Candy Bar Hawaii

I will never forget the day I was taking a stroll down Lewers Street and happened upon my latest obsession and cause for undeniable cravings, Candy Bar Hawaii. Inside this decadent destination you will find a tasty mix of unique beach treats. From freshly dipped chocolate covered macadamia nuts to nostalgic gummy coke bottles to nouveau flavored lollipops like Blackberry Cabernet, your eyes will surely be bigger than the gigantic jaw breakers that reside on the Candy Bar counter. Finding it difficult to narrow down the endless options, my handpicked bag is usually a sampling of sweet, sour, tart gummy and hard candies. There's no sweeter pleasure than enjoying a tangy Lemonhead in the sunshine with your toes deep in the sugary sand on Waikiki beach. The thought alone fills me with happiness. Something else that will make you smile is the bubble blowing contest that takes place every Saturday night at the shop. No age discrimination here; everyone at Candy Bar Hawaii is a kid in a candy store. 

The 96815 Tip: Looking for a memorable souvenir or yummy Hawaiian gift? Candy Bar Hawaii has a wide selection of locally made chocolates, vintage Hawaiian lollipops and customized candy box sets for every occasion!

Candy Bar Hawaii, 7 Days a Week, 10AM - 11PM, phone 808-798-9072, 227 Lewers Street, the 96815. 
 

Photography by Jessica Tronoski

Mu'umu'u Heaven

A few weeks ago, Mu'umu'u Heaven, the stylish eco-friendly boutique, formerly of Kailua, popped up in T Galleria in the heart of the 96815. I attended the wonderful opening event, where guests, adorned in fragrant plumeria leis, sipped on fresh cut coconuts and nibbled on delectable island fare. The party was absolutely lovely and I felt very special that I was among Honolulu's who's who invited to attend. During the festivities, I eyed a gorgeous mu'umu'u caftan that I haven't been able to forget, so I decided to stop back in for a second look. Mu'umu'u's signature up-cycled dresses designed by owner Deb Mascia, effortlessly take you from beach day to tropical night out on the town. And, of course, I couldn't make it out of there without adding a Mu'umu'u Heaven clutch to my collection. Seems like I've had one of these through every phase of life in recent years, bringing me a little aloha and piece of Hawaii wherever I may be.

Shop all the sustainable one of a kind goods at the Mu'umu'u Heaven Pop-Up through June at T Galleria Waikiki. Even the Hawaii themed displays, including the 16 foot palm tree made from thrift store fabric and the Mu'umu'u Heaven hut, is constructed of reused materials.

T Galleria, Daily 11:00am - 10:30pm, Ph. 808 931 2700, 30 Royal Hawaiian Avenue, The 96815. 
 

Newt

Tucked away in the Coconut Grove of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel is the prestigious international hatter, Newt.  Inside this famous, hidden gem you will find the most gorgeous Panama Hats this side of the Pacific and perhaps the entire world. Handmade in Ecuador near the town of Montecristi, artisans spend months tightly weaving together the shredded dried toquilla plant stems to produce the silky, linen like finished sombrero. I know what you are thinking: a Panama hat made in Ecuador? Turns out, the famed hat was incorrectly named in a headline describing a photograph of President Teddy Roosevelt: "President Wears Panama Hat at Panama Canal Opening." And so, The owners of Newt, Jim and Lee, make the trip a few times per year to Ecuador, not Panama, to hand select a limited collection of fine headwear. From South America they are shipped off to Chicago, where they are formed by a master blocker into a variety of styles available at the shop in Waikiki.

On our trip to Newt, Ron, the friendly hat connoisseur, perfectly fitted me with each style. I fell in love with the playful French Press and the classic Fedora. I am still not settled on if I prefer to wear my Fedora European or American style. European is placed lower on the brow, rising slightly up towards the back. For American, the brim sits a touch higher, slightly titled to the side. Either way, I have never worn something that not only instantly upgraded my outfit, but completely changed my world and perspective. Life under this hat was divine and glamorous. It is no wonder that the polariods adorning the walls of Newt include famous clientele like Pierce Brosnan and Patty Labelle. While we were visiting the 29 year old shop, a customer from a quarter century ago stopped in to try on the latest styles. She found there weren't any. Seems her hat, still in perfect, wearable condition, stood the fashion test of time. Newt - a true classic.
 

The 96815 Favorite - If I had to pick just one, my favorite is the Fedora with feather hat band. The peacock feathers are sewn by hand on the friendly island of Molokai by an expert, local craftswoman. Newt hat prices range from $200 to $15,000 depending on style and weave.

Newt, 9am to 9pm Daily, ph. 808-922-0062, The Royal Hawaiian Hotel, 2259 Kalakaua Ave, the 96815.

Photography by Ijfke Ridgley

Waikiki Wandering

It's the candid, less planned days wandering around the 96815 that I enjoy the most. I'm never really sure what I'll discover or what beautiful moment I might be lucky enough to capture. On this day back in March, I walked into Waikiki to check out the Honolulu Festival Parade. During the annual three day festival, artisans from Japan, Australia, Tahiti, Philippines, Taiwan, Korea and Hawaii gather in Honolulu to celebrate the rich, diverse cultures of the Pacific Rim through art and dance. On Sunday, the last day, thousands of locals and travelers lined Kalakaua Ave to watch the magnificent parade of performers and colorful floats dance their way through Waikiki. I was taking in the sights near Beach Walk and happened to pop into Henry's Place to try their famous homemade ice cream. This spot doesn't look like much - it resembles a little bodega, the kind found on almost every street corner in New York City. Inside they offer freshly cut tropical fruits, sandwiches and those famous white styrofoam cups with handwritten labels filled with not-too-sweet, and absolutely delicious ice cream. The incognito dessert has become a favorite for sun baked beach goers looking to cool down on those hot, sunny south shore days. While they have a million flavors to choose from, including Avocado and Ube Yam, I enjoyed the Pineapple Coconut flavor. Lump the pup agreed - it was pretty tasty. After our ice cream, we took in a little more of the parade before heading home. I wish we could have stayed longer to see the lanterns and floats light up the night sky. Back at my apartment, I heard the bang of a spectacular fireworks show, marking the end of yet another Honolulu Festival. Next year, I won't be watching with envy from my window.

Henry's Place,  7am to 10pm Daily, 234 Beach Walk, the 96815.