super sun protection

ocean warriors looking for a better way to protect their skin from the sun may want to take a peek at vertra, hawaii's very own high performance spf created specifically for the needs of athletes battling the elements during their outdoor adventures.

the formula passed the rigorous testing required to meet the skin cancer foundation's seal of approval and has also received a ringing endorsement from the hawaiian lifeguard association. and, if you have ever wondered if your spf was still working, vertra's shelter tinted formula comes to the rescue with a hint of tint to help you see when it's time to reapply.

the premier line recently made its debut and is available at t&c and local motion (click on the news tab for the entire stockist list) as well as vertra's online shop.

flight of the bumblebee

all the talk about the mysterious disappearance of the world's honeybees makes me wonder if perhaps it would be a good idea to stock up on honey (especially now that the deadly varroa mite has finally arrived in hawaii). fortunately, the luscious goodness of big island bees' certified organic artisan honey is behind all the buzz the company has been receiving lately.

their website is flush with info on all things honey even including suggested food pairings for each sweet nectar which has been infused with the blossoms of 'ohi'a lehua (of the wistfully romantic hawaiian legend of love lost and reunited. sigh.), wilelaiki and the macadamia nut. big island bees is also a proponent of the slow food movement preferring the purity of single varietal honey which allows your tastebuds to savor the flavor as nature intended.

learn more about the life of a beekeeper here (or pop in my favorite tale of a man and his apiary, the lovely indie film ulee's gold).

bamboo or bust

nothing exemplifies what's old is new again more than the west embracing bamboo as a building material made for the 21st century. the same sustainable qualities that have made bamboo an interior design darling from kitchenware to flooring has prompted a maui company to host an international design competition to promote bamboo's versatility beyond the traditional hut.

the winners will be announced soon and a few designs have the potential to make the leap from daydreaming doodles to livable dwelling. my favorite family home finalist is this bamboo house submitted by a design group in china. another residential favorite may have been too fanciful to make the cut but i love how it integrated a green roof into its cylindrical design.

bamboo house

cylinder house

designs are not just limited to residential but also include ideas for affordable housing, emergency shelter and even treehouses. bamboo technologies, which is hosting the competition, specializes in prefab bamboo buildings for folks seeking a more affordable and eco-friendly housing alternative in the islands. many of the designs are in the balinese style but do take a peek at the flex house if the post about the breezehouse piqued your interest in modern prefab housing.

may day flower show

bamboo protea basket * orchid sprays

the excitement of may day festivities may be somewhat faded especially if those kodak moments of little ones performing in the annual island ritual are but a faint memory (or yet to happen). nonetheless, there is no better day than today to gather inspiration for big spring events like mother's day and graduation.

the prehistoric loveliness of protea flowers may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you dream of the lushness that is the tropics, however their longevity cannot be beat when shipping across an ocean is your only option. take a peek at the abundant arrangements from hana flowers (shown above) and anuhea flowers which grow proteas on their own farms.

make the other moms on the block jealous by celebrating the one who made you chicken noodle soup when you had the sniffles with a shower of delicate orchid sprays from hawaii flower lei.

micronesian ginger * cigar crown * orchid christina

graduation leis are a hawaii tradition that may have made its way to the mainland but, unless a leimaker lives nearby, your favorite graduate will be lost in a crowd of single strand orchid leis. make your graduate's walk across the stage even more memorable with a fragrant maile/orchid twist from with our aloha.

the lei stands of hawaii are legendary and the most exquisite selection of leis online can be found at the hawaiian lei company (shown above). the craftsmanship is breathtaking (over 600 orchid petals combine to create the floral equivalent of featherwork in the christina lei) and are sure to put a smile on the face of moms and graduates alike.

{update | may 2008: photo removed per with our aloha's request}

chef for a day

with a family filled with foodies, i am always on the lookout for gifts that will tempt their palate or inspire them in the kitchen. cooking classes have always been on the top of my list, however, due to either budgetary constraints or the level of commitment they demand on my time crunched giftees, the idea was stuck in the land of possibilities never to be.

until now. i am happy to report neither one poses a problem at pacific gourmet which opened its doors last month and offers recreational cooking classes where both kama'aina and visitors can learn a few new culinary tricks. inspired by fellow foodie friends, owner chef laura (who trained at the prestigious le cordon bleu in paris) was determined to create a relaxed atmosphere where everyone from beginning to advanced cooks could explore global cuisine as well as fresh trends in the kitchen without breaking the bank.

pacific gourmet cooking classes are both affordable ($48 a pop) and intimate with a limit of 15 students per session. of course, hunger is not an option since the finale includes a sit down meal to savor all the plats du jour (dinner classes also include a wine pairing). 

private parties can be booked at your home or at pacific gourmet's classroom which is located at the laniakea ywca and, beginning next month, at nu'uanu's art zone. and, due to popular demand, gift certificates will arrive in a few weeks (yay!).

here's a peek at the upcoming class schedule:

• may 6th - healthy organic cooking
• may 8th - homemade pasta
• may 11th - hors d'oeuvres & cocktails
• may 13th - mother's day tea party

bon appétit!