Therapy animals bring joy and comfort to Maui’s elderly and disabled

Shannon Dominguez works at least 70 hours per week at Upcountry Maui’s Haku Baldwin Center.She directs a popular community program called Animal-Assisted Therapy. Several times per week, she loads up her truck with a menagerie of well-trained animals–including dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, ducks & chickens–and visits people who are elderly, infirmed or disabled. Her therapy animals bring [...]

Chef Peter Merriman’s picks for handmade Hawaiian treats

Looking for unique gift ideas? Here are some lost-cost “locavore” treats made locally on Maui. Most are available for about $10-$20. Chef Peter Merriman’s picks for handmade Hawaiian treats.

Pet ownership in Hawaii

On O’ahu pet ownership is higher than the Mainland, with at least 60% of households owning a dog or cat. Higher rates of pet ownership may contribute to a longer life expectancy for people living in Hawaii, on average three years longer than those on the Mainland.

Which sunscreens work best?

Strong sun in Hawaii means higher risk for skin problems, but which sunscreens really work, especially on children and people with sensitive skin? The Environment Working Group (EWG) recently released its ratings of beach and sport sunscreens. In addition, the FDA has been hashing out new guidelines for sunscreens since 2007. We could see new rules for labeling sunscreen in the US as early as next year.

Last Father’s Day

I’m settling into a window seat on a near empty plane when a young woman with a cloth backpack slides into the middle seat next to me. She chooses it over the empty aisle seat. “You’re the first person I’ve ever met that likes an aisle,” I tell her glancing sideways. She nods and kind [...]