by Katrina Valcourt

On the tongue / “A word, an idea to spark imagination, typewriter keys click, phrases come together, find their rhythm on the page,” writes Tamara Moan when asked to describe her unique business venture called Poetry in Motion. Moan has been writing poetry on the spot ever since a stint at First Friday proved she had the chops for it. You can find her work in Hawaii Review, Bamboo Ridge and other literary journals, but her latest undertaking has a much more personal impact on those who order tailor-made poems.

by Eleanor Svaton

If you blink driving down Auahi Street, you might miss it–the little Kakaako neighborhood with enough collective energy to light up the whole island. It doesn’t look like much from the sidewalk, but this half-a-block of unassuming storefronts houses a space to engage in a creative meeting of minds, a “refuge” where youth get involved in community mural making,, even a spot serving designer “haute” dogs.

After shopping and innovating ‘till both sides of your brain need a break, what could be more satisfying than an alligator dog? Actually, Hank’s Haute Dogs only serves Alligator Andouille on Tuesdays, but there are dogs for every taste and mood imaginable–even a No Dog, a Southwestern-style vegetarian option.

Entering Chai Studio is like stepping out of time into some magical cavern of treasures–the deeper you enter, the greater the wonders. Each hand-selected item in the store exudes style, craftsmanship and sheer loveliness.

by Eleanor Svaton

Shared workspaces have long existed in Europe and have since crept across the continental US. But the Greenhouse Innovation Hub is the first of its kind here in Hawaii, according to co-founder John Garcia.

You know those a-maze-ing graffiti murals you see around the island? The ones so good they make you crane your neck to keep gazing?

A few feet apart are two entrances to Interisland Terminal, an organization concerned with advancing and empowering Honolulu’s art, design and film communities (not a location at Honolulu airport). Each entrance, though, leads to a very different end: one an art gallery and the other a meeting space called R&D.

by Matthew DeKneef

Behind the Lens / Peter Parker has his spider senses. Clark Kent has superhuman strength and flight.

by Maria Kanai

For that crusty craving / During a February 2011 interview with Poni Askew, organizer of Eat The Street (ETS), I asked if there were any specific kinds of food trucks she’d love to see. Her immediate response: “Pie trucks.” Askew’s dream came true a year later when Kathy Masunaga rolled into ETS in Hawaii’s first pie truck, Sweet Revenge.

by Niko Rivas

Windward Mall, the low-key indoor shopping center anchored in the heart of Kaneohe, has experienced its fair share of oscillating tides since it’s arrival in 1982. Thanks to some recent big changes, such as the Paina Koolau Foodcourt, opened in 2009, and a slew of new retailers and the constant stream of family activities at the Center Court–including the farmers’ market on Wednesday–the mall continues to thrive.

by Katrina Valcourt

For the environment / Unlike its man-powered green competitors, such as the bicycle, the Segway won’t leave riders dripping with sweat when they show up at the office. “It’s not about being lazy but about being green,” says Alan Rice, owner of Segway of Hawaii.

by Katrina Valcourt

Before you pump / There has never been a better time to drive an electric vehicle (EV) in Hawaii than 2012. With over 130 charge points, Better Place Hawaii is offering new members free access to the largest charging network in the state for the remainder of the year.

by Katrina Valcourt

On memory beach / Not many museums allow visitors to sip on Mai Tais as they stroll through the exhibits, but at the Honolulu Surfing Museum, it’s encouraged. Located on the second floor of the Holiday Inn Waikiki Beachcomber Resort, the museum sits inside of Jimmy Buffett’s.

by Eleanor Svaton

For the funny bone / Close to 20 comedians swagger up and serve their sets every Wednesday night for Chinatown’s newest weekly comedy event, The Comedy Club @ Indigo–an intimate performance space with urban sophistication. The night showcases what seems like anyone and everyone: amateurs, up-and-comings, seasoned vets, all introduced by local comic Michael C.

by Shantel Grace

Anne Wheelock first decided to dabble in painting in 2004, after she bought her first apartment in Nuuanu. “The walls were all freshly painted and blank, and they seemed like wonderful canvases,” she says.

by Niko Rivas

For the eyes and ears / To make sense of America’s complicated history, many people consult textbooks, listen to passed-down stories from their grandparents or watch the 1989 cinematic achievement, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. First Person: Seeing America combines different mediums, such as words, images and music, to portray a more panoramic view of America’s past.

by Shantel Grace

On the body / Pamela Edwards says she originally began making sugar scrubs for herself. And those scrubs turned into holiday gifts.

by Matthew Kain

on Capitol walls / Hawaii taxpayers have bought, paid for and adorned the State Capitol with millions of dollars worth of art through the state’s Art in Public Places Program. On March 2, from 5-7pm–this coming First Friday–the public can actually enjoy (most of) it when the State Legislature hosts its fourth annual Art at the Capitol event.

by Niko Rivas

For the home / Neatly tucked away behind the corner of Sand Island Center, there exists a world of artfully crafted furniture and home décor that is the brainchild of Michelle Smith of Bali Designs. Profoundly enamored with Asia, Smith spent over a decade in Indonesia immersed in its culture and arts.

by Kathleen de Lara

On native insight / The Friends of Honolulu Botanical Gardens are on an expedition through the Big Island’s lush flora, and they’ve opened up an opportunity to learn about our big neighbor. Plant lovers can take a closer look at the island’s indigenous species, including a private walkabout through the city of Volcano’s rare plants.

by Katrina Valcourt

Aside from some simple pottery and a few shelves of books to make the Spalding House café a bit more inspiring, the walls are the color of cardboard. Nothing stands out except for Not by the heir of my chin knee chin chin!, the series of prints lining all four walls which are what make the winding trip into the mountains worth it.

by Matthew DeKneef

A case study / Located on the ground level of Hamilton Library at the University of Hawaii hangs Juliette May Fraser’s print series, Ke Anuenue. In the midst of over-caffeinated students studying past midnight on a weeknight, a visual representation of history may as well be invisible.

by Katrina Valcourt

Nose flutes are making a comeback thanks to the Hula Preservation Society (HPS), which will be hosting workshops based on a rare form of hula this Sunday. Uncle Calvin Hoe, renowned craftsman and advocate for the perpetuation of Hawaiian culture, has been making the ‘ohe hano ihu (nose flute) for generations and will be sharing with participants how to drill and sand their very own flutes from bamboo.

by Katrina Valcourt

On the road / After a long night of drinking and dancing at First Friday in Chinatown, it’s no wonder so many patrons of the club scene are calling Kirk Hendricks, owner-operator of Honolulu Pedicab. Whether you’re catching a ride between bars or experiencing a daytime tour downtown, Hendricks’ breadfruit-green cart is guaranteed to turn a few heads while toting you around in (old) style.

by Shantel Grace

In your home / We’re not just talking about a sale here. We’re talking about a bargain hunters dream, the sale of the season, a tent worthy of elephants–at least that’s what the Honolulu Museum of Art (formally known as Honolulu Academy of Arts) is promising us in the Lending Collection Tent Clearance Sale.