Far too many of the local bath and body products sold in Hawaii are overly sweet, over-scented and disgustingly cloying, like a cheap tropical perfume. Lanikai Bath and Body avoids that trap and makes sophisticated scents and potions that balance tropical and tasteful. LBB makes all their products in Hawaii -- another rarity. Co-owners and founders Gloria Garvey and Brook Gramann use mostly Hawaii ingredients, like lavender from upcountry Maui and macadamia nut oils from the Big Island and The men's Pohaku line (that means stone, in Hawaiian) is nice and brisk without being overbold. One of our faves prods is pictured here -- naupaka coconut lime verbena. The coco-lime-lemon combo is a most amazing sensory cocktail. Then there's the tragi-romantic story behind the endemic naupaka flower, a white blossom that looks as its been torn in half. The shop is in Kailua, a quiet beach town on Oahu 30-minutes from downtown Honolulu. Sample madness with dozens of products at the shop, so plan on spending a little time test driving the wares.

* Lanikai Bath and Body (Map)

Related: Hikes for Tykes: Maunawili Falls Trail

—Alex, 08/28/06