Fans of "5 Things We Love" know that we love our snacks: sweet, savory, salty, sour — you name it. And if it’s dipped in chocolate, all the better. This week I am loving Hawaiian Host’s new Tropical Fruit Bites, delicious morsels of real banana, coconut and pineapple (my favorite) covered in creamy milk chocolate or rich dark chocolate. The flavors are fresh, not cloying as is often the case with fruity confections. If you can resist tearing open the 6-ounce resealable bags, they make a great something new to include in gift boxes to college kids and mainland ohana. Find Tropical Fruit Bites in select variety stores or order from hawaiianhost.com for $6.75 each. — Christie Wilson
Gluten-free cookies deliver refreshing kick of ginger
If it’s crisp and light — but heavy on the ginger — I simply cannot get enough of a ginger snap. That is why I hovered over a table in Foodland Farms in Aina Haina one day stuffing myself on samples of Tate’s Bake Shop Ginger Zinger Gluten Free Cookies until I was so embarrassed I had to buy two bags. And no wonder: Crystallized ginger is the first ingredient listed; the big, buttery, deceptively thin cookies are generously studded with chunks of the candied root. They’re made with rice flour, and Tate’s, based in Southampton, N.Y., also makes gluten-free chocolate chip cookies. With 14 cookies per bag, you can have two a day for a week if you hoard them, but you’ll feel the love if you buy a bag to share. Priced at $6.99 per 7-ounce bag at select Foodland supermarkets; visit tatesbakeshop.com. — Mindy Pennybacker
Jewelry can double as fragrance vessel
I like items that have dual purposes, especially if they’re pretty. Lisa Hoffman (lisahoffmanbeauty.com) sells elegant earrings and pendants that open to hold tiny fragrance balls so you can look and smell good. I wanted the bronze-plated Japanese Agarwood, rose-gold-plated Tuscan Fig and silver-plated French Clary Sage earrings, but at $45 a pair, I had to settle for just one — for now. To switch out the scent, I spray a small piece of cloth or cotton with perfume and place it in the intricately designed charm. It’s great for people with skin allergies who can’t otherwise wear perfume. — Michelle Ramos
Island images adorn notecards from Maui
Even in the digital age — especially in the digital age — a hand-written note is a lovely thing. The simplicity and grace of Alohi Images’ photo cards make them a perfect canvas for a heartfelt message. Alohi’s creator Shelley Pellegrino was born and raised in Waikapu, Maui, on land her family has tended for generations. Many of the gorgeous photos were taken on her family’s taro farm or on Cub Scout hikes with her kids. The cards have messages from "mahalo" to "Mele Kalikimaka" and are all photographed and printed on Maui. Individual cards start at $3 and sets of six are $13. Order them at alohiimages.com or pick them up at the Mission Houses Museum or Bishop Museum gift shops. — Lee Cataluna
New T-shirts from Rix help spread the aloha
Rick Ralston came to Hawaii in the early 1960s and started off airbrushing custom-design T-shirts in the International Market Place. From there he founded Crazy Shirts and, many years later, came out of retirement to found Rix Island Wear. Most of the Rix line consists of colorful contemporary aloha shirts but Ralston has been getting back to his roots and expanding his T-shirt selection. This one, with its enigmatic but friendly message, is $19. Store locations include Ward Warehouse, Kahala Mall and Pearlridge; rixislandwear.com. — John Berger
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.
