Posted on: Wednesday, December 12, 2001
Win-win holiday shopping: local-made gifts under $25
By Paula Rath
Advertiser Staff Writer
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| Clockwise from top left, slippers for kids feature a bug pattern in the fabric; doll doubles as a macadamia nut wrapper; Cane Haul Road T-shirts n several luscious colors; patriotic heart pin.
Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser |
This year, more than ever, it's important to support our local crafters, retailers and designers by buying Island-made Christmas gifts. The downturn in the visitor industry since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks means Christmas sales depend heavily on kama'aina buyers.
In this sixth annual wrap-up of made-in-Hawai'i gifts, our budget remains at $25 for each item. It's just a smattering of what's out there in stores. Craft fairs also offer a plethora of gift possibilities.
Other major outlets, such as Longs Drug stores and Wal-Mart, also carry a variety of gifts that are made here in the Islands.
Omiyage
No one can have too many picture frames. Jodie Yim of Specialty Papers crafts handmade paper frames with a mat and easel of Hawaiian print fabric. Available at gift shops such as A Gift for All Seasons, Island Keepsakes and Maui Hands Gallery ($14.50-$17.50).
This year Tahitian Goddess is packaging gift sets with their ono jams, jellies and chutneys in pretty baskets and boxes wrapped with ribbons and dried flowers for easy giving.
Available at Native Books & Beautiful Things ($8.95-$22.60).
Her name is Leilehua, and she's stuffed with macadamia nuts in the shell, of all things. The doll is found exclusively at Kealia Ranch Store, and made by a Big Island crafter ($25).
The cat lover will get a kick out of Meowie Wowee catnip in a cute package at Martin & MacArthur ($5.75).
Make a dining table stand out with ceramic trivets made by Meg Graves of upcountry Maui, sold at The Honolulu Academy of Arts gift shop ($17.50).
If there's a woman on your list who loves T-shirts, this is a good year for her. Grant Kagimoto of Cane Haul Road broke records this season and came out with seven new designs. Among them are lovely interpretations of heliconia and bird of paradise (Native Books & Beautiful Things, $16). They have a graceful scoop neck and come in luscious colors.
Stocking stuffers
These days ads tout "stocking stuffers" that may be small in size but have big pricetags. Here are some that are affordable:
Island Keepsakes has a good-humored idea: Antenna balls in a red and yellow Hawaiian print that say "aloha" ($2.50).
A tiny ceramic heart-shaped pin makes a tasteful display of the American flag at Cook's Discoveries in Waimea ($3). Emily Hirata makes fabric cell phone holders that can be worn alone or hung from a backpack or handbag. Some have "hello" written on them while others have little bells. They're sold at We're Best of Friends ($5).
Keiki love bugs, and now they can wear them on their own adorable rattan slippahs, available from Native Books and Beautiful Things ($18).
For those who sew at home, Pam Abe of Makaha makes charming pincushions in lauhala baskets that look like little ottomans. They're sold at the Mission Houses Museum shop ($8.95).
From Native Books & Beautiful Things comes a gift for baby: A Hawaiian print pacifier holder that goes around baby's neck like a bib and holds two pacifiers, to avoid losing one at a critical moment ($13.95).
For the guys
If he's a rubbah slippah kind of guy, he'll love Joy Labrador's pillows at We're Best of Friends in Kaimuki. They're shaped like his favorite footwear and are ideal as a neck roll ($18-$25).
And many a hard-working man would appreciate the "Back to Hawaii low back support pillow," designed and made by a Maui physical therapist. It's on the Web at madeinmaui.com ($19). This site has lots of other reasonable gift ideas, and it's so easy to have them shipped directly to the folks on your gift list.
How about a new T-shirt design? Kealia Ranch Store has a collection of paniolo-themed shirts with quilt designs and Hawaiian flags ($15).
For stressed-out friends
Ahhhhh. A long soak in a hot tub. Add a touch of Coconut Ginger Milk Bath to replenish moisture and revive dry skin, and voila — the gift of relaxation.
If the senses need uplifting, a "Just Lavender" gel candle in pretty royal blue glass may fit the bill. Both are made by Island Herbal, available at Cook's Discoveries in Waimea (candle: $16, milk bath $17).
Games are great stress reducers. This year there's a surge in popularity of konane, or Hawaiian checkers. Sets made of materials from kapok to koa are available, many of them selling for less than $25. Sets were spotted at Kealia Ranch Store on the Big Island and the Mission Houses Museum shop in Honolulu.
Martin & MacArthur has card holders with ocean and mountain scenes inlaid in wood ($21.85)
Museums are sanctuaries for the soul. Day passes to The Honolulu Academy of Arts, Bishop Museum, The Contemporary Museum or any of the Islands' other fine museums are an ideal and affordable gift.
