Hawaii Life

Maui & Sons at UO

Here is yet another cool brand collision with Urban Outfitters— Maui & Sons is making moves! "Launched with big ideas, a couple thousand dollars and a pair of madras shorts, the brand that started as a cookie company and came to define surf culture has partnered with Urban Outfitters to offer an exclusive collection, rooted in the very same beach-bound inspiration that first made them famous." Happy shopping!

Feels like we never really left the 80s...

A Gorgeous Maui Home in Domino Magazine

Opening the March 2009 issue of Domino magazine was met with equal parts joy and sadness. The smart and savvy shelter magazine folded last month simply citing lack of advertising support. The editor's farewell letter reads: "We started with a real idea—that style is for everyone—and tried to carry it out with stories that provide inspiration and empower you to act on it. From your tremendous response, we know that we were onto something." On a more positive note, I was excited to see the Imrie family's "Hawaiian getaway" featured in the issue which looks at how we decorate at every age. Caitlin and Tamsin Imrie's boutique in Paia is one of my favorites for breezy summer dresses and jewelry.

 
Their parents Pippa and Richard, a fashion photographer, fell in love with Maui during a windsurfing trip 16 years ago and decided to purchase a former pineapple field on the northern coast to "escape the frosty winters of their native Long Island, NY". They built a neo-Colonial style home from the ground up inspired by the old cottages in Barbados. Covered in shades of blue and white, the light-drenched summer house mixes preppy, traditional and island décor elements. I'm having serious pool envy...

We will miss you, Domino!

INspiration Interiors SALE!

Tonight only, INspiration Interiors is offering "friends and family" 25% off the total purchase of home décor items! Stop by both the Pearl Ridge Center location and Honolulu Design Center showroom from 6- 9PM for extra savings on modern home furnishings.

Journey in Concert in Hawaii

I can hear the legendary voice of Steve Perry singing “Don’t Stop Believin'” as I type this post. I grew up singing along with Journey's rock-n-roll lyrics, so I was excited to hear that they will be performing on Oahu and the Big Island. The first concert is slated for Thursday, March 26th at at Neal S Blaisdell Concert Hall with the second performance at the Waikoloa Bowl at Queens’ Gardens at the Waikoloa Beach Resort on Saturday, March 28 as part of the Waikoloa Nights concert series.  The concert will be the first performance from the band in Hawaii with new lead singer Arnel Pineda. The performance begins at 8 p.m. with doors opening at 6 p.m.  

Tickets for the much-anticipated concert go on sale Saturday, February 21 at 10 a.m. and are priced at $150 for VIP seating (can only be purchased online), $60 for general admission and a special $49 kama’aina rate for locals.  For tickets, call Ticketmaster at (877) 745-3000 or visit www.ticketmaster.com or www.waikoloanights.com.  Tickets are also available to purchase in person at CD Wizard and Big Island Surf in Hilo; Big Island Surf in Waimea; A’ama Surf and Sport in Kona and Persimmon at Queens’ MarketPlace at the Waikoloa Beach Resort.   

Journey's hits span 30 years with songs like “Any Way You Want It,” “Wheel in the Sky,” “Faithfully” and “Separate Ways (Worlds  Apart)”.  Although lead singer Arnl Pineda has only been part of the band since late 2007, he has already won the hearts of die-hard Journey fans.  Founding Journey member Neal Schon knew right away Pineda was the perfect fit for a new lead singer when he was scouring YouTube and came across a young Filipino performer singing covers of Journey songs.  Pineda brings new fire to the heralded catalog but also has a showmanship on the stage that keeps the band going.   

For more information about the concert, check out

www.waikoloanights.com

.   

So‘mace SALE!

Heather Brown at Chinatown Boardroom

 
If there's one designer name you'll want to know in Hawaii, it's Heather Brown. The North Shore artist creates abstract, cartoon-like paintings, graphic tees, woodblock prints and silkscreens that reflect her laid-back surfer lifestyle in Hawaii. The opening reception of her show, Saltwater and Feathers, is tonight at Chinatown Boardroom from 6- 8PM; 1160 Nuuanu Avenue. 

You can keep tabs on Heather's latest work and happenings via Foam Magazine's site Pipergirls.com

Peter Wise at Letarte, Paia

 
This Friday night in Paia, artist Peter Wise will be exhibiting his evocative surf paintings at the Letarte boutique. The New York bred artist will be signing copies of his new book, "Surf", which chronicles his work alongside inspirational anecdotes from world-famous surfers and admirers of the surf world. The evening kicks off at 6PM. If you're in the mood to party, hit up the Paia Inn afterwards where Gretchen and Pio will be playing music from 8PM 'till closing time.

Happy Aloha Friday!

Surfer-Girl Chic

While the fashionista within me can appreciate Elle magazine's take on surfer-girl chic, I fear the moment this pretty gal lays her accessories down in the sand to hit the waves.

[silk twill jacket, $2,700, cut-out swimsuit, $1,125, visor, $315, monogram tote bag, $1,860, all, Louis Vuitton, visit louisvuitton.com. Shell necklace, Susan Hanover, $120, visit susanhanoverdesigns.com. Denim shorts, 7 For All Mankind, $150, visit 7forallmankind.com. Diamond-trim watch, TechnoMarine, $1,995, visit technomarine.com. Braided cotton bracelet, The Rope Doctor, $10, visit theropedoctor.com. Wood bead bracelets, Sydney Evan, $250–$425, at Ylang 23, Dallas. Patent leather boat shoes, Sperry Top-Sider, $125, collection at Jeffrey, NYC. Polyurethane surfboard, Chanel, $4,895, call 800-550-0005.]

Photo by Thomas Whiteside

The Best Job in the World?

I'm always a bit weary of mass emails with "FWD" in the title but I couldn't resist opening one with the subject line, "The Best Job in the World?", from a girlfriend on Maui. As far as creative, flexible job descriptions go, it doesn't get much better than this— sure to appeal to all of the island dwellers out there.  Australia's Tourism Queensland has created a a new position, the Caretaker of the Islands, deeming it “The Best Job in the World” that sounds far too good to be true.

The six-month contract that would land you on Hamilton island in the Great Barrier Reef comes with flexible working hours where the lucky applicant's primary responsibilities include exploring the area and reporting on the discoveries via weekly blogs, photo diaries, video updates and media interviews. Other responsibilities include cleaning the pool, feeding the fish and collecting the mail. If you are an adventurous person, a good swimmer and enjoy snorkling you have a chance!

Did I mention the six figure salary?! Tourism Queensland is asking for a 60-second video explanation of why you'd be great for the job. To find out more info and how to apply visit  islandreefjob.com

The Surf Report

It's no secret that Hawaii is a breeding ground for surf legends. Chinatown Boardroom is providing that rare occasion that you should catch one of the greats outside of the water to discuss none other than, well, surfing. The art space is bringing back their Thursday night "Surf Discussion Series" to coincide with the Chinatown Art Districts' happenings every third Thursday of the month. Tonight's forum will feature Oahu's champion surfer Jock Sutherland, known as the world’s best switchfoot surfer (there is even a surf break on the North Shore named after him, “Jockos”). In case you want to freshen up on Sutherland's career highs— he won the 1967 Duke Kahanamoku Invitational along with the Hawaii State Championships three years in a row (1967 – 1969).