New ‘Safe places’ for island keiki

Mayor Mitch Roth’s office announced Tuesday the County’s Mass Transit Agency (MTA), in partnership with National Safe Place Network (NSPN), is expanding the Safe Place to include The Salvation Army Family Intervention Services, increasing the number of Safe Place sites for youth in crisis on Hawaii Island. As a newly designated Safe Place, Salvation Army Family Intervention Services will display the yellow and black Safe Place sign, which signifies immediate help and safety for youth. These signs are also installed on all 55 Hele-On buses operating across the island.

Peruvian beef stir-fry is fusion cooking at its best

Peru’s lomo saltado is fusion cooking at its easiest and most approachable, a quick stir-fry of soy-marinated beef, tomatoes and hot peppers that reflects the country’s cultural — and culinary —influences, from Incan farmers to Chinese immigrants.

Spectacular ferns for air garden

Hawaiian gardens have long been famous for their vast array of orchids. We commonly see epiphytic types growing on hapu’u, tree branches and even rocky, soilless areas. In the last decade, other airplants like bromeliads have become popular because of their colorful foliage and flowers. Plants that do not need to be attached to the ground like these, receive moisture and nutrients from what is deposited on them.

Rains leach nutrients from Hawaiian soils

Although heavy periods of rainfall in some parts of our island have caused the loss of essential nutrients, other areas have experienced dry conditions. This makes it difficult to make general recommendations that apply to all. Parts of the windward side received enough precipitation to remove nutrients like nitrogen and actual top soil as well. West Hawaii received much less but with our excessively porous rocky areas, even 5 or 6 inches of rain can leach important elements essential to plant growth.

Video

Reading & Robes: Kona judges read to students

Kona Judges Margaret Masunaga and Wendy DeWeese spent their lunch hour last week creating a special video, reading to elementary school students for the Reading &Robes program.