Lanikai Bath and Body. Made in Hawai`i. Naturally.

Butter Her Up For Valentine's Day

2012-01-23T13:18:00.000-08:00

Shortly you will receive our email, with a code, announcing a special on our delicious, delectable, super soft, softly sented body butters.

They are a perfect gift for Valentine's Day, and a perfect solution for weary winter skin.

Scents available include:
Tahitian Gardenia
Plumeria
Orchid Vanilla
Mango Coconut
Green Tea
Kamuela Rose
Naupaka (coconut lime verbena)...shown here.

And you can order them online at www.lanikaibathandbody.com, or to make it easier:
www.lanikai.com

Early Mango Blossoms

2012-01-23T11:51:00.001-08:00

Last year, the overall mango crop was weak and our own tree had none. This year there are early mango blossoms on our Hayden Mango tree and we are waiting with
great hope for a big mango crop.

In the meantime, our Poi Dog Island Mango Dog Shampoo is flying off the shelves, and as always, everyone loves our Mango Coconut lotions, salts, scrub, wash, shampoo and contioner. This touch of summer-to-come makes a great Valentine's present.

Lanikai Bath and Body sends its Aloha and Happy Valentine's Day wishes.

Facebook Fairy

2012-01-21T11:07:00.000-08:00

Facebook Fairy Charla took this picture of the store with her new "GO" camera.

Come visit us at Lanikai Bath and Body!

Kamuela Rose

2012-01-14T14:18:00.000-08:00

There is a place on the Big Island of Hawai`i called Kamuela. It is a place that enchants virtually everyone who visits it ... with rolling green hills and vast blue skies. Because it gets cool there, roses thrive.

We named our Kamuela Rose after this beautiful place and its roses. Ours is perfectly scented, and we make it in a lotion, a butter, salts and a scrub.

If you want to send some one roses for Valentine's Day, Kamuela Rose from Lanikai Bath and Body is a perfect choice.

The Joy of Monoi

2012-01-14T14:09:00.000-08:00

Hardly anything smells as good as Monoi Oil from Tahiti -- as we've noted earlier, locals used it as a suntan lotion until the world became all about your SPF number.

In the winter, it will soften dry skin. The trick to Monoi Oil in cold climes is to warm it up. It will harden in cold weather, so it needs to be warmed up to seventy
degrees or more to use ... stand it in a pot of hot water and it will warm up quickly, making it as easy to use as it is delightful.

Poi Dog Beau Sees The Rain Coming

2012-01-09T13:34:00.000-08:00

Far off in the distance, Beau stands on Lanikai Beach, the place we named Lanikai Bath and Body after -- for its soft, white sand, its gentle waves, and ever changing sky...

2011-12-31T19:07:00.000-08:00

May 2012 Bring Peace to Our Planet

2011-12-31T14:27:00.000-08:00

"We, Angels and Mortals, Believers and Nonbelievers,
Look heavenward and speak the word aloud.
Peace.

We look at our world and speak the word aloud.
Peace.

We look at each other, then into ourselves,
And we say without shyness or apology or hesitation:

Peace, My Brother.
Peace, My Sister.
Peace, My Soul."

~ from Maya Angelou's poem "Amazing Peace"

We Celebrate You

2011-12-31T11:52:00.000-08:00

THANK YOU to our employees, who have the interests of our customers and each other at heart.

THANK YOU to our many customers, those we know personally, those we have come to know through the web,and to the many folks all over the world who love our products as much as we do.

THANK YOU to our vendors, who bring us packing popcorn when needed, and provide the
wonderful, small selection of products we add to our own.

THANK YOU to our facebook fans, who make it worthwhile to give the store an online personality.

THANK YOU to our family who help out whenever asked, and even when they haven't been.

THANK YOU to our little town of Kailua, and to our wonderful state of Hawai`i, the greatest place have a store, and meet the greatest people day after day.

And THANK YOU for another special year for us...seven in all.

Tiny but perfect. and a big seller, too.

2011-12-30T15:51:00.000-08:00

Another one of our favorite top sellers are these solid perfumes.

All of your tropical favorites; here at Lanikai Bath and Body. (and on the web, too.)

It's Your Favorite!

2011-12-29T11:25:00.000-08:00

Unless there's a huge change between now and Saturday evening, Plumeria has once again topped the charts at Lanikai Bath and Body for customers' favorite scent.

Topping the Lanikai Bath and Body products list is Plumeria Lotion 8.5 oz. followed immediately by Plumeria 2.2 oz lotions.

We want to take this opporunity to say Mahalo Nui Loa to all of our customers, here in Kailua, in Japan, and all over the world.

Lanikai Bath and Body thanks you so very, very much!

Just As We Predicted

2011-12-29T11:15:00.000-08:00

The President and the First Lady dined at Alan Wong's last night, the media reporting that Alan's "is one of their favorite date night spots."

Just like the great produce served at Alan Wong's, Lanikai Bath and Body's products are Made in Hawai`i. Naturally.

Chef Alan Wong makes sure their dinner is perfection.

Baby It's Cold Outside...

2011-12-28T20:11:00.000-08:00

Yeah, right you say in most of the world except Hawai`i. But we really do get cold
here, and it even snows on three of our biggest volcanoes.

And, like you on the mainland, we get dry skin during the winter. And we turn to Lanikai Bath and Body's body butters ... with scents from plumeria to tahitian gardenia, to rose and green tea, to coconut lime verbena.

Get a little bit of Hawai`i, and help your dry skin, too.

The body butters of Lanikai Bath and Body are waiting.

We Bid A Fond Aloha

2011-12-28T20:01:00.000-08:00

We bid a fond Aloha to John Heckathorn, who had a huge presence in our lives, although we didn't know him well.

He was a professor, a writer and a food critic. He was part of the beginnings of Hawai`i's great regional cuisine, and he definitely helped make our Chefs like Alan Wong famous. (The Obamas almost always have a date night at Alan Wong's when they are here.)

He helped the surge in agriculture and farming, making really good tomatoes a probablity (anot a remote possibility) here in Hawai`i. He helped the farmers markets spring up all over the islands.

John was a man of excellent taste, a great family man and an influential figure "on the scene" in Hawai`i for more than 30 years. Good bye and Aloha Nui Loa to John.
He will be greatly missed.

John truly was the best of Honolulu.

Where He's At

2011-12-28T16:05:00.000-08:00

Here's a birdseye view of where Obama stays when he is here in our lovely little town of Kailua.

See that beautiful beach! One of the best in the world, and Kailua residents are happy to give up a part of it when he is visiting.

The canal next to the homes brings water from the mountains to the sea and it, too, is off limits when he is here.

Lanikai Bath and Body is located about a half a mile from this beach.
Lucky we live Kailua. Lucky he visits here!

Kailua Town Changes Since Obama's Last Visit

2011-12-28T15:55:00.000-08:00

The first family is at their usual compound and it has been three years: certainly enough to call it "The Winter White House."

Our little town of Kailua is a wonderful place to live, and it is changing all the time. Since they were here last, Executive Chef and Fighting Eel, a woman's clothing store has opened.

Lucy's, the restaurant The President frequented, was sold to new owners who reopened as The Grove. If he has a night out on the town, as he usually does, we are all waiting to see where he goes. The Clintons have their own plaque at Buzz's which is probably all of O`ahu's favorite steakhouse.

Sand People, a stylish, hip store opened next to Lanikai Bath and Body and we are happy to have new neighbors.

Kailua Nail Care, where Sasha and Malia got a pedicure, has had a complete renovation, including great new relaxing massage chairs.

We're expecting Whole Foods to open in March. There's alot going on, and Lanikai Bath and Body is please to be smack dab in the middle of it all. Happy New Year's to all of our great customers.

Our President is A Dad's Dad

2011-12-28T15:20:00.000-08:00

You probably saw it on the news, because it was the shot sent round the world ...

This photo of Obama with a little kid sticking her fingers in his mouth is just one example of how totally cool he is.

Obama in Hawai`i

2011-12-28T15:13:00.000-08:00

A good shot of Obama enroute somewhere with a typical Hawai`i ocean + palm tree view and a giant Christmas tree.

Just had to share it! No wonder he loves to be here during the Holidays.

Today CNN Reported That It Was 76 Degrees

2011-12-28T14:59:00.000-08:00

Today CNN reported that it was 76 degrees in Hawai`i. They usually don't care, but the First Family is here, and it is hard to find things to say about them, especially when they stay out of public view.

We did get a close up of them at Sea Life Park where they participated in releasing
four baby turtles into the ocean off Waikiki. Attempts to be cute have caused the media to say that he "pardoned" the turtles, but turtles need no pardoning from anyone --- it is a felony to harm or injure them.

We do know that the Obamas are bathing in Lanikai Bath and Body products, because we were honored to fill the home where he is staying with soaps and lotions (and mini hand sanitizers and kitchen hand soap). We're hoping they will like the selection we sent: Pohaku for the President, Orchid Vanilla for the First Lady, and several
tropical scents including tahitian gardenia and plumeria. We sure hope they like them (love them!) as much as we do.

Looks Like Candy! But it's Soap.

2011-12-07T14:39:00.000-08:00

If you can't visit the store this Holiday Season, we can a least bring a bit of
brightness by showing you our always fabulous, always yummy looking soap table.

It's all here: sandalwood, mango,coconut, pikake, gardenia, guava, pineapple, coconut lime verbena, rose ...

Happy Holidays from Lanikai Bath and Body!

Try To Top This Trio!

2011-12-07T14:22:00.001-08:00

Lanikai Bath and Body's handmade soaps are favorites with local folks and visitors from all over the world. Whether glycerin, made with natural loofahs,or cold pressed and creamy, we guarantee you will LOVE THESE SOAPS. As one of the Soap
Fairies often says "they just fly out of the store."

Pictured here is a trio of floral scented soaps: handmade, hand labeled, and hand wrapped by the Soap Fairies at Lanikai Bath and Body.

Sugarcane Hand Sanitizers All in a Row

2011-12-07T14:17:00.000-08:00

Our hand sanitizers, made with a sugarcane base, will not only protect you against random germs, they are lightly scented with the flora of Hawai`i.

With crowded malls and the cold and flu season, these hand sanitizers will be received as the perfect gift. They work as well, and smell as pretty as they look.

Send a Bit of Hawai`i...

2011-12-07T14:09:00.000-08:00

Our tropical trio gift sets are perfectly sized for purses,and places like glove compartments (do they still call them that?). Even the TSA likes them!

These wonderful 2.2 ounce lotions will bring the scents of Hawai`i to you when
the weather is cold and blustery.

In addition to the very special scents, these lotions are perfect for keeping dry winter skin feeling soft and fresh. Give them to a friend -- or send yourself a
little Hawai`i.

Good News From Down Under

2011-12-01T21:14:00.000-08:00

Many Thanks to our great customer from Down Under, who posted this message on Lanikai Bath and Body's Facebook:

Janine Smith posted on Lanikai Bath and Body. Made in Hawaii. Naturally!'s Wall.

"Hi beautiful people ,I live in Byron Bay Australia and we were just over in Hawaii and came into your store and ordered a lot of products and had them shipped back ,since they arrived I have been enjoying all that I bought,the most divine products ever, I will be ordering it for life... and Merry Xmas to you all ...Mahalo........"

Janine: Many many Mahalos for your wonderful comment! We know its summer down there, but happy holidays, anyway!

Lanikai Grandchildren

2011-12-01T21:06:00.000-08:00

Sophie, Clara and Theo visiting from Canada. Lily (second from left) and Jack (far right)are their Hawaii-based hosts. Missing are David (7 months), Kiana (2 years)
and Anja (12 .. staying home in Canada to keep Mom company).

It's winter here in Hawai`i, but the Canadian kids love the water --- even the cold cold pool. And they love shopping in Kailua, especially at Lanikai Bath and Body.

The New Face of Poi Dog

2011-12-01T21:03:00.000-08:00

Arriving last week from Australia ... Brisbane to Sydney to Honolulu ... is Beau, the new face of Poi Dog.

Here he is after his first bath.

Future Soap Fairies

2011-11-20T15:39:00.000-08:00

We've all heard of unbirthdays, but these kids are celebrating unhalloween...
got dressed up and trolled the neighborhood to see if there was any candy left.

Lily, Lilikoi and Paloma. Best Friends Forever, and before you know it, they will
be old enough to work at Lanikai Bath and Body!

Wrapping Up a Great Lanikai Christmas

2011-11-18T14:52:00.000-08:00

Soap Fairies and the Elves are creating great gift packages for quick pick up at the store.

Lanikai Bath and Body is a great place to shop for the Holidays! We hope to see you there!

Hana Hou!

2011-11-17T15:17:00.000-08:00

When he was in Hawai`i, it was announced that the President and his family will be back in Hawai`i, on O`ahu, in Kailua (we hope~) for Christmas.

What better place to spend Christmas than in Hawai`i? He's a smart guy, that President of ours.

Here they are getting back to the White House last year. Bet they had already started planning their trip back.

Lanikai Baby Getting Ready for Christmas

2011-11-17T15:09:00.000-08:00

Lanikai Baby Elin is getting ready for Christmas!

For all those who follow this blog, she no longer fits in her Daddy's pocket.

Hawai`i For Business

2011-11-17T15:03:00.000-08:00

Who would have expected that our very own, Hawai`i-born President would end the tradition of wearing the country's "cultural" dress for the final picture at APEC?

The picture above is from the last meeting of APEC in Singapore. We all know the Aloha Shirt is cooler than that!

But here in Hawai`i, we want to show that we are a place to do business. So Barack and the APEC leaders sweated it out in coats and ties for the final pick.

Crazy -- but we showed our Aloha, everyone on O`ahu, in other ways. We on the Windward side stayed on the Windward side, thus not contributing to the traffic, which was horrendous. Those who had to abide the traffic and having their cars searched behaved with Aloha.

So we're glad APEC came, and we are glad they are gone.

Do the Hula!

2011-11-17T14:55:00.001-08:00

If you can't do the hula in Hawai`i, you can do the hula in your shower, with Lanikai Bath and Body's super Hula soap.

Aloha and Happy Holidays, Lanikai Bath and Body!

Rent A Bike In December

2011-11-17T14:49:00.000-08:00

No kidding. Here in Kailua and Lanikai, you can rent a bike, or ride a Segway around our beautiful Kawainui Marsh. In December!

If you're casually strolling around town, you can stop by the bike stand, and "rent" one free for an hour, and for a minimum amount thereafter.

When you are sloshing through the snow in December, book a ticket to Hawai`i and come ride a bike this winter.

P.s. Not a great photo, but if you know Kailua these bikes are on the corner of Kailua Road and Hahani.

New Aprons!

2011-11-17T14:36:00.000-08:00

You might not be too excited about this, but we are! Lanikai Bath and Body's good friend Roxanne selected the perfect material and made us brand new aprons ...

We just wanted to show them off. Here are soap fairies Kayla and Lia sporting the new Lanikai Bath and Body aprons.

Thank you Roxanne!

Santa's Workshop in Kailua

2011-11-15T13:43:00.000-08:00

Busy getting ready for the Holidays! The Soap Fairies and their Elves are hard-at-work making lovely scented salts and placing them gently in beautiful boxes made of lauhala, with Hawaiian prints and a small honu (turtle) on top.

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, we want to wish you the safest and happiest of Holiday Seasons from all of us at Lanikai Bath and Body.

P.S. The salt scents we are preparing include: Mango, Coconut, Lavender, Pikake, Gardenia and Ocean Breeze!

Vinnie,The Dog from Kailua Who Inspired Poi Dog

2011-11-15T13:07:00.000-08:00

When the Year of the Dog was approaching in 2005, Vinnie, our precious lab said that we ought to have a shampoo for dogs. And why not? The next year, 2006, was The Year of the Dog. 2006 was a Fire Dog Year: Fire Dogs are true leaders. Others enjoy being in the company of Fire Dogs. They’re sexually attractive, charismatic, vibrant and confident and they always prefer to be on the go.

We agreed, and Poi Dog Shampoo (Island Mango scented) was born in 2006, and introduced in the Year of the Dog. Just this month, we lost Vinnie to a year long battle with cancer, but right up to the end he was attractive, charismatic, vibrant, confident and always on the go. Here he is on the beach after a swim in the heavenly waters of Lanikai.

On the Today Show

2011-11-15T13:02:00.000-08:00

We were on to the super scented towelettes from Herban Essentials years before the
Today Show, which showed them yesterday in a must-haves in your make up travel kit
section.

Sorry, we don't have them online, but if you're in Hawai`i, or live here, visit the
store to get this great product.

Lanikai Bath and Body is located at 600 Kailua Road, in the Kailua Shopping Center.

Local News Anchor Says Our Bodies Are Like Soap

2011-11-10T13:54:00.000-08:00

Local news anchor Joe Moore always has a "Did you Know?" bon mot at the end of his
newscasts. A couple of nights ago he said "Did you know our bodies are like soap because they wear away over time?"

Not one of his bests... but lucky for us, you can always choose from more than a dozen
fresh scents of handmade soap at Lanikai Bath and Body. Fresh Pineapple, shown here, is just part of a big family.

Welcome Stephanie

2011-11-10T13:39:00.000-08:00

Our newest Soap Fairy, Stephanie, has come home to Hawai`i to help us at Lanikai Bath and Body -- and just in time for the Christmas rush.

If you come into the store, say hi to Stephanie. And if you order online, please know that Stephanie will be one of the Soap Fairies handling your special order with special care.

Lanikai Bath and Body is so glad to have Stephanie "on board!"

Getting Naupaka Butter Ready

2011-11-10T13:37:00.000-08:00

Getting Naupaka Butter ready for our customers is a special task. We make sure that each and every jar is light and luscious, smoothing and friendly -- especially to winter skin.

Let Lanikai Bath and Body love your body... with Naupaka Body Butter!

Jack The Cat Smelled Like A Pineapple

2011-11-10T13:35:00.000-08:00

After his owner gave him a bath with Lanikai Bath and Body's pineapple hand soap.

He smelled delicious!

Belated Happy Halloween from Hawai`i

2011-11-01T14:43:00.000-07:00

From Paloma, Lily, Lilikoi and the very scary Jack-ula!

She Thinks She's in Hawai`i

2011-11-01T14:38:00.001-07:00

First storm of 2011. This stunt may lose its charm, and she will be on her way to
Hawai`i Nei.

There's Plenty to "Test"

2011-11-01T14:28:00.000-07:00

Lanikai Bath and Body is full of beautiful scents --- in all different shapes and sizes.

These particular customers are "testing" our candles and solid perfumes.

We wish we could add a scent to our blog ... but we can't ... so trust our many customers...whatever you want we probably have it. Especially when it comes to authentic Hawai`i memory makers!

Thank You, Carky!

2011-11-01T14:20:00.000-07:00

Carky Ainlay is one of our favorite friends, one of our favorite realtors, and one of our best customers.

Even though she's had our back since we opened in 2005, she still takes the time to send us a "good for you" note once in a while.

Just got this email from her:
Just wanted to let you know that a friend gave me your Tahitian
Gardenia body lotion which I have been using recently and since then
I have had 3 strangers and 1 friend stop me and ask me what my
perfume is.....I can't smell myself but I guess I must smell pretty good!!
Kudos to you guys.

If you want a great realtor, call Carky's firm HomeQuest. If you want great Tahitian Gardenia lotion, call Lanikai Bath and Body!

Thanks to Carky and to all our loyal customers.

Lanikai Baby In a Tide Pool

2011-10-27T15:39:00.000-07:00

Just had to share this one. The weather here in Hawai`i is lovely; for some reason October has been the warmest month for years.

We're hoping that the folks who are not in Hawai`i have an easy winter, and we're standing by to send you the scents of Hawai`i -- whatever your hearts desire...

Lanikai Baby

2011-10-24T16:00:00.000-07:00

Just had to share a picture of my adorable granddaughter Kiana who will be two in
December.

She is, as my father would have said, "a going concern" --- full of life and very interested in the life around her.

Here's to grandchildren, and children, who make our lives worthwhile!

For Anyone Who Loves Hawai`i

2011-10-24T15:47:00.001-07:00

In Unfamiliar Fishes, NPR's Sarah Vowell has written a remarkable and very readable comprehensive, but short history of Hawai`i's road to become the 50th State.

Her research is thorough, and her appreciation of the bittersweet place that is our Hawai`i is extraordinary.

You can't "look inside" here, but you can on Amazon, where Unfamiliar Fishes has received many positive reviews, for its accuracy.

Soap Soldiers

2011-10-24T15:37:00.000-07:00

You know about our Soap Fairies, and this is a picture of our "Soap Soldiers".

Lined up neatly, they are plentiful and ready for the holidays -- kitchen sinks and guest bathrooms -- and they come in a variety of scents that will remind you of Hawai`i Nei.

We Have Sanitizers!

2011-10-24T15:32:00.000-07:00

Lanikai Bath and Body Soap Fairies Mandi and Lia are showing off our perfectly purse-sized hand sanitizers. They meet the TSC guidelines, and leave plenty of room for other things you absolutely need to carry.

Our hand sanitizers are natural, and they come in a variety of wonderful scents.

Arrigato!

2011-10-24T15:21:00.000-07:00

Brook snapped these beauties outside Lanikai Juice, carrying their purchases from
Lanikai Bath and Body.

Like all of our customers, we thank them, we thank you, and we hope you love our Lanikai Bath and Body products as much as we do.

Mahalo Nui Loa!

Elizabeth Warren Is Today's Greatest Woman in the World

2011-10-18T13:49:00.000-07:00

If you don't know who Elizabeth Warren is, you should! She is running for Senator in Massachusetts, after much persuasion from many supporters.

She is the person responsible for our having a Consumer Protection Agency. For all of her hard work on it, she isn't running it because her nomination would have been blocked by congress.

From her website: Elizabeth Warren says she “came up the hard way…out of a hard-working middle class family in an America that created opportunities for kids like me.” She has made her life’s work fighting for middle class families. The Boston Globe calls her “… the plainspoken voice of people getting crushed by so many predatory lenders and under regulated banks.” TIME magazine has called her a “New Sheriff of Wall Street” and has twice included her among America’s 100 most influential people. She’s taken on big banks and financial institutions to win historic new financial protections for middle class families.

Learn about her! Help her if you can! And if you live in Massachsetts, be sure to vote for her.

A good Way to "Occupy Wall Street"

2011-10-17T14:28:00.001-07:00

We found this on facebook and couldn't resist sharing it with you.

As a small business, it means a lot to us that our customers are loyal and supportive.
We really appreciate you, and want you to know how grateful we are for your business!

Aloha Nui Loa from everyone at Lanikai Bath and Body!

Lanikai Scrub is Ready for You!

2011-10-17T14:27:00.001-07:00

We can't wait for you to try it!

Let's Make Lanikai Sugar Scrub!

2011-10-17T14:24:00.000-07:00

As you know, our products are Made in Hawai`i -- Naturally!

Here's a pic of some of our yummy Lanikai Bath and Body sugar scrub "in the mix".
The finished product will make you feel silky and smooth.

Random Birthday Celebration

2011-10-17T14:13:00.001-07:00

Tori, one of our funniest Soap Fairies (they are all clever and beautiful), is at the University of Chicago, but will be back for Christmas to help us out.

In the meantime, on Gloria's birthday, she sent her this random photo of students in a University of Chicago classroom -- snapped a couple of weeks ago --- with birthday hats on.

Next Step for the Soap

2011-10-17T14:04:00.000-07:00

In this photo, we've cut the soap ... next step is for the Soap Fairies to hand wrap it, and tie it with raffia ... and the soap will be ready for you!

Lanikai Bath and Body's soap is definitely soapalicious!

Getting The Soap Ready for You

2011-10-17T14:01:00.000-07:00

Here's a great picture of Lanikai Bath and Body's tropical soap before it gets cut and
wrapped for you!

Soap Fairy Has Two Jobs

2011-10-17T13:58:00.000-07:00

Lanikai Bath and Body Soap Fairy Kelsey has a second job as place kicker for the Iolani Varsity football team.

Here she is in her uniform, in that football pose that makes you swoon.

We are so proud of her!

We're Gonna Miss Alana!

2011-10-08T14:31:00.000-07:00

Lanikai Bath and Body and all the Soap Fairies are heartbroken to hear that Alana is going to move to Alaska! Of all places, we would have never guessed Alaska for this lovely island girl who was a champion high school volleyplayer, a dynamite surfer, and an all around Hawai`i kine kid.

She is evidently going to work in a restaurant with a Hawaiian theme, so we're guessing
a lot of pretending will be going on there ... Alana's last day at the store is Thursday ... if you have a minute stop by and say "Aloha"...

And Alana, please remember, you can always come back to Lanikai Bath and Body and your home in Hawai`i. Naturally!

LANIKAI LOVES ROBIN CLARK

2011-09-30T14:12:00.000-07:00

One of our very best customers --- maybe even the best --- is Robin Clark from Warsaw,Indiana. Although she has never been to Hawai`i, she discovered Lanikai Bath and Body online and has been super supportive ever since!

Warsaw sounds really cool. I went on the city's website and tried to swipe a photo but they are all copyrighted. So this photo is, believe it or not, The Holiday Inn Express in Warsaw. Warsaw is in Northern Indiana and it has four (4!) lakes.

Big Big Aloha Nui Loa to Robin, who sent us this note the other day:

... I should be THANKING YOU for making such a wonderful, wonderful product!! My little scent of Hawaii each and every morning! ( altho, I have never visited. It will definitely have to be put on "my bucket list"! :) Maybe I'll get there someday. ) I must tell you something... my husband uses this lotion also. He owns his own business. He is a diesel truck mechanic. Before Lanikai lotions his hands were all rough and dry. Since he has started using your products his hand are now soft, and no longer dry. No more greasy ( other brand name products ) for us!! Lanikai all the way for us. It is well worth the wait in shipping. Everything is always packaged so nice when the box arrives! I'm totally excited every time the postman delivers my box! So... THANK YOU!! and to all of your WONDERFUL little soap fairies!!

Pining for Pineapple?

2011-09-29T16:45:00.000-07:00

There's nothing like sweet and delicious pineapple, grown in the fields of Hawai`i.

Except, perhaps, Lanikai's pineapple collection --- including clear, glycerin Pineapple Soap and Pineapple Coconut lotion.

When you're pining for Pineapple, Lanikai Bath and Body can help!

Of Many Gardenias...

2011-09-29T16:39:00.000-07:00

Ours is Tahitian Gardenia. Most of us are familiar with the delicate "Gardenia" Gardenia ... the one that appears briefly and brings its special scent to brighten our lives.

In Hawai`i we have many kinds of gardenia, including Pin Wheel Gardenia and Tahitian
Gardenia. Although delicate and sweet smelling the Pin Wheel and Tahitian Gardenias
seem more plentiful and are willing to stay around a bit longer...

Their scent is as beautiful, and incredibly similar to the "Gardenia" Gardenia ...
And you can order our Tahitian Gardenia any time of year!

Missing That Sweet Scent of Summer?

2011-09-29T16:35:00.000-07:00

With Labor Day long gone, Halloween approaching and the Holiday Season just around the corner, we see that the mainland is getting colder weather; we hear from friends it is raining like crazy.

If you're missing summer, may we suggest Mango Coconut? Our popular Mango Coconut collection includes lotion, wash, butter, salts and shampoo! The scent will remind you of summer, we guarantee!

Hawai'i's Favorite Flower

2011-09-29T16:31:00.000-07:00

Hawai'i's favorite flower is Plumeria. Or, at least we think it is.

Plumeria trees dot the island, and when local folks make their own lei to take to the airport or a party, it's usually Plumeria.

Plumeria is fragrant and beautiful. It comes in many colors, the most popular -- or most abundant are the yellow flowers.

At Lanikai Bath and Body, we worked hard to get our Plumeria scent just right. After all, it's made in Hawai`i. Naturally.

Lanikai Loves...

2011-09-29T16:21:00.000-07:00

This could be about Pohaku, but it's not ... it's about a young man who is strong like stone ...

Kennedy Tulimasealii. He's got a story that's almost as good as Michael Oher's (The Blind Side) -- big difference, his birth family is great, like Michael Oher's
adoptive family.

Kennedy is a junior at Waianae High School, and he is a defensive linebacker on their football team. The NFL has already taken notice of him, and at the Nike 2011 combine, opinion makers said he would make a great slotback or noseguard for any team.

Why do we think he is so great? He embodies the spirit of Aloha -- every time he tackles someone, he picks them up. Even though his coach tells him not to do it, he can't stop himself. Knock 'em down, pick 'em up.

As long as he doesn't get injured, we predict you'll see him in the NFL -- knocking 'em down, and picking them up.

Temperature Below Normal?

2011-09-19T19:44:00.000-07:00

We've noticed on the weather maps that there are below-normal temperatures in several of our favorite mainland locales.

Does this mean an early winter? Time to stock up on Lanikai Body Butters. They soothe dry skin and the beautiful scents will take you back ... to Hawai`i.

Do The Hula in Your Shower

2011-09-04T12:51:00.000-07:00

Our glycerin based Hula Soap smells oh so delicious -- and makes your skin soft and squeeky clean all at once. Sing a chorus of Little Grass Shack and dream of Hawai`i
Nei!

Welcome New Soap Fairies

2011-08-29T13:54:00.000-07:00

At Sunday's shift change, Brook snapped a pick of four Soap Fairies.

From left to right: Lia, Tori, Patty and Carly.

Welcome to both Patty and Carly, our newest Soap Fairies.

P.S. and a special aloha to Tori, who is leaving for the University of Chicago shortly. The best thing about Christmas for us is welcoming back Soap Fairies like Tori, who return from college to help us in our busiest season.

Soap Fairy Is Football Star

2011-08-29T13:52:00.000-07:00

No Kidding. Petite Kelsey, one of our weekend soap fairies is a soccer standout.

So she tried out as a kicker for her school's football team. And she got on the team.

Who says women and girls can't do everything they want: a soap fairy and a kicker,
wrapped up in one!

Choosing Naupaka...

2011-08-26T16:37:00.000-07:00

Chosing Naupaka for our logo was simple: beach naupaka, the beautiful half flower with the luscious green leaves (they are fat ..a Hawaiian jade plant) that line the high water marks of our beaches make a beautiful frame for soft white sand and blue blue ocean.

Beach Naupaka apparently grows elsewhere in the world, but its other half, the mountain Naupaka, is only found in Hawai`i.

We also named one of our favorite products Naupaka -- coconut lime verbena -- as a tribute to, and a way to reunite the lovers who were torn apart by a disapproving father -- sending his daughter to live at the beach, and her lover to live in the mountains...

Buddha Surf

2011-08-22T19:37:00.000-07:00

My husband's allergies have gone completely berserk, and the wonderful scented lotions from our store drive him crazy. So I've started using Buddha Surf, our unzented lotion.

It is really fabulous, and of course, now he has to blame his allegies on something else. With Buddha Surf by my bedside, I can take care of my weary face as well as my body.

Another benefit: When my husband leaves the house I can put on a favorite perfume
that doesn't fight with my new-favorite lotion.

Enjoy Those Inevitable Rolling Blackouts...

2011-08-03T19:51:00.000-07:00

That will come with overloaded electrical lines in the heat of the summer.
Your air conditioning will break down, too, making matters worse...

Address the problems, including the errant smells, by having a fresh supply of Lanikai Bath and Body candles on hand. The glow will make you smile, and the scent will remind you of Hawai`i, until they turn the lights back on...

Order them in bulk at Lanikai Bath and Body.

We'll Tell You A Secret

2011-07-28T14:36:00.000-07:00

You can get to our site two ways:
1. www,lanikaibathandbody.com
2. www.lanikai.com

Weather is Here; Wish You Were Too

2011-07-28T14:28:00.000-07:00

To all of our mainland friends and family, and the many new friends we have made through www.lanikaibathandbody.com, we wish you were here in Hawa`i to enjoy the summer.

My sister in New Hampshire said the ocean was good at an excrable 67 degrees. Here, our ocean is in the low-middle 70s year around. Our pools heat up to 80 something in the summer and our thermometer rarely hits 90 degrees. I don't want to press my luck by telling you this, I just want to let you know how grateful we all are to live in beautiful Hawai`i (Hawai`i Nei).

Gorgeous Sherry Luttrell, pictured here, is not currently in Hawai`i, but this picture of her captures the spirit, and we want to share it with you. Stay cool.

Slaps For Work

2011-07-28T14:19:00.000-07:00

Whatever you call them: slaps,flip flops, slippers, slippahs, go aheads, sandals yadayadayada, there is some concern on the mainland that casual wear this summer has devolved to worker wearing these wonderful inventions when they go to work.

With 106 degree temperatures who can blame them? In Hawai`i, slaps or slippahs draw little notice because practically everyone wears them, everywhere. We would go barefoot if we could.

At the President's alma mater, kids can still go to school in bare sfeet until sixth grade.

We have enshrined the slippah in our wonderful slippah soaps -- great for guests: they won't want to use them, but they will steal them.

Nothing Better Than Fresh Pineapple

2011-07-28T14:15:00.000-07:00

And if you can't find it, you can always find Lanikai Bath and Body's Pineapple-Coconut lotion and wash, our Pineapple Loofah Soap, and our Pineapple glycerin soap--
They all have terrific scents and will refresh you in the summer's heat.

If You're Going To See Your Congressman

2011-07-28T14:08:00.001-07:00

You will need plenty of hand sanitizer. You may have to shake his/her outstretched palm -- don't give them any money -- and then you will need to make haste with the hand sanitizer.

We make it easy for you, with travel sized sanitizers in your favorite tropical scent. You can keep them right in your pocket, or your purse. It's not just the atmosphere that is full of hot air there, and you don't want to get their cooties.

(This is a non-partisan message that is not necessarily endorsed by the owners of Lanikai Bath and Body. However, the hand sanitizers get a hearty thumbs up!)

There Must be A Lot of Hot Dogs This Summer

2011-07-28T14:04:00.000-07:00

Because Poi Dog, Lanikai Bath and Body's signature Island Mango dog shampoo, is jumping off the shelves.

Keep your little barker fresh and feeling clean with Poi Dog this summer!

Summer is Beautiful Here

2011-07-26T13:32:00.000-07:00

We are lucky we live Hawai`i, as the saying goes.

And we are distressed to see that the mainland temps have hit egregious, record-breaking highs. Good to see the people breaking open fire hydrants.

Heat is here but bearable, definitely. We have a neighbor down the street who sits on her front lawn in a baby pool with her one or two year old, she dressed in a bikini eating a sandwich. It's killer to spot --- but why not the beach?

One possible way to cool down is our Puakenikeni spray lotion, a light touch of the very best scent grown on Hawai`i's island trees.

To our mainland friends, we hope the weather improves -- and soon!

Super Summer Scent

2011-07-07T14:08:00.000-07:00

Whether in the form of a candle or a lotion, a bath salt or a wash, or an amazingly sweet scrub, Tahitian Gardenia from Lanikai Bath and Body is the perfect, super, summer scent.

Happy Fourth of July

2011-07-04T15:50:00.000-07:00

from everyone at Lanikai Bath and Body.

Aloha Nui Loa.

Happy Fourth of July (coming up)

2011-06-30T16:19:00.000-07:00

God Bless You.
God Bless America.
God Bless the planet.
God Bless the universe.
God Bless everything.

Peace on Earth.

Yes, We Have Our Own Flag

2011-06-30T16:15:00.000-07:00

And our own anthem:

Hawai`i Pono`i
Nana i kou mo `i
Kalani ali`i ke ali`i

Makua lani e
Kamehameha e
Na Kaua e pale
Me ka ihe.

Translation:
Hawa`i's own true sons/ Be loyal to your chief/ your country's liege and lord, the chief
Royal father/Kamehameha/who defended in war/ with spears.

Elin Loves Her Silver Rattle

2011-06-30T16:10:00.000-07:00

Halley and Kiana Hamming It Up

2011-06-30T16:08:00.000-07:00

Is this adorable or what!

More New T-shirts

2011-06-30T13:50:00.000-07:00

We have more new light weight summery T's in, including the Lanikai/Naupaka and the Peace.Love.Lanikai designs. We also have a new batch of the T's with the mokuluas
and our logo.

Hope everyone is having a great summer, now that it is officially on!

Soaps, Not Turtles, March to the Sea

2011-06-29T10:26:00.000-07:00

If you watch much National Geographic or Animal Planet, you have probably seen baby turtles hatching and rushing to the shore, tumbling over one another.

In this picture, our soaps have the baby turtle effect, but they are a bit more orderly. Seen at the ocean's edge, our coldpressed, handmade soaps are as fresh as
the ocean air and as sweet as the flowers on the trees nearby.

Sometimes I Feel Like A Nut

2011-06-29T10:23:00.000-07:00

But today I feel like Pineapple! Our Pineapple Coconut lotion is sweet and clean,
yummy and refreshing.

And, BTW, it has a nut in it -- at least nut oil from the kukui nut and the macadamia nut, too.

Doug Gets His Officer's Bars

2011-06-29T10:20:00.001-07:00

You've seen him before on this website, and we think this is something worth crowing about.

Brook's son Doug is finishing Officer Candidate School, he's all suited up, and he
was made Executive Officer of his Battalion. Not bad for a little boy from Hawai`i!!

This picture is not in Kailua, but in Newport, Rhode Island, one of the world's other really nice places.

What they don't have in Newport is Lanikai Bath and Body. But, for the time being, they do have Doug.

Thanks To Hawaii Forest Site

2011-06-24T17:34:00.000-07:00

The Mountain Naupaka of Hawaii
Posted: May 8, 2009

One of the more curious things to see along Hawaii’s trails are the odd “half-flowers” of mountain naupaka or “naupaka kuahiwi” in Hawaiian. While naupaka blossoms are not incomplete, they appear to be only half a flower because all the petals are on one side. So distinctive are these “half-flowers” that several Hawaiian legends exist that account for their unusual appearance.

Mountain naupaka evolved from beach naupaka. Beach naupaka is indigenous to Hawaii and throughout the tropical and subtropical zones of the Pacific and Indian Oceans — it has buoyant white seeds that can float on the ocean to reach distant shores. Mountain naupaka on the other hand, is endemic to Hawaii – all 6 species of are found no where else in the world and trace their origin to beach naupaka.

(photo is by Nathan Yuen)

Our Heavenly Lady

2011-06-24T15:16:00.001-07:00

Our heavenly Lanikai lady surfs forever in her bathtub off the coast of super white
silky sandy Lanikai Beach. Who wouldn't loll in an ocean that is usually calm and in the 70's (farenheit) year round?

These days, kayaks pass by and folks on paddleboards, making their way to the Mokuluas, the famous twin islands that provide an unmatched view for sunbums basking on the shore.

It's the feeling she captures that fills our Lanikai Bath and Body store in Kailua, and imbues our handmade products, from light and lovely lotions, delicious body butters, shampoos, soaps (with or without loofah, cold pressed or glycerin), scrubs and salts.

We hope you will stop by when you are on O`ahu -- Kailua is worth a special trip -- and remember that we are open 24/7 online.

Mango Cocnut Smells Like Summer

2011-06-24T15:09:00.000-07:00

Our Mango Coconut collection, with lotion, shampoo, wash, conditioner, scrub, butter and salts smells exactly like summer.

That's because the hint of coconut brings old fashioned suntan lotion to mind, and the mango scent brings it to a more sophisticated, smooth and soothing scent.

Like all of our other collections, Mango Cocnut is full of everything good for your skin, including healing Hawaiian macadamia nut oil, kukui nut oil and noni.

(shown here is a travel-size foursome).

Naupaka: We Put the Lime in the Coconut

2011-06-24T15:04:00.000-07:00

We put the lime in the coconut to create not a drink, but a special lotion that has broad appeal to both men and women.

We named it after the Naupaka flower which holds a special place in Hawaiian legend,
signifying lovers separated by an angry father, never to be together again.

We bring the two halves of the naupaka flower (one growing at the beach, and one in the mountains) together in this wonderful fresh scent.

Our Naupaka collection includes lotion, wash, shampoo, massage oil, butter, scrub
and salts.

And it is perfect for summer in Hawai`i, or anywhere.

Pohaku means Stone

2011-06-17T19:48:00.000-07:00

It also means Lanikai Bath and Body's wonderful line for men: sandalwood vanilla scented Pohaku Shampoo, Pohaku Toner, Pohaku Body Wash and Pohaku Lotion.

Men aren't the only ones who love this scent, but we created it with men, and Dads, particularly in mind.

We Love to make people happy with our Lanikai Bath and Body collection of wonderful
scents. Your Dad will love Pohaku. If he's not a scent guy, try Buddha Surf, our line of "Unzented" products...

Happy Father's Day from the Soap Fairies at Lanikai Bath and Body.

An Aqua Velva Man

2011-06-17T16:35:00.000-07:00

If my Dad were alive today, I'd give him Pohaku toner for Father's Day. And he might use it, because it's from our store and because he'd be proud of me for having a store in the first place.

But then again, he might not. Not because it's not a great product, but because my Dad was an Aqua Velva Man.

According to Wikipedia, Williams' Aqua Velva originally began as an alcohol-based aftershave for men but has since expanded into a full line of men's grooming products marketed worldwide by Combe Incorporated. Aqua Velva products include classic Ice Blue, Ice Sport, Musk, and new Ice Balm aftershave. You probably wouldn't find my Dad buying any of the new products produced by Combe Incorporated. Just Aqua Velva.

My parents were big on cleanliness, but not much on added scents, like we are today. Mother used Jergens lotion, as I have said before, because of Elizabeth Taylor, and her only foray into the world of cosmetic smells was Elizabeth Arden's Bluegrass Lotion. Dad, on the other hand, was a soap and water, and aqua velva, man.

His morning routine, which I watched as a child (perched on the toilet seat) included an electric shave, his razor plugged into the wall (no fancy chargers in the 50s), and then a brisk slap-pat of his face with Aqua Velva. All of this was done under a sun lamp, which I think was the reason behind the whole routine in the first place (he had to have something to do while standing under the sun lamp). He was shirtless, fresh from the shower, and in jockey shorts.

This routine lasted into his 80s, and he always had the most beautiful tan. By then, the medical world was warning us about sun lamps, but nothing deterred my Dad. Not the least bit vain about the way he smelled, but perhaps just a bit about the way he looked.

(BTW, our Pohaku line for men is terrific!) And Happy Father's Day to one and all!!!

June 11th is The Annual Kamehameha Day Parade

2011-06-10T12:26:00.000-07:00

On June 11th, we honor King Kamehameha the Great, with a parade through Waikiki.

Its definitely worth seeing and it is also lived streamed on the K-5 ("the home team")internet site.

Today we honor the great King who united the islands by draping his statue with lei,
both here on O`ahu in front of Ali`iolani Hale (the Judiciary Building), and in Hilo and,I believe, in the rotunda statuary hall in the Nation's Capitol -- and it is quite beautiful to see. The handmade flower lei (many of them Plumeria) are 18 feet in length.

Aloha to you all from Hawai`i Nei and Lanikai Bath and Body.

Candles As Pretty as a Painting

2011-06-08T16:15:00.001-07:00

Our Lanikai Moon candles are the absolute best. Shown here is Tahitian Gardenia.

Beautiful Day at Lanikai.

2011-06-07T10:16:00.001-07:00

OMG! I Graduated!

2011-06-06T13:21:00.000-07:00

This picture of Veronica with her face covered was taken at our Christmas party.

Even so, we want to share that not one, not two, but three of the soap fairies graduated this year: Sami, Veronica and Tori are set for college -- offshore we are guessing. We know for sure that Tori is going to the University of Chicago.

On top of that, Emily has finished her junior year at Manhattanville, Lia is studying psychology, Halley is going to UH this fall to get her MEd, Alana is home but going back to college in the fall. We're a highly educated bunch --- and our soap fairies, I don't mind saying, are all beautiful inside and out.