typecast: jeff canham designs

more design goodness for you! with the exception of the official hapa | hale facebook page, i remain a steadfastly intermittent and somewhat reluctant fb-er when left to my own devices yet must follow a dizzying number of designers and shops to scout local possibilities to share with the h|h 'ohana. i can only suspect that my google reader shudders every time i log on with all the unread posts vying for my attention.

while catching up with greenroom (the petite surf gallery in waikiki), a passing reference to one of their featured back in town artists being a local boy made my day. earlier in the year, i serendipitously stumbled upon sf-based designer jeff canham's website and was delighted to browse his collection of creations which range from old timey signage to handpainted wooden collages (scallop-y waves . . . be still my heart!). at the time i did not realize that he grew up in the islands, but once this little tidbit hit my radar i did the happy dance for the chance to share a peek inside the portfolio of one of my favorite designers.

shall we scroll through a few selections which make me smile?

are you swooning over the jack johnson album billboard too?

a seattle baby by birth, jeff spent most of his childhood on oahu surfing waikiki before studying art at the university of oregon upon graduation from punahou. bfa in hand, he soon became art director at surfer magazine and, upon saying aloha to pursue freelance life, eventually found his way up the coast where he settled in san francisco.

after accompanying a friend who was having a sign made for a new surf shop (the now iconic mollusk), jeff immediately began an apprenticeship with the sign writers at new bohemia where he practiced his lettering and discovered a natural knack for hand painted signage.

the signs are what first caught my eye and i love how they playfully capture a bygone era when mom & pops outnumbered chain stores. isn't it especially nice to see a long lost craft from the past enjoying a small renaissance?

jeff's limited edition honolulu and waikiki prints (only 100 of each) were made especially for the greenroom show so hele over if you hope to make one (or both) yours:

• where: 2350 kalakaua avenue, waikiki
• shop hours: daily, 9a to 11p

raise your hand if you are crushing over jeff's designs too!

long distance love

while savoring my occasional dose of paper goodness the other day, i tardily discovered the visit hawaii invitation suite by sf's hello!lucky. with so many destination i do's being exchanged in the islands, the retro fabulous design by lab partners captures a hint of aloha with swaying palm trees, surfer sweeties, and a backdrop reminiscent of diamond head to woo family and friends across the pacific.

even nicer, the collection is offered in three tropical inks (papaya, pool or tangerine with additional hues available upon request), and cards can be digitally printed or letterpressed depending on your budget.

be sure to peek the coordinating paper pretties from the vintage postcard inspired save the date to the message in a bottle motif for your rsvp's.

{photo credit: hello!lucky}

new peeks: east maui love

summertime has been quite the design whirlwind over at everything is jake! which recently released a new island to its delightfully retro travel poster series. this time around maui's made by mother nature landmarks have been recreated to remind locals and visitors alike of chilly treks up to haleakala to greet the sunrise, rambling along the oh-so-curvy road to hana, and wandering through the whispering bamboo forests of kipahulu.

$18 online.

p.s. click over to the EIJ! design blog where nick is giving away a set of prints to two lucky winners.

aloha friday scoop

the fashionista's market ticket booth has reopened and invites local twihards to swoon together when bella and edward exchange i do's during a private screening of breaking dawn in november. the ultimate girls movie night out promises a pre-party, pupus, gift bags, a limited edition tee, and more.

• when: fri, nov 18th @ ward consolidated theatres
• tix: $25 to $35 (available in-store or by phone)

with summer vacation all pau, kai boutique has just reopened shop in a new location welcoming rockabella jewels & exclusive hinu sparkle to its mix of local labels and seaside style.

• where: 319 hahani plaza, kailua
• shop hours: mon to thu, 10a to 6p | fri/sat, 10a to 7p | sun, 11a to 6p

on sunday, pop by mu'umu'u heaven and say hello to photographer and surf cinematographer dave homcy, september's featured artist at the shop gallery.

• when: sun, sep 11th - 2p to 5p
• where: 767 kailua road, kailua

Click to read more ...

island crush: aloha sea bags

summer may be slipping away but year-round adventures cannot help but adore becca beach's newest arrival. the aloha totes by sea bags are constructed of sturdy recycled sailcloth and made especially for the kahala boutique by the maine label who first introduced stylish carryalls crafted from retired sails to the states.

i see beach dates, island hops, and quite a few trips to the farmers market in its future.

available in disco fabulous metallic leather (gold or silver) and carefree sailcloth (pink or navy) letters.

$210 to $231 in-store (phone & email orders welcome).