Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Wednesday, April 24, 2024 74° Today's Paper


5 Things We Love

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GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARADVERTISER.COM
The Honolulu Chocolate Company offers more than just chocolate at its store.
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GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARADVERTISER.COM
Vinyl Disorder offers decals like the one pictured above.
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GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARADVERTISER.COM
Geeks may enjoy Jed Whedon and Felicia Day's music video "I'm the One That's Cool," an anthem to uncompromising uncoolness.
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GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARADVERTISER.COM
The To-Go Ware Bamboo Utensil Set can be clipped to a lunch bag or backpack.
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GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARADVERTISER.COM
If Coca-Cola is too sweet for you, try Mexican Coca-Cola, which uses cane sugar instead of corn syrup.

Chocolate store satisfies craving for night light, too

When I was looking for a new night light to illuminate my son’s room, I scoured drug stores and home improvement centers but didn’t find anything that impressed. Who knew I’d find just what I was looking for at the Honolulu Chocolate Company? The Lights in the Night line will brighten your kids’ room whether it’s flipped on or off. The 4-inch animals, robots and other friendly critters come in sparkly colors for $21. — Donica Kaneshiro

Sip Mexican Coke at handful of shops

My love for Mexican Coca-Cola began in a sandwich shop in Portland, Ore., a couple of years ago. That fond memory came rushing back to me when I saw “MexiCoke” on the menu at The Whole Ox Deli in Kakaako, run by Robert McGee — who, not surprisingly, first worked as an executive chef in Portland. Using cane sugar instead of corn syrup, the soda is not as sweet as the U.S. version and has a smoother aftertaste. The slender, more elegant bottle just adds to the experience. When available it sells for $3 at the deli, but I’ve also seen it at Serg’s Mexican Kitchen in Manoa for $2.36 and at Times Supermarket on King Street for $1.79 a bottle. — Gary Chun

Celebrate your geekdom with ‘Cool’ tune

The thing about being a high school “geek” with obsessions that weren’t centered on sports or partying is that the experience leaves a deep, painful mark. Of course, we nerds know the “popular” kids peaked in high school, or so we tell ourselves. Still, geeks drag around their psychic chains of uncoolness, even as they know the only sane thing to do is to embrace their oddness.

Writer Jed Whedon and geek queen Felicia Day know exactly what that lonesome chain rattle sounds like, and they’ve composed a kind of anthem to uncompromising uncoolness. “I’m the One That’s Cool” will strike a hot nerve in anyone who ever got pantsed or swirly’d. And it totally rocks, which is the ultimate revenge. Find it on www.youtube.com. Whedon and Day have even launched “Geek & Sundry,” a YouTube channel aimed squarely at our demographic. And they know that, like Marines, there is no such a thing as a former geek, so let your geek flag fly! — Burl Burlingame

Pouch with hook makes toting utensils a breeze

Oftentimes I’ll pack a salad or some yogurt for work and find that I’ve forgotten the utensils. The To-Go Ware Bamboo Utensil Set ensures silverware is always packed with my lunch. The pouch, which houses a bamboo fork, knife, spoon and a set of chopsticks, has a hook for attaching to a lunch bag or backpack. It’s $15 at Patagonia, 940 Auahi St. in the Ward area and in Haleiwa, 66-250 Kamehameha Highway. — Nancy Arcayna

Adorn cars and walls with gun-totin’ Kitty

I’ve enjoyed imaginative parodies and satire ever since I discovered Mad magazine and “The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle” in the early ’60s, so when I saw this image of Hello Kitty armed with an AK-47 assault rifle on a passing car I had to investigate. A few moments online located the manufacturer, Vinyl Disorder, which sells the decal in sizes up to 48 inches ($35). Want to put the decal on the inside of a window instead? They’re available that way, too, and there’s a removable wall decal that will not damage the paint or wall surface. Order at www.vinyldisorder.com or by email at Sales@vinyldisorder.com. — John Berger

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5 Things We Love is a shortlist of newly discovered stuff you have got to see, hear, wear, use or eat. What are you loving this week? Send a brief description of your latest favorite thing, where to find it and how much it costs, along with your name and contact info to features@staradvertiser.com.

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