local customs

one of the items on my shopping list this time around was a replacement "mahalo for removing your shoes" ceramic tile for a friend's new home. while this is an unspoken custom in the islands, the tile is a polite reminder for mainland guests that your home is still hawaiian style even though it is across the pacific.

the tiles are handmade at the banana patch studio in kauai and are available in two sizes and a variety of island inspired designs. they can also be found over at native books/na mea hawaii at ward warehouse.

olukai fall 2006

w's hiapo

olukai made a lot of new fans when i first wrote about their slippers a few months ago and now there are more styles to covet with their recently introduced fall collection (hint: there are a lot more choices for the ladies now). and if you're feeling lucky, sign up for their mailing list for a chance to win the rabbit kekai special edition.

m's kekai

you can also now find retailers stocking olukai listed on their website or order online via zappos and receive free shipping both ways!

growing up local

hopefully, my attempt to whittle down my vanity fair stash while in flight will be accomplished, but if you need something good to read on your next trip then grab a copy of growing up local. this anthology is a nice introduction to many talented local writers whom you may not be familiar with, and the stories they tell are sure to tap into more than a few repressed memories from your childhood.

my favorite: "the gift" by gary pak which is a spooky yet hilarious hawaiian style coming of age story reminiscent of stand by me.

olukai slippers

kumu

it never fails. every time you go to your mom's - aunty's - friend's (take your pick), you can never find your favorite pair of slippers in the jumble of footwear outside their house. maybe it's time to ditch your old slippers and slip into something from olukai.

olukai is the premium footwear line launched earlier this year by a former nike designer who was born in the islands. one look at their spring/summer catalog and you'll appreciate the perfect marriage of form + function.

and the best thing is your slippers will never get lost in the crowd again.

big island candies

chocolate covered cuttlefish? while the thought may have never crossed your mind, someone over at big island candies had the delicious idea to dip all kinds of island snacks into the nectar of the gods. the hawaiian da-kines line is where sweet meets salty and their ono offspring is milk chocolate dipped iso peanuts, li hing mui, rice crackers & more.

and when you're visiting the big island, don't forget to stop by their hilo headquarters where you can nibble on samples while watching everything from shortbread cookies to puffed rice get dipped in chocolate.