HB Life

No Work and All Play

+ Things We Love

photo courtesy: National Geographic

STARSHIP EARTH GLOBE
This transparent globe from National Geographic is sure to appease the scientist and the art lover in you. Hand crafted from “museum-quality acrylic,” it displays all 88 constellations and more than 1,100 naked-eye stars. Plop one in the corner of your office, and sit back and wait for the oohs and aahs.

ALOHA FESTIVALS
The annual festivities begin in late August, but continue through September. Highlights include the ever-popular Waikiki Ho’olaule’a on Friday, Sept. 21 and the record-breaking “World’s Longest Hula Line” the following night.

photo courtesy: Blueair

THE AIRPOD
Blueair’s portable air purifier is cute and compact. And it’s the perfect desktop accessory for anyone suffering from pesky allergies.

MOO.COM
This U.K.-based company prints mini business cards, stickers and note cards from your personal photos. The price is right, the cards are recyclable and the service is unbeatable. How great is that?

photo courtesy: Bolero

BOLERO POOL TABLE
At just under $120,000, you could probably find a better use for your hard-earned dollars. But it would probably pale in comparison to this eye-catching pool table, handcrafted from Ceylon Lemon Wood.

- Jacy L. Youn

photo courtesy: Segway

Golf and Go

You’ve hit your old, reliable fade but your playing partner just unleashed a short, wicked hook into the left-hand rough. It’s going to take a while to find his ball, which won’t give you much time to find and then hit your second shot.

With the Segway x2 Golf, you and your partner can go your separate ways. An updated version of the popular people mover, the x2 features a golf bag carrier and extended-range batteries. It has a range of 14 miles (36 holes of golf), a top speed of 12.5-miles per hour and is extremely maneuverable, so you can find your errant shots quickly. But the x2 isn’t all about speed. Outfitted with low-pressure turf tires and software that controls traction on varied terrain, the x2 is always fairway friendly, unlike your golf swing. www.segway.com

— David K. Choo

An Apple a Day Keeps the Clients at Bay

photo courtesy: Edible Arrangements

Your clients love it when you show up to meetings with a box of manapua or pastries. Unfortunately, they’re chock full of saturated fat, sodium and refined sugar. Not exactly good for their bottom lines.

The next time you meet with clients hand them a bouquet of fresh, cut fruit from Edible Arrangements. The bouquets are artfully designed, and come chocolate-dipped, plain or with a jar of fudge sauce on the side.

Edible Arrangements, which has 700 franchises, was scheduled to open three stores on Oahu this summer in Kaneohe, Manoa and on Bishop Street in downtown Honolulu. A fourth location is scheduled for Aiea sometime next year, and it may be just a matter of time before stores open on the Neighbor Islands.

In addition to its signature fruit bouquets, Edible Arrangements is a one-stop shop for smoothies, spicy fruit bowls and fruit sundaes — healthier choices for afternoon snacking.

-Cathy S. Cruz-George

Maui Munchies

photo courtesy: Lahaina Town Action Committee

WHAT: Taste of Lahaina & Best of Island Music Festival
WHERE: Lahaina Recreational Park, Maui
WHY: Not that anyone needs an excuse to go to Maui, but the 16-year-old Taste is the biggest culinary event on the Valley Isle, featuring small signature dishes from some of Maui’s finest restaurants. Highlights include a beer and wine garden and a kids’ fun game and ride area. Best of Island Music Festival features continuous live entertainment on stage with Hawaii’s latest and legendary musicians. www.visitlahaina.com

– DKC

Stirred, Not Shaken

photo courtesy: Magellans.com

Worried that Montezuma or another long-gone monarch is going to exact his revenge on your vacation? The SteriPen Traveler should put your mind and your digestive tract at ease. The pocket-size device uses ultraviolet light to destroy the DNA of micro-organisms, preventing them from reproducing and causing illness. Just turn the SteriPen on, drop it into a 16-ounce glass, stir for less than a minute and your water is disinfected and ready to drink. But remember: wait for the ice to melt before you finish stirring. $129, www.magellans.com

— DKC

THE FIRST RESORTS
Last July, Travel + Leisure magazine released the results of its 12th Annual World’s Best Awards 2007 readers’ survey. Below is the list of the world’s best hotels. The No.-1 ranked Oberoi Udaivilas is located on the banks of India’s Lake Pichola and is accessible only by boat. Room rates range from $600 to $3,300 a night. The Big Island’s Four Seasons Resort Hualalai moved up three spots in 2007 to crack the top 10 at No. 9. -DKC
RANK	2006	NAME	SCORE
1	3	Oberoi Udaivilas Udaipur, India	94.36
2	1	Singita Sabi Sand/Kruger National Park South Africa	94.30
3	9	The Oriental Bangkok	94.23
4	48	Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet, Turkey	93.55
5	n/a	The Milestone London	93.06
6	n/a	Relais Il Falconiere Cortona, Italy	92.97
7	97	Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve Sabi Sands, South Africa	92.81
8	n/a	Mandarin Oriental Munich	92.73
9	12	Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Hawaii	92.65
10	54	Oberoi Amarvilas Agra, India	92.56

Do you like what you read? Subscribe to Hawaii Business Magazine »