5 Things We Love is a shortlist of newly discovered stuff you have got to see, hear, wear, use or eat. What are you loving this week? Send a brief description of your latest favorite thing, where to find it and how much it costs, along with your name and contact info to features@staradvertiser.com.

1. Hot liquid reveals mug’s marvels

Start the day with a piping-hot cup of lava, er, java, with these color-changing mugs from Hawaii island photographer Charlene Meyers. Just pour in hot liquid and a photo "develops." You can design your own at Snapfish.com, but I can’t think of anything more appropriate than Meyers’ eye-opening shots of the Kilauea eruption. The mugs are sold at the Hilo and Volcano farmers markets and select Big Isle gift shops for around $20 each. On Oahu, find them at the Coffee Gallery in the North Shore Marketplace in Hale­iwa. You can also order them at www.imagesofhawaii.net for $28, including shipping, or call Meyers at 985-8800 or 937-2178.

—Christie Wilson

2. Handy chews are tasty, gluten-free

Chewy, spicy, refreshing and natural — those are the many charms of Chimes, my candy of choice. Besides being a tummy soother for long car trips or plane rides, the ginger chews are individually wrapped to prevent sticky fingers. My favorite flavors are peppermint, mango and orange. Another great thing about the bite-size candies is that they’re made of tapioca starch, meaning they’re gluten-free. Find Chimes in supermarkets and variety stores. At Longs a 5-ounce bag is $4.89. But watch for sales, when you can stock up on different flavors.

—Mia Sen, Wai­kele

3. Heavy-duty bottles keep the cold in

It’s hard to get excited about something as ubiquitous as a reusable water bottle, but I can’t believe how much I love my Hydro Flask. I’ve got two — an 18-ounce bottle that is perfect for use around the house and when I’m out and about, and a 64-ounce growler. Manufactured from food-grade stainless steel, these bottles are double-walled and vacuum-insulated to keep cold liquids cold (and hot liquids hot) far longer than anything I’ve seen. You can leave ice cubes in an uncovered Hydro Flask overnight and they’ll still be there in the morning. A 40-ounce bottle full of ice-cold water stays that way all day long, and the ice stays cold enough to survive multiple refills without melting away. You can fit nearly a six-pack of beer into the 64-ounce Hydro Flask, and it will stay frosty cold until the last sip. Trust me, I know from experience. Prices range from $19.99 to $49 at www.hydroflask.com.

—Jason Genegabus

4. Discover fun ways to use up candy

In "Candy Experiments" (Andrews McMeel Publishing, $14.99), Loralee Leavitt lists 70 cavity-free activities to consume your kids’ leftover holiday sweets while providing relief from summer boredom. Experiment with density by floating different types of candy in soda, water and oil, or just stick half a piece of bread in a plastic bag with a marshmallow and observe the changes in each as the marshmallow absorbs moisture from the bread over the course of a day. When science is disguised as playing with your food, everyone wins.

—Donica Kaneshiro

5. Soothing CD brings legends to life

The "Hawaiian Storytime" CD by kumu Kilohana Silve of Halau Hula o Manoa is a fine introduction to the Hawaiian legends behind hula for you and your keiki — and a great way to pass the time while stuck in traffic. In a soothing tone, Silve narrates the legends of "Pele and Hopoe," "Hi‘i­aka’s Pa‘u" and "Ua." The storytelling is accompanied by Hawaii nature sounds, ukulele, hula implements and chant. It all comes with a 12-page booklet that includes a glossary of Hawaiian words. Find it for $15.98 at Native Books/Na Mea Hawai‘i at Ward Warehouse, Bishop Museum, Barnes & Noble, Wai­oli Tea Room in Manoa and at mele.com.

—Nina Wu