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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.