A summery fruit salad and spicy pork tenderloin might not seem the most natural pairing — until you consider the precedents of pork chops with apple sauce and Italian prosciutto with melon.

When the first Polynesians arrived in the Hawaiian Islands, there were very few plants that were of use as edibles. Initially, they probably lived on what could be taken from the sea like limu, fish, vana, opihi, squid, octopus and sea slugs just to mention a few. Of course, many birds flourished on the land. They and their eggs were fair game as well. Luckily the first people brought with them a great variety of plants like coconut, turmeric, sugar cane, bamboo, kalo, mountain apple, breadfruit and scores of banana varieties. They also brought pigs, chickens, dogs and rats. The animals had a great impact on the ecosystem, since no land mammals except the Hawaiian Hoary bat existed before the First People.

There’s always been a taste for antique furnishings. These days, a widely acquired taste.

Morning at Keauhou Bay. (Fern Gavelek/community contributor)

A beautiful phalaenopsis, more commonly known as a moth orchid, displays an unusual orange bloom.

Flowers are seen following an afternoon shower in Kailua-Kona.

A match of water polo takes place in Kailua Bay earlier this year.

A pretty hibiscus blooms in Kona.

It’s peach season, and we’re gearing up to make some amazing dishes

One of the best things about summer, especially if you’ve got kids or grandkids, is all the ice cream you get to eat to cool off, no excuses necessary. And it’s relatively easy to make, even if you don’t have an ice cream maker, if you go with a no-churn recipe in which whipped cream is gently folded into a sweetened condensed milk enriched with vanilla and other flavorings, like fresh fruit or spices.

While almost everyone is familiar with the classic recipe for Rice Krispies Treats, slight variations on the original abound. We think our recipe gets them just right, with the perfect ratio of marshmallow and butter to cereal for a bar with the sticky chew that kids love and that adults remember fondly.

Spicy stewed tomatoes topping with eggs is a Middle Eastern dish that is becoming popular in the United States. This is a filling vegetarian dish that works well for brunch or dinner.