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Photos by Clarkborne Creative
Who Are You Thankful For This Year?
The true spirit of Thanksgiving encourages the conscious expression of gratitude. Its focus is spending time with those that you love and giving back in a meaningful way. While ambition, competition, and achieving goals can be healthy, forgetting to appreciate those around us who have helped us along in our journey can leave us missing out on what truly matters.
In this season of giving thanks, I find myself reflect ing with gratitude on the many wonderful people in my life. First my wife, Jenni. She’s gone on the journey of life with me, endured all the ups and downs, and persevered side by side. Jenni, you are a phenomenal woman, and I love you. Then my kids. They keep life full, interesting, and fun — sometimes not fun either. They are my true wealth. I’m also surrounded by a rich tapestry of more true and deep friendships than any one man should deserve. To all my friends: you know who you are, and I’m grateful for you.
Our November issue is dedicated to stories of gratitude for those giving their gifts to our community. Dave & Ruth Arthurs have faithfully served over three decades of Big Island families’ physical and relational health. Rosemary Miller has graced us with the gift of her strikingly beautiful artistic expression. We’re all thankful for Mills Stoval, and his 100% locally sustainable Waimea Butcher Shop, and it’s delicious wares. We are excited to celebrate the talent of our very own Tianna Morimoto, who won a national award for her writing in this magazine!
Additionally, we are especially thankful for our advertising partners who help bring this magazine to your doorsteps each month. They are part of our vision and purpose of bringing inspiring stories and the good news of the community directly to you. This holiday season as you prepare to gather with your loved ones, set time aside to consider what truly makes life meaningful and be sure to let your people know.
Blessings to you and your family,
JOHNNY GILLESPIE, PUBLISHER @KONACOASTMAGAZINE
November 2024
PUBLISHER
Johnny Gillespie | johnny.gillespie@citylifestyle.com
Liam Tattersall, Whiteshell Photography, and Anna Velichko
Corporate Team
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Zach Miller
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen
inside the issue
Internationally
Waimea
MAKE PRICELESS MEMORIES RIDING ON
MAJESTIC ISLAND OF HAWAII
Kona Wine Market
We are a family-owned business that offers selected options of over 300 different beers, over 400 specialty spirits and over 700 different wines. We offer custom gift and wine baskets. If you are a beer enthusiast, Kona Wine Market is the place to be. We are the best premier beer provider on Kona and the home of the Lava Tube Beer Cave. We offer case, half case, and Kama’aina discounts. KonaWineMarket.com.
Photography by Kona Wine Market
BlueSky Energy
At BlueSky, we provide quality components, value-engineered system design, flexible financing, and technical expertise in renewable energy. With no salespeople or commissions, no gimmicks or exorbitant mark-ups, we ensure transparency and help you understand your options. We offer insightful information and commitment to help you achieve your renewable energy goals. WhyBlueSky.com.
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Mizuba Chiropractic
Dr. Mizuba is the only Diplomate/ Fellow of the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians in Hawai’i. The best combination of Chiropractic Sports Medicine and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. No gimmicks, just evidence-based care. Do you want to be pain-free? Make an appointment today. DrMizuba.com.
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ART FROM THE HEART
Internationally recognized artist shares deep love for Hawai’i through her work
ARTICLE BY SARA STOVER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LIAM TATTERSALL
Sitting on the shores of Kahului Bay is Seaside Art Gallery, a haven for art aficionados, friends, visitors, and private collectors alike. Here, Rosemary Miller, artist and owner of the oceanfront gallery and studio, can often be found talking story with those who stop in while strolling down Ali’i Drive.
“One day, some native Hawaiians came to the gallery and said my kapa prints had meaning to them.”
Representing a broad scope of styles and media that uplift the spirit, her work celebrates culture and nature from Hawai’i to Asia, but her artistic journey began on the East Coast.
Born in Washington, D.C., Rosemary received a degree from the University of Maryland before moving to Italy. While in the homeland of the Renaissance artists, a desire to paint moved her to study art history. Inspired by Italy, Rosemary returned home to study art and art history at the American University and the George Washington University and painting at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She then brought her artistic fervor to the National Gallery of Art, where she worked as a docent before marrying Frank Miller and moving to Florida, where she raised three daughters.
“We first visited the Big Island for a course at the University of the Nations. After that, Frank begged
me to move here,” says Rosemary, who has called Hawai’i home for the past 30 years. “We bought the cottage next door to the gallery, even though it was in dire need of renovations.”
Hawai’i proved to be the perfect soil for artistic growth. “I started with pastels and oil, then watercolors and collage,” says Rosemary, who founded Seaside Art Gallery in 2004 to share her global experiences and vibrant expressions of love for Hawai’i with the world. A lifelong student, she continued to take classes in encaustics and block prints at Donkey Mill Art Center.
“I found myself immersed in creating kapa cloth paintings based on classic Hawaiian designs,” Rosemary says. “One day, some native Hawaiians came to the gallery and said my kapa prints had meaning to them, bringing out long-held cultural values and characteristics of the Hawaiian people!”
This encounter led to the publication of Rosemary’s book “Hawaiian Kapa Cloth Pictures,” which she dedicated to the people of Hawai’i “who long to bring back their culture and others who love art and learning about Hawaiian culture.”
In 2010, Rosemary led artists from Tonga, Fiji, Hawai’i, Samoa, and New Zealand in collaborating on “Polynesian Tapa Cloth,” which they presented to the University of the Nations in celebration of its 50th Anniversary. In addition to kapa, Rosemary now implements 12 mediums in her work, including hand-dyed silk wearables featuring over 50 colors that she makes by mixing her own procreant dyes.
With the Pacific as her backyard and lush foliage just steps away, it’s no wonder that mesmerizing seascapes and floral images often surface in her Tropical Collection. What’s more, Rosemary goes deeper into the island's heart, with the power of Hawaiʻi’s volcanoes giving glass pieces a fiery glow and erupting from collages of Kīlauea so powerful that you can almost feel the lava’s heat.
“I can’t just go make them, though. I have to be inspired. Some days, I wake up and can’t wait to break glass!” Rosemary exclaims, referring to her Fused Glass collection, which requires an exacting method that produces a poetic result. On other days, she is inspired to focus on her Green Designs, crafted of natural fibers and materials, including handmade paper, woven raffia, bamboo, grass cloth, pressed flowers, and feathers. “All the elements are from the ʻaina,” says Rosemary, pointing to “Memories of Polynesia,” a piece born of her travels in the South Pacific, where she collected conch shells and Tahitian pearls.
The flowers, the land, the waves, the culture, it’s all part of me. Even if it’s not always conscious until it comes out in my art!
Rosemary has ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren and is most thankful for opportunities to create art with her family. “My daughter, granddaughter, and I collaborated on a two-panel acrylic painting, each of us painting a rose.”
Rosemary’s pieces can be found in Germany, India, South America, and around the globe. On Hawai’i Island, her artwork has been displayed in private home collections and exhibitions at Hualalai Four Seasons, the Mauna Lani Resort, and the Fairmont Orchid. While Rosemary may be an internationally recognized artist, around town, local runners and regular walkers are
grateful for the water fountain outside her cottage. “I want my gallery to reflect Hawaiian hospitality,” she explains. No matter the art medium used, Rosemary’s love for Hawai’i and its people is evident. “The flowers, the land, the waves, the culture, it’s all part of me. Even if it's not always conscious until it comes out in my art! I feel the Hawaiians' closeness to nature and reverence for the Earth. I want my work to express my own gratitude for all the wonder of God’s creation.”
Learn more at SeasideArtGallery.com.
RADICAL R E STORATION
ARTICLE BY LIZ ARNOLD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNA VELICHKO
“It’s a way to give quality of life.”
When Ruth and Dr. Dave Arthurs, founders of Hawaii MedSpa, visited the Big Island twenty years ago on a second honeymoon, they didn’t know it would become their next home. Back in Idaho, their lives flourished. Surrounded by mountains, Dr. Arthurs had a successful medical practice, and Ruth thrived, home-schooling their three children and working as a marriage and family counselor. Ironically, they ended up on the Big Island with a medical practice.
Ruth grew up in Pennsylvania with Christian values and a strong faith background. Her father, who believed in women being educated, told her she had to become a teacher or a nurse. She chose nursing, but after watching a medical film that was too visual for her taste, she changed her mind and became a teacher.
As a young man, Dave struggled to make his career choice. A friend
recommended pursuing conventional medicine because she knew how much Dave enjoyed helping people. Yet, Dave grappled with this idea because he grew up believing in holistic medicine. At the time, Dave didn’t even have a pill in his home, not even an aspirin – something Ruth, unfortunately, discovered upon their return from a motorcycle trip to Tijuana, Mexico, with the miserable symptoms of Montezuma's revenge, otherwise known as traveler’s diarrhea.
Dave discovered a suitable compromise. He became a doctor of osteopathic medicine, a combination of conventional medical techniques with holistic health in which a person’s mind, body, and emotions are all considered for treatment. This education led to a successful medical practice and a fruitful life in idyllic Idaho, where the family enjoyed camping, horseback riding, and skiing.
“It’s a way to make a change for people, and it is an investment.”
Upon moving to the Big Island, Ruth and Dr. Arthurs could have retired early, but he wanted to continue helping people. Ruth recalls, “We basically started from scratch, all over again, and that was a little hard because we had no idea what the environment would be like for business.”
Dr. Arthurs wisely recruited Ruth to help him, but she resisted working in the medical field, reminding her husband that she was “not a nurse!” However, his persuasion worked, and together, they created the Hawaii Family Physicians: Comprehensive Care for the Whole Family, a well-established, burgeoning practice.
Dr. Arthurs cares deeply for his patients. He says, “I wanted to offer more.” His concern for people motivated him to continue learning, resulting in becoming trained to offer Botox injections and other cosmetic esthetic type of treatments for improving people’s appearance, which can boost self-confidence.
Over the years, while living in Hawai’i, both Ruth and Dr. Arthurs valued the people comprising their local community. They consider them ‘ohana. For this reason, they volunteered with several organizations, including their church and a global interdenominational mission movement, by offering their medical services and expertise. Helping others, a motivational drive they both share, led to their newest venture.
Reflecting on their lives, Dr. Arthurs and Ruth asked themselves, “How can people be strong and have the ability, mobility, energy, and capacity to still enjoy life in their 60s, 70s, and older?” Dr. Arthurs learned about new medical equipment from BTL Aesthetics that is safe and effective for treating various conditions for all ages. These new devices use electromagnetic energy to create muscle contractions. He explains, “You get approximately 20,000 contractions in a 30-minute treatment period.”
“It’s a way to give quality of life,” Ruth says. “It’s been amazing for me.” She receives treatment and has noticed a positive difference. Every year, they go back to the mainland to ski. She shares, “I could ski from the top to the bottom without stopping. I had never done that as a 20, 40, or 50-year-old. It only happened when I got a stronger core because of these machines.”
Dr. Arthurs says, “It’s really rewarding to see the results and help people, particularly with urinary incontinence.” A person’s pelvic floor can be strengthened because the machines do the kegel muscle exercises for you. This can lead to a more robust pelvic floor quicker than if a person had only exercised alone.
Ruth says, “Being able to sleep all through the night and not have to get up three or four times has been life-changing for me and many others.”
CONTINUED >
Various Services
Are you desperately trying to lose weight, build muscle, or heal from an injury? Hawaii MedSpa, located in Kailua-Kona, offers various services using equipment and technology from BTL Aesthetics: EmSculpt Neo, EmTone, and Emsella.
These machines are not just for older people. They can help athletes perform better and benefit the average person wanting to stay in shape. Also, these devices can help repair injuries, such as lower back pain. Ruth described how she once had difficulty picking up her grandchildren before the treatments, but now she lifts them quickly. Hawaii MedSpa is the name of their new business, located in Kailua-Kona. It is integrated into their current practice to offer comprehensive care to their patients. Ruth and Dr. Arthurs see this as an opportunity to provide people with quality life for years. They are excited about the possibilities these treatments can provide. “It’s a way to make a change for people, and it is an investment,” Ruth says.
Learn more at Hawaii-MedSpa.com.
All three devices are available for your use. EmSculpt Neo is a non-invasive device that targets eliminating the fat cells and helps to build muscle. EmTone is a device that treats cellulite and factors contributing to cellulite using thermal and mechanical energy.
Emsella is a device that uses High Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Therapy Technology (HIFEM) to cause pelvic floor muscle contractions, which treats male and female urinary incontinence. It also treats sexual health concerns. This technology is revolutionary, offering non-invasive treatments.
A Dream Come True
ARTICLE BY MATIAS ARREDONDO
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WHITESHELL PHOTOGRAPHY
Waimea Butcher Shop’s owner shares his desire for a sustainable economy with quality in every bite
Determination is a strong force. We have two options when we have a dream: pursue it or forget about it. But everything big started with something small, someone didn’t give up on.
Mills Stovall was born and raised in Texas. He grew up hunting, fishing, enjoying the countryside and butchery in general. He studied performance art and opera at Centenary College of Louisiana while working in the food industry. “I knew that if I worked in a kitchen, I’d be able to have a meal. I was a broke student,” he shares. But the financial circumstances didn’t stop him; he fought even harder to reach his goals.
Unexpectedly, what was supposed to be a means toward his education became the new finish line. He enjoyed the dynamics of cooking so much that he left the arts to attend the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. There, he fell in love with restaurants, cuisine, and being creative with fresh ingredients. He learned from some of the best cooks in the city and then pursued a career as a chef. In ‘99, after being burnt out from working in kitchens, he moved to the Big Island to dedicate himself to ranching and farming, and spent about ten years as the Executive Chef for Roaring Lion Ranch.
He traveled through the mainland, Spain, and Japan, noticing butcher shops in every small community. When his first daughter was born, he dreamed about opening a restaurant, but his wife, Kamalei, disagreed. The last butchery in Waimea, Kamuela Meats, had closed in the 80s, so Mills and Kamalei settled to open a butcher shop instead. “I thank my wife. She has been the best supporter a husband could have. I have a lot of love and respect for how she allowed me to pursue my dream,” he says.
CONTINUED >
“I thank my wife. She has been the best supporter a husband could have.” - Mills Stovall, Waimea
Butcher’s owner
In 2016, Mills established Waimea Butcher Shop, always keeping the desire for a restaurant in mind. The business developed consistently, gaining a faithful clientele in the Paniolo town. Soon, he understood that people didn’t want just a piece of meat that looked good on a plate; they longed for locally sourced, quality, grass-fed beef that looked good and tasted even better. He wondered if this was the direction he wanted his business to take.
He shared his thoughts with chef friends, who thought achieving it was impossible. Nevertheless, Mills went ahead and tried it for a couple of months. Eight years later, he proudly shares that it was the best decision for his business, the community, and the land.
“Everything we source in the butcher shop is locally sourced from Hawai’i Island only. We are a whole animal butcher shop; you'll see things you don't find in grocery stores. We love introducing people to all cuts of the animal instead of just the prime cuts you see in other places,” he shares.
His determination came from the desire to support the local economy while showcasing quality food. “We could keep millions of dollars here on the island by buying local products. We have the best beef, pork, chicken, and lamb in the world. People from the mainland are coming to Hawai’i for the food scene; they want to try Big Island beef,” says Mills.
Despite Big Island’s enticing cuisine, many restaurants source meat from other locations to lower costs. However, as
“Everything we source in the butcher shop is locally sourced from Hawai’i Island only. We are a whole animal butcher shop.”
is that we're all cooks, chefs and butchers here. We’re not interested in selling you the most expensive piece of meat in the meat case. I would much rather sell a customer a pound of ground beef every week than have somebody coming in four times a year for a super-expensive steak,” Mills shares.
every restaurant and hotel offers some kind of burger, Mills wants to encourage everybody to have a local meat option. That wouldn’t mean excluding meat from other sources; a small percentage of the menu supporting local farmers and ranchers would suffice to impact the Big Island financially. “It feels a lot better to support the local economy than to have a little bit of extra money,” Mills says.
Since it opened, Waimea Butcher Shop has partnered with over three hundred small farms and ranches, including Hawaiian Hogs, Parker Ranch, and Punachicks Farm. “What separates us from Foodland or Costco
In mid-August, Mills’ dream finally came to fruition. Opened from 10 AM to 9 PM, Tuesdays through Saturdays, the restaurant offers mouthwatering selections that range from tender smoked brisket to flavorful banh mi. The lunch and dinner options are subject to availability to stay fresh — and there are always unlisted menu items worth checking. Just ask the staff team. But if you want to enjoy their delicacies at home or a private event, Waimea Butcher Shop also has a catering menu.
In the future, Mills would like to expand the business to other islands and further the mission of offering local and sustainable meats. After all, dreaming took him this far and will take him even further.
WaimeaButcherShop.com.
Creating Unforgettable Moments
Our services at Ally B Inspired Events are carefully tailored to meet all of your needs! Being an advocate for our clients’ dream events is what our team is all about. We create a relaxed planning atmosphere by offering support and guidance in every stage of the planning process.
Through open communication, partnership, and intentionality we give life to weddings and events that are enjoyable, carefree, and absolutely
ARTICLE BY MATIAS ARREDONDO PHOTOGRAPHY BY TIANNA MORIMOTO
A BIG THANKS TO TIANNA MORIMOTO
HER ARTICLE ABOUT KONA TOWN HUI WAS CHOSEN AMONG ALL THE CITY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINES NATIONWIDE TO RECEIVE THE ARTICLE OF THE YEAR AWARD
Born and raised in Kona, Tianna Morimoto graduated from Konawaena High School in 2015. She obtained her BA in Communication Studies with a Broadcast Journalism minor at Chapman University and an MA in Journalism at the University of Nevada, Reno, in 2020.
“It was a pleasure to speak with Apo and learn why he continues to keep the art of fishnet making alive for the younger generation,” Tianna shares.
“I’m thankful to have a loving and encouraging family who supported me in anything I wanted to do.”
- Tianna Morimoto
While working as a journalist at Arizona’s Family (3TV & CBS5) in Phoenix, she also writes about her hometown. “I started working for Kona Coast Magazine because I wanted a way to stay connected to Hawai’i, and there was no better way to do it than telling stories of the community I love,” she says.
Hawaiian culture has a strong visual and oral tradition, yet Tianna believes the written word plays a crucial role in its heritage. “Once something is written, it can last forever and can’t be edited or updated unless another version is printed. This helps preserve culture and keep original versions of documents, languages, and lessons alive in today’s world.”
Tianna loves telling other people’s stories and being the voice for an individual or community. Storytelling is a powerful tool that can help readers gain a new perspective on a subject or issue. “It’s essential for more communicators to come out of Hawai’i to represent where they’re from. They can bring a different perspective to any environment they’re in, which can be beneficial in opening the minds and eyes of those around us.”
“I’m thankful to have a loving and encouraging family who supported me in anything I wanted to do. They helped me find what I’m passionate about and learn how to excel in it,” Tianna says.
Connect with her at LinkedIn.com/in/TiannaMorimoto
Kona Coast Magazine team, receiving the Article of the Year Award from City Lifestyle founders.
NOVEMBER 1ST
53rd Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival
Historic Kailua Village, Ali’i Drive | 8:00 AM
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee will fill the air as the 10-day Kona Coffee Cultural Festival kicks off in the heart of Hawaii's Kona region as coffee enthusiasts, cultural aficionados, community, and visitors alike gather to celebrate the rich heritage woven into every cup of Kona coffee. KonaCoffeeFest.com.
NOVEMBER 2ND
Mauna Kea Observatories AstroDay
Kona Commons, Kailua-Kona | 10:00 AM
Dozens of astronomy and space science organizations around the state join together for a day of community fun on AstroDay. Come to this free family event and learn about the solar system, space hardware, and our galaxy. Teachers use the opportunities offered during AstroDay to promote the study of astronomy in their classrooms. KeckObservatory.org/event/astro-day.
NOVEMBER 7TH THROUGH 10TH
44th Annual Hawaiʻi International Film Festival
38 Haili Street, Hilo
The premier cinematic event of the Pacific, presented by Halekulani will feature an exciting slate of screenings at the Palace Theater to showcase feature and short films from around the world with a particular focus on Asia, the Pacific, and made-in-Hawaiʻi productions. HIFF is a desired destination for celebrated industry professionals, emerging artists, and film enthusiasts worldwide. HIFF.org.
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