maui girl beach peeks

maui beach sheets

maui girl & co. recently opened up an online storefront stocked with the same exclusive swimwear styles that have made the pa'ia shop a favorite of locals and visiting celebrities (gwen stefani is said to be a fan).

it's also the only place online to find the fabulous maui beach sheets, a super size cotton cloth rocking a bold polynesian print in a mix of cheery colorways. two sizes are available - the original is a pretty and packable alternative to the bulky beach towel (and at 60x90 it's just asking for a crafty transformation) while the sarong size is a sweet beach coverup.

twist + leaf tribal

beaded chevron stripe tote

the online shop is stocked with an array of swimwear from mix & match separates to maui girl's boutique line of handmade swimsuits. you can also make like a supermodel and sashay along the sandy shoreline in the very provocative beach glam bikinis custom made for the pages of the sports illustrated

swimsuit issue.

• where: 12 baldwin avenue, paia
• shop hours: 9a to 6p everyday

{update | 2012: if you are looking to purchase maui beach sheets, please click over to tiare style to contact the designer directly.}

just live eco-challenge

surfing the waves and hiking in a rainforest are probably tops on most to-do lists when travelers visit the islands, but the possibility of flying through the treetops are wooing more folks away from the beach for an afternoon adventure. putting a thrilling twist on the three hour tour, kauai's just live offers adrenaline junkies the chance to whiz 80-feet off the ground via zipline canopy tours along with rappelling and rock climbing escapades.

apprehensive tarzans like me who live vicariously via the amazing race (but who, in reality, start to get woozy above two stories) will appreciate the opportunity to face their fears with the help of certified instructors and the safety net of a harness. and, if you are planning to squeeze your eyes shut anyway, you may as well impress your friends and sign up for the once a month tour that lets you fly through the pines by the light of the full moon.

bigger challenges await on the ropes course which can be booked for private events, and, if your people cringe at the thought of singing "kumbaya" around the campfire, just live also offers a mix of team building & youth workshops in the great outdoors.

• tix: starting at $115
• fyi: ages 9 and up welcome

click here to take a virtual ride.

pau hana clicks

• the charming maui nest of conn & john (aka cuckoo for coconuts) scores even more love from design*sponge.

• berry sprite shares the adventures of pookie, her adorable traveling companion to the big island.

• liana from mixed plate is getting the word out about a weekend fundraiser for a keiki member of her 'ohana who has been diagnosed with lymphoma.

• the hawaii jaycees need your kokua to save the pageantry of the aloha week parade which is on the brink of cancellation due to lack of funding. donations big and small are welcome to help reach their goal of $50k to save the parade.

• and, local boy mark kanemura is all about the hip hop during week three of sytycd.

have a happy weekend!

weekly sales sheet

start your sunday with the denim lovers (sizes 23 to 32) liquidation sale at fashionista's market. an extra mix of style bargains will be marked down an addtional 40 to 75% off plus you'll score an extra 10% off your entire purchase!

• when: sun, jun 29th - 12p to 6p
• where: next door, 43 north hotel street
• fyi: free admission

then make your way to kahala mall for an afternoon trunk show featuring an exclusive preview of indah's summer 2008 collection. even better, save 10% off the entire store plus you'll go home with a free gift with purchase.

• when: sun, jun 29th - 1p to 5p
• where: shasa emporium, kahala mall

before all the modern design shops arrived on the scene, scan design was the one and only place to go to decorate your space with furniture straight from denmark. after almost 30 years of business, the honolulu showroom is shutting its doors and clearing out its entire inventory.

• when: now to ?
• where: 788 south king street

also, ali'i kula lavender will be at the kcc farmers market on saturday so be sure to stop by their booth to scoop up sweet smelling concoctions straight from their maui farm.

niko art studio

max the alien *pepper

way back when, big island artist nicole holi was one of the very first etsy finds shared with h|h readers, and i am happy to report that, after taking a breather from crafting, niko art studio has made its long awaited return to everyone's favorite indie emporium.

in addition to a fresh batch of handmade toys and figurines, nicole recently introduced her very own rubber stamp line featuring simple but adorable line drawings that crafters and scrapbookers have found irresistible (her sweetie even makes the woodblocks for each stamp).

hobo cat & the tuna sandwich

niko art studio is also stocked with more traditional forms of art making from original artwork to archival prints of nicole's fanciful if idiosyncratic illustrations.

click over to the etsy shop to take a peek at all of nicole's creations.

p.s. welcome back nicole!