Our special holiday edition of 5 Things We Love is offering a month of gift ideas at different price points for every budget. And to retain a bit of the spirit of the season, we’re also featuring gifts that give, benefitting local nonprofit groups. Share your gift ideas by emailing features@staradvertiser.com.
1. Stocking stuffer
Even if you’re not really shopping for anything, it’s fun to step into Island Soap & Candle Works to enjoy the aroma. It’s also a convenient place to find stocking stuffers like this set of scented soaps packaged to look like Gummi candy in a bento box ($6). Other gift ideas include bath salts ($10) and scented shaving soaps in a monkeypod bowl ($11). Island Soap & Candle Works stores are at Ward Warehouse and the Royal Hawaiian Center.
—Steven Mark
2. Under $50
It seems contradictory to describe koa wood earrings as delicate, but this pair from Sunset Art is softened by a gold-plated hoop with dozens of tiny scrolls. Kauai artisan Sarah Rapozo pairs her fashionable aesthetic with an understanding of woodworking honed by years growing up in her father’s Island Ukulele shop to create jewelry, bookmarks, key chains, charms and more. Rapozo crafts most of the collection out of scrap pieces from her father’s custom ukulele and adds accents of gold, mother of pearl, pearls and contrasting inlaid wood. Her delicate touch can be seen at Dole Plantation, Nohea Gallery, The Koa Hut at the Hilton Hawaiian Village and Simply Woods at the Royal Hawaiian Center. These hoops accented with gold ($28) caught my eye at Drift (3434 Waialae Ave.) in Kaimuki. Check out Rapozo’s latest creations on Facebook; search for Sunset Art.
—Donica Kaneshiro
3. Less than $100
You know those aunties who buy you clothes when all that matters are toys? My niece has one. It seems this auntie caught a glimpse of this adorable reversible dress and totally caved. Created by Carmel Yee of Sew HI Kai, the dress comprises printed fabrics in vibrant colors and a large applique of a cute cartoon girl — this one looks exactly like my niece! Turn it inside-out to find a ruffled ribbon bodice too precious for words. I happened to spot Yee’s booth at the Food and New Products Show in October and was able to design the dress I wanted, picking the fabrics, color combos, applique and ribbon (with Yee’s artful assistance). Ready-made dresses are sold at Native Books/Na Mea Hawai‘i at Ward Warehouse. Prices range from $58 to $68. Visit sewhikai.com.
—Joleen Oshiro
4. More than $100
Here’s a Christmas gift worth opening early: Tickets to the Dec. 22 "Makaha Kalikimaka 2013" dinner show with the Makaha Sons in the Hibiscus Ballroom of the Ala Moana Hotel. The award-winning group is celebrating Christmas this year in ohana style, with founding members Louis "Moon" Kauakahi and Jerome Koko performing with new member Eric Lee, Kyoko Kauakahi (Moon’s wife), Kealo Koko-Simpson (Jerome’s daughter) and Shadow Koko (son of John Koko, a member of the Sons from 1983 until his death in 2012). Anyone fortunate enough to have seen the group’s sold-out show at the Waikiki Aquarium in August can testify that Lee fits in beautifully as the third member of the group and that Shadow Koko does a show-stopping, rock-the-rafters hula to "Teve Teve."
The $65-per-person tickets ($32.50 for keiki) include a prime rib buffet dinner with poke bar, shoyu chicken, glazed char siu pork belly, seafood and dessert bar. Doors open at 5 p.m., buffet line opens at 5:30. VIP seating is $100. Call 944-4333 for reservations.
—John Berger
5. Gifts that give
Inside a Kakaako storefront dubbed The Refuge, community organization 808 Urban offers a safe haven for teens while providing youthful interns an opportunity to learn project management and arts-related skills. The young artists design and create painted hats, cards, prints, T-shirts and other works for sale at The Refuge for $1 to $40. Local artists also offer items to benefit 808 Urban, including jewelry, clothing, art books and cards, ranging from $20 to $70. Purchases support 808 Urban’s mission.
The Refuge, 683 Auahi St., is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Find out more about the group’s other projects, including murals, arts workshops and high school-centered Junior Boards, or order an 808 Urban T-shirt ($20), at 808Urban.org.
—Elizabeth Kieszkowski
