Hawaii’s Backyard: Taste of Hilo supports Big Isle culinary arts program

• By Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi, Special to the Star-Advertiser
• Oct. 6, 2019

They’re the kind of feel-good stories that bring a smile to your face. Read more

Hawaii’s Backyard: Kauai’s Makauwahi Cave Reserve offers glimpse back in time

• By Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi, Special to the Star-Advertiser
• Sept. 22, 2019

Excavations at Makauwahi led by Dr. David Burney and his wife, Lida, have yielded millions of fossils and artifacts, making it arguably the most valuable archaeological find in the Pacific. Read more

Hawaii’s Backyard: Big Island’s HawaiiCon celebrates sci-fi, fantasy art

• By Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi, Special to the Star-Advertiser
• Sept. 15, 2019

HawaiiCon is science, sci-fi, anime, film, television, gaming, cosplay, pop culture, comic books and fantasy art all rolled into one fun, family­-friendly event. Read more

Hawaii’s Backyard: Art exhibition celebrates endemic species of Maui

• By Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi, Special to the Star-Advertiser
• Sept. 8, 2019

Malama Wao Akua art exhibition highlights the native species of Maui County. Read more

Hawaii’s Backyard: Big Island festival spotlights local agriculture

• By Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi, Special to the Star-Advertiser
• Sept. 1, 2019

After a hiatus in 2017, Taste of the Hawaiian Range returned to Waimea last year with the addition of a daytime family-friendly festival, Taste Agriculture, that showcased agriculture in a broader, more comprehensive way. That format will continue at this year’s 23rd event. Read more

Hawaii’s Backyard: Kauai farm tour focuses on locally grown foods

• By Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi, Special to the Star-Advertiser
• Aug. 18, 2019

Get a taste of Kauai’s local ingredients at the weekly Lihue Farm Tour. Read more

Hawaii’s Backyard: Have fun while learning about saving trees during Hilo’s ‘Ohi‘a Love Fest

• By Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi, Special to the Star-Advertiser
• Aug. 11, 2019

Rapid ohia death was first identified in 2014 on Hawaii island. Since then, it has spread to Kauai, Maui and Oahu and has become a serious threat. Hundreds of thousands of ohia trees have died on Hawaii island alone. Read more

Don the Beachcomber Mai Tai Festival on Hawaii island celebrates the cocktail

• By Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi, Special to the Star-Advertiser
• Aug. 4, 2019

Hawaii’s allure is due in part to the mai tai, a rum-based cocktail that actually traces its beginnings to California. Read more

Maui studio focuses on art of glass blowing

• By Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi, Special to the Star-Advertiser
• July 28, 2019

Artists rally for inaugural Experience Volcano Festival on Hawaii island

• By Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi, Special to the Star-Advertiser
• July 21, 2019

The new annual event was born when HVNP’s closure resulted in a drastic drop in business in Volcano Village. It was clear that creative ideas and teamwork were needed to help businesses remain solvent. Read more

Kona museum pieces together history of Hawaiian quilting

• By Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi, Special to the Star-Advertiser
• July 14, 2019

One of Karen Barry’s favorite exhibits in the Kona Hawaiian Quilt Museum is a 90-by-90-inch quilt that was never finished. Read more

Get a rare peek of the Bishop Museum during a behind-the-scenes tour

• By Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi, Special to the Star-Advertiser
• July 7, 2019

During the Behind the Scenes Tour, small groups can see precious artifacts that are not otherwise accessible to the public because of their age, size, rarity and/or fragile condition. Read more

Lanai celebrates a rich past during its annual pineapple festival

• By Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi, Special to the Star-Advertiser
• June 30, 2019

For nearly 70 years, life on Lanai revolved around pineapple that has become synonymous with ­Hawaii. Read more

Ambassadors of Environment program promotes care for environment

• By Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi, Special to the Star-Advertiser
• June 23, 2019

Available at only three other Ritz-Carlton resorts in Puerto Rico, the Cayman Islands and Santa Barbara, Calif., this hands-on, outdoor education program was developed by Cousteau’s nonprofit Ocean Futures Society “to connect people of all ages with nature and inspire them to protect it … and promote sustainable living in their communities.” Read more

Unique experiences await guests at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa

• By Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi, Special to the Star-Advertiser
• June 16, 2019

The beachfront Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa recently enhanced its vacation experience with these offerings. Read more

Kapu‘uola Hula Festival celebrates culture at Pu‘uokapolei

• By Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi, Special to the Star-Advertiser
• June 9, 2019

Most people don’t notice Pu‘uokapolei, the small cinder cone at the top of Kapolei Regional Park, but in ancient times it was the most sacred and important place in the ahu­puaa (land division) of Honouliuli on Oahu’s west side. Read more

Kaneohe fishpond teaches sustainability, honors heritage

• By Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi, Special to the Star-Advertiser
• June 2, 2019

Here’s this year’s guide to Kamehameha Day celebrations in Hawaii

• By Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi, Special to the Star-Advertiser
• May 25, 2019

Here’s a wrap-up of this year’s Kamehameha Day celebrations; admission is free unless otherwise noted. Read more