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Being one with nature is at the top of my summer to-do list. But pitching a tent and going camping sounds a bit overwhelming. The 60-room Paradise Bay Resort in Kaneohe offers a nice balance between nature and comfort. The rooms are tastefully decorated with island- style furnishings and equipped with kitchens.
Ask about the waterfront rooms on the edge of Kaneohe Bay, where guests can enjoy the water lapping on their doorsteps and unobstructed views of the Koolau mountains. Kamaaina rates run $140 to $240 for a standard room plus tax and fees. Visitors can borrow complimentary kayaks and stand-up paddle boards, or pay for private snorkeling tours or dinner with a fire-knife dance.
Paradise Bay Resort is at 47-039 Lihikai Drive; call 239-5711 or visit paradisebayresort.com — Lacy Matsumoto, Liliha
Delicate, sustainable earrings are made in Hawaii
On a visit to the Volcano Art Center, I fell in love with the delicate, island-centric designs and natural materials used to make Kipuka Kai earrings, which were laser-cut from sustainably harvested acacia koa with silver findings and made on Hawaii island.
My ohia lehua earrings were designed by Erin Datlof, a grad student in botany at the University of Hawaii-Manoa. See other styles, including hibiscus and uluhe ferns, all $28 (with a $3.50 shipping charge to Oahu), at etsy.com/shop/KipukaKai. — Elizabeth Kieszkowski
Top off farm visit with lilikoi cheesecake
I love lilikoi and I love cheesecake, so when the two are offered together, I’m in. This dessert from Kahumana Organic Farm & Cafe has a generous layer of lilikoi piled on a light cheesecake for an unbeatable juxtaposition of tart and sweet. It sells for $3.50 per slice at the Waianae farm, located at 86-660 Lualualei Homestead Road. Daily lunch specials are also available, based on the farm’s daily harvest, along with soups, salads and a Kahumana Cooler ($2), a hibiscus-flavored water.
This is truly a farm-to-table experience. Customers can sit indoors or on the lanai and tour the farm for free. Call 696-8844 or visit www.kahumana.org. — Nina Wu
A local twist on the car freshener
Who needs one of those little pine trees in your car when Island Heritage can provide a scent of aloha with Hawaiian-style air fresheners? The honu, or sea turtle, design is matched with an “ocean breeze” fragrance. The palm tree design is matched with “lemon zest” — which isn’t off-putting but is a little confusing. However, it will still make your car smell good.
The air fresheners are $1.99 each; pick yours up at Downtown GifThings at Ward Centre; 596-4966. — Jason Genegabus
Cheap, no-fuss ear drops do the job
In yet another bid to get in shape, I recently started swimming at the Y before work. (Well, most days. Sometimes.) I bought a new pair of goggles but wasn’t prepared for the torture of getting water in my ears — something I hadn’t experienced to this degree in all my years of ocean and pool sports. (What’s up with that?) I tried the home remedies I found on the web: using a blow dryer, creating suction with the palm of your hand, and gravity — all to no avail.
When I showed up to work hearing-impaired, a co-worker suggested Swim-Ear drying aid. I headed to Longs and picked up the $4.99 CVS equivalent containing 95 percent isopropyl alcohol and 5 percent anhydrous glycerin. Adding more fluid to my ears seemed counterintuitive, but it worked instantly. It’s easy enough to make a solution at home, but the CVS drops were cheap and simple to apply with no mess, and the small bottle fits nicely in my bag. — Christie Wilson
Tell us what you are loving this week by emailing features@staradvertiser.com. Please keep in mind that featured products may be in short supply and may not be available at all store locations; prices may vary.
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