Exciting, delicious and mind-boggling: Made in Hawaii is 450 booths spread out like an ocean of temptation. Launch your inner voyager and, like the captains and crew of the Hawaiian voyaging canoe Hokule‘a, navigate the sea of choices stretched out before you.
To aid your way-finding, study the map and the list of vendors. The floor plans of the exhibition hall and arena are on the website. Download the map and the vendor list before you go. No time for that? Unless you are just sightseeing, seasoned shoppers suggest downloading or grabbing a printed program at the door and taking a few minutes to mark a plan for your shopping voyage. Circle booths that are new to you or are your “go-to, don’t miss,” then stay on course. If other booths and other rows tempt you, mark them as a “go back.” Important: Note where the restrooms are. Don’t travel willy-nilly. Shop one side, then the other.
MADE IN HAWAII FESTIVAL
Where: Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall & Arena
When: 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
Cost: $6
Info: MadeInHawaiiFestival.com
Be prepared: The $6 admission is cash only. Most vendors accept credit and debit cards. On the shopping path, arrive equipped with cloth shopping bags with sturdy handles. Run out of bags? No problem, as totes and gift bags are some of the products for sale. Wearing comfortable shoes is a given. Consider nonbulky tops and pants if trying on garments over clothing is likely.
Pace yourself and use the sit-and-stand strategy. In the Pikake Room of the exhibition hall, seats are plentiful, and the music lineup reads like the nominees for the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards show.
Get comfortable in the air-conditioned room early to see top talent, including Melveen Leed singing maybe Hawaiian, maybe jazz, along with Jerry Santos and Maunalua. Saturday highlights: Natalie Ai Kamauu, Chad Takatsugi and Raiatea Helm.
From 3:30 p.m. onward Saturday, the Outrigger Reef on the Beach Kani Ka Pila Grille Talent Search will be the place to get a glimpse of groups that win a monthlong gig at the grill and just might be on the next Na Hoku ballot.
Hungry? As if you could ignore the aromas from the delicious goodie-filled counters. Check out what’s new this year, including Ho Farms’ offerings of okra, eggplant and butternut squash, along with pickled beets, rainbow carrots and dehydrated sugar bananas.
Foodies have favorites. Sample Maui Sweet Cakes Shortbread Cookies, Hawaii Fudge Company caramels, Aloha Edibles Lotus Root Chips or Wow Wow Lemonade’s new flavor, Pineapple Li Hing Lemonade.
And, for shoppers over 21, sip and take home Hawaii Sea Spirits Deep Island Hawaiian Rum.
Count on a line at Kauai County’s Aunty Lilikoi Products. Feeling like an Olympic winner, owner Lori Cardenas is ready to share. The company put its Passion Fruit Wasabi Dressing up against 16 countries and 17 states to bring home the gold from the World-Wide Mustard Competition in Louisiana.
Cooking demonstrations by Hawaii’s top chefs — three Friday, four Saturday and two Sunday — carry the theme “Buy Local, It Matters.” Easy to find, the demos seat 200. The chefs are unfailingly convincing, with the mantra “Gourmet cooking is for everyone.”
In order of appearance, Friday: chef Collin Hazama, Royal Hawaiian Luxury Collection; chef Ray German, Fish House at Four Seasons Ko Olina; and Guillaume Thivet, BLT Steak at Trump Hotel.
Saturday the chefs are Russell Siu, 3660 on the Rise and Kakaako Kitchen; Mark Freiberg, Mariposa; Ronnie Nasuti, Tiki’s Grill & Bar; and David Lukela from Beachhouse at the Moana.
Sunday chefs include JJ Reinhart of Bali and Lee Anne Wong from Koko Head Cafe.
The arts at Made in Hawaii run the gamut from Gwen Kamisugi’s intricate lau hala hats, purses and baskets to Coconut Connections Ni‘au bamboo walking sticks and coconut brooms, almost too pretty to use.
Philip and Mieko Markwart, Made in Hawaii stalwarts since the early years, continue to fill Booth 526 with Philip’s fine-art silk-screen designs printed for daily use on towels and T-shirts.
Sculpture, handcrafted silver and gold jewelry, fine-art paintings and wood carvings make it easy to decorate yourself or your abode.
On the green side: Tree Hugger Products from Hawaii island offers body and bath items made with natural ingredients, petroleum-free.
Re-created wearable memories come from Ann Inafuku in Booth 225. Remember those shirts and shorts made from rice bags? If you don’t, your grandpa does.
And, possibly the best booth of all if you are under age 10: Critterman Chuck, with hand-cast insect specimens preserved in resin.
In tribute to Hawaii’s history and heritage, consider the perfect to-scale reconstructions Francis Pimmel will present at Made in Hawaii. Pimmel’s delicate inlay koa canoes mirror the great voyaging canoe Hokule‘a, valiantly navigating distant oceans as you navigate the 22nd annual festival of gifts and products made in the islands.