What are the best gifts to bring back from Hawaii and where can I buy them?
Jul 16th, 2003, 10:21 PM
#22
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I got some drift wood from the beach, and sand and some shells and coral all from the beaches we visited. Then sketched there names on to the wood ( small pieces 2-3 inches in diameter-10-12 inches long) then put fast drying glue on names and sprinkled sand ( usually black sand, on to names and decorated with sea shells, coral ,rocks , etc. Put a eye
screw in in top so they could hang outside or inside, etc. If you fell uncomfortable about taking shells and stuff you can buy them. nick
screw in in top so they could hang outside or inside, etc. If you fell uncomfortable about taking shells and stuff you can buy them. nick
Jul 17th, 2003, 02:34 AM
#25
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Hmmmm...
Roasted Coconut Candy from Uncle Willie's stand in Hana! - everyone who likes coconut absolutely loves this treat! it was cheap, traveled well...and was a hit when we got home.
Kona Coffee
Fresh Pineapples - we shipped some home and handed them out when we got back...it was nice not having to cart them around and everyone loved getting pineapples fresh from Hawaii.
Flowers - we had a nice arrangement of flowers shipped to my mother-in-law for dogsitting. She said she had never seen flowers so unique and beautiful! We ordered them from the Sunrise Protea Farm on Haleakala in Maui.
odds and ends...hibiscus post-it notes, gift wrap, dashboard hula girls (so fun!), golf shirts, aloha shirts, mango/coconut body lotion.
Some stores I highly recommend on Kauai - Yellowfin Trading Company and Sand People in Hanalei and Hula Girl in Kapaa I believe...
Sand People has a website and they sell some really nice housewares...I really like the tiles and "please remove your shoes" signs.
aloha!
Roasted Coconut Candy from Uncle Willie's stand in Hana! - everyone who likes coconut absolutely loves this treat! it was cheap, traveled well...and was a hit when we got home.
Kona Coffee
Fresh Pineapples - we shipped some home and handed them out when we got back...it was nice not having to cart them around and everyone loved getting pineapples fresh from Hawaii.
Flowers - we had a nice arrangement of flowers shipped to my mother-in-law for dogsitting. She said she had never seen flowers so unique and beautiful! We ordered them from the Sunrise Protea Farm on Haleakala in Maui.
odds and ends...hibiscus post-it notes, gift wrap, dashboard hula girls (so fun!), golf shirts, aloha shirts, mango/coconut body lotion.
Some stores I highly recommend on Kauai - Yellowfin Trading Company and Sand People in Hanalei and Hula Girl in Kapaa I believe...
Sand People has a website and they sell some really nice housewares...I really like the tiles and "please remove your shoes" signs.
aloha!
Jul 17th, 2003, 05:13 AM
#26
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my twenty something daughters really like the Hawaiian print beach wraps. Also, everyone loved the amazing scented soaps. I got the wraps, along with some other good things, at the aloha open air market next to Pearl Harbor. What a selection! Several locals told us to make a point of shopping there for things to bring home, and we found some great things [including a great shirt for my son-in-law]. We ended up getting the scented soaps at the airport before leaving Maui, and were fortunate that they were on sale... Oh, and unusual flip flops were a great find too..
Jul 17th, 2003, 06:12 AM
#27
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My daughter loved her chocolate-dyed tee shirt from Crazy Shirts. It says Crazy for Chocolate and has several little embroidered chocolate goodies on it.
You can get boxed fresh pineapple at the airport, too, and check them through with your luggage. If you go to the macadamia nut factory at Hilo, you will be amazed at the selections.
You can get boxed fresh pineapple at the airport, too, and check them through with your luggage. If you go to the macadamia nut factory at Hilo, you will be amazed at the selections.
Jul 17th, 2003, 12:29 PM
#30
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One thing I tried and really liked on this years trip was a caramel coated mix of popcorn and macadamian nuts by Island Princess. We brought home a huge jar that was about 6 bucks and the whole family loved it. It was kinda bulky to pack but you can buy smaller packages as well. I tradtionally put together little gift bags with kona coffee, mac nuts, dried papaya, cans of guava juice etc... for any one who we decide to bring stuff back for.
Jul 17th, 2003, 12:59 PM
#31
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We've never shopped there, but friends who live on Oahu tell me that the flea market at the stadium sells many of the same things sold in town at much less expensive rates. Plan to try it the next time we go.
Jul 17th, 2003, 05:30 PM
#33
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The printed pareos are a great gift idea, as well as Kona coffee.
Sending fresh Hawaiian flower arrangements is a great idea ,as someone else mentioned above. But for something truly special, on your way to Honolulu airport as you are leaving, stop at the lei stands at the airport and buy some fresh flower leis (they will usually put them in a container you can carry onto the plane). They are not expensive and they are really beautiful!
One other idea (if you are willing to sepnd some $$$) is a koa wood gift - it is unique to Hawaii (forget the monkeywood stuff)
Sending fresh Hawaiian flower arrangements is a great idea ,as someone else mentioned above. But for something truly special, on your way to Honolulu airport as you are leaving, stop at the lei stands at the airport and buy some fresh flower leis (they will usually put them in a container you can carry onto the plane). They are not expensive and they are really beautiful!
One other idea (if you are willing to sepnd some $$$) is a koa wood gift - it is unique to Hawaii (forget the monkeywood stuff)
Jul 19th, 2003, 04:49 PM
#34
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Everytime I go to Maui I buy a piece of jewelry from Gold Bargain on Front street in Lahaina. She will not rip you off and her pieces are very reasonable. She is always fair with me and I am a frequent visitor to Maui. I just bought a box chain from her which is 18" for 70.00. That is very reasonable for a gold chain.
Jul 19th, 2003, 05:32 PM
#35
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There is a wonderful shop on the Big Island called Blue Ginger - about 10 miles south of Kailua Kona just across from the Aloha Theater. They have gorgeous carvings, jewelery, and clothing - all very unique and local. Prices are decent too.
Jul 20th, 2003, 08:06 AM
#37
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On the Big Island,
Volcanoe art center, just inside the gates, has all sorts of hand made items. I esppecially like thier prints, hint, get themed framed on the mainland!
Also in Holualoa, just above Kailua-Kona, is Kimura Lauhala Shop...woven items with Hala plant fronds. The coasters and hot plate items look brand new and I've been using them for 10 years. Make sure you see the handmade ones, not the imports
Volcanoe art center, just inside the gates, has all sorts of hand made items. I esppecially like thier prints, hint, get themed framed on the mainland!
Also in Holualoa, just above Kailua-Kona, is Kimura Lauhala Shop...woven items with Hala plant fronds. The coasters and hot plate items look brand new and I've been using them for 10 years. Make sure you see the handmade ones, not the imports
Jul 24th, 2003, 08:32 PM
#38
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Koa wood is lovely, last year on Maui in Makawao I saw a hand carved koa rocking chair & footstool. A mere $10,500 !
On a more practical level I looked for a simple "Got Poi" bumper sticker that I'd seen around on local cars, couldn't find one either on Maui or Kauai. Figured it'd be good cubicle decor !
On a more practical level I looked for a simple "Got Poi" bumper sticker that I'd seen around on local cars, couldn't find one either on Maui or Kauai. Figured it'd be good cubicle decor !
Jul 25th, 2003, 05:41 AM
#39
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Great suggestions from everyone! I'm so excited to get there and start buy things to send back! I love the idea of sending a pineapple that you address right on the outside. Where is it that you can do that? I definitely don't want to miss it - that sounds like the greatest souvenir to send someone...
