Molokini

Right off the coast of Maui is a little cresent-shaped island called Molokini. Doyle and I snorkeled near there when we visited Hawaii some 15 years ago, and saw countless sea turtles and brilliantly colored fish. Molokini is markedly smaller than the other islands, but it is no less beautiful.

With that idyllic trip in mind, I have dubbed our new island Molokini. It's a slender 18" wide (the counter will overhang by a foot on one side) and just five and half feet long—tiny compared to most new kitchen islands.

Don't get me wrong: those big islands are fabulous, and well worth a visit. There's so much to see! Our neighbors' new kitchen is the home of an amazing, very well-designed Big Island, and it has already enjoyed significant face time with a visiting celebrity chef. It's packed with so much storage space that I can envision some of the drawers being set aside for out-of-season clothing. There is truly a place for everything.

Our little island will house not everything, but more than you'd think: a microwave, four regular-sized drawers, and two wide, deep drawers for pots and pans. There will be room for Will and Anna to perch on stools and do homework or have after-school snacks. (The picture is misleading—it will be turned when it's installed, with the drawers facing the sink wall.)

Best of all, its location is ideal, which counts for a lot when you're talking about islands, or any real estate for that matter. It will direct traffic through the kitchen, creating a much-needed walkway outside the work area.

Traffic should move through our new kitchen as freely as fish dart around the warm waters of Hawaii. And given Anna's love of vivid hues and Will's collection of plaid shorts, our activity may be just as colorful.