Local Services

Trippin’ with Dogs

Hawaiʻi Humane Society’s Field Days for Shelter Dogs program provides hours of stimulating time-out fun for participants—both human and canine! Article by Margaret Kearns | Photography by Courtesy of HIHS Dedicated to caring for and finding loving forever homes for companion animals in need for some 60 years, the non-profit Hawaiʻi Island Humane Society (HIHS) has locations in Kona (the 12-acre HIHS Animal Community Center in Holualoa) and Keaau, serving the island’s east side. The Holualoa...

Arts + Culture

Grateful to Create: Rediscovering Childhood Passions

Big Island Artists Share How Art Works as an Outlet to Find Peace and Themselves Article by Matias Arredondo | Photography by Mel Arredondo Most of us don’t grow up to become a ballerina, an astronaut, or a president. At some point, we had to realize that those dreams can’t always be achieved. We studied something we were good at or picked a job to make ends meet. And that is okay because part of growing up is learning that not everything in life is super exciting, yet the small things we...

Life + Culture

Expecting Miracles

A 50-Year Legacy of Unwavering Compassion and Commitment to Kona Women and Families Article by Sara Stover | Photography by Fletch Photography At 14 years old, Santad Sirachainanta climbed to the rooftop of his family’s house in Kanchanaburi, nestled in the jungles of Thailand. Nursing an arm he broke playing soccer, Santad wrote 'I want to be a doctor someday' on the roof. "To be a doctor in Thailand is not easy," says Santad, who now goes by Dr. Sira. "Even though my Dad was a businessman...

Finance + Legal Services

Generations Made Secure

Couple With Six Children Finds Peace of Mind Through Estate Planning on the Big Island Article by Matias Arredondo | Photography by Anna Velichko For Blake and Shannon Casteel, raising six keiki on the Big Island has been filled with adventure, laughter and togetherness. But when the couple sat down with estate planning attorney Jennifer Shimada, their focus shifted from beach days and waterfall hikes to the legacy they hoped to leave behind. Blake, originally from Oklahoma, and Shannon, from...

Life + Culture

Carrying the Line

Living the Storyline of Those Who Came Before Us Article and Photography by Joel Froese At 18 years old, ‘A‘a Stender did something that few can even imagine. In just under 25 hours, he walked from the shores of ‘Anaehoʻomalu Bay in Waikōloa to the summit of Mauna Kea, covering 53 miles and climbing 13,800 feet in elevation. The challenge, known as Sea-to-Summit, is one of the toughest physical and mental trials on the Big Island. For ‘A‘a, it became more than a test of endurance. It was a...

Life + Culture

Kona’s Sushi Jewel

Sushi Sam’s Japanese restaurant is a local favorite that tantalizes your palate and comforts your soul Article by Nabil Abu-Assal | Photography by Fletch Photography Oishii is a Japanese word that means “delicious” or “tasty.” Sushi Sam’s, one of Kona’s premier sushi restaurants, could appropriately be renamed “Oishii Sushi.”  Since October 2020, Sam Segawa, the namesake and head chef of Sushi Sam’s, has consistently served “the freshest fish imaginable,” according to numerous testimonials...

Life + Culture

The Kona Beekeeper Legacy Project

From Humble Hives to Global Impact Article by Leandra Rouse | Photography by Andrew Hara There’s a part of Hawaiʻi that most visitors—and even many residents—never see. It lies beyond beaches and busy towns, tucked up rocky mauka roads and behind farm gates. Here, the sun rises on the slopes of Mauna Loa, and the landscape hums with quiet purpose. These are the working lands of Hawaiʻi Island’s farmers, ranchers and beekeepers—a place where beauty and utility meet, and where a little-known...

Arts + Culture

Eating Our Roots

Emmy-winning docuseries shares stories of food and culture on Hawai‘i Article by Tianna Morimoto | Photography by Aria Studios For Kolby Moser, the life of a filmmaker has been filled with long days, constant phone calls, and scheduling as she prepares for the production of season two of her award-winning docuseries, “Eating Our Roots.” The eight-episode series highlights ingredients found on Hawai‘i Island and celebrates the farmers, ranchers and fishermen who grow these foods that nourish...

Health + Wellness

Harvesting Island Flavors

Agricultural roots meet Jasmine Silverstein's mission for nourishment and wellness Article by Matias Arredondo | Photography by Fletch Photography Born and raised on the Big Island, Jasmine Silverstein spent most of her childhood in the rural parts of Puna. She grew up on a small family homestead, where life was deeply tied to the rhythms of the land. Days were filled with harvesting fruit, tending the garden and helping with daily chores that taught her and her four sisters kuleana for the...

Style + Beauty

Consciously Curated Fashion

At The Shop by Jada, custom-branded hats, island-made jewelry, and distinctive “beach to bar” apparel from sustainably-focused, socially-responsible brands are always in style Article by Sara Stover | Photography by Fletch Photography The subtle hum of contemporary jazz and a delicate floral fragrance greet visitors to The Shop by Jada, in the heart of Holualoa. A pale pink dress tousled by the upcountry breeze is tastefully displayed on a mannequin on the shop’s lanai. Within, custom-branded...