treats for your sweet

crunched for time and dread circling the mall for parking, are all thumbs when it's time to wrap presents, and equate standing in line at the post office days before xmas like being stuck in dante's inferno? lucky you, click over to big island candies which has a sweet selection of holiday treats wrapped and ready to be shipped straight to the mailboxes of everyone on your gift list.

it's no secret that people from hawaii love food and kama'aina on the mainland always appreciate goodies from the islands. you might also want to check out new goodies like bienvente lavender cookies, tropical chocolate truffles (with hibiscus & coconut), and there's even some sugar-free joy for the health-conscious.

one tip: get your order in this weekend since big island candies' shipping deadline is on sunday.

punalu'u bake shop

pahala sweetbread box

those who have made the drive from kona to volcano know that somewhere along the way you are going to get hungry. if you can hold out until the halfway point, you can stop by the punalu'u bake shop (which touts itself as the southernmost bakery in the states) and enjoy sandwiches & burgers made on some of the best sweetbread in the islands.

and now that the online bake shop is open you don't have to wait until your next trip to the big island to satisfy your craving for their onolicious taro sweetbread. the online shop also stocks punalu'u's popular shortbread cookies in flavors like mac nut, coffee, guava & coconut which are perfect for sharing with friends during the holidays.

sig zane is the man

backstage bags

. . . and that's a good thing because his company's mantra is to honor the land & native culture of the islands. the flowers and plants that are so integrated into the hawaiian way of life are beautifully represented on textiles that are the foundation of the crush worthy designs at sig zane. one look at all the gorgeous goods and i guarantee you will fall in love with more than a few things.

in addition to aloha wear, the accessories collection is ready for the wish list and ranges from leather goods to umbrellas printed with the signature bold graphics that have kept sz fans coming back for more than 20 years. guys will also want to check out the super limited edition hoodie, a cozy alternative on aloha fridays, before it sells out.

maile umbrella

remember that when you spot something in your favorite color, your best bet is to snap it up since designs are only printed on 50 yards of fabric. the colorway is then retired so a fresh perspective on the design via fresh ink can be introduced.

lucky you live on the big island or maui since sig zane shops can only be found in hilo & wailuku. the rest of us will have to be content to shop online until the next island hop.

thanksgiving surprise

i've been off in my own world planning for a thanksgiving that was two weeks away which really means i wasn't making any plans at all because i thought i had two weeks left. until tonight when my fella informed me that thanksgiving (and the upcoming holiday rush) was next week which means there are 7 less days to procrastinate. yikes.

what's a girl with no thanksgiving menu to do? give this little holiday surprise some time to soak in while surfing the internet to find all kinds of goodies to tempt you, that's what. and so i share with you find number one: a mac pie from the big island that sounds like a hawaii twist on the good ol' pecan pie with ingredients like maui raw sugar and all the fixings baked in a handmade butter macadamia nut crust. yum.

mac pies are so popular that the company whips up thousands of pies each day in flavors like original vanilla, kona coffee, maple, butterscotch & chocolate chip to keep up with the demand. for those of us who can only nosh on pumpkin pie if it's drowning in whipped cream, a mac pie would definitely be a welcome treat on the thanksgiving table.

monkeypod treehouse

the big island seems to have become a haven for fans of modern architecture. case in point, the fabulous monkeypod treehouse located in the puna district. if you're seeking privacy, this looks like a wonderful and luxurious retreat stocked with modern furnishings and features a screened living room, 500 foot deck & an outdoor shower.

if space is an issue, there are 2 master bedrooms so there is plenty of room to invite family or friends to join you on your island getaway. and, after a day spent exploring the nearby beaches and lava fields, your body will appreciate the memory foam beds and 500 thread count sheets when slumberland comes a calling.

rates range from $125 a night in the low season to $175 during the holidays.