BOYS TOYS

The testosterone will be running high at the Big Boys & MMA Hawaii Expo, with its emphasis on brawling, hot-rods, big bikes, tattoos and rock 'n' roll.

Hawai'i's hot rod scene will bring out fast cars: Lamborghinis, Porsches, Ferraris, even an Aston Martin Vantage V8. A rare Ford Eleanor GT 500E built by Wylan Lum will be on display, along with a '57 Corvette worth more than $200,000, built by father-and-son custom car builders, Corvette Center owner William A. Bartenstein and William A. Bartenstein II.

Tricked-out, one-of-a-kind personalized choppers and custom, high-end bikes ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 for made-to-order radical designs will highlight the motorcycle display. Duane Ahi of DA Builders, who has been building custom motorcycles for more than 10 years, will be on hand.

Aside from cars and motorcycles, the expo's going big and bold, local style, with cage fighting, indie rock from Maui's The Throwdowns, Island music from Anuhea, acoustic soul from Yoza, tattoo art and a beer garden.

The expo runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall; www.hawaiibigboysshow.com.

— Melissa Chang

SALES & BARGAINS

• Gym rats, yoga addicts and rock star runners swear by Lululemon Athletica for its super-soft, stylish and mega-functional clothing. At the only Hawai'i Lululemon, in Ala Moana Center, there's a definite Zen-meets-colorful, athletic vibe, and designs cater to the inner athlete without compromising personal style. We found some amazing deals, including Cool racer-back tanks, $39 (pictured); Reverse Groove shorts (reversible, with hidden pockets), $48 (pictured); and sports bras with removable cups, $42 (pictured). And they offer complimentary hemming.

The company is big on giving back and leading by example. Check out the complimentary yoga 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. Sundays, or join their complimentary Run Club, 6 p.m. Wednesdays (meet at the store).

Lululemon Athletica, Ala Moana Center; 946.7220, www.lululemon.com.

• Do not leave expensive sunglasses in your hot car, trust me. With fingers crossed, I walked into Sunglass Icon at Ala Moana Center to see if they'd adjust my only pricey pair of sunglasses. The clerk was so friendly and gentle with my Jimmy Choo specs — and fixed them, free of charge! I perused the little shop and found three pairs of Armani (AX) sunglasses for less than $50. Seriously, check it out!

Sunglass Icon, Ala Moana Center; 941-7515.

• Kahala Alencastre didn't fall far from the family tee. She is the sole owner of the new store Pineapple Jam, and she's learned a few tricks of the trade from working at her parents' store, Plantation Home Decor. Alencastre's taking an eco-friendly direction and philosophy in the management of this warehouse/store-front space, using some repurposed building materials from Re-use Hawaii (www.reusehawaii.org). Pineapple Jam carries a number of local, all-natural and green lines including Treasure Drawers (refinished furniture), Soap and Caldrea, Eco Hashi, and Indigenous. She also features the ever-so-popular Lindsay Phillips Switch Flops, an item we introduced our readers to earlier this year.

Pineapple Jam, open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, and by appointment, 448 Kamokila Blvd. (in the Hawaii Self Storage building); 699-7997.

• Advertiser readers: THANK YOU for making us a part of your Sunday routine. I look forward to hearing from you about your favorite sales and bargain tips; e-mail me at salesandbargaintips@gmail.com. Mahalo from my heart to yours, and a hui hou.

— Amanda Stevens

LOVE LETTER TO DANCE

So you know they can dance!

The Sanskrit word "puja" means "offering." In this case, the offering is talent, as Willow Chang and Passport Productions present "Puja: Love Letters" — a third year of multicultural dance produced by homegrown supporters.

Aspects of love, from romantic to platonic, familial to friendly — including love of country — will be expressed through 20 different genres, including breakdance, Oriental fusion belly dance, theatrical tango, and a form rarely seen in Hawai'i, classical Indian Odissi. This installment promises to be edgy, unexpected, innovative and inspirational.

Last year, both shows sold out. You'll have a chance to catch it this afternoon at 2 p.m. Get tickets at the door for $25-$30.


"PUJA 2010: Love Letters," Palikū Theater, Windward Community College; for more information, call Willow Chang, 292-0820.

— Amanda Stevens

SAVE OUR SEAS

With oil gushing into the Gulf of Mexico, growing concern about vast "islands" of floating plastic trash and the rising levels of acidifying carbon dioxide in our planetary waters, United Nations World Oceans Day, Tuesday, comes along at a key time. Why not get involved?

A World Oceans Day beach clean-up, open to the public, will be held at Sandy Beach on Tuesday, hosted by Primo Beer & Malting Co. Volunteers can check in at the Primo tent on the undeveloped side of Sandy Beach Park at 8 a.m. (Staff and volunteers from Waikīkī Aquarium and Duke's Waikīkī conduct their own beach cleanups, too.)

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Pacific Services Center will be at the Waikīkī Aquarium throughout the day Tuesday, offering kid-friendly activities.

The Waikīkī Aquarium kicks off Summer Nights at the Aquarium from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, offering an opportunity to check out the exhibits (awesome jellyfish!) at night.

Celebrating into the night, Kona Brewing Company Koko Marina Pub in Hawai'i Kai will donate a percentage of its proceeds to the Waikīkī Aquarium from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday.

The Waikīkī Aquarium is taking a lead role in World Oceans Day activities in Hawai'i, director Andrew Rossiter said, to "raise consciousness of how our lives depend on the ocean"; www.waquarium.org, 923-9741.

— Melissa Chang

LIONS 'N TIGERS

Anne Au and Micah Iaukea became friends through the pop-up boutique Rock Shop. Now they've partnered to produce their own line of clothing, Lions 'n Tigers. "Our mutual admiration and friendship became a natural step to wanting to do something together," Au said.

Iaukea, who developed her design skills at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in L.A., and Au, known for her great taste and keen fashion sense, are taking a bold, ambitious approach to the line. It debuts with reversible bikinis ($100 to $150) and an uber-chic vest ($150 and up).

Iaukea describes their process: "It's very organic. We take it where it leads us." Their ultimate goal: A full line of women's, men's and kids clothing and accessories.

Lions 'n Tigers? Au's the tiger and Iaukea's the lion. Something to roar about.

Find Lions 'n Tigers at Coral Loft, 1033A Smith St., Chinatown; 258-2900, info@lionsntigers.com.

— Paula Rath