hapa | hale

weekly sales sheet

. . . stacia cardicoat : malia luxe link : hazelnut cottage . . .

fashionista's market makes the grand opening of its chinatown boutique official with 10% off storewide all day long. stop in during pau hana time (5p to 11p) and enjoy champagne, cupcakes and giveaways while you shop!

p.s. first 50 shoppers who make a purchase score a gift bag!

• when: fri, dec 4th - 10:30a to 11p
• where: 1185 bethel street, chinatown
• fyi: validated parking at kukui plaza

enjoy up to 30% off the latest looks as noelani designs takes her jewelry on the road for the lanikai and waimea valley craft fairs this weekend!

• when: sat, dec 5th - 9a to 5p
• where: lanikai park, kailua (between aalapapa & mokulua)

• when: sun, dec 6th - 10a to 1p
• where: 59-864 kamehameha hwy, waimea valley (pikake pavilion)

p.s. off-island? click over to noelani's online shop to save 20% off your order which ships free in the u.s. and, take note, gift certificates are also available for those extra picky peeps on your holiday list.

• secret code: holiday
• expires: thu, dec 31st

rock shop joins forces with a roster of local designers (dork sunglasses, genuine guava, sierra dew and michele leong to name a few) for the holiday edition of its popular one day pop-up shop.

• when: fri, dec 4th - 3p to 8p
• where: coral loft, 1033a smith street, chinatown

toast stops by the aliiolani elementary school craft fair with one day fair prices on their charming handcrafted treats.

• when: sat, dec 5th - 8a to 2p
• where: 1240 7th avenue, kaimuki

la readers can say hello to the letterpress loveliness printed by joie studio during the unique la indie design holiday show. enjoy first dibs on the super limited edition 2010 desktop calendar (only 125 copies to go around) and handcrafted notes and paper goods!

• when: sat, dec 5th & sun, dec 6th
• where: california market center, 110 east 9th street, downtown la

also, be sure to stop by stacia's pop-up shop for a chance to scoop up knitwear priced under $100 during the la-based label's weeklong sample sale. scoop up sample threads for $20 to $60, fall/holiday 09 at wholesale prices, and try your luck in the dollar bin!

p.s. click over to the online shop and enjoy 50% off during the fall/holiday 09 clearance (all sales final). even better, complimentary shipping is included on all orders through the end of december.

• when: mon, dec 7th to fri, dec 11th - 10a to 3p
• where: 1307 1/2 pico blvd, santa monica

online, select offerings are buy one, get one 50% off at ali'i kula lavender. u.s. orders over $125 also enjoy free shipping!

• expires: sun, dec 6th

shop a mix of local designers at the beauty and the beach online shop and receive an extra bonus - gift certificates (from $20 to $100 depending on order amount) to share or keep.

• expires: wed, dec 23rd
• fyi: find all the details on the official website

crafty kawaii concoctions on your gift list? berrysprite's etsy shop is making a brief holiday appearance before closing this sunday. hele over to stock up on sweet snowmen, cookie ornaments, and other delightful handmade cuties and receive a small surprise with your order!

• when: now to sun, dec 6th

diamond head road welcomes one and all to celebrate the holidays with a 50% off deal on its collection of silk wraps, cover-ups and scarves.

• expires: tue, dec 15th

two more days to save 15% off your entire order in fighting eel's online shop!

• secret code: 15percentoff
• expires: sat, dec 5th
  
• fyi: all sales final
  

pamper the spa junkies on your nice list with discounted gift sets from the ola tropical organics lineup and receive a travel size coffee chocolate body butter with your order.

• expires: thu, dec 31st
• fyi: complimentary shipping on orders over $35

take a trip to hazelnut cottage's etsy shop and save 10% off designer jan avellana's selection of jewelry, artwork and photography plus enjoy complimentary shipping on your order!

p.s. if you are planning to place a custom order, sun, dec 6th is the absolute deadline to receive before the holidays.

• expires: sat, dec 12th
• fyi: discount will be refunded via paypal

coveting one of jools' new laser-cut designs? save 30% on all regular-priced styles and score complimentary shipping on orders over $49.

• secret code: holiday30 (30% off) & fs49 (free shipping)
• expires: tue, dec 8th

save up to 40% on select styles during luxe link's fun sale and receive a complimentary gold luxe link with your order (while supplies last). all orders also ship free to addresses in the lower 48 through the end of the year!

• expires: thu, dec 31st

and, if you are heading to first friday remember to stop by roberta oaks' new studio space!

have a happy weekend!

a handmade holiday

. . . partridge in a pear : ginko song wine pocket . . .

it's been a bit too long since the last etsy day post, and, while scouting for holiday goodness, i discovered that space moderne recently re-opened its etsy shop after a long hiatus. lucky for us, momi, the baltimore-based designer behind all this felted loveliness, has introduced a handful of new designs and stocked the shop with past favorites just in time for the holidays!

our space is too small to squeeze in a xmas tree but the handmade ornaments would certainly add a modern bit of indie cheer to your holiday decor whether you will be gathering round a towering pine or opt to hang a simple, festive garland.

wine pockets made to be gifted (and re-gifted), playful ipod cases, and whimsical vases complete the collection.

more peeks below . . .

. . . mod dot indie trees . . .

. . . scully bird clutch . . .

. . . bubble balls . . .

almost all of the featured designs are currently stocked in limited quantities in the space moderne etsy shop so do hele over asap to scoop up your favorites in time to enjoy them this holiday season. (the exception is the delightfully wintry bubble balls which are from last season so if you covet a set do convo momi to see if she has any hiding in her stash)

p.s. readers near baltimore have a chance to say hello in person over the next two weekends when space moderne hits the local indie craft show circuit. click over to the etsy shop for all the details.

weekly sales sheet

sig zane celebrates its 24th anniversary with a two day sale! enjoy 24% savings at both sz's hilo flagship boutique and the online shop. in-store surprises include daily drawings for aloha shirts and $240 gift certificate giveaways.

p.s. online orders over $240 include an extra bonus to knock $24 off a future purchase.

• when: today, oct 9th & sat, oct 10th
• where: 122 kamehameha avenue, hilo
• shop hours: fri, 9:30a to 5p & sat, 9a to 4p
• fyi: online sale kicks off at 9:30a hst

on sunday, vintage fans will want to hele over to the mu'umu'u heaven yard sale stocked with finds priced from $5 to $50.

• when: sun, oct 11th - 9a to 1p
• where: 767 kailua road, kailua

rock shop returns next week with a vintage fashion bar stocked by cloth including reconstructed looks from the honolulu boutique's in-house label.

p.s. price tag for m's & w's vintage styles range from $8 to $18.

• when: mon, oct 12th - 6p to 9p
• where: honolulu design center, 1250 kapiolani blvd

maui readers will be among the first to enjoy a sneak peek of nina kuna designs' latest looks (hint: tahitian pearls) during a late night jewelry show.

• when: sat, oct 10th - 9:30p
• where: diamonds ice bar, 1279 south kihei road, kihei

on the mainland, malie organics opens its first storefront outside the islands in the lovely california beach town of san clemente.

• where: 1448 north el camino real, san clemente
• shop hours: mon to fri, 9a to 6p

online, lisa from maui dive girl is offering complimentary worldwide shipping in her etsy shop this weekend!

• secret code: hh weekend deals (enter in notes to seller)
• expires: sun, oct 11th
• fyi: shipping will be refunded via paypal

and, finally, attention book lovers! watermark publishing is celebrating its ten year anniversary with a one day offer to scoop up 10 books for $10! choose from 26 titles in the online shop including the ultimate guide to shopping on oahu!

• when: sat, oct 10th - 12:01a hst

have a happy weekend!

new peeks: stacia fall/holiday 2009

. . . low-slung cardi . . .

september may still be sweltering in hawaii and the west coast but fortunately more temperate weather is only a page flip away on the calendar. happy news for those of us who swoon for cozy knits! while the rest of the world may think hawaii is only about beach side playdates, readers who have ventured up to a chilly cliffside lookout, big island mountain town (hello volcano!) or upcountry maui know every island wardrobe needs a stylish cover to keep the chicken skin at bay.

i've written before of la-based label stacia designed by oahu girl stacy johnson and, after all this time, we finally had a chance to meet up during edwin ushiro's opening reception a few weeks ago (along with the lovely misa hamamoto who designs a gorgeous eponymous jewelry collection). we dished about the hawaii fashion scene and growing up in the islands while stacy and misa clued me in on the designer's take on bringing their collections to market.

with autumn approaching, it seems like a fine time to share stacia's fall/holiday 09 collection which is composed of luxe-y knitwear designed to complement warmer climates. stacy employs variations of lightweight jersey knits in an ever changing palette of multicolored space dye to flatter every figure. new for the season are stacia's ecoknits which blend bamboo and soybean (which she considers a cashmere substitute) sure to delight fashionistas on the elusive hunt for sophisticated and sustainable style.

more peeks below . . .

. . . buttoned cowl : cocoon . . .

. . . willow . . .

island fans crushing on the new designs will have to click over to the online shop for more peeks at stacia's autumn offerings since, alas, only one hawaii boutique is currently posted on stacia's extensive stockist list. select styles are currently on sale so enjoy that little tidbit of consolation while you wonder when island shopkeepers will come a-calling.

fortunately for la la land residents, this past summer stacy opened the doors to her santa monica studio where customers are welcome to stop by and shop the latest looks. sign-up for the mailing list to be notified of in-house trunk shows and sample sales where you can scoop up past season designs at a deep discount.

• where: 1307 ½ pico blvd, santa monica
• fyi: by appointment only

p.s. stacy also maintains one of the best designer blogs around sharing her inspirations and insights on the evolution of a collection from color forecasting to the sketch pad to posting behind-the-scenes adventures from stacia photo shoots.

the return of mr. ushiro

if you call la home or find yourself in so/cal in the next few weeks, hele over to lebasse projects which is hosting a new solo exhibit from maui-born artist edwin ushiro. since his artwork was featured last summer, edwin's fan base has continued to flourish with appearances at comic-con and art amsterdam filling his 2009 schedule.

one of the reasons to crush on edwin's artwork is his fascinating perspective of growing up in hawaii which he continues to explore in softly encompassing the womb. the mixed media moments from childhood skip from ethereal reflections of sweeter memories to reconstructed obake tales that hint of a more ominous side of the islands unfamiliar to tourists on holiday but whispered on playgrounds and across kama'aina campfires since small kid time.

. . . time therefore remained idle . . .

. . . after its given all you wanted . . .

. . . i drift away silently . . .

while hawaii continues to wait for an exhibit of its own, all are welcome to the opening reception tomorrow evening in la which will also feature the work of japanese artist ryuichi ogino. hope to see you there!

• when: sat, sep 12th - 7p to 10p
• where: lebasse projects, 6023 washington blvd, culver city
• show dates: sat, sep 12th to sat, oct 3rd
• gallery hours: wed to sat, 11a to 6p

p.s. click over to daily du jour at 3p pst (12p hst) today for a live streaming interview with edwin.

design date: kapa mua

. . . sand dollar . . .

two summers have gone by since the gorgeous quilted designs of kapa mua were featured on h|h and oahu readers finally have a chance to take a peek at the elegant island inspired blankets.

simply find your way to place, the nu'uanu atelier of interior designer & author kaui philpotts, which is hosting a summer exhibit featuring kapa mua quilts plus artwork from studio kaea and decorative island finds during its pacific interpretations show.

. . . niho mano . . .

. . . feather cape . . .

longtime readers may recall how san francisco designer michael pechinski distills traditional hawaiiana motifs and objects from the sea into kapa mua's modern bedding crafted with bold contemporary graphics with a delightful nod to the tropics. definitely crushworthy, no?

• where: place, 40 south school street, suite 100
• shop hours: mon to fri, 10a to 6p & sat, 10a to 4p

[mahalo amy!]

aloha rag x jil sander

first kicks/hi and sig zane collaborated with converse and earlier today aloha rag released a limited edition sneaker created in cahoots with designer jil sander. the design is best described as space age minimalist meets haute hipster which means the countdown clock is ticking if you covet one of the 55 pairs that are up for grabs.

alas, the fancy kicks do not seem to be stocked at the honolulu boutique so plan to hele over to the online shop or the nyc outpost to purchase a pair.

[update: sneakers are now available at both the honolulu and nyc outposts plus the online shop. many mahalos to the aloha rag staff for the scoop!]

• hnl shop: 1121 kapiolani boulevard
• shop hours: mon to sat, 11a to 8p & sun, 11a to 6p

• nyc shop: 505 greenwich street
• shop hours: mon to sat, 11a to 7p & sun, 12p to 6p

malia mills swim 2009

. . . pucker strawberry fields . . .

whether your beach body issue is coverage or curves, ny-based swimwear architect malia mills (who may be the first hawaii-born designer to be inducted into the cfda) has a suit designed to flatter no matter your shape or size. the new collection recently hit the online shop with looks ranging from urban sophisticate with a minimum of fuss to pinup glamour complete with flirty shirring and cinches.

since malia was last featured, the eponymous label has expanded its seasonless offerings with a swoon-worthy selection of frocks for readers who covet city girl coverups. plus, a girls swim line also made its debut with the option to rock a matching mother & daughter set (phone order only).

scroll down for more peeks . . .

. . . pleated flirt & majorette . . .

. . . dreamboat . . .

in happy news, the coconut wire sent along word that malia mills is returning to los angeles this week with the opening of an outpost at the brentwood country mart. 'tis the closest shop to the islands, so next time you find yourself in lala-land, hele over for a personalized fitting and the chance to scoop up jewelry from bliss lau, yet another local girl designer based back east.

• where: 225 26th street, santa monica
• shop hours: mon to sun, 11a to 6p

you can, of course, shop online or click over to the stockist list to locate a brick and mortar shop near you.

p.s. the bittersweet brown colorway is being retired so if you splurge on a new suit you can score one in b.brown for 50% off. click here for more details.

[2/13 update: the malia mills 'ohana sent over an exclusive $50 coupon just for h|h readers. enjoy the extra savings by mon, aug 31st.]

social wahines 2.0

danielle from social wahines recently sent along word that the group's new beta website has launched with the addition of an online social networking feature. it's like an über-exclusive facebook, an online pa'ina to meet new peeps and a way to help biz-minded island girls expand their empires.

the new features mean that sw is switching to paid memberships so, if you are already a member, you will need to re-establish your account to access all the good stuff including monthly networking events (at a discounted rate) plus member-only deals, message boards & much more.

annual memberships go for $65, however, to celebrate the new website, social wahines is offering h|h readers an introductory membership deal. it's on a sliding scale so the sooner you hele over and sign up, the more you save:

• $45 membership ($20 savings)
  secret code: swnov
  expires: sun, nov 30th

• $55 membership ($10 savings)
  secret code: swdec
  expires: wed, dec 31st

click rewind to learn more about social wahines.

p.s. once you register, please join the new h|h group on sw!

(read) the fine print

. . . sizzle n' splash . . .

chicago-based artist hiroshi ariyama is today's etsy find! born in japan, hiroshi spent part of his childhood in honolulu and later studied printmaking at uh before moving to the midwest to finish his fine arts degree. a few years ago, the former graphic designer & art director began experimenting with fine art screen printing resulting in a buzzworthy new collection, our city, our neighborhood, that documents everyday moments and architectural icons in the windy city.

hidden amongst the chicago cityscapes and lake fronts are images that could easily double as glimpses into island life. i love the saturated color which can be credited to the intricate layers hand screened and based on one of hiroshi's original photographs. many of the prints remind me of looking at a negative in glorious technicolor which is, alas, an experience falling by the wayside in this age of instant digital snaps.

. . . what's your story . . .

. . . distant storm . . .

. . . wheee . . .

the good news is that hiroshi recently began work on a honolulu series which he hopes to show in hawaii when the project is completed!

chicago readers may want to click over to the event page to find upcoming shows while the rest of us can scoop up limited edition, hand pulled original prints (under $200) and archival prints ($25 to $45) of the current collection over in hiroshi's etsy shop.

ko'olau - a true story of kaua'i

the lovely woodblock prints by big island artist caren loebel-fried are one of my favorite things so you can imagine my excitement upon discovering that a stage production in nyc featuring her artwork made its debut last week. the story of ko'olau is being told through japanese-style puppetry created by ny-based local boy tom lee (who is also directing the show) set against projected backdrops based on caren's woodblocks.

this traditional storytelling style combines with live shadow animation and video projections to tell the story of kaluaiko'olau, a 19th century paniolo on kaua'i who resisted being deported to a leper colony and separated from his family after contracting the disease. together they fled to a remote valley where the family lived until the death of ko'olau and his son.

after the ordeal, ko'olau's wife pi'ilani recounted the family's struggles and it is her dramatic tale of love and 'ohana that the production is based on.

since most of us can't make the show, click over to the gallery to take a fascinating peek at the puppets and production design. performance details below for those lucky readers who call new york home:

• show dates: now to sun, oct 5th
• show times: fri/sat - 10p & sun - 5:30p
• where: la mama experimental theatre club, nyc
• tix: $18

let's hope ko'olau makes it way west and across the pacific one day!

p.s. prints of caren's work are available over in her etsy shop.

the haunted works of edwin ushiro

. . . when we met . . .

a few weeks ago, i stumbled upon a collection of artwork in an online gallery and instantly felt a connection to the small kid time escapades and plantation town backdrops of one artist who i just knew had to be from hawaii.

it turns out that edwin ushiro, the la-based artist behind the canvas, is a local boy who grew up on maui and left for the mainland to study illustration at pasadena's art center college of design. after graduation, he joined the ranks of kama'aina working behind the scenes in hollywood (storyboard artist, visual effects consultant) while continuing to use a mix of mediums to recreate scenes evocative of many an island childhood.

art always becomes a bit more intriguing when you discover the maker's perspective and edwin's work is a yet another reminder that looks can be deceiving if the viewer doesn't go beyond the first glance. a few clicks around his website revealed that just below the surface of these seemingly idyllic paintings lay the spooky worlds whispered about around campfires and sleepovers. those same obake stories that chill(ed) many of us to the bone sparked edwin's fascination with the paranormal which have become the inspiration behind many of his pieces.

. . . when everything really mattered . . .

edwin's fan base has grown after only a few appearances at galleries around los angeles and his newest work will make its debut at his solo exhibit, while tides guide you back home, at project:gallery in culver city this weekend.

red dots seem to be a familiar sight when edwin's art hits the market, however his work seems to have somehow slipped under the radar of the hawaii art scene. hopefully, that will be remedied soon but until then a few clicks will allow you to take a peek here - buy prints here - and order wallpaper here (all the way from spain so beware the exchange rate).

so/cal readers are invited to stop by project:gallery and join edwin at the opening reception saturday evening. hope to see you there!

• when: sat, jul 12th - 7p to 10p
• where: 8545 washington blvd, culver city
• show dates: sat, jul 12th - sat, aug, 9th

p.s. stay in the loop via edwin's blog.

hello momo!

whenever kama'ainas go off island, be it on holiday or a move to the mainland for one of the oft-discussed trifecta of better opportunities (college/job/housing), the locales that make the destination list are predictable: las vegas, southern california, the bay area, and the pacific northwest. (the latter three choices are understandable but the first one, to be honest, has always perplexed me.)

if you happen to call seattle your home away from home or plan on hitting the emerald city on your next trip, be sure to add a side trip to japantown to your shopping list. the revitalized neighborhood, filled with noodle shops and tea houses, happens to be the home of momo, the east meets west boutique of oahu girl and seattle resident lei ann shiramizu.

the freelance writer, who grew up in moanalua, and her husband opened the doors of momo late last year to much acclaim for its mix of style and design finds from around the world. the stock list is long and intriguing including french fashion (cop.copine), finnish decor (iittalia), reclaimed leather handbags (bronsino), and vintage asian accessories gathered up at local estate sales.

visits home double as buying trips which mean you can scoop up select finds from the islands from a tin of timana tea to an aloha shirt from iolani sport. and, with father's day just around the corner, momo will be throwing a hawaiian shirt show tomorrow evening featuring styles flown in from IO sport just for the occasion plus handmade aloha shirts for your little one.

• when: thu, jun 12th - 5p to 7p
• where: 600 south jackson street, seattle
• fyi: pupus & light beverages will be served

take a peek inside momo here and here.

bliss by the bay

san francisco fashionistas take note . . . bliss lau is bringing her sumptuous island inspired leather goods collection to the bay area this weekend for a little early bird holiday sale. handbags, belts and jewelry are yours for the taking at up to 35% off!

• when: sun, nov 12th - 4p to 8p
• where: muse ten, sf
• fyi: ring 415.922.6873 for more details

bliss lau fall 2007 collection

. . . bijou . . .

nyc-based designer bliss lau is out with her fall 07 collection. many of her exquisitely crafted leather goods mix autumn's must have rich hues (think purple, scarlet & navy) with shapes reminiscent of the islands. the bijou features an organic palm frond silhouette while the flora clutch sports an eye catching hawaiian quilt inspired cut out in which to slip your hand.

. . . flora . . .

the truly fashion forward must take a peek at the latest incarnation of jewelry designed by bliss that can be worn traditionally or as a bold layering piece wrapped around your body.

an edited selection of the fall collection is available online or, if you prefer an in person peek, stop by riches kahala & queens candy shop (a stockist list is also posted on the website).

fyi - lucky nyc scores their very own private sale later this week:

• when: thu, oct 4th - 6p to 10p
• where: 204 elizabeth street ll (btw prince/spring st)
• fyi - cash only

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.

weekend sales sheet

as if the made in hawaii festival and closet swap weren't enough to keep you busy, this weekend is overflowing with bargains!

get the weekend rolling with the final day of the storewide sale at kicks/hi. score 10% 20% off almost everything in the shops considered to be nirvana for the sneaker set. and, though you'll have to pay full price to be the first on the block to rock the latest looks, be sure to take a peek at the new releases before you go.

• when: fri, aug 17th sat, aug 18th to fri, aug 24th
• where: kicks/hi - ward + makaloa
• fyi - all sales final

as the sun starts to set, head down to queen street for an end of summer party compliments of the candy shop & wst4u. join their summer send off complete with good tunes, discounts galore (20% off clothing & accessories plus 10% off shoes), and the debut of designers leah evans & liezel pagala, recent graduates of uh's apparel product design & merchandising program.

• when: fri, aug 17th - 7pm to 12am
• where: 831 & 839 queen street
• fyi: there is a theme and thy name is neon

the following afternoon, bamboo sky and partners-in-crime smart magazine are throwing a summer fashion faire which will be documented by the cameras of hawaii in style tv.

indulge in sweet treats made with love by the wedding café while scooping up deals (10-50% off) from island designers cirque, ginger13, roberta oaks, indah, golden child, wings hawaii & more. plus, shop samples flown in direct from the city of angels.

• when: sat, aug 18th - 3pm to 7pm
• where: 401 kamakee street
• fyi - more details via the invite
  

if you find some free time this weekend, head to kailua for the 'oiwi ocean gear tent sale. everything will be 20% off and if you sign up for the 'oiwi ohana you'll be eligible for additional savings. even if you can't make it to the shop, there is an irresistible online sale with women's separates as low as $5!

• when: sat, aug 18th & sun, aug 19th
• where: 'oiwi's kailua shop

. . . chalcedony chicklet : reverse braille cuff . . .

and, even though nyc-based jewelry designer janet masamitsu is off on business, the sale must go on. enjoy 15% savings on the very extensive janet jewelry collection which ranges from postmodern candy to intricate silver designs.

• secret code: micewillplay
• expires: fri, aug 31st

kicks/hi x sig zane = (red)

the most anticipated island collaboration of the year is finally making its debut tomorrow. yep, after all the waiting kicks/hi + sig zane release their spin for the (converse) red collection on saturday. it's so cool to see local designers getting involved in the (product) red campaign and getting some well deserved exposure and a little media love. 

in case you didn't catch bono kicking off the campaign on oprah last year, red is all about raising funds to help fight the aids epidemic in africa by giving you, the consumer, a painless way to shop a tad more consciously.

basically, whenever you choose to snap up limited edition red chuck taylors/ipods/razrs/etc over the standard issue, the participating company donates a portion of sales from that product to the global fund which is fighting the good fight by purchasing life saving medication that our fellow world citizens would otherwise not be able to afford.

the kicks/sz converse design features a handprinted 'uluwehi keaukaha print (in honor of the tree planted on son kuhao's first birthday) and is only available in men's sizes 5-13 (including half sizes; fyi - for the uninitiated, chucks are a unisex style so refer to the size chart to determine the corresponding w's size). there will also be a baseball cap in the same colorway.

no doubt these are going to be very popular considering there will be competition between sneaker collectors, converse fans, and folks who want to support local designers so remember that they will only be stocked at the following locations (in addition to the sz online shop):

• hilo: sz shop & the cutlery
• honolulu: kicks/hi - makaloa shop
• wailuku: sz shop
• chicago: saint alfred

ocean vodka online

just a quick update to let those of you who have been patiently waiting to add ocean vodka to your home bar that the maui made organic spirit can now be ordered online via hi-time wine cellars. however, if home is one of the states with prohibition era liquor laws then you are out of luck unless you find yourself visiting the oc (if not, then make a note to smuggle back some hooch the next time you are in hawaii).

of course, islanders can dodge all the subterfuge and stock up on ocean vodka whenever they please at foodland, costco and, yes, even the ever ubiquitous abc store.

polynesian ink

. . . long sleeve tatau . . .

getting a tattoo to honor his hawaiian heritage has been on my fella's wish list for years so i know he would love these tatau tees from manoatoa. the company's mantra is to express their passion for polynesian art & culture through their clothing line so if you share that fancy odds are you will be a fan after one look at their collection.

. . . shoulder tatau . . .

in addition to their tatau collection it looks like manoatoa will eventually delve into the designs of tapa cloth & woodcarving which is good news for those who admire these traditional art forms of oceania and are looking for a more modern way to show their polynesian pride.

by the way, if you are interested in hawaiian tattoos, tricia allen, who is probably one of the only anthropologist/tattoo artist's on earth, published her book tattoo traditions of hawaii last spring (you may remember that many moons ago we went up to no/cal so d. could get footage of tricia at work for the tattoo documentary he made in film school).

definitely click over to her website if you are serious about getting inked hawaiian style (fyi - tricia hits the mainland a few times a year and her schedule gets booked quickly).

holiday bling at janet jewelry

janet jewelry has got a lot of goodies stocked for the holidays. the sterling silver origami necklace is currently on sale and the perfect gift for brides-to-be (and sure beats folding 1001 cranes) while the hawaiian quilt pendant is another lovely idea for the more traditional ladies on your list.

the taken ring from janet's postmodern candy line is available in a rainbow of colors and a cute idea for friends who seem to attract fellas who can't take a hint. and, if you really want to impress that special someone, you have to check out the gold vermeil/pink tourmaline ms. charming earrings from the one-of-a-kind collection. no worries if it's a bit out of your price range since more affordable options of this design can be found in the limited edition department.

janet is always busy creating new goodies in her nyc workshop so if you love what you see be sure to sign up and become a regular to get hooked up for her montly customer appreciation sales.