aloha friday scoop

slow art friday returns tonight with a street party filled with acrobats, music, slow street food by brasserie du vin, style from etown, sweet treats from otto cakes, and a bike valet for those pedaling to chinatown.

• when: fri, may 21st - 5p to 9p
• where: chinatown arts district (between the hawaii theatre & marks garage)

hele over to the kicks/hi makaloa outpost for the final days of the sneaker shop's summer sale and save 20% off storewide (including previously marked down goods).

• when: now to sun, may 23rd
• where: 1530 makaloa street
• fyi: all sales final on sale merchandise

make your way to the bishop museum for the fifth annual mamo arts market & keiki art festival filled with native hawaiian art, music, food and workshops.

• when: sat, may 22nd & sun, may 23rd - 9a to 5p
• where: great lawn @ bishop museum
• tix: $5 kama'aina (includes entrance to museum galleries)

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posh pua spring/summer 2010

hinahina

a year has zipped by since posh pua was first introduced on h|h and the maui label's spring/summer 2010 collection is a bit overdue for a peek. julie from posh pua sent word about the new lineup while i was deep undercover finishing up h|h's makeover and i finally had a chance to click over to the website and found the new convertible hinahina bikini top too cute not to share. with some simple remanuevering, hinahina can go from strapless to a halter style and offers a sweet surprise around the back with its darling knotted tie.

all in all, there are quite a few new additions to the swim line with five mix-and-match styles on offer this season. while swimwear production has moved off maui to keep up with demand, julie continues to make the everyday staples sewn with eco-friendly textiles including new additions like racerback tanks and bamboo/organic cotton leggings to pair with your favorite tunics and dresses all year round.

lola

metallic racerback tunic * bamboo leggings

the lovely patterned textiles found in the swim collection are limited edition and gone for good once they sell out (aloha sweet hearts pattern!). your best bet is to check in with julie prior to ordering and inquire about the current selection which typically includes three solids and three patterns.

you can scoop up all the featured styles via posh pua's etsy shop as well as the official online shop where the hard-to-fit can order up a bikini with custom measurements. or support your neighborhood stockists and make your way to wings hawaii in paia and guava shop in haleiwa.

new peeks: misa journey collection

steps

as soon as i caught a glimpse of misa jewelry's recently debuted journey collection, i was instantly transported to the worldly adventures to thai jungles and african grasslands that inspired this modern update of global glam. despite a personal connection to her newest offerings, misa intended journey to be free of pre-scripted storylines allowing interpretations of each piece's origin to shift from wearer to wearer who are delighted to make a design connection based on her own faraway wanderings.

even those of us who have yet to enjoy travels to exotic locales must agree that the stunning steps pendant has a gorgeous tribal glow about it. and the simply knotted leather wrap, which intermingles with burnished metal links, seems ideal for globetrotting holidays and restricted luggage requirements by doubling as either a minimalist strand or layered around your wrist for unexpected sparkle.

leather wrap bracelet & necklace

oval ring

rope

all designs are available in sterling silver or 14k gold vermeil and are priced from $130 to $285.

no online shop yet so click over to the stockist list or simply get in touch with misa to order. the lovely mini shima featured up in the banner was customized just for me so i know firsthand that misa is an absolute delight to work with.

so, dear readers, which piece is calling your name?

simply stated

monk seal + nene

amy ruppel from portland is one of my favorite artists so you can imagine my disappointment upon discovering that i had missed not one but *two* of her state series collections last year which just so happened to include hawaii. i first met amy's art hanging in a trailer at one of the first thread shows in san diego many years ago and found myself instantly smitten with her sweet offerings which featured little bird illustrations softened by a layer of beeswax so i am just crushed that the hawaii originals have already found a home.

while i am still holding out for an original piece of art so that i can enjoy the soft, cloudy glow crafted via encaustic (an ancient artmaking technique that is happily enjoying a modern day renaissance), prints from amy's state animal and state bird series are quite affordable ($20 to $45) and can be ordered online to brighten your walls with a lovely modernized hawaiian monk seal or nene silhouette.

take a peek and do let me know if you discover any favorites of your own.

{photo credit: amy ruppel illustration}

aloha friday scoop

hele over to kapiolani park for the e malama i ke kai ocean festival and enjoy food, crafts, keiki surf clinics, a surf/canoe/paddle board race, and music by local artists including paula fuga. scoop up one day deals from kealopiko plus the sig zane 'ohana are bringing big island style to share with oahu friends (including the debut of their latest collaboration with the the waikiki aquarium)! 

• when: sat, may 15th - 10a to 3p
• where: kapiolani park bandstand, waikiki

book lovers can revel in the printed page and discover new reads during the 5th annual hawai'i book & music festival. meet local authors ranging from kaui hart hemmings (her novel, the descendants, is currently in production and starring mr. george clooney) to dog the bounty hunter.

p.s. bring up to five gently read books to trade in during the festival's book swap.

• when: sat, may 15th & sun, may 16th - 10a to 5p
• where: frank f. fasi civic grounds, honolulu hale, 530 south king street

olive is collecting art supply donations for po'ailani, a kailua treatment program which offers an art therapy program to help patients recover from substance abuse. everything from clay, paper, pens, pencils and paints are welcome!

• when: now to wed, jun 30th
• where: olive, 43 kihapai street, kailua
• shop hours: mon to fri, 11a to 6p & sat, 11a to 4p

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