the only way to fly

 

speaking of deals, wednesday, july 26th just may be your lucky day if you're flying on aloha. to celebrate their 60th birthday, the airline is giving passengers on board that day a free interisland r/t ticket to be used on their birthday in 2007.

if only the flight attendents would get to dip into the airline's fashion archives and sport these fabulously retro uniforms. now that would be the birthday gift that keeps on giving!

fashionista's market summer sale

style savvy bargain shoppers can get their fix at the fashionista's market summer clearance sale tomorrow (saturday, july 15th). it's being held in town at the gentry design center between 10am to 1pm so get there early for the best deals on designer goodies.

how to be a better big island "tour"-ist

i love the tour de france. even though i haven't hopped on a bicycle since the sixth grade, the idea of a bike tour is very alluring once you cast aside the physical demands and the achy body sure to result after a long bike ride. if you have no aspirations to be the next ironman, then check out the folks at kona coast cycling tours where they make such an adventure seem not only possible but lots of fun to boot.

the old mamalahoa hwy tour which meanders through my favorite part of the big island would be my pick, however java addicts would probably savor the kona coffee express tour which includes a stop at a local coffee farm. an added bonus is that if you get bonked or, let's say, are mortified when the grammar school set initiates a breakaway, you can cruise in the team car tour van, and enjoy the four wheeled ride until you're ready to join the group again.

{update | dec 2009: kona coast cycling tours seems to be no more and has handed over the website domain to their friends at orchid isle bicycling. this means, alas, the rides mentioned above are no longer available but circle island bike tours are now offered.}

let's get this luau started

anytime is a good time for a luau in hawaii, but if you're planning one on the mainland it can be tricky to find everything you need to throw the perfect bash. you're on your own to gather the ti leaves and to rustle up a pig, but head straight to the source at hawaiian luau party supply to stock up on all the kitschy decorations that your guests are expecting.

don't forget to add a few unexpected touches like these hand printed wood grain party invitations & vintage poster prints to set the mood.

there's sushi in my soap

even if you're not on a first name basis with the chef at the local sushi bar, you'll get a kick out of these nigiri sushi soaps from the big island's double brush. the husband and wife team handcraft each soap in their big island studio where they create a mix of crafty goodies.

pair these up with their sushi candles for a super cute hostess gift*.

*chopsticks not included.