To celebrate the holidays, "5 Things We Love" will be devoted to gift ideas through Dec. 24. Today we kick off with an expanded version featuring made-in-Hawaii gifts. Next week: Secret Santa ideas for $20 or less.
Rhoda J jewelry has vintage vibe
These handmade freshwater pearl and sterling silver earrings ($80) by Rhoda J are supercute and fun without straying into tacky territory. The Honolulu designer favors fruit and vines in her necklaces and earrings, which have a vintage vibe appealing to women of all ages. It’s been a while since Nohea Gallery at Ward Warehouse has been able to carry her work, but a new assortment is in store now (adorable cherry earrings are ripe for the picking!). Call 596-0074 or visit Noheagallery.com.
— Christie Wilson
Rix Island Wear is locally made
Rick Ralston introduced Rix Island Wear two years ago as a collection of 100 percent natural cotton, contemporary Hawaiian shirts designed and sewn locally. The newest design, Kualoa, is named for the Windward ahupuaa. Ralston says that it "depicts the depth of the greenery you can find (there)." The shirt also comes in light blue on umber and leaf green on navy ($59.50) at the Rix flagship store at Ward Warehouse and at the smaller Hyatt Regency Waikiki and Kahala Mall outlets.
— John Berger
Handbags come in fun prints, styles
If you’re looking to support local artisans but are weary of made-in-Hawaii gifts that are trite or cliché, check out Drew Murphy’s line of Mixed Handbags for a shot of enthusiasm. Murphy, who moved here from Guam nearly two years ago to pursue a full-time career as a handbag designer, sells his vibrant, fabric casual-chic hobo, bucket and carpet bags at select craft fairs and Saturdays at the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet & Marketplace. His hobo design ($48-$60) comes with a twine handle or convertible leather strap that transforms it from a shoulder bag to cross-body bag. There are also totes ($48) with beaded handles, bucket bags ($30) and geometric carpet bags ($38) with bamboo handles, as well as wristlets and makeup pouches ($15). Murphy creates just a few pieces in each fabric to keep them exclusive and will whip up custom orders for folks who supply their own material. Visit www.mixedbtq.com or email Murphy at mixedbtq@gmail.com.
— Joleen Oshiro
Custom-order a koa veneer sign
Personalized koa veneer signs ($99) from Pictures Plus provide an elegant welcome to guests or a classic element to your decor. Or get one to commemorate a wedding, birth or other special occasion. Just provide the text and pick from slipper, monstera, ohana, honu and petroglyph designs and assorted fonts. It takes about a week, so get your order in now for Christmas. Pictures Plus has outlets in Ward Warehouse, Kahala Mall, Pearl Highlands Center and the Naval Exchange.
— Steven Mark
Homegrown cookies sure to please
Big Island Delights is my choice for made-in-Hawaii gifts with home-kitchen taste. A fave: Chocolate Chip Mac Nut Delight, made with only "real" ingredients — butter rather than hydrogenated oil, Tahitian vanilla and Big Island-grown macadamia nuts. The cookies are widely available at variety and grocery stores in small packs ideal for filling out care packages and gift baskets; a 14-ounce tub is $9.95 at bigislanddelights.com.
— Elizabeth Kieszkowski
Hawaiian songs for a mele Christmas
Hawaiian music has been one of the islands’ most popular exports for more than a century and is as popular today as ever. And although many people outside Hawaii might buy individual songs as downloads, a traditional CD can provide much more than the music: song lyrics, English translations, cultural information and related artwork. With a little luck you can personalize a gift CD by getting it autographed to the lucky recipient.
"Hilo for the Holidays," by Kuana Torres Kahele, is this year’s big local Christmas album, and Hawaiian-music fans on your gift list are also likely to enjoy the new albums by Gary Aiko ("Poina ‘Ole ‘Ia"), Keola Beamer ("Malama Ko Aloha"), Amy Hanaiali‘i ("My Father’s Granddaughter"), Kawaikapuokalani Hewett ("Hali‘a i ka Poli"), Mike Kaawa ("Kupaka‘a") and Henry Kapono ("Home in the Islands 15th Anniversary").
— John Berger
Fun tiles send smiles across the miles
Hawaii expats and mainland ohana can live with a little bit of the islands with these 6-inch-square decorative handcrafted tiles from Banana Patch Studio in Hanapepe, Kauai. Locals also will appreciate the humor of the "slippahs" design ($32.99) and clock ($44.99). The tiles are a best-seller at The Islands’ Best in Ala Moana Center (949-5345) and also can be purchased at bananapatchstudio.com.
— Gary Chun
‘Filthy’ soaps carry risqué names
Filthy Farmgirl of Hawaii island prides itself on making "handmade soap with attitude!" that is 100 percent natural and contains "no yucky stuff." The sassy soap maker has whipped up some racy holiday "flavors": Filthy Fruitcake (cherry citrus spice) and Filthy Surfer (coconut lime) with a surfing Santa on the label. The colorful retro packaging makes them a fun stocking stuffer at $8.99 for a large bar and $9.99 for a sachet bag of three minisoaps. Find the brand at select boutiques or get free shipping at filthyfarmgirl.com.
— Gary Chun
Kukui nut oil enhances beauty
Oils of Aloha’s kukui nut oil is praised for its soothing, healing quality: The natural, expeller-pressed "KUKUIae" oil provides relief for sunburn, dry skin, even eczema and psoriasis. Those are wonderful reasons to use it, but I love this silky, quickly absorbed oil for another reason: its beauty-enhancing effect. While the kukui nut oil doesn’t feel slippery or greasy, it leaves your skin with an attractive glow. Try it lightly scented with a Paradise fragrance, or unscented if you have allergies or skin irritations; $17.99 for 4 ounces at ABC Stores, $12.99 at Target.com. Find out more at oilsofaloha.com.
— Elizabeth Kieszkowski
Star on your tree can be a starfish
OK, he’s tacky, but you have to admit he’s cute. This starfish sporting beach attire and carrying a surfboard is this year’s selection as the Hawaiian-style ornament that I mail annually to my sister on the East Coast. It’s $10 at www.mauichristmas.com.
— Nancy Arcayna
Value-added pineapple is spicy-sweet
Pineapple is so passé when you’ve lived in Hawaii most of your life. But Maui Preserved gives it a new twist by bottling Maui Gold pineapple in sugar cane syrup and adding Hawaiian chili pepper. The spicy-sweet result is 100 percent local and 100 percent delicious. The sweetness of sugary pineapple hits first, and just when you think, "Hey, that wasn’t spicy," a subtle heat envelopes the tongue. A 16-ounce jar costs $9.99 at Whole Foods. For more information, visit www.mauipreserved.com.
— Donica Kaneshiro
Hawaiian-language bible makes ideal family heirloom
Certain to become a cherished addition to any family library, the newly published Ka Baibala Hemolele marks the first time a Hawaiian-language bible has been printed with kahako and okina diacritics. The new edition of this historically and culturally important book is the result of more than 10 years of effort by dozens of scholars, educators and volunteers working with Mutual Publishing and Partners in Development Foundation. Along with a trade edition ($45) with black leather cover, genealogy pages, maps and ribbon marker, there is a commemorative Kamehameha Schools 125th Anniversary edition in blue leather for the same price that includes an introduction honoring Princess Pauahi Bishop (available only from the publisher). A special limited-edition ($75) of 400 copies comes with a black leather hardcover, bonded leather slipcase, gold corners and gilded edges. Buy these soon-to-be-heirlooms at Logos Bookstore at 760 Halekauwila St., Native Books/Na Mea Hawai‘i in Ward Warehouse and other book sellers, and through the publisher (732-1709 or email info@mutualpublishing.com.).
— Christie Wilson
