In my family we call them “slippah mops” because you stick your toes into them — just like a rubbah slippah — for a quick, simple way to wipe up small spills on the floor. They’re perfect for lazy humans with drooling dogs or any other sloppy housemates.
I have them stationed all over my laminate floors — by the refrigerator where errant ice cubs fall and form little puddles, next to the dog’s water bowl, etc. But it wasn’t until my sister in California wanted me to send her some that I discovered they have an actual brand name, Floor Buddy. There are three designs: a Hawaii license plate, a turtle and a palm tree. I got mine at the Longs in the Kaneohe Bay Shopping Center, which sells them for $6.99. Not all Longs have them; check your neighborhood store.
—Dan Nakaso
Flavors shine in subtly sweet cookies
I’ve been hooked on Keith’s Cookies with Poi & Macadamia Nuts since my neighbor brought me a bag from the Kapiolani Community College Farmers Market six years ago. I love the heft of these thick, hand-shaped domes, their toasty brown color and coarse, crunchy texture. They’re scantly sweet: Instead of sugar, you taste the savory wholeness of poi and nuts, chocolate macadamia, Kona coffee or lilikoi. “The most popular flavor is still our first cookie, the original mochiko shortbread,” says Brett Fujimoto, Keith’s cousin and the baker in this family enterprise. Buy an 8-ounce bag with eight cookies for $5.25 at the bakery, 2130 North King St.; open from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; call 847-0355. They are also sold at the Kapiolani Community College Farmers Market on alternating Saturdays (they’ll be there this weekend) and at Marukai, military concessions and occasionally at Longs.
—Mindy Pennybacker
BIGS flavors liven sunflower seeds
For this former baseball player, eating sunflower seeds about 20 years ago was like driving one of the first automobiles. Looking for variety? Forget about it. If you didn’t like the taste of plain, salted seeds, there was always bubble gum.
Now that I’m back in the game as a coach, it was quite a shock to stop at my local 7-Eleven and spot the lineup of BIGS Sunflower Seeds in a variety of “co-branded” flavors. You can buy a bag of Vlasic Dill Pickle-flavored seeds, Old Bay Seasoning-flavored seeds, Hidden Valley Ranch-flavored seeds or Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Wing-flavored seeds. Get creative and mix-and-match to create your own unique flavor profile. BIGS sells for about $1.50 for a 2.75-ounce bag or $2.50 for a 5.35-ounce bag. Visit www.bigs.com for more info.
—Jason Genegabus
Gourmet pie captures POG flavors
I discovered Hawaiian Pie Co.’s gourmet pies when a colleague contributed one of its new POG Pear pies to a potluck. The slice that came my way was so tasty I went to the source at 508 Waiakamilo Road for more. The blending of lilikoi, orange and guava puree with pear slices gives this dessert its delicious flavor and mix of textures. The POG Pear pie ($24) is available through the end of July; it can also be purchased frozen to bake at home. Visit hawaiianpieco.com.
—John Berger
Melons star at seasonal Aloun stand
They’re back! On Saturdays and Sundays through the end of the local melon season in October, you can get your fill of fruits and veggies straight from the farm at the Aloun Farms stand. Melons, of course, are Aloun’s signature items; cantaloupes, honeydews, Thai watermelons and sunburst melons typically cost $2 apiece, or as low as three for $5 if it’s a bountiful week. Also available on one recent weekend were Ewa sweet onions, corn and string beans. Look for the wooden stand on the makai side of Farrington Highway between Old Fort Weaver Road and Kualakai Parkway (also known as North-South Road), near the Halloween pumpkin patch entrance.
—Gordon Pang
5 Things We Love is a shortlist of newly discovered stuff you have got to see, hear, wear, use or eat. Please keep in mind that featured products may be in short supply and may not be available at all store locations; prices may vary. Tell us what you are loving this week by emailing features@staradvertiser.com.
