Our Favorite Things
We all have our favorite things – whether it’s in your closet, on a bookshelf, in your CD player or simply something you just can’t live without. Still Christmas shopping? We asked some of our favorite celebrities what their favorite things are, resulting in a great list of gift ideas. Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season filled with love, laughter and, what the heck, some amazing gifts too!
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Brian Yang
Actor who plays the role of Charlie Fong on Hawaii Five-0
FAVORITE ITEM IN YOUR CLOSET Aside from one of the aloha shirts I'm always wearing in the show? It's probably one of the T-shirts I have from Epic Props (www.epicprops.com/menstees.php). I'm a T-shirt and jeans (shorts) kind of guy, usually. Their shirts are comfortable, creative and usually pay homage to something that warrants a comment by someone on the street. The one I'm wearing right now says Be Like Water. Bonus points to anyone who can guess where that's from.
FAVORITE ACCESSORY I'm loving my ties right now from a line called Bo - a line that's based out of New York City. Bo's ties are hip and fashion-forward, and this skinny plaid tie I have from him is one I love wearing right now. I picked it up in NYC at a boutique shop, but anyone can order online off their website (www.boclothing.com) and they deliver to your door, even to Hawaii!
FAVORITE BEAUTY PRODUCT Anything by Kiehl's is great, and recently for my birthday my friend who works in the industry gifted me a ton of stuff, from which I'm really liking the facial fuel. Gotta wash the face at the end of the day, that's a must.
FAVORITE BOOK I love this author Ed Lin and his latest, One Red Bastard, continues to cement him as one of the best storytellers I've ever come across.
FAVORITE CD My Hall & Oates Greatest Hits album. I worship the ground they sing on. Seen them 30-plus times. No joke.
FAVORITE DVD Don't let the title fool you. Pick up the DVD of the movie The People I've Slept With off of Amazon. A fun rom-com with an edgy twist! Randall Park may be the funniest man out there right now.
SOMETHING YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT If you travel a lot like I do, especially internationally, how can one live without a Slingbox? One of the greatest pieces of technology ever invented.
WHAT ONE THING DO YOU OWN THAT YOU THINK EVERYONE IN THIS WORLD SHOULD HAVE? Everyone really should have a Skunklight flashlight (skunklights.com). I'm from NYC, where I just experienced Hurricane Sandy firsthand, and oddly enough, a couple days before it, there was a tsunami warning here in Hawaii that I also was in the middle of. You never know when Mother Nature will unleash on you, so having a Skunklight on your keychain or by your side always will at least take care of needing light in the dark. It uses cutting-edge LED lights, and so they're the most powerful flashlights I've ever seen, and yet they're tiny enough to be totally easy to carry around. Let your inner Boy Scout out and get one.
Photo courtesy Brian Yang
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Anuhea Jenkins
Musician
FAVORITE ITEM IN YOUR CLOSET Probably just a basic fedora… for stage or play. I also love my Missing Polynesia dresses! It fits my body type and has beautiful island flair.
FAVORITE ACCESSORY My long silver chain Tahitian pearl necklace with my name engraved on the black pearl. It was a gift from Cheeky Jewelry. It elongates my torso (or so I like to think) and matches any outfit!
FAVORITE BEAUTY PRODUCT Olay facial moisturizer… before bed and before makeup. Also, my lash extensions from Mimo Beauty! No need makeup when you got beautiful long lashes.
FAVORITE CD Jack Johnson Brushfire Fairytales.
FAVORITE DVD Anchorman.
SOMETHING YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT Water.
WHAT ONE THING DO YOU OWN THAT YOU THINK EVERYONE IN THIS WORLD SHOULD HAVE? A MacBook laptop computer. It keeps you in the loop of this day and age, and has easy-to-use programs like iMovie and Garageband that can help you be creative.
Photo courtesy Anuhea Jenkins
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Brian Yang
Actor who plays the role of Charlie Fong on Hawaii Five-0
FAVORITE ITEM IN YOUR CLOSET Aside from one of the aloha shirts I’m always wearing in the show? It’s probably one of the T-shirts I have from Epic Props (www.epicprops.com/menstees.php). I’m a T-shirt and jeans (shorts) kind of guy, usually. Their shirts are comfortable, creative and usually pay homage to something that warrants a comment by someone on the street. The one I’m wearing right now says Be Like Water. Bonus points to anyone who can guess where that’s from.
FAVORITE ACCESSORY I’m loving my ties right now from a line called Bo – a line that’s based out of New York City. Bo’s ties are hip and fashion-forward, and this skinny plaid tie I have from him is one I love wearing right now. I picked it up in NYC at a boutique shop, but anyone can order online off their website (www.boclothing.com) and they deliver to your door, even to Hawaii!
FAVORITE BEAUTY PRODUCT Anything by Kiehl’s is great, and recently for my birthday my friend who works in the industry gifted me a ton of stuff, from which I’m really liking the facial fuel. Gotta wash the face at the end of the day, that’s a must.
FAVORITE BOOK I love this author Ed Lin and his latest, One Red Bastard, continues to cement him as one of the best storytellers I’ve ever come across.
FAVORITE CD My Hall & Oates Greatest Hits album. I worship the ground they sing on. Seen them 30-plus times. No joke.
FAVORITE DVD Don’t let the title fool you. Pick up the DVD of the movie The People I’ve Slept With off of Amazon. A fun rom-com with an edgy twist! Randall Park may be the funniest man out there right now.
SOMETHING YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT If you travel a lot like I do, especially internationally, how can one live without a Slingbox? One of the greatest pieces of technology ever invented.
WHAT ONE THING DO YOU OWN THAT YOU THINK EVERYONE IN THIS WORLD SHOULD HAVE? Everyone really should have a Skunklight flashlight (skunklights.com). I’m from NYC, where I just experienced Hurricane Sandy firsthand, and oddly enough, a couple days before it, there was a tsunami warning here in Hawaii that I also was in the middle of. You never know when Mother Nature will unleash on you, so having a Skunklight on your keychain or by your side always will at least take care of needing light in the dark. It uses cutting-edge LED lights, and so they’re the most powerful flashlights I’ve ever seen, and yet they’re tiny enough to be totally easy to carry around. Let your inner Boy Scout out and get one.
Photo courtesy Brian Yang
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Dave Shoji
Head coach of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine volleyball team
FAVORITE ITEM IN YOUR CLOSET I have several pairs of Quiksilver “amphibian” shorts. I can swim or SUP, rinse off and head to practice.
FAVORITE ACCESSORY I have two watches I wear. One is a Mondaine, black face, black band – saw it in a men’s magazine I read and had to order it. The other is a silver Victorinox Swiss Army watch, which was given to me by our apparel sponsor, Asics, when we won our 1,000th match.
FAVORITE BEAUTY PRODUCT I use a hair product called surf hair by Garnier. I don’t really know why, but it works for me.
FAVORITE BOOK The Bible.
FAVORITE CD Los Lonely Boys, Sacred.
FAVORITE DVD Casablanca.
SOMETHING YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT Our elliptical exercise machine!
FAVORITE THING TO BUY YOUR KIDS Now we buy them cold weather gear. The boys, Erik and Kawika, live in Germany, and daughter Cobey lives in Albuquerque. We used to buy them sports stuff when they were younger.
WHAT ONE THING DO YOU OWN THAT YOU THINK EVERYONE IN THIS WORLD SHOULD HAVE? A bidet, the Japanese kind, for obvious reasons!
Nathalie Walker photo
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Henry Kapono
Musician
FAVORITE ITEM IN YOUR CLOSET My Jams World are by far my favorite. I’ve worn Jams for years and love ’em. They’re comfortable, which means a lot to me. But not only that, their prints have a global island look and feel. As for pants, I love jeans. For shoes, I love slip-ons. It’s all about feel.
FAVORITE ACCESSORY My peace symbol. I got it years ago in Thailand. It really makes me feel a part of what it symbolizes, and that’s a good and positive thing to be a part of with the hope that life can be that.
FAVORITE BEAUTY PRODUCT? My children.
FAVORITE BOOK Zen Guitar. Lately, it’s a new book: Eric Saperston’s Live In Wonder. It’s simple and it’s uplifting.
FAVORITE CD Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, James Taylor, Barbra Streisand, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Wes Montgomery, Earl Klugh … I love all kinds of music.
FAVORITE DVD Cave Man with Ringo Starr and Three Amigos with Chevy Chase, Steve Martin and Martin Short, Star Wars … there’s a lot of good stuff.
SOMETHING YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT My wife and children. My music.
FAVORITE THING TO BUY YOUR KIDS Things that inspire them and keep them thinking and moving forward. What would that be: toys that make them think, create, use their minds and their motor skills.
WHAT ONE THING DO YOU OWN THAT YOU THINK EVERYONE IN THIS WORLD SHOULD HAVE? Everyone should have a musical instrument that inspires and makes them feel good.
Nathalie Walker photo
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Stephanie Lum
News anchor at Hawaii News Now
FAVORITE ITEM IN YOUR CLOSET A Diane von Furstenberg black wool pencil skirt. It’s slim-fitting, not too clingy, comfortable and keeps me warm in our air-conditioned studios.
FAVORITE ACCESSORY My all-time favorite fashion accessory is a pair of silver chandelier earrings. Department stores carry them. It’s a sparkling, timeless piece that can pep up a casual outfit or glam up your look if you’re going to a dressy function.
FAVORITE BEAUTY PRODUCT Sedu’s ceramic flat iron is a keeper. It heats up fast and gets the job done. Federic Fekkai’s Olive Oil Glossing Cream, shampoo and conditioner provide extra shine and a smooth finish.
FAVORITE BOOK Who Moved My Cheese is my go-to book. Each time I reread it, I learn something new. I got it in Seattle after listening to a college professor’s lecture. The book’s message: Let change open new doors for you.
FAVORITE CD Maroon 5’s Songs About Jane, Jason Mraz’s Mr. A-Z and Ten Feet’s Island Feeling. I know all the lyrics to all the songs and sing them with the windows rolled up on my way to work!
FAVORITE DVD Glory or Sound of Music. (I also own the soundtracks for both.)
SOMETHING YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT My giant-sized panda coffee mug that was given to me by my former coworkers Walter Makaula and Anthony Ferreira. I also must have my Asics GEL running shoes, visor, watch and cap when exploring the outdoors.
FAVORITE THING TO BUY KIDS I’m not a parent, but I am an aunty. I’ve gotten my nieces and nephew toys, but what I’ve discovered is, they will always be fascinated with books.
WHAT ONE THING DO YOU OWN THAT YOU THINK EVERYONE IN THIS WORLD SHOULD HAVE? A really good game that gets friends and family together! I’m not talking about a video game, but a good, old card game or board game. My family and I would play Life, Scrabble, Boggle, Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit and many others. It’s a great way to get your brain working, bring everyone together and create memorable moments.
Leah Friel photo
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Guy Hagi
Weather anchor at Hawaii News Now
FAVORITE ITEM IN YOUR CLOSET A pair of Levi’s jeans, which I got from Macy’s. They’re sturdy, and I can wear them every day with T-shirts or aloha shirts. Of course, I love my Quiksilver boardshorts more, but they’re in my dresser, not my closet.
FAVORITE ACCESSORY My Momentum titanium watch. It’s simple, inexpensive and rugged-looking. I got it online from Amazon.
FAVORITE BEAUTY PRODUCT I don’t have many beauty products, just Paul Mitchell hair wax.
FAVORITE BOOK I’ve been reading Rick Reilly lately, just got through with Who’s Your Caddy?.
FAVORITE CD Maunalua’s first one – it’s old, but it’s great.
SOMETHING YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT If the surf is good, I can’t do without my surfboard (either a 6-foot Mark Liddell or 6-foot SurfTech Simon Anderson). If the surf is bad, I can’t do without my TaylorMade golf clubs.
FAVORITE THING TO BUY YOUR KIDS I love giving kids great books.
WHAT ONE THING DO YOU OWN THAT YOU THINK EVERYONE IN THIS WORLD SHOULD HAVE? I can’t do without a sharp knife in the kitchen, a phone charger in my car, a passport for traveling. But I guess I’d have to say an iPhone has become almost a necessity for me, especially for exchanging info and interacting with social media.
Leah Friel photo
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Michelle Borth
Actress who plays the role of Lt. Catherine “Cath” Rollins on Hawaii Five-0
FAVORITE ITEM IN YOUR CLOSET My “Chucks”… my Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers have been a staple in my wardrobe since my early teens, and I still wear them almost every day!
FAVORITE ACCESSORY My fedoras. I own about 15 that I’ve accumulated over the years from all around the world. You’ll almost never see me outside without one on. They complement every outfit, from casual to dressy. I like to think of them as kind of my signature.
FAVORITE BEAUTY PRODUCT I love beauty products … this is a difficult one. But I would have to say right now my favorite beauty product that I can’t live without is my perfume! Walking through an airport on a layover, I wandered through the Duty Free and found Chloe Sevigny’s Love. It’s the most beautiful, subtle perfume I’ve ever smelled, and it encompasses me and who I am at this stage of my life. I get compliments on it all the time. It’s just the perfect fit for me.
FAVORITE BOOK OK, my favorite book is Hot Water Music by Charles Bukowski, who also happens to be my favorite author.
FAVORITE CD AND/OR DVD Guns N’ Roses Appetite for Destruction.
FAVORITE DVD Amadeus, love that movie..
SOMETHING YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT Hmmm, well, obviously my phone, but I would have to say my iPad. I love to read and play games, like Draw Something, with my friends back in L.A., and I travel a lot, so the iPad is always with me everywhere I go.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO BUY KIDS I’m not a parent myself yet, by I am “auntie” to many of my friends’ kids. My favorite thing to buy for kids is furniture – but kid furniture, like little kitchens for girls for them to play house in, or tool shops for boys. Pottery Barn Kids is always my go-to for my friends with kids. It has a huge catalog just for the little ones.
WHAT ONE THING DO YOU OWN THAT YOU THINK EVERYONE IN THIS WORLD SHOULD HAVE? The one thing I think everyone in the world should have is very simple, but a must-have. Scented candles! I have them in every room of my house and keep them in my trailer when I’m on set. They change any atmosphere to something warm, inviting, comforting and relaxing, and they’re great to relieve stress. My favorite are Diptyque Biaes – they’re rich, and the scent lingers in the room for hours after they’re extinguished.
Vince Trupsin photo
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Kyla Ross
Hawaii-born Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast
FAVORITE ITEM IN YOUR CLOSET J Brand dark skinny jeans because they are very comfortable and versatile. I got these jeans last year at a department store in London.
FAVORITE ACCESSORY My red, white and blue diamond earrings. It’s very patriotic and remind me of the Olympics. I got them from one of my teammate’s family friend, who gave each of us a pair.
FAVORITE BEAUTY PRODUCT My eye shadow kit from Sephora.
FAVORITE BOOK The Hunger Game series.
FAVORITE CD Justin Bieber’s Believe album and Taylor Swift’s Red album.
SOMETHING YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT I cannot live without my family and friends. Without them I would not be the person I am today or achieve the things I have done so far.
WHAT IS ONE THING YOU OWN THAT YOU THINK EVERYONE IN THIS WORLD SHOULD HAVE? A pair of comfy Uggs because they are the most comfortable footwear ever.
Photo courtesy Kyla Ross
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Shane Victorino
Boston Red Sox outfielder
FAVORITE ITEM IN YOUR CLOSET It’s difficult to nail down one thing that is my favorite. Love clothes and fashion. In fact, my foundation does a fashion show every year as a fundraiser. My wife, Melissa, and I chose to do a fashion show because we both love fashion!
FAVORITE ACCESSORY Favorite has to be my sunglasses and shoes! I wear them on and off the field! Also love shoes – LOL, I tweet about my shoe collection all the time! (He loves Nike and Gucci, but he has every brand in his closet. Actually, he has closets full of shoes!)
FAVORITE CD Any CD from Bob Marley. Always loved Bob Marley and use his music as my walk-up music during games.
SOMETHING YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT Definitely can’t live without my phone, but the other thing I could definitely not live without is my iPad. Because I travel so much, it helps me keep in touch with my kids (through Facetime) when we are not together.
FAVORITE THING TO BUY YOUR KIDS For my two youngest children (Kali’a is 5 and Kingston is 2), they love books. Kali’a is learning to read and can’t get her hands on enough books. They travel a lot and love taking their books on planes!
WHAT ONE THING DO YOU OWN THAT YOU THINK EVERYONE IN THIS WORLD SHOULD HAVE? I could not live without my cell phone! Because of the baseball season and need to travel constantly, I could not live without my phone. My phone keeps me in touch with family and with the world through Twitter and Facebook apps. I love social media … LOL, @shanevictorino is my Twitter handle and /ShaneVictorino is my Facebook page, haha.
Photo courtesy Shane Victorino Foundation
