Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say
On a bright Hawaiian Christmas day
That's the island greeting that we send to you
From the land where palm trees sway
*Disclaimer, not to be a grinch, but as someone who is born on actual Christmas Day (25th December) this gift guide is less about a holiday and more what I would give or want to receive any time of year. If you are someone who loves me, feel free to take the hints dropped below, especially the jewelry ;)
My Mele Kalikimaka gift guide ranges from $12 to $50,000 and exclusively features Hawaiian items and stores you won’t find on the tourist radar. Enjoy!
Dried apple bananas $12 : I stock up in bulk when traveling as it’s hard to find apple bananas off island. These are my favorite and come from Pu‘u O Hōkū Ranch, which is a family owned biodynamic, organic ranch on Moloka‘i. They make a great snack or stocking stuffer.
Sol Remedies Holy Cacao & Blue Hawaii tea $15: These are delicious and packed with nutritional benefits that rival any Erewhon tonic bar concoction. The Holy Cacao contains Cacao powder, vanilla, maca, shatavari, ashwagandha, chaga, reishi, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, Himalayan salt, and coconut sugar. It makes a great supplement for a chocolate smoothie or add to nut milk for a hot chocolate.
The Blue Hawaii tea has Lemongrass, Butterfly Pea, Lavender, Spearmint, Chamomile, Vanilla, Ginger and Licorice.
Waterproof Aloha bag $20: Aloha bags are a must have item for any water bound babe. As it often rains (and you are in and out of salt and fresh water most days) keeping your belongings safe and chic is essential. I love the small pouches. Aloha makes seasonal prints. I like this Malu design below.
Noni fruit leather $35: Noni is a superfood fruit used in traditional Polynesian medicine for centuries. It’s benefits include antioxidant, bone health, immune support, joint and arthritis health, blood pressure, weight management and more. At juice bars across the islands you can buy fresh Noni shots. I ferment my own at home in a mason jar left in the sunlight. But luckily for those who want to access the benefits of noni from afar, there is Real Noni, which makes fruit leather, lotion and honey. I send my mom home with the fruit leather when she visits.
Fresh Noni and my home brew fermenting in the sun Kids clothes at Tini Manini $28-$50: I am obsessed with this children’s store on the North Shore of Oahu. They have an incredible selection in store if you’re visiting Haleiwa, or you can get a t shirt online for the keiki (kids) in your life.
Kids shirts from Tini Manini Sunrise Shack gift certificate $50 Speaking of the North Shore of Oahu, I love the influencer scene at the Sunrise Shack in Haleiwa. Although they now have 4 locations on Oahu, nothing beats watching IG babes line up to take selfies in front of the original location in hopes of landing a hot pro surfer. Considering that surfers Travis, Alex & Koa Smith (brothers ) and Koa Rothman are the owners, there’s a high probability you’ll spot a local surf star, especially during peak season (November—March.) Get the influencer or surfer in your life a gift certificate for their smoothies and acai bowls or a t shirt so they can claim to have been.
Above, Sunrise shack owners and below, the babes that love a perfect IG backdrop.
A limited edition home good or clothing from Kealopiko $28-$165 and up. Kealopiko is a truly special store on Oahu with a workshop on Moloka‘i. Every piece they offer is designed with aloha, featuring native plants, animals, people, language, and history of the Hawaiian islands. Items are hand dyed and printed, produced in small quantities all in Hawai’i. Collections tend to sell out fast so check out what they have online or via their IG.
All Aloha | 20" Cotton Pillowcase featuring Lo'i Kalo in pink. Planting in my garden in an orange and pink romper from 2021 This endemic plant camo trucker hat from Rocket Ahuna S/S 2025 $60
Membership to National Tropical Botanical Gardens $90-$250 for individual, dual or family yearly membership provides you access to all five gardens under this umbrella— three on Kaua’i, one on Maui & one in Florida (but I can’t vouch for that one as I’ve never been.) This is a great non profit, making it the perfect charitable gift.
An Aloha shirt from Sig Zane $145 Sig Zane has been designing clothing since he opened his store in Hilo, Hawai’i in 1985. A family run business, (Sig, his wife Nalani, and their son Kuhao) you can expect pieces made with aloha and rooted in a foundational relationship between nature, culture, dance and ritual.
Beauty products, jewelry, home goods or a pareo from Hana Hou $16-$2500. I like their made in Hawai’i pareos priced at $54
A set of botanical oils from Pōhala $200 Ke'oni Hanalei makes these small batch oils, mists, and edible hydrosols in accordance to certain moon phases which rule a particular Botanical. All are organic, non domesticated material from the wilderness including Wild Fern, Hawaiian Orange, 'iliahi Sandalwood, Laua'e, Kiawe, Lokelani Rose, ‘Ohe Bamboo and more. This set makes a great kit for the esoteric plant lover.
A Lauhala hat from Ohana Shop, Kaua’i $250-$925. Lauhala weaving using the leaves of the Hala tree is a revered Hawaiian craft. Across the islands you will find bespoke handbags, papale (hats,) mats, slippers, baskets and more. Ohana Shop on Kaua’i has a great selection of home goods and keeps a number of lauhala hats in stock.
ANYTHING from Nohona Kaua’i $16-$15,000. My friend Hayley Giorgio is a born and bred Kaua’i wahine with an amazing eye. Nohona is her store on the North Shore, where she stocks jewelry, homeware, textiles, art and more—everything from vintage to modern pieces of her own design. I can never leave empty handed. Here are a few of my recent favorites for sale, if anyone is looking to get me something special (HINT!) You can find her on IG (linked above) or HERE but the best wares aren’t pictured on the site. If you DM her she can send you pics directly.
Above—Tahitian Vana Lei, $690. Choker necklace made of sea urchin spines hand sewn to plaited coconut fiber. The coconut fiber comes from young coconut leaf that naturally dries white. A common fiber used in the South Pacific to fashion jewelry and other adornments.
Above—Kaua’i Puka Lei, Vintage 60-70’s $2100.
Above—One of a kind bracelet featuring 200+ keishi pearls with approximately 50 baroques done in a traditional style on coconut. $6200
I also love the hair ornaments Hayley sells. I bought the Anthurium horn pick below right, when she first opened her store. She has a number of them in stock ranging from $16-$28.
A custom Koa bed from Martin & MacArthur $29,990- $49,990 I AM DYING FOR ONE OF THESE!! PLEASE SANTA! Martin & MacArthur have been making Koa furniture for several generations and use sustainably harvested Koa only from previously fallen trees. This is my dream bed of all time and I just know I would have the most amazing sleep if I could manage to make it mine. My favorite is the freeform slab at top, but I wouldn’t say no to the Waimea sleigh bed, either.
