1. Turquoise and deep-blue waters and the picturesque Mokulua islands are part and parcel of the Lanikai Blue board shorts by Twin Islands Surf Co., best known for its trademark logo showing the moku with a sun rising, wave curl and iwa bird.
Twin Islands captured the colors just right in what looks like a painting on fabric. The four-way stretch board shorts ($50) are available at the Kailua location, 131 Hekili St., and South Shore Market at Ward Village. Find Twin Islands Surf Co. at tisurf.com or on Instagram @twinislands.
— Nina Wu, Star-Advertiser
2. As I watch my daughter turn into a total water baby as she approaches her second birthday, I can’t help but picture her as the next Carissa Moore, shredding waves once she reaches grom status.
Until then, I’ll encourage her with a kid-sized Hubboard, a 21-inch miniature version of a full-sized bodyboard designed by brothers Dave and Jeff Hubbard, two Kauai-raised professional bodyboarders who went on to start their own company.
While old fogeys like me might remember charging with wooden paipo boards or plastic trays from McDonald’s, keiki these days can take advantage of the technology built into the Hubboard, including lightweight, expanded polystyrene foam with a high-density slick bottom skin and rails that allow for maximum control in the ocean.
In the meantime, I’ll be borrowing my kid’s new sponge to hit the shorebreak myself. These Hubboards might be child-friendly, but they’ll work just fine for bigger kids, too.
Pick one up for $19.99 at Town & Country Surf stores.
— Jason Genegabus, Star-Advertiser
3. While in Waikiki, drop by Saks Fifth Avenue at the International Market Place to view works by a diverse lineup of contemporary Hawaii painters, mixed-media artists and sculptors. The monthly exhibition series Art On the Avenue, launched in May, places works throughout the store, including a third-floor installation at The Fifth Avenue Club. Resin painting and sculpture by Matthew H. James is on view through July 31.
Oil paintings by Oahu’s Noe Tanigawa — an MFA graduate of the University of Hawaii-Manoa, known to many as a Hawaii Public Radio journalist — will be in the spotlight beginning 5:30 p.m. Aug. 3, with Saks’ first-Thursday reception for the artist. Get updates at fb.com/SaksFifthAvenueHonoluluHI.
— Elizabeth Kieszkowski, Star-Advertiser
4. With just the two of us now, and a desire to eat healthier, it’s been hard to finish off fresh produce from the grocery or farmers market before it goes bad. Foodland Farms at the Ewa end of Ala Moana Center solves the food-waste problem by letting shoppers create a personalized mix of bite-sized veggies for salads and stir-fries.
Choose from kale, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, bell peppers, carrots and more for $5.99 a pound, taking only what you like and as much as you need, instead of buying each ingredient separately and risking spoilage.
The pre-prepped veggies are a time-saver too.
— Christie Wilson, Star-Advertiser
5. This delicate dream catcher necklace ($77) was handmade by Sheri Kira of the Kira Hawaii boutique using a sterling-silver chain, Argentium silver wire and white quartz. The intricate wire wrapping to create the dream catcher and secure the stones is remarkable.
Kira also makes jewelry that includes moons and stars, arrowheads and other bold designs that are sold at her shop at 95-1249 Meheula Parkway in the Mililani Town Center.
Visit kirahawaii.com or call 382-7330.
— Nancy Arcayna, Star-Advertiser
“5 Things We Love” is 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 by emailing features@staradvertiser.com.
