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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, March 1, 2009

ISLAND LIFE SHORTS
From the HIP

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Gomez and Viernes show off items from 7 For All Mankind's spring collection.

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Alana Sarraga enjoys some fried green tomatoes ($7.95) and the Taste of the Bayou sampler ($16.95).

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Dillard Faulk

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Justin Yoshino, left, and Keoki Ching hang out at Ching's shop, Keoki Surfboards.

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Makeup is women's sport. A flawless 1960s cat eye or smoky eye is the equivalent of a slam dunk. And because it's all in the execution, a few pointers never hurt.

Consider Stila's line of Talking Palettes, the cosmetics coach you never had.

• What they are: Compacts that, at the push of a button, instruct users how to get a look. Options run the gamut of the makeup Olympics, from the smoky eye (in four different shades) to a vamp red lip. I tried the Purrfect Eyes palette ($45), which delivers a 1960s cat eye worthy of Brigitte Bardot.

• How they work: A talking tutorial computer chip is embedded in the compact. You push a button and the "lady," who sounds pleasant and slightly smug, like an adult prom queen, tells you in one minute how to complete each look, step by step, i.e. "dampen the rounded edge of your brush and apply the kitten lid color" — a nude shimmery pink — "from lash line to crease."

But do they work? Well, the smug lady talks way too fast, and there is no pause button. To do my cat eyes, I had to start over from the beginning six times to get through it.

• The verdict: Yes, we can. The Purrfect palette delivered a great retro cat eye. I am now addicted to this palette because the base and contour shades make it easy to master professional makeup artist tricks such as creating depth, and the flat-tipped brush allows you to create a straight cat eye at the lash line.

— Monica Corcoran, Los Angeles Times



STYLISH SPRING LOOKS FROM 7

Spring has sprung at 7 For All Mankind, a new store at Royal Hawaiian Center.

Flowing fabrics, ruffles, pleats and layers are in. Skintight is out (thank goodness). To keep the soft, flowing styles from looking too "hippy," it's best to pair those ruffles with something that has solid structure — like jeans. For guys, the ideal look is comprised of light layers and muted colors.

We ran into some of the 7 For All Mankind crew at Royal Hawaiian Center recently wearing some of their new items from the spring collection.

Cristina Viernes, who is also a DJ at Level 4, sported the Gwenevere in Soho jeans ($215), and a box pleat cami in white ($175). Michael Hsia, who also models, was wearing the A-Pocket Bootcut jeans in South Africa wash ($198), a double-pocket brown shirt ($160), a short-sleeved tee ($55) and a sand field jacket ($365).

In the groove: Sara Gomez was on her way to Level 4 in a dusty rose ruffle bandeau top ($135) and Roxanne jeans in Worn White Artisanal wash ($325). Ben Scheidt had on a short-sleeved tee in navy ($55), double pocket navy shirt ($160) and the Flynt in Connecticut jeans ($210).

— Melissa Chang



TRADITIONAL TASTE

If Mardi Gras this past Tuesday got you in a festive mood, then a trip to the Bayou might be the perfect thing to enjoy now.

In Kapahulu, where new eateries have brought a rich diversity of flavors to the neighborhood over the past year, you can try Taste of the Bayou, where Louisiana-born chef Dillard Faulk, right, and his wife serve their customers a one-of-a-kind Cajun meal.

The atmosphere is humble, with fold-out chairs and a festive mural on the wall, but the food is amazing. With alligator tenderloin, corn bread, hush puppies, po' boys and etouffee on the menu, the local selection is limited.

"I get my alligator and most of my food shipped straight from Louisiana, and I get my spices from Africa and all over," said Faulk, who came to Hawai'i 30 years ago.

"When I first got off the plane, I knew this was home. My mama thought I'd only be gone for a vacation," Faulk said. "I continue to go back to Louisiana. But I have never been to New Orleans. Where I'm from, that's so far away. I come from a small town of 2,000 or so people."

In case you're wondering, Cajun and Creole are not the same: "Cajun is from the French Arcadians who settled in Canada then moved to Louisiana, and Creole is a blend of French, African and Spanish — a hodgepodge of flavors," explained Faulk, who gets his Cajun recipes from his mom.

Which of the two cuisines have the most spice?

"Cajun is definitely spicer," Faulk said.

For a taste of the south, take a trip to Taste of the Bayou, 740 Kapahulu Ave., 732-2229, www.tasteofthebayou.com.

— Lacy Matsumoto



END THE NIGHT WITH COLD BOWL OF KAVA

If you're looking for a late-night hangout with live acoustic music and positive energy, but don't feel like slamming a beer, then a bowl of kava might be your answer. The ancient Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders were on to something when they found kava (kah-vah). The tranquilizing drink is not alcoholic, but it gives a nice mild effect of intoxication. Derived from the roots of the 'awa plant, the plant is ground up into a powder, then mixed with water. Besides the soothing effects, it is believed to have a medicinal power and is sold as an herbal supplement.

With a casual, friendly environment and live music, the Diamond Head Cove Health Bar is the perfect place to relax and have a "bowl." Served in a hollowed-out coconut, the cold kava is made daily by the staff at the Health Cove. Because of the mild sedation, it is recommended you don't "drink and drive."

Diamond Head Cove Health Bar is at 3045 Monsarrat Ave. #5, 732-8744, www.diamondheadcove.com. Open from 10 a.m. to midnight Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays.

— L.M.



WHAT’S ON YOUR IPOD?

DJ Mano Lopez:

1. "Back and Alive," Osaka Monaurail

2. "100 Yard Dash," Raphael Saadiq

3. "Rigor Mortis," Cameo

4. "Guajira," Orishas

5. "While I'm Alone," Maze featuring Frankie Beverly



SURF'S UP

So you want to start surfing, or maybe you just want a new board made before the summer swell.

Sure, you could buy one of those pre-made surfboards at a surf shop franchise, but why not go for something a little more personal? Surfboard shaper Keoki Ching of Keoki Surfboards is one of Honolulu's most popular shapers right now, creating custom-made boards and off-the-rack selections.

You can probably find the perfect fit for your body and surf style from his array of board types (longboards, shortboards, single fins, guns, fish, etc.) and custom features like hand-painted designs. Professional surfers Kainoa McGee, Cody Graham and Kapono Nahina each have one of his sticks in their collection.

"I really like to shape big-wave guns because they require the most attention. They are critical surfboards for critical situations — possibly life-threatening," said Ching, whose attention to detail makes his boards immaculate.

Keoki Surfboards, by appointment only at 561-7833, www.keokisurfboards.com.

— L.M.