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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…

Having trouble sleeping? Is your mind feeling anxious or overwhelmed from the day? Yoga is an incredibly effective way to calm the mind and nervous system, reduce stress, and promote feelings of relaxation within the body. If you can’t sleep, try melting the tension away and shaking off the overwhelm or stagnancy from the day…

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…

There’s something about the great outdoors that sparks a child’s imagination like nothing else. Sticks become magic wands, rocks turn into buried treasure, and leaves become additions to fairy homes! Nature is the ultimate playground, there’s no waste, yet everything is at your disposal! If you’re looking for an easy, low-effort (very important for the…

These spots capture the uniqueness of Hawai’i Island and provide a variety of stunning images. Perfect for every occasion, whether you’re after couples, families, adventure, or nature photography!   (Photo Credit: Cadence Feeley in the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary http://cadenciaphotography.com/) Please treat every encounter with the land, no matter how many times you’ve been there,…

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….

Embracing Nature, Culture, and Creativity Rain in Kona might not be what you planned for, but it’s an invitation to slow down, connect, and experience the island in a new way. Whether you’re looking for an indoor adventure or a chance to embrace the elements, here are five family-friendly activities to enjoy a rainy day…

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…

Understanding Reforestation What is reforestation? Are there different methods? What costs and benefits are involved? In this blog, we will break it down, share what we have observed and learned, and address some of the most common questions we’ve received over the years. A Legacy of Conservation The Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary was founded in…

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…

Mushrooms captivate enthusiasts and foragers with their diversity, beauty, and potential benefits. However, one challenge that often arises is distinguishing between species that look alike but have distinct characteristics. A common case of misidentification involves Turkey Tail mushrooms (Trametes versicolor) and Microporus mushrooms. While they may share some visual similarities, they are separate species with…