Volcano Watch: What is a volcano?

What makes a volcano a volcano? This was the topic of a “Volcano Watch” article about 20 years ago. Recent questions from visitors suggest this remains a topic of great interest and deserves revisiting.

Tropical Gardening: Rapid ohia death now found throughout Hawaii Island forests

Adrive through almost any Ohia forest now is very sad if you observe how many trees are dying or dead. Rapid ohia death, or ROD, has been spreading in the forests of East Hawaii for several years. Now it is showing up in West Hawaii as well. To see the effects of ROD, take a drive up Kaloko Mauka, South Kona or over the Saddle and you will see defoliation and die back on trees young and old.

Police Detective Simeona receives Haweo Award

For his leadership overseeing Hawaii Police Department’s East Hawaii Special Enforcement Unit, Detective Keith Simeona was honored with the Haweo Award during a ceremony held at Hawaii County Council chambers in Hilo last week.

Volcano Watch: Picturing a volcano’s plume

The volcanic gas plume at the summit of Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is often the most visible indication of the ongoing eruptive activity during the daylight hours. On some days, it can also be quite easy to smell the gas plume, if the winds blow it toward accessible areas.

Tropical Gardening: Canoe plants vital to the first Hawaiians and us as well

When the first Polynesians arrived in the Hawaiian Islands, there were very few plants that were of use as edibles. Initially they probably lived on what could be taken from the sea like limu, fish, vana, opihi, squid, octopus and sea slugs just to mention a few. Of course many birds flourished on the land. They and their eggs were fair game as well. Luckily the first people brought with them a great variety of plants like coconut, turmeric, sugar cane, bamboo, kalo, mountain apple, breadfruit and scores of banana varieties. They also brought pigs, chickens, dogs and rats. The animals had a great impact on the ecosystem, since no land mammals except the Hawaiian Hoary bat existed before the First People.

50 keiki learn about law enforcement at Keaukaha event

As part of their ongoing efforts to promote positive police interactions and inspire Hawaii Island children to consider careers in law enforcement, personnel from several divisions of Hawaii Police Department on June 21 participated in the Keaukaha Summer of Fun event at the Kawananakoa Gym in Hilo.

‘The Tempest’ kicks off this Friday in Hilo

Hilo Community Players have announced the 45th annual Shakespeare in the Park festival, opening with “The Tempest,” July 8-24 in Hilo at the parking lot of the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium parking lot, and then from July 29-31 at the Honoka‘a Sports Complex. Admission is free.

HPD celebrates 95th recruit class

The Hawaii Police Department’s 95th Police Recruit Class Recognition Ceremony was held on June 30 at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. This was an invite-only ceremony limited to police personnel, guest speaker, and family members of the recruits. The public was able to view the ceremony live by visiting the Hawaii Police Department’s Facebook page.

Let’s Talk Food: A James Beard Award winner

The 2022 James Beard Awards were recently named. A judging form to assess nominees is distributed to all restaurant and chef subcommittee members and tasting panelists who visit restaurants in their areas and score their experiences on a number of criteria.