new peeks: sig zane

lihiwai * mikioi

goodness, it's been quite some time since the last sig zane roundup and so many new designs have arrived in the past year that i had a difficult time editing down all the sz goodness.

here's a quick recap - eco style is now available with the addition of bamboo fabric aloha shirts and the introduction of the w's organic mohala tee. m's board shorts are now offered in more patterns and the collaboration with the waikiki aquarium is now online. you can style up your kitchen with quilted mikioi hot pads while hawaiian style minimalists will want to take a peek at the new lihiwai canvas bag with a cheery solid exterior lined in the big island designer's lovely fabric.

one of my favorite new patterns is the hilo one which interprets the town map into a wearable design. definitely a great find for anyone whose heart remains on the big island.

and, reiko from the sz 'ohana posted peeks of fujitsu's limited edition aloha express netbook rocking sig's 'ulu pattern. it is, alas, available exclusively in japan but the gorgeous design makes me wish sz offered a macbook skin. lucky japan!

hilo one * welo * waiuli

w's organic mohala tees

aloha express in 'uluwehi keaukaha

select styles are available in the online shop or hele over to the sz flagship in downtown hilo:

• where: 122 kamehameha avenue, hilo
• shop hours: mon to fri, 9:30a to 5p & sat, 9a to 4p

indie pop

my list of possibilities to investigate on trips home is always jam packed but onopops just may be the one discovery i am most excited to sample this summer. the frozen treats with a locavore pedigree has a menu filled with tempting flavors blending sweet and savory to the approval of island foodie palates since its debut last month.

i was so excited to discover onopops (via the mu'umu'u heaven 'ohana, natch) that i checked in with founders and brothers joe and josh welch (of palolo and hawaii kai) to discover what inspired this frozen fusion of flavor. the story begins with a mexican paleta encountered during a mainland vacation. excited by the possibilities back in the islands, joe soon persuaded josh, who once whipped up wandering feasts for sf's ghetto gourmet, to move home and create culinary magic by concocting popsicle mixology with farm fresh produce and other island delights.

happily, the onopops 'ohana are committed to working with local producers like waianae's naked cow dairy, waialua's mohala farms, maui's surfing goat dairy and kula farms and plan to offer a seasonal selection of sustainable treats. lucky family and friends make up the tasting panel (and also pitch in at the growing number of farmers markets where you can find onopops) with the winning recipe added to the menu and made fresh in small batches leading up to market day.

moveable treats

current offerings include pineapple li hing, the poggs, ume-thai basil and the upcoming caramel shoyu . . . all for $3 a pop.

your mission, dear readers, is to seek out, sample and report back on your favorite onopops. sources include mu'umu'u heaven for windward friends, the wednesday afternoon farmers market at the blaisdell for townies, and hawaii kai on saturdays (the am makeke o maunalua market at kaiser starting next weekend; pm market at koko head elementary). and, kcc fans will be happy to know that onopops scooped up a spot for this weekend's market.

btw, if you really want to delight your party guests, nix the cooler and consider renting onopops' fabulous vintage brazilian cart (shown above; $50 plus $2 to $2.50 per pop to stock the cart) to add a little charm to your soirée.

p.s. your best bet to stay updated on onopops news is via facebook and twitter.

hey mama!

i suspect new mamas would adore some alone time while empty nest mamas would love nothing more than some face time with her offspring, but here are a few ideas for those on the hunt for something to gift their number one fan in life.

1 - the new it bag: aloha rag's signature tote rocks the honolulu boutique's skull and monogram design ($24).

2 - mother's day brunch meet ecohashi, on-the-go reusable chopsticks ($12) accompanied by a lovely organic cotton storage bag made on the north shore. available online & at select island stockists (including red pineapple at ward).

3 - treat a leeward garden to succulent blooms from lanikai pot & plant and enjoy a complimentary notecard set when you purchase three small arrangements or one large arrangement. please email mary pat to order and arrange an appointment for local pickup. {via soh inspired!}

4 - malie mixes up an organic anti-aging elixir ($54) from hawaiian coffee fruit extract reported to repair and protect skin with its antioxidant rich formula.

5 - big island candies offers the sig zane designed lei 'ahinaahina box ($48) which hides an 'ono assortment of shortbread, biscotti, brownies and petite sweets inside its pretty package.

6 - the 'iwa birds will make mom smile but the message of 'oiwi's culture wahine jersey ($46) will be a happy reminder of why she loves to paddle.

7 - de-stress with ola hawaii's face lomi kit ($60) complete with lomi stone and guava stick for a pampering at home spa treatment.

8 - adopt-a-nene ($30+) from the friends of haleakala and help protect the 300 state birds that call the maui crater home.

reader mamas . . . what is on your wish list for mother's day?

shop toast spring goodness

happy children's day!

i finally stopped by toast's studio in kaimuki while home which, in addition to being stocked with a complete selection of design delights, is a brilliant lesson in how to display wares in what may be the tiniest storefront square footage on the island. my little visit was filled with happy chatter about upcoming releases which have just begun to pop up in my in-box.

first up, toast adds a new screenprinted fabric wrap to their offerings strategically twisted into cheery koi ($6) which unbundle to reveal yummy tomoe ame rice candy. the design riffs on the abundant koi banners flying above island homes in celebration of boy's day and the all-enclusive children's day (may 5th - mark your calendar!). alas, due to small parts these are meant for older keiki (ages eight and up) so best to keep away from little hands.

woodland creatures were originally introduced last summer and have returned with a technicolor edition ($5) which are quite possibly even more charming. and, for those who want to sweeten up surprises, get ready to be charmed by the brand new cheerful gift crates ($45 medium & $75 large) meant to be personalized with happy or sorry emoticons, a custom message, and stocked with an assortment of mini pops.

please note gift crates have a minimum five day order turnaround and mini pop fillings may vary depending on availability.

all of the new designs can be ordered in toast's online shop or pop into the kaimuki studio to stock up and say hello to jeremy and michelle!

• where: 3434 waialae avenue, suite 3, kaimuki
• shop hours: m / w / f / sat - 12p to 6p

bunny love

my favorite part of easter growing up was the little chocolate bunny tucked into my easter basket . . . although i always felt a bit guilty when it came time to say goodbye to its sweet little face. happily, no such dilemma presents itself with toast's newest creation - the delightful cotton tail which features a custom printed handkerchief that has been magically coaxed into a bunny shape with perfectly placed twists and ties.

hidden inside the bunny's belly are a mix of chocolate confections in the form of kit-kats, mini cadbury eggs and reese's pieces (yum!). as an added bonus, once your sweet tooth is satisfied the hanky remains as a cheerful reminder of your little buddy.

toast's charming cotton tails are available in three hues of bunny pink and can be ordered in the online shop or scooped up at toast's studio:

• where: 3434 waialae avenue, suite 3, kaimuki
• shop hours: m / w / f / sat - 12p to 6p

p.s. toast recently debuted an in-store mini pop bar where you can mix and match sweet and savory bottles and scoop up preprinted labels whenever you require just a handful of favor fun.