Koa Ukuleles

Where to find that rare and beautiful koa wood ukulele?

Bounty Music Maui
111 Hana Hwy. #105
Kahului, Maui, HI 96732

Hawaii's Pussy Cat Winner

Hawaii born Nicole Scherzinger (Pussy Cat Dolls) is the new season winner of Dancing with the Stars. Was neat to see Scherzinger improve her dance techniques over time and to see fellow Hawaii native Carrie Ann Inaba give props week after week to this fantastic dancer.

Loved this finale performance Nicole Scherzinger did for the season's end--great extensions and a sensual performance: "Lady in Red"

Watching this routine inspires me to look forward to my dance lessons in the fall--it's one of the things I've really enjoyed.

Ho'omaika'i to this season's winners.

Maui Hula Lessons

For the most comprehensive listing of hula groups across all the islands of Hawaii, and also across the country see: http://www.mele.com/resources/hula.html

Listed hula classes on Maui:

•Kahului: Halau Hula I Kona Mau Lima
Ualani Smith, Phone: 808-283-3310
•Kahului: Halau Hula Ka Malama Mahilani
Cody Pueo Pata, Phone: 808-281-0714
•Kahului: Halau Hula Kauluokala
Uluwehi Guerrero, Phone: 808-250-8581
•Kahului: Kawaianuhealehua
Colsen Kaluawaipakui Kanei, Phone: 808-298-7821
•Kahului: Na Hanona Kulike O Pi`ilani
Kapono`ai Molitau & Sissy Lake-Farm, Phone: 808-249-8129
•Kihei: Hula Alapa`i I Maluuluolele
Sharon Ioana Balidoy, Phone: 808-879-5644
•Kihei: Manutea Halau
Mapuana Samonte, Phone: 808-268-8653
•Kihei: Na Pua Melia
Kalei Jaramillo, Phone: 808-276-4852
•Lahaina: Halau Hula O Ka`onohiokala ma Maui Nei
Akoni Akana, Phone: 808-667-0219
•Lahaina: Na Pua O Kapi`olani Hula Studio
K. Holoamoku Ralar, Phone: 808-669-8565
•Lahaina: Na Kamali`i Nani o Lahaina
Jan Kealani Kitaguchi, Phone: 808-661-5498
•Pukalani: Pukalani Hula Hale
Hi`ilei Maxwell-Juan, Phone: (none)
•Wailuku: Halau Hula O Na Pua O Pakipika
Keoni Ionakona Manuel, Phone: 808-757-0140
•Wailuku: Halau Ke`alaokamaile
Keali`i Reichel, Phone: 808-572-1280
•Wailuku: Halau Kekuaokala`au`ala`iliahi
Iliahi & Haunani Paredes, Phone: 808-283-4852
•Wailuku: Halau Hula Ka Makani Kili`o`opu
Luana Kawa`a, Phone: 808-243-9232
•Wailuku: Halau Hula O Ma Kau Kau Na Olapa O Maui
Kamalu & Kawainui Kekahuna, Phone: 808-268-1488
•Wailuku: Halau Hula O Mahailani
Mahailani & Kamuela Rodrigues, Phone: 808-442-2098
•Wailuku: K & K Hula Halau
Kimberly Kuloloia Juan & Kathleen Kuloloia Palalay, Phone: 808-344-4676

Try also "Hālau Hula Alapa`i I Malu Ulu O Lele" holding lessons in Kihei, Lahaina and Paukukalo.

Lahaina: Monday (5:30 to 7:00 adults) and Paukukalo: Wednesday (5:45 to 7:30 adults) on the last week of each month.

Contact :
Sharon & Ricky Balidoy
114 Kono Pl.
Kahului, HI 96732
808-871-1479 (home)
808-385-3016 (cell)
Email: balidoyr002@hawaii.rr.com

Lost in Translation

Sitting in the cafe where I write, an older couple from Japan is struggling with hand motions to convey to the barista their desire for a cup of hot water. The Japanese man made a cup with his hands and put it to his lips as if to drink it. This seemed quite clear and easy...at first...until things quickly got complicated when he started to put the imaginary cup of hot water into a bowl (shaped with his hands) of noodles (which he attempted to "eat") with chopsticks. Oh my.

The poor employee started to get confused whether or not the couple wanted hot water to pour into a bowl of noodles, or if they want to purchase noodles to eat for dinner (which aren't even sold here). After the barista made some of her own gestures, swinging her arms in reply (dont try this at home kids), the couple looked even more puzzled than before and the cycle of charades continued...and escalated into more confusion. The desperate players looked at me, at my far away table, as if to ask for some intervention.

Having lived abroad in Japan, I know the real life game of charades all too well. I'm grateful to all the Japanese people were so patient with me, my limited broken Japanese language skills, and my animated hand gestures. Witnessing this couple's struggle, I decide to get out of my seat to 'assist' the floundering conversation.

Attempting to clairify the situation, I muttered, Que tu quieres? Hmmmn. That was of no help. Having lost all recollection of Japanese words and phrases, it became clear that I as useless as a cherry pie on a kitchen table. I could not even recall how to say the simplest words like "water" "hot" and "what do you want?" in Japanese.

It's as if the "foreign language" part of my brain only recalls the last language I worked with. When I was in France, I would only recall Japanese words. When in Italy, French phrases. And in Japan, Spanish. And as far as Hawaiian pidgeon goes, well, I just end up scratching my head alot.

{Actually, I tried to "practice" speaking pidgeon one day by giving my friend driving directions with a local slang. It went something like this: "try go out of the pocking lot, head mauka to da signal, nevamind dem pukas in the road, get one round about, turn left, and stop at da back house." To which I got a roar of laughter and screams begging me to "pleeeeeeease stop" for I was insuling rather than honoring local speak.}

But back to the Japanese couple. Having lost all skills in Japanese and only adding more confusion to the situation as I added in my own hand gestures, I finally came up with a better solution: Google.

Yes, when all else fails in life, Google always has the answer. Just log on to Google Translation, type in any English phrase you want, and out spits the Japanese translation--both in hiragana (Japanese characters) and romanji (English pronouncation): http://translate.google.com/

Nani o shi tai?

Once again, Google to the rescue. It sure beats hand gestures, puzzled looks and Spanish interjections.

Maui Film Festival 2010 - June 16-20

This past winter friends and I headed to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, a very nice performance theater, to watch "The Horse Boy" a documentary film about an American couples' trek to Mongolia to find a shamanistic cure for their son's autism. It was the last show of the winter season and the Film Fest organizer sadly announced they may not have enough funds and donors to continue the annual independent film festival. The good news is that as far as this summer goes, they will indeed host the annual outdoor event.

So, pull up your beach chairs and towels and support the 2010 film festival held in Wailea. Head to the lawn, grab some good food there, and watch foreign films and indy flicks under the stars. A fantastic Maui night! Coming soon, June 16-20th.

Tickets are usually $10/show. For ticket information and special VIP passes (tax deductible to support the MACC): https://secure.mauifilmfestival.com/tixSYS/2010/passes/selection

{ happy birthday to mom! }

2nd Annual Maui Brewers Festival

On May 15th from 3-7 p.m., Maui beer lovers will gather for the island's second annual Brewers Fest.

The Festival will highlight hand-crafted beers (around 30 companies) along with local pupus (appetizers). Yum! Live music and entertainment from local artists will be there. And check out the fun giveaways and prizes.

The event is hosted by the Maui Brewing Company and held at the The at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center. Tickets are $45 and includes admission, beer samples and pupus.

Hawaiian 101 - basic phrases

Aloha kakahiaka :: Good morning
Aloha ‘auinalä :: Good afternoon
Aloha ahiahi :: Good evening

Pehea ‘oe :: How are you?
Maika‘i no au :: I am fine.

Mahalo nui loa :: Thank you very much.
‘A‘ole pilikia :: You’re welcome

E mälama pono :: Take care!
A hui hou ::Until we meet again.

wishing my dad a very happy birthday

India Arie

i first heard about india arie through friends who know her. while i like some but not all of her songs and style, i mainly appreciate the raw-life issues she speaks of as a woman of color through lyric and composition. most of all, i simply appreciate her song titles.

"therapy" (video below)
"he heals me"
"wings of forgiveness"
"butterfly"

Maui Onion Festival 2010

Known to be the sweetest onions around, Maui Kula Onions have put this Hawaiian island on the map. Afterall, Maui Onion potato chips are sold everywhere from your local Subway sandwhich chain, Trader Joes to major supermarkets.

Dedicated to the cultivation and promotion of the world-famous Maui Kula Onion and the festival claims to be attended by thousands of visitors each year. It started in 1990 and is celebrating its 21st anniversary this year.

*games, prizes, food & beer, hula and jazz entertainment, cooking demos, and more*

Here's what last year's chef contest winner cooked up:
Pan Seared Island Snapper served with Reduced Maui Onion Jus, Soft Polenta and Pickled Maui Onions (yum)

Where it's at: Whalers Village

For more information
call: Whalers Village 808.661.4567
email: info@whalersvillage.com

Profiteroles with Caramel-Chocolate Sauce

Profiteroles > cream puffs minus the cream replaced by ice cream. This particular recipe, found in my grandma's Food&Wine magazine, was fun to prepare for friends. What made this recipe a little special is the rich caramel-chocolate sauce drizzled over the puffs topped by candied nuts.

Super easy dessert to prepare. Quick prep time. Cost is around $40 (hawaii market price) for a dozen big profiteroles (or 2 dozen mini puffs).

Makes 24 bite sized desserts | Chef Allison Levitt of La Tache, Chicago

Pastry Puff

1 C Milk

1 stick unsalted butter

1 t salt

1 1/3 C flour

5 large egg beaten with 2 T water

Candied Nuts

1 T sugar

1 T hot water

1 C (1/4 lb) unsalted pistachios, candied macadamia, almond or other nut

¼ c sugar in the raw

Caramel-Chocolate Sauce

1 C sugar

1 Cinnamon stick

1 C heavy cream

6 oz bittersweet chocolate (such as Gherardelli cooking chocolate chips)

2 pints vanilla ice cream (pre-scooped into 24 rounds and re-frozen) (Haagen Daz pistachio or peppermint bark makes for a holiday treat).

Pastry Puffs:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In medium saucepan, combine milk and better, vanilla and salt and bring to a boil over moderately high heat. Add flour and using a wooden spoon, beat until a smooth doughy forms. Reduce heat to low and cook dough for 3 minutes, stirring constantly to dry it out. Remove pan from heat and beat in 5 eggs, one at a time. (will look runny but keep working the eggs in). (also, in my opinion, I would add some sugar to the puff recipe).

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper (or you will burn the puff bottoms). Drop 1 ½ t size mounds of batter onto the sheet, space them 2 inches apart (or make 12 big puffs on 2 baking sheets dividing the dough evenly). Brush the puffs with the beaten egg wash and bake on 2 lower oven racks for 30 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 250 degrees and bake for 20 minutes longer or until the puffs are brown and dry. Let puffs cool on the baking sheets (don’t remove too quickly or will tear the bottom off).

Candied nuts: Raise oven temperature to 325 degrees. Lightly oil a large rimmed baking sheet. In medium bowl, stir white sugar into the water until dissolved. Stir in nuts then the raw sugar. Spread the coated nuts on baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes or until shiny. Let the candied nuts cool on baking sheet then break apart.

Caramel-Chocolate: In medium saucepan, combine sugar, cinnamon stick and corn syrup. Bring to a boil over moderate heat, stirring a few times to dissolve the sugar and simmer until a deeply colored caramel forms, about 10 minutes (don’t lower heat or it won’t caramelize).

Meanwhile, in another saucepan, bring the cream to a simmer. Remove the caramel from heat. Slowly and carefully pour the hot cream, stirring constantly. The caramel will bubble up. Keep stirring until the bubbles subside. Return the pan to the heat and stir to dissolve any hardened bits of caramel. Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the chocolate and let stand for a few minutes to melt. Discard the cinnamon stick and whisk the sauce until smooth.

Cut each puff in half. Fill profiteroles with ice cream and cover with puff tops. Pour the sauce over the puff and sprinkle with candied nuts. Serve immediately.

Puffs can be frozen for 1 month. Sauce can be refrigerated fro 5 days. Nuts can keep overnight in airtight container.

Departures - Foreign Film

It won the 2009 American Academy Award for Best Foreign Film of the Year, and swept the Japan Academy Awards winning a slew of 10 additional oscars.

"Departures" is a film confronting the realities and rituals of death, and thereby ultimately embracing the beauty of life itself.

The story revolves around a 36 year old man who takes on a job as an encoffener after loosing his job as a celloist in the Tokyo Symphony. The story revolves around the conflict between the art of encoffening (that of providing the family of the deceased with an opportunity to remember their beloved in a beautiful state) and its impact on his marriage, family and community.

It's unique for film producers to take on such a stark topic for a film script, but the writers, producers and directors of this film unfolded dynamics of dying with such care and beauty that one leaves the film feeling more connected to and comforted by the inevitable reality of our eventually confrontation death in our lives. It's a light and tender movie, not one of haunting sorrow and sadness.

Americans strive to keep death and aging at arms length. Our markets are plagued with anti-aging products, new medicinal practices, and efforts to extend life for as long as possible, our western mindset leaving no room for the acceptance of death as a part of the natural course of life. It is a film produced in an East Asian country, I sensed, that would best be able to offer a cultural framwork that would allow others around the world to celebrate the art of both life and death. "Departures" and its Japanese cast and crew does this well.

The music score was beautiful, and particularly commendable given that the theme song had to be written with the cello as the main and dominant instrument. The cinematography was nice, but I think I've seen better > it wasn't the memorable and striking part of the film. It's really the script and the courage to bring this subject matter to the big screen that is most impressive.

Penguini - Best Gourmet Gelato & Sorbet in Paia, Maui

Penguini is the best kept secret in Paia. I like revealing hidden finds and supporting local start ups, and mark my words...it’s just a matter of time before this place gets hoppin'.

Melissa, the chef-entrepeneur, makes fresh gelato and sorbets daily. You never know what flavor will be offered until you get there. She herself doesn't know what she will create until she wakes up in the morning, sees what fresh ingredients are around, and embarks on the process of exploring a new creative combination. Kula Strawberry and White Chocolate is her most popular sell. I enjoyed her Ruby Red Grapefruit with Mint sorbet, Goat Cheese Gelato, Coconut Kifer Lime Sorbet, Chocolate Hazelnut Rum gelato, and Green Tea gelato. As you can tell, her culinary training inspires her to work with flavor combinations, and use ingredients you'd not usually associate with frozen desserts (the goat cheese was fabulous, btw).

The texture of her gelato is smooth, creamy and rich. Her sorbets are light and filled with flavor. She uses local and natural ingredients when possible. And check out the unbeatable price: 2 scoops with your choice of flavors for only $3.00! Now that's a real treat!

Melissa McKelvy left her post as pastry chef at Wolf Gang Puck's Spago and opened up her own little joint in Paia. This sweet 30-something entrepenuerial chef kicked the fast paced beat of the glizy restaurant world to put her tastebuds to work under her own direction and whim. I was inspired by her courage to leave her post at a nationally reknown restaurant to start something small yet authentic to her soul. Her shop opened just six months before I stumbled upon it, and chatting with her was an inspirational delight.

Her shop front is a cozy little room in the back of Paia Inn. The location is pretty hidden and one would easily miss it were it not for a little "A" shaped sign perched on the sidewalk. Currently, the store is simple--it's just a wide window opening where customers order their treats (they have homemade cupcakes, petite pastries, Chai tea, and coffee too.) If you peek inside, the wall of her kitchen is painted a bright hot-peony pink, with a side door dressed in French inspired black and white toile window curtains. Her decor taste is whimsical and fun, and I can't wait until she's able to expand her business into a bigger space. For now, customers can enjoy her treates outside in the shade of a wooden bench.

See you there!

93 Hana Hwy #3 (look in the far back of the building)
808.214.4608

Hours: Tuesday – Sunday - 12:30p.m. to 8:30pm

Mahalo to Leah who dropped such a sweet line of encouragement and appreciation:

"I've just returned to my home in Melbourne, Australia, after spending three weeks in Hawaii (two on Oahu, one on the Big Island). Just wanted to thank you for your blog! After stumbling across it during my trip research, i loved it so much that i printed out some of your tips and traveled with them.. especially your food tips ;) Wouldn't have known about half of the local treats and where to get them without your posts!Absolutely loved both islands, and can't wait to return at some stage. Thanks again!"

Thanks for dropping a line, Leah.

red peacoat (poem)

My fingers lace around the ceramic
cup of chamomile
brewing gently of mint and orange.
As the crisp morning air alights on my rosy cheeks
I huddle in a wool sweater
smiling at the entrance of Fall
in California
where days like today my spirit is renewed
when sunlight glistens on golden amber and cardinal leaves
and kids in red peacoats, padded in brightly-colored scarves
kick fallen leaves on small town sidewalks
and laugh carelessly in play.

this is my original poem
mahalo to JT for the professional assistance which strengthens my poem ten-fold. his poetry advice: I would stop here. Listen to the music. Be wary of adjectives, summary, and commentary. first line: c sounds

apple ipad

coming out in a month is this new apple toy, which i learned from my brother who just may be on the pre-order list for this latest techy creation. it's the i-pad. a finger-touch device to read newspapers, books and do email. it's like the iphone but a larger, lap version ($499+).

reports state that apple does not know how it's consumers will actually use the ipad. 27% polled say they will not use it as a reading device though another quarter say they will use it for emails. and despite the laugther it's name is getting (ipad) for sounding like a woman's sanitary napkin company (see mock ad below), 50% of polled women think the name suits fine (though another 50% find offense to the name). quite frankly, i didn't even correlate the two together

update: At church, rather than preach from a bible, the pastor preached from an i-pad! Good bye to paper bound bibles!

mahalo to cjs for the new i-touch! love it!

wacom intuos 4

this is my preference for doing work with computer design programs. the intuous 4 by wacom. the "pen to pad" technology works like a mouse: it correlates your motions on the pad to the computer screen. the pen is light, and with a pressure sensitive tip your creative pen strokes will bleed heavy or thin lines depending on how much weight you put on the pen tip.

version 4 is ergonomic and comes with memory keys so you can switch back and forth with your favorite computer software such as adobe photoshop, indesign or illustrator. ($360)

eat pray love

the lyrical writing of elizabeth gilbert touched the pallete of my visual eye the way that perfectly seared foie gras melts on your tongue with buttery smoothness. it's a delicious read that captured my mind's imagination as i ate the words of her pen one by one. like biting into the flesh of a ripe pommegrante, a carefulness as to not stain yet to enjoy its burst of unexpected sweetness.

gilbert is a gifted novelist. her sentences are packed with so much color (i studied her use of adjectives and adverbs with amazement) that i often felt like one phrase would send me around the world and place me standing right beside her.

i fell in love with, for example, the world's best pizza in italy (which made me so delirious i thought that it actually loved me back), medidated with frustration on the hard cold floors of india, and opened my heart in indonesia. her global escapades and year's journey are chaptered by the seasons she spends in the three countries she chooses because they start with the letter, "I".

it was actually the perfect read for my month sabbatical on maui. my own little adventure of food, faith and new friendships. i suppose my journey could be chaptered by the letter "F".

i read five books that month, but this one was my favorite. it tickled my tastebuds with delightfully smart prose.

some critique the book for being an elitest work, a journey that only a white woman with wealth and priveledge could have access to. rather than offering readers a fanticiful escape through some 200 pages, critics find repulsion to gilbert's understated support for literal escapism (via travel), her quests an unrealistic option for the average American reader who similarly faces divorce and depression.

for once i tried to not think analytically of a book, and enjoyed it for what it is. and i found "eat, pray, love" to be a humorously light memoir built on a foundation of skilled and colorful writing, and one that brought a new smile and welcome invitation to my soul.

Google 466453

As I've confessed before, I'm a google-girl. Appreciate their technology-forward contributions and philosophy of global-tech democratization.

I've been using their handy google text service alot lately. Just send a text message with a business or company name in 3 seconds you will receive the address and phone number.

(yes, count it out loud "one one thousand, two...")

It's quick and easy!

Here's the number to text: G-O-O-G-L-E (or type in the respective key pad phone numbers: 466453)

For example, I was recently driving to my favorite Honolulu furniture store, Inspiration, but wasn't sure if the store hours had closed. I didn't have the store's phone number so I pulled over to the side of the road and typed the words "inspiration honolulu" unto a text message and sent it to the recipent "466453". In 3 seconds, I received a text message back providing me with the store name, store address, and store phone number. I was able then able to quickly call Inspiration to confirm their store hours and get back on the road.

Just think of it like doing a google search on your computer--but on your cell phone. It just costs the price of a text message (free, 10, 20 or 25 cents depending on your provider). All you need to do is type in key words for google to do it's search: (e.g. store name, city, zip, and such).

I stored the 466453/Google number in my cell phone and use it whenever I need store directions/hours/customer service and don't have access to the internet or am on the road!

This google service is available with many of the major cell phone network carriers: AT&T, Nextel, Sprint, T-Mobile, Celluar, Verizon Wireless and Virgin Mobile (and more).

Mahalo to Ace for passing along this super helpful tip!

news

To get instant news from around the world, the "Newseum" is a nifty online site that allows you to read the daily headlines from around the world. Just place your mouse on the interactive map, and roll over the city you want to see.

To read the Honolulu news line, for example, drag the U.S. map to view the Hawaiian islands and place your mouse over the dot in Oahu. And whala, there's your headline!

The world is certainly getting smaller and smaller with each info-tech advancement.

Click here to see the Newseum site.

2010

it's 2010 a new day has come. the nice thing about the warm hawaiian sunsets is that it reminds you that the day is done, to pause and soak in the moment, and to give thanks for another day's passing.

another year has passed and a new one is welcomed. how quickly time passes, how life's days roll into the next, unless we make the intentional effort to shift our conciousness to fully live in the present moment.

Beautifully Hanging

Wishing you a joyous Christmas Day!

Maui Film Festival

One of the neatest things to do in Maui during the winter (Nov-Jan), is to attend the Maui Film Festival...a chance to watch independent and international films under the stars surrounded by island beauty.

Before the movie, check out the pre-festival live music, organic wine, desserts, appetizers and cocktails. Movie tickets are $12 and showtimes and movie selections can be found at: http://www.mauifilmfestival.com/fl_index.php

The Cultural Center is currently featuring a free gallery exhibit on Contemporary Furniture and other musical performance of orchestral and jazz music (call for ticket info).

Where it's at:
Maui Arts and Cultural Center
808.242-SHOW

In Search of Power (Travel Tip)

I was flying to LA from the East Coast just a couple days ago when the woman next to me asked me to help her plug in the laptop into the electrical socket perched between us. Wha..? Electrical outlet? I didn’t even know this was even available on airplanes. I generally bring two battery packs to last a five hour flight.

This woman looked “oh so New York” in her slick black power suit, deathly but fashionable stacked heals, tasteful leather quilted designer handbag, and exquisitely selected fine jewelry. Black, black and more black… down to her matching black laptop. Sparkles of diamonds offset this woman who would have instantly disappeared in the nightfall’s whisper. I thought it was pretty funny moment, this lady of “power” in search of power.

She worked at a frantic pace throughout the entire five hour flight as I munched on a chocolate chip cookie and wore my "fashionable" $2 airplane purchased headset. I felt “oh so L.A.” adorned in a casual cotton top and pair of relaxed jeans (my so-called power suit packed, not worn) as I laughed out loud to the movie Elf (I must have been in desperate need for entertainment that evening). We couldn't be more different, she and I, representing two different ends of the country yet sitting just a seat apart.

Yet it’s from L.A. en route to Hawaii that I write this piece. And I’m in fact able to do this because of my newfound “power” secret. I guess you can say that I’m now ‘plugged in’ with this new info > quite literally.

To see if you airplane aisle has power outlets, look at the overhead compartments where the seat number is written. There will be a symbol (often of a lightening bolt) and words such as “DC Electrical Power Outlet Available Under Seat” printed on the compartment. Funny how I never noticed that.

Extra Hands

Every now and then we all need an extra helping hand. Now you purchase them--literally--for $98.

Fun Finds!

banana grip

some christmas gift ideas...the irony > folks tend to slip...not grip...onto banana peels.

Shopping: Best Gifts to buy from Hawaii

Say goodbye to tacky tourist souvineirs > to Hilo Hattie aloha shirts, fake ukulele's, dashboard hula girls and seashell leis from the ABC Store. Here are some other ideas....

{ ala moana shopping center}

Martin & MacArthur - my favorite tourist gift shop. most accessible place to get Koa jewelry boxes, hand crafted bowls, ceramic ornaments, tea pots, local inspired jewelry, koa paddles for home decor, a ukulele, a wall print. on the small gift side: woven slipper coasters for cocktail drinks or glass blown cocktail rings in shapes of slippers for a wine stem. anything you get here will be a welcomed gift. Walking through the store is always an artful pleasure.
Naole - one of my personal favorite gift stores located in the old ward shopping plaza. great place for art prints, hand blown glass ware, photography, gyutaku inked fish prints, koa pens, bowls and carvings, windchimes, handcrafted jewelry. place for one of a kind gifts. like this place (perhaps) even more than martin & macarthur. it's a toss up.

Koa Pens - koa wood. elaborate handmade koa pens. got my dad a pen from here as a gift. beautifully crafted. comes in a velvet bag and wooden box, signed by the artist. bowls and other giftables too. forget the store (kapahulu) but some vendors at the blaisdale center craft faire. also at the fine gift stores mentioned above.
Hawaiian Quilt - give a quilt, pillow cover or potholder. These quilts take hours and days to make. also ceramic themed tea pots, tea cups, and other items at the Hawaiian Quilt store at Ala Moana, Beach Walk or Duty Free Store in Waikiki.

Fine art - I'll have to plug my favorite local artist again, Heather Brown. Her work can be purchased at the Chinatown Boardroom (a small gallery) and on the North Shore. Other places that sell local art: Island Gallery (Hyatt Waikiki), Nohea Gallery, Maui Hands (Paia, Maui), Honolulu Academy of Arts gift center.Unique Hawaii Gift Cards: Only in Hawaii do stores create their own limited edition gift card designs. A gift folks can use in Hawaii or the mainland. Here are the places that create unique and collectible Hawaii themed gift cards...

Starbucks
Macy's
NordstromThings for your Office Co-Workers

(easy to pack in your suitcase, easy to share):

-Pineapple shaped gourmet cookies from the Hawaii Cookie Company.

- Big Island Candy(chocolate dipped cookies) are a classic treat--if you fly to the Big Island.
-Individually packed chocolate covered Mac Nuts from Costco
- Box of Choco Mac Nuts from Longs, Walgreens, and ABC Stores.

-Pens, calendars, magnets, postcard: Walmart (best), Longs
-Cracked seed/cuttlefish, shortbread cookies from Wholesale Unlimited.

For Young girls and Women:

Cinnamon Girl - a store only found in Hawaii(photo below). floral and feminine clothing, giftables, baby clothes. they also have some really fun finds...like lady bug dishwasing gloves, funky journals, holiday ornaments, and flower shaped kitchen timers. (look on the ground and on tables and in high places throughout the store.)

Fresh Lei - who can resist this unique gift? Purchase before heading on the plane to keep fresh. (Walmart, Costco, Cindy's lei and Lei Florist on University Ave, or most super market and Longs store).

For the Tea Collector: hawaiian loose leaf tea pineapple shaped tea infusers, hawaii flower tea cups or coffee mugs.

Fun, feminine and quirky stuff...check out Red Pineapple in Ward. (love this store)

Parents & Grandparents:

-hawaii cookbooks (costco)
-Mu'u Mu'u (if you must) - Sears (for non-touristy types)
-Handcrafted ornaments and Christmas giftables (do check out the Blaisdel Center Craft Faire, Fall months)
-Koa wood frame with a family photograph framed inside.
-Family Portrait session. Check out photographer Garrett Nose in Kaimuki. He's talented and great to work with.

Boys and Men:

Aloha shirts: Tommy Bahama (Moana Surfrider giftshop, Macy's, Nordstrom); Tori Richard (boutique in Ala Moana mall, Macys, Nordstrom). Vintage aloha shirts.

Hawaiian music - CDs (Jake Shimabukuru, Justin Young (love this guy), or oldees like Hapa, Kapena, Keali'i Reichel (my old school favorite--think i went to his concert way back when)

On the small gift side: Ikaika warrior helmet, Hawaii vintage liscense plates, King Kamehameha statue, finger surf board, surf designed t-shirts, hats and caps, Nostlagia postcards or photographs DVDs of Hawaii history, screen savers of photos...

{plenty more ideas. please share your recommendations too}

fallen leaves (poem)

My fingers lace tightly around the smooth ceramic
cup of steaming camomilie tea
brewing gently to whisper a subtle aroma of mint and orange infusion
As the crisp morning air beams on my rosy cheeks
and I huddle in a soft wool knit sweater
smiling at the enterance of Fall
in California I’ve missed twice over
Where days like today my spirit is renewed
and my heart delights in the small moments of beauty
When warm sunlight glistens on golden amber and cardinal leaves
and kids in red peacoats padded with bright colored scarves
kick fallen leaves on small town sidewalks
and laugh carelessly in play.
I welcome the climate’s mildly changing seasons
and it’s quiet reminder of time passing

the ebbs and flows
of the sacred rhythym of life.

Tinted Sunscreen

Sunscreen + Moisturizer + A Hint of Color.
What will they come up with next?

Love it!: tinted moisturizer...and tinted sunscreen...

{And if you think this is just for women...think again. It looks natural on guys too. Why should n't they benefit from moisturizers and sunscreen as well? I love that Shiseido (and Clinique) have products for men.}

I love the tinted moisturizer for overcast days, drizzly days in Hawaii, and days when I'm just too darn lazy to go through the whole beauty routine. This tube offers you a 3-in-1 on-the-go solution: moisturize your face, sunscreen it, and give it a tint for light coverage while you sit at that red stop light on your way to work. It's that easy! {scratch the last part, and concentrate on your driving.} The coverage is very light, so be warned that it doesn't cover like foundation. ($37)
Shiseido has won a ton of awards for their sunscreen. Now it comes in full-coverage foundation form with 43+ protection. All you need is a little drop of this thing to cover a part of your face. It's a thick and rich formula. So much so that you need a sponge (included) to even out the application. It's primarily a foundation with alot of sunscreen. (verses other way around). ($36 for a small 1 oz bottle)

This formula is waterproof, so it's super popular among surfer girls and beach goers. It lasts all day in the city. I do however, feel the need to touch up the sunsreen aspect of the foundation after 4 hours or so. It's recommended that one buys the Compact Foundation for touch-ups (which can be used in lew of the liquid foundation in the first place). ($25)They also have a new product for under-eye sunscreen to prevent wrinkles and spots under the eye ($31). Sounds ridiculous...but in Hawaii I got sunspots and freckles under my eye--indeed.


A few people have been asking for my recommendations on sunscreens. See my former post for the best sunscreen.

Makawao, Maui

Don't know why, but strolling down the streets of Paia, I feel like I walk back in time to the 1970s and yet forward into good whole living. Slow pace, earthy folk, good organic eats, and an appreciate for the arts. Makawao (painting above) is another great little artist town that doesn't seem to have lost it's flower-power flavor. Both towns, I believe, have histories of being areas where hippie-types from the mainland came to settle, merging their values of community, artistry, and free-spirited living with the already laid-back subculture of Maui island life. I like it! Two of my favorite towns to visit on Maui.

To Do Tatoo

funny. 'nuff said.

Hawaiian Sunburn - Aloe Vera & After Sun Lotion

I gained more sunspots, freckles and wrinkles during my first 3 months in Hawaii than I gained in my entire life. I wear sunblock and a hat almost all the time in Hawaii, but the sun still manages to burn my face. My solution: Aloe Vera and After Sun products to naturally heal the sun damaged skin.

My favorite skin remedy for everything (redness, burns, itches, bites) is Aloe Vera. It instantly cools the skin and relieves the redness. I have sensitive skin, so Aloe Vera in liquid formula is especially great.

I particularly like the all-natural brand Auburn, which can be found at Whole Foods and other fine health stores. They are the only brand that I've found 100% Aloe Vera in pure liquid form. This treat comes at a price through. A small bottle runs $17 in comparison to it's gel form in other brands found at Longs, Walmart and markets ($3). (Auburn Aloe Vera is much easier to find in stores across Hawaii than it is on the mainland, so stock up!)

Another remedy is to buy "After-Sun" products. I had never even heard of After-Sun until a foreign exchange student had approached me for help in the McCully market one day. Together we looked for an item called After Sun and found it in the shampoo aisle. Again, I'd recommend Auburn brand because it's all-natural. (After sun is made by other popular brands like Banana Boat and such but contains more chemicals).

Shiseido puts out an After-Sun lotion, but you can only purchase these items in Asia and Australia. Some online shopping can get you the product. The product description reads: "A high-performance moisturizer that hydrates and pampers sun-exposed skin with a fresh, soft touch. Enriched with Vitamins. Excellent for face and body. Non-clogging to pores. Allergy tested." ($25)