Locally made gifts offer a variety of holiday giving options

• By Star-Advertiser Staff
• Dec. 11, 2016

Star-Advertiser staffers and contributors share more of their favorite local gift ideas this holiday season. Read more

Hawaii-style gifts abound for mainland friends and family

• By Star-Advertiser Staff
• Dec. 4, 2016

Honolulu Star-Advertiser staffers share their favorite made-in-Hawaii gifts in this special 5 Things We Love roundup. Read more

Gifts that give back this holiday season

• By Mindy Pennybacker mpennybacker@staradvertiser.com
• Nov. 27, 2016

While it feels good to learn that a gift has been made in your name to a charity, how nice if that gift includes a little something extra just for you. Read more

Hello Kitty tags improve luggage visibility, cuteness

• By Star-Advertiser staff
• Nov. 20, 2016

Hello Kitty luggage tags are one of this week’s 5 Things We Love — the hula and beach-day designs are adorable, and their island theme makes them a perfect add-on to gifts. Read more

Celebrate King Kalakaua’s 180th birthday during free event

• By Star-Advertiser Staff features@staradvertiser.com
• Nov. 13, 2016

Iolani Palace’s celebration of King Kalakaua’s 180th birthday tops this week’s list of newly discovered items to see, hear, wear, use or eat. Read more

A shortlist of newly discovered stuff you have got to see, hear, wear, use or eat

• By Star-Advertiser staff
• Nov. 6, 2016

Formal holiday dinners are a wonderful family tradition, a chance to break out Mom’s fine china and crystal, carve a glistening bird, or roast and toast the clan. Read more

A shortlist of newly discovered stuff you have got to see, hear, wear, use or eat

• By Star-Advertiser staff
• Oct. 30, 2016

We’ve tried many of Marna Maria’s spice and herb blends and have loved every one of them. Read more

A shortlist of newly discovered stuff

• By Star-Advertiser staff
• Oct. 23, 2016

Some of us still like to play with toys. One of my favorites was a wooden fruit play set I bought for my daughter nearly 30 years ago that is still available in various forms. Read more

Compressed teas cut down on prep time

• Oct. 12, 2016

Puzzles are a timeless way to unwind while keeping your mind sharp. This 3-D wooden bee puzzle was made by Robotics Team Magma 3008, a group of Kalani High School students, using a laser controlled by computer-aided manufacturing software. Read more

Kona soap makes use of natural oils

• Oct. 5, 2016

A friend recently introduced me to Kona Natural Soap Co. products (konanaturalsoap.com). Read more

Ceramic-coated pans make nonstick cooking a snap

• By Star-Advertiser staff
• Sept. 28, 2016

During a recent stay with my grandmother, who makes the world’s best scrambled eggs, I noticed she was using a skillet that behaved like a nonstick pan but looked like it had a ceramic finish. Read more

Journal offers confidence boost

• By Star-Advertiser staff
• Sept. 21, 2016

I believe that you need to get out of your comfort zone in order to be successful. Read more

Boom tube amplifies any phone

• By Star-Advertiser staff
• Sept. 14, 2016

With all the high-tech phone accessories out there, I was delighted to stumble across Bambooster, a speaker for my cellphone that is delightfully low-tech. Read more

Gel keeps goggles clear in the water and on the slopes

• By Star-Advertiser staff
• Sept. 7, 2016

To keep swim goggles clear, Sven Can See Anti-Fog/Anti-Frost Gel works better than spit — at least, it doesn’t have to be reapplied as much, if you follow instructions. Read more

Kauai ATV tours deliver family-friendly adventure

• By Star-Advertiser staff
• Aug. 31, 2016

Heading to Kauai, my daughter had one request: an ATV tour. My family’s not outdoorsy, so a two-hour commitment to drive through rough terrain is considerable. Read more

Polished mineral hearts engage the eye and offer mystical benefits

• By Star-Advertiser staff
• Aug. 24, 2016

The Pearl City shop Where Crystals Rock is filled with jewelry, lamps, clocks and other decorative items crafted from rocks, minerals, fossils and crystals, but it was these beautiful 3- to 4-inch polished hearts that demanded my attention. Read more

Website helps keep keiki thinking

• By Star-Advertiser staff
• Aug. 17, 2016

During the summer, my children’s learning or brain drain is all up to me. Before the new school year rolls around, I’m out of creative ways to challenge them. Read more

Take your camping experience to new heights

• Aug. 10, 2016

Hawaii Tentsile’s Tree Tents give campers the option of sleeping in midair in a combination hammock-tent made from nylon-polyester composite fabric, straps and ratchets that secure the tent among three trees or other anchors. Read more