kokua japan

hope heal love * aloha for japan

forgive me for my absence. i have been wrestling with writing about style and design finds which seem a little frivolous right now. half my family tree is japanese and even though my great-grandparents left for hawaii's shores over 100 years ago, the coverage of the devastation following the earthquake and tsunami continue to be heartbreaking.

then yesterday i received a note from jennifer of kinohi designs about a small project to send kokua to japan. the first offering from her hope love heal: a love letter to japan series is a sweet button debuting at eden in love this weekend. online ordering is in the works and i will be sharing the next two releases as soon as they say hello. {$2 a button with 100% of the proceeds benefitting the red cross and unicef}.

inspired by jen's generosity, i remembered how many local designers also share a connection to japan, and how the interweb bands together when the world is touched by tragedy. my evening and morning have been spent scouring all my sources for more goodness from hawaii and beyond to help japan. one of my favorites is the aloha for japan tee which is already on backorder. find yours at aloha army, barefoot league, butigroove, fitted hawaii & in4mation. {$20 with all the profits supporting relief efforts in japan}

more kama'aina offerings + a sampling of designs from around the world after the jump.

maui raised, la-based artist edwin ushiro will be contributing original artwork to this weekend's giant robot show to help unicef's efforts with keiki survivors of the earthquake.

share the love

lisa from modern philosophy created a capsule collection of handmade adornment just for japan. {$12 to $41 with 100% of the proceeds going to the red cross}

help japan scout books

portland's scout books has printed up a special edition help japan notebook with 100% of the profits benefitting mercy corps work in japan. {$15 for a set of three + free shipping on u.s. orders}

thinking of home

brooklyn artist & tokyo native naoko stoop will be donating $10 to the red cross from each sale of her sweet thinking of home print. {via books, paper, scissors}

help japan

weiden+kennedy's help japan offering is spare and to the point. {$25 with all net profits going to the red cross; via pinterest}

lotus * waves

i love the hopefulness and simple beauty found in designer linda yuki nakanishi's japan earthquake series. {various sizes; 100% of profits will benefit the canadian red cross's relief efforts in japan}

cherry blossom heart

along with the delicate design of the cherry blossom heart from this paper ship in north carolina who also whipped up a thousand paper cranes print. {$20 with 90% of proceeds benefitting the salvation army}

alas, this is not for sale but illustrator natascha rosenberg's sweet pair quietly expresses how so many of us feel. {via pinterest}

and, h|h will be participating in for japan with love's day of silence tomorrow which means an early edition of the aloha friday scoop will be posted later tonight.

have you happened across more design kokua to help our friends in japan? if so, please do share!

p.s. good magazine has also posted a helpful roundup of charity organizations deserving of your donation.

sweet nothings 2011 - take two

cupid inspired a few valentine pretties to add kisses of sparkle to the day . . .

1 - modern philosophy's golden nuggets wrapped around pink leather channel healing energy with bohemian elegance. (custom pieces and gift certificates also available)

2 - the pa'ina earrings made by the big island's kahili creations mingle pink sapphires with golden lotus petals. ($49)

3 - the muted hues of the ruby fade bracelet by catherine weitzman in honolulu ships for 20% off *and* complimentary earrings with secret code lovers11 ($115; expires: wed, feb 9th - offer applies to entire online shop)

find more shimmer designed to romance after the jump!

4 - save 25% off all hinu jewelry including this gorgeous glowing handhammered heart. (secret code: hinugift; expires: mon, feb 14th. inquire about expediated shipping on custom orders for valentine's day)

5 - the gentle curves of wings hawaii's forever ring can be resized with a simple adjustment. ($85)

6 - green amethyst softly sparkles in a sterling silver setting by maui designer kira ferrer. ($87)

p.s. shop your wishlist to save 35% on rockabella jewels with secret code xoxo (expires: mon, feb 14th) and all valentine styles are currently 14% off at noelani designs .

aloha friday scoop

the latest lovelies from [ki-ele] will be offered during the hickham/pearl harbor fall craft fair & family fun day.

• when: sat, nov 13th - 9a to 3p
• where: hickam arts & crafts center, bldg 1889, kuntz avenue
• fyi: open to the public

shop early to avoid the parking crunch during ward's annual festival of giving which promises discounts, demonstrations, and gifts with purchase! 100% of ticket proceeds will benefit local charities.

• when: fri, nov 12th to sun, nov 14th
• where: ward warehouse & centre
• tix: $10 (available at the wedding café & red pineapple)
• fyi: download shop offers before you go

a very happy second birthday to olive who will be celebrating with 20% off most merch, an indah sample sale (11a to 3p), and a jo.jah.jae trunk show!

• when: sat, nov 13th - 11a to 8p
• where: 43 kihapai street, kailua
• fyi: party & pupus kick off at 5p

Click to read more ...

modern philosophy 101

eat, pray, love & believe

honolulu jewelry designer lisa gouveia of modern philosophy recently shared her minimalist, karmic wrist wraps which i became quite smitten with after my first peek (inevitable really when the mystical scorpio is your zodiac sign). the beginnings of the line started in college when lisa, who grew up on maui, crafted bracelets to be worn as a reminder to seek out calmer moments in between stressful study sessions.

a post-college spiritual journey through asia inspired the budding designer to further explore teachings on meditation and the healing properties of power gemstones. along the way, her own life and design philosophy began to take root, and upon returning to the islands the collection of gemstones sourced during her travels became interwoven with the lessons learned overseas to create pieces designed to give the energies of its wearers a positive boost.

the simplicity of the leather wrapped design creates layers of boho glam promising to heal your heart, strengthen your intuition, or help you find clarity (among many other possibilities). a lovely and tantalizing proposition, no?

always a silver lining

mini meditation

multi color moonstone

as you may notice, i was instantly drawn to stones with paler hues which seem like a fresh and pretty restorative after a summer of gray on my side of the pacific. darker shades are also offered, and, if you have a specific area to address, lisa is happy to design a custom combination to bring balance back into your life.

a quick check in modern philosophy's etsy shop revealed designs priced from under $20 for an evil eye bracelet to just over $100 for pieces in the luxe collection. take note that in addition to being wrapped around your wrist, some strands can also double as a belt or headband depending on its length.

and, mark your calendars for october 1st when lisa will be kicking off a twitter giveaway for a chance to win one of five $50 gift certificates!