Category Archives: Hamakua

Coastline on northeast side of Hawaii, extending from Waipio and Honoka’a on north end to Hilo on south end. Largest concentration of the Big Island’s sugar cane industry and plantation camps.

It’s my kuleana

Posted on July 1, 2017 by Diane Scheurell

Most people think of Hawaii as a paradise, and I’m among them. I count my blessings every day, as I soak up the great weather year-round, swim in the ocean twice a week, walk through Honokaʻa greeting friends and acquaintances … Continue reading →

Posted in gardening, Give back, Hamakua, Honoka'a, Hāmākua Youth Foundation, Making community, Small town life | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Hāmākua Harvest’s 2nd Annual Farm Festival – see the progress

Posted on May 17, 2017 by Diane Scheurell

Our community is celebrating Hāmākua Harvest’s Second Annual Farm Festival this Sunday, so I sat down with Michael Gibson, founder and Development Director, to review HH’s progress since the market opened on September 6, 2015. In just 20 months, HH has manifested … Continue reading →

Posted in eating in Hawaii, gardening, Hamakua, Hawaii plants and animals, Holidays and festivals, Honoka'a, Hāmākua Harvest, Making community | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Big Island cowboy culture

Posted on April 17, 2016 by Diane Scheurell

Last week I went to Waimea Community Theatre’s live performance of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew . . . set in the Wild West of the 1890’s. It was an innovative approach, and perfect for the cowboy heritage of the … Continue reading →

Posted in enjoying other cultures, Hamakua, Hawaii cowboy country, Hawaii ranching, Hawaii's melting pot - ethnic groups, Hawaiian history, mountain, Paniolo, trucks in Hawaii, Waimea | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Traditions and Family Values

Posted on September 22, 2015 by Diane Scheurell

One of the best things about our homegrown festivals is the opportunity to learn more about the local history. This week is Peace Week and the Honoka‘a People’s Theatre will be presenting Traditions and Family Values, a film with snippets … Continue reading →

Posted in Hamakua, Hawaii ranching, Hawaii's melting pot - ethnic groups, Hawaiian history, Holidays and festivals, Honoring tradition, life choices, Plantation era, sustainability | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Hāmākua Harvest – These are my farmers

Posted on September 11, 2015 by Diane Scheurell

  We are delighted to have our own Farmer’s Market in Honoka‘a. (See Hāmākua Harvest – One Man’s Vision.) Yes, we can drive 17 miles to Waimea where they have three markets on Saturday. But I can choose to come … Continue reading →

Posted in Chants and blessings, eating in Hawaii, eating right, grow my relationship circles, Hamakua, Hawaiian bounty, Honoka'a, Lanakila Mangauil | Tagged | 5 Comments

Hāmākua Harvest – One Man’s Vision

Posted on September 3, 2015 by Diane Scheurell

I was introduced to Michael Gibson within six months of living here. He was speaking at a Third Thursday Thrive gathering about his vision for a community-based Farmer’s Market that would celebrate the Hāmākua Coast’s rich agricultural heritage. But this … Continue reading →

Posted in Chants and blessings, Hamakua, Hawaiian bounty, Honoka'a, island culture, Plantation era, Prayer - Pule, sustainability | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

A safe cocoon – Honoka‘a

Posted on August 7, 2015 by Diane Scheurell

I’m finally home after being gone for nearly two months. Italy taught me much, and I loved seeing my sisters in Wisconsin, but am so glad to be back on the Big Island. After tackling the usual fallout from a … Continue reading →

Posted in gratitude, Hamakua, Hawaii's melting pot - ethnic groups, Holidays and festivals, Honoka'a, Honoring tradition, living full out | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Saving Hawaiian traditions – Kalopa State Park

Posted on October 14, 2014 by Diane Scheurell

On the Big Island, they say that new-comers either “get” the island, or Pele chews them up and spits them back to the mainland. Lots of new residents pack up and leave because they don’t understand this environment. I have … Continue reading →

Posted in Chants and blessings, Hamakua, Hawaii plants and animals, Honoring tradition, island culture, rain forest, Resurgence of Hawaiian Culture | Tagged , | 8 Comments

Plantation Days Festival: Celebrating our differences together

Posted on August 22, 2014 by Diane Scheurell

My first introduction to the importance of sugar here on the Big Island came in a sermon from Father Bob. He reminded us that 18 years before, the people all along the Hāmākua Coast were invited to step outside their homes … Continue reading →

Posted in eating in Hawaii, Hamakua, Hawaii's melting pot - ethnic groups, Holidays and festivals, Honoka'a, hula, learnng new things, Plantation era | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Zipping through the canopy

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Diane Scheurell

One of the first friends I made on the Big Island was Dianne. She thinks expansively about everything. So for her 65th birthday, she decided to go zip-lining and invited her family and all of us in the Women’s Circle … Continue reading →

Posted in botanical gardens, friends, getting out of my comfort zone, gratitude, Hamakua, learnng new things, life choices, Things to do on the Big Island, Zip-lining | Tagged , , | 3 Comments