Angry Woebot x In4mation collab at new store

Nadine Kam photos
Angry Woebot creator Aaron Martin, a k a “Woes Martin,” worked on his latest panda sculpture during a preview event in advance of the Nov. 6 grand opening of In4mation's newest store at Ala Moana Center.

BY NADINE KAM

In4mation will open its newest store at 9:30 a.m. Friday at Ala Moana Center, marking the occasion with an art piece presentation by Angry Woebots creator Aaron Martin, aka Woes Martin.

Shoppers will be able to purchase limited releases of Woes x in4mation graphic T-shirts and snapback hats at the new location, which will house a wide range of men’s and women’s street apparel, accessories and shoes, from brands such as Stussy, Undefeated, Benny Gold, Huf, Moon Collective, Lightsleepers Hawaii and more.

Guests at the preview event were able to enjoy too-pretty-to-eat handcrafted and food coloring-painted cupcakes by Jaime Shibuya. Gotta love those intricately painted snapback hats!

Limited release Woes x in4mation graphic T-shirts are $30, the snapback hats are $40 and skate decks are $60.

Melissa Aykroid models one of in4mation’s hats.

In4mation skateboard decks form part of the store’s above-counter decor.

In4mation was founded in 2002 by Jun Jo, Ryan Arakaki, Todd Shimabuku and Keith Kanagusuku, who run three other stores at Pearlridge Center, on Nuuanu Avenue, and HNRS Las Vegas.

In today’s Star-Advertiser print edition, you’ll see my story on the company’s early years, when the partners were able to move their business from a small space in Mililani into higher profile Ward Warehouse, thanks to Arakaki’s grandmother Florence Tokuda, who put up her Kalihi home as collateral for a business loan in 2006.

Tokuda died on Sept. 22, before the Ala Moana store’s opening, but with the satisfaction of knowing her role in helping the business grow. Arakaki was able to repay the loan in two year’s time, and the new store is dedicated in her honor.

For more information about in4mation, visit in4mants.com.

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Nadine Kam is Style Editor and staff restaurant critic at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; her coverage is in print on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact her via email at nkam@staradvertiser.com and follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Rebel Mouse.

Art + Flea expands with MORI, at Ward Warehouse

Nadine Kam photos
Artist Remi Mead was painting on the spot at the grand opening of MORI by Art + Flea.

After four years of growth, monthly nomadic urban market Art + Flea has expanded to include a permanent retail/workshop/experimental space at Ward Village’s Ward Warehouse.

Nov. 29, also Small Business Saturday, was grand opening day for the boutique, featuring gifts, apparel, art and other handmade conversation pieces created by local creatives.

Art + Flea and MORI visionary Aly Ishikuni, second from left, with designer Matt Bruening, left, Momoko Metzger and Desmond Centro, who dropped by to support the new endeavor.

Art + Flea co-founder and MORI creator Aly Ishikuni considers the space the next step in the evolution of the unique shopping experience. The space currently highlights the work of Pow Pow, Remi Mead, Topia, Soriya Swim, Yireh, Claymore Minds, Fancy Action, Secret Record Store, Adventure Fun Club, Pixel Papel, Luna Amante, Honhi Hawaii, and Mistprint, along with art installations by Matt Honda, Kamran Samimi, and Chusak Majarone.

Artists and vendors will be rotated in and out to offer more opportunity to Art + Flea members. Ishikuni also envisions it as a social space where people will be able to come together for performances, food events and workshops. Keep up to date at www.artandflea.com
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MORI by Art + Flea is in Ward Warehouse, near TheFaceShop. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.

The MORI by Art + Flea interior.

Made in Hawaii.

Art installations shared the space with local, handcrafted retail merchandise.

Jewelry by Honhi Hawaii’s Melyssa Davan-Takenouchi kept under glass at MORI by Art + Flea.

Work by Fancy Action. Sorry, I couldn’t resist strategically positioning the spot of glare that is not actually part of the artwork.

Sweet bites were also a part of the grand opening, and Ishikuni aims to introduce new food items and purveyors from time to time.

One section devoted to Remi Mead’s work.

POW WOW: White knights for the arts at 'Blank Canvas'

Nadine Kam photos
Blank Canvas committee member Anna Meng, right, with, from left, Reg Worthley, Eve Shere, Kathy Inouye and Myles Inouye.

Hundreds were willing to flout the old fashion rule about never wearing white after Labor Day in support of POW WOW Hawaii's "Blank Canvas" fundraiser that took place Oct. 6 at The Warehouse, at 683 Auahi St.

The evening of art and cuisine included food served up by Mark Noguchi, Whole Foods Market, Whole Ox's Robert McGee, Daniel Anthony, and others, as guests dressed in white dropped off white T-shirts to be worked on by artists Matt and Roxy Ortiz, Kamea Hadar, Jeffrey Gress, Jasper Wong and Cade Roster.

POW WOW Hawaii is a group of contemporary artists committed to community enrichment through art outreach programs. You may have driven past the many Kaka'ako murals painted by artists from all over the world, organized by POW WOW members.

The organization has also partnered with likeminded 808 Urban to go into schools as advocates of art as expression, speaking to youths at risk because they have no outlet for their energy and creativity.

I wasnn't able to stay long, and missed the evening's highlight speed-painting event, which had the artist's creating a giant mural of Marilyn Monroe's face on the building's back wall. We didn't know what they would be creating, and MM made an intriguing choice!

For more information, visit http://powwowhawaii.com

Mike Hogan with his white accessory, Kea.

Artists Matt and Roxy Ortiz at work on event tees.

Anne Namba took a break from her fashion biz to worked on the Blank Canvas committee in support of her nephew, artist Kamea Hadar.

Carole Hayashino, president and executive director of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i, said she typically dresses in black, and had to pull together every white piece she owns just for the event. I told her she should wear white more often.

Cade Roster works behind a display of one of his finished shirts.

Playthings at Fishcake will color your world

Nadine Kam photo
One of my new "toys."

I wasn't thinking about spring brights when I walked into Fishcake before Christmas, but I thought this wwhereit Pikachu bracelet was adorable, so picked it up for $45. Turns out it has all the bright orange, yellow and greens of the coming season.

And, there's a lot more to see. The Kakaako gallery is winding up its "Toy Show," where dozens of minature works by local artists are based on the theme of play. The show features everything from tabletop sculptures to a pirate ship stuffed with handmade plush animals by Mimi Wisnosky.

The show ends Saturday. See it if you can.
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Fishcake is at 307-C Kamani St. in Kakaako. Call 593-1231.

More wwhereit stretch bracelets, including one made with toy cars.

One of Mimi Wisnosky's pirate animals.