Blog

“Time spent in nature is not a luxury, it’s a medical necessity”…this is just one of the many insightful tips found in the article “10 Things I Wish Every American Knew About Health” by Dr. Lawrence Rosen, which was recently posted on the MindBodyGreen Newsletter.  Take a moment to read this interesting article and see …

Pacific Quest is so pleased to officially announce the launch of it’s brand new website which integrates the two program specific sites- the Adolescent Program and the Young Adult Program– into one complete web address. The focus for Pacific Quest is to create innovative treatments for adolescents and young adults by providing sustainable living skills …

By Travis Slagle, Horticultural Therapy Director The following article was published in ‘Circles on the Mountain’ Rites of Passage in a Rapidly Changing World, Issue #17, 2013.  This is an annual publication of the Wilderness Guides Council. Imagine what the world would be like if wilderness guides of the future became organic farmers. What if …

By Chris McConnell, Program Supervisor Reeds Bay Aloha, my name is Chris and I have worked with Pacific Quest for a little over two years. During this time, I have seen this company go through enormous transformation, and have watched it grow into one of the most progressive therapy programs in the country. I am …

The following article by Diana Ballon was featured in Cross Currents-The Journal of Addiction and Mental Health Autumn 2012 | Vol 16 No 1.   A Growing Concern Horticulture therapy offers potent opportunities for healing and growth By Diana Ballon Work in the garden “takes priority over interacting with my symptoms,” says Toshio Ushiroguchi-Pigott. “It’s …

By Rob Jarrett, Admissions & Parent Communication Director It’s a Thursday afternoon at 2PM PST and my blog article is due tomorrow. I know I’m taking it all way too seriously, but I just reread and deleted the rough draft that I have been working on for the last couple of weeks. As tempted as …

By Mike McGee, Field Supervisor Around the year 1500, an old growth Ohia Lehua tree came crashing to the ground near the present day town of Volcano, HI.  It made a thunderous crash although no one was there to witness it.  It destroyed the undergrowth around it and killed many individual organisms that depended on …

This article, written by Travis Slagle, Horticultural Therapy Director, was recently published in the AHTA News Magaizine, a quarterly publication of the American Horticultural Therapy Association. In the classic Hawaiian gardener’s book, Tropical Organic Gardening: Hawaiian Style author Richard Stevens famously wrote, “The art of gardening and the art of living come together in the …

By McLean Eames, Experiential Education Supervisor The Young Adult students recently explored new parts of the island and helped to clean up their local neighborhood.  The group traveled north 40 miles up the Hamakua Coast to Kalopa State Park.  The park is a Forest Reserve that protects 615 acres of native Hawaiian forest at 2000’ …

By Mac MacLaird, Horticultural Supervisor Reeds Bay When the Young Adult program moved to Reeds Bay, Hilo, the transition was similar to the transition plants go through when they get transplanted. For plants, the first couple days are the hardest, the first couple months at Reeds Bay were the most difficult for us. We had …