Arts + Culture

A Timeless Stitch

Woman-owned and sewn leather goods combine style and function into one-size-fits-all fashion Article by Sara Stover | Photography by Fletch Photography The intoxicating smell of leather lingers in the air of a small home studio in the hills above Hāwī. Vicki Dyer, founder and owner of Vicki Jean Leather Design Co., meticulously measures, cuts, and stitches the latest leather design she’s dreamed up. Behind the cutting table, shelves are piled high with leathers in a rainbow of colors, like...

Finance + Legal Services

Recovering A Family Legacy

Against all odds, a collaboration brought a family property back to life Article by Sara Stover | Photography by Fletch Photography When James Augustine met Scotty Martinson at Channel Islands Surfboards, a shop in Santa Barbara, CA, the two bonded over being from the Big Island.  “I was going to college in Santa Barbara and bought a surfboard from Scotty, the shop’s manager, in 1998,” says James, owner of Big Island Commercial Properties.  “You bought more than one,” Scotty says with a...

Style + Beauty

Dare To Dream

Mehana Pilago's Journey In Entrepreneurship on the Big Island Article by John-Mark Dyer | Photography by Fletch Photography Behind every big success is a fascinating journey full of risk, pain and perseverance. Mehana Pilago’s story is no exception. However, it’s hard to imagine when you walk into her beautiful new tattoo shop and creative studio in the Kaloko Industrial area. The space is bright and punctuated with eclectic pops of color and creativity. Everything about it is cool...

Beauty

Hawaiian Fragrance

Ua Body's smells based on Hawai’i's nature keep customers returning Article by Ryan Garrett | Photography by Fletch Photography It’s rare to find a company doubling its business yearly, even more so during the pandemic. But that’s precisely what Leala Humbert and husband Blaine Kusler are creating at Ua Body. “It really stems from a love of Hawai'i, the florals, experiences and places here that I grew up with,” Leala says. “I think anyone who is from here or has even visited here, it...

Life + Culture

Clearing Her Own Path

How Kenna Davidson proudly carries the honor of being Kona’s first professional soccer player Article by Liz Arnold | Photography by Ewalina Photography From a four-year-old on a Kona field to a thirty-year-old playing in stadiums worldwide, McKenna Davidson (Kenna) loves to play soccer.  Success came early for Kenna. While attending Kealakehe High School in Kona, HI, she helped her team win the Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) title in 2012 and earned the BIIF Player of the Year...

Life + Culture

Lemon+Olive Oil Scones

These light and bright pastries come together easily for spontaneous spring gatherings Article by Bethany Reid | Photography by Hailey Cartwright As we step into the Spring months, I love to find more ways to eat outside. Picnic brunch feels so lazy, luxurious, and easy to pull together. These Lemon Olive Oil Scones are the top of my 'packable brunch' Menu Items and I absolutely adore how light they are! Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together: 1 1/2 cups of self-raising flour 1/3...

Finance + Legal Services

Future-Forward Finance

Building on the past to invest in the future of Hawai’i Island. Article by Ryan Garrett | Photography by Fletch Photography In the ever-evolving world of finance and investing, sometimes things really do come full circle. That has been the revelation for Tricia Buskirk, President and CEO of Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union, through several decades in financial services. “I was student credit union secretary when I was in high school,” Tricia says during a recent conversation at Hawaii...

Life + Culture

At The Finish Line

Mokuaikaua Church, the first church in the Hawaiian Islands, races to complete its renovation. Article by Matias Arredondo | Photography by Mel Arredondo We are often unaware of those who walked this ground before us. Yet, history exists in every stone, grain of sand and wave of this land. It’s up to us how we preserve and contribute to Hawai’i’s legacy. At the beginning of the 1800s, Henry ʻŌpūkahaʻia — sometimes referred to as Obookiah —, a teen from Ka’u, lost his parents and younger...

Fitness

Your Climbing Gym

Kona Cliffs, where emerging and veteran athletes train together at the heart of Kona. Article by Matias Arredondo | Photography by Mel Arredondo We can live to work or work to live, but sooner or later, we should realize that investing in your hobbies makes life worth living. Nym Raske, founder of Kona Cliffs, knows this well. Portland-born Nym moved to the Big Island with his mom at age 15 and attended Hawai'i Preparatory Academy. “I consider Kona my other hometown in many ways,” he says...

Life + Culture

Stadia Financial Offers Individual, Community Support

Stadia Financial’s team invests in building long-lasting relationships, diversifying financial portfolios and caring for their clients’ wealth management needs. Article by Megan Hadley | Photography by Fletch Photography Stadia Financial is all about people.  “It’s what we do,” says Brett Kennelly, Founder and Managing Director of Stadia Financial. “Protecting our client’s capital and helping to make it grow, coupled with exceptional customer service, is our front and center mission. We want...