Let’s Talk Food: Versatile tomatoes
The tomato is an edible berry in the nightshade family, the plant Solanum lycocopericum and originated from Western South America, Mexico, and Central America. It comes from the Mexican Nahuatl word tomatl.
Volcano Watch: Pele’s hairs: a beautiful hazard on Hawaii Island
Shiny and elusive, featherlight and golden-brown. If poets were to write about rocks, I’m sure they would sing their praises of Pele’s hairs. Don’t be fooled, though, because Pele’s hairs are strands of volcanic glass, and they can pose a serious hazard.
Tropical Gardening: Spring fragrance adds another pleasure to Hawaii gardens
The sun has officially passed over the equator as the Earth dips to the south. It is now officially spring. Our weather is generally mild all year, however, there is a noticeable spring fever effect when it comes to local gardeners. This is because many flowers start heavy blooming at this time.
Let’s Talk Food: The best recipes
My dream job would be working for a newspaper that would allow me to travel the world looking for the “BEST” recipe and write about it. Christopher Kimball of Milk Street magazine does that, traveling around the world to find that perfect recipe and whenever the title says “The world’s best!” it certainly makes me take notice.
Volcano Watch: GeoSPACE: The benefits of accommodation and inclusion in geology field experiences
Scientists from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) are collaborating with academic colleagues to make field experiences in geology more accessible for people who have been historically excluded, specifically those with disabilities.
Let’s Talk Food: Human foods that are not good for pets
During the pandemic, one out of five families added a pet to their household. With many stuck at home, a pet provided company as well as entertainment.
Relentless winter brings pros, cons for Tahoe ski resorts
RENO, Nev. — Last winter, most ski resorts at Lake Tahoe had to postpone their usual November openings because there wasn’t enough snow.
Let’s Talk Food: James Beard America’s Classics Award winner
Manago Hotel, in Captain Cook, has been named one of six winners in the prestigious James Beard Classic Award representing the Pacific and Northwest Regions for 2023. The selections are made to restaurants open for 10 years or more. I think being open since 1917 more than qualifies Manago Hotel for such an honor!
How do scientists get information about magma storage?
Analyzing lava samples can help us “see” inside a volcano, and results from the 2022 eruption of Mauna Loa gave us a window into the volcano’s plumbing system for the first time in almost 40 years.
Let’s Talk Food: Girl’s Day is this Friday
Girl’s Day or “Hinamatsuri” is on the third day of the third month, or March 3. It is when dolls that were given to the girl at birth and on her first birthday are put up for display. It is put up a week before March 3 and taken down at the end of the day of March 3, as it is believed if you leave the dolls out beyond that day, it is unlucky and may delay the girl’s marriage.
Volcano Watch: The missing slow slip events on Kilauea’s south flank
Over the past two decades, both scientists and members of the public have anticipated the occurrence of slow slip events (SSEs) on Kilauea’s south flank. These events are recorded by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s continuous GPS network, which show as much as 2 cm (0.75 inches) of increased seaward motion of the flank over 2-3 days — equivalent to about an M6 earthquake.
Tropical Gardening: Azaleas and Vireya Rhododendron available at some nurseries now
Spring will soon be here as days get longer and some azaleas are showing up at a few nurseries. These are the varieties that are grown in mainland gardens where temperatures are mild, especially in the Southeast and Pacific Northwest.
Let’s Talk Food: Today is Mardi Gras
Today is Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras. It began as a religious holiday observed before Lent, celebrated on Shrove Tuesday, before Ash Wednesday, following the Christian liturgical calendar. Historically, it was meant to use all the fats in the home before the Lent preparation for abstinence.
Volcano Watch: Comparing crises: Mauna Loa 1984 vs Mauna Loa 2022
Mauna Loa’s recent eruption is still fresh in the minds of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and Island of Hawai‘i residents. Now is a good time to reflect on this event, especially in comparison to the one 38 years before it.
Tropical Gardening: Mango and papaya thrive in the heat
We usually think of lush tropical gardens when Hawaii comes to mind, but much of our land, especially on the leeward side, is desert. There are many delectable fruits that actually do best where conditions are hot and dry. Figs, pomegranates, papaya and dates are just a few that come to mind, but mangoes are by far the most popular.
Amid ChatGPT outcry, some teachers are inviting AI to class
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Under the fluorescent lights of a fifth grade classroom in Lexington, Kentucky, Donnie Piercey instructed his 23 students to try and outwit the “robot” that was churning out writing assignments.
Let’s Talk Food: Today is Valentine’s Day
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Volcano Watch: On the road again: Chasing Mauna Loa’s gas plume
When Mauna Loa erupted in November 2022 for the first time in nearly forty years, one of the main concerns was the lava and where it would flow. But Mauna Loa didn’t only erupt lava – as with all other volcanic eruptions, many tonnes of volcanic gases were emitted from the active vents.
Tropical Gardening: Buy local for Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is Tuesday. Luckily we have the weekend to prepare if you haven’t done shopping for your loved ones. You might consider jewelry or a fancy dinner at a local restaurant, but with today’s economy it might be better to be a bit conservative.
Let’s Talk Food: Chef Junior Ulep, a passionate chef
Chef Junior Ulep grew up in the Waialua/Haleiwa area of the North Shore, Oahu. Both of his parents worked so Junior had to cook for his younger sisters. If meat was left out by his parents to thaw, Junior knew he had to cut it up and find vegetables in the garden to cook with the meat. This first experience in the kitchen had a lasting effect on the rest of his life.