Hi, we are visiting Hawaii on holiday and I want to buy a few small food/snack items to take back for the people I work with. Most are Vietnamese and Chinese Malay. I thought of chocolate but am not sure.

I'll probably buy in Waikiki or Honolulu as that's our last stop before heading home to Australia. Due to our strict customs, whatever I buy will have to be professionally manufactured and packaged. Usually we buy some stuff in supermarkets to bring back for ourselves and that's OK. Any ideas?

Thanks, Kay

We were in Waikiki in May and I brought home a stash of beautifully packaged biscuits from the Honolulu Cookie Company - everybody loved them. They have a wide variety, some with chocolate as well. They let you taste test so you really get a great idea of what you are getting. When we go back in December they said to look out for their special festive collection for Xmas. This time I might get to try some as well!(I gave it all away).
They do need to be passed through Aus customs as they contain nuts - but not a problem as packaged so well.

I brought back a large tin of assorted cookies from the Honolulu Cookie company and some Mauna Loa chocolate covered macadamia nuts for my coworkers. They liked both, but the cookies were the smash hit.

As above, Honolulu Cookie Company shortbreads shaped like pineapples are always a big hit. There are several stores around Waikiki. And various kinds of macadamia nuts (spicy, chocolate covered, honey glazed) which you can pick up at any ABC Store. ABC's also have some things like packaged dried mango that are fun.

For non-food items, I've brought my female co-workers mini sizes of tropical scented lotions or soaps from by Island Soap & Candle Works company.

My brother-in-law sends us a box from Big Island Candies every Christmas, and they are delicious - shortbreads, brownies, biscotti, etc. If you can find somewhere that sells them, go for it!
http://www.bigislandcandies.com/BIC/

Lee Ann

Macadamia nuts.

My former FIL was a Captain with United Airlines and his routes took him to Honolulu, Tokyo and Seoul.

He always brought back Macadamia Nuts for us and they were always appreciated.

Another vote for the cookies; we love those. Chocolate covered macadamia nuts are good too.

Thanks everyone. I think I'll get cookies, I prefer them to nuts and I'm going to eat some of the gift too! It's more of a general 'put the tin out and everyone can help themselves' idea than individual gifts.

Kay

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Then definitely the cookies!! They are packed really nice and available in all kinds of assortments and sizes (they aren't exactly cheap though)... various fruit flavors, half chocolate dipped, etc.