new peeks: misa journey collection

steps

as soon as i caught a glimpse of misa jewelry's recently debuted journey collection, i was instantly transported to the worldly adventures to thai jungles and african grasslands that inspired this modern update of global glam. despite a personal connection to her newest offerings, misa intended journey to be free of pre-scripted storylines allowing interpretations of each piece's origin to shift from wearer to wearer who are delighted to make a design connection based on her own faraway wanderings.

even those of us who have yet to enjoy travels to exotic locales must agree that the stunning steps pendant has a gorgeous tribal glow about it. and the simply knotted leather wrap, which intermingles with burnished metal links, seems ideal for globetrotting holidays and restricted luggage requirements by doubling as either a minimalist strand or layered around your wrist for unexpected sparkle.

leather wrap bracelet & necklace

oval ring

rope

all designs are available in sterling silver or 14k gold vermeil and are priced from $130 to $285.

no online shop yet so click over to the stockist list or simply get in touch with misa to order. the lovely mini shima featured up in the banner was customized just for me so i know firsthand that misa is an absolute delight to work with.

so, dear readers, which piece is calling your name?

simply stated

monk seal + nene

amy ruppel from portland is one of my favorite artists so you can imagine my disappointment upon discovering that i had missed not one but *two* of her state series collections last year which just so happened to include hawaii. i first met amy's art hanging in a trailer at one of the first thread shows in san diego many years ago and found myself instantly smitten with her sweet offerings which featured little bird illustrations softened by a layer of beeswax so i am just crushed that the hawaii originals have already found a home.

while i am still holding out for an original piece of art so that i can enjoy the soft, cloudy glow crafted via encaustic (an ancient artmaking technique that is happily enjoying a modern day renaissance), prints from amy's state animal and state bird series are quite affordable ($20 to $45) and can be ordered online to brighten your walls with a lovely modernized hawaiian monk seal or nene silhouette.

take a peek and do let me know if you discover any favorites of your own.

{photo credit: amy ruppel illustration}

aloha friday scoop

hele over to kapiolani park for the e malama i ke kai ocean festival and enjoy food, crafts, keiki surf clinics, a surf/canoe/paddle board race, and music by local artists including paula fuga. scoop up one day deals from kealopiko plus the sig zane 'ohana are bringing big island style to share with oahu friends (including the debut of their latest collaboration with the the waikiki aquarium)! 

• when: sat, may 15th - 10a to 3p
• where: kapiolani park bandstand, waikiki

book lovers can revel in the printed page and discover new reads during the 5th annual hawai'i book & music festival. meet local authors ranging from kaui hart hemmings (her novel, the descendants, is currently in production and starring mr. george clooney) to dog the bounty hunter.

p.s. bring up to five gently read books to trade in during the festival's book swap.

• when: sat, may 15th & sun, may 16th - 10a to 5p
• where: frank f. fasi civic grounds, honolulu hale, 530 south king street

olive is collecting art supply donations for po'ailani, a kailua treatment program which offers an art therapy program to help patients recover from substance abuse. everything from clay, paper, pens, pencils and paints are welcome!

• when: now to wed, jun 30th
• where: olive, 43 kihapai street, kailua
• shop hours: mon to fri, 11a to 6p & sat, 11a to 4p

Click to read more ...

new peeks: kealopiko ku collection

ke aloha aina

the lovely ladies behind kealopiko are definitely to be admired for their dedication in sharing the hawaiian culture with the modern world and their commitment to good design. i like to think of the descriptions that accompany all of their designs as continuing education . . . little histories which help folks (re)connect with their ancestry while clueing in kama'aina and others who may not have been immersed in all things hawaiian learn more about hawaii's native culture. more knowledge is always a good thing!

happily, kealopiko recently introduced their ku collection for spring 2010 and are showing more love for our 'aina by expanding the number of designs printed on organic cotton and eco-friendly fibers. one of the most striking designs is the ke aloha aina tee which mixes a variety of typefaces and serves as a printed reminder of the wearer's "deep love of the land":

"aloha aina is a very old concept . . . although it may change and adapt, it is a part of us that will never go away. we remain kupa‘a in our love for our place, which is challenged all the time by things that are not in the interest of the land or the people. more than a century of occupation may have produced a lot of confusion, but it can never break our aloha aina. so no matter what our different political persuasions might be, wherever we are on our journeys of learning, or wherever we find ourselves in the struggle, we must never forget our common bond of aloha aina."

in addition to tees and tops, pretty strapless dresses are now being offered which i suspect will be very popular this summertime. and, the kealopiko 'ohana also kindly shared a few of the custom looks created for one of the lucky wedding parties who have walked down the aisle wearing some of the most gorgeous designs for an island wedding.

aeo

lehua makanoe * lau amau & palai a kamapuaa

are you sharing my swoon over these lovely wedding looks from lauren and mason's wedding? the muted colorways are so pretty and this is certainly one of the most stylish ways to share the aloha spirit on such a happy day.

if you would love to order a custom design, be advised that kealopiko suggests a minimum of 8 weeks notice to conjure up something made just for you.

the ku collection is currently stocked in the online shop and you can find select styles at boutiques around the islands. oahu readers can also say hello to the kealopiko 'ohana during this weekend's e malama i ke kai festival:

• when: sat, may 15th - 10a to 3p
• where: kapiolani park bandstand, waikiki

{photo credit | lauren & mason's wedding: joanna tano photography}

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.