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We have come to a time when we need to depend more on our gardens and what they can produce to keep our food costs lower and products locally grown. Humans have had an impact on the world’s ecosystems for a long time. Some regions where humans and other mammals have thrived have changed the…

It is time to think about planting your vegetable garden to minimize the effects of increasing food bills.. This week and for the next few weeks let’s consider a landscapes that feed us.  You might even want to take the organic approach. Since our soils have lost many nutrients let’s look at the best sources…

April showers bring Mayflowers or at least it used to be that way. Some parts of our island have had an extended lack of rain this spring. Everything is topsy turvy when it comes to weather patterns, but we are beginning to get some much needed rain both in East and West Hawaii. This should…

This weekend is Palm Sunday and commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. According to the Gospels, it was a week before his crucifixion, when crowds greeted him with Date Palm leaves and shouted “Hosanna” acknowledging him as their king. He came riding on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9.This Sunday marks the beginning…

If you are maintaining turf on a golf course, it has to be almost perfect. However most folks aren’t held to such high standards when it comes to a home garden. The important thing to know is that plants produce oxygen and sequester carbon thus helping to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the…

After 45 years of living in the cool mountain mists of Kaloko Mauka’s Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary, we have decided to move. Life at 3000 feet elevation and 100 inches of well distributed precipitation makes almost anything easy to grow except ultra tropical plants like coconut palms and breadfruit. Due to getting older, we have…

The old saying that March comes like a lion and leaves like a lamb usually holds true, but this year, only time will tell. Spring flowering trees are on schedule like the cherry blossoms of upland Waimea. Check them out soon before they disappear for another year. As they begin to fade, blue jacaranda, silver…

March has a lot of history, hope and lore associated with it. For some superstitious folks, “Beware the Ides of March,” a quote from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, brings a sense of foreboding. Searching history, you can find yourself going down the rabbit hole seeking where it all started. The Book of Esther refers to the…

A trip to less industrialized tropical and subtropical regions of the world can be very enlightening in some unexpected ways. By visiting these places, we can learn more about what tropical fruits are integral to the colorful cultures of the world. Most may be grown in Hawaii with our varied climate from tropical to temperate….

Some might disagree, but recent travels in the tropical world to discover a better place has brought me to the conclusion that we are blessed and should appreciate what we have here at home. Foremost is the aloha expressed in the way we treat one another. When it comes to our natural environment, our islands…

By Norman Bezona Professor emeritus, University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources   The dry weather from Thanksgiving to January created conditions for heavy flowering when a rainy spell in mid January stimulated a big flush of flowering shortly thereafter. When Kona has a wet winter and flowering is intermitant, it results…

Nestled in the heart of Hawaiʻi, the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary is more than just a breathtaking landscape—it’s a thriving ecosystem and a testament to the importance of environmental stewardship. Whether you’re seeking a way to give back, explore your creative side, or simply connect with nature, this sanctuary offers unique opportunities to engage and…

By Norman Bezona Professor emeritus, University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources   It is fun to go native, but you don’t need to strip down when it comes to incorporating native plants into your Hawaiian garden! Next weekend, Feb. 1 will be a great opportunity to get expert advice from nursery…

By Norman C. Bezona Professor emeritus, University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources In Hawaii, growing roses is always a rewarding challenge to the gardener. Roses are cool climate plants that do best at elevations of 1,000 feet or more. At lower elevations, insects and disease problems are aggravated. At best, roses…

This will be my last column until sometime in November. We will be traveling in Europe and maybe North Africa for a change of scenery and to see how folks are getting along there. Meanwhile, let’s take a moment to reflect on how we are getting along here. Good fences and hedges make good neighbors…

Today’s column comes to you as we head for Italy. We are already missing the tropical ambiance of Hawaii Island and won’t be back until two days before the Nov. 5 election. We especially want to be home for that event. Palms play an important role in creating a tropical ambiance and some species have…

Our young volcanic soils are often in need of organic matter and nutrients. Where animal manures are available they are probably the best source of fertilizer. Compost and mulch can also help to add and hold nutrients. Sources vary but one of the best is Hawaiian Earth Recycling. According to Gerald Kosaki, general manager, the…

Temperatures remain warm but things are about to change. Fall will officially arrive Sept. 22 in the northern hemisphere since the sun will move south of the equator. The autumnal equinox for us is spring for those south of the equator. As the earth tips to the north the sun appears to move further from…

Is it a weed? A weed may be defined as any plant growing in the wrong place. Some folks even think a plant that is not native is a weed, but with that mind set, even the coconut palm is not native and could be considered a weed. Perhaps an even better definition is “a…

Many folks are now improving new and established gardens with mulch, but be wary of where you get it. It is possible to spread insects like the coconut rhinoceros beetle, sugarcane borer and fire ants as well as some diseases. The best source of mulch is one you make or one that is not made…

We recently returned from a family wedding at Lake Chelan in Eastern Washington. What was most notable was the region that was once desert is now a land of vineyards and fruit orchards. However, there were very few birds, wildlife and even insects. The contrast with Hawaii’s abundant and varied wildlife was astounding. It was…

In Hawaii, China and Japan, rock and water are used to add interest to the garden. The stone water basins that usually stand outside the teahouses are an example of rock and water used on a small scale. Participants in the tea ceremony first wash their hands and at the same time, symbolically wash away…

Like many other trees from Australia, the macadamia thrives in Hawaii. Others suited to the Islands are many grevillea, melaleuca, callistemon and eucalyptus species. When it comes to our favorite nut, many folks on the mainland think of macadamia nut trees are native to Hawaii, but here we know it is an Australian tree that…

The recent confluence of Polynesian, Micronesian, Melanesian and other Pacific Ocean cultures has inspired a new interest in landscaping with native and endemic plants of this vast region. What they have in common is that they all relate to the rebirth, renaissance and the evolution of life and culture. Our Hawaiian gardens also represent the…

Whether you have a home with a large yard or an apartment with a small lanai, plants create a more luxurious mood. Attractive trees, shrubs and lawns actually increase the value of a home. In fact, if you cut down that big shade tree in the front yard, you may reduce the value of your…

Until recently, palms in Hawaii have had relatively few serious insect and disease problems. Unlike Florida and the Caribbean, we dodged the bullet of Lethal Yellowing. That disease destroyed most coconut palms in the region during the 20th century. The key to avoiding Lethal Yellowing here was to have strict rules and penalties against importing…

Mother’s Day has been celebrated long before Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in one form or another. Art in early cultures of Asia, Europe and the Middle East recognized that women were the source of life and fertility. Somewhere along the path of history, patriarchies became en vogue and here we are today trying to recognize…

What does hurricane season mean for us in Hawaii? The old adage, June is too soon, July-standby, August-a must, September — remember, October all over is no longer accurate. The hurricane season starts today, but has been extended through the month of November due to increased storm activity from global warming. This year forecasters are…

Hawaii is known for our lush tropical gardens but much of our land especially on the leeward side is desert. There are many delectable fruits that actually do best where conditions are hot and dry. Figs, pomegranates, papaya and dates are just a few that come to mind, but mangoes are by far the most…

We tend to freak out when a new invasive plant species arrives in our islands, but most spread relatively slowly. Usually we have some time to either deal with them or learn to live with them. Being plants, they are at least sequestering carbon and supplying oxygen. Some like the Fountain Grass covering the raw…

You still have time to shop today at the Old Kona Airport Kona Orchid Society Spring Show and Sale. It starts at 9 a.m. and runs to 2 p.m. Not only will there be orchids, but a great variety plants that may be used to beautify the home. If you have already found that special…

Next Sunday is Mother’s Day and there is still time for last-minute gifts for the ladies in your life. Before you run out to pick up the flowers and Hawaiian chocolate, let’s ponder on the origins of this special holiday. It seems it goes so far back that the ancient Greeks and Romans celebrated by…

May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii but we celebrate flowers of all kinds all year long. Traditionally, everyone should consider wearing flowers more often. Fellows, let’s get back to wearing aloha shirts and ladies, what about revisiting mu’umu’u. These unique expressions of our culture are coming back in style as part of the Hawaiian…

As the Hawaii Island cacao industry continues to expand, it is time to celebrate with the 11th Annual Big Island Chocolate Festival from Thursday, April 25 through Saturday, April 27. According to Fern Gavelek, the event culminates with the “Mystical Chocolate Masquerade” gala offering everything from sweet to savory. Participants will be able to enjoy…

As the sun gets stronger, many shrubs, trees and especially vines can grow at a rapid pace. This makes vines great for covering unsightly fences like concrete or chain link. Good fences and hedges make good neighbors goes the old saying, and maybe in the old days it was the case. Stone walls are traditional…

Hawai’i, often referred to as paradise on earth, is not only known for its stunning beaches and lush landscapes but also for its profound cultural values deeply rooted in the concept of “Aloha ʻĀina.” In Hawaiian language, “Aloha ʻĀina” translates to “love of the land” or “respect for the land.” It’s a philosophy that extends…

Easter 2024 has passed but like the Easter lily you received, it may be resurrected after appearing dead. Easter reminds us that life is a cycle of what appears to be death and rebirth. In cooler climates, it is what we learn by observing plants that go dormant in the winter only to sprout anew…

Since we live in a multicultural place with a great variety of climatic and geographic expressions, we can create almost anything in our gardens. Orchids, bromeliads and other epiphytes and lithophytes are perfect for gardens lacking in soil. We also have an abundance of lava rock! In many other parts of the world, rock and…

Tropical Asia is well known for its spectacular rainforests loaded with many species of palms and carnivorous Nepenthes pitcher plants but it is easy to miss the tropical Vireya Rhododendrons growing as epiphytes high in the tops of gigantic trees. Most folks spend their time looking at terrestrial plants, or avoiding leeches, snakes and other…

It is time to think about planting your fall vegetable garden. This week and for the next few weeks let’s consider landscapes that feed us. You might even want to take the organic approach. Since our soils have lost many nutrients let’s look at the best sources to consider. Where animal manures are available, they…

It seems bizarre that many plants from some of the most ancient geological regions of the world readily adapt to Hawaii’s young volcanic soils. Some in Hawaii are from Australia and ancient islands like Madagascar and New Caledonia. When it comes to strange animals and plants, Australia is in the lead for its share of…

We normally worry about hurricanes raising havoc from June through November, but some severe storms can occur almost any month, especially March. Trees, shrubs and other vegetation are the lungs of the planet, so the more the better especially in urban and suburban settings.  Some of our ancient historical trees like the banyan at Kona’s…

The question is, are genetically modified organisms good or bad? The answer is that it all depends on how the technology is used. The issue of genetically modified plants or animals is very complex as is any new technology. Actually, the GMO issue is just a new twist on what we humans have been doing…

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…

In the good old days, a typical Hawaiian garden was large enough to give neighbors plenty of space to have privacy. As our population increases and land costs escalate, lots are getting smaller. This requires creativity to effectively give us a little garden peace and quiet. Traditional garden designs of Japan have dealt with these…

For centuries even before we celebrated Dec. 25 as the day Jesus was born, earlier cultures celebrated the passing of the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. The days will now get longer even though it is technically the beginning of winter and will last until the beginning of spring. Spring officially occurs when the…

When the first Polynesians arrived in the Hawaiian Islands, there were very few plants that were of use as edible or medicinal. 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…

There are more than 1,200 species of bamboo that vary from a few inches tall like Sasa pygmea pygmea to giants like Dendrocalamus brandisii at 120 feet in height. There are runners that may spread if not contained, and others that form well-mannered clumps. Hawaii’s varied climates and cultural makeup are ideal for bamboo, but…

Our Thanksgiving turkey is at the soup stage and Christmas is almost here. Poinsettias are in full bloom as well as the related shrub, snows of Kilimanjaro, or Euphorbia leucocephala. Folks are sending cards, buying and mailing gifts, but it seems like most of us are a bit slow in getting our mainland Christmas trees…

We frequently talk of protecting the rainforests and cloud forests of Hawaii, but often neglect the importance of Hawaii’s dry land forests. However, thanks to the efforts of Ka‘ahahui o Ka Nahelehele we are beginning to understand the importance as well. According to Mary Metcalf, president of the nonprofit organization, its mission is to advocate…