May Day is Lei Day

May Day is lei day in Hawaii. For many years, there has been a tradition of celebrating the beautiful flowers that are sewn into incredible lei.

For thirty years, there was also a tradition of the Brothers Cazimero Lei Day concert at the Waikiki Shell. Last year, they announced that their 30th would be their last May Day Concert. No one believed them ... how could they NOT have a Lei Day Concert at the Shell?

By not having one. Whatever they are doing tomorrow, it is not a lei day concert at the shell. So many of us will miss it -- wonderful music and dance, the moon rising over Diamond Head ...

But tomorrow is still Lei Day in Hawaii. Happy May Day everyone!

Empty Shelves

Brook's living room has more than 100 boxes in it. Gloria's living room has dozens of baskets and other display items. Her guest rooms have boxes upon boxes -- more than 50 altogether -- of Lanikai Bath and Body neccessary luxuries.

767 Kailua Road has empty shelves, shelves getting ready to move to their new home at 600 Kailua Road -- in the Kailua Shopping Center, between Morning Brew and Manuhealii: the new (again) Lanikai Bath and Body!

At 600 Kailua Road, painting is done, lighting is in, floor is mostly done -- fresh and clean and awaiting the stuff in Brook's living room, Gloria's living room and guest rooms ... we are working hard to be open again --- meanwhile, you can still order online at www.lanikaibathandbody.com

Last Customer at 767 Kailua Road

Monday, April 28: Brook, Sam and Margaret spent the day getting 767 packed up and ready to go. Brook arrived at the store at 5:45 a.m. expecting to see Gloria -- who failed to show for reasons known only to herself. At 7:30 a.m. Brook called Gloria to alert her to the fact that it was time to move out, buy boxes for the move and meet up with Kimo S. to sign the lease and fork over the downpayment for #119 600 Kailua Road, the new home of Lanikai Bath and Body.

Brook met up with Margaret and Sam at the store at 11:00 to start the official pack out. Gloria joined them at 12:30 or thereabouts, and work continued apace until 4:30p.m., interrupted by a trip for more boxes.

Meantime, Doug, Adam, Dave and Amanda made three trips to Brook's living room -- for now the part time home of Lanikai Bath and Body-- there were still at least two giant truck trips left before the store even thoughts about being empty.

Next steps: Dave moves the shelving out of one location and into the other, Mike Fairall's gang lays the floor, air conditioning folks finish up at #119, as do electricians and Kimo N.'s group.

Best moment of the day: Margaret (the ultimate customer service expert) finds exactly the right stuff for our "last customer" (thank you Angela Robison!) at 767 who popped in needing a gift.

Sam made signs announcing our move so passersby could read them, and the day came to a close.

Mokuluas Move to 600 Kailua Road

Moving right along at the new Lanikai Bath and Body store, Carl Pitre is hard at work putting up a giant photograph of the famous Doug Peebles shot of the Mokuluas. It's famous because everybody who has visited Lanikai Bath and Body at our old location knows it, and most of them want a copy. We're trying to arrange that.

The good news is that we are moving closer to launch, and the countdown is not being interupted.

We want to say a special thanks to Todd Georgopapadakos and his company Chromaco for gifting us the giant print. They work miracles and you can reach them at www.chormaco.com.

It's another beautiful day in Kailua, after the shock of an instantaneous and huge tropical deluge. Trades are due back soon but in the meantime vog gives everything that vaseline-on-the-lens look. Tomorrow is the town party! See you there!

P.S. sorry the picture's fuzzy. must have been the vog.

The Big Move

We are getting ready to move! Lanikai Bath and Body at 767 Kailua Road will officially close for business on Saturday, April 26th, at 4:00 p.m. On Sunday, April 27, we will be located in four parking spaces in the parking lot in front of Starbucks, Jamaba Juice, Global Village, Maui Tacos --under our blue tent -- as part of the 16th annual "I Love Kailua" town party!

On Monday, the 28th, we will begin packing up the 767 store to move to our new location at 600 Kailua Road, in what is officially called Kailua Shopping Center. Never mind that 767 is on Kailua Road which is perpendicular to the Kailua Road where the 600 address is ...

If all goes as planned, we will be open for business at 600 Kailua Road on (or before, we hope!) Monday May 5. We will tell the story of the move over the next week on this blog. If you need us in the meantime, and we hope you do, please call us at 808-261-2300, or email us at info@lanikaibathandbody.com.

We're open 24/7/365 at www.lanikaibathandbody.com Thanks for being part of our ohana!

Peace for Mother's Day

Despite its being one of the most commercially successful days of celebration in our country, Mother's Day had a truly honorable beginning. Mother's Day in the United States, celebrated on the second Sunday in May, was promoted by social activist Julia Ward Howe after the American Civil War. In 1870, she wrote the Mother's Day Proclamation as a call for peace and disarmament.

This is part of the Mother's Day Proclamation, written 138 years ago:

In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask
That a general congress of women without limit of nationality
May be appointed ...
To promote the alliance of the different nationalities,
The amicable settlement of international questions,
The great and general interests of peace.

Although we have yet to answer Julia Ward Howe's call, we all do honor our Mothers and celebrate them on Mother's Day.

If we cannot individually give the world peace, then at least we can give Mom the break she needs from the hard work of being a Mother ~ and Lanikai Bath and Body has just the ticket. Choose from literally hundreds of soothing bath and body products that are guaranteed to put a smile on Mom's face, and to give her a bit of the peace she so richly deserves.

Who's Your Mommy?

Who's Your Mommy?
Whether you had a biological mother's love or not, chances are you had mother's love of some kind or another. From a step-mother, an aunt, a grandmother,
a sister -- even a close friend, or some times a stranger. At Lanikai Bath and Body we have had enough of this "who's your Daddy" stuff (at least until Father's Day) and we think its important that we let you know that whoever is YOUR Mommy -- or your many Mommies --- we have just what they want and need for Mother's Day.

Don't forget -- it will be here before you know it, and we can help you celebrate Mom ~ with Tub Teas ~ giant chamomille and lavender relaxation ~ or MeBath ice cream scoop look alike bath "bombs" which will immerse her in the silky soothingness of essential oils. If she didn't get her trip to Hawaii this year, Lanikai Bath and Body tropical lotions, including Plumeria, Pikake, Tahitian Gardenia, Mango Coconut, Pineapple Coconut and Coconut Lime Verbena will take her back. Online or on-earth, these and too many goodies to mention here will help you celebrate your Mother. Come on now, Who's Your Mommy?

A Few Couplets in Honor of Mom

Fragrant Frangipangi -- aka Plumeria
Is sure to calm your Mom's hysteria.

Heavenly, luscious Tahitian Gardenia
Can surely address the wrongs between ya

Richly fruity Pineapple Coco
Is just the thing if Mom is loco

Or try our Coco Lime Verbena
If its been long since you have seen her

Perhaps she would like our Orchid Vanilla
Especially if her anger's chillah

Even if your Mom's the best (which no doubt she is)
We have stuff to help her rest.

Products with kukui oil
Guaranteed your Mom to spoil

Aloe Vera, Avocado
Show her that you love her lotto.

Mother's Day with Lanikai
Yes! You really are HER guy. (or girl).

More than 100 lovely, luscious, natural, made-in-Hawaii miraculous gifts for Mom --- in store (or on line) at Lanikai Bath and Body!

Hula in Kailua

Another great day in Kailua, and another visitor is working on picking up the hula. Our little Canadian friend would prefer to be a mermaid or a princess, but hula girl will do for now.

Like everyone else, our guests have found that people are a little slower here, they drive a bit slower, let people in in traffic and don't complain too much when there is a traffic jam.

This little hula shot is to remind everybody that on April 27 there will be the 16th annual "I Love Kailua" town party and the presenters have added an "I Love Hula" component which will feature seven Windward Halau. From 11am to 4 p.m. Kailua's streets aand parking lots will be full of celebrants.

We hope to be in our new store by then, but if not, you will find us for that day only in two locations: at Kailua Shopping Center (new home) and 767 Kailua Road (current location). Hope to see you then, and sooner.

What If Mom Doesn't Like Monkeys?

What if your Mom wasn't a fan of the monkey-see-monkey-do prosecution? Was it because you were such a little piggy?

If that's the case, you can remind Mom of the good old days with our adorable three little pigs soap. With their beautiful box and fresh linen scent, they are sure to make Mom smile this Mother's Day.

Lanikai Bath and Body will be in its brand new location in the Kailua Shopping Center by Mother's Day (on Sunday May 11 this year)but if you want to let Mom know early that you love her (little piggy that you were), come and see us at 767 Kailua Road.

Monkey See. Monkey Do.

I don't know if this was one of your Mother's favorite reminder phrases, but it was certainly one of my Mother's. That along with "if everyone else jumped off a bridge, would you do it too?," "I don't care what Mrs. so-and-so lets her kid do..." and
"YOU are not everybody else."

But in the spirit of happy memories, good things coming in small packages, and reminders of times gone by, we recommend the white lychee scented "See No Evil. Hear no Evil. Speak No Evil." charming little trio of beautifully packaged monkey-soaps-for-Mom. She will love them!

If you are reading this and can't find them on our website, please call the store
(808) 262-3260 any time between 10 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time. We have a limited supply.

Perfect for the Grandkids

Hawaii is the perfect place to raise your children, or have your grandchildren raised by your children.

To wit: Jack,3, and Lily,6, very adorable and very happy in Hawaii.

We even have stuff for kids like Lily and Jack, including bubble bath and "Razzables"-- little animal versions of the face and body puffs that have replaced the washcloth in the bathtub lexicon.

A Slice of Love

Time to start thinking about Mother's Day. After all, your Mom probably thinks about you every day.

Does your Mom love pineapple? Coconut? If so, she will adore Lanikai Bath and Body's Pineapple Coconut lotion.

Combine it with a natural vine loofah soap -- a slice of pineapple love -- and it will make the perfect Mother's Day gift -- you can order it off www.lanikaibathandbody.com, give the store a call at 808.262.3260 or stop by in Kailua at 767 Kailua Road.

Hawaii is Alive!

How could we not share this incredible picture of pele and the paddle surfer?

Lanikai's On the Courts

Another great Lanikai Bath and Body tennis team! Captain Donna Norton and her team even have a Lanikai cheer that they do when they play.

We are very proud to have them wearing our name when they are on the courts. Thank you all for representing us so well.

Aloha to Aloha

It has been in the national and the local news: Aloha Airlines is no longer one of Hawaii's passenger airlines. This is terrible for the employees of the airline who have shown Aloha and loyalty beyond what you could expect from people who had already been through bankruptcy two years ago.

There is probably no one in Hawaii who does not have a personal connection. In an earlier life, when we were in account management at Milici Valenti, Aloha was our account.

We were there in the days when Aloha had the best on time record in the nation. We were there when Aloha "invented" first class for neighbor island airlines, even though the rest of the plane still had what one of our friends calls "festival seating." We were there when Aloha made twice the profit on half the revenue of its chief, and really only,competitor. We were there when Aloha changed its livery from the funky Mauna Kea-like bathroom stickup flowers to the lipstick slash of paint.

We were there the day Aloha had the accident -- when the roof ripped off the plane, and one of the flight attendants lost her life. Aloha handled that horrific experience with amazing preparedness. We were proud to represent Aloha Airlines. We are so sorry to see them gone, and our prayers are with everyone who worked for Aloha and their families.

This is Why

Having closed the kiosk, we are working hard on moving our store to a better location in our home town of Kailua. Our current location, adorable though it is, doesn't have walk-by traffic, and parking is incredibly difficult. When our landlord put up signs to indicate where the parking was, they were limited by city sign laws and the parking signs look like they were made for the things that lived in Agent Ks locker at the airport.

The new location, for those of you who know the area, is in Kailua Shopping Center, near our old favorite Bookends, Manuhealii, Mary Z's, Windward Jewelers and Morning Brew. In fact, we will be in the "old" Morning Brew space, because they've moved to a much larger space next door.

We can, as we did with our first store, recreate the feeling and the relaxed spirit of Lanikai -- because that is what we are all about.

The Volcano....Not!!

It has been lovely and cool at night in Hawaii. Cool enough that we built a fire in our outdoor fire place (I know none of you mainlanders can believe it!) and contemplated the beautiful evening. Monkeypod leaves rustling in the wind, our parrots jabbering away(they fail to understand it is bedtime).

The days have been hot and sunny, but the trades are here, mango tress are starting to blossom (chutney in June!)and all's right with the world.

I'll see it when I believe it.

It was hard to believe that we were going to have a kiosk at Ala Moana. At first, it seemed like a bad idea...everyone we know has "never bought anything at a kiosk."
But we warmed to the idea. Especially because Ala Moana seemed to understand that Lanikai Bath and Body is a special product, and despite its youth, a well developed and even recognizable brand. Nordstrom's opening gave Ann Taylor and Williams Sonoma an opportunity to move to a super-targeted new wing -- where Chico's was locating -- and it seemed like the perfect spot for us.

But who knew that there would be no cover -- none at all -- not the least bit of a reflective partial cover. In March (we opened on March 7), it was HOT! We couldn't imagine what it would be like in June and July -- let alone the still-aired, humid months of the fall. So -- we closed the kiosk, disappearing it on the night of March 27. It was hard to believe that we were going to have a kiosk at Ala Moana. Maybe we never saw it.