9 Unique Gift Ideas for the Hawaiʻi Traveler on Your List
Give these Hawaiʻi-inspired travel gifts this holiday season to those who love visiting the Islands.
Got someone on your list who loves to travel—and loves traveling to Hawaiʻi? (Or maybe that’s you!) Here are nine gifts—from aloha-inspired luggage to much-needed slippers—that will get them in the mood to plan their next visit to the Islands.
Aloha Wear, Reyn Spooner
Aloha shirts and tops by Reyn Spooner.
Photos: Courtesy of Reyn Spooner
You can’t visit the Islands without the proper aloha attire. And we’re not talking about loud, kitschy prints. Go for a more local approach—by shopping local brands like Reyn Spooner. While the company is known for its aloha shirts—take the Surf History ($119.50) on the left, a collaboration with local artist Eddy Y depicting the history of surfboards—it offers a great lineup of women’s apparel. We love this pareau-design Kia Orana tunic ($195.50) in a cut and shape flattering to just about anyone. (“Kia orana” is a greeting in the Cook Islands that means, “May you live a long and fulfilling life.”) Wear it to the beach or the pool as a swimsuit cover-up or style it with your favorite pair of pants or shorts for an effortless everyday look. reynspooner.com
Slippers, OluKai
ʻOhana slippers (or sandals) by Olukai.
Photo: Courtesy of Olukai
Slippers—or flip flops, beach sandals or thongs, as they’re called elsewhere—is essential in Hawaiʻi. (You can’t walk on the beach in covered shoes!) You can find slippers in most surf shops and drug stores across the Islands. But for a “fancier” pair, check out the ones designed by island-inspired premium footwear brand OluKai. Recently, it launched a line of new designs in its Fruit Stand Collection, which celebrates the fresh flavors of Hawaiʻi’s produce. To the left is the ʻOhana ($75), with a textured strap to resemble a seed-studded guava; the right is Tuahine/Kipeʻa Olu ($100), with embossed ʻulu (breadfruit) leaves on the footbed. Both pairs can work with swimsuits or dressy outfits—and they’ll last a lot longer than ones made from rubber. A portion of proceeds from these (and all) OluKai shoes support the Ama OluKai Foundation, a nonprofit created to preserve land and ocean, serve island communities and maintain Hawaiian culture and traditions. olukai.com
Luggage, Leiʻohu Designs
Luggage by Hilo-based Leiʻohu Designs.
Photos: Courtesy of Leiʻohu Designs
This Hilo-based company sells everything from island-inspired pareos to phone cases—and yes, luggage, too. In fact, it boasts an entire line of travel bags and accessories that feature illustrations of Hawai‘i flora and fauna (including endemic species), lei and other cultural elements. The roller suitcase ($225) boasts a hard-but-lightweight polycarbonate shell exterior, adjustable telescopic handles, inner pockets and a built-in lock. And the various designs—taro leaves, ʻōhia lehua blossoms, colorful lei—will make your luggage sure to stand out on the carousel. leiohudesigns.com
Duffel, Jana Lam Hawaiʻi
Duffel bag by Jana Lam Hawaiʻi.
Photo: Courtesy of Jana Lam Hawaiʻi/Sean Marrs
These duffel bags are roomy, durable and functional—and super cute! The perfect travel bag for a vacation (or staycation) in the Islands. Use it at your all-purpose carry-on or stuff it with beach essentials for a day in the sun. The crossbody straps are adjustable and the bags are fully lined with a double interior pocket. The designs—this one is the brand’s signature Seaflower print—are original, created by Oʻahu native Jana Lam. janalam.com
Shampoo and Conditioner Bars, Keālia Organics
Shampoo and conditioner bars from Keālia Organics.
Photo: Courtesy of Keālia Organics
No waste, no problem! These handmade, all-natural shampoo and conditioner bars (sets start at $25) by Kauaʻi-based Keālia Organics are perfect to throw in your travel bag. The Coconut Kukui combo is made with the hair-healing benefits of coconut oil and locally pressed kukui nut (candlenut) oil from Hawaiʻi Island. All of the company’s products come in raw bar form or packaged sustainably. kealiaorganics.com
Perfume Roller, Jules + Gem Hawaiʻi
Perfume rollers from Jules + Gem Hawaiʻi.
Photo: Courtesy of Jules + Gem Hawaiʻi
Ditch the bulky perfume bottles for one of these roller balls ($22 each) from Honolulu-based Jules + Gem Hawaiʻi. Scents include guava nectar and lilikoʻi (passion fruit) with mint. julesandgemhawaii.com
Espresso Bites Mixed Pack, Big Island Coffee Roasters
Espresso Bites from Big Island Coffee Roasters.
Photo: Courtesy of Big Island Coffee Roasters
Caffeine and travel go hand-in-hand. Instead of waiting in long lines at airport coffee shops, carry one of these caffeine-packed Espresso Bites with you. Big Island Coffee Roasters has three flavors of its award-winning bars—classic, salted, latte—which boast two to three shots of espresso per bar. (A 3-pack is $24.) They’re also made with 100% Hawaiʻi Island coffee. bigislandcoffeeroasters.com
Water Bottle, Aloha Collection
Mizu water bottles by Aloha Collection.
Photos: Courtesy of Aloha Collection
Stay hydrated on the plane—and at the beach—with these 36-ounce water bottles ($52—but there’s often a sale) by Aloha Collection. We love the wide mouths and insulated stainless steel, which keeps your water (or whatever else you have in there, we don’t judge) cool. aloha-collection.com
“Sharks in the Time of Saviors” by Kawai Strong Washburn
You’ll need reading material for the plane—and lounging by the pool. Our friends—and coworkers—at HONOLULU Magazine highly recommend this book by Big Island-born Kawai Strong Washburn. In sum, this book, set in Hawaiʻi, uses magical realism to bring ancient Native Hawaiian myths into the modern day. As executive editor (and book nerd) Katrina Valcourt put it: “I loved the family dynamics as much as the nonidealized portrayal of contemporary local issues regarding culture, filial piety, socioeconomics and what it means to leave the Islands.” A must-read for anyone who loves Hawaiʻi. Buy it here.
Don’t forget to vote in our Readers’ Choice Awards! Vote for your favorite hotel, restaurant, hike, beach, poke shop and more! Plus, enter to win a free trip to Hawaiʻi, courtesy of Alaska Airlines and Waimea Plantation Cottages.
