Looking for a Hawaii-Inspired Gift?
We've got 22 gift ideas for everyone on your Christmas list.
Not done with your Christmas shopping? We feel you. Here’s a list of 22 Hawaii-inspired, island-themed gifts for anyone on your shopping list—including you.
For Kids
Keiki Kaukau Wooden Food Play Set
This adorable wooden toy food set with local favorites including a Spam musubi, loco moco and malasada. It’s designed by April Hail, a mom and teacher from Honolulu. The pieces are made out of eco-friendly wood, non-toxic paint and felt. This set is perfect for the toddlers on your list. Bonus: For each set sold, Keiki Kaukau will donate the equivalent of five meals to the Hawaii Food Bank.
$24, keikikaukau.com
Pueo Tooth Fairy Pillows
Kauai-based Hawaii Says Hi has a slew of great locally made gifts, from handcrafted soaps to extra-large tea towels emblazoned with opihi. But we adore the handmade pueo (Hawaiian owl) tooth fairy pillow, with long wings that fold across its belly where there’s a little pocket perfect to store tiny treasures or notes. Cuteness overload!
$35, hawaiisayshi.com
Retro No Worry Beef Curry Tee
Honolulu-based Izzy & Luke creates some of the cutest local-inspired apparel for kids—but this super-soft ringer shirt, part of the Vintage Aloha collection, is our favorite. “No Worry Beef Curry” should be the motto for 2020.
$22, izzyandluke.com
For Foodies
Tiny Hearts Foodie Lunch Tote Bag
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Cute local food on a lunch tote? Yes, please. This insulated lunch bag is adorned with smiling shave ice, tacos, pineapples and saimin. It’s the perfect size for carrying tubs of poke on your next Hawaii vacation—or your home lunch. It’s got a zipper closure and dual reinforced handles. There’s a convenient side pocket, too, for a water bottle.
Dark Chocolate-Covered Peppermint Brownies
There’s no better combination than chocolate and peppermint—and no one does this better than Big Island Candies. The Hilo-based company unveiled its seasonal flavor: dark chocolate-covered brownies flecked with peppermint candy. There’s even a creamy mint layer inside. Feel free to buy a box for yourself, too.
$17, bigislandcandies.com
Loco Moco Belly Shirt
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The perfect gift for that person on your list who unabashedly loves loco moco, the iconic Hawaii dish of rice, hamburger steak patties and fried eggs smothered in brown gravy.
Ugly Cookies
There’s nothing really ugly about these cookies made by Kona Chips on Hawaii Island. These chocolate chip cookies have bits of crispy Kona Chips in them—and they’re a favorite omiyage (souvenir for travelers) of locals traveling to Kona. (The company is getting a high volume of online orders, so some items, including these cookies, may not be shipped until early January.)
$15.95, konachips.com
Seasonal Cookies from Honolulu Cookie Co.
Honolulu Cookie Co. launched a new seasonal flavor this year—peppermint chocolate—and we’re excited about it. These pineapple-shaped shortbread cookies are part of the holiday lineup, which includes a variety of flavors packed in holiday-themed keepsake tins and boxes.
From $5.95, honolulucookie.com
Best Seller Giant Cookies
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Even Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson digs these cookies, crafted by the Maui Cookie Lady on Maui. Each huge cookie is hand-rolled and comes individually wrapped. This box features the company’s four signature flavors: white chocolate mac nut, pineapple lychee passion, Kona coffee espresso and the famous Da Half Baked. Now shipping to Canada!
For Fashionistas
One-of-a-Kind Clutches
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The only thing Honolulu-based Kolea Designs makes are clutches—and every single one of them are unique and well made. Owner and designer Rachelle Ricardo uses upcycled vintage and scrap material for her structured clutches. We love the vibrant aloha prints and retro patterns.
Various, @koleadesigns
Brahdasadas Tee
Honolulu-based Local Motion brings some humor to local T-shirts—and this design wins for us. We all know a malasada-loving “braddah” who could use this tee!
Seaflower Pineapple Beach Bag Tote
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We are obsessed with the hand-printed rainbow ombre pineapple design on Jana Lam’s everyday tote. (There are other prints, too.) The size of this fully lined, durable bag makes it great for the beach or a trip to the farmers market. Or just stare at it in your closet, we won’t judge.
$110, janalam.com
Monstera Modern Necktie
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Business attire in Hawaii is more aloha shirt than formal necktie. But if you have to wear one, you may as well get one with a little local flair. Pineapple Palaka offers unique, island-inspired designs—including this gorgeous monstera one—that will make an everyday Monday feel like an Aloha Friday.
$70, pineapplepalaka.com
Hang Loose Mini Hip Pack
Leave it to Aloha Collection to make a fanny pack look cool. This mini hip pack is made out of a lightweight, waterproof material that makes this durable and travel-friendly. Keep your shoulders happy and your hands free—and look cool doing it.
$40, aloha-collection.com
For the Eco-Conscious
Raw Love Mineral Sunscreen
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Hawaii is the first state in the U.S. to ban the sale of sunscreen containing coral-harming chemicals. Though the law doesn’t go into effect until Jan. 1, 2021, it’s never too early to make the switch. We love Raw Love’s reef-safe mineral sunscreen, devised by a divemaster on Maui who wanted to protect her skins and tattoos. This sunscreen offers full broad-spectrum sun protection using certified organic plant-based ingredients that are safe for your skin. Plus, the tin is adorable.
$16.99 for 2 ounces, $24.99 for 4 ounces, rawlovesunscreen.com
Plastic Free Hawaii Bamboo Utensil Set
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This custom bamboo utensil set—a collab between To-Go Ware and Kokua Hawaii Foundation—will help you ditch single-use plastics. This set contains a reusable bamboo fork, knife, spoon and chopsticks in a durable, eco-friendly utensil holder that’s easy to tote with you anywhere.
Block-Printed Summer Tank
Kauai’s Machinemachine is all about upcycling. Here, you’ll find hand-stitched hats made from colorful scraps of material, bags made from recycled vinyl event banners and house slippers crafted from old denim jeans. This tank, though, stands out. It features anthurium and papaya designs handprinted with hand-carved blocks on a secondhand polyester fabric that’s roomy and comfortable—and sustainable.
$125, machinemachineapparel.com
For the Home
Island Sunscent Table Top Wood Diffuser
Shop Toast, a tiny boutique in Kaimuki on Oahu, is packed with adorable gifts, from wooden postcards to cute kokeshi (Japanese wood dolls). But a great memento of Hawaii are its diffusers, which come in various Hawaii-themed designs (including this palm tree). You just add a few drops of fragrance oil onto the wood cutout to bring those memories back from your last trip to the Islands. (The palm tree comes with a scent that is a mix of lilikoi, or passion fruit, sweet nectarine and ginger.
$20, shoptoast.com
Wooden Signs
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SoHa Living specializes in Hawaii-themed goods—pillows, wooden frames, totes. But we love the vast collection of wooden signs it sells in its stores and online, each with inspiring phrases: “Hawaii is always a good idea,” “Stop and smell the plumerias,” “Aloha is forever.”
Starting at $17.80, sohaliving.com
For Dog Lovers
Lavender Aromatherapy Pet Shampoo and Conditioner
Alii Kula Lavender grows more than 40 different lavender varieties on its 8.5 acres in Upcountry Maui. You can find all sorts of great gifts here, from body butters to lavender honey. But we love the pet shampoo and conditioner, made from lavender fragrance and essential oils. Not only do they smell amazing, they leave your pets with a super silky coat and their active ingredients repel fleas, ticks and dust mites. Win-win!
$11 for shampoo, $12 for conditioner, aliikulalavender.com
Dogs & Day Drinking Tee
This shirt pretty much sums it up for many dog lovers. This super cool tee from The Public Pet in Kaimuki on Oahu was designed by local artist Matthew Tapia. Super comfy, too.
$30, thepublicpet.com
For the HAWAII Magazine Fan
Exclusive HAWAII Magazine Holiday Ornament
Share the aloha this season with the limited-edition HAWAII Magazine ornament, crafted by Honolulu-based CocoNene. But don’t stop there! Couple this with a pack of Bradley & Lily holiday cards or—even better—a subscription to the magazine! Shameless plug!
$15, hawaiimagazine.com
