The new Bloomingdale's will be a welcomed addition for shoppers. Owned by Macy's, the department store is known for its designer clothes, handbags, jewelry and home furnishings for men, women and kids. Ironically, a huge multi-level Macy's store already anchors the opposite end of the mall.

I'm hoping Bloomingdale's management will incorporate some island brands into its collection. Much like Target and TJ Maxx did when they arrived in the islands. Maxxinistas said "Aloha" to homegrown items, like candy, coffee and – of course – aloha wear. Bloomingdale's could be just as appealing if they followed suit.

Sears closes next month, while construction on the new Bloomingdale's will start soon after. Because it won't take up the entire space, there will also be boutique stores set up on that end of the mall. I heard that Ala Moana plans to redesign that entire side, so it's exciting to see what they'll have in store for shoppers.

Posted by Alyssa S. Navares Follow me on Twitter @Uamalie87 

I had to do a double take when recently driving by the barn-red shop in Hale‘iwa. Its country store appeal blended in nicely with its retail neighbors, but the sign hanging above caught my eye. San Lorenzo Shave Ice? That's seems like a pretty big stretch from the barely-there bikinis and sheer beachwear already sold. 

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The shave ice isn't nearly as sexy, though. And no, there aren't bikini babes serving you that frozen treat. Although, I'd imagine that would help their reputation a bit; I noticed just a few customers enjoying their shave ice outside of San Lorenzo, while down the street, a long line snaked out of Matsumoto's Shave Ice.

San Lorenzo's shave ice is tasty but double the price of Matsumoto's. I enjoyed the creative flavors, like haupia and butterscotch; however, it took a while for them to make it. The machine seemed old or just really slow; I spent at least 30 minutes there because of the two people ahead of me. But still, 30 minutes is totally unacceptable for a treat practically made of ice.

Next time, I probably will choose Matsumoto's or Aoki's (once they move to their new spot) over San Lorenzo. Maybe they should just stick to bikinis. Ladies can try on some of their suits next door to the shave ice shop, which is what I'll probably be doing if I ever head up there again. Just not for shave ice.

SAN LORENZO SHAVE ICE / 66-057 Kamehameha Hwy., Hale‘iwa, HI 96712 (Map) / Opens Mon-Sun 10am-630pm / 808-637-3200 

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The network announced that instead of its usual Monday air date, "Five-0" will replace "CSI: NY" on Fridays for its fourth season. This opens up a Monday time slot for the upcoming series "Hostages," starring Dylan McDermott. "Five-0" will also be airing an hour earlier than the usual 9 p.m. time.

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Some fans fear the move to Fridays will kill off the show because, lets face it, not everyone stays in on a Friday night. DVR will have to be "Five-0's" savior. It will also air right before the very popular "Blue Bloods" series, which could be a good thing. Maybe viewers tuning in early for "Blue Bloods" will catch the tail end of "Five-0" and realize, hey, this is another great show. 

Diehard fans will also be the show's savior if they follow to Friday. Executive producer Peter Lenkov remains pretty enthusiastic about the move on Twitter; he tells fans to "continue to show up and we'll be around for a LONG time." After all, getting renewed for a fourth season is huge for any television series. Lets hope Lenkov is right!

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He‘e holua, as it was called in Hawaiian, is a 2,000-year-old tradition involving a specialized sled and carefully constructed runway. Rocks and soil were piled up on the side of a hill and covered with ti leaves to make for a smoother surface. Because the track was so narrow, only one person could race at a time. The sled would usually extend out onto a plain or into the ocean at the bottom of the slide.

The sled itself took time to make. It consisted of solid wood and two narrow runners (as long as 18 feet). Matting, usually lauhala, was stretched along the cross bars. Today, you can see an 800-year-old sled on display at the Bishop Museum. Or, if you're lucky, you'll see the handful of modern-day riders practicing this ancient sport.

Tom "Pohaku" Stone has been among those daredevils trying to bring back Hawaiian tradition. The longtime waterman even builds and sells sleds today. In a Star-Bulletin article, he said he wanted to recreate a mile-long rock slide on the Hawai‘i Island, where he'd hope to host the first he‘e holua event in more than 100 years. 

According to him, the only ancient tracks in rideable condition today are two on the Hawai‘i Island and one at Ka‘ena Point on O‘ahu. Not sure if it was my imagination, but I could still see marks in the grass where it looks like some recent sledding occurred. Pretty cool to know that an ancient tradition such as he‘e holua lives on in today's modern world. 

Source: Hulihe‘e Palace and "Thrill ride" by Alexandre Da Silva, Honolulu Star-Bulletin

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It would have been a different story had they actually been on Hawaiian time. Dillydallying does not sound like an admirable trait in the airline industry. Airline service and flights should be prompt, and Hawaiian seems to be doing just that.

Additionally, Hawaiian Airlines tops the board for fewest flights cancelled. A rate of six out of 6,000 flights cancelled is quite impressive, with all of its recent flight route expansions. In all my years of traveling, I don't believe I have ever been on a Hawaiian flight that got cancelled.

And probably one of the biggest concerns for any traveler, baggage issues. Whether they're lost or mishandled, Hawaiian Airlines has had the least number of complaints in that department. Phew, I don't know what I'd ever do if I found out my luggage got lost! A travel nightmare, for sure.

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But it's still the delicious aroma of baking bread that usually attracts customers to the small shop. The scent hitches a ride from the gentle trade-wind breezes that sweep through the marketplace and help broadcast the savoriness of Fendu Boulangerie.

Each day of the week, there's a different bread special. My absolute favorite would have to be the raisin and walnut bread. It's moist on the inside, crunchy on the outside and just the perfect amount of sweetness. 

Like most European-style bakeries, the walls of Fendu boast baskets of fresh-baked bread and pastries. Bakers work busily in the back kitchen, rolling pizza dough and delicately decorating a dessert item. A display case of danishes, croissants, cakes and pies also entice customers deciding on their meal of choice.

While the food is always great, be prepared to wait for your order. It seems I wait at least 10 minutes for a sandwich to be made; pizzas take even longer. So if you're looking for a quick to-go item, I'd stick with the pastries.

FENDU BOULANGERIE / Manoa Marketplace 2752 Woodlawn Dr., Ste 5-119, Honolulu, HI 96822 (Map) / Opens Mon-Sat 730am-7pm, Sun 730am-3pm / 808-988-4310

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Volunteers recently planted 100 plants on the slopes of the Hawai‘i Island volcano. Replenishing the supply will ensure their existence at Mauna Kea for years to come. The special thing about this plant is that it dies once it flowers, and it can flower any time between three and 50 years. But it's never certain how long we'll have them around.

Over time, the population has dwindled to just one area of the volcano called Waipahoehoe Gulch. It's located within the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve at 9,000 feet. Efforts to save this endangered species include building fences and exclosures around the silverswords, as well as hosting plantings, such as the one that took place recently.

The Hawaiian name for the silversword is ‘āhinahina. The native plant can also be seen on your drive up to Haleakalā crater on Maui. They're pretty easy to spot. The plant stands erect with silver-colored leaves, while the flower itself looks like a sunflower.  

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Jane co-founded Stanford University, and as the wife of former California Governor Leland Stanford, became accustomed to living a lavish life. So lavish that they frequently vacationed in the Hawaiian Islands, more specifically at the Moana Hotel.

As the first hotel in Waikīkī, the Moana's simple elegance helped the couple feel right at home among the rich and famous. It boasted 75 guest rooms, a billiard room, saloon, main parlor and library. The "First Lady of Waikīkī" was the happening spot in the islands and opened the gate to island tourism.

But one evening in 1905, all that lavishness seemed to dim, as the hotel became the scene of a crime. Jane had asked her personal secretary to fetch a bicarbonate of soda to help settle her stomach. Bertha Berner did as she was told, preparing the solution for Jane to drink. 

In just a few hours, Jane experienced her body becoming more and more rigid. An author retells the account, "Her jaws clamped shut, her thighs opened widely, her feet twisted inwards, her fingers and thumbs clenched into tight fists…Finally, her respiration ceased."

Stanford died from strychnine poisoning. The room where she was murdered has since been removed and is now part of an expanded hotel lobby area. But memories of that horrible event have never quite left the hotel. It continues to loom over the Moana, as it gets buried deeper into the hotel's history with each passing year.

Source: The Mysterious Death of Jane Stanford by Robert W.P. Cutler

Photo Courtesy: Moana Surfrider Twitter

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Bottles of gunpowder confiscated from Honolulu International Airport.

TSA confiscated modified pressure cookers from the Hilo airport, according to the TSA blog. While no explosives were found in the luggage nor on the passenger, it is still scary to imagine what could have resulted from such findings. As most of us know, the two bombs that exploded during the Boston Marathon had been made out of pressure cookers. 

A few days later, TSA seized gunpowder from a checked-in bag at the Honolulu International Airport. Obviously, gunpowder is considered a hazardous material; therefore, the two one-pound cans were immediately taken from the luggage.

A hollowed-out book with a gun was found at the Honolulu International Airport.

TSA keeps a running blog of items confiscated from airports nationwide. Hawai‘i made the list of most unusual items found in 2012; a hollowed-out book with a gun hidden inside. TSA found it at the Honolulu International Airport and reported that it didn't have a cylinder. It was among more than 1,500 firearms confiscated at airports last year.

Photo Courtesy: TSA Blog

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Until recently, I completely forgot this place existed. We were checking out the surf near Mokule‘ia Beach Park when we decided to keep driving along Farrington Highway. After the airfield, we passed cabins and several ropes courses belonging to YMCA's Camp Erdman. I remember going to this camp as a kid, which was probably the last time I've been out there.

The road gets gradually bumpier, as the terrain becomes more barren. It eventually turns into either a mud or dirt path, depending on the weather. Up ahead, a land mine of muddy puddles told us that it must have rained overnight. A couple of cars leaving the area also left with souvenirs of mud-caked tires.

I like the peacefulness that graces Ka‘ena Point State Park at almost any time of day. Unlike the busier part of the North Shore, there's barely any traffic passing through; all you hear is the rolling ocean waves and wisps of a gentle trade-wind breeze.

On those calm summer days, the beach is great for swimming and snorkeling. Otherwise, it can get pretty rough out there. The sandy beach, however, is always wide open. You may see fishermen casting their pole from the rockier part of the shore or families chilling under their pop-up tent. The area has very little shade, so make sure to bring an umbrella and protective sun-wear.

Because Ka‘ena is one of the most isolated parts of O‘ahu, it's also one that's most prone to vehicle break-ins and theft. Be sure to remove all valuables from your car (including the trunk). The park is at the trailhead of Ka‘ena Point trail, which takes hikers to the very tip of the island where you can see both the West and North shores at the same time. Stay tuned for a post on this hike worth adventuring.

KA‘ENA POINT STATE PARK / End of Farrington Hwy. (Hwy. 930) (Map) / Amenities: Restrooms, trash cans, payphone, lifeguard / Activities: Snorkel, swim (calm, summer days)  

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