Magnets with attitude

Visits to the Stupid Factory in Waikiki never fail to entertain. The brand’s over-the-top, silly and sassy sayings are emblazoned across T-shirts and other apparel, but what I really like are the smaller items, like this magnet. Among my favorites are such David & Goliath classics as "Boys Are Stupid, Throw Rocks at Them" and "Stupid Factory: Where Boys Are Made." The shop’s at 2330 Kalakaua Ave.; magnets cost $5 or two for $8. — Nancy Arcayna

Frizz be gone

In the island humidity, I’m always searching for a way to fight frizzy hair. Lately, Goldwell’s Kerasilk Instant Silk Fluid has been my smoothing elixir of choice. Directions say to apply it to damp or dry hair, but my hair is so thick, the light cream vanishes in wet hair. However, the genius of Kerasilk is that, unlike most products, you can’t use too much. I apply and reapply to dry hair as frequently as I like — always to great effect — and never suffer the dreaded overdone, greasy look. Kerasilk is available at hair salons for about $18 or at amazon.com. — Donica Kaneshiro

Monsters among us

Comedy Central’s animated horror-comedy series "Ugly Americans" returns Wednesday after an overlooked first season. The show follows Mark Lilly, a social worker at New York’s Department of Integration who helps vampires, werewolves and assorted science-fiction freaks fit into society while coping with a demon ex-girlfriend, a wizard co-worker with a drinking problem and a zombie roommate who covets his brain as snack food. It’s a surreal cross between "Men in Black" and "Futurama" with the dry wit and artistic sensibility of Gahan Wilson and Gary Larson of "The Far Side" fame. — Christie Wilson

Go Nuts!

Who wouldn’t want a do-over of their high school years? With apologies to my real alma mater, Waipahu High, I’m about to join the ranks of the newly minted graduates of Kukui High School, founded after the debut of the new "Hawaii Five- 0."

In the show, Alex O’Loughlin’s Steve McGarrett and Daniel Dae Kim’s Chin Ho Kelly are revealed to be graduates of Kukui High, a name that stood out amid all the gunfire and overreaching story line.

Anyone can now add their photo and reinvented bio to the www.kukuihigh.com/yearbook (no relation to the show), started by former "Lostie" Ryan Ozawa and graphic artist Valentino Valdez. While there, you can pick up class T-shirts, hoodies and other school-pride items from the home of the Fighting Nuts.

It’s a great idea because everyone in Hawaii loves high school, and a fictional one that allows us to be the cheerleader, football hero, drama or glee star we never were is even better.

As alumni like to say, "Go Nuts!"

— Nadine Kam

Windfall for a jazz genius

Earlier this week, the fortunate recipients of the 2010 MacArthur Foundation’s "genius grants" were announced, and one of them was pianist Jason Moran.

The foundation said Moran is known for "blending musical styles in genre-crossing performances that expand the boundaries of jazz expression." Moran told the Associated Press he is planning to use the $500,000 grant for "band expeditions" to Senegal to study drumming "or bringing our music down to perform in rural parts of America, or to simply create new collaborations with artists in other fields, or begin a series of recordings made on the old format of Edison wax cylinders. It’s all in play now."

He’s one of contemporary jazz’s brighter lights, and his latest album is the well-received "Ten." — Gary Chun