1. Mac nuts, Kona coffee and cookies are obvious picks to send to mainland friends and ohana, so I’m always looking for something new to add to the package each year. I found it in Hawaii license plate-style cutting boards, $10.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond.
The design is laser-etched into the 11-by-5-1/2-inch bamboo boards, which can be used as wall decor (comes with holes in the back for hanging) or as a serving platter or cheese board. Lightweight for mailing, they would also make a great hostess or Secret Santa gift.
— Christie Wilson
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2. Cruise Chinatown’s Louis Pohl Gallery, 1142 Bethel St., for one-of-a-kind holiday stockings made by Anne Kase. Assembled from fabrics the artist sourced in various locations, including Japan, they’re a colorful, playful way to sock away small gifts.
The 10-inch stockings ($15) are sold exclusively at the gallery under Kase’s Anneticipation label. Call 521-1812 or visit louispohlgallery.com.
— Elizabeth Kieszkowski
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3. Help the caffeine fiends in your life experience a new way to get their fix with the barrel-aged coffee beans by Manulele Distillers in Kunia.
Manulele uses Hawaii sugar cane to create Ko Hana agricole rum, which is aged in oak barrels previously filled with American whiskey to impart additional flavor and color. Select barrels are then filled with locally roasted coffee beans, with Manulele staff rotating each barrel daily for 10 days in order to infuse the beans with a mixture of oak and rum flavors.
At $20 per 8-ounce bag, this stuff is definitely a luxury, but that’s what makes it a distinctive gift for coffee lovers. Pair a bag with Ko Hana’s logo coffee mug ($10) and sugar cane swizzle sticks ($5) for a complete rum-tastic experience. Manulele Distillers is at 92-1770 Kunia Road, No. 227. Call 649-0830.
— Jason Genegabus
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4. This beautiful wooden lampshade was made by Leslie Kaikulu Vincent out of Hawaii-grown Norfolk pine. The Waimanalo craftsman developed a process in which he replaces moisture in wood with polyurethane, creating a finish that is both beautiful and durable, no special care required.
An expert wood turner, Vincent shaves the wood thin enough so that light shines through with a rich warm radiance, the knots glowing a beautiful red. The wood also is treated to withstand heat. The lampshades are $400, fixtures included (but you might get a discount if ordering more than one).
Vincent also offers other pieces, from standing lamps to bowls and cremation urns. Order soon, though, as these are handcrafted treasures. Call 341-0715, visit kaikulu.com or look for Kaikulu Originals on Facebook.
— Steven Mark
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5. A kawaii (cute) kitty dresses up as the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac to adorn a delightful wall clock handmade by Little Craft Shack of Wahiawa. (The dragon, rat and rabbit are my favorites.)Crafter Lynn Lum assembles the paper pieces to create designs for the 9-3/4-inch clocks, which run on a single AA battery.
Other equally charming choices include sushi, hanafuda, Chinese and Japanese motifs, and a “Hawaiian Time” version. Lum also takes custom orders (allow two weeks).
The clocks are $30 on the Little Craft Shack page on etsy.com, or $25 if you track Lum down at An Evening in Waipio on Wednesday at the Hawaii Okinawa Center, the Moanalua High School Winter Craft Fair on Saturday or the Season’s Best Craft Fair at Blaisdell Center Dec. 16-18. Reach her by email lcs@lava.net.
— Nancy Arcayna
“5 Things We Love” is a shortlist of newly discovered stuff you have got to see, hear, wear, use or eat. Please keep in mind that featured products may be in short supply and may not be available at all store locations; prices may vary. Tell us what you are loving by emailing features@staradvertiser.com.
