Book’s images are pure magic with ‘movement’
I love the magic created by children’s books, whether with whimsical rhymes or soft watercolor illustrations of faraway lands. Dan Kainen gives the formula a high-tech twist in "Ocean" (Workman, $25.95) with eight pages of images in motion. Carol Kaufmann’s first-person accounts of scuba diving in Belize set the tone for this book of facts on undersea creatures. But the real selling point is Kainen’s Photicular imagery that creates the illusion of depth and movement. When the page is turned, fish and other ocean animals appear to be swimming in a filmlike snippet of fluid motion. It’s a captivating trick that will amaze kids and parents alike.
—Donica Kaneshiro
Get quick care for injuries at clinic
A broken bone or sprain ranks pretty low on the triage scale, so you’re likely to wait hours in a hospital emergency room while more critical cases get attention. But not at All Access Ortho’s urgent-care clinic, dedicated to orthopedic injuries. On the day my son was to fly over from Maui for a visit, he popped his wrist, pictured, weightlifting at the gym. He couldn’t get in to see a Maui doctor before his evening flight, so as soon as he landed we drove straight to the walk-in clinic in the Hale Pawa‘a Professional Building, 1401 S. Beretania St. We were in and out in less than an hour — X-rays, cortisone shot and wrist brace included. We weren’t even late for dinner. The clinic is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends; call 356-5699.
—Christie Wilson
Trader Joe’s peanut butter is a treat
No trip to the U.S. mainland is complete without a trek to Trader Joe’s, and, for me, no peanut butter sandwich is complete without Trader Joe’s Organic Valencia Peanut Butter. It’s made with dry-roasted Valencias, a naturally sweet and intensely flavored peanut variety. No sugar is added, nor flavor enhancers. It comes in creamy and chunky versions, with or without sea salt. (My favorite is chunky salted.) A 16-ounce jar is $3.49. It’s certified kosher, too. Visit www.traderjoes.com.
—Nina Wu
Gel keeps blisters in check
Mineral Ice is a gel designed for easing muscle pain, but I’ve found it works wonders on blisters. I windsurf, which is tough on the hands, but during one vacation I was able to sail 17 days straight, rubbing the blue gel into my hands at the end of each day. If you’ve been digging up the yard or are recovering from a long paddling session, Mineral Ice will get your hands back in shape. It also works well as a pain reliever, heating up to an icy burn upon contact with the skin. It’s $17.89 for a 16-ounce jar at Longs Drugs.
—Steven Mark
Get past the unpalatable color and enjoy a sweet, tart snack
I’ll admit that at first I was put off by this snack’s unnatural, almost neon hue. But after a few nudges from my family, I tried Jabong Peel. It’s a match for local palates: sweet tempered with tartness and a hint of citrus that lingers on the tongue. The experience is reminiscent of eating crack seed, with its extended aftertaste and addictive appeal. Find this dried, candied — and colorful — delight at Wholesale Unlimited. A 7-ounce package is just $1.95, which only adds to its allure. The local-snack store has locations in Waipahu, Mapunapuna, Kahala, Manoa, Kaneohe, Pearl City and on Keeaumoku Street. Visit wholesaleunlimitedhawaii.com.
—Joleen Oshiro
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.