Tumbler keeps tea toasty

The DaoNow insulated tea tumbler keeps tea perfectly hot. The 10-ounce container is made from stainless steel with a BPA-free ceramic liner and its leak-proof lid makes it easy to take on the road. A removable strainer allows me to use loose tea leaves without having to deal with a messy infuser. Available for $60 at daonowteatumblers.com.

—Nancy Arcayna

Rice cakes deliver sweet crunch

Khao Tan, Thai crispy rice cakes, are light, slightly sweet and crunchy good. Mochi rice, sweetened with watermelon juice and palm sugar, is formed into patties that are deep-fried. The rice cakes are made by "one of the Lao aunties," according to a woman who works at the produce stand on Waialae and 9th avenues in Kaimuki where I discovered them. Made in the Pacific Gateway Center Kitchen Incubator, the cakes also are sold when available at Hong Fa Market on Mauna Kea Street in Chinatown. A 4-ounce bag is approximately $4.

Eat them as is or melt some brown or raw sugar and drizzle the hot, sweet liquid over them like they do at the street stalls in Thailand.

—Craig Gima

Thoughtful documentary explores life of playwright

The late August Wilson is America’s best-known African-American playwright. The documentary, "August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand" premiered on the "American Masters" series on PBS in February and is now available on DVD (pbs.org; $19.99). It provides a thorough look at his life and groundbreaking work, in particular the 10 plays of the "Pittsburgh Cycle" that cover the experiences of African-Americans in each decade of the 20th century. Archival interview clips show the Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner talking about his life; and family members, actors, academics and journalists provide a wide range of perspectives. Wilson’s accomplishments receive their just due but the film does not gloss over criticisms of the man and his work. Anyone interested in modern American theater or African-American literature will find this documentary a valuable reference.

—John Berger

Turn keiki art into crafty calendar

With the school year coming to a close, you may be wondering what to do with that large pile of art by your favorite student. Some are masterpieces you frame. Others fight for room on the fridge. And some of my favorites I scan to make into a calendar at Walgreens: a colorful row of painted tulips for January, for instance, and a monk seal collage for February. This month, in honor of Mother’s Day, I included a painting that declared "I Love My Mommy More Than … Lightning McQueen." Every time I turn a page, it makes me smile. It’s a keepsake that I’ll cherish long after the year is over. A personalized 81⁄2-by-11-inch wall calendar starts at $19.99 at Walgreens. Select backgrounds and upload your pictures at photo.walgreens.com. Similar services are offered by Costco, shutterfly.com and snapfish.com.

—Nina Wu

Satisfy your craving for chocolate

OMG, I wish my cousin didn’t introduce me to Seven & i’s Crisp Moist Chocolate snack. These tiny morsels of chocolaty heaven are a contradiction of crunchy and luscious, and are incredibly light. The Japanese snack sells for $1.99 for a roughly 3-ounce bag at 7-Eleven stores.

—Michelle Ramos

5 Things We Love is a shortlist of newly discovered stuff you have got to see, hear, wear, use or eat. Please note: Featured products may be in short supply and may not be available at all store locations; prices may vary. Tell us what you are loving this week by emailing features@staradvertiser.com.