boutique week: green with envi

welcome to boutique week! we may still be in the midst of the great recession but, with so many introductions arriving in my inbox, spring and summer have been filled with shop openings as rents fall and new dreams take flight. since trips home always include a little shopping to help stimulate the island economy, i gathered up the shops that most intrigued me for their commitment to stocking local labels, eco-friendly finds, and the always elusive design goodness.

this week's neighbor island edition kicks off on the big island with waimea's green with envi which stocks its storefront with sustainable style and other little finds that are light on mother earth. the hamakua coast is one of my favorite spots in all of hawaii and the mister and i always seem to find our way to nearby waimea town which makes this a happy discovery for me. from my own experience, shopping for ethical fashion can be a challenge so the chance to step inside a shop and actually try on denim made from upcycled cotton and organic wearables will be quite the treat.

recycled ruffles

shop proprietor tahiti huetter, who makes good use of her photography background to shoot gorgeous shop updates, is determined to prove that green fashion can turn heads for the right reasons. accordingly, the racks are stocked with island designers (ha) organic clothing, lala b, lilikini, okai jewelry and posh pua along with eco goods from alternative apparel, toggery and refind originals (who refashions leather handbags out of discarded jackets & upholstery).

coming up: expanding the style offerings for the fellas!

if you call the big island home, green with envi is currently offering 15% off all ocean-releated merch 'til the end of shark week.

• where: 64-1040 mamalahoa hwy, suite 102, waimea
• shop hours: tue to sat, 10a to 5p

p.s. click over to the green with envi shop blog and facebook to find out what's new in store.

{update | jan 2011: gwe has shuttered the mamalahoa shop with plans to reopen in a new location this spring}

merriman's culinary & farm tour

the official arrival of summer seems to be a good time to reinstate the saturday travel post which went on an unintended holiday of its own sometime last year. if you have checked airfares to/from hawaii lately, it will come as no surprise that fewer travelers will be taking to the (un)friendly skies this summer and opting for the budget-friendly staycation (vacations close to home, natch).

lucky for us, hawaii's to-do list has something for everyone so whether you are on island 24/7, returning home for a visit, or just looking to get the most bang for your buck on your hawaii getaway, stop by every saturday to discover a little off the beaten path inspiration for your next round of wanderings around the islands.

if summer plans will be taking you to the big island and good eats are your fancy vacation splurge, book a behind-the-scenes peek and follow your meal from farm to table with merriman's culinary & farm tour. after an afternoon spent touring two of merriman's favorite local purveyors, the ranchlands of kahua & the organic honopua farm, the culinary excursion winds down with a four course dinner at the acclaimed restaurant, one of the original vanguards of hawaii regional cuisine.

• when: mon - thu, 2:30p to 7:30p
• tix: $155 (dinner included)
• fyi: reservations required; ages 8 & up

learn more over at the star-bulletin.