It isn’t often in life that you get a chance to stand upon a layer of volcanic eruption. never mind the fact that the volcano in question has apparently been extinct for the past 150,000 years. Can it really be that old? “Yes,” replies Rick Dagamatu, my host on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, as I stand and gaze at Diamond Head, the name of a volcanic tuff cone, so named because British sailors in the 19th century mistook calcite crystals embedded in the rock for diamonds. “The eruption that built up Diamond Head was probably very brief, lasting no more than a few days. It was probably explosive, since when the cinder cone was originally formed, the sea level is thought to have been higher and the vent burst erupted over a coral reef,” the local guidebook states.
Scientific explanations apart, the view from Diamond Head is fantastic with the clear blue waters of the ocean stretching for miles ahead with little boats and big ships riding its waves. I am in Honolulu, the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Hawaii, for what may euphemistically be termed a conference cum pleasure trip. The conference is boring. It’s the invitation of ‘pleasure’ that beckons. And that wish is soon fulfilled when Dagamatu takes me for a whirlwind tour of the city. Honolulu is a major hub for international business, military defence, as well as being famous for a diverse variety of east-west and Pacific culture, cuisine, and traditions.
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I Hope I Never Lose My Voice
Asha Bhosle, the evergreen playback singer who has some of the greatest film hits to her credit, celebrated her 88th birthday in September 2020. But age has never been a determining factor. She continues to do what she loves the most – singing.
Reverse Mortgage: A Boon for Seniors
The thought of being financially independent, not running short of funds in case of medical emergencies and not being a burden on their children accords a lot of mental peace and a restored sense of dignity to the elderly. Dr. Sampath Iyer explains how reverse mortgage makes this possible.
Get Rid of that Bronchial Cough
Symptoms of acute bronchitis usually resolve within one or two weeks with home treatment. You should start to feel noticeably better after a few days. Meanwhile, drink plenty of water and warm liquids and eat healthy foods. The article highlights some of the home remedies that work.
Build Bridges, Not Walls
To be able to live in harmony with each other, we must learn to not just contact but also connect, suggests V Anand Kumar.
Balancing Spirituality and Indulgence
Susanne Kempken, co-founder of The Guided Meditation Site, explains why there is no harm in being indulgent while being spiritual.
Self-Control: The Need of the Hour
‘The Marshmallow Test’ by Walter Mischel is a good book to read for those interested in understanding self-control and learning how to master it. Indira Ananthakrishnan gets into further details of what it means.
Different Kinds of Wills
Wills are an important part of the financial planning process. A will is a legal declaration that spells out a person’s wishes and intentions in matters of care of dependents or inheritance of property after his or her own death. Here is an article on the different types of wills.
Doctor in the Kitchen
Even as we turn to finding a cure for our ailments in our kitchens and gardens, Dr. Sonam Vohra provides an insight into what makes for a home remedy and why caution is required.
Stick to a Healthy Diet
Given the current pandemic there is so much information being shared about what makes for a healthy diet that it can become overwhelming. However, there are just a few simple pointers that you must keep in mind.
Understanding the Corona Virus Vaccine
Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect oneself and others from severe illness or death, especially in the case of the coronavirus. This is in addition to other recommended precautions such as wearing mask, keeping social distance and maintaining a high level of hygiene. K R K Moorthy explains how the vaccine works and the possible side effects.
ROBOTIC POLICE DOGS: USEFUL HOUNDS OR DEHUMANIZING MACHINES?
If you’re homeless and looking for temporary shelter in Hawaii’s capital, expect a visit from a robotic police dog that will scan your eye to make sure you don’t have a fever.
APPLE MUSIC LAUNCHES MORE THAN 100 CITY-FOCUSED MUSIC CHARTS
Apple Music is coming to a city near you — the streaming service has launched daily music charts focused on particular cities around the world, including New York City, Tokyo and Lagos.
HAWAII SEEKS TO BE SEEN AS A REMOTE WORKPLACE WITH A VIEW
Software engineer Raymond Berger begins his work day at 5 a.m., before the sun comes up over Hawaii.
PARADISE REGAINED?
The Aloha State is caught in a COVID-19 limbo, somewhere between welcome and farewell
5 Must-Visit Places In Honolulu For Business Travellers
It ’s not just all resorts and hula here. For business travelers there is much to entice just a few miles from HNL
Amid Steady Growth, Honolulu Looks To Maintain Its Original Charm
Amid steady growth, Honolulu looks to maintain its original charm.
HONOLULU
La capital de Hawái, con su oferta de tiendas independientes, cocina fusión y hulas al atardecer bajo los banianos, es tanto un paraíso del Pacífico como un centro cosmopolita. Sumérgete en un microcosmos del cálido espíritu aloha de las islas.
Our Stories Define Us
Clint Nagata, founder and creative partner of BLINK Design Group, shares his thoughts on how design has evolved in South-east Asia in the last decade.
HONOLULU
Hawaii’s capital city is as much Pacific idyll as it is cosmopolitan cool, offering indie shops, fusion food and sunset hulas under banyan trees. Dive in for a microcosm of the islands’ warm aloha spirit.
My first long trip
Bob is a former professional pilot. In over thirty years of airline flying he has operated from more than 250 airports in every continent – except Antarctica