Photo: RumFire

RumFire Pō‘ipū is the ultimate south shore spot for a holiday dining experience. Enjoy island-inspired cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, and Kaua‘i’s largest rum selection, all paired with sweeping 180-degree ocean views that make every sunset magical. Gather with ‘ohana or friends, and savor locally sourced flavors with global twists. Reserve your holiday table now at rumfirekauai.com and make this season one to remember.

Photos: Aaron K. Yoshino

We know you’ve been hunting for great holiday gifts, so let us clue you in to one of our secret weapons (no gatekeeping here) when it comes to tracking down thoughtful, stylish and unique finds: Maggie Parks, owner-curator of the lovely Magnolia Hawai‘i boutique in Kāhala Mall. From artwork and jewelry to beauty buys, keiki wares and home accents, Parks has an eye for items that bring joy and offer a touch of chicness. Case in point, the covetable picks featured here:

• The Bohemian Box Shop Lavender Eye Pillow, $19.99.
• Surf Shack Puzzles Polynesian Beauties 1,000-Piece Puzzle, $45.
• Burnout Velvet and Chiffon Scarf, $34.99.
• Antica Farmacista Wave Scented Candle, $49.99.
• Tea Forté Mariposa Collection Tea Set, $45.

The shop is one of our favorite places to snag holiday ornaments—think darling felt creatures, glitter-filled finials and jewel-hued orbs—and greeting cards. And you’ll also find a nice selection of holiday trimmings, including linens, tabletop Christmas trees and tapered candles.

4211 Kāhala Mall, Macy’s Wing, (808) 734-2200, magnolia-hawaii.com, @magnoliahawaii

Photo: Courtesy of Ward Village

Experience the magic of the season at Ward Village. Expect festive events and celebrations throughout the neighborhood now through the end of December.

Photo: Courtesy of Ward Village

On December 6th, 13th, and 20th, from 5 to 7pm, soak in the sounds of the season at the Aloha Friday Holiday Music Series at the South Shore Market courtyard, featuring live entertainment from Ei Nei, Honoka, Alx Kawakami, Kawika Kahiapo, and Bobby Moderow Jr., followed by a holiday-themed light show for all to enjoy.

The annual Holiday Celebration is on Sunday, December 14, at the South Shore Market courtyard. Shop, dine and then delight in hot cocoa, sweet treats, and holiday activities.

Photo: Courtesy of Ward Village

Support keiki and seniors in need during the Toys for Tots drive (now through Dec. 8th) and the Senior Giving Tree (now through Dec. 15th). Simply drop off new, unwrapped toys at donation bins at South Shore Market or Ward Centre for local children, and visit Logos Bookstore, T.J. Maxx, or Whole Foods Market to select an ornament with a “wish” for local seniors.

In addition to these exciting events, peruse the variety of local, national and global boutiques to find unique, one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your list.

Discover everything to see, do, eat, and shop at Ward Village this holiday season! Visit our Ward Village Holiday Guide for details on all the celebrations, and more.

Photo: Alexander & Baldwin

Kailua Town’s 125-plus shops and restaurants, together with convenient parking, add up to a stress-free destination for holiday shopping. With dozens of locally owned small businesses, it’s easy to find unique gifts for everyone on your list, from keiki to kupuna (and canines, too).

We did some of the leg work for you during a recent stroll through Kailua Town. The rest of the exploring is up to you! And mark your calendar for two upcoming shopping events you won’t want to miss: Black Friday Weekend and their annual Holiday Sip + Shop event.

Photo: Lanikai Bath & Body

For stocking stuffers or office Secret Santa gifts, check out mini desktop reed diffusers from Lanikai Bath & Body in holiday scents, or the Mokulua Surf Co. car diffuser/ornaments—available in both floral and holiday fragrances. Their refillable perfume bracelets with shell bands and medallions are also a hit.

Photo: Alexander & Baldwin

Discover new treasures at Lauren Roth, where vibrant Hawaii-inspired designs are featured on apparel, accessories, home goods, and more. Her limited-edition hand-painted ornaments and cheerful items like tea towels, tote bags, and coffee mugs make great gifts.

Black Friday & Shop Small Saturday | Nov 29–Dec 1 

Skip the frenzy at the malls and shop “small.” Kailua Town is a great place to find yourself on the biggest shopping weekend of the year. Check out the list of Black Friday deals from Kailua Town merchants here. (It will be updated as new deals are added, so check back often.)

Kailua Town’s Holiday Sip + Shop Event | Thurs Dec. 12, 4:30–7:30pm 

Gather your friends to sip, shop, and enjoy festive treats while supporting small businesses. For a $10 donation to Shop Small Hawaii, you’ll gain access to refreshments, live entertainment, and a chance to win a $500 Kailua Town gift package. Learn more and get tickets here.

Photo: Courtesy of Waolani Judd Nazarene School

The holidays are always filled with the big G’s: good food, gifts and the giving spirit. Giving back to our community can spread the holiday cheer and create a bigger impact for an aloha filled season.

HONOLULU Magazine, in conjunction with Aloha United Way and Southwest Airlines®, is proud to present the fifth annual Give Big Hawai‘i, an online fundraising platform that offers a convenient way for people to quickly and easily give to nonprofits close to their heart through a single platform. This year, we have chosen to continue the newly designed Give Big Hawai‘i—a six-week charitable event that lets you donate when you can.

Visit givebighawaii.com and select any number of local nonprofits to support and kickstart the giving season. Hit the gift basket icon on the top right corner to make a donation to them all in one simple, easy step. Anyone with a credit card and access to the internet will be able to donate and, with more than 100 local nonprofits to choose from, you’ll be able to easily support the causes close to your heart and make a real difference in the community.

When you donate $25 or more to local Hawaii nonprofits through Give Big Hawai‘i, Southwest® will reward you with 25 Rapid Rewards® bonus points per dollar donated (10,000 points maximum). Donations accepted through 12/31/2024.

Mahalo to Aloha United Way for their support of the Give Big Hawai‘i project. The work of Aloha United Way, particularly through the ALICE Initiative, is instrumental in addressing the urgent needs of our community.

Every individual and family in Hawai‘i deserves to thrive. However, many struggle to stay above the poverty line. These are our ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households.

In 2022, Aloha United Way (AUW) and the Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF) united to lead the ALICE Initiative, addressing the financial insecurity affecting 44% of local households.

Our Vision: A thriving Hawai‘i where every individual and family enjoys generational prosperity while calling Hawai‘i home.

The ALICE Initiative enhances financial and social stability for ALICE households. In Year One:

• 17 local nonprofits joined forces, increasing partnerships, collaborations, and referral services by 233%.
• 96% of grantees engaged in advocacy to raise wages and benefits, scaling proven programs.
• 15,741 individuals benefited from job training, matched savings, and financial education.

Help us create a thriving future for Hawai‘i.

Photo: Better Sour

Noticed Better Sour’s Guava Calamansi Lime or Pomegranate Apricot sour gummies on your recent trip to Foodland, Times, Down to Earth or Longs and wondered who’s behind the eye-catching new brand? Well, that would be two kamaʻāina and lifelong best friends, Bella Hughes and Semira Nikou! Some might be familiar with Hughes, a serial entrepreneur who also co-founded Shaka Tea and local contemporary arts nonprofit Hawaiʻi Contemporary. Better Sour is a dream come true for these two BFFs, who are absolutely obsessed with sour fruit flavors from around the world and take inspiration from their island roots and shared Iranian heritage.

Photo: Better Sour

Almost two years into business this wāhine-owned business has a new flavor coming out, Passion Fruit Sour Gummy Stars, a collaboration with Disney celebrating the release of Disney’s Moana 2, the all new movie only in theaters on November 27, 2024. Better Sour’s new Passion Fruit Sour Gummy Stars featuring  characters from Disney’s Moana 2  will be found on Hawaiian Airlines, 7-Eleven Hawai‘i, Foodland, KTA, and Longs Drugs.

Learn more at @eatbettersour or www.bettersour.com

Photo: Courtesy of Jonathan You

We came, we sipped, we scored amazing holiday deals! On Saturday, November 9th, over 300 guests joined us for Kāhala Mall’s Holiday Sip + Shop, an exclusive event combining festive shopping, seasonal treats, and holiday cheer. Everyone enjoyed holiday wine tastings and bites from local restaurants at 11 participating stores, all offering event-only discounts and promotions. Plus, a commemorative Sip + Shop holiday wine glass and a tote to carry their gifts! With live music and a special holiday giveaways, it was the ultimate kick off to their holiday shopping.

Keep it Kaimukī is helping holiday shoppers deck the halls with another tree-mendous event supporting local businesses! Keep it Kaimukī Saturday returns for its eighth year on Saturday, Nov. 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featuring exclusive discounts and promotions at over 30 Kaimuki businesses, like The Public Pet, Sugarcane, Ten Tomorrow, Hawai‘i Dance Bomb, Babes Bakery and ISLAND BOY. For a full list of participating businesses and more details on this year’s event, visit keepitkaimuki.com.

This year’s event will also include an outdoor market, free family activities—including a petting zoo and larger-than-life snow globe photo opportunity—that capture the holiday magic, free gift wrapping provided by Yelp Hawai‘i, along with live entertainment at Aliʻiolani Elementary School all day long. Complimentary self-parking will be available at Sacred Heart Academy and the event’s popular trolley rides return, offering free rides throughout Kaimukī from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.—making it easy to tote all your bags of holiday finds back to the car.

As the sun sets, don’t miss the Christmas tree lighting and concert at Puʻu O Kaimuki Mini Park, which marks the official start of the holiday season in Kaimukī from 6 p.m. to sundown. You can catch the tree lighting and concert online via Keep it Kaimukī’s Instagram Live (@keepitkaimuki).

For updates on Keep it Kaimukī Saturday, follow Keep it Kaimukī on Facebook and on Instagram.

Photo: Foodland

The season of giving is here, but that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. These seven inexpensive gifts are perfect for every kind of foodie — plus, they’re easy to find at your nearest Foodland.

Photo: Foodland

• Every family has a hostess with the mostest, and this festive melamine tray will ensure they’re ready for serving all the season’s sweet treats. Plus, baking kits that come with a holiday spatula are available for Lilikoi Cornbread Muffins, Chocolate Peppermint Brownies, or Chichi Dango Mochi. Mele Kalikimaka Tray, $9.99 and Take & Bake Kit, $12.99
  
  

  Photo: Foodland

   

• Pre-wrapped for easy gifting, this Chichi Dango Mochi Kit comes with three flavors: Coconut, Strawberry, and Melon. Perfect for your loved ones to ring in the new year with a fresh batch of this local fave. Chichi Dango Mochi Kit, $23.99

Photo: Foodland

• Make movie time mo’ bettah for the film lover in your life by elevating their favorite cinema snack with kaki mochi, furikake, and more. Maika‘i Kine Hurricane Popcorn Kit, $24.99

Photo: Foodland

• What are holidays without a little vino? Grab a bottle for aunty and uncle, then wrap it up in a reusable wine tote. Maika‘i wine, $13.99 (Coming soon to a Foodland near you); Reusable wine tote, $4.99

Photo: Foodland

• Satisfy every sweet, salty, and sour tooth this holiday season with a variety of local snacks. Prune Mui or Guava Li Hing Gummy Bears, $6.99; Manoa Chocolate Peppermint Chocolate Bar, $9.99

Photo: Foodland

• Noodles symbolize longevity, good luck, and prosperity — making them the perfect holiday present before the new year. Noodle Lover Essentials Kit, $24.99
• If you’re feeling unsure about the perfect present, remember that you can never go wrong with a gift card! They’re always the right flavor and available in any amount.

Photo: Foodland

Don’t forget to check out the selection of local gift wrap and gift bags to dress these presents up in Hawaiian-style holiday cheer!

This year, HONOLULU is jumpstarting the season’s eatings with a new event that celebrates our local restaurants. Starting this Saturday, Nov. 9, 100 restaurants around the island will be offering exclusive prix fixe menus at special prices for the first-ever HONOLULU Restaurant Week, giving you the chance to support new and favorite restaurants without dipping into your Christmas shopping fund.

We all know it as the local grocery chain and our go-to for poke bowls, wings and so much more. But Foodland has a family of restaurants, too, all of whom will be highlighting their signature dishes and customer favorites during HONOLULU Restaurant Week. From a poke flight to whiskey pairings, brunch at Kahala-favorite et al. to a modern take on Hawaiian food at sister restaurant ‘Olili, Foodland’s team of chefs have cooked up an amazing offering of prix fix menus (at killer prices). Take this as your reminder to book your HONOLULU Restaurant Week reservations now.

SEE ALSO: Join Us for the First-Ever HONOLULU Restaurant Week Presented By First Hawaiian Bank and Mastercard®

ELEVEN

Photo: Courtesy of Foodland

ELEVEN Whiskey Experience

$24 per person

Make a reservation

Ohishi Islay Cask Whisky & Sake Cured Salmon, Coriander Cream Cheese, Pumpernickel 

The Balvenie Doublewood 12yr Scotch & Beef & Brioche, Truffle Oil, Tabasco Worcestershire Aioli

Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon & Mini Corn Muffin, Cheddar, Bacon Jam 

Whistlepig Piggyback Rye 6yr & Bacon Candy (gf), Bourbon Molasses, Black Pepper

et al.

Photo: Courtesy of Foodland

et al. Brunch Prix Fixe 

$32 per person

Make a reservation

Appetizer 

Hawaiian Clam Chowder – ‘Ulu, smoked meat, clams, grilled sourdough

or 

Little Gem Salad – Giardiniera, Ho Farms cherry tomato, feta cheese, bacon, truffle sherry vinaigrette

Entrée 

Choice of: 

Braised Short Rib Loco Moco – Sunny side egg, garlic rice, short rib gravy, crispy onion

Breakfast Bowl (gf) – Pork belly, fried egg, avocado, tomatoes, charred kale, miso mushrooms, garlic rice, “quinoa crunch,” chili oil

Garlic Chicken and Mochi Waffle – Soy maple, black sesame butter

Dessert 

Berry Mascarpone Bar – Strawberry glaze, crisp meringue, basil crumble

Collet, Brut Rosé, Champagne, France, NV 15/58

et al. Dinner Prix Fixe 

$49 per person | $24 wine pairing

Appetizer 

Short Rib Arancini – Sweet peas, herb aioli, lemon zest, pecorino 

Collet, Brut Rosé, Champagne, France, NV 

or 

Big Island Bone Marrow – Citrus pangrattato, spicy greens, grilled sourdough

Roederer Estate, Brut, Anderson Valley, CA, NV

Entrée 

Choice of:

Grilled Kona Kona Kanpachi – Pak choy, sizzling chili soy broth, cilantro, garlic rice

Domaine Ostertag, ‘Les Jardins’, Riesling, Alsace, 2018

12 oz Citrus Brined Pork Chop – Brussels sprouts, pearl onion, sumac, curried apricot glaze, pomegranate reduction 

La Spinetta, Il Rosé di Casanova IGT, Tuscany, Italy, 2023 

6oz USDA Choice Filet – Broccolini, baby fingerling potatoes, kizami wasabi butter, demi-glace

Treana, Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Roles, CA, 2021

Dessert 

Berry Mascarpone Bar – Strawberry glaze, crisp meringue, basil crumble

Château Roûmieu-Lacoste, Saunternes, France, 2018 

Mahi‘ai Table

Photo: Courtesy of Foodland

Mahiʻai Table Dinner Prix Fixe 

$32 per person

Make a reservation

Appetizer

Lechon Style Brussels – Ho Farms tomato, sweet onion, crispy pipikaula, patis vinaigrette

or 

Steamed Shrimp & Pork Wonton – Shoyu-mustard sauce, garlic chili crunch

Entrée 

Choice of:

Crispy Confit Chicken – Vietnamese marinade, garlic rice, MAʻO Organic Farms sassy mix, nuoc cham, crispy garlic 

Seared Fresh Catch – XO chili sauce, choy sum, garlic rice, cilantro, green onion

Braised Short Rib – Hamakua Farms aliʻi mushroom congee, hon shimeji mushrooms, red wine demi, tsukemono, crispy shallots

Dessert 

Kulolo Haupia Sundae (gf, v) –Warm taro coconut pudding, haupia gelato, mango compote, salted caramel sauce 

or 

Lilikoi Crème Brûlée (v) – Caramelized passion fruit custard, apple banana fritters

Lunch

Order the Big Boy Mixed Plate (crispy Korean chicken, salt & pepper shrimp, grilled kalbi short ribs, local style potato salad, yukari rice, banchan) for a special price of $16.

‘Olili

Photo: Courtesy of Foodland

‘Olili Modern Lū‘au 

$45 per person, discounted from $75 for Restaurant Week

Make a reservation

Pūpū 

Lomi Salmon –House-cured salmon, ikura, heart of palm, Olakai sea asparagus, anykine crunch

or 

Beef Lū‘au – Stewed taro leaves & short ribs, Ho Farms lomi tomato

Pa‘ina Nui 

Choice of:

Chicken Long Rice – Ginger simmered chicken breast, glass noodles, scallion-ginger pesto

Kalua Pig & Cabbage – Braised pork belly, charred cabbage, Okinawan sweet potato, smoky broth

Fish & Poi – Crispy skin Kona kanpachi, taro mash, lomi tomato, citrus-shoyu vinaigrette

Beef Stew & Rice – Braised beef short ribs, MA‘O Organic Farms baby carrots, potato salad, crispy garlic fried rice, fancy gravy

Mea ‘Ono

Piña Colada Upside Down Cake (v) – Roasted Hawaiian pineapple, brown sugar crunch, rum caramel, coconut ice cream

Piko Kitchen + Bar

Piko Mixed Plates 

$32 per person 

Make a reservation

Tomato Cucumber Poke (gf) – Ho Farms tomato, sweet onion, inamona, Korean chili sauce

Okinawan Soba Noodles – Garlic, oyster sauce, sambal butter, furikake, Parmesan, 130° Waialua Fresh egg 

Sticky Pork Bites  – Hoisin BBQ sauce, crispy rice noodles, green onion, sesame seeds

Honey Sesame Shrimp – Yuzu aioli, sesame honeycomb crunch

Redfish Poke Bar by Foodland

Photo: Courtesy of Foodland

Redfish Favorites 

$40 per person

Make a reservation

Signature Poke Sampler – Hawaiian Ahi, Spicy Ahi, Torched Miso Salmon

Kalua Pig Fried Rice – Garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, lomi tomato, fried limu, inamona, sunny egg

Vietnamese Short Ribs – Lemongrass marinade, toasted peanuts, crispy garlic 

Fried Banana Spring Rolls – Liliko‘i caramel

The Bar by R. Field Wine Company

Mini Grazing Plate ($10) – Artisan salami, double-crème Brie, assorted fresh fruit, dried figs, caper berries, Marcona almonds, fig jam and lavosh 

Steak Frites (gf) ($25) – 12oz CAB NY striploin, red wine demi, ogo butter, shoestring potatoes

Caymus Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA 2021 ($19)

Fontanafredda, Serralunga d’Alba Barolo, Piedmont, Italy 2018 ($19)