Editors’ Picks: Holiday Gift Guide 2023
A book of lei, a mini pottery wheel, island-inspired swaddle blankets and locally made chili oil—here’s what’s on our editors’ gift lists.
The season of giving doesn’t need to be stressful—we got you with our roundup of gifts for a range of tastes and ages. Whether you’re shopping for the aunty who has everything, a cousin on the mainland or the keiki in your life, consult our holiday gift guide for ideas.
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
Lei Aloha: Celebrating Lei of Hawai‘i
$32.50, hardcover, 256 pages
This visually stunning new coffee table book by local lei expert and stylist Meleana Estes about the history of lei in the Islands would be a gorgeous addition to any home library. Tip: display it open on a chic bookstand and voila, you have an instant art piece that you can easily switch out by simply turning the page. —Brie Thalmann
SEE ALSO: Fashion Designer and Lei-Maker Meleana Estes Launches A New Book
Photo: Katrina Valcourt
FAO Schwarz Pottery Wheel Studio All-In-One Sculpting Workstation
$49.99
My niece knows all about my pottery habit and has even done some handbuilding at school, but this mini pottery wheel would take her skills to the next level. I’d be such a proud aunty if I could teach her how to make pots like me! —Katrina Valcourt
Ua pocket booty shorts. Photos: Courtesy of Kūmana Activewear
Kūmana Activewear
From $48
This locally owned women’s and men’s activewear line is right up there in terms of style and quality with the Lululemons and Alos of the world. I purchased four items (two sports bras and two yoga shorts) and wear them frequently because they’re comfy and hold up in even the most rigorous yoga class. Plus, you can support a young, climate-and community-conscious entrepreneur, Native Hawaiian designer Kawehi Leon Guerrero, who prints bold messages in ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i on the collection to express strong feelings on issues like Red Hill. —Diane Seo
kumanaactive.com, @kumanaactive
Photo: Andrea Lee
Yeti Rambler 18 oz Water Bottle
$30, multiple colors
What better way to show love than to make sure your favorite people stay hydrated? My Yeti Rambler is going on four years strong, no nicks or issues. Bonus gift idea: include waterproof stickers (Mori Hawai‘i has a ton from local artists) so your giftee can personalize their new bottle. —Andrea Lee
Photos: Courtesy of Salvage Public
Salvage Public Jacquard Throw Blankets
$148, pre-order online for delivery est. Dec. 1
Salvage Public, the suave Native Hawaiian-owned sportswear brand in Kaka‘ako, makes its foray into home furnishings with a line of new quilt jacquard woven throw blankets in a variety of rich tones. If it’s anything like their soft jacquard sweaters, these blankets will be perfect for those who appreciate the comfort a light but warm cover can offer. I’m obsessed with the sage green laua‘e print, while the fuchsia pink shaka will brighten anyone’s mood and room. —Thomas Obungen
salvagepublic.com, @salvagepublic
Photo: Robbie Dingeman
Noho Home x Leihōkū by Hawaiian Airlines Travel Accessories
Various prices and items
Finding the right gift for our favorite frequent travelers can be tough. So this new collab between Native Hawaiian designer Jalene Kanani Bell’s luxe local home goods brand of Noho Home and Hawaiian Airlines arrived just in time. It’s a pleasure to snuggle up with the Lele travel blanket with soft teal fleece accented by a design inspired by flying ($30). A trio of room sprays bring the fragrance of pikake, puakenikeni and gardenia to any journey, even if it’s a trip to the kitchen ($30).
The collection, inspired by Hawaiian Airlines new Boeing 787 luxury dreamliner, includes art prints, travel towels, decor pillars, luggage tags and more, some with a stargazer motif and another reminiscent of a dolphin gliding through the ocean. Related travel kits are available on some flights. Bell’s thoughtful island home aesthetic makes this line both chic and cozy. —Robbie Dingeman
Fujifilm Instax Mini 12
$79.95, five colors
A true crowdpleaser, the Instax is super easy to use and cute to boot. Just point, shoot and watch the Polaroid pop out and develop. My cousins got me a set that included the camera, a protective case and film a few years ago for Christmas, and it’s one of my favorite gifts of all time. Plus, it’s a gift that you can keep on giving with options like bags, cases, accessories, decorative film, photo albums and frames, so you’ll be set for more Christmases to come. —Andrea Lee
Photos: Courtesy of Coco Moon Hawai‘i
Coco Moon Hawai‘i Muslin Swaddle Blankets
$26, multiple patterns
I have so many friends having babies around the holidays, and these unbelievably soft, island-inspired swaddles are my go-to gifts for expecting parents. I personally have at least five of these because they’ve transitioned so well from the newborn to toddler days. After you’re done swaddling baby, these make great lightweight blankets (perfect for our perpetually warm weather), and I even use them as towels for my kiddos at the beach! It goes without saying that the prints are oh-so-adorable, too. —Jasmine Chagnon
cocomoonhawaii.com, @coco_moon_hawaii
SEE ALSO: Kāko‘o Maui: Shop the Cutest Keiki Items from Mom-Owned Maui Brands
Photos: Courtesy of Paradise Monarchs
Paradise Monarchs Butterfly Chrysalis Box or Tree
$35 for a box ($30 preorder), $550 for a tree ($490 preorder)
Gift an experience that will delight people of all ages—the chance to see a monarch butterfly emerge from its chrysalis. A holiday box includes a snowy backdrop and Christmas tree for a festive touch as well as an info card and a release date keepsake wooden tag. It’s said that if you whisper your wish to a butterfly, then set it free, your wish will be granted. For an even grander way to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas, there’s the light-up Chrysalis Tree with a dozen chrysalises. —Andrea Lee
paradisemonarchs.com, @paradisemonarchs
Photo: Robbie Dingeman
Maui Chili Chili Oil
$13, three spice levels
Our family became obsessed with chili oil and chili crisp during the deepest part of the pandemic when we found it brought just the right kick to our meals. We started with the OG Lao Gan Ma red jars in Chinatown; mail-ordered a Momofuku chili crunch and Fly By Jing. As we got deeper, my niece mailed us jars she found in Seattle. This year, our “we only wish we could buy local” dreams came true when we found Maui Chili Chili Oil: locally made chili goodness that goes on eggs, noodle soup, anything that needs that something extra.
We appreciate that it comes in three levels: mild, medium and spicy kine. And it’s made by a Maui couple, Deron and Kit Furukawa, who started the business in 2020 as a pandemic pivot and kept growing. Doh, Maui onions are so good, this makes so much sense. We love that we can check out the video that shows how it’s made and order from the web, too, for $13 a jar. The name isn’t a typo. They joke that it’s so good they named it twice. —Robbie Dingeman
mauichilichilioil.com, @mauichilichilioil
SEE ALSO: 19 Foodie Gifts the Frolic Team Is Giving This Christmas
Happy holiday gift shopping!
