hawaiian legends of dreams

while wandering through the stacks at the bookstore, i discovered that one of my favorite artists, caren loebel-fried, has published another book delving into the mythology of ancient hawaii. her stunning block prints are sprinkled throughout hawaiian legends of dreams which is a treat for both young and old.

keola beamer sums up the book very nicely in his foreward:

"dreams are the beginning. they are the seed of our ambitions, the source of our inspiration, and the impetus for our creations. the book you hold in your hands is the manifestation of caren loebel-fried's dream to share the mana`o of traditional hawaiians on the amorphous world of dreams.

in this book, her love of our culture is evident in her research and beautiful art. she has captured the spirit of our view of the world, in which all things are connected and there is no distance between souls, alive or passed over, which cannot be bridged. we believe that mana, or life force, flows through the universe, and all things have a voice . . . even in our dreams."

the companion book, hawaiian legends of the guardian spirits, is also perfect for bedtime stories so definitely check them out if you want to share the hawaiians' love of storytelling with the little ones in your life.

local customs

one of the items on my shopping list this time around was a replacement "mahalo for removing your shoes" ceramic tile for a friend's new home. while this is an unspoken custom in the islands, the tile is a polite reminder for mainland guests that your home is still hawaiian style even though it is across the pacific.

the tiles are handmade at the banana patch studio in kauai and are available in two sizes and a variety of island inspired designs. they can also be found over at native books/na mea hawaii at ward warehouse.

monkeypod treehouse

the big island seems to have become a haven for fans of modern architecture. case in point, the fabulous monkeypod treehouse located in the puna district. if you're seeking privacy, this looks like a wonderful and luxurious retreat stocked with modern furnishings and features a screened living room, 500 foot deck & an outdoor shower.

if space is an issue, there are 2 master bedrooms so there is plenty of room to invite family or friends to join you on your island getaway. and, after a day spent exploring the nearby beaches and lava fields, your body will appreciate the memory foam beds and 500 thread count sheets when slumberland comes a calling.

rates range from $125 a night in the low season to $175 during the holidays.

let there be light

ipu + light pod

plywood lamps have been making a comeback recently and artist mark chai is adding a hawaiian perspective with his handcrafted designs. each lamp is made with interlocking pieces of 2-ply wood veneer and it's fun to study the construction when you see them hovering above you.

these are definitely conversation pieces and designs range from the curvaceous ipu to the statement making light pod. photos really don't do the lamps justice so if you're in chinatown stop by into to take a peek.

climate control

bahamas quilt

you may not have any control over the weather but at least you can decide how to keep warm when the mercury dips. spotted these handcrafted patchwork island style quilts over at the company store. the rich colors in the botanical bahamas quilt makes for an easy transition with the arrival of autumn and looks cozy enough to cuddle underneath with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate.

tropical isle quilt

of course, if you prefer to summer year round then take a peek at the tropical isle quilt which features the mandatory hibiscus and palm trees as well as maps of the hawaiian islands sprinkled throughout the design.