This crescent moon necklace ($28) from Morocco caught my eye during a visit to The Vintage in Wahiawa. The boutique is filled with antiques, art, clothing and accessories either donated or collected by volunteers on their travels to exotic locales such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Philippines. Proceeds from sales benefit the nonprofit Surfing the Nations, which runs the Ulu Pono after-school program for area kids and a separate outreach effort that distributes food, clothing and household items in Kalihi every Thursday and in Wahiawa on the first and third Wednesdays of the month.
Visit The Vintage at 43 Kamehameha Highway; check thevintagehawaii.com for hours. Reach Surfing the Nations at 622-6234.
–Nancy Arcayna
Addictive chips serve as sweet snack
Taro chips are nothing new, but there’s something about the Queen’s Diamond Brand taro chips that makes them stand out. They’re sweet, not salty, coated in palm sugar after frying — and they’re addicting. It’s $2 for a 100-gram bag (about 3.5 ounces) at Lao Asian Market, 65 N. Pauahi St. in Chinatown. They also have banana and sweet potato chips.
–Craig Gima
Smoky pickled okra hits the spot
The world is made of two kinds of people: those who love okra and those who don’t. I’m in okra’s camp, lovin’ it whether sauteed, deep-fried, pickled or flash-dried. So when I discovered a pickled version embellished with smoked paprika, garlic, curry powder, mustard, chili and cayenne, oh boy! Rick’s Picks (rickspicksnyc.com) calls it "smokra" and I’m hooked. It’s low-cal (10 calories per 1-ounce serving), handpicked, packed in cider vinegar and retails for $11.69 at Kokua Market, 2643 S. King St.; 941-1922.
–Elizabeth Kieszkowski
Gotta pee during film? There’s an app for that
Many movies today stretch well over two hours, so I’ve had to develop various hydration strategies to avoid ill-timed bathroom breaks. These include limiting liquid intake in the hour or two before showtime, downsizing my usual extra-large Diet Coke at the concession stand and taking small sips throughout the movie instead of chugging. Even still, when the lights go up it’s a mad dash to the restroom with all the other ladies in the house.
Give your bladder a break with the free RunPee app, which finds three- to five-minute scenes that are safe to skip so you won’t miss crucial plot twists or action. Your smartphone will vibrate before each "peetime" and give you cues to look for so you’ll know when to break for the aisle. New movies are added each week; features include a heads-up if there’s a reason to stay for the end credits.
–Christie Wilson
Fruit gems spotlight Maui ingredients
Even a teensy-weensy bite of Maui Fruit Jewels provides an explosion of intense lilikoi, mango and guava flavors. These "jewels" are "pates de fruits," French-style fruit pastes, made on the Valley Isle by pastry chef Lin Ter Horst using fresh island fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices — even Ulupalakua wine. Among the many tropical flavors are ginger-pineapple, lavender-Chablis and pomegranate. The jewels are great diced and served on a cheese platter, mixed into yogurt or just savored tiny bite after tiny bite. Find Maui Fruit Jewels at R. Field Wine Co. locations in Foodland markets on Oahu and Maui, from $7.49 to $20.99.
–Joleen Oshiro
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.