ISLAND LIFE SHORTS
Fishcake furnishings
Advertiser Staff and News Services
When Maura Fujihira, Debbie Low and Akemi Rogers opened Fishcake in December, they weren't exactly selling saimin toppings. This boutique furniture and accessories shop specializes in the uncommon, such as designer furniture named for Hollywood stars by the Meridiani Co., pottery from Thailand, hand-woven silk material and paintings by local artists.
"My favorite pieces in the store are the Lucy Liu chairs. They are down- filled and so comfortable. I also like the Brando dining table — it's really sleek and sexy," says Betty Lee, the showroom manager. Go here for one-of-a-kind pieces at mid to high prices.
Fishcake, 307-C Kamani St.; 593-1231. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.
— Lacy Matsumoto
SALES & BARGAINS
— Pualana Lemelle
PAU HANA FOR THE PEOPLE
Pau hana tip: head over to Pearl Ultralounge at Ala Moana Center, where specialty cocktails with names like Secret Sexy Crush, made out of luxurious liquors such as macadamia nut, are only $5. At the Ultralounge, sophisticated young professionals and entrepreneurs gather for after-work socializing without spending too much of their hard-earned cash.
If the discounted specialty cocktails aren't enough, some menu items created by chef Donato Loperfido are also only $5. And if you must have your burger, do it in style; try the Kobe slider with avocado, served on a French baguette with fresh, crispy fries.
Pearl Ultralounge, Ho'okipa Terrace, Ala Moana; 944-8000. Happy hour: 4:30 to 8 p.m.
— L.M.
TAKE YOUR GUMMY BEARS
The Borba gummy bear is good enough to put an end to days of swallowing chunky vitamins. Packed with healthy ingredients — natural antioxidants, dietary supplements, vitamins, minerals and nutrients, all compacted in a piece of candy — the hard-to-resist snack is 100 percent vegetarian, with no preservatives, artificial flavorings or fat. But practice self-control, because although they taste amazing, you don't want a vitamin overload.
Available at Sephora at Ala Moana Center; 944-9797.
— L.M.
PRIMO'S BACK
"What? No can heah, get beah in my eah." Remember that slogan for Primo Beer in the 1980s? Back in those days it was the beer the beach boys, construction workers, college kids and partygoers drank. It was cheap, easy to drink, and went well with poke and rice. When Primo changed its marketing in 1990, it was almost as if the beer had disappeared. The merchandise with the image of the blue royal helmet became a collectors item, and the beer stopped flowing — until now. The national brand Pabst Blue Ribbon has "brought Primo back," with the same iconic imagery, a "premium lager" taste.
Although it is not the cheap beer we remember, it is still local, made on Kaua'i at Keoki Brewing Co., available on tap and soon in bottles. "Primo. Chance 'um."
— L.M.
Correction: Maura Fujihira, Debbie Low and Akemi Rogers are the owners of Fishcake. Incorrect information was included in a previous version of this story.