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You’ll flip over book on evolution of skateboarding
Back in the ’80s I shared a house with one of Hawaii’s leading skateboarders. He and his crew were so serious about the sport that their gear included portable pumps that could convert untended, mosquito-breeding swimming pools into private skateboard facilities. When I saw this beautifully illustrated hardcover book, "The Skateboard: The Good, the Rad and the Gnarly" (MVP Books, $35), I thought of them.
Veteran skateboarder Ben Marcus documents the history of the sport, starting with the various wheeled devices that came before the first primitive skateboards were created by nailing roller skates to 2-by-4s, on through the development of urethane wheels and the evolution of modern decks and graphic art. And although "Skateboarding is not a crime!" Marcus shows that efforts to criminalize it began almost as soon as the first pioneering skateboarders took to the streets and sidewalks of California a half-century ago.
— John Berger
Ilio’s GumBone satisfies picky canines
My shih tzu-mix Kiki usually turns up her cute little nose at dried doggie biscuits and other canine treats, so I was expecting the same response when I offered her a GumBone, a green and rubbery dental chew that resembles a toothbrush and promises to reduce tartar and freshen your pooch’s breath. It might not look appetizing to humans, but my finicky pet snapped it right from my fingers. The 100 percent natural chews were developed by Ilio Products of Honolulu. GumBone is sold at Longs, Don Quijote, The Pet Corner at Ward Warehouse and other pet stores in 4-ounce (suggested retail price $4.99) and 12-ounce bags ($11.99).
— Christie Wilson
Travel blanket makes sleeping a dream
My favorite gift I’ve bought this season is a travel blanket with matching neck pillow by Sky Dreams, a Mililani company founded by Angie Higa, a retired banker and seamstress who loves to travel. It’s convenient when you’re on the go, especially if you have children. If you’re at a family gathering and your kids want to fall asleep, you can just whip out your Sky Dreams travel blanket. The machine-washable blanket-pillow combos come in a variety of fabrics, in shoulder bag, backpack and duffel styles starting at $35. Buy online at skydreamsllc.com or at A Little Bit of Everything, 725 Kapiolani Blvd., 589-0045. I love it!
–Pablo Mauricio, Waipahu
iRun earphones untangle cord problems
If you’re someone like me who likes to run while listening to music on an iPod, then you’ve struggled with wrapping the long earphone cords around your cap strap or snaking it from a pocket in your shorts, up under your shirt and to your ears, or doing whatever you can to keep the cords out of the way. The cords also get tangled in the putting-on and taking-off process. Humbug.
I just discovered the iRun earphone cords and love them because they’re the perfect length to connect an iPod attached to your cap or shirt collar to your ears. There are two models to choose from: One has left and right ear cords that are the same length (which is the one I got), and the other has one side that is longer than the other for when you wear an iPod on your shoulder.
The iRun earphones ($24) are available at Boca Hawaii, 330 Cooke St., 591-9839.
–Marsha Kitagawa, Makiki
Murano glass rings add color and class
Chunky rings are all the rage, but rather than buying a department store bauble produced by the thousands, adorn yourself with one of Marika’s handmade Venetian glass rings. The colorful swirls of Murano glass are so mesmerizing, no one will even notice you’re still wearing last year’s little black dress. Buy the rings at craft shows at Neal Blaisdell Center for $20 to $65. For information on upcoming shows, email muranoglass@ymail.com or call 375-0054.
–Donica Kaneshiro
