SWEET PICKS

Everything old is new again at Sugarcane boutique, a cute consignment store in Kaimuki hidden among the restaurants on Wai'alae Avenue. Owner Faith Scheiblich brings in a constant flow of fresh items to browse through, whether you're looking for memorabilia, furniture, jewelry, accessories or women's clothing.

It's so bright and charming, you'd never know it was a consignment store. There are some new products, like baby clothes and vintage mu'u mu'u restyled into contemporary new creations by Blue Geisha. But you'll also find carefully selected, gently used clubby knits and designer duds from Ella Moss, Le Lotus Bleu and Max Studio. Sugarcane boutique, 1137 11th Ave., suite 101; 739-2263. Open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays.

— Melissa Chang

SCREEN TEEN

What were you doing when you were 14 years old? Most likely you weren't the president of a clothing company. 'Iolani student Drew Uchiyama (left) is just that: His downtime between homework assignments is spent running his company, D-Roots LLC. While his friends are hitting the mall, Uchiyama is hitting the silk-screening station.

After spending a summer with friend and mentor Grant Kagimoto of Cane Haul Road, Uchiyama mastered the art form of screen-printing. His newest clothing line, D-Roots, is all hand-printed. To finalize his business, Uchiyama sat down with Butigroove owner B.J. Sabata to pitch his work. This teen has his hustle down, and wants his designs to be "custom and local." "It's important to stay grounded, keep it local and give back," says Uchiyama. Find his work at Butigroove, 1311 Kapi'olani Blvd.; 589-2884, www.shopbutigroove.com.

— Lacy Matsumoto

COFFEEHOUSE COMFORT + COCKTAILS

Just what Chinatown needs: another bar? No wait, really! It does — at least when done as Manifest has, by offering a chill place to hang after hours and during the day.

Open 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays, Manifest offers a retreat away from the noisy Downtown buses, noxious smells and wandering persons of Hotel Street. A coffeehouse with free Wi-Fi, it's a place to chill between meetings, and it's so homey, you'll want to make it your office away from the office any time. Owner Brandon Reid and former grad student Jeff Nisbet first noticed a "for rent" sign in January. Just a week or so after its opening, it's a bustling hub for folks you'll want to rub elbows with while enjoying a Kundalini Chai or a cocktail. We think Reid has got the equation just right.

Manifest features a rotating art space for up-and-coming artists, with some shows lasting just a week. "We needed good lighting to really highlight the artwork, as well as ample wall space," says Reid. This place has all that, with high ceilings and red brick walls adding to the impressive cachet. A few fixes are still in the works (including a broken air conditioner), and Reid will continue to adapt the place to suit his customers' needs. Plan on settling in.

— Pualana Lemelle

POLISHED PUA

Maui girl Mona Lisa, designer of Geisha Fabulous hair accessories, makes headbands that say "Island Girl" all over them. But this is not your beach-going, bikini-clad Island girl; she's a little more uptown, off to Pearl or ARTafterDARK in her Milly dress and patent stilettos.

The fab faux plumeria are sculpted with metals, enameled and embellished with a bit of bling. They come in eye-popping fashion shades such as hot pink, purple, kelly green, cherry red and lemon yellow, as well as neutrals — cream, brushed gold and pewter. We found them at Riches Kahala for $55. They are also sold at Bamboo Sky near Ward Centre and Le Tarte in Pa'ia, Maui.

— Paula Rath

SALES & BARGAINS

The fall fashion season is here, but in these islands it'll be hard to pull out those leather jackets and boots anytime soon. Still, there are looks you can sport now — and look for on visits to fave shopping outposts. Trends to pull your entire look fashion forward:

• Waist-cinching power belts. Wear them over jackets for an instant update to your work wardrobe.
• Big, structured shoulders, a reminder of the '40s and '80s. This is one look we're not fully embracing, but if you do, more power to you!
• Red, in a big way. It's a look that requires confidence to pull off, but red is striking in a very good way, whether as an accent piece or head-to-toe look.
• Square bags are structured and reasonable in size, retro and easy to tote around (unlike the ginormous "it" bags of seasons past). Find one in a color and material that works for you.
• Score fab deals on original designs at the Rock Shop and Swap, 4 to 8 p.m. today at Chinatown's SoHo, 80 S. Pauahi St. There's no cover, and this holiday edition features even more designers than usual to shop from, as well as a swapping section. Today's Rock Shop features designers Bware, Dork, Cloth, Genuine Guava, Kamea Designs, Jessica's Traveling Boutique, and Scout HI Superette, with menswear, sunglasses, reworked vintage, handmade bags, designer women's clothing and more.
• It's time for Nordstrom's shoe clearance, with select styles marked down at least 33 percent. Nordstrom, Ala Moana Center; 953-6100, www.nordstrom.com.
• Line up early for Savers' Labor Day blowout sale: All used merchandise is 50 percent off tomorrow. The store opens two hours early at 7 a.m.; avoid the midday rush and get there early. Don't like crowds, but still want a deal? The Savers crew continues to put out new items all day, up until closing at 9 p.m.
• Retailers at Ala Moana Center and across the nation are celebrating "Fashion's Night Out." Select merchants are offering exclusive deals, 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday night only. Get a full list at www.alamoanacenter.com/exclusiveinstoreevents.htm. Some highlights:
• Ann Taylor offers 15 percent off any full-price purchase.
• Gucci is serving champagne and Otto Cake cheesecake. You'll get a limited-edition Fashion's Night Out T-shirt (one per customer) with any purchase.
• J.Crew-on-the-Island shoppers get 20 percent off their purchase when consulting a personal shopper.
The following store discounts require that you bring in a canned good donation for the Hawaii Foodbank:
• Cole Haan is marking 20 percent off any purchase.
• Custo Barcelona will give you 15 percent off the entire fall collection, and has a free, reusable shopping bag for any purchase of $200 or more.
• Gap is granting 25 percent off one regular-priced item.
• Tori Richard will take 10 percent off regular-priced items.
— Pualana Lemelle

Have a sales or bargain tip? Reach us at salesandbargains@gmail.com.

WHAT'S ON YOUR IPOD?

Hip-hop DJ J Soul, Las Vegas

1. "Hip Hop Hooray," Naughty by Nature

2. "Off the Books," Beatnuts

3. "Mass Appeal," Gang Starr

4. "Jump Around," House of Pain

5. "MCs Act Like They Don't Know," KRS One