January 20, 2017

Alan Suemori Special to The Hawai‘i Herald Stretching out along the spine of the Sierra Nevadas, the John Muir Trail unwinds like a languorous serpent sunning itself on a lazy afternoon. Those who have completed its entire length have navigated a narrow, winding dreamscape that roller coasters over 14,000-foot mountain peaks only to tumble into....

ESTATE PLANNING INSIGHTS By Ethan R. Okura Happy New Year! Here is the 2017 update of important numbers used in estate and Medicaid planning in Hawai‘i. • How much money and property can a person have at death without having to pay estate taxes? At the end of 2012, Congress passed a law making the....

“Let’s Experience Nagaoka!” premieres Thursday, Feb. 9, at 8:30 p.m. Honolulu’s sister city Nagaoka is the second largest city in Niigata Prefecture. Nagaoka has a long history and rich nature. Starting with “Nagaoka Matsuri,” two foreigners and one Nagaokan visit interesting spots and even harvest rice. They also introduce you to local gourmet. Let’s experience....

Dear editor, I struggle to understand how David Ellis can justify his insulting comments to Hawaii and the daughter of a Nisei veteran.  He claims we haven’t known war even with recent news associated with the 75th Anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor. He condones and supports the irresponsible Trump charlatan bait-and-switch tactics of....

by Rev. Paul S. Osumi Reprinted with permission WHEN YOU RETIRE Some people say, “I will work extra hard so I can retire early with enough money to play and have a good time.” But the trouble...

SHUSHIN by Bishop Ryokan Ara, Tendai Mission of Hawaii

“Perfect Bride,” Sunday at 6:30 p.m.; re-airs Monday at 1 p.m. “You Are My Present,” Monday-Friday at 9:20 p.m.; re-airs Monday-Friday at 12:20 p.m. A costume designer, Hyun Soo Kong, loses her memory shortly after her marriage starts. Despite this, she fights and triumphs over various trials and hardships in order to succeed in life.....

“Hibari Torimonocho Orizuru Kago (Paper Crane Palanquin),” 1960 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 28 minutes. Directed by Eiichi Endo. Starring Hibari Misora and Kotaro Satomi. The death of a samurai in a palanquin leads girl detective Oshichi to take action to crush a plot to overthrow the Shogunate. “Hitokiri Kannon Uta (Swordsong),” 1970 drama, 1 hour....

CHILDREN'S BOOK BY Gwen Battad Ishikawa New Children’s Book Follows the Whimsical Adventures of a Playful Puppy “Peekaboo the Poi Dog” Island Heritage Hardcover, 32 pages, $13.95 Island Heritage Publishing’s newest book, “Peekaboo the Poi Dog,” is a story about the creative adventures of a little puppy that spends a rainy day lost in her....

HISTORICAL FICTION By Michael G. Malaghan 85. “Mayor” Haru, attired in a freshly laundered, blue-checkered yukata, greeted her fellow early risers as sheepish men, women and children made their way to latrines dug along the tree line in back of the Takayama compound. She kept her practiced eye alert for any discarded trash along what....