Accessory crafted from 'secret recipe'

First there was fimo. Then there was fabric. Now there’s a material that defies definition (and is a sort of secret recipe anyway). This is the stuff from which many Hawai‘i-made faux flowers are crafted.

"It was an accident, actually. We were short of materials, so we added some different elements to stretch and it worked. It doesn’t have a name because it’s our own concoction. It’s more flexible and durable than fimo," said J.T. Kenrick, proprietor of Forever Hawaiian Creations, an Island-made line of faux flowers that seems to stay in the forefront of design, thanks to their creative spark, Dwen.

The company’s flowers are sold at Mamo in Ward Warehouse, at Riches Kahala, aboard the interisland cruise ship Patriot and in some Longs Drug stores.

Kenrick is collaborating with Lo Kaimuloa of Riches Kahala to develop a line of big, bold faux flowers in keeping with current trends.

The company is making Mainland flowers such as zinnias, sunflowers and roses, as well as Hawaiian flowers, including yellow hibiscus, naupaka, plumeria, orchids and crown flowers.

"After all," Kenrick said, "what’s more Hawaiian than a girl with a flower in her hair?"

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