Christmas is nearly upon us, and if you’re still looking for gifts, I’m here to help with my Island Miler Holiday Gift Guide 2017.
Holiday shopping can be tiring, especially if you want to find that perfect something. If you, your friend(s) or family love the islands, though, my gift guide will hopefully help you in your hunt. It’s filled with my favorite Hawaii-based companies, some of which are big, and others that are less well known.
Apparel
Some of the most straightforward gifts to give are apparel items; they’re easy to shop and travel well. So here are a few of my favorite local apparel brands in no particular order:
- HAYN: I’m not much of a slipper wearer, but when I do, I wear HAYN. They’re a locally-owned and has unique designs that are made of all-natural rubber. Not made in Hawaii, but they are high-quality, comfortable, and attractive. And yes, its slippers, often pronounced “slip-ahs” in Hawaii, and not flipflops!
- HVN Apparel: HVN Apparel is a small, Oahu-based company that designs and manufactures everything in Hawaii. I just learned of them earlier this year and already have a number of their shirts. But their lineup changes seasonally and their new winter line will be released soon.
- Izzy & Luke: Super local sayings on t-shirts and other knick-knacks. Mainly for keiki, but some adult stuff too.
- Reyn Spooner: One of Hawaii’s most well-known and popular aloha shirt brands, it is the uniform of the office worker in Hawaii. They’re best known for their reverse-print style and ease of care. The shirts are designed in Hawaii, but very few are made locally.
- Sig Zane: As I mentioned the other day, Sig Zane is one of Hawaii’s premier designers. He’s done corporate designs for Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaiian Electric, and others, but he’s best known for his clothing line. And while I love his shirts, they’re challenging to get. Production runs are super limited, and demand is really high.
- Tori Richard: Like Reyn, Tori Richard is a really well-known, popular brand of aloha shirt. Their prints are more varied than Reyn’s and are often more contemporary. I especially love their light, airy Cotton Lawn fabric. Prints are designed in Hawaii and individual lines, like Cotton Lawn, are made in Hawaii.
Food
If it’s one thing, Hawaii has a lot of, its locally-made food and beverage items. And while my selections are a small portion of what’s available, its long enough that I’m splitting it into two separate lists.
- Ali’i Kula Lavender: Ok, so AKL makes more than just foodstuffs, but I do like their Lavender Gourmet Seasoning. It goes well with seafood, poultry, pork, or even beef, as lavender is similar in flavor to rosemary. They do carry aromatherapy, bath, body, and specialty items too.
- Big Island Bees: The best honey. Ever.
- Jeff’s Jams and Jellies: Made on Maui from local fruits, Jeff’s makes more than just jams and jellies. My favorite? Their Maui-style (lilikoi, pineapple, guava, orange) butter. So good!
- Manoa Chocolate: A bean-to-bar chocolatier on Oahu, Hawaii, Manoa Chocolate is one of my favorite chocolate producers anywhere. Though they don’t source their beans in Hawaii, many local ingredients do go into their bars like Kona Coffee, Ali’i Kula Lavender, Hawaii Honey, and more. My favorite, though, is the single estate Ecuador 85% bar. They do also sell brewing chocolate that you can use as a tea or toss in with espresso or your homebrew project.
- Maui Crisps: I don’t like beef jerky, but I do LOVE Maui Crisps. It’s super thin beef jerky that’s dried (not fried) and comes in original, salt & pepper, teriyaki, Hawaiian chili, and furikake. Furikake is new, but Mrs. Island Miler and I love all the other flavors. The pineapple chips (li hing and plain) are both fantastic too. Made on Maui.
- Surfing Goat Dairy: If you love goat cheese, you’ll love Surfing Goat Dairy’s cheeses. They have a large selection made in Up Country Maui from milk produced on their farm. The Maui Secret Sicily is one of my favorites.
Drink
- Ko Hana Rum: Located in Kunia, Oahu, Hawaii, Ko Hana Rum produces a number of Agricole-style rums. At its purest, their rums have a fantastic expression of the sugarcane they’re made from. They also have barrel-aged coffee beans and honey too.
- Kona Coffee Purveyors: I’m not much of a coffee person, but Kona Coffee Purveyors has some of the best coffee in Hawaii. And, yes, they have both pure and blended Kona coffees.
- MauiWine: As you may have guessed, MauiWine is wine made on Maui. They’re best known for their pineapple wines, but they also have estate wines made from grapes.
- Mauna Kea Tea: Though I’m not a coffee drinker, I do like tea. And Mauna Kea Tea on the Big Island is the only grower of tea in Hawaii. Located on the slopes of Mauna Kea, Mauna Kea Tea grows organic green tea, but also offers other blended teas. But even in blended teas, most ingredients are locally grown and are all natural.
Bed, Bath, Body
If there’s anything that’ll remind you of the islands besides food, its bed, bath, and body products. Here are my favorites.
- Jules + Gem Hawaii: Scented candles that’ll bring you right back to the islands! The Mango + Mint smells great, though I’d love to try out the Lilikoi + Mint and the Guava Nectar too.
- Malie Organics: This Kauai-based brand is becoming very common in Hawaii’s top resorts, and for good reason; their unique, tropical scents are relaxing and evoke a sense of place. My favorite? The Koke’e. Also available via Nordstrom.com
Island Miler Holiday Gift Guide 2017, Final Thoughts
Again, by no means is this an exhaustive list. In fact, I’m entirely certain I’ve forgotten to list a bunch of local merchants I like. But, the idea is to give anyone looking to give a gift of the islands this holiday season a little inspiration. And, I think, no matter your taste, there’s something for everyone here.
In case you’re wondering, no, none of these companies are paying me to be on this list. Nor will I receive any commissions for linking them. They’re merely companies I like and think you will too.