Shop smart, buy local from Hawaii’s own holiday gamut

HONOLULU—This holiday season, I decided that my gift-giving ritual would be fun, affordable, and stress free. I mean, why shouldn’t it be?  So, keeping that idea in mind, I ferreted out some unique, budget-friendly presents for everyone on your list. The first several suggestions are edible—the rest run the gamut from jewelry to books. What do these gifts have in common? They are all locally designed or made, they are all under $60, many can be purchased online, and none necessitates a trip to the mall.

Hawaii food gifts now extend way beyond macadamia nuts. There are now a host of artisinal products available at farmers markets, high-end grocery stores, and online. These gifts are perfect for anyone who enjoys good food and drink.

Maile Kai Chocolates
Fine chocolate is always appreciated and Malie Kai Chocolates from the Waialua Estate on Oahu’s North Shore deliver some of the finest I’ve tasted. I’m usually strictly a dark chocolate kind of girl, but their rich milk chocolate packs a serious chocolate punch. Their beautifully packaged bars can be purchased three for $10 at the Kapiolani Community College’s farmers market. They are also available at R. Field and Whole Foods.

Kaiulani Spices
Kaiulani Spices will add spice to any gourmet’s life. Her Kona coffee rub and curry powders are both standouts, the former being a key ingredient in delicious Kona coffee burgers with wasabi mayo, the latter central to a tasty fried rice. You can purchase these as well as her Chinese 5 spice and Hawaiian spice in a four-spice gift pack for $23.

Honolulu Gourmet Foods
Honolulu Gourmet Foods is also offering a holiday package. Pick any two of their delicious salad dressings, gift wrapped, for $12. The mango and papaya seed variety adds a bright note to any salad and tastes like pure Hawaii. Even better, salad dressings are a nice antidote to all the rich food gifts typically received this time of year.

Aikanae Kona Coffee
Thinking about sending Kona coffee to your java addicts on the mainland? Check out Aikanae Kona Coffee. Growers Tom and Allan are offering a holiday special of free shipping on domestic orders totaling two and a half pounds or more. They offer a wide range of estate grown, handpicked, custom-roasted beans at an affordable price.

Koloa Rum
Lucky lushes of Kauai rejoice! You can now buy local K?loa Rum from the new tasting room at the Historic Kilohana Plantation just outside Lihue. An offshoot of Hawaiian Kukui of jam and syrup fame, the Koloa Rum Corporation makes gold ($30.95), dark ($32.95), and white ($29.95) rums from locally-sourced Kauai sugarcane in their Kalaheo production facility, the site of both their distillation and bottling efforts. Currently, the spirits can only be purchased on site but Kamaaina get a 10 percent discount. Too bad that doesn’t cover the airfare these days. The good news is that KRC plans to distribute to other islands—both through restaurants and bar accounts and in liquor stores—early next year.

Puka shell bangles by Erin Austin Designs
Brand new to the Oahu jewelry scene are fabulous Puka shell bangles in sterling ($28) or gold ($54) by Erin Austin Designs. These classic pieces look great on their own, stacked together (especially mixing up the gold and silver varieties), or mixed with other bracelets. She does coordinating earrings too. Her business is so new that she does not yet have a formal website. However, her designs can be viewed on Etsy under the profile erina808 or you can email her at [email protected]. Allow three days to a week to fill an order.

My Little Secret
My Little Secret was devised as a way to ease some of the holiday stress people face when trying to rush around and get everything done in time. The concept is to provide those who love homemade treats but don’t have the time to bake with “homemade” goods for all their party and gift-giving needs. In addition to the mouthwatering items on her menu, proprietor Robin Terry can take someone’s own family recipe and make it for them, and even adapt for dietary needs. For more information and pricing, contact Robin at [email protected].

Dinner by Chef Kathi
Another great option for time-pressed gourmets is to hire a private chef for a special evening. Chef Kathi prepares thoughtful, creative meals to accommodate any taste or dietary specifications. Guests of parties featuring her food are consistently wowed by the quality. She also will come cook a special romantic dinner for two at your home. Specialties include pupus like Roasted Corn Cakes with Pumpkin Pesto Goat Cheese or Lobster Truffle Oil Risotto in Won Ton Spoons with Lobster Bisque and entrees like Miso Glazed Opah in Lemongrass, Kaffir Lime Leaf Broth with Shrimp Dumplings, and Steamed White Asparagus. Rates begin at just $25 per hour. For more information, visit www.ChefKathi.com.

Kahuku Farms Mango Body Butter Cream
Those who love to treat their skin as well as their stomachs should check out Kahuku Farms Mango Body Butter Cream ($13). The texture is unctuous and the smell intoxicating; you literally want to taste it. In fact, there is even a sign warning patrons at the farmers market that the product is lotion, and not to eat.

Hadji Baba Bags
Women love handbags almost as much as they love shoes, and Hadji Baba Bags offer panache and personal style without the couture price tag. Designer Lynda Saksaida lovingly sews each one herself, with the help of her trusty avian sidekicks. To read her story and view examples of her work, check out www.hadjibababags.com. Hadji Baba Bags are also available around town at the Honolulu Academy of Arts gift shop and the Halekulani Spa Boutique. I recently spotted a stunning example—red leather with a classic Waikiki surfer printed applique—at the “Handmade in Hawaii” show at Arts at Mark’s Garage for $35.

Muumuu Heaven
Muumuu Heaven in Kailua also offers chic budget-friendly finds. Treat the artists in your life to a one-of-a-kind sketchbook made from recycled album covers ($15). They just expanded and remodeled their store to make room for home items and gifts, in addition to Deb Mascia’s fabulous dresses and skirts for vintage-savvy and eco-friendly fashionistas. Some of the many offerings include Clark Little Prints starting at $45 (perfect for the surfers in your life); amber, red, and green glass ($5-$45); “Daijobu” Teddy Bears for hip keiki ($30-$45), and Muumuu Heaven Stockings ($30).

Vers Hawaii t-shirts
Who doesn’t love a great t-shirt? Support local artists Roxanne Chasle and Matt Kawika Ortiz by ordering one from Vers art and apparel.  Soft organic cotton shirts with eye-catching graphics (“Wooden Wave” is my personal fave) run for $35. Their tagline is “lines that unite,” which speaks to the fact that whether referring to our favorite visual art, music, a perfect wave, or the beauty of nature, we are drawn to lines. Each design is hand drawn and printed in small batches. They make great hoodies, dresses, and caps as well. View their wearable art and find out where to buy on their blog at www.vershawaii.com, or email directly at [email protected].

Cutsie Patootsie beanies
Treat the keiki in your life to a handmade beanie or headband by Cutsie Patootsie Hawaii. Crocheted from super-soft cotton yarn, including organic and bamboo varieties, you can select from wide-open weave, appropriate to Hawaii climes, or something warmer for the mainland. The brimmed or funky flapped beanies are perfect for little grommets of both genders. Headbands start at $18, beanies at $23. Order by December 21 for local recipients.

Photos by Nicole Seu
Another gift idea for families with children is a photo session with photographer extraordinaire, Nicole Seu. She is guaranteed to bring a smile to everyone’s face and is offering a holiday special: $48 for a 20 minute session at a location in town, after which the images go up on her website. Then the photos can be purchased individually or the full set of high-resolution images for $55.

Saving Honolulu’s Chinatown
Scholars of local history will enjoy A Close Call: Saving Honolulu’s Chinatown. This slim volume chronicles the story of the fight to save Chinatown, which was spearheaded by co-author Nancy Bannick in the 1960s. Packed with fascinating new and historic photos of this legendary district, it tells the story of how architects, developers, government officials and ordinary citizens came together for a common purpose. Feel extra erudite by purchasing it from Hawaii Public Radio’s website, which is currently running a special promotion: co-author David Cheever will donate $10, half the proceeds from this $20 book, to HPR.

HI Value
Of course, what could be a better gift than the gift of knowledge? Treat your friends and family to a subscription to The Hawaii Independent, your favorite community-supported newspaper. For $50 annual subscription, you’ll receive HI Value, a special discount program worth hundreds of dollars in savings at select merchants. We’ll also apply 10 percent of our subscription revenue to a non-profit of your choosing.

Happy Holidays!