Check out the latest in Brazilian beachwear
The Brazilian Showroom, which just opened its second location in Kailua, is presenting a fashion show of its newest designs during the "Electric Beach Party" at the M nightclub at Waterfront Plaza beginning 10 p.m. Saturday.
Wear neon or beach attire for free admission to the event, featuring DJ Steve Castro.
By day, check out the new shop in the Whole Foods building at 629 Kailua Road, carrying bikinis, men’s board shorts, dresses, beach coverups and accessories, all made in Brazil.
Banana Bay’s moving sale means big markdowns
There’s extra incentive to take advantage of this month’s Holoholo Waikiki first Saturday sales event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach: Banana Bay Hawaii’s moving sale will offer discounts of up to 50 percent on LaBlanca, Tommy Bahama and Seafolly swimwear, Xcel rash guards, Jams World fashions, footwear from Island Slippers, Havaianas and Sanuk, and Gretty Zueger’s feminine designs made with
100 percent Peruvian cotton, as well as beach towels, pareos and more.
Banana Bay, locally owned for 50 years, will be consolidating its two stores in the hotel.
Other merchants, many of them locally owned, that will offer special prices and gifts Saturday include Fantasea Jewelry, Freaky Tiki Tropical Optical, Honolua Surf Co., Sanuk and Little People Hawaii.
Validated parking for $1 is available at the Ohana East Hotel.
Shimabukuro, Q-pot. join forces on jewelry
In a fundraising collaboration, Q-pot.’s Japanese-based designer Tadaaki Wakamatsu teamed up with Honolulu musician Jake Shimabukuro to produce ukulele jewelry for the sixth annual Toro-ri Ribbon Project.
The two met in early 2011 and reunited later that summer when Shimabukuro performed in Japan after the earthquake and tsunami there. They came up with the idea of the "Ukulele Player Jake Shimabukuro Q-pot." collaboration "Peace of Chocolate" necklace and pin, sales of which would benefit the Tohoku region, which bore the brunt of the natural disasters.
While in town last week for an appearance at his Ala Moana Center store, Wakamatsu said through a translator that he and Shimabukuro formed an instant friendship and that it’s rnot difficult to see why his countrymen are infatuated with the ukulele virtuoso. "Even though he doesn’t speak much Japanese, his voice, his spirit, his music is how he communicates. It’s like a universal language," Wakamatsu said.
"Jake has the same love for art, peace and love, and music is how he spreads that message. There’s something special about his music."
They both share a love of chocolate and music, so it was natural for them to take the ukulele (Shimabukuro’s symbol) and chocolate (Q-pot.’s signature) and meld them together. The ukulele jewelry is designed to look like chocolate, with wood from the Tohoku region.
A portion of sales will be donated to the Rainbow for Japan Kids Project, a charity program launched by Hawaii volunteers, through the Miyagi Bikki Organization’s Bikki Children’s Fund. Donations will fund two-week educational and cultural exploration trips to Hawaii for child victims of the 2011 Japanese earthquake who lost friends and family members.
Boutique’s events feature gems, apparel
The Seaside Luxe boutique at Hualalai Resort on Hawaii island is celebrating the summer season with a series of pop-up shops and trunk shows beginning today with the Mish Trunk Show from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m., and continuing through Monday. New York-based designer Mish Tworkowski will be sharing pieces from his latest fine jewelry collection.
Saturday marks the debut of "Sol Angeles," an installation showcasing a summer capsule collection of men’s, women’s and children’s apparel, swimwear and lifestyle items designed exclusively for Seaside Luxe and available through Sept. 3.
Then, from Aug. 9-11, fine jewelry designer Kimberly McDonald will host a trunk show featuring her pieces using natural gems and organic materials ranging from diamonds to baroque pearls. Hours will be from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.
