Just Suited For You

Island sun lovers, it’s time get that tan back. After an extended winter with weeks and weeks of heavy rain rolled into nasty sewage spills that polluted our oceans, Isle folks are sure looking a little pale these days.

Wednesday - May 24, 2006
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Island sun lovers, it’s time get that tan back. After an extended winter with weeks and weeks of heavy rain rolled into nasty sewage spills that polluted our oceans, Isle folks are sure looking a little pale these days.

Well, the sun has finally returned, the school year is almost over and summer has never sounded so good.

Now, to add to the heat, MidWeek presents its annual swimsuit issue photographed by Russell Tanoue. Featured here are some of the hottest brands and styles from retailers Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Local Motion, Town & Country and Pink C.

“Summer is right around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to update your swimwear wardrobe,” says Lavina Wong, director of special events at Macy’s. “And with the wealth of styles and silhouettes available this season, you will be able to select a suit that reflects your individual style and personality.”

According to Macy’s, the key trends in swimwear this season are Shore Club (suits that are inspired by the classic and preppy styles of the yacht and country club set featuring stripes accented with gold hardware, color blocking, dot prints and ring embellishments), On Location (animal prints, tribal and ikat patterns often found in rich browns, classic neutrals, inky blues and deep blacks, as well as muted metallics like bronze, gold and pewter), Gypsy Rose (last fall’s boho-chic look with deep saturated colors accented with soft metallics, and details like smocking, crochet trims, beading, coin accents and paisley prints), and Into the Garden (lush floral prints in a wide range of colors and silhouettes - from tropical and exotic, to delicate and feminine or graphic and oversized).

“In addition to a good-looking suit, make sure your suit is comfortable and fits well,” adds Wong. “When you’re in the dressing room, move around, lift your arms. Nothing is worse than a top that doesn’t provide adequate coverage or a bottom that rides up.”

According to Iwalani Isbell, owner of Pualani Hawaii, you should also avoid the baggy butt bottom and suits that dig into your hips.

“It’s just not flattering,” she says. “If you have a baggy butt bottom, you should either go down in size or find a smaller cut. And for bottoms that dig into your hips, try a side tie that can be adjusted.”

For tops, Isbell suggests underwires for women who may need the extra lift and support, and padded tops for those who want to create maximum cleavage.

“When shopping for a suit, you should first decide on what it will be used for,” notes Isbell. “If it’s to get a tan you probably want one with less coverage, and if it’s for something more active like bodysurfing, then you will want something more functional that’s going to stay on like a snug halter or sport top.”

Most suits today are also available as separates, allowing you to customize it to your body type. Remember, if you’re going to be showing off some skin, you might as well do it right - comfortable and flattering.

One of my favorite swimsuit tips comes from Glamour magazine: Buy yourself a swimsuit that makes you smile even if it doesn’t make you skinny.

 

PHOTO GALLERY

This year’s MidWeek swimsuit issue was shot on location at the award-winning Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa in Waikiki.

With more than 20 restaurants and lounges, tropical gardens, waterfalls, exotic wildlife, and nightly entertainment including Olomana in the Paradise Lounge every Friday and Saturday evenings, the HHV is the perfect getaway for kama’aina and visitors alike.

“The Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa is the only true, self-contained resort destination in Waikiki,” says Noel G. Trainor, general manager at HHV. “We’re located along 22 beachfront acres on Waikiki’s widest beach, and offer everything a guest would want - yet still within walking distance to many other attractions and locations in the Waikiki area.

“Another program that sets us apart from other hotels in Hawaii is our exotic wildlife collection. We have more than 60 exotic species of animals including penguins, flamingoes, macaws and ducks.”

Guests can also enjoy the more than 200 pieces of art that reflect modern-day artists’ interpretations of ancient scenes and traditions of Hawaii. This priceless collection includes statues of Hawaii legends such as Alfred Apaka and ‘Iolani Luahine, as well as Kim Duffett’s signature 15-foot-high bronze statues depicting hula kahiko that greet visitors into Waikiki each day.

Also, on Fridays, the HHV holds its Aloha Friday King’s Jubilee show beginning at 7 p.m. and concluding with fireworks over Waikiki Beach at 8.

There’s also a shopping arcade of more than 50 stores, including Adasa Hawaii, Allure, Crazy Shirts, Alter Ego and Honolua Surf Co.

And the newest addition to the HHV property is the $6 million Ocean Crystal Chapel - Waikiki’s first free-standing resort chapel, opened jointly with Best Bridal Hawaii.

The resort is also the site of many prestigious local events, including the upcoming Na Hoku Hanohano Awards on May 31 and the Miss Hawaii pageant on June 9.

From now through the end of June, the Hilton Hawaiian Village is offering a number of kama’aina specials:

* Kama’aina rates beginning at just $150 per night. Call the hotel at 949-4321 and ask for the “P3” rate. Proof of Hawaii residency required.

* Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, yakudoshis, family and class reunions ... those who book a party of 50 or more will receive two nights free at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The hotel/resort offers a variety of indoor and outdoor venues for any occasion. Parties must be booked by June 15 and must be held anytime between July 1 and Dec. 31. To book a party, call 949-4321.

* Segway of Hawaii, which opened its first Hawaii location at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, is offering a 2-for-1 price on tours on its two-wheeled personal transportation devices. Segway of Hawaii is located at the Village’s Tapa Tower Mini Mart on the ground floor, mauka side of Tapa Tower. Tour prices range from $79 per person for a 90-minute Waikiki Glide Ride, to more than $125 for a 2-1/2-hour Ultimate Private Glide Ride. The offer is good until June 30. For details, call 941-3151 or visit www.segwayofhawaii.com

* Atlantis Submarines (docked in front of the Hilton) offers an ongoing kama’aina rate of $25. Enjoy a fascinating ride down more than 100 feet below the surface of the ocean about a mile out.

* The Mandara Spa, independently owned and operated at the Kalia Tower, offers a 10 percent discount to kama’aina every day.

And for Father’s Day, three restaurants at the Village - Golden Dragon, Village Steak & Seafood and Rainbow Lanai - will offer special Father’s Day menus on Sunday, June 18. Diners who enjoy Dad’s Day menus will also have a chance to enter a drawing for golf for two at Luana Hills Country Club.

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