Give and get: Holiday Gift Guide: Part 5
Local flair
When you think locally made, do images of grandmas and local ladies
swarming through tents at your neighborhood elementary school craft fair come to mind? These five fashion entrepreneurs show you that Hawai’i not only has
cutting-edge style, but class and conscience too.
by Michelle Takiguchi
Electric chic
Rhona Bennett and Lan Chung show that their simple and chic fashion line, Fighting Eel, has global fashion appeal. With almost 150 boutiques in more than 25 States, Puerto Rico and Hong Kong carrying their line, the fashionistas have come a long way since their start in 2003. A girl can easily turn a Fighting Eel dress ($60-$215) from day to evening wear with a change of shoes and an accessory upgrade. Past season items are available Fridays at their downtown office at 30 to 50 percent off.
Available at: Koko Cabana (Koko Marina), Mary Z’s (Kailua Shopping Center), Pineapple County (Waikiki), Second Skin (Ward Warehouse), Shasa Emporium (Kahala Mall), 99 Boarding Co. (Aloha Tower Marketplace)
Fighting Eel, 47 N. Hotel St., Fridays, 10am-5pm, 524-1472, [www.fightingeel.com]
Rocket science
Want to give the gift of karma this year? Tracy Shiraishi and girlfriend, Emily Ledbetter started Roketo T-shirt company as a way to help the 2004 tsunami victims in Asia. Their belief that ‘positivity grows positivity’ shows in their uplifting designs, socially responsible attitude about printing on fair-labor wear and the duo’s choice to donate a portion of their sales to deserving charities. Visit their online shop for a full selection of styles. All shirts and tanks are $24.
available at Modern Amusement Store, 449 Kapahulu , [www.roketo.com]
Fashion central
Kealopiko: The belly of the fish choicest to Hawaiians. Kealopiko T-shirt line founders Ane Bakutis, Jamie Makasobe and Hina Kneubuhl print Hawaiian fauna-inspired T-shirts ($20-$24) that are as educational as they are stylish. Instead of couture labels, images of endemic species, such as the ‘elepaio bird or the ‘enuhe hamui’a (carnivorous caterpillar) make the statement. It’s fashion with mana’o. They hand screen the U.S.-made shirts (the girls make very certain that foreign sweat labor isn’t behind their product) and a portion of each purchase is donated to further native Hawaiian cultural and educational practices. Hand-stamped gift-wrap and cards are also available. The girls sell their wares at open markets and other public events; their next event is tomorrow at the Art Board. To purchase items directly from the designers, call them at 216-9229 or e-mail them at [email: kealopiko].
Moali Arts Movement Special Original Show, The Art Board, 1170 Nu’uanu Ave., #104, 12/21, 5-9pm, 479-6550, [www.kealopiko.com]
Smart lady
Ipo Bunnel is a self-taught seamstress who has been sewing bags and clothes for the DIY-style set for two years. Her line, Sassy Lassy, was recently featured in the Urban Pacific showcase at Next Door. Sassy Lassy is making its small, hand-made footprint in Honolulu. Check out her fanny packs that are designed to look like a ribbon bow, quilted bags and western-inspired clothes (all $20) at music and clothing exchange Stylus Honolulu.
Stylus Honolulu, University Square, 2615 S. King St., 3rdfFloor, 951-4500, [www.myspace.com/isewloveyou]
Good information
In4mation partners Ryan Arakaki, Todd Shimabuku, Jun Jo and Rhandy Tambio have been marketing street cred since 2002. Since then, they’ve become a chain (their second store opened last year in Waikiki), sold their brand in mainland stores, collaborated with footwear heavy hitters Etnies, DC and DVS shoes to create In4mation-branded skate gear and have plans for their own denim line in the near future. Hot items this season are In4mationxEtnies Rap High tear-away shoes ($95) and the new In4mationxDVS Bam Bam shoes ($125) and their street-wise-in-paradise T-shirts are always a hit ($30).
Ward Warehouse, 1050 Ala Moana Blvd., Mon-Sat, 10am-9pm, Sun, 10am-5pm, 597-1447
Waikiki Shopping Plaza, 2250 Kalakaua Ave., Suite 102, Mon-Sun, 10am-10pm, 923-0888, [www.in4mants.com]
Head and shoulders above the rest
Sometimes, all it takes to feel good is a little scented soap, some good eyeliner, dangly earrings — and a photographer who knows his lighting.
by Kawehi Haug
Real clean
The name says it all. The Indigenous Soap Company makes 100 percent natural soaps with a mind to respect the environment. It’s cleanliness with conviction. All the soaps are natural, hand-made and wire-cut—no synthetic dyes or fragrances. ”A-ina’ (a limu, orange blend, $5), ‘Refreshments’ (citronella and camphor, $5) and ‘The Heavy-Weights’ ( a heady blend of lavender and rosemary, $5) are the best sellers, but there’s also the medicinal ‘Sage’ ($5), the ultra-pure ‘Oatmeal Morning’ ($5) for the sensitive types and the sensual ‘Orangutan’ ($5) made with the natural aphrodisiac ylang ylang–for the ones who like long showers.
Only available online at [www.indigenoussoap.com], for information call 392-2409, 282-9094 or send an e-mail to [email: eric], [email: love]
A girl’s best friend
At Berry Sweet Bath and Body, it’s the hand-made jewelry that makes the statement. Owner and designer Carri Kaneshiro makes delicate pieces that accentuate rather than dominate. Her designs are timeless and versatile and no two designs are exactly alike. Earrings of strung freshwater pearls and garnet pebbles ($15-$25), tulip lariat necklaces ($20) and dainty anklets of rose quartz, peridot and topaz ($45) are the perfect accents for every outfit. The store also stocks a full supply of girly bath goodies: body sprays, shower gels, bath beads and best of all: rubber duckies.
3478 Wai’alae Ave., Tue-Sat: 10am-7pm, open Sun 12/24 from 11am-4pm, 732-5100, [www.berry-sweet.com]
Ooh baby, baby
Every woman whose skin is darker than buff beige, knows the grief of trying to find make-up that doesn’t make you look like you spent two hours at the local spray-a-tan. That’s why there’s Iman. Or more specifically, that’s why Iman makes her own make-up. Find the full line of make-up designed exclusively for women of color at new-kid-on-the-cosmetic-block Nappy Babies Home of Fashion. Finally get your hands on the perfect shade of rouge (from $15), the richest lip color (from $12), eyeliner in something other than blackest black (from $10), eye shadow in something other than light and shimmery (from $10) and foundation and face powders that actually suit your skin’s tone and texture (from $17.50).
1132 S. King St., Mon-Fri: 10am-6pm, Saturday 11am-7pm, open Sun. 12/24 from 11-7pm, 591-6277
Nice shot
You look great. Now what? Take a picture to make it last. Studio F22’s, owner and photographer John Chisolm is an artist, not just a point-and-clicker. His work is like therapy for anyone who’s been camera-shy since that really bad prom photo. Tell him what you want and rest assured that he’ll get it right. Sitting fees vary by photo size and quantity.
3442 Wai’alae Ave., call for an appointment: 285-1907
Do a body good
Each new year brings with it the inevitable resolution to become better versions of ourselves.
We promise to be healthier, lighter, stronger, faster. Help someone keep their promise–
and throw in a little pampering as a reward for all their hard work.
by Kawehi Haug and Catharine Lo
@holiday guide text:Be well
Body and Mind Spa, the two-in one spa center in downtown Honolulu, is a one-stop shop for well-being. Here, you’ll get a makeover from the inside out. With a full staff of beauty experts, physical therapists and an in-house chiropractor, Body and Mind isn’t your uptown dayspa. From quantum cleansing–the practice based on the belief that physical healing is the result of purging our bodies of the pollutants that are the byproduct of stress–to massage to waxing, Body and Mind has you covered. Gift certificates for the spa packages ($145-$316) are the way to go here.
31 S. Beretania St., Mon-Fri: 9am-7pm, Sat & Sun: 9am-4pm, 524-8588, [www.bodymind-spa.com]
All that jasmine
For the frazzled, traffic-addled, stressed-out person on your list, consider the gift of yoga. Situated at the foot of Mt. Ka’ala in Waialua, Jasmine Yoga escapes the rattle of Honolulu. The space at the Weinberg Community Center, with its hardwood floor, giant windows and vaulted ceiling, gives yogis room to breathe. Besides Vinyasa classes, they offer pregnancy yoga, mom and baby yoga, and six-week shadow yoga courses. Says Jasmine Yoga founder Mara J. Pike, ‘I want to give my students the tools to live in a strong, relaxed body.’ Gift certificates for class cards ($50, five classes; $90, 10 classes) are available.
67-174 Farrington Hwy., [www.jasmineyoga.com], 561-9639
>Healing water
Formerly Soothing Soles Wellness and Relaxation Center, Ocean Wave Day Spa is all about pampering the working person who doesn’t have time to be pampered. The center’s Ocean Wave Massage Beds are the only place to get a full-body massage without taking your clothes off or having to be touched–and the stress can be relieved on a lunch break. The beds, which resemble tanning beds, provide a dry, heated, full body hydro-therapy massage ($38 for 25 minutes, $50 for 30 minutes, $65 for 45 minutes). Lie on a bed of water, with nine high-pressure water jets that massage away and relieve away pain, stiffness and stress. The contouring effects of the floatation system help to expose muscles and hard-to-reach areas to the water jets–without needing to undress or get wet.
223 S. King St., Mon-Fri: 9am-6pm; Sat: 9:30am-5pm, Sun: 10am-4pm, walk-ins welcome, 531-8600, [www.soothingsoles.com]
Body shop
Don’t be fooled by the spa part of the name. Spa Fitness Center Punahou is a gym with all the things that make keeping the resolution difficult: cardio machines, weights and aerobics. Sweat it out alone with nothing but your resolve and Sean Paul (even the pickiest of music snobs have to admit it: ‘Temperature’ keeps you climbing the Stairmaster to a tighter butt) or ask for a personal trainer to help you turn up the heat. It’s harder to skip the treadmill when somoeone’s watching. Monthly membership fees range from $18-$50.
1212 Punahou St., Mon-Fri: 6am-10pm, Sat & Sun: 6am-6pm, 949-0026
