malie organics pikake giveaway

pikake is one of my all time favorite scents and instantly transports me home whenever a hint of its lovely blossom is nearby. back in the day when family and friends could still wish you farewell at the airport gate, my pikake lei would console me on the trip back to the mainland and slowly wither away around a door knob until its enchanting perfume faded away.

happily, our friends at malie organics on kaua'i have always understood just how prized the delicate flower is to both kama'aina and far away friends. over the summer, the malie 'ohana launched their organic pikake collection, and to celebrate malie is gifting three (yes, three!) lucky readers with a luxurious, organic pikake body polish (retail: $45) starring hawaiian sugar; organic jojoba, castor and extra virgin coconut oils; and vitamin e to reveal your skin's hidden glow.

label readers will also appreciate malie's commitment to organic and wildcrafted ingredients, plus the body polish is free of parabens and other synthetic surprises.

giveaway details after the jump!

Click to read more ...

boutique week: bungalow 9

modern island banners

boutique week is island hopping over to kaua'i today! good design shops are small in number even on oahu so you can imagine my absolute delight upon recently finding an introduction from bungalow 9 proprietor lisa leggett in my inbox. the poipu shop will be celebrating its one year anniversary in two weeks time, and the little emporium has become a favorite of local and faraway design fans for its mix of modern home goods and edited selection of stylish m's and w's wearables.

one of my happiest discoveries are these simple banners with an island spin on the vintage subway scrolls that have been popping up in decorated spaces lately. the typeface has been modernized with a sans serif font and are offered in a kaua'i edition printed on heavyweight canvas in a handful of colorways (orange, aqua and b&w).

the banners are exclusive to bungalow 9 and lisa also tipped me off that custom prints can be made allowing you to display the neighborhoods and island spots that are always in your heart (definitely on my wish list for our home). another idea that i am quite smitten with is listing all the places you have called home as a record of your life's journey so far.

the most delightful galvanized birdie!

if you are sharing my swoon for the island banners, just know that they are priced at $385 and can be ordered via email or phone if you are off-island.

in addition to modern furnishings from italy, bungalow 9 stocks designs from chilewich, thomas paul, lovely linens and tableware plus echo, three dots, hobo bags and sparkle from h|h friends nina kuna designs and misa jewelry. design services and special orders are also offered if you are searching for design perfection.

coming up: linen pillow editions of the garden island inspired banners!

• where: kukui'ula village, 2829 ala kalanikaumaka, suite g141, koloa
• shop hours: mon to sun, 11a to 9p

p.s. lisa also keeps a shop blog filled with design inspirations and shop updates.

live aloha campaign

 

if you are one of the growing number of kama'aina concerned about creating a more sustainable future for the islands, meet up with like minded souls during this weekend's live aloha campaign hosted by kanu hawaii. the (almost) island-wide event is filled with projects to help "brighten our communities" on the big island, kauai and oahu.

volunteers can choose to donate sweat equity on an affordable housing build (kauai), help public housing residents with beautification projects (all islands), or share their arts & crafts talent with moms and keiki at a local women's shelter (oahu).

sign-up details are posted on kanu's website.

• when: sat, jun 20th
• fyi: lunch will be provided at all events

p.s. oahu volunteers who recruit five friends will also score a kanu tee for their kokua.

social wahines 2.0

danielle from social wahines recently sent along word that the group's new beta website has launched with the addition of an online social networking feature. it's like an über-exclusive facebook, an online pa'ina to meet new peeps and a way to help biz-minded island girls expand their empires.

the new features mean that sw is switching to paid memberships so, if you are already a member, you will need to re-establish your account to access all the good stuff including monthly networking events (at a discounted rate) plus member-only deals, message boards & much more.

annual memberships go for $65, however, to celebrate the new website, social wahines is offering h|h readers an introductory membership deal. it's on a sliding scale so the sooner you hele over and sign up, the more you save:

• $45 membership ($20 savings)
  secret code: swnov
  expires: sun, nov 30th

• $55 membership ($10 savings)
  secret code: swdec
  expires: wed, dec 31st

click rewind to learn more about social wahines.

p.s. once you register, please join the new h|h group on sw!

just live eco-challenge

surfing the waves and hiking in a rainforest are probably tops on most to-do lists when travelers visit the islands, but the possibility of flying through the treetops are wooing more folks away from the beach for an afternoon adventure. putting a thrilling twist on the three hour tour, kauai's just live offers adrenaline junkies the chance to whiz 80-feet off the ground via zipline canopy tours along with rappelling and rock climbing escapades.

apprehensive tarzans like me who live vicariously via the amazing race (but who, in reality, start to get woozy above two stories) will appreciate the opportunity to face their fears with the help of certified instructors and the safety net of a harness. and, if you are planning to squeeze your eyes shut anyway, you may as well impress your friends and sign up for the once a month tour that lets you fly through the pines by the light of the full moon.

bigger challenges await on the ropes course which can be booked for private events, and, if your people cringe at the thought of singing "kumbaya" around the campfire, just live also offers a mix of team building & youth workshops in the great outdoors.

• tix: starting at $115
• fyi: ages 9 and up welcome

click here to take a virtual ride.