Mahalo for supporting Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Enjoy this free story!
More photos: Staff Picks: 12 Gifts of Christmas »
[1] Just released Friday, in4mation’s newest hat and T-shirt combo is the Parlay Pack, inspired by professional sports team colors. The snap-back caps ($36), with the urban street clothing line’s distinctive, embossed "hi" design by Elska Sandor of New York, and similarly styled T-shirts ($26) are available at the brand’s Pearlridge Center store (488-0411) and in Chinatown at The Human Imagination, 1154 Nuuanu St. (538-8898).
[2] Jana Lam’s oversize clutches ($55) feature original hand-screened designs by the textile artist, who also sews her pieces. The lined clutch has a magnetic snap closure, interior pocket and strap. Available at Nohea Gallery at Ward Warehouse, Super Citizen on Pauahi Street, Aloha Aina in the Royal Hawaiian Center, Riches at Kahala Mall, Fighting Eel in Kailua and at select neighbor island boutiques; visit www.janalam.com.
[3] Wendy Rosen’s striking tie-dyed silk scarves ($50) are ideal for a nippy tropical evening. They’re available in assorted colors at the Academy Shop at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, 900 S. Beretania St. The shop is open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays, 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Call 532-8703.
[4] Light up the holidays with a cigar made from tobacco grown by the Kauai Cigar Co. on the Blair Estate Coffee Farm near Kapaa. The Island Prince, which comes in light or dark leaf and in a variety of sizes (we recommend the Luana Iki), is a popular choice, said operations manager Tai Erum. Individually wrapped cigars sell for $10 to 12; it’s $18 with decorative gift box. Available at ABC stores, Alan Wong restaurants and other locations.
[5] Geoff Lee twists and shapes molten glass at Island Glassworks into gorgeous sculptural waves, element-inspired vases and abstract sake sets, but his pint glasses ($20) are where art meets function. Available in endless color combinations, they are individually shaped so no two are identical. A notch near the base gives your hand a good grip on a frosty drink. Island Glassworks is at 171-A Hamakua Drive in Kailua; call 263-4527.
[6] The print on this limited-edition Reyn’s bear ($40), designed by Hawaii island printmaker Dietrich Varez, commemorates four international conferences that were held this year in Washington, D.C., Big Sky, Mont., San Francisco and Honolulu. Landmarks from each locale are framed by a pattern of Hawaii’s state flower, the hibiscus, and night-blooming cereus, the striking plants that border the Punahou School campus, President Barack Obama’s alma mater.
[7] Fashionable first lady Michele Obama was so taken with Wayne Keeth’s sterling-silver orchid brooch ($160) that she presented them to the other wives of heads of state during the recent APEC confab in Honolulu. Keeth uses a lost-wax casting process to make one-of-a-kind replicas of flowers he grows at Volcano on Hawaii island. Also available as earrings and pendants at Nohea Gallery at Ward Warehouse, or order at waynekeeth.com.
[8] Feel pretty and satisfy your "green" ambitions at the same time with this necklace ($36) of reclaimed silver melted down from old jewelry, scraps and electronics by Nilma Hunter Creations. Hunter, also uses beach glass and gemstones in her creations. Look for her at craft fairs and the Haleiwa Farmers’ Market on Sundays. Visit www.nilmahuntercreations.com or www.etsy.com/people/nipeli.
[9] Glass artist Taylor Mayo gives new life to discarded jalousie windows with these nature-inspired serving plates. After hand-cutting molds into the various patterns, she spends 14 to 24 hours melting and transforming the old windows into sturdy yet stylish housewares in her studio, located in a former pineapple cannery in Lawai Valley on Kauai. Prices range from $34 to $85 for various shapes and sizes; available at Island Treasures, 602 Kailua Road, Suite 102; call 261-8131.
[10] For the littlest ones on your gift list, stop by The Growing Keiki, 66-051 Kamehameha Highway in Haleiwa, to pick up trendy skull-print onesies ($21) by Little Wings HI or hand-crocheted "Haleiwa" beanies ($20) by Palm Tree Princess.
[11] With the price of metals running high, OTC Inc.’s Dave Lee was casting about for jewelry options and found washi papers cut into dramatic geometric shapes or laser cut for a stained-glass effect in more representational designs in the shape of monstera leaves, sea horses, Japanese fans and more. The reversible earrings ($20) on sterling-silver hooks are finished with a water-resistant coating. Find them at Global Village in Kailua, Novel T World at Ward Warehouse, Under the Koa Tree at Waikiki Beach Walk and Island Keepsakes on Nuuanu Avenue.
[12] Facial hair is such humbug that few men could resist the gift of a classic straight-razor shave. Mojo Barbershop, at 1157 Bethel St. (927-8017), offers $40 gift certificates for a 45-minute pampering that includes a temple massage and hot, mint towel wraps. "Most men who come in have never had this experience," said co-owner Marian Lee. "They love it."
81