Sprout watches handle surf in style
These cool Sprout wristwatches surprised me on several levels: They’re fashionable, affordable and eco-friendly. Materials include biodegradable corn resin with a durability similar to plastic, and organic cotton, bamboo, conflict-free diamonds and cork. And no worries, the water-resistant styles can hit the surf. This violet timepiece ($80) has a corn resin case and bracelet, wooden bezel, natural mother-of-pearl illuminated dial and quartz movement. Styles for men, women and kids start at $30. Find Sprout watches at Super Citizen at Kahala Mall, Adore Clothing at 4211 Waialae Ave., Yoganics Hawaii in Kealakekua on Hawaii island and Bamboo Works in Kapaa, Kauai, or check www.sproutwatches.com. — Christie Wilson
Bird song audio complements toy
Introduce your little one to the richly diverse world of birds with plush Audubon Birds by Wild Republic, priced at $5 to $10. Each comes with a recording of bird songs provided by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. There are so many different birds to collect from throughout the U.S., but two are native to Hawaii: the nene and iiwi. The toys are suitable for ages 3 and older, and our dog loves them too. Check Little People Hawaii at Windward Mall or visit www.wildrepublic.com. — Nina Wu
Green Tea with Ginseng a good gulp
In desperate search of a pick-me-up after a rich Cuban lunch from Taste on Auahi Street, I discovered a Hawaii exclusive that’s a boon for drowsy office workers. “Lightly sweetened” Green Tea with Ginseng is a new product from Ito En (USA) Inc., a Hawaii-based subsidiary of Ito En Ltd., the largest green tea company in Japan. The company is developing new products here, including this one made with nothing but water, green tea, a bit of sugar, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), sodium bicarbonate and ginseng. There’s enough caffeine in this light and refreshing drink to wake you up, and it has only 40 calories per can, in contrast with the 90 in Ito En’s Aloha Maid brand Green Tea. I paid $1.79 for a 12-ounce can at a Kakaako convenience store but plan to look for it by the case. — Elizabeth Kieszkowski
Friction Block Stick a treat for feet
When I walk for exercise I always get friction hot spots on my feet that quickly turn to blisters and break, hurting for days. So when I saw Band-Aid’s Friction Block Stick on the commissary shelf at Marine Corp Base Hawaii, I bought a package. The solid-form mineral oil stick glides onto those sensitive areas of my feet and provides a dry, smooth, lubricated surface across which my socks and shoes now slide, preventing those awful blisters. The stick also is sold at Kahala Longs for $6.99. — Ruth Curwen Carlson, Kailua
Young shooting survivors sing out
Americans were united in horror as the details of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School unfolded Dec. 14. Now we can unite again and support the victimized community by downloading the benefit song “Somewhere over the Rainbow,” performed by 21 students from the Newtown, Conn., school where 20 first-graders and six staff members were killed by a gunman. Hearing the ethereal voices of the kids as they remember their slain classmates brings tears to my eyes. Proceeds from the song will benefit the United Way of Western Connecticut and the Newtown Youth Academy. Download “Sandy Hook: Somewhere Over the Rainbow (featuring Ingrid Michaelson)” by The Children of Newtown for $1.29 from iTunes or Amazon. — Donica Kaneshiro
