Hawaii Life

RockaBella Jewels

Kristel of the Maui-based RockaBella Jewels wants to help make your Valentine's day extra special! Visit her site from now through the holiday to receive this gold-dipped sunrise shell necklace for $75. If you've already combed Hawaii's shores for a shell of your own Kristel will gladly create a one-of-a-kind look for you. [Limited time offer so act fast!]

What Was, Will Be Once More...

Laurance S. Rockefeller can be described in so many words and visionary is certainly one of them. As a major conservationist, he's contributed a great deal to the eco-tourism movement, opening environmentally focused hotels around the world. One of his last projects was the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on the Kohala Coast of the Island of Hawaii, the most expensive hotel ever built in that time (1965) at $15 million. Mr. Rockefeller once said, “Every great beach deserves a great hotel," and he was able to see this statement through on the Big Island's Kauna'oa Beach. He believed that buildings should be "invisible," and conform to, not intrude on, the natural surroundings.

The hotel will reopen its doors this Saturday December 20, following a $150 million repair and renovation project, featuring Mr. Rockefeller's signature touch of understated elegance, modernized by architects John Hara Associates Inc. of Honolulu and Barry Design Associates Inc. of Los Angeles. We can expect new, luxurious accommodations, a revitalized golf course, and top of the line amentities and service. The hotel is offering great deals for the ultimate winter retreat-- the Prince Winter Escape package starts at $385 per night. The Grand Opening Celebration will be March 25 - 29, 2009.

[area] turns one

Honolulu's mid-century modern furniture haven, area, is celebrating their one year anniversary tonight! Stop by for nibbles, drinks and friends from 5- 8PM. Enter on Hotel Street near Nuuanu.

Country Feeling Surfboards

Wow, this week escaped me! I just returned from an epic trip to Kaua‘i for a friend's wedding at the Anahola Taro Patch, a truly beautiful place. Anyway, I'm back and I'd like to introduce you to Jeff Bushman and Kyle Bernhardt, the guys behind Country Feeling Surfboards, an eco-surfboard company on Oahu's North Shore that takes an earth-friendly approach to design. It surprised me to learn that the materials typically used to make surfboards are heavy on harmful chemicals and fumes considering a surfers' close relationship to the ocean. Jeff and Kyle are some of the first shapers that have taken a "green" initiative with their building techniques, creating a classic line of fishes, twin fins, funboards, longboards, and stand up paddleboards, to name a few. Jeff took some time to answer a few questions for hi. life. You can keep tabs on these guys via their blog. Enjoy!

How did Country Feeling Surfboards come to be + who's idea was it to finally bring "green" materials to the industry?

Country Feeling came from the idea back when surfing was simple and there was still a lot of magic involved. The whole exploration of going surfing and finding places in pre-internet days, pre-surfline and pre-surf forecast days, when you had to drive and discover waves. It’s the feeling you get when you go someplace and it feels new and you're in awe of how special and different it is. A lot of that has been lost.

So the company was originally going to be a retro line and then turned into more of a green materials board line because that seems like the direction we need to go. The consumer dictates what the board builders will make. The board builders aren’t going to take the time and do the research and make "green"products unless customers want them. Now with global warming and environmental issues it’s very important to start to approach "green" ideas especially for something as pure and natural as surfing. Being so close to nature and the ocean, it’s very important to use materials that are more environmentally friendly.

Where do you go to find inspiration?

The inspiration comes from nature. Surfers are the ones who play in the ocean, so we're trying to create an awareness about the environment that will effect small steps toward appreciating nature— recycling, planting a garden, riding a bike, are just a few examples.

What does a typical day look like for you guys?

I start the day in the garden, feed the fish and water the plants. Then I ride my bike to check the surf and plan out the day's activities. Depending on the ocean conditions, I'll either go surfing, stand-up paddling, or swimming after I shape some boards. Before sunset I take my dog to the beach and I finish the day with a nice quiet dinner.

How would you describe the North Shore surf scene?

The North Shore has some of the most consistent surf on the planet. The high level of ability makes this an exciting place to be a surfboard designer. We are able to continually test and refine all different kinds of boards. During the six weeks of Triple Crown, this place gets really busy and surfers from all over the world are walking around stoked to be here.

What are some of your favorite spots to hang/eat/surf in Hawaii?

Hang-outs: the beaches near my house, Sunset and Backyards, and home. I enjoy watching the show at Pipeline when it's working.

Eat: Besides home, Opal and Aoy Thai lunchwagon in Haleiwa, and Lei Lei's

Surf: Sunset Beach

What theme song best describes that country feeling?

"Home" by Jack Johnson  
 

A Technicolor Day!

To our delight, our friends over at Cuckoo for Coconuts submitted this rusty metal cabinet for the before + after section on design*sponge!  What a shiny and bright transformation of a found object! Looks like a technicolor season in the design world.   
   

[top to bottom] the new ipod nano in nine glaringly bright hues, Vans Authentic Limited-Edition kicks, Hawaii's own Dork shades at Karmaloop.

Paia Inn: A Beachtown Boutique Hotel

The postcard perfection of Maui's North Shore (white sand beaches, raging waterfalls, stylish cafes, world-class surfers) just got even better with the opening of Paia Inn. The newly renovated hotel, originally established in 1962, offers five bedrooms, an art gallery/lounge space, a shady garden patio, and private beach access. In a nod to the neighborhood's plantation trade days of the past, the exterior has retained its old charm with tin rooftops and rustic hues. The interior mixes contemporary island furnishings with the chic lushness of the W Hotel. The smallish rooms, each with a soothing muted palette, offers all you need in creature comforts (air-conditioning, wi-fi, salon products). Guests at Paia Inn don't need to venture very far to experience all of the town's offerings. Explore the fashion boutiques, restaurants and art galleries right outside your door. Snag a table in the open air patio at the Inn for drinks and lounging. Then wander down to Imrie Boutique for shopping— the perfect mix of free-spirit bohemian and urban cool. Located at 93 Hana Highway; (808) 579-6000 or email. **If anyone has any "before" pictures to share, please send...this was a nice renovation project!
 

Shop We Love : Rambutan

Established in 2006, Rambutan has quietly developed into a vintage furniture lovers haven offering diverse and exotic pieces from Bali, Thailand, and Indonesia. Shop owner and graphic designer, Jan, has acquired quite a taste for reclaimed teak and intricate native carvings having shared her time between Hawaii and Indonesia for years. Located in the historic Paia train station depot across from the old sugar mill, Rambutan feels like entering an old-fashioned bazaar full of one-of-a-kind gems. I'll be sure to post my findings from their big sale this weekend!   

Modern Living in Hawaii

For those of you who can't live without your monthly issue of DWELL, one of our very favorite shelter magazines, you will appreciate Budget Travel's slideshow, A Tour of Hawaii Through Architecture. Pictured above is the Liljestrand House (1952) by architect, Vladimir Ossipoff.  In this design, the picturesque views from a hillside in Makiki Heights, Honolulu are practically brought inside by converting  entire walls into windows. He also used local wood and volcanic stone for the decks and the chimney, a man obviously ahead of his time in the "green" department. (Photo by Victoria Sambunaris)

This entry will be the first in an ongoing series of modern architecture in Hawaii, so stay tuned… We can't wait to share our discoveries!