To keep swim goggles clear, Sven Can See Anti-Fog/Anti-Frost Gel works better than spit — at least, it doesn’t have to be reapplied as much, if you follow instructions. First, clean lenses with mild liquid soap, dry, then spray the gel on both sides. Let sit for 10 minutes, gently wipe off the excess and you’re good to plunge. I tried it on my goggles in the pool and ocean, and it sustained clarity. Invented for cold-weather sports (it’s made in Canada), the gel can also go along on ski trips. It’s $10.95 for a 10-milliliter tube plus $3.65 shipping to Hawaii; visit svencansee.com — Mindy Pennybacker

Fruity local brew is lip-smacking good

I love the new canned version of Waikiki Brewing Co.’s Hana Hou Hefe, an unfiltered American-style Hefeweizen made with strawberry puree and lemon peel. Brewed at 5.8 percent alcohol by volume and served unfiltered, wheat and barley notes are front and center at the start before a faint hint of strawberry makes you smack your lips and take another sip. But what I love even more is that instead of contract brewing on the mainland and having filled cans shipped to Hawaii, Waikiki Brewing bought its own portable canning line and completes the entire process of producing its beer for retail sale in-house.

Pick up a six-pack for $8 at 1945 Kalakaua Ave.; call 946-6590 for hours. — Jason Genegabus

Face puff is still around, exfoliates better than scrub

Exfoliation has become a skin care buzzword, and for years I used inexpensive apricot facial scrubs to remove dead skin cells, makeup and dirt. But I didn’t feel good about it, since many of those products contain eco-unfriendly plastic microbeads. Then, while browsing the beauty aisle at Longs, I spied an old friend from back in the day: Buf-Puf reusable facial sponges.

As a high-schooler I relied on the teardrop-shaped sponges to clean my oily teenage skin and fight zits. Since rediscovering them, I’ve ditched facial scrubs and use Buf-Pufs with my favorite foaming cleanser for a smooth, clean surface that’s ready to absorb moisturizer. Choose from regular, gentle and extra gentle Buf-Pufs for about $6 each at drugstores. — Christie Wilson

Sun-shielding hat does the trick

The sun can be brutal here in the tropics, and in the quest to protect myself from radiation and wrinkles, I’ve accumulated a collection of hats. Unfortunately, most have a drawback of one kind or another: They often look dowdy or overly trendy, or fit badly, threatening to blow off in a gust of wind.

The Solar Escape Grasslands Hat overcomes all of my qualms: It’s flexible and can be shaped to flatter, with a breathable paper (wood pulp) and polyester weave; it has a UPF 50+ protective rating. An interior drawstring helps adjust the sizing to keep the hat on when I’m out and about in town, and there’s a chin strap for windy hiking days. I found this problem-solver at Costco for just $12.99. — Elizabeth Kieszkowski

Do the monk seal rock and the aquarium a favor

Hard Rock Cafe pins are prized as collectibles, and the restaurant chain’s Honolulu outpost has issued a new limited-edition pin featuring a Hawaiian monk seal napping on the curve of a guitar along a shoreline at sunset, with “Waikiki Aquarium” and a humuhumunukunukuapuaa above it. A percentage of proceeds from pin sales will benefit the aquarium. Add to your collection by picking one up for $12 at Hard Rock Cafe Honolulu’s Rock Shop, 280 Beachwalk Ave. Call 955-7383. — Nina Wu