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 [...]

Census 2010 data shows double-digit population growth in Hawaii

Census data released today reveals that key trends in Hawaii’s population growth tracks closely with other states along the West Coast, including California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. Population Growth Hawaii’s population grew 12.3% between 2000 and 2010 to a total of 1,380,301 people. The other West Coast states grew at similar low double-digit rates: California [...]

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.

Purely Hawaiian Liquor, ‘Okolehao

Native Hawaiians use taro root for more than making poi. They also make liquor, a potent distillation of ti called ‘Okolehao (prn OH-koh-lay-how). Haleakala Distillers, located Upcountry Maui, starting brewing their own 80-proof version in December 2009. It’s been described as a cross between rum and sipping tequila, with a hint of flavor unique to the islands. Here’s my favorite Okolehau drink recipe.

Moving to Hawaii: How long does it take to ship stuff?

My husband and I are moving to Honolulu in June. How long does it take to ship our car and furniture?