"I've Been to Hawaii and You Haven't" Gifts

How many "Maui No Ka 'Oi" shot glasses can one person use?

Most people bring back items when they travel as gifts for those who could not make the trip. This was especially relevant when travel to the islands was truly an expedition. A gift from Hawaii was a memento to be treasured and even handed down. Now the airport concessions can handle any last minute souvenirs that were forgotten while you spent time on the beach.

Wouldn't it be great if we could bring back that feeling of specialness when we give a gift from our adventures on the islands? One great way to start is to make sure that your gift is really from the islands. It might be fun to give a grass skirt/coconut bikini combination, but chances are the set was produced in a factory in Malaysia. Great kitschy pieces like plastic representations of the Pearl Harbor Memorial or statue of King Kamehameha are going to have Made in China stamped on them somewhere. Given the title of this blog, you know I'm a huge fan of kitsch, but it has its place. By all means, give the kitchy-est thing you can find if the person is the type who will appreciate it, but follow it up with a real gift - something that can be proudly displayed and has a story behind it.

Giving the right gift takes knowing the intended receiver. What are their interests, their fashion sense, their humor? You get bonus points if you can combine a meaningful gift with a story of your adventures on the islands.

We were walking along the shops on Wainee Street in Lahaina and it started to downpour, as it is known to do occasionally. We dashed into this tiny shop and found this glass sculpture of this dolphin. I know you love dolphins. As I was looking at it, a young man approached me and he asked me if I liked dolphins - turns out he was the artist. He told me how the sculpture was made and that it was one of a kind. I just knew it was meant for you.

Much better than...

I spent most of my time sipping Mai Tais on the beach and forgot to get you something, so I picked up this Maui Rules shot-glass at the airport. When's dinner?

See the difference? But where do you find Hawaiian made products? Your best strategy is to get off the beaten path. Real estate is expensive anywhere on the islands. It's most expensive in high-traffic areas, because... well, because it can be. Shop owners in prime retail locations have a long way to go before breaking even. It makes economic sense to minimize costs and maximize volume. Genuine Hawaiian artisan products are the antithesis of high volume marketing. You're looking for unique, hand-crafted labor-of-love items.

Try farmer's markets. Along with the opportunity to try fresh from the fields produce, many smaller artisans use these markets as a place to begin selling their products. Be wary of markets with an over abundance of crafts. Some mimic the look and feel of farmer's markets just to sell imported garbage.

If you're the less adventurous type, here's a list of retail shops that sell only Hawaiian produced art and products. Click on the links for address and more information:

Big Island

Under the Koa Tree - http://www.koatree.com/

Holualoa Village - http://www.holualoahawaii.com/index.html

Dan Deluz Woods - http://www.deluzwoods.com/Home.html

Kauai

Kilohana Plantation - http://www.kilohanakauai.com/

Kauai Products Store - http://www.kauaiproductsstore.com/

Aloha Spice Company - http://alohaspice.com/

Maui

Kopa Haiku - http://www.kopahaikuhawaii.com/

Maui Hands - http://www.mauihands.com/

Aliikula Lavendar Farm - http://www.aliikulalavender.com/

Oahu

Philip Rickard - http://philiprickard.com/EN/index.html

Mana Hawaii - http://manahawaiiinwaikiki.com/

Manuhealii - http://www.manuhealii.com/

If you've clicked on the links (good for you), you've noticed that most of these shops offer some type of online or mail order which is a great option if you forgot someone who should have been on your list.

Happy shopping.

*****

If you have a favorite source for made in Hawaii products, let me know - post in comments and I'll compile the list for future visitors. Mahalo.

Don't forget the contest. Register as a "follower" and you'll automatically be entered in a drawing to win a surprise Hawaiian Kitsch gift of my choosing. Drawing at the end of the month. Till next time, Aloha.