hapa | hale

nalu kai lodge

you may have heard that maui's recent crackdown on vacation rentals has reduced the available inventory of affordable accomodations for visitors on a budget. if you refuse to shell out resort rates and are not one for early morning b&b chit chat with strangers, paia's nalu kai lodge may be an alternative.

the 60's style property has been renovated and rooms now feature a cottage style complementing it's fresh boutique lodge vibe. if you prefer a little more space, there is also a one bedroom apartment with a full kitchen that would be perfect for a family traveling with a little one.

you can walk to paia town & the beach, soak in the ocean view from the deck, or have a cookout at the outdoor bbq/tiki bar. keep in mind that it is a vacation rental so do read the fine print regarding cancellation and deposit policies before booking. even so, rates are a bargain and start at $99 on the weekend and includes free wi-fi.

no reviews yet on tripadvisor so if you book a stay do post a trip report.

wanted: 808 designers

the social wahines will be throwing their first sample sale on oahu next month and organizers have posted a call for designers who would like to participate at the oct 16th event. email danielle [at] socialwahines [dot] com for more details.

in other style news, earlier this year, the hawaii fashion incubator (aka hifi - love the acronym!) was created to showcase & nurture the emerging local design community. they are still in the start up phase and plans include workshops, trade shows, fashion week & more good stuff to raise the profile of the hawaii fashion scene.

hifi is on the lookout for designers interested in showcasing their work on the soon to launch hifi website, experienced instructors to teach fashion 101 classes in patternmaking, sketching and garment construction, and everyone else who would like to be a part of the hifi fashion mission.

the organization's official coming out party will be at f.a.c.e. of nuuanu next month, and if you would like to volunteer behind the scenes or find out details on booking a booth, email toby [at] polkadotreehouse [dot] com.

until the website makes its debut, click over to hifi's myspace page to stay in the loop.

9/30 update - hifi's website is up & running! [mahalo jana!]

weekend sales sheet

it's the final two days to score 40% off select styles by nike, converse, vans & bittersweet at kicks/hi.

• when: today & sat, sep 29th
• where: kicks/hi - ward + makaloa
• fyi - all sales final

p.s. an edited selection of the latest kicks/hi designs are now stocked in their online shop.

fashionista's market is back this weekend with a stash of styles up to 80% off retail. scoop up harajuku lovers, bcbg, frankie b, ed hardy, genetic denim, indah & more. read the f.a.q. before you go.

• when: sat, sep 29th & sun, sep 30th
• hours: 10a to 2p
• where: japanese cultural center - 2454 s. beretania street
• admission: $7 (register online to score the $3 fm member price)

shasa emporium is celebrating its 5 year anniversary with a sunday night bash. there will be an in-store sale, live dj, pupus and prizes galore from local designers alliway, indah, ginger13, grumpy girl & many more. must rsvp today to get on the list (details below).

• when: sun, sep 30th - 5:30p to 8:30p
• where: kahala mall
• rsvp: shasahi [at] lava [dot] net or 808.735.5122

handmade block party

. . . love . . .

one of the best things about etsy is how it has made art more accessible. caren loebel-fried, the big island artist who creates some of the most spectacular lino block prints (and who happens to be one of my favorite island artists), has joined the etsy ranks to showcase her beautiful interpretations of hawaiian legends and culture.

. . . the storyteller . . .

my fella and i both agree that the storyteller deserves a spot in our living room's little gallery of block prints. and for those romantic souls who keep the lost art of written correspondence alive, i must insist you take a peek at caren's lovely notecard sets.

. . . the romance of lauka'ie'ie . . .

artwork is archival quality and has been individually printed by hand on handmade paper from japan. both color and b&w prints are available and prices are quite reasonable ($15-$260).

when on the big island, you can admire (and purchase) caren's work at the volcano art center. you can learn more about about the artist and how her journey to this age old art form came to be on her website.

fyi - nyc readers who wish to learn the art of block printing can attend a one day workshop with caren & her mom scheduled to take place on oct 27th. more details can be found here.

winter warm up

with cooler days ahead for both mainland dwellers and islanders living in higher elevations, i thought i would post an update about this sweater which was featured as a holiday gift idea last year. it has sold out most everywhere else, however neve's tropical merino wool sweater recently popped up in a very cheery kiwi colorway at sierra trading post sporting a 36% markdown.

alas, it's a nickle shy of scoring free shipping via this link on orders over $75 (offer expires wed, oct 3rd), but you just may uncover a few more sweet deals so here you go!

i heart sawyer

if anyone else is experiencing withdrawal tonight in the midst of a lost-less premiere week, console yourself with this clever notecard set spotted on etsy which captures fans' angst at waiting until 2008 to find out what the heck happened to locke and charlie (said with claire's australian accent).

reincarnation island style

. . . tsuru : dragonfly . . .

my friend recently reminded me of the work of local girl/designer, allison izu nagato, who recently returned to the islands to launch her collection(s). yep, it seems that the talented mind behind the popular reincarnation hawaii line has more than a few collections up her sleeve.

. . . oxford : baroque . . .

under reincarnation, allison works her magic by reworking fabric from vintage alohawear and kimono obi into distinctive patterns with a playful, art school vibe. additional details include embellishments like swarovski crystals and hand painted flourishes topping off hand dyed pieces from american apparel.

. . . buddha as duke . . .

fellas can snap up something for themselves via sacred surf company which is bringing a little zen to menswear. the fashion institute of technology grad also has a highly anticipated petite denim line making its debut next month.

if you like what you see, there are a few days left to score 10% off your online order via the designer's eponymous izushop.

• secret code: AN22YS54
• expires: sun, sep 30th

on a kokka island

. . . teal orchid . . .

spent today hopping around my favorite online craft shops for my latest decor project and discovered this lovely pattern while browsing the virtual fabric stacks at purl. it's imported from japan's kokka fabrics and the breezy cotton/linen mix is appropriately named island.

. . . orange fern . . .

i am loving the modern pop of color on the hawaiian quilt motif. both designs are stocked in neutral and contemporary colorways and are worthy contenders for upcoming crafty projects.

happy crafting!

pucker up

this just in! mama coco's, who whips up a line of scrumptious lip balms, just announced a free shipping sale. scoop up a few for instant gratification (home, purse, desk - check!) when your lips need a little extra lovin'.

the generous lip balm pot is chock full of pampering ingredients like virgin coconut oil, shea butter, hawaiian beeswax & honey, plus herbal extracts which are certified organic, fair trade & cruelty free.

• expires: fri, sep 28th (no code necessary)

fighting eel holiday 2007

. . . mk . . .

speaking of fighting eel, the holiday 07 collection is now posted on their website. lots of pieces to mix and match, some with a little bit of shimmer and others rocking a playful pattern to make your holiday sparkle.

. . . juliet . . .


. . . rosa . . .

who else thinks rosa wants to be twirled around the dance floor on new year's eve?

the collection is not yet in stores, but find your favorite and then check in with your nearest stockist &/or hit up active endeavors and rafael hawaii for the best online picks.

9/25 update - fe designers lan & rona were recently featured on style scoop. click here to read the interview.

weekend sales sheet

join the sig zane ohana on the big island this weekend to celebrate the unveiling of an exclusive limited edition design created just for tiffany & co. (yes, that tiffany's). the pendant's debut will take place during celebrate moku o keawe (part fashion show / art auction / marketplace / good eats) to support the foundation's upcoming hula festival in november.

• when: sat, sep 22nd at 6:30pm
• where: waikoloa beach marriott resort

lan from fighting eel sent along word that readers can scoop up styles from the beloved local designers all while saving a cool 20% off. download the coupon before stopping by fe's chinatown headquarters on fridays when the design house is open to the public.

• when: every friday from 10am to 5pm
• where: 47 n. hotel street
• fyi - cash & credit cards only
• expires: oct 31st

pacific home is in the midst of their fall special order event so if you have had your eye on a particular mitchell gold + bob williams design now is the time to take the plunge. save 10% on in stock fabrics and 20% on special order upholstery.

• when: now to sun, oct 7th
• where: 420 ward avenue

9/21 update - whoops, forgot to mention earlier that tamara catz is commemorating international day of peace today by donating a percentage of sales to war child int'l. if you have a chance to stop by the paia boutique this weekend, you can take a peek at the resort 2008 collection and score 15% off your purchase (just let them know a little birdie told you about the deal online).

• when: today & sat, sep 22nd
• where: 83 hana hwy, maui

lunchbox clothing

. . . diamond head . . .

the other day i came across lunchbox clothing, an adorable local tee design house that recently set up shop on etsy. the family business is comprised of two generations who, despite the age gap, share a fondness for all the little things that they love about living in hawaii.

the contents of a keiki's lunchbox inspired their young at heart collection for grownups which includes sweet shout outs to everything from the islands' abundance of guava to this fabulous diamond head design. the delightfully charming graphics remind me of those vintage trailers with dancing ice cream cones and candy boxes that used to be projected on the movie screen at the drive-in (mmm, remember those carnation chocolate ice cream cups sold at the concession stand? yum!).

. . . papaya + lemon . . .

lunchbox scores extra points for screenprinting their designs on american apparel (fair wage/made in the usa) jersey tees, however, only w's sizes are currently stocked online (although, emo boys could probably rock the slim cut tees).

take a peek inside their etsy shop and score free shipping on orders in the states.

koke'e kokua

malie kauai is introducing a fresh new fragrance across its line of luxurious spa treats today. the koke'e collection embodies the breathtaking beauty of its namesake, koke'e state park, which is one of a only a handful of remaining intact native forests in all of hawaii (and home to 26 threatened & endangered species).

in the spirit of kokua, a portion of sales from malie's koke'e scented bath lathers, soy candles, reed diffusers & more will be donated to the koke'e resource conservation program.

learn more about malie's commitment to koke'e here.

roberta oaks fall 2007

the fall 07 collection from roberta oaks recently made its debut with an announcement that bamboo jersey has been incorporated into the eco minded designer's textile mix. if you've not yet hopped aboard the green bandwagon, there are reasons a plenty to love bamboo such as its silky soft texture and super breathable/moisture wicking/anti-bacterial properties. and, since bamboo (which is also biodegradable) can grow up to a foot a day, it just happens to be one of the most renewable & sustainable fibers on the planet.

back to the collection. with the exception of a vote tee, this fall it is all about the little dress. while there may only be a subtle shift of the seasons in the islands (imperceptible to the outside world but there nonetheless), if autumn is your favorite time of year you will love how the fall collection embraces colors like a ripe tomato orange or a pop of citrus and mixes it with luscious chocolate brown and other versatile neutrals along with punchy stripes and hand sewn embellishments to warm up your wardrobe.

shop online or hit the stockist list.

alliway grand opening

. . . mop star : lotus drop . . .

oahu-based jewelry line alliway is expanding its growing mini-empire with the opening of the company's first boutique at ward warehouse this week. the shop doors opened yesterday and you can expect to find a treasure trove of the colorful concoctions that have made alliway a favorite of everyone from local style glossie smart to the much adored ny indie design shop rare device.

the collection features a mix of simple flourishes in a rainbow of sparkles inspired by designer allison kim-cherzniak's globe trotting travels to the philippines, thailand, tahiti and the yucatan. if you love to accessorize with a pop of color, this is definitely one to bookmark since many of alliway's designs are available in a pretty and diverse palette accented with semi precious stones and sweet charms.

. . . monsteria love : lariat . . .

alli recently sent along the scoop on saturday evening's grand opening celebration at her new ward shop:

• when: sat, sep 22nd - 5pm to 10pm
• gift bag for the first 40 guests
• raffle drawings (est. prize value: $100 retail)
• 10% off everything + 30% off 1 alliway piece over $50

plus, free pupus and drinks. all are welcome so no rsvp is necessary to join the fun.

if you can't make it to the brick & mortar shop in honolulu, take a peek at alliway's online shop or the stockist list to find a boutique near you.

field of greens

it's been quite some time since the last saturday travel post, but today's pick is one sure to pique the interest of kama'aina and visiting foodies. nalo greens have become a staple on local menus whether it's served up on a plate lunch or presented with your gourmet dinner.

now you can actually walk the famous fields of waimanaolo's nalo farms for a behind the scenes tour of how your greens get from farm to table. the 45 minute tour sounds like a delicious diversion for foodie fans who want to peek inside the operations of one of the earliest purveyors of hawaii's resurgent slow food movement.

farm fresh greens & herbs are also in abundance at nalo's booth at the weekly farmers markets in kailua and at kcc.

tour details:

• ten person minimum per group
• reservations required (ring 808.259.7698 for more info)

[via hawaii magazine]

a peek inside the crafty playground

. . . birdie ponytail holders . . .

during small kid days, i was the little girl who always rocked the pigtails and, upon entering the fifth grade, the oh so sophisticated ponytail. every. single. day. my friends would wonder what i would look like if my hair ever had the opportunity to escape their elastic constraints. the one constant of both styles were those little plastic goody ponytail holders that, upon a quick release, had a tendency to crack your knuckles hard like one of my cousin's weapons of pain so essential to his quest of becoming the next bruce lee.

. . . summer garden hair pins . . .

if these adorable hair accessories from tasha's bags & baby had been around, no doubt i would have wanted to trade up for a little more cuteness (bonus: no more bruised fingers!). tasha grew up on oahu and spent many hours in her grandfather's picture framing shop crafting to her heart's delight. now that she's tending to her own little one, spare moments are spent whipping up sweet creations with charming japanese textiles her father discovers and posts to hawaii.

. . . linen hedgehog apron . . .

. . . mums mini zip . . .

in addition to hair goodies, stop by tasha's etsy shop to pick up handmade zip bags, totes, and other accessories sure to brighten your day (i am loving the hedgehog apron). if you are planning on hitting oahu's holiday craft show circuit, look out for her booth which will be stocked with all the goodness you see here.

enchantment under the sea

although rockabella jewels creator kristel bandisch started making jewelry six years ago, it was her stint as a shopgirl at the tamara catz boutique that shined the spotlight on her up and coming collection. customers instantly became besotted with the handmade designs she wore to work which led to kristel being named head jewelry designer for the maui-based clothing line.

kristel recently joined forces with co-worker/jewelry designer selina kokotovich of raven's ruby (my, they certainly are a talented bunch!) to expand upon rockabella's laid back meets glamorous vibe to conjure up the island bride collection to compliment tamara catz's recent foray into the world of white weddings.

even if exchanging vows is not on your to do list, one look and you will want to succumb to the siren song of these curated offerings from the ocean. whether you choose glistening pearl accents or an abundance of delicate shells designed by mother nature herself, the designers', who are both self taught and do all the silversmithing and hand carving themselves, proximity to the sea has certainly influenced their collaboration.

although neither designer has an official website yet, you can scoop up rockabella's latest treasures at tamara catz (both online and at the paia boutique) and at pink by nature in makawao.

slipping away

alrighty, wednesday seems to be a good day to post the all around fun island inspired finds scavenged from my (too many) hours spent screen shopping. a welcome diversion from the midweek slump when the weekend seems a tad too far away.

this week: all slippers, all the time!

mobi added some much needed zip to the dull world of resealable bags a few years back. impress tsa screeners with toiletries safely stowed in a flip flop spiral zipper bag (love the adorable, and, dare i say, quite appropriate with all the superferry brouhaha, save the whales design).

you know all your aunties will love these not overly precious embroidered slipper dishtowels from plum party.

take a peek at this inventive reuse of slipper scraps transforming what would have been trash into colorful recycled doormats.

annabelle's flippin' out bag can be semi-customized to tote your stuff to the beach or keep your crafty stash organized.

for the little one, a too cute personalized embroidered onesie found on etsy.

and finally, if you are tired of constantly tidying up the slipper pile outside your home, you just may love this inspired solution (alas, it seems to be sold out but you can diy with supplies from the craft store).

free shipping at ali'i kula lavender

click over to ali'i kula lavender's online shop today to enjoy complimentary shipping on all orders over $50. while aromatherapy may be the first thing that comes to mind when one pictures a field filled with the lilac hued bloom, ali'i kula lavender has partnered with local artisanal foodmakers to create an array of treats enhanced with lavender's signature floral flavor.

stock up on gourmet goodies made with the maui grown lavender and explore a culinary world of lavender infused lilikoi jelly, chocolate brownies, strawberry syrup and more.

bon appétit!

the ethereal world of la pistil

. . . emma-jean . . .

fashionistas take note. la pistil, the much buzzed about collection by designer ashley ishii, recently re-stocked the shelves of its etsy shop. the la pistil look effortlessly captures the aura of an island gamine. you know the one . . . the girl who is able to toss on a simple shift and somehow manages to nail of the moment style perfection.

. . . kamaria . . .

the subtle sophistication of ashley's designs belie the fact that she only started sewing a few years ago, and, upon la pistil's debut earlier this year, quickly captured the fancy of those in the know. with the start of the fall semester, expect the la pistil line to blossom and evolve now that ashley has transferred to the uh fashion program.

. . . celia . . .

since designs are handmade, there are only a limited number of pieces available in the etsy shop so, click click, you best be on your way before they all get snapped up. and if you can rock the look, be sure to take a peek at the lady-flash rompers since sale proceeds will be donated to city of joy, an organization dedicated to stopping violence against the women & children of the congo.

fyi - sizes tend to run on the small side so do double check the measurements before adding your favorite find in your cart. style/size m.i.a.? drop ashley a note to inquire about custom work.

stay updated via la pistil's newly minted blog.