I've accepted an offer to continue my Volcanic Ash and "flASHback" columns in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, and I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to what will be Hawai'i's most important forum for community affairs.

On the Volcanic Ash blog, however, I've decided to publish it independently starting today on my own website at blog.volcanicash.net.

I've much enjoyed blogging here and sharing ideas with Advertiser readers for four years, but at this point I'd like more flexibility in terms of content, design, posting schedules and comment management than is possible on a structured media site.

Blogs are a two-way conversation, and I thank you for contributing so much to making this site a stimulating place to hang out. I hope you'll visit me and continue the conversation at blog.volcanicash.net.

I also thank the Advertiser online crew, especially Sandra Oshiro and Scott Morifuji, for getting me started and helping me through the rough spots over the years.

I've turned off the comments on all posts on this blog so it isn't inundated with commercial spam once I stop tending it. Comments are open on the other side.