Local artisans, designers and retailers have banded together to form Social Wahines. The Island-style networking group puts together intimate events in unconventional locations, pooling their lists of contacts and customers.

The Social Wahines next take over the Kaneohe Yacht Club, 44-503 Kane-'ohe Bay Drive, from 6 to 10 p.m. on Tuesday for a sample sale. Look for swimwear from Pualani Hawaii, Roberta Oaks' "green" clothing fashioned from recycled garments, Meleana handbags, Polka Dot Tree House clothing by Toby P. and jewelry by Silpada and Noelani Designs. Entrance fee: $10. Information: Danielle@socialwahines.com.

MAX NUGUS GLAM

Just opened at the Kahala Hotel and Resort is Max Nugus Haute Couture.

The son of a United Nations diplomat, Bangkok-born Max Nugus grew up traveling the world — a background visible in his culturally diverse designs. He started his career as a designer to San Francisco socialites, and his clothes have been featured in Vogue, Town & Country and Vanity Fair. He gained celebrity status when he dressed Glenn Close for the Oscars.

Now Island women (who can afford it) can have Nugus custom-design a gown or suit just for them. Information: 739-5001.

EYE ON OPALS

Opal Fields in Ward Warehouse will host two opal experts from Australia today, tomorrow and Sunday.

The duo will bring loose stones, rings, bracelets, earrings and pendants for the special showing. It's a chance to get stones for a good price directly from the people who mine them. Plus, you can learn more about the mysterious stone. Information: 591-0804.

JUNGLE GEMS TURNS 20

Hale'iwa-based Jungle Gems celebrates its 20th birthday this year by doing what it does best: creating original jewelry designs inspired by Hawai'i's flora and fauna. Husband-and-wife owners Brent Lindberg and Kim Moore began Jungle Gems as a shelf of products in another store. They recently expanded to a second store on King Street in Chinatown.

Jungle Gems jewelry — resembling bamboo, maile leaves and sea urchins — has been discovered by celebrities such as Lauren Hutton, LeAnne Rimes and Jack Johnson. The designs often are embedded with unusual stones such as black diamonds, tundra sapphires and Botswana agate.

Information: 637-6609 or 545-4202.

ANYI LU SHOES

Sandal Tree Ala Moana now carries Anyi Lu shoes. A designer and a dancer, Lu has created a line that brings out the dancer in every woman. Inspired by heroines of classic films, her fall/winter '07 collection captures the vintage lady-like style of an elegant bygone era.

Her shoes have the charm of Tutu's pumps combined with the comfort of an engineer's technical know-how. A protege of shoe designer Thierry Rabotin, she was trained in Italy to make shoes that last.

Reach Paula Rath at paularath@aol.com.