Celebrate King Kalakaua’s 180th birthday during free event

1. King David Kalakaua’s 180th Birthday

As a Native Hawaiian, it always gives me chicken skin to pass by Iolani Palace when it’s transformed into celebration mode, complete with red, white and blue bunting and Hawaiian flags hanging throughout the grounds. If you haven’t paid a visit to the palace during one of these events, your next chance is Wednesday in commemoration of King David Kalakaua’s 180th birthday, when some of the decorations will be in the style of those used during the monarch’s 50th Birthday Jubilee in 1886.

Hosted by the Friends of Iolani Palace and the Hawaii Air National Guard’s Royal Guard, the free event will feature a concert by the Royal Hawaiian Band and a tribute to Kalakaua by various agencies and community organizations. Call 522-0822 or visit iolanipalace.org.

— Jason Genegabus

2. The Fig Bar

I’m always looking for healthier goodies, so on a whim I bought a Fig Bar by Nature’s Bakery, touting “stone ground whole wheat.” The Fig Bar is a healthier version of the Fig Newton, with the whole wheat giving it more substance and texture. Fig paste is mixed with other flavored pastes and bits of fruit to create the filling, which has a muted but satisfying sweetness.

Flavors include blueberry, raspberry and apple cinnamon, but determined seekers like myself can also find plain fig, mango, strawberry, lemon, peach apricot and more, and even gluten-free options. Prices range from $1.29 for single packs of two bars each at Foodland Farms in Ala Moana Center to $5.99 for six-pack boxes at Safeway.

— Wilma Jandoc

3. BuddhiBox Subscription Box

Reusable hand towels, lotion, yoga mat spray, a yoga DVD and bracelets from Kind Market are some of the things that have arrived in my BuddhiBox, a monthly subscription box geared to yogis. Both samples and full-size products — ethically sourced and cruelty free — that inspire a yoga lifestyle are included in each box. Single shipments are $39.95, with discounts for multi-box subscriptions.

Limited-edition boxes include Zen meditation and ayurvedic healing versions for $50 and $55, respectively. A portion of sales proceeds goes to a designated charity of the month. Visit buddhiboxes.com.

— Nancy Arcayna

4. Nonamejewelry808

Makiki resident Ciera Obando transforms the shell and glass treasures she discovers while clearing litter from Oahu’s shorelines into one-of-a-kind adornments. She has been making jewelry since she was a teen, and launched her Etsy site, Nonamejewelry808 (pronounced noh-nah-may), in December.

Obando combined a blue glass bead made by Dee Howl Beads from found bottles at Waimanalo Beach with a mother-of-pearl leaf and rainbow moonstone for the 32-inch, sterling-silver necklace ($45) pictured at left. Her Aqua Dangle design, right, has glass from Hunakai Beach suspended from a gold oval hoop ($40). Find Obando’s creations at etsy.com and at Magnolia at Kahala Mall.

— Nina Wu

5. Patagonia Organic Cotton T-Shirts

Patagonia’s organic cotton T-shirts are free of irritating, synthetic fabric finishes and toxic PVC- and phthalate-based inks. They’re better for the environment and my sensitive skin. Now a new Fair Trade Certified label ensures they were sewn by workers who received fair wages and treatment. Colorful Pataloha Hawaii motifs include cute dolphin tees for babies and children; a Pineapple Aloha tank top for women; and a wave-y ukulele on a Swell Strummer tee for men. From $25 at Patagonia stores at 940 Auahi St. and 66-250 Kamehameha Highway in Haleiwa.

— Mindy Pennybacker

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