On Mixed Plate, I do my best to keep things fun for you. I like to share lovely handmade goods and try to keep my really “personal” stuff out of it. However, I thought that you might not mind if I share this with you, as it has been something on my mind and in my heart.

A cousin of mine has a 5-year-old son, Paliku, who is currently battling lymphoma. With his medical costs on the rise, everyone in the family has come together to hold a fundraiser at the Pacific Beach Hotel on Sunday, June 29. The event will include entertainment, food, crafts, games, prizes and more. A silent auction will be held for amazing donated items. Tickets are still available for purchase at the door on the day of the event.

If you are interested in learning more, feel free to contact me with any questions. Our entire family appreciates your support and well wishes. Also, see the article in the Honolulu Advertiser about the event.

Cash Donations can be sent to any Bank of Hawaii branch or:
“Friends of Paliku”
c/o Winchester Family
PO Box 701366
Kapolei, Hawaii 96709-1366

Event Info:
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Pacific Beach Hotel
9am - 1:30pm
$40 per ticket

It’s that time again! What are you doing tonight? If you’re in Honolulu, check out the Fighting Eel and Ginger 13 Sample Sale taking place at the Fighting Eel Headquarters. Here are a few pieces from the Summer 2008 line:

Triangle; Amelie:

Sienna Long; Puka:

Fighting Eel & Ginger 13 Sample Sale
Friday, June 20, 2008 from 5pm - 8pm
Fighting Eel headquarters
$2 entry fee. All proceeds collected from the door fee will be matched and donated by Fighting Eel to the American Red Cross China Relief Fund.
Cash Only.

For those of you lucky folks who are in Hawaii (I miss you, so) this weekend, you have the opportunity to get some Kealopiko merchandise at a discounted price. The summer liquidation sale will be held this Saturday at the University of Hawaii in Manoa. All kinds of designs from older lines will be available for up to 40% off. There will be a variety of sizes and designs from their back stock inventory so be sure to stop by. The most recent Ku and Makahiki lines will also be available for purchase.

When: Saturday, June 14; 10am - 3pm
Where: Kamakakuokalani (Hawaiian Studies, UH Manoa), Room 207

Here are a couple of tops from the Ku Line…

Vicia Scoop Tee: $24.00; Opu Weuweu Tee: $24.00:

Kalehuawehe Collared Shirt: $40.00; Ulua Tee: $24.00:

hint: did you get something for Father’s Day? Check out the great men’s stuff.

Wings Hawaii, one of my favorite shops, has launched a new site and I love it! The new designs, new jewelry…ah, where to begin. The new spring and summer collections are up on the site currently and one of the main features right now happens to be their Eco-Friendly line. This consists of a short-sleeve pocketed v-neck hoodie (I have one and adore it so!), long-sleeve hoodies and full length drawstring pants. The items are made of 50% organic cotton and recycled polyester and are super soft!

The jewelry collection by Sam has evolved a great deal as well. I have been a fan of everything on this site and the jewelry is really catching my eye even more. Every piece is fabricated, handmade, hammered, you name it. She does it all!

If you can’t already tell, I really do love what the gals at Wings Hawaii are doing and will continue to show my support. Remember, if you’re ever in Maui you can visit their storefront (so lucky!). There’s so much more on the site and at their retail shop so check it out. Why don’t I just show you a few of my favorites (you know, what’s on my ‘wish list’)…

Shell Eco-Friendly Pullover Hoodie: $52.00; Opihi Earrings: $200.00:

Bling Wing Necklace: $325.00; Eco-Friendly Pants: $52.00:

Another Hawaiian favorite of mine - Kealopiko. These gals have done it again with the release of their newest lines. The Makahiki line actually launched back in December but I still wanted to show it off. Also newly released is Hilu - the new line for keiki (kids). Remember, not only are the designs beautiful but educational as well. Enjoy…

Malolo Tee: $24.00; Pua Aloalo Scoop: $24.00:

‘Ekaha Long sleeve: $38.00; Makali’i Tee: $24.00:

‘Opihi Onezee: $20.00; Moi Dress: $30.00:

Oh, how I wish I were still in Hawaii. And, oh, how I wish I were going to be in Maui this weekend. Fighting Eel and Ginger 13 are having a HUGE Sample Sale where everything will be $40 or less! Rona Bennett and Lan Chung of Fighting Eel will be on hand with their beautiful clothing line. Ginger 13 designer Cindy Yokoyama will have her fun jewelry pieces available. Hmmm, sounds good to me! Here’s the scoop:

When: Sunday, April 13, 2008; 11-3pm
Where: Maui Beach Hotel in the Elleair Ballroom (Free Parking)
What: Fighting Eel and Ginger 13 selling past collections at 50-80% off. Everything will be marked down to $40 or less.
Cost: $5 fee at the door
For More Info: Check Fighting Eel’s Events Page

Lucky you if you’re in Maui on Sunday! Let me know if any of you attend the sale!

Here are some of the designs from Fighting Eel’s Spring and Pre-Summer Collections (in stores now, not included in the sale):

Juliet Dress; Cali Tunic:

Monroe Dress; Holiday Dress:

Kate Dress; Nellie Dress:

Check out some of the goodies by Ginger 13:

Crystal Rhino: $52.00; Faux Lucite Tortise Links: $28.00:

Brass Filigree-Horse: $49.00; Wood Disc-Bird: $66.00:

Congratulations to Traci on the launch of her new Midori Jewelry website. Here are some pieces from her recent collection:

Whiskey Sour Earrings: $62.00:

Gold Sakura & Apatite Necklace: $48.00:

Montana Bracelet: $68.00:

Riptide Necklace: $142.00:

Use code “mixed20” to receive 20% off your entire order now through April 15, 2008. 

On my recent trip home to Hawaii I stopped in a little shop and met one of my favorite handbag designers. Meleana Blaich is such a sweet and beautiful girl and we made friends right away. We were able to relate to one another because we were both born and raised in Hawaii and both moved away to “big cities” (she recently returned from New York). Seeing her handbags with local names like “Nui Loa” and “Holoholo” (my favorite) reminded me of how much I missed my home already. Craving all things Hawaiian I told her it was meant to be that I do a feature on her since I had been planning it for a while and meeting her told me the timing was right.

Meleana’s bags are extremely well-made and are created using vintage and found fabrics specially selected by the designer. Fun colors and patterns take you back to a dreamy and sunny Hawaiian day just cruising around under blue skies. Oh, if only…

Check out a couple of my favorite designs (visit the site for fabric options):

Nui Loa: $155.00:

Holoholo: $200.00:

Sunburst Canvas: $145.00:

Remember the hot video I posted by Hawaii’s trio NOMASTERBACKS?  You loved it, I know.  Well, here’s your chance to show them how much you loved it.  The guys have been nominated for Best Hip-Hop Album in the Hawaii Music Awards!  Please visit the site and vote for them.  You can vote once per day for every email address you have through February 4.  They are the first/top listed group when you click on the Hip-Hop link to vote.

ps - congrats, guys!  you definitely have my vote(s)! 

I recently discovered a little shop of colorful handmade clothing from a local Hawaii gal. Shannon Hiramoto designs and sews everything at her site in Kalaheo town on the island of Kauai. Machine Machine Apparel has fun tops, accessories, unique dresses and even a skirt styled after a ti leaf one that you may see on hula dancers. Her prices are quite affordable and the background of the photos make me miss my home in Hawaii already. Ah, sunshine….

Here are my picks from Machine Machine Apparel’s shop:

Tank Dress in Plum Purple: $65.00:

Tube Dress with Vintage Arches: $55.00:

Second Gear Shift Dress 002: $49.00:

Scoop Neck Dress in Charcoal and Salmon: $65.00:

Ti Leaf Skirt in Alternating Grey: $89.00:

Alright, so I am really digging on this song and video. NOMASTERBACKS is a group of 3 talented local boys (Temper T, Well.Being & Wade) from Hawaii that have been writing, rapping, rhyming - you name it - for years. Back in high school these guys were already awesome and they don’t disappoint with this sweet little video that was released earlier this month, “New Rules”, off their most recent album, “At Your Door”.

Yes! I have been patiently waiting for Kealopiko’s online shop to open…and it is here!!! Jamie, Ane and Hina are the gals behind this clothing company that is inspired by and celebrates the Hawaiian culture. The unique designs that are printed by the three talented owners all have very specials meanings. If you are not a Hawaii local or even if you are but may not be familiar with all of the terms, you are in luck. One of my favorite things that this company does - they include a description of the shirt and its message. That’s right, Kealopiko is actually helping to educate its wearers about aspects of the Hawaiian culture. Brilliant!

Moi (blue print candy stripe); Hihimanu (black crew):

Koae (longsleeve); Wiliwili (crew):

Something else that will make customers smile is that all of their original designs are printed for both men and women. There are a variety of colors and styles to choose from, so check it out. In addition to sharing some local knowledge with the world, Kealopiko gives back and supports organizations and businesses that are working towards a sustainable Hawaii. The Kokua Hawaii Foundation and Paepae o Heeia Fishpond have both received donations from this wonderful company. Yes, another purchase that you can feel good about…

Elepaio (red boatneck); The Big Five (crew):

{Moi (blue print candy stripe): $30.00; Hihimanu (black crew): $24.00}

{Koae (longsleeve): $30.00; Wiliwili (crew): $24.00}

{Elepaio (red boatneck): $30.00; The Big Five (crew): $24.00}