chinatown boardroom

since its doors opened last year, and after many failed attempts, my trip home over the holidays finally presented a chance to step inside the chinatown boardroom. with a row of candy colored custom surfboards and rotating art exhibits featuring emerging island artists, the small space packs a restrained yet visual punch reflecting the style of its thirtysomething owners eric (resident surfboard shaper) & jackie walden.

the space is reminiscent of something you would expect to find in sf or seattle with everything from street art to surf photography mixed with artist designed tees (jewelry lovers take note: tucked away in a corner is a glass case filled with the delicate creations of local designers justine jones and rona marie). the result is a fresh and youthful vibe that was missing in the neighborhood's gallery scene.

be sure to stop by on the third thursday of the month when chinatown boardroom hosts the surf discussion series. next up: living the dream (mar 20th).

• where: 1160 nu'uanu avenue
• hours: tue to sat, 11a to 4p

{update | oct 2012: alas, chinatown boardroom closed its doors earlier this year. mahalo eric & jackie for creating such a wonderful space for local artists and designers. good luck on your next adventure!}

on the town with malia mills

t-dress

malia mills' childhood in hawaii inspired her foray into the world of swimwear where she seamlessly blends styles made for every body (and every age) with a sophistication hinting at her east coast home base. and while malia has made a name for herself designing suits that show off your curves to their maximum advantage, lately she has been extending her collection into pieces more suited for everyday wear featuring the feminine details fans have come to love.

i am loving the t-dress which seems to be a more modern take on the classic pareau. it's made of the same pretty swiss dot fabric seen throughout the collection, and the versatile design allows it be wrapped in a number of ways depending on your mood.

lulu

kalola

you can get your malia mills fix either online or at one of a handful of eponymous boutiques scattered from ny to chicago (alas, no shop or stockists in the islands yet).

malia's sister carol, who helps run both the company and the official mm blog, was kind enough to send along a $50 coupon for h|h readers. the coupon is good until the end of 2008 and can be redeemed either in-store or via phone order (so a fit specialist can help you find the perfect suit).

click rewind to learn more.

letarte resort 2008

the 2008 resort collection by letarte has arrived! this time around the maui designed line has something for everyone be it one of the flirty bikinis that helped put the company on the cover of the sports illustrated swimsuit edition to delicate chiffon dresses waiting to be romanced by the sea.

and while letarte's extensive selection of tunics are meant to keep you covered up at the beach, the versatile designs are pretty enough to wear no matter where the day may take you whether you are on holiday or at home.

shop to your heart's content online or take a peek at the stockist list to find a boutique near you.

paddle on

1 - wrap the wave warriors in your life with the latest designs from 'oiwi ocean gear. the retro crazy waves jersey is sure to turn heads while the ladies score a playful update in 'oiwi's hihimanu jersey.

2 - hable construction's canoeing snowmen stocking is a definite splurge but a hard to resist gift for your favorite paddler.

3 - then again, you can always upgrade your giftee's paddle for slightly more than a fancy new xmas stocking. kialoa's limited edition signature outrigger paddle is hand shaped and signed by designer (and kailua native) dave chun.

greatest show on earth

winter storm

the first time i saw christie shinn's winter storm, a memory pulled up to the surface . . . not a specific one per se, but something about it was evocative of times spent on the beach when the sun skipped behind the clouds and the whole world seemed to stop for just a moment.

you might not expect that a self-taught artist from canada, who caught her first true wave while on a visit to england, would become one of the emerging artists documenting life on the north shore. during her hopscotch journey around the world, christie eventually found her second home in the islands where being both an insider and outsider allows her to catch the small moments that slip by unnoticed by most folks.

it is these glimpses of everyday life, be it an after school surf session or an informal gathering on the shore, in the world's most renowned surf spot that christie artfully captures on canvas in a way that seems familiar if you have spent any time on hawaii's beaches

greatest show on earth

yellow board

christie's work is expanding beyond the traditional confines of the art world with her colorful graphics popping up on everything from tees to skateboard decks. you can take a peek at her artwork at deep ecology on the north shore as well as wyland's haleiwa outpost which is hosting the second annual surf art show next month as part of the festivities surrounding the vans triple crown.

• when: sat, nov 24th - 6p to 10p
• where: 66-250 kam hwy (north shore marketplace)