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.
3rd Cup offers coffee for good cause
Central Oahu residents searching for an alternative to Starbucks won’t have to drive too far for their next cup of coffee: 3rd Cup Café & Venue in Royal Kunia serves up coffee, espresso and tea, as well as bagels, baked goods and sandwiches from Gourmet Island Breads. Also look for a variety of sweet drinks, from the Caramelicious to the Funky Monkey Brain Freeze.
Driving out of the Kunia Walmart parking lot one night, I spied the sign for the unassuming place across the way and decided to stop in. The friendly barista not only served up a cup of spicy hot chocolate but also explained how 3rd Cup donates a portion of its proceeds to charity. And along with the board games provided in one corner of the cozy shop, there’s live music and open-mic nights. Church services are held at 7 p.m. Sundays. Open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily (til 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays), at 94-615 Kupuohi St. No. 210. Call 888-6087 or visit www.3rdcupcafe.com.
— Jacquelyn Carberry
A calming approach to Koko Crater
Leave the Koko Crater stairs to the extremists and enjoy the solitude among the flowers and trees on the 60-acre basin of the East Honolulu landmark. The Koko Crater Botanical Garden features a two-mile loop trail through a wide range of xeriscape-friendly plants, including a nice collection of plumeria. There are rare plants from Hawaii, Madagascar, Africa and the Americas. Benches along the route offer a perfect place to enjoy the wind through the trees and interior views of the crater’s rugged walls. (Feel free to wave at the gasping hikers above you.) Bring water and wear good walking shoes for the unpaved road and trails. Dogs are not allowed. The gardens are free and open daily sunrise to sunset. You can find it at the end of Kokonani Street.
— Mike Gordon
Magnification with imagination
Not many people like to fess up to needing a magnifying glass, but the Kikkerland Wallet Magnifiers are so pretty and functional, they make reading fine print fun. The credit card-sized device can be attached to a key ring for easy access. Available in polka dots, stripes, flowers and other cheeful designs for $2.29 at Bed Bath & Beyond. Call 486-3791.
— Donica Kaneshiro
A back-to-school bento box
I’ve always thought the most creatively designed school supplies were from Japan, including tidy, little pencil boxes, rulers and knicknacks. So I found it hard to pass up this little Iwako bento box of erasers shaped like desserts. They have such great detail, I can see the little frosting lines on the yule log, as well as the miniature strawberries, the swirls in the ice cream cone and the cream filling in the cookie. It makes doing homework fun for anyone. I found mine at Marukai for $4.99.
— Nina Wu
Use your noodle and trust Mama
Top Ramen, I’m so over you. Mama brand noodles are now my quick, cheap lunch choice. The noodles made in Thailand come in pho (wide and thin noodles), tom yum spicy pork, duck and other flavors. Add a little basil, cilantro, bean sprouts and Asian meatballs and the pho tastes pretty close to the real thing you pay $8 for in restaurants. Add a kaffir lime leaf to the tom yum and it’s pretty tasty, too. I keep a package of Asian meatballs in my freezer and toss in mushrooms, fishcake and whatever vegetables (choi sum or won bok) I have in the fridge for a fast and easy meal. You can find Mama noodles at most markets in Chinatown for two or three packages for $1.
Mama, where were you when I was in college?
— Craig Gima
CORRECTION: 3rd Cup Cafe & Venue serves sandwiches from Gourmet Island Breads. An earlier version of this story and the story in Monday’s paper said the sandwiches were from Ba-Le.
