Volcano Watch: Another intrusion southwest of Kilauea’s summit
Last week, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists were closely monitoring earthquakes and ground deformation in the region southwest of Kilauea’s summit. The increased unrest prompted HVO to raise the Alert Level/Aviation Color Code for Kilauea to WATCH/ORANGE on Jan. 31 as another intrusive event began beneath the surface.
Tropical Gardening: You are in trouble if you forget your valentine
You are in luck if you read this column early today and can make the Plant People Road Show at the Old Kona Airport Pavilion starting at 8 a.m. and closing at 1 p.m. There will be choice plants for Valentine’s Day gifts, especially rare orchids and anthuriums.
The original Caesar salad has been made this way for 100 years in Tijuana
TIJUANA, Mexico —The wood-paneled cart arrives at the table with an air of ceremony, pushed by a server, usually a gentleman in a white shirt, black vest and tie. On it sit all the elements required to prepare a beloved salad that was invented right here, according to the lore, at the restaurant inside the Hotel Caesar in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.
Let’s Talk Food: Mardi Gras is next Tuesday
Fat Tuesday is next Tuesday, the last hooray for indulging in rich food before the penitential season of Lent. We immediately think of the parades, bead throwing and great food happening at that time in New Orleans, but its earliest origins occurred in Rome, with the holiday called Saturnalia, dedicated to Saturn, the Roman god of the harvest.
Volcano Watch: Mauna Loa 2022: a retrospective on the early hours of the eruption
In the late hours of Nov. 27, 2022, Mauna Loa began erupting. Lava was visible on the west side of the Island of Hawaii, from Kailua-Kona to Waikoloa. Social media was ablaze with pictures and commentary of lava flows descending the west flank toward communities.
Tropical Gardening: Winter storms can wreak havoc on homes and gardens
We often find ourselves worried about storm damage as hurricane season approaches in June. Hurricanes can cause tremendous damage on the rare occasion that one comes our way, but they are few and far between. The facts show that on an annual basis, we have more cumulative damage due to high winds and rains from storms from February through March. This means now is the time to do the pruning required to keep our trees healthy.
Plant of the Month for February 2024: Moringa
With our climate here in Hawaii getting drier almost every year, we need to start planting more drought tolerant plants. The moringa tree is definitely drought tolerant and a good choice for your garden. It has many uses and can thrive with limited water.
Dip into Chicago’s Italian beef history: From peanut weddings to ‘The Bear,’ how this sandwich became a staple
CHICAGO — Every great city deserves an easily identifiable sandwich of its own. Whether it’s the Philadelphia cheesesteak or the New Orleans po’boy, a gut-busting sandwich is a matter of civic pride.
Let’s Talk Food: Pot pies
Pot pies have been around since ancient Greece and they were called artocreas. These pies had a bottom but no top crust. When the Romans started to make artocreas, they added the top crust.
Tropical Gardening: For fragrance don’t miss the Plant People Road Show Saturday, Feb. 10
Days are a bit chilly but are getting longer. However, there is a noticeable spring fever effect when it comes to local gardeners because many fragrant flowering plants start blooming at this time. Also, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner so it is time to shop for gifts.
Island Life for January 25
Big waves at Royal Kona Beach. (Alan Tharp/Community contributor)
Island Life for January 24
A Mahukona sunset. (Susan Grant/Community contributor)
Let’s Talk Food: Muffins for breakfast
Muffins for breakfast are always a nice treat for the family. The aroma from the kitchen from warm muffins is a great way to start the day.
You can go home again, but the food won’t be the same
I went back to Ohio, but my city was gone.
Diana Duff: Kona Sea Salt Farm
Harvesting salt from the sea is a practice that goes back millennia in Hawaii. The Polynesian voyagers likely found crystallized salt collecting in the rocks along the shoreline when they arrived in the islands around 400 A.D. They certainly collected and used it to preserve and season their food.
Tropical Gardening: Canoe plants are the foundation of the Polynesian culture
If you are looking for tough, resilient and useful plants to develop a new landscape or enhance an established one, consider the first introductions by the Polynesians. Then look forward to other introductions by each culture and ethnic group to make our islands their home.
Indigenous faithful and Christians work with environmentalists to conserve India’s sacred forests
SHILLONG, India — Tambor Lyngdoh made his way through the fern-covered woodland — naming plants, trees, flowers, even stones — as if he were paying older family members a visit.
January is prime citrus season. Capture some of the shine with these 4 recipes
PITTSBURGH — It’s pretty easy to feel blue on a dreary, colorless day in January in Pittsburgh.
Let’s Talk Food: Mexican casseroles
I have a yearning every once in a while for Mexican food and when that happens, an easy casserole usually fits the bill. It is so much easier than the authentic dishes of Mexico.
At CES 2024, tech companies are transforming the kitchen with AI and robots that do the cooking
LAS VEGAS — Chef-like robots, AI-powered appliances and other high-tech kitchen gadgets are holding out the promise that humans don’t need to cook — or mix drinks — for themselves anymore.
