1.  You see them and say, “It’s a french fry.” Pop one in your mouth and you think “potato chip.” That’s Whole Cuts by Japanese snack company Calbee, which also makes Jagabee.

They’re pretty much the same thing: a french fry that’s surprisingly light, crisp and oh-so-good. The difference is that Whole Cuts has three flavors geared toward American tastes: bacon and cheddar, sea salt and vinegar, and plain.

I found all three varieties at Times Supermarket for $3.49. Whole Cuts is perfect when you need that sweet, sweet fry fix.

— Joe Guinto, Star-Advertiser

2.  Wax scabs are bad on my surfboard and worse on my thighs. For 10 years I’ve dutifully worn my sturdy, dull, black paddler’s capris to prevent friction-caused board rash.

But recently, lightweight leggings on other women in the lineup inspired me to dare the crowds at Ala Moana Center. Slipping into these pretty prints, it was love at first fit.

The multicolor Harmony Capri, pictured, in polyamide and elasthane by O’Neill is $70 at Local Motion.

A black-and-white Move Hi-Rise in rayon and elasthane by Aerie is $39.95 at Aerie, 944-0427.

— Mindy Pennybacker, Star-Advertiser

3.  Whenever our ohana gets together outdoors, there’s a good chance someone will break out the bocce balls. We’ve played in the backyard, at the beach and while picnicking in a pasture high on the slopes of Haleakala.

The game, a popular pastime in Italy, is highly portable with virtually no setup and no real skill required to have fun — and you can play while holding a drink in one hand. That checks all my boxes!

Now we also play at night, with Playaboule’s lighted bocce set. The $74.95 set includes eight standard-size balls, batteries, a nylon carrying case and measuring string and tape measure (if you want to get all official about it). The balls are made of durable, translucent hard plastic that lets the LED light shine through for glow-in-the-dark fun.

Order at playaboule.com.

— Christie Wilson, Star-Advertiser

4.  It’s never been so simple to wage water-balloon warfare thanks to Easy Einstein Balloons’ lightning-fast connection system designed to work with a standard garden hose. Forget fumbling with individual balloons; with Easy Einstein you can fill 25 balloons at once to rain down a bevy of water bombs on your target of choice.

While we found Easy Einstein priced at $9.99 for four sets (totaling 100 balloons) at Bed Bath & Beyond, you can find similar products in the same price range at Longs, Target and other variety stores.

— Jason Genegabus, Star-Advertiser

5.  With a slim, 3-inch-round footprint, Kleenex’s Perfect Fit container goes where no standard tissue box can. Each canister has a cheery, abstract design that fits in your car’s cup holder and is up to snuff for a workspace already loaded with desktop essentials.

It comes in color schemes of blue, mustard and purple but could easily be customized with wrapping paper or fabric to fit your decor. (Tissue-box-covers.com offers covers in wood tones if you’re willing to dish out $45-plus for the look.) Each tube holds just 50 sheets, but the top pops off and, with patience, the tube can be refilled.

Available at Longs Drugs Store at $8.99 for a pack of four.

— Ruby Mata-Viti, Star-Advertiser

“5 Things We Love” is a shortlist of newly discovered stuff you have got to see, hear, wear, use or eat. Please keep in mind that featured products may be in short supply and may not be available at all store locations; prices may vary. Tell us what you are loving by emailing features@staradvertiser.com.