5 Things We Love

Cookies boast island chocolate

Honolulu Cookie Co. has been cranking out delicious chocolate-dipped shortbread for years, but in an effort to embrace the buy-local movement, the baker’s new collection features locally sourced Waia­lua Estate dark and milk chocolate. Sets of nine cookies in three flavors are $10.95; 16 cookies in seven flavors are $15.95. I could easily polish off a whole box by myself, but wrapped in batches of two or three cookies, they’d make lovely wedding or grad party favors. Supplies are limited at the company’s 10 stores statewide, including Ala Moana Center and Ward Warehouse, and via www.honolulucookie.com. — Donica Kaneshiro

Vitamins come in the form of mints

I’m always intrigued by new health products that are a bit out of the ordinary, and VimVida Original Vitamin Mints certainly fit the bill. The company, out of La Jolla, Calif., claims that taking six of these sugar-free mints, filled with "microencapsulated vitamin grains," throughout the day will result in "optimal nutrient absorption," compared with the usual one-a-days. The tablets certainly work as a mint, although they do have that chewable-vitamin aftertaste. A tin of mints is $4.69 at Down to Earth in Kailua. (Take part in the company’s online survey at vimvida.com/free and get a free tin for participating.) — Gary Chun

Postage stamps tout Florida’s flora

Postage stamps are of interest to two groups of people: stamp collectors like myself and people who still use "snail mail" to pay bills and send notes. Both groups will appreciate the Postal Service’s recently released set of four commemorative "forever" stamps marking the 500th anniversary of the landing of the first Spanish explorers in the place they named La Florida. But the stamps themselves — sold at post offices in sheets of 16 for $7.36 — say nothing about Spanish explorers, instead spotlighting the Sunshine State’s lush flora. Look closely and you’ll recognize some flowers that are also found in Hawaii. These stamps will add a bright splash of tropical color to bills and birthday cards alike. — John Berger

Digital Crayon Stylus is colorful fun

When I first saw this red crayon stylus, I couldn’t resist. The Fred and Friends iCreate Digital Crayon Stylus is designed for kids ages 3 and up to draw on tablets and smartphones as if they were using a real crayon. I must admit that I like using it, too, during those times when fingernails get in the way or when the keyboard just seems too small. (Just wish that it came in more colors!) I found it at Nordstrom Rack for $7.97 but it’s also available on amazon.com. Learn more at fredandfriends.com. — Nina Wu

‘The Moth Radio Hour’ is magic

The demise of "Aloha Shorts" on Hawaii Public Radio left a gaping hole as far as local talk-story goes, but "The Moth Radio Hour" fills the gap nicely on a national scale. The show, airing at 2 p.m. Saturdays on HPR2 since January, consists of people telling their stories, unscripted, in 10- to 15-minute monologues in front of a live audience, and the result is something magical. Some of the stories I’ve heard include a woman telling about writing for "Saturday Night Live" and a man borrowing money from the local mobster. The show’s name refers to folks gathering on the porch at night to tell stories as moths dance around the porch light. — Steven Mark