The bright, freshly renovated Shop Pacifica at Bishop Museum fills a newly air-conditioned, opened-up space at the museum entrance.
Across a sea-blue carpet, shoppers can navigate between displays of handicrafts and related books that tell stories about the museum’s collections and special exhibits, including the upcoming “Holo Moana: Generations of Voyaging” (Nov. 4-June 24).
No admission is charged to visit Shop Pacifica, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. A grand-opening event, from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, will have live entertainment, book signings, children’s storytelling, food and drink, artist demonstrations and prizes.
While the store event is free, admission to the museum galleries will be at normal rates. Info: bishopmuseum.org.
1. A flowing aqua tunic with bell sleeves ($164.99) and a graphic clutch ($57.99) combine contemporary silhouettes with traditional kapa motifs that local designer Manaola Yap found in museum archives.
Shop Pacifica is the only museum retailer of Manaola, said Alex AhTou of Service Systems Associates, which sources and authenticates wares for the shop.
2. A flame-shaped fan, handwoven in Samoa from a single banana leaf ($19.99) accompanies fabric designs inspired by it in the shop’s display bay for “Hulia ‘Ano: Inspired Patterns,” a special exhibition that runs through Oct. 16.
Lightweight, soft and elegant, in subtle orange/cerise and other brilliant tones, it’s just the thing to tote along to a summer picnic or outdoor show.
3. Erika Wyrtki takes impressions of different seaweeds, colors them and has them printed in Hawaii to create limu-patterned mugs ($34.99) and greeting cards ($5.99). Shown is Grateloupia hawaiiana from Waikiki Beach.
4. Native songbirds and scenes from Hawaiian legends glow with the bold shapes and tender luminosity of medieval stained glass, in limited-edition, archival-quality prints made from Caren Ke‘ala Loebel-Fried’s original linoleum block prints.Each is signed and numbered by the artist. (Shown is “‘Akiapola‘au Love,” $98.)
5. In 2015, the museum hosted a wildly popular exhibit commemorating Duke Kahanamoku and his many glorious feats, from winning Olympic swimming gold to riding his surfboard for a mile across the big waves of Waikiki, as well as the quiet, modest manner and personal warmth with which he represented the spirit of the islands.
The shop has revived a best-selling T-shirt from that exhibit ($22.99), giving it “a more modern silhouette,” AhTou said. And a new tank top sports Duke’s motto, “Aloha is my creed” ($27.99).
“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.