—what new leaves have popped standard Kailua-Kona property into a food forest. up—whatever it is to find a sense of peace with the turmoil “My goal is to plant food, as much as possible,” Paul says. that is now,” she says with perennial optimism.

Raised beds with shade loving greens and trellises with beans and Malabar spinach are positioned on the side of Paul's home. photo by Brittany P. Anderson

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

ORANGE OIL TERMITE TREATMENTS

All Natural! No need to leave, bag up, or remove pets • Residential and Commercial • Pre-Construction Treatment • Termite Inspection Reports • Free Estimates • References Available Islan • Islandwide Service

Lloyd Frazier, Owner

“I’ve always been a gardener, it’s just now snowballed into a bit more,” he adds with a chuckle. Entering into Paul’s courtyard gives a hint of what’s to come. The tall fence that surrounds the property is obscured by flowering vines with

Planters with vegetables and herbs dot every walkway at Paul's house. photo by Brittany P. Anderson

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

edible and decorative plants popping out in unexpected places. “Everyone said I was going to have to break up the cement driveway, but you don’t need that much soil space if you can go up,” he remarks while standing on the concrete. Paul planted vertically minded tomatoes and passion fruit (liliko‘i) in the sliver of space between the driveway and fence. Two compost bins brimming with nutrient-rich soil occupy a small area on the drive. Creating soil with table scraps and green waste adds to Paul’s self-sufficiency. The meandering pathway to the backyard is dotted with pots planted with tomatoes, herbs, and a repurposed fountain turned into a planter. In an outdoor sitting area, he lifts up a tray of sprouted microgreens. “These only take two days to sprout in darkness and then they’re ready for the sun. Microgreens are easy and they’re nutrient dense,” he mentions before heading towards the backyard. “I prefer to be as self-sufficient as possible,” Paul continues, “It doesn’t take much to cut off our supply chain.” It is estimated that 90% of Hawai‘i Island’s food is imported. During the pandemic, residents saw a disruption of supply lines. With the future so uncertain, food independence is at the forefront of many minds. “It’s not like we can’t grow our own food; Hawai‘i Island was able to do it before. We can do it again,” he says with conviction. “I grow what I like to eat,” Paul states as he plucks juicy figs from one of his trees. Paul has created several zones in the back, maximizing every square inch available. Repurposed metal roofing turned into raised beds has a base of yard

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

Get Growing For those looking to add a little garden therapy to their life and/or be more self-sufficient, our urban farmers offered some tips to make it happen.

l Start small. Try just one plant and see if it brings you joy. Don’t feel the pressure of starting a whole garden.

l Plant something you like to eat, like herbs you cook with. Once you get the hang of it, plant some more.

l Adjust to your growing conditions. Pots and

containers work well in windowsills or patios.

l Some plants don’t need a lot of light, others

like full sun. Finding out what works for you can be trial and error—that’s okay! A failure is just a composting opportunity.

l Spend some time with your plants. Check out their leaves, notice new growth, and breathe deeply. Look at what you’ve accomplished!

l Build soil with a small worm bin and compost. Remi waters his garden starts. photo courtesy of Adrean Floro clippings that build soil and offer yet another growing space. “I really enjoy it; the whole process of planting something, watching it grow, and eating it. Fresh things that are picked off the vine just taste better,” Paul comments.

l Get connected. Talk to people in your

neighborhood, see what they’re growing and share what you can.

Tuwa and Remi have their own raised garden beds, “We want the boys to know that what you get out is what you put into it,” Rod remarks. Tuwa and Remi eagerly talk about their responsibilities tending to the chickens and rabbits. The boys switch off duties, “Whoever does the chickens, doesn’t do the rabbits,” the bright-eyed Tuwa says. “I like to hold the

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

Growing Family The urban agriculture movement is taking off, especially as Hawai‘i Island residents spend more time in the home. Growing as much food as possible around their house for the Floro family means instilling a sense of responsibility and teaching their children where their food comes from. At the end of a Hilo cul-de-sac stands an oversized ‘ulu (breadfruit) tree welcoming all who visit the Floros. Rod, Adrean, and their sons Tuwa, 9, and Remi, 7, grow a variety of fruits and vegetables in addition to their laying hens and rabbits on their 0.28-acre lot. “When I bought the house in 2004, it was just grass and gravel,” Rod says. “I envisioned a food forest and having more of an orchard. I wanted to feed my future family from the land,” he remarks. Rod was inspired by the saying, “The best time to plant a tree is 10 years ago and the next best time is today.” So he did just that, planting the ‘ulu tree and other food-bearing trees around the perimeter of the property. Today, his sons play in their fort built around that same ‘ulu tree he so prophetically planted. “I knew when I had a family, I wanted the ability to feed them from the land,” Rod adds. The couple laughs when remembering the early years in their home. Adrean always wanted to have chickens, so they started small with a chicken tractor. Chicken tractors are moveable enclosures that allow chickens to eat grass in a specific area and is then moved around a yard or pasture. “When we had the boys we harvested our first round of chickens. Even my mom helped,” Adrean adds. The pair focused on learning how to raise their boys, “When the boys got older, we got chickens again,” she says with a smile.

City lots often have really bad soil, and making your own compost is a great way to make healthy soil with your kitchen scraps.

Tuwa and Remi just hanging around the house with their chickens. photo courtesy of Adrean Floro

The Floro family enjoys growing as much of their own food as possible.

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

photo courtesy of Rod Floro

chickens. I give them treats because I like treats,” Remi adds. The newest addition to the backyard menagerie is their rabbits. Kept in hutches off the ground, the boys collect greens each day for their bunnies as part of their chores. Chickens dart around the enclosed coop area, pecking at bugs and scratching the ground under the rabbit hutches. Tuwa and Remi gently remove two of their favorite kits (as baby rabbits are called) to snuggle the adorable furry friends in a moment of beautiful tenderness. The boys kindly tuck the kits back in with their mother rabbits, then run to their tree fort to play. In addition to learning how to take care of plants and animals, Tuwa and Remi learn compassion, treating the animals how they would be like to be treated. “When we have more eggs than we need, we sell them,” the boys enthusiastically note. “We also share ‘ulu when we have a lot,” Adrean says, “It’s great because in sharing we meet people and make connections.” Rod and Adrean both think it is important to share their love of local food with their sons. “We try to always eat as locally as we can, either from what we’re growing or what else is grown locally,” Adrean says. “It is important they know where their food comes from, and appreciate how hard it can be to grow it.” “Really it’s a team effort,” Adrean starts, “We couldn’t

Aloe, tomatoes, pineapple, and peppers growing along Paul's driveway, even hanging from the rock wall. Every available space is being utilized for growing food. photo by Brittany P. Anderson accomplish it all without everyone working together,” Rod finishes, as the family beams. Gardening can be an essential part of keeping our bodies healthy, both physically and mentally, which is especially important during a pandemic. From Soni’s inspiring herbs to

Paul’s self-sufficiency and the Floro family wanting to bring their sons up knowing where their food comes from—Hawai‘i Island’s urban dwellers prove they can make a big impact with a small footprint. ■

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

Mälama Mokupuni: Caring for Our Island Environment

_ A Kipuka for All: Kaulana Manu Trail By Rachel Laderman

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

Near an ancient trail in the saddle between Hawai‘i Islandʻs two largest volcanoes, at 5,600-feet elevation and often wrapped in a misty cloud, is an oasis. It is a rejuvenating place for human travelers, and for birds, too. Since 2020, at milepost 21 on Daniel K. Inouye Highway (AKA Saddle Road), you can walk along an interpretive nature trail and learn about a great variety of native plants and birds, some very rare. The name, Kaulana Manu Nature Trail, fittingly means “tranquil resting place for birds.” The easy hiking path of less than one mile winds through a 15-acre, 400-year-old kīpuka, an island of native forest spared from surrounding lava flows. Numerous kīpuka dot the lava throughout the Humu‘ula Saddle between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, most too remote for hikers to visit. These isolated forests foster unique species due to their separation from other populations. Some kīpuka have insects endemic only to them! “This is a very intact native ecosystem,” explains Jackson Bauer, manager of the Nā Ala Hele Trails program, part of Department of Land and Natural Resources. “It is remote enough that invasive species have not gotten a foothold.”

Walk the Loop From the parking area, take in an overview of the forest canopy. While reviewing the illustrated panels on cultural and natural history, you hear an enticing birdsong medley. Follow the painted footsteps leading along a short stretch of the old Saddle Road. The realignment of this highway in 2005 triggered mitigation money that paid for the nature trail and fencing. A Capital Improvement Project funded the parking area and solar-powered composting toilets. Heading to the right, use the shoe brushes to avoid spreading the Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death fungal disease, and you’ll soon start dropping down into the forest. Pass through the pigfence gate and head left “to follow the flow of the signage,” advises Jackson, who developed the nine interpretive panels and 25 plant signs staged throughout the trail. Now you are in the many-layered forest, visiting the wau akua, or realm of the gods, protected by ancient Hawaiians for its many special gifts. Hawaiians carved tall koa trees for canoes, harvested others for building and fiber, and collected abundant bird feathers and berries such as ‘ōhelo and ‘ākala— the Hawaiian raspberry. There are more than 70 species of native trees, shrubs, and ferns here.

Birds flash through the treetops seeking bugs and sipping nectar. It’s hard to catch more than a one-second glimpse, but Jackson makes it easy to identify them by their calls. “That’s the ‘i‘iwi—hear how it sounds like a squeaky door hinge? It’s saying ‘smoked meeeat,ʻ” he quips. “Hear that sound like R2D2? That’s the crimson ‘apapane.” ÿIÿiwi in an ÿöhiÿa lehua tree along Kaulana Manu Trail. photo courtesy of Moses Sparks

‘I‘iwi Losing Safe Territory Though 11 different native birds enjoy this rainforest kīpuka, several are close to extinction. One of the biggest causes is avian malaria, a parasitic disease carried by mosquitoes. The parasite does not survive well in the cooler climate above 4,000 feet elevation; however, “the ‘i‘iwi may live above 4,000

feet, and then fly down into lower areas and get sick,” says Jay Robinson, a retired ranger with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. “Plus, as the climate warms due to human-caused climate change, mosquitoes carrying avian malaria are moving further upslope. By the time high school kids today are in their 40s and 50s, the ‘i‘iwi will be extinct,” warns Jay.

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

One avenue of hope comes from an approach already being used in some states and countries—mosquito birth control. This technique introduces Wolbachia bacteria, which live naturally in many insects, into male mosquitoes. If a male with Wolbachia mates with a wild female mosquito

From the viewing platform halfway around the loop trail, Jackson Bauer, manager of the Nä Ala Hele Trails program, points out the zones of vegetation seen clearly on Mauna Kea on this unusually cloud-free day. photo courtesy of Rachel Laderman

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

On the tree canopy viewing deck, Jackson points out the large bird cutouts that beckon drivers from the highway. The sign describes the evolution of honeycreeper beaks and diets, all from one finch ancestor. Out of over 150 species that once lived in Hawaiÿi, only 42 remain, and most are endangered. The site is perfect for school groups, artists, birdwatchers, photographers, and families. photo courtesy of Rachel Laderman

Photographer Moses Sparks (left) and Jay Robinson, retired park ranger with Hawaiÿi Volcanoes National Park, find honeycreepers in the ÿöhiÿa canopy from the trail overlook. They are bringing attention to how close ÿiÿiwi are to extinction due to avian malaria. photo courtesy of Rachel Laderman

Shuttlecock ferns (Dryopteris wallichiana) in the lush understory. The trail provides a rare opportunity to know that nearly every plant you lay your eyes on is native, and evolved here in close relationship to the insects, climate, and birds. photo courtesy of Rachel Laderman with a different (or no) strain of the bacteria, her eggs won’t hatch. Note, this is not genetic modification: male mosquitoes don’t bite, and Wolbachia cannot make people or other animals sick. Every day, insects with Wolbachia are living and dying around us. Refresh and Rededicate The damage invasive plants and animals cause in Hawai‘i can be daunting. Taking your children to experience the sounds, smells, and sights of a pristine ancient forest—or just pausing to visit this tranquil resting place as you zip across the island— is a great way to feel the inspiration necessary to keep working towards island restoration. ■

Over a decade of effort went into creating this easily accessible nature trail showcasing Hawaiÿi Island’s high-elevation wet forests and kïpuka geology. Because a highway went right past this kïpuka, birders and hikers were already visiting, making it an ideal site to improve into a welcoming destination where visitors can learn about the ecosystem without trampling it. photo courtesy of DLNR For more information: Hawaiitrails.hawaii.gov birdsnotmosquitoes.org Rachel Laderman, Sustainable Pacific Program Lynker LLC/NOAA Affiliate, Hawaii Island

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

By Sara Stover

42 With a voice that sounds like Hawaiian sunlight dancing on the waves, songwriter Kailee Spark challenges listeners to embrace their inner free spirit.

t was 1997 and Kailee Spark was sitting in a sunny patch on the floor in her California home, listening to her parents’ CD Wacky Favorites over and over. The more that little, sapphire-eyed Kailee played the CD, the more certain she was that becoming a musician was her destiny, even at around seven years old. By eight years old, Kailee’s interest in songwriting had escalated to a fascination with penning songs as a form of self-expression. Around the same time, she began taking piano lessons. “Piano was my first instrument,” Kailee affirms. “Guitar didn’t come into my life for a few more years.” It was a family friend, known affectionately as “Uncle Billy,” that introduced Kailee to the six-string instrument. “Uncle Billy was this interesting character who gave my family an acoustic guitar for Christmas when I was 14 years old,” Kailee recounts. It wasn’t long before young Kailee was learning chords and

writing songs, influenced by the singer Jewel and the band Saves the Day, as well as punk rock music. She also remained true to the dreams of grade-school Kailee by forming a few short-lived bands herself, and singing in both her church and school choirs. Sometimes It Only Takes a Spark By 2010, Kailee’s pursuit of an education in anthropology and desire to travel in search of stories began to grow from a spark to a burning flame, leading her to relocate from the Bay Area in California to Pāhoa, Hawai‘i. On the surface, it didn’t appear to be the most direct path to manifesting her dream of being a songwriter. In reality, it was the most auspicious move Kailee could make. A complement to her anthropological education, Kailee settled into life at the intentional community of Gaia Yoga for an internship in permaculture and sustainable living. Although the internship was to be a mere three-month commitment, the

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

same union of heart and soul that was apparent the day Kailee repeatedly spun her parents’ CD confirmed she should make Hawai‘i her home— before the end of her third day on Hawai‘i Island! “It was the perfect Hawaiian day, so I headed down to the beach at Ka‘ena Point State Park. And I had a moment of clarity, driving on the Red Road [Kapoho-Kalapana Young Kailee’s first instrument was the piano. “Guitar Road],” Kailee didn’t come into my life until I was 14.” recalls. “I had never seen such a beautiful place and I knew that I had to live here!” By the time she had finished her internship and received her bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, and a master’s degree in cultural anthropology from Humboldt State University in California, Hawai‘i Island had thoroughly worked its magic on Kailee.

“Inspired by the beauty, nature, and people of the island, I opened up creatively, writing a lot more songs. Some of them made it onto my upcoming album,” says Kailee. “It has been said that the task of the anthropologist is to ‘make the strange familiar, and the familiar strange.’ In my songs, I often try to encapsulate that experience of making the foreign familiar,” Kailee says of drawing further inspiration from time spent in environments that are foreign to her. Savoring the Moment From the mesmerizing stars, serenity of the ocean, songs of native birds and coqui frogs, and power of the Kīlauea Volcano, Kailee has experienced an energy here on Hawai‘i Island that she has yet to feel elsewhere. Living in Lower Puna, no doubt, plays a significant role in her connection to this energy. In 2018, Kailee was living in one home in Leilani Estates and had just bought another house when Kīlauea erupted. “By 2019, my current house was finally livable, but I did lose the other house. It’s the price we pay to experience nature’s power.” “For me, the eruption drove home the reality that this moment is all there is,” she says of the notion that nothing is permanent, which surfaces in her debut album, Savor This. Alongside this concept, listeners will also hear the island’s essence shine through in Kailee’s voice and lyrics. It seems that Kailee Spark has a knack for turning difficulties into life lessons and creative opportunities. While the world reeled from pandemic-related challenges, Kailee was making a full-time commitment to her music. The result is the release of her songs “Sparkle & Shine” and “Passageways,” which were

Kailee originally moved to Pähoa for an internship at Gaia Yoga in permaculture and sustainable living. released in April, followed by the full album, Savor This. Since then, Kailee hasn’t lost any momentum, and is currently working on a second album and drawing an abundance of inspiration from different spiritual experiences she’s had recently. “For this album, I’m tuning into a lot of life’s lessons and making peace with parts of myself that I haven’t in the past.” She hopes to share at least one of these lessons with other budding creatives. “Be yourself. Tap into your own creativity and inspiration. Get into the flow where you’re able to receive inspiration for songs.” Kailee has some additional advice for musicians facing those inevitable times when things don’t go as planned. “When things don’t seem like they are working out, don’t beat yourself up and resort to doing what you think is popular. Stay true to what’s already present in your heart and soul!” “Accept all the parts of you,” says Kailee, who insists that this is exactly what she did on her new album. Another theme that will be apparent on her next album is the idea of having faith, “and trusting that the universe has your back!” “The concept behind one of my favorite quotes by Terence McKenna shows up in a lot of my songs because it’s how I aspire to live,” she continues. “‘Nature loves courage.

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

Kailee is currently working on a second album inspired by life’s lessons and a commitment to be herself.

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

Woven into Kailee’s songs are themes of embracing nature outwardly, and cultivating peace within.

You make the commitment and nature will respond to that commitment by removing impossible obstacles…This is how magic is done. By hurling yourself into the abyss and discovering it’s a feather bed.’”

All photos courtesy of Kailee Spark For more information: allmylinks.com/kaileesparkmusic

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

The Heart of Kailee’s World In Kailee’s song “Sparkle & Shine,” many listeners will identify with the urge to break up with their mobile devices. “I get the urge to drive down to the ocean and throw this stupid phone off the cliff,” she sings. Like many of us, Kailee has a love-hate relationship with her phone. “It’s so easy to get addicted to it but I’m making a huge effort to not be on my phone as much. Not always have my face in a screen,” Kailee says. “I have to disengage from all the noise and info I’m consuming. We all do. We need to have breaks to uncover new ideas!” For Kailee, these breaks include spending time in nature and pursuing other skills she honed during the pandemic, including practicing yoga, learning Hindi, fermenting sauerkraut, and reading epic travel books. “Sometimes I even make food inspired by the country or place I am reading about,” Kailee shares. “I just finished a book on Tibet and made tsampa and butter tea for the first time!” It’s from these breaks that the inspiration for timeless songs like her debut single “Passageways” emerge. The song is poised perfectly between upbeat ballads with a folksy sound that transport fans into the heart of Kailee’s world. Both the upcoming album and the brave choice to make music her career have been a process for Kailee. “This was very much a process! I started playing my music and live streaming on a few websites in 2020. Then people began asking where to find my album!” Kailee says, humbled. “I received so much encouragement from others about songs I was playing on my acoustic guitar. They suggested that I make a GoFundMe page.” “The generosity of my fans supported me and gave me the hope I needed to continue to make this my livelihood. Now I want to bring to fruition my dreams about creating some songs that will resonate with audiences around the world.” With a voice that sounds like Hawaiian sunlight dancing on the waves and lyrics that challenge listeners to embrace their inner free spirit, Kailee’s global appeal is highly probable. It doesn’t hurt that in addition to YouTube videos that are a visual celebration of our island’s charm, Kailee has recently begun a weekly live stream, Friday Night Fun with Kailee Spark, which includes acoustic music, banter, and occasional appearances from her cat and dog, Tweaker and Kiai. Judging by the 1,300 views her second live stream garnered, it’s clear that the talented recording artist has a growing fan base. You don’t have to watch her videos or live streams, however, to recognize the themes of embracing nature outwardly, and cultivating peace within, that are woven into Kailee’s songs. Her music captures the diversity and wonder that seem to be around every corner on Hawai‘i Island with a poetic clarity. “It’s true, the island really does spark many nature themes in my songs,” Kailee muses. “From snow-capped Mauna Kea to the lush, tropical forests, the natural beauty here is incredible!” ■

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

Featured Cover Artist: Barbara Hanson she went with kind of a stained-glass effect. Barbara says, “I wanted to integrate holiday spirit from everyone’s standpoint, so I used different colors that I think of to represent the holiday season for different people.” Barbara encourages people to come to the gallery to see her art. “One of the coolest things is how much I share about what I do. You really get to feel the process of having it come together if you see it, smell it, feel it.” You never know what’s going to be happening in the gallery at any given moment. Barb invites, “We’ve got microphones, amplifiers, guitars, keyboards—people come in, they play music, we serve coffee and wine. It’s a destination in Hōlualoa and people love to come hang out.” For more information: barbarahansonart.com

Table of Contents Artist:

Candace Lee

Candace Lee shares, “Hawai‘i is an art gallery of divine creativity. Tremendous treasures and nature present themselves with each passing day. I desire to share these wonders by expressing them through my art.” Nature’s creatures have been themes for many of Candace’s projects. “I believe my artwork raises our global consciousness to feel that nature is divine creation with all the intricate parts working together for the good of mankind. My purposes are to expand people’s vision and activate their creative energy. My watercolor paintings bring nature from outdoors to the indoors to be viewed and appreciated, but most importantly saved.” Candace’s passion and unique style of water coloring has led her in a lifelong process of studying and creating through her paintings. Teaching watercolor painting has been a gift for Candace. She says, “It feeds my soul and fills my heart when I can touch the creative part of a child or an adult. We are all artists and I can help you access your talent.” Candace sells her watercolors to people all over the world. Her studio is in her home in Waikoloa, and many of her pieces can be viewed there. For more information: candaceleeart.com

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

Barbara Hanson's gallery in Hōlualoa Village is an experience that is best done in person, so people can see the process, touch the material, and see the different stages of her artwork coming together. Barbara is living her dream. She walks into her gallery every morning and says to herself, “What am I going to make today?” Barbara grew up in San Diego, then attended Humboldt State University. She was an avid beader, and discovered polymer clay during that time. She and her former husband packed up her beads and moved to Hawai‘i in 1991. She started creating art as soon she arrived. She remembers, “We started building canes right before moving here. We started with Kokopelli, and when we brought it here, people thought it was ali‘i, so we started doing petroglyphs, fisherman, and rainbow warriors.” Eventually they got into more complex ideas, and more colors. Barbara was the resident artist at Kona Village Resort for 20 years until it closed after the 2011 Fukushima earthquake. After that, her art was featured in resort art shows at the former Hapuna Prince, Mauna Kea Resort, and Four Seasons. She’s had four of her own galleries since then and is now in her “dream” gallery in Hōlualoa, in the building formerly occupied by Mary and Matthew Lovein. Its nickname is “the living room” because, Barbara quips, “everybody who comes into the space wants to stay, they’re so comfortable.” Living right down the street from the gallery, Barbara and her daughter live next door to her grandmother and mom. She is inspired by having four generations of her family right there and feels completely supported. She finally feels like sheʻs found her spot. Barbara is completely self-taught and one of the few who create “canes” of this magnitude. She is so experienced now that she teaches classes in it. Photos of her work have become what her polymer source uses in their marketing materials as examples of the possibilities. This is something Barbara is most proud of, saying “when you work that hard, it works out.” For this cover, she wanted to do something a little different, so

O2 Lab of Hawaii

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

Talk Story with an Advertiser

In 2005, Dr. Eric Mizuba received the phone call that any child dreads. His father, Seth Mizuba, had a major stroke after his 60th Hilo High reunion. Although his father survived, his physicalimpairments were significant. After 6 months, Seth was released from rehabilitation and advised to “get his affairs in order.” Being a PhD, after doing his own research, Seth decided that a more aggressive approach for his post-stroke rehab was warranted, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). It facilitated his recovery. This experience was the impetus for Dr. Mizuba to understand HBOT. He pursued professional training and licensing for incorporating it in his chiropractic practice. He had been in practice in Northwest Pennsylvania for 10 years, and was also working for major-league baseball, the US Golf Association, and the Ontario Hockey League, all while raising four children with his wife, Andrea. With a foundation in chiropractic, and his diplomate specialty in sports medicine, Dr. Mizuba has always supported a multidisciplinary approach to optimize health and performance of athletes. In the early years of providing HBOT, Dr. Mizuba was primarily treating concussions, post-concussion syndrome, and musculoskeletal injuries. As the years passed, referrals increased for utilization of HBOT as an adjunctive therapy, and patient outcomes were significantly improved. Twelve years later, Dr. Mizuba was surprised that hyperbaric oxygen therapy was not available on Hawai‘i Island. By the end of 2017, Dr. Mizuba, Andrea, and their children relocated to be closer to his family and to open the island’s first credentialed hyperbaric clinic. Dr. Mizuba recalls, “Upon our arrival, many people thought that hyperbaric oxygen therapy was a novelty and did not understand the power of oxygen under increased atmospheric pressure.” That has changed. “The best part of doing HBOT is seeing the positive effects in difficult situations,” Dr. Mizuba explains. “Our business is unique in the field of hyperbarics,” Andrea shares. Dr. Mizubaʻs wife, Andrea Mizuba, CHT, CSD, is involved with the clinic, and she too has a background in healthcare administration and board certifications with the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. Dr. Mizuba is an instructor of HBOT safety and operation trainings. Having the best equipment and best training, while striving to keep costs affordable, has required commitment. Dr. Mizuba expresses gratitude towards the island community for welcoming him here these past few years, saying, “Helping our community starts by helping one person at a time. Our mantra is: Faster, Stronger, Longer!” The O2 Lab Hawaii at Mizuba Chiropractic 65-1206 Mamalahoa Hwy., Suite 3-212, Kamuela 808.887.1918 drmizuba.com

Volcano Heritage Cottages Talk Story with an Advertiser

Volcano Heritage Cottages Hale Ohia Road, Volcano Village volcanoheritagecottages@gmail.com volcanoheritagecottages.com

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

Lorna Larsen-Jeyte saw Tutu’s Cottage while taking a walk down Hale Ohia Road, thinking it was for the first time. She and her husband Albert had just come back from vacationing in Norway and Lorna saw a for sale sign. She immediately fell in love with the property, thinking she could make it like a Norwegian summer cottage. What Lorna remembered later was that she had lived there when she was eight years old with her dad and stepmom—they would go there on the weekends from their home in Hilo! Lorna and Albert bought the cottage and completely renovated it. At the time, they owned Kīlauea Lodge and considered it the “13th room.” During the mid-90s they were getting more requests for multi-generational travel accomodations, so this was a perfect addition. In 2008, Ola‘a Plantation House was for sale. Loving the idea of another project, Albert bought and renovated it and it became the “14th room” at Kīlauea Lodge. When the couple sold Kīlauea Lodge in 2018, they kept these two vacation rentals. Each cottage sleeps up to five people. Lorna reflects, “Both our cottages are quite different. Albert’s was built by a plantation manager, it’s quite elegant. Boone Morrison called it a Hilo-style plantation house. Albert fixed it up. The furniture in the living room is from the 1940s, it’s authentic rattan, recovered with Sig Zane fabric. The bedroom has a four-poster wood bed, it’s a replica of the Kawananakoa family bed in Hulihe‘e Palace. The kitchen has been modernized, but made to look like it’s from the 30s.” Tutu’s Cottage is a simple house, not as large as Ola‘a. It has koa furniture, and is also upholstered with Sig Zane fabric. They both have an “upcountry look” that is seen in other high elevation towns, such as Kamuela, and Kula on Maui, usually featuring koa wood or rattan, with flowery Hawaiian fabric. One of the things that is so nice about both cottages, being across the street from each other, is they are walking distance to Volcano Village. Families can walk from the cottages to the restaurants and galleries, and are just five minutes from Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Lorna and Albert’s cottages have been rated as five-star Airbnb Superhosts and VRBO Premier Hosts! Whether you’re visiting from another part of the island or another part of the world, reserve a Volcano Heritage Cottage!

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

UA MAU KE EA O KA ‘ÄINA 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 Hawai‘i state motto.

Publisher, Editor Barbara Garcia, 808.329.1711 x1, Barb@KeOlaMagazine.com

Editorial Assistant

Tanya Yamanaka, 808.329.1711 x3, Tanya@KeOlaMagazine.com

Advertising, Business Development Tanya Yamanaka, Call/Text 808.747.4410, Tanya@KeOlaMagazine.com

Bookkeeping

Tanya Yamanaka, 808.329.1711 x 3, Info@KeOlaMagazine.com

Subscriptions and Change of Address Subscribe@KeOlaMagazine.com

Distribution Managers Big Island Brochure, Inc. Laura and Charles Ruff, 808.765.7947

Creative Design & Production Aaron Miyasato, Creative Director, 808design101, Inc. 808.333.2327 Noren Irie, Graphics & IT/networking

Webmistress and Proofreader

Michelle Sandell, Michelle@KeOlaMagazine.com

Ambassadors

Emily T Gail • Fern Gavelek • Keala Ching • Mars Cavers Sharon Bowling • WavenDean Fernandes

Ke Ola Magazine is printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks. Ke Ola Magazine is a member/supporter of:

First Class Nationwide Subscriptions Order online at KeOlaMagazine.com Email Subscribe@KeOlaMagazine.com Mail name, address, and payment of $45 for one year to: PO Box 492400, Keaau, HI 96749 Or call 808.329.1711 x4 Delivery available anywhere in Hawai‘i and the US. © 2021, Ke Ola Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved

KeOlaMagazine.com

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

Request online at KeOlaMagazine.com (go to Contact menu) Editorial inquiries or story ideas Advertising rates

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

Wishing You and Your Loved Ones a Very Happy Holiday!

Kelly Shaw 808.960.4636 Realtor Broker, R(B )-21516 ABR, e-Pro, CRS, GRI, CLHMS kelly.shaw@compass.com buyahomeinkona.com

KONA | HOLUALOA | KEAUHOU | SOUTH KONA

COMING SOON!! KAILUA KONA 4 Bed | 2 Bath | Single level home on 1.5 acres

KeOlaMagazine.com | November-December 2021

This stately up-country home boasts spectacular, expansive ocean views. Thoughtfully constructed by the current owners with a strong steel frame and countless custom features. The expansive lot offers seclusion and tranquility yet is an easy drive to stores and services. This very special property offers a wonderful opportunity for buyers hoping to own their own little piece of paradise.

KOMOHANA KAI - IN ESCROW!

KOMOHANA KAI - JUST SOLD!

3 Bed | 2 Bath | Ocean Views, Move-in Ready $939,000 | MLS 651038

3 Bed | 2.5 Bath with pool | Spectacular Ocean Views $949,500 | MLS 652235

“Kelly Shaw is an expert in Kona real estate. She has the experience and wisdom to guide us through the search, composing offers and responding in a negotiation. She quickly identifies points of concern and understands how to bring resolution. We have bought two homes with Kelly and in both cases she instilled us with confidence throughout the journey and ultimately left us feeling satisfied and complete with our new purchases. Kelly has our highest recommendation.”—M.M. Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage.

November–December 2021

Articles inside

Auwē Ke Ola ē

O2 Lab of Hawaii at Mizuba Chiropractic

Featured Cover Artist