Big Isle honey benefits koa forestry

At last year’s Merrie Monarch Festival, I came across Hawaiian Legacy Forest’s honeys collected from hives in its 800-acre koa forest on the Big Island’s Hamakua Coast. The thick, raw honey is one of the best I’ve ever tasted. The Koa Wildflower honey sells for $8 for 2.25 ounces, with larger sizes available. Jars of lehua honey, in limited supplies from bees that forage from lehua blossoms at Umikoa Village, start at $4 for the same size.

Honey sales support the nonprofit’s mission of restoring koa forests.

Find the honeys this week at the Merrie Monarch Festival Invitational Arts Fair in Hilo, open Wednesday through Saturday, or order online at hawaiianlegacyhoney.com.

—Nina Wu

Eye shadow palette offers stylish versatility

As a young adult in the 1980s, mega eye shadow kits stocked with every shade of the rainbow were a thrill to own. I suppose the neon aesthetic of the time provided some justification for saturating the lid in electric purple one day and peacock blue the next. But decades later I’m looking for something that subtly enhances, and Tartlette in Bloom by Tarte cosmetics does the trick.

With 12 neutral shades — nine matte and three shimmer — there are plenty of ways to pull off a polished look for every day and drama for nighttime. Tarte utilizes Amazonian clay, which is said to balance the skin. Add a touch of primer and these shadows stay put. Find it for $45 at Sephora or tartecosmetics.com.

—Joleen Oshiro

Historic Maui estate showcases local art, jewelry

Gorgeous views, art, handmade jewelry and collectible, whimsical gifts await at Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center, a nonprofit community art center near Makawao, Maui. The property includes the C.W. Dickey-designed plantation home Kaluanui, built for Henry and Ethel Baldwin in 1917. It exudes an atmosphere of faded elegance, and inside you’ll find notable exhibitions by Maui resident artists. The gift shop is a delight, with a well-curated collection of colorful items, from handmade jewelry to socks.

Admission is free. Visitors may tour the grounds, house, history room and artist studios on their own or can reserve a guide for a walking tour for $12 in advance. Hui No‘eau, 2841 Baldwin Ave., is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Find it on Facebook at fb.com/hui.noeau or call 572-6560.

—Elizabeth Kieszkowski

Scented candle evokes tropical day at the beach

The fragrances of sweet orange, vanilla and earthy vetiver grass fill the air when you light the Coconut Isles candle from Pier 1 Imports. The 6-inch pillar candle, infused with coconut, is filled with seashells and sells for $11. The starfish medallion and twine are a nice touch.

—Nancy Arcayna

Thermometer uses app to track temp

It seems nothing in my house ever has working batteries, especially the digital thermometer. Sure, I could have gone old school and bought a glass-mercury thermometer. But instead I went new school and picked up a Kinsa Smart Thermometer ($22.99, Target). The thermometer plugs directly into my smartphone or attaches using the included 30-inch cord. The Kinsa app (free on Apple or Google Play) floats bubbles across the screen for little ones to (virtually) pop while they wait for their temperature reading. The app also stores the readings in family member profiles and alerts me of potential health risks in our area.

Anything that makes surviving the flu season easier is a winner with me.

—Donica Kaneshiro

A shortlist of newly discovered stuff you have got to see, hear, wear, use or eat. Please keep in mind that 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.