Nearly 1/3 of the US homeless population lives in California. This veterinarian cares for the pets
OAKLAND, Calif. — An elevated train clangs along tracks above Dr. Kwane Stewart as the veterinarian makes his way through a chain link gate to ask a man standing near a parked RV whether he might know of any street pets in need.
Long heritage of Native Hawaiian gender-fluidity showcased in Las Vegas drag show
LAS VEGAS — Drag queens donning the white, red and blue of the Hawaiian flag shimmied across the stage to a throbbing techno remix of “Aloha Oe,” a song composed by Hawaii’s last reigning monarch. Spectators roared as a performer shook her hips in a Tahitian-style dance.
Let’s Talk Food: Hot Enough for Ice Pops?
In 1905, 11-year-old Frank Epperson of the San Francisco Bay Area mixed some sugary soda powder with water, left it overnight and it froze.
Volcano Watch: Unveiling Earth’s magnetic secrets: paleomagnetism and its geological applications
When we think about the Earth’s magnetic field, we often associate it with compasses and navigation. However, did you know that our planet’s magnetic field has a rich history of change, including switching of polarity, that spans millions of years?
Let’s Talk Food: Father’s Day is this Sunday
This Sunday is Father’s Day and a day to honor your dad. In the U.S. we celebrate it on the third Sunday in June, as do Japan, Bangladesh, China, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore and Sri Lanka. In Taiwan, Father’s Day is on August 8, the eighth day of the eighth month. In Mandarin Chinese, the pronunciation of the number eight is “ba” and is very similar to the character “ba” which means “pa” or “dad” or “baba.” (August 8 is my granddaughter’s birthday. She looks like her dad. Is that a coincidence?) In some European countries, it is celebrated on March 19 and is called Saint Joseph’s Day. Sikhs celebrate Father’s Day on December 29, which is the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh. In Indonesia, Father’s Day in on November 12.
Volcano Watch: Reflections on recent eruptions
Kilauea volcano began erupting within Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit during the early morning of June 7. The eruption marks another in a series of recent eruptions that the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has been able to successfully forecast!
Let’s Talk Food: Taco al Pastor
Cook’s Illustrated describes taco al pastor as “Tacos al pastor, or ‘shepard-style’ tacos, are a Mexican taqueria classic made from thin slices of chile-marinated pork that’s been tightly packed onto a vertical spit with layers of pork fat and then roasted. The cone-shaped stack is often topped with a whole pineapple whose tangy, sweet juices trickle down, encouraging the meat to caramelize as it turns, When the exterior is browned and crisp, then shavings of the roasted pork and pineapple are carved off directly onto a warm tortilla and then topped with garnishes that contrast the rich meat; minced raw onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of fresh lime.”
Tropical Gardening: June is blooming great in Britain
Great Britain, United Kingdom, British Isles or whatever name you wish to call this place, it has many areas ideal for growing roses. We are visiting Kew Gardens and there are spectacular displays of roses here and in many privates gardens as well. In Hawaii, growing roses is always a challenge. Roses are cool climate plants that do best at elevations of 1,000 feet or more. At lower elevations, insects and disease problems are aggravated. At best, roses require specific care or they will not do well.
Flower power and diplomacy: Versailles perfume gardens transport public back in time
VERSAILLES, France — The Versailles flower gardens were once a symbol of the French king’s expeditionary might and helped water-deprived courtiers perfume their skin. Now, they have been reimagined to give today’s public a glimpse — and a sniff — into the gilded palace’s olfactory past.
Filipino American chefs come into their own with multiple James Beard award nods
Like a lot of chefs, Aaron Verzosa has been hustling the past three years to get Archipelago, his Filipino restaurant in Seattle, through the pandemic and its ripple effects. Getting a James Beard Award nomination was a validating moment.
Let’s Talk Food: Chili crisp
Some foodies say that chili crisp may replace sriracha as the next condiment as it is more complex. Chili crisp incorporates aromatics and other ingredients that are fried until they are crunchy.
Let’s Talk Food: Recipes from HIAC Cookbook
Many nonprofit organizations need to constantly have fundraisers to continue their programs. One such is the Hawaii Adult Day Care Center, which started in 1976 with a dozen frail elderly adults gathered at Kaumana Baptist Church. Their sons and daughters needed to have them watched over while they were at work.
Volcano Watch: Ups and downs at Kilauea summit: Quiescence, eruptions, and constant change
May 3 marked the fifth anniversary of the start of Kilauea’s historic 2018 eruption that resulted in extensive lava flows from the East Rift Zone and major collapses of the summit caldera floor. Since that 2018 activity, Kilauea has experienced nearly constant change with distinct episodes of calm, unrest, eruptions, and everything in between.
Tropical Gardening: Many plants from the Southern Hemisphere thrive in Hawaii
It seems bizarre that many plants from some of the most ancient geological regions of the world readily adapt to Hawaii’s young volcanic soils. Some in Hawaii are from Australia and ancient islands like Madagascar and New Caledonia. When it comes to strange animals and plants, Australia is in the lead for its share of the unusual to unique. This ancient mini continent has mammals that lay eggs to the marsupials that carry their premature babies in pouches. Recent fires put many in the animal kingdom at risk and the plant kingdom as well. Some Australian ecosystems will be altered for centuries and some may never recover.
Let’s Talk Food: Dinner salads
As the evenings are getting warmer, a hearty salad may be a great dinner entree.
Volcano Watch: Explosive eruptions from Halemaʻumaʻu in 1924
May 2023 marks the 99th anniversary of a sequence of explosive eruptions from Kilauea’s summit that occurred over 16 days from May 11–27, 1924. During this eruption, about 60 explosions occurred from Halema‘uma‘u with fragments ranging from volcanic ash to large blocks the size of cars falling around the summit caldera.
Tropical Gardening: Living plants and flowers make great Mother’s Day gifts
Every day is Mother’s Day but officially this year, May 14th is Mother’s Day If you forgot any of those favorite women in your life, you are in real trouble! Trying to wrack your brains for just the right last minute gift can be frustrating. Now let us consider some last minute gift ideas. This weekend is a great time to visit garden shops and nurseries to take care of those last minute gifts. Plants make the perfect gifts for those special friends and relatives.
NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn’t happen this week
Social media users shared a range of false claims this week. Here are the facts: Top universities in North Carolina aren’t providing medical interventions to toddlers with gender dysphoria, as some posts suggest. Congressman George Santos was indicted on federal charges but no mugshot has been released, contrary to an image circulating online. CNN’s town hall with former President Donald Trump ran longer than planned; it wasn’t cut short. Chelsea Clinton didn’t say the U.S. should “force-jab every unvaccinated child,” as a false headline posits.
Let’s Talk Food: Napa, or Chinese Cabbage
Napa, or Chinese cabbage, Brassica rapa var. Pekinensis, is also called Chinese white cabbage, celery cabbage, or Peking cabbage. “Napa” comes from the Japanese word for “leaves,” but in Japan it is called “hakusai.”
Tropical Gardening: Kona Orchid Show and Sale more than just orchids
Mother’s Day is next Sunday so the Kona Orchid Show and Sale is a great opportunity to find the right gift for that special lady. The annual sale will be held at the Old Kona Airport Park Pavilion on Saturday, May 13.
