Big Island artist and designer Sig Zane has just introduced his first collaboration with the Waikīkī Aquarium. The textile design, called Ka Ula Hapapa ("lobster of the shallow reef"), "reconnects me to the memories of Kāne'ohe Bay," Zane said, reminding him of small-kid time when he went fishing with his father.

The print actually began in 1988, when Zane hand-cut a lobster print. "It was dormant for quite a few years, but I brought it back out" and his son, Kuha'o, dusted it off and created a stunning 21st century graphic from it. The background of the print is a geometric arrangement of 'ohe kāpala, or bamboo stamps.

The print comes in four sophisticated colorways, including black with slate gray and salmon and blue with turquoise and navy. It is available now in a short-sleeved men's aloha shirt, keiki T-shirt and pareu. More styles are expected soon.

Ka Ula Hapapa is currently being sold exclusively in the Waikīkī Aquarium's Natural Selection Gift Shop, and online at www.sigzane.com.

2 NEW SHOPS IN WAIKĪKĪ

Margo Tahitian Pearl will open next week in the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort. Formerly Tahiti Pearl Market, this will be the company's third store on O'ahu. Customers may select loose pearls and have them made into custom pieces or they can choose from a line of ready-made jewelry. They can also hand-pick pearls to create a custom strand. Prices range from $50 to $300,000.

Swarovski is poised to open its first Hawai'i "Crystal Forest" concept store at 2154 Kalākaua Avenue. The innovative retail design concept was created to enhance the crystal-cutting expertise and unique craftsmanship of the Swarovski crystal jewelry and accessories. For example, stainless steel prism exterior elements catch light and reflections from outside the store, while textured walls featuring reflective white prisms envelop the space to create the illusion of an organic crystal forest.

ON OUR RADAR

GIGI SWIMSUIT ADDRESSES PLENTY OF PROBLEMS

When Gillian Anderson lived in Hawai'i, she was a headhunter. Then she opened the maternity shop Baby, It's You. Swimwear was not on her radar. She had to move to frigid Minneapolis to get into the swimsuit biz.

Now she has created a single simple style, the little black dress of swimsuits, that answers a lot of women's beach-based body concerns. The GiGi has ruching where you want it to forgive multiple sins. It has a flattering halter neckline and a high back that minimizes the dreaded back fat. She employs three types of elastic, soft where it needs to be, supportive where it should be. The lining is cut four inches smaller than the rest of the suit to provide optimal control.

The GiGi comes in black, brown, white and pink and sells for $98 exclusively online at www.gigilovesyou.com ó with free shipping to Hawai'i.