The Mana Up Showcase, a celebration of Hawaiʻi’s local startups and all things trending in Hawaiʻi, is returning in 2023 with a whole new lineup of events. 

Presented by King’s Hawaiian, the Mana Up Showcase has made some significant changes as it enters its sixth year—so many that the 2023 event has been split into a two-day event with their award-winning live-stream taking place later in the month. While last year’s showcase included all event features such as  live musical performances and shopping all on one day during the signature Mana Up Showcase Celebration + Marketplace—where new and past graduates of Mana Up’s annual six-month business program took over the first floor of Bloomingdale’s at Ala Moana Center to sell their wares—Meli James, founder of Mana Up, and her team realized that they needed an additional day to accommodate all of the festivities.   

Photo: Courtesy of Mana Up.

“People were just loving these young musicians while they were shopping at our previous events,” says James. “It was great that we were helping people get to know Hawaiʻi through these new artists and their music, and it became a real highlight of the show. So we thought, why don’t we make it into its own thing?” On  Wednesday, Nov. 8 from 6 to 9 p.m., event goers can catch performances by six emerging musicians or the “Artists to Watch” mentored under HAKU COLLECTIVE by Kimié Miner—taking place at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center. The Mana Up Pow Wow Pitch competition will also debut on Nov. 8, from 3 to 5 p.m, where contestants can pitch 60-second business ideas and win cash prizes and even a golden ticket to the Pow Wow Pitch virtual final competition. 

Photo: Courtesy of Mana Up.

On Thursday, Nov. 9 from 5 to 9 p.m., the signature Mana Up Showcase Celebration + Marketplace will be held on the third floor of the Ala Moana Bloomingdale’s, where dozens of local vendors will share their wares with the public at this exciting pop-up marketplace event. It’s the perfect place for shoppers to get unique, Hawaiʻi-made gifts for loved ones—especially with the holidays just around the corner—and featured vendors include Kaka‘ako Kasuals, Maui Chili Chili Oil, Sweet Land Farm and over 40 more local makers. All of the businesses to be featured at the Mana Up Showcase are graduates or returning alumni of Mana Up’s accelerator program, and they truly represent what’s new and exciting in Hawaiʻi’s entrepreneurial scene. 

“There will be new products, new releases and never-seen-before items; a lot of stuff will be happening here,” says James. Food and drinks will also be available throughout the night—including mixed drinks featuring Kō Hana Rum and Vitalitea kombucha cocktails and mocktails—and entrepreneurs will be featured in a live Q&A co-hosted by James and Kaua‘i comedian Zavier Cummings, more commonly known by his Instagram username @howsdisguy. 

Photo: Courtesy of Mana Up.

If you’re not on-island and can’t attend the showcase in person, don’t fret. On Sunday, Nov. 19, tune into the one-hour special —musical performances and all—will be livestreamed globally on Facebook and YouTube  and broadcasted on Hawaiʻi News Now. During the livestream, you will discover the stories behind Hawaii’s rising entrepreneurs and their unique products! Viewers can get their early holiday shopping done and even score on new and limited-edition local products, plus online-only deals and discounts. From boxes of Big Island Coffee Roasters coffee grounds to fragrant Ua Body body mists and more, you can start shopping online now at houseofmanaup.com or wait for the livestream to snag exclusive deals and limited-time offers. And if you RSVP for the online stream now, you can be entered to win a variety of prizes, such as a year of King’s Hawaiian products, round trip to or from Hawai‘i on Hawaiian Airlines, a year’s supply of Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Water and even a year of free Zippy’s meals. 

For more information about the event, and to RSVP for the virtual livestream on Nov. 19, visit manauphawaii.com. 

Right now, the best way to help those affected by the Maui wildfires and support Maui is by supporting them with your wallet. The road to recovery for many residents who have lost their homes and businesses will not only be long, but extremely expensive. Fortunately, you can help Lahaina and West Maui residents by shopping from these local businesses, many of whom are donating portions or all of their proceeds from specific items and products to fundraisers aimed at helping those in need get back on their feet.

Mohala Eyewear

 

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All of the profits from five select frames—Keana Guava Mimosa Sunglasses, Keana Guava Mimosa Prescription Frames, Pikake Coco Tortoise Sunglasses, Noela Sunset Tortoise Sunglasses, and Mele Hilo Mist Prescription Frames—sold by Mohala Eyewear will go toward the Maui Strong Fund.

Shop for your fave Mohala Eyewear frames here

Mānoa Chocolate

Mānoa Chocolate.
Photo: Courtesy of Mānoa Chocolate

Made in Hawaiʻi, net proceeds from Mānoa Chocolate’s 72% Hawaiian sea salt dark chocolate bar will go toward supporting disaster relief causes on Maui. Mānoa Chocolate ships all orders via FedEX’s two-day shipping, and guarantees your bar will arrive melt-free.

Buy your Mānoa Chocolate bar here

Maui Gold Pineapple

A box of Maui Gold Pineapple pineapples.
Photo: Courtesy of Maui Gold Pineapple

Calling it its “Pineapple Pledge,” Maui Gold Pineapple will be donating to relief organizations that support Maui with every purchase of one its juicy, succulent pineapples.

Get your Maui Gold Pineapple here

Kaiao Space

 

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If you’re looking to fill your walls with art and photography by local artists and photographers, Kaiao Space is the place to go. Featuring works from Kano Watanabe, Cole Turner, Gregg Kaplan and more, this storefront was actually started to help drive support to Maui relief efforts, and 100% of net proceeds collected through this site will go towards helping Maui.

Find your new favorite artist from Kaiao Space here

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue

Spam musubi from L&L Hawaiian Barbecue.
Photo: Courtesy of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue

Until the end of August, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue will be donating $1 for every order made through its mobile app. So far, over $10,000 has been raised, and there’s still a few days left for you to place an order and become a part of the effort.

Learn how to download the app and make your order here

Aida Salehi Art

 

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Local artist Aida Salehi will be donating 100% of proceeds from the sales of her “Nohoanu” piece, which features the Nohoanu, or Hawaiian Red Cranesbill, which is found on Maui.

Get your Nohoanu print here

Big Island Coffee Roasters

 

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Big Island Coffee Roasters has its own specialty blend, the Lahaina Strong Blend, which is dedicated to the thousands of Lahaina residents who lost their homes, businesses and loved ones to the Maui wildfires. This medium and dark roast blend features notes of butterscotch, walnut, chocolate and berry, and all of the proceeds from its sales will go toward the Maui Strong Fund.

Get your Lahaina Strong Blend from Big Island Coffee Roasters here

Hawaiʻi Candy Factory

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’ll love the locally-inspired snacks and candies sold at the Hawaiʻi Candy Factory. To make matters even sweeter, the locally-owned company will be donating a portion of online sales to help fund supplies and support for the impacted families of Lahaina.

Order you candy from Hawaiʻi Candy Factory here

SoHa Living

SoHa Living has already created an entire line of products, from cosmetic bags to magnets, hangable wood signs and totes, that are perfect for the home or to keep on your person. And, best of all, 100% of proceeds from the sales of these items will go to the Maui Strong Fund, the Maui Food Bank and the Maui Salvation Army.

Buy your tote, magnet, sign and more from SoHa Living here

In 1980 Han Sung “Has” Barry quit her job as a schoolteacher and started a cookie business. All because of a horoscope. She grabs her wallet and pulls out the astrological forecast, cut from the newspaper decades ago, and hands it to me.  

“You are ready for changes in business matters,” it reads. “Don’t let anybody hold you down.”  

“I was debating what to do,” she explains. “And then I saw this.” 

Barry, now 86, started Mrs. Barry’s Kona Cookies two years after she won first place in a cookie contest in the first-ever Macadamia Nut Festival in Honoka‘a, a small town along the Hāmākua Coast of Hawai‘i Island where she lived with her husband and two kids. The contest required the use of macadamia nuts, so Barry spent two months working on a recipe. The cookies she entered in the contest were made with oatmeal and studded with chocolate chips, fresh macadamia nuts and raisins. Her award-winning cookies are still sold at her Kona shop—and they’re still among her bestsellers. 

 “All I got was $100 and a blue ribbon,” Barry says, laughing. 

 But that’s not all she walked away with. She also got the idea to start her own business, something that wasn’t all that unfamiliar to her.  

Barry grew up in Kea‘au on Hawai‘i Island, about 10 miles south of Hilo. Her family, who emigrated from South Korea, raised vegetables, pigs and chickens. They also wove lau hala into mats that were sold at a friend’s shop. Barry’s parents later started Kea‘au Kim Chee, making and bottling the spicy Korean side dish made from fermented cabbage and other veggies. (The company’s name was later changed to Harry Kim Kim Chee, after her brother who was mayor of Hawai‘i County.) Entrepreneurship was in Barry’s DNA. 

Han Sung “Has” Barry.
Photo: Nani Welch Keliʻihoʻomalu

But instead of working in the kimchi business, Barry left Hawai‘i to get her teaching degree in California. That’s where she met her future husband, Jim. She got married and lived in Los Angeles for nine years before heading back to Hawai‘i Island to raise her kids. She got a teaching job in Honoka‘a and her husband signed on as the football coach at Honoka‘a High School. 

Then she won the cookie contest, read her horoscope and everything changed. 

Barry and her husband sold their Honoka‘a home and moved to Kailua-Kona, which they thought would be a bigger market for their cookies. In August 1980 she opened Mrs. Barry’s Kona Cookies in a small 429-square-foot shop in the Kona Inn. Her cookies—peanut butter, chocolate chip mac nut, oatmeal raisin, macadamia nut shortbread—were a huge hit. She was baking 200,000 cookies a day on average, 700,000 on busy days. 

In 1997 Barry opened a new and much bigger location at the Kaloko Light Industrial Park, just five minutes from the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole. The 4,500-square-foot shop is open seven days a week, with Barry’s son, Jamie, baking the 13 varieties the company now sells, including chocolate-dipped macadamia nut shortbread, coconut shortbread, coffee crunch and Hawaiian wedding cookies. The cookies are still made from scratch using fresh eggs, real butter and high-quality Guittard chocolate.  

The most recent addition to the cookie lineup is the chocolatey Chocolate Whirl, which was a complete accident, Barry says. “When I was at the Kona Inn, the air conditioner didn’t work and I was mixing chocolate chip cookie batter and the chocolate chips started melting. I thought it was wasteful to throw them away, so I just baked it. Now I have to melt chocolate to make them!”  

Just don’t ask the family to come up with new cookies; 13 is enough, Barry says.  

Mrs. Barry’s cookies.
Photo: Nani Welch Keliʻihoʻomalu

The shop is the only brick-and-mortar place you can find Mrs. Barry’s Kona Cookies in Hawai‘i, though the company sells all of its products online, too. It’s not uncommon to find the unassuming shop, surrounded by an electrical repair company and building materials stores, packed with locals visiting Kona armed with cookie orders from friends and family. 

“That’s the best part,” Barry says, “seeing people buying cookies and looking happy.” 

Despite its success, the family has no intention of scaling up. There’s no need. 

“Either you stay small or you go big, but you don’t go in-between,” Barry says. “We decided to keep it small. I don’t want headaches.”  

Today, Barry is semiretired; she picks up supplies and ingredients from Costco a couple of times a week and works in her yard at her Hōlualoa home. (Jamie and his wife, Candice, run the company.) Her husband, who became a beloved teacher and football coach at Konawaena High School, passed away last year. They were married for almost 62 years.  

There’s another part of that horoscope Barry keeps in her wallet. It reads, “You’ll be confronted with certain upsetting situations, but if you use your sense of reasoning, everything will work out to your advantage.” 

That sounds about right.  

Mrs. Barry’s Kona Cookies, 73-5563 Maiau St., Kailua-Kona, (808) 329-6055, konacookies.com 

This story was originally published in our 2023 Spring issue. Buy a copy here.

Everyone has their own complexion, body type, personal fashion and individuality—they’re what make us us. Kolohe, a custom jewelry bar with two locations in Waikīkī, provides a space where customers can celebrate themselves by crafting a piece of jewelry—whether a simple bracelet, a lavish ring or something else entirely—that’s unique to them. And Kolohe’s jewelry stylists are there to help.  

With its flagship store operating out of the Waikīkī Beach Walk boutique shopping center—and a smaller location at the Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach—Kolohe caters to the individual. It was founder Rose Wong’s mission to start her own jewelry company that was unique and different from anything else on the market. At Kolohe, customers can choose among various accessories, from necklaces to rings and earrings, and add as much to them—or as little—as they’d like.  

Photo: Courtesy of Lorena.Art by Lorena Gheorghe.

“It can be simple—a chain, charm and a style,” says Wong, who started the company when she was just 16. “It can also be as customizable as you want; sometimes we’ve had pieces using 30 different semiprecious stones. Throughout the process, we’ll have jewelry designers help walk you through it. It’s kind of like a Build-A-Bear Workshop but for ladies.” 

The company got its foot in the door at Alohilani when Wong was offered to have a two month summer pop up location in the hotel and with hopes to create a unique experience, she started to host jewelry classes for hotel guests. The pop-up became permanent and Wong’s continued to host jewelry-making classes at the resort, where visitors and locals alike can learn how to make necklaces, bracelets and earrings.  

Of course, the price for a custom-designed Kolohe piece can range wildly, depending on what the customer wants. A super simple accessory can go for as low as $80, and Wong has helped create wedding rings that cost over $10,000. But that’s part of the fun, and appeal, of Kolohe. Not only can customers get exactly what they want from a piece—and have it fitted to them perfectly, meaning no loose rings or too-long necklaces—but they can also tailor the accessory to fit their budget.  

Photo: Courtesy of Lorena.Art by Lorena Gheorghe.

Kolohe is a locally run, wahine (woman) owned business that cares for its community. Through its scholarship program, Kolohe offers students who have experienced personal challenges—such as poverty, homelessness, medical issues and bullying—funds to continue their education in entrepreneurship or the creative arts. The company also helps to raise money for The Institute for Human Services Hawaiʻi, the state’s leading service provider. IHS is focused on preventing and ultimately ending homelessness, offering emergency and specialty shelters, housing assistance, meals and more. And IHS is just one of the nonprofits that Kolohe supports—and you can be a part of Kolohe’s mission to give back by shopping in its retail store or online. 

Visit Kolohe’s website at shopkolohe.com. 

Tanya Uyehara has always loved to create. Coming from a family of hula dancers, it was no surprise that Uyehara had a natural inclination toward jewelry making, a craft she picked up while on maternity leave with her fourth child. Now, she’s the proud owner of Lahaʻole Designs, which sells jewelry, home decor and clothing inspired by Uyehara, the Native Hawaiian stories she’s heard and the people close to her. And it all started with a name. 

In ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language), laha ʻole means rare, unique or uncommon. It’s also part of the middle name of Uyehara’s daughter, the company’s namesake. Turns out, many of Uyehara’s designs and pieces are inspired by names—of a loved one, a flower, the character of a Hawaiian story. And it’s through her products and designs that Uyehara connects with her Native Hawaiian roots. A recent example of this is her recently released Hau line of apparel, based on the yellow and crimson hau flower endemic to Polynesia and brought to the Islands centuries ago by the first Polynesian settlers.

“There’s been a great movement and awakening to bring endemic flowers to the forefront. So I thought, how do we help that mission?” says Uyehara. “It has always been my goal to bring endemic and culturally significant flora to the public eye, and we love supporting our communities’ movement of that mission. If we don’t take care of our culture or bring things like this to light, people won’t know.” And thus, the Hau line of apparel and products was born.

Photo: Courtesy of Lahaʻole Designs.

If you want to see what Lahaʻole Designs has to offer and aren’t a fan of online shopping, you’ll be happy to know the local business has just opened its first brick-and-mortar store at 1121 Bethel St. in Honolulu. Right in the center of the city’s business district, the space not only serves as a retail storefront but also as a place where much of Lahaʻole Designs’ products are manufactured. So not only will customers be able to try on items, but they can also see how what they’re wearing is made. “People are often disconnected from how long it takes to make a design and products,” says Uyehara. “It’ll be great to share and showcase what that process looks like.”

With its constant growth and opening of its retail store, the Lahaʻole Designs portfolio gets bigger by the day. And for Uyehara, who went from a stay-at-home mom and occasional craft fairgoer to a full-blown wahine (woman) entrepreneur, her biggest lesson in business was learning to rely on others for support. While she still handmakes much of the jewelry at Lahaʻole Designs, she can’t make everything herself, “even though I still want to,” says Uyehara. “Now, I allow people to help and have learned how to reach out for support.”

Photo: Courtesy of Lahaʻole Designs.

And Uyehara knows well how support can sustain a community. From featuring other local businesses in her shop to sharing Native Hawaiian stories and values through her products, she’s found a way to run a successful business—from pop-ups and craft fairs to her brick-and-mortar store—while also supporting her community and culture. And it all started with a name. 

For store hours and to shop for products online, visit lahaoledesigns.com. 

Known as the First Lady of Waikīkī, the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, is one of the grandest hotels in Hawaiʻi. Originally called the Moana Hotel, it was built in 1901 with 75 rooms, each with its own private bathroom and telephone. The American Colonial-style structure—the first large hotel in Waikīkī—boasted a rooftop observatory, a billiard parlor, a saloon and Hawaiʻi’s first electric-powered elevator, which is still in use today.

Today, the Moana Surfrider still has that luxe and grandeur, starting from its welcoming, photogenic porte-cochere on Kalākaua Avenue. People travel from around the world to stay at this historic hotel, to sip afternoon tea or mai tais under the old banyan tree, to soak up the sun on the sands of Waikīkī and to enjoy the area’s bustling nightlife.

If you love the hotel—like many do—you’ll want to browse Moana by Design, the official logo boutique in the lobby.

The 400-square-foot shop opened in 2013 and is stocked with exclusive logo merchandise, from the signature teas served at the hotel’s restaurant to logo polo shirts and beach towels.

“Moana by Design has always been the destination for Moana Surfrider guests—or anyone who loves the First Lady of Waikīkī— to shop,” says says Jamie Tokunaga, a spokesperson for the brand. “So if you’re looking for a way to take a piece of Hawaiʻi home with you—especially one that marks your time at the Moana Surfrider—we’ve got you covered.”

The most popular items right now at Moana by Design include the shop’s Boulevard denim mini totes—sturdy and classic—with pineapples on them by Alohappy, and Moana-logo spirit jerseys. The boutique also carries slippers (or flip-flops), coffee mugs and lunch totes.

Keiki (kids) will love the shop’s stuff, too, from the blue rabbit to a cuddly teddy bear wearing a blue-and-white aloha shirt. And couples that have celebrated weddings and anniversaries here will love the Moana Surfrider logo glassware, Champagne flutes and photo frames.

Open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, 2365 Kalākaua Ave., Honolulu, (808) 924-5516

Pink. That’s the first thing you’ll see walking into TRH Inspired. From clothing to water bottles, tote bags and bathrobes, everything sold at this little boutique flaunts a shade of light pink reminiscent of The Royal Hawaiian. And that’s no coincidence. TRH stands for “The Royal Hawaiian,” and the products that fill these shelves are inspired by the one and only Pink Palace of the Pacific. 

There’s a lot to be inspired by when it comes to The Royal Hawaiian. A part of The Luxury Collection brand of Marriott International, it was one of the first luxury hotels to open in Waikīkī, first taking in guests way back in 1927. Since then, The Royal Hawaiian has maintained and elevated its luxe status, becoming a favorite accommodation among visitors and attracting a host of celebrities, including Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra and Clark Gable.  

Taking this long-running legacy into account, TRH Inspired mixes and matches the look and vibe of The Royal Hawaiian with a wide range of products perfect for visitors and locals alike. Those in need of the perfect souvenir will love the mugs, candles and totes that are easy to pack into your carry-on or stuff into an already overflowing suitcase. Along with coming in shades of light pink, all of the products carry the hotel’s logo, and even the smallest items will serve as sunny reminders of your trip to Hawaiʻi and your stay at the Royal Hawaiian.  

If you’re looking to buy something more substantial, TRH Inspired has you covered. Those on the way to the beach can swing by TRH Inspired for a Royal Hawaiian branded towel, while visitors and locals can appreciate the plush comforts provided by the shop’s luxurious robes. You can even hit the golf course with pink TRH Inspired golf balls—with their vibrant color and floral design, they’ll be hard to lose. 

Keiki (kids) will also love what TRH Inspired has to offer, from adorable stuffed animals and Royal Hawaiian Resort chocolate bars that also serve as thoughtful souvenirs to bring home to friends, co-workers and family. Komakai Jewelry is also there, with Tahitian pearls, opals and a variety of gemstones. 

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TRH Inspired, located in the lobby of The Royal Hawaiian, is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, 2259 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, (808) 926-7680. 

Waking up to a view of Diamond Head from your balcony. Sipping a mai tai under the banyan tree by the ocean. Enjoying a relaxing lomilomi message in the hotel’s world-class spa.

That’s the kind of experience you can have at the grand Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort & Spa, in the heart of Waikīkī. And it’s an experience you won’t soon want to forget.

Accents is the hotel’s signature boutique—and the perfect place to get gifts or souvenirs of your Hawaiʻi vacation. The 744-square-foot shop, located in the hotel lobby, features a wide selection of made-in-Hawaiʻi and Island-inspired gifts, from retro artwork by Oʻahu-based artist Nick Kuchar to colorful bags handcrafted by local designer Jana Lam.

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

The shop, which first opened 20 years ago, was originally called Lamonts and focused mainly on sundries and beach essentials But over the years, its offerings have evolved to include a curated selection of gifts and craft by Hawaiʻi makers.

“At Accents, we feature some of our favorite local arists and makers through our selection of gifts for you and your family and friends back home,” says Jamie Tokunaga, a spokesperson for the brand.

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

Other popular items include handcrafted jewelry—mermaid scale rings, Tahitian pearl pendants—from family-run Tidepool Love, aloha shirts from Kahala and Billy Aloha, and gardenia scents by Kai Fragrance, which is worn by celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Garner.

The shop is also stocked with everything you need for your Hawaiʻi vacation, including reef-safe sunscreen and local snacks.

Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, 2365 Kalākaua Ave., Honolulu, (808) 923-3996.

Spring Break is over and summer isn’t here yet. So we’re all daydreaming about that Hawaiʻi vacation. (Yes, we daydream about the Islands, too.)

There’s one way we can bring the Islands to us—shopping!

We rounded up some of our favorite Hawaiʻi products right now, from comfy blankets in tropical prints to lilikoʻi butter that’s perfect with pancakes. So you can get your Hawaiʻi fix without leaving your home.

1. Canvas bag, Kealokipo

 

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This gorgeous canvas bag—made locally with eco-friendly dyes and inks—can fit it all. It comfortably sits on your shoulder, perfect for the beach or farmers market. And we’re crazy about the Hawaiʻi-inspired designs. thekealopikoshop.com

2. Rainbow sunscreen, Ao Organics Hawaiʻi

 

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Get ready for summer with this super-cute, reef-safe rainbow sunscreen by Ao Organics Hawaiʻi. These cruelty-free, paraben-free sunscreens have complete broad spectrum SPF 30 coverage and come in various swirled colors. Plus, the packaging is biodegradable. Kids will love this, too. aoorganicshawaii.com

3. Oversize blankets, Fighting Eel

 

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To say we’re obsessed with these oversize blankets by local designer Fighting Eel would be a serious understatement. (I bought two last month!) These blankets—made from bamboo and cotton muslin—are breathable, lightweight and comfy—and so pretty! You won’t want to share them. fightingeel.com

4. Enamel pins, Laulima Hawaiʻi

 

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Nearly 90% of Hawaiian plant species are found nowhere else in the world. Raising awareness about that—and promoting education and conservation about Hawaiʻi’s unique endemic and native plants and animals—is the mission behind Laulima Hawaiʻi. This Hilo-based company offers nature-inspired fashion and home goods—but we are in love with its enamel pins that depict the important native tree ʻōhia lehua, nēnē (Hawaiian goose) and various endangered forest birds. laulima.store

5. Tote bag and pouches, ALOHA Collection

The pāʻina dessert tote bag from ALOHA Collection.
Photo: Courtesy of ALOHA Collection

We love the lightweight, waterproof fabric of the bags and pouches by ALOHA Collection. They keep all your stuff—beach essentials, groceries, baby gear—protected against spills and splashes. The Hawaiʻi-inspired designs are fun, too, with hibiscus, palapalai (fern), pineapples, coconut trees and more. ALOHA Collection recently collaborated with Hilo designer Sig Zane for a collection that debuted at this year’s Merrie Monarch Festival; it’s entirely sold out. It will launch a gorgeous May Day collection on Friday. Look for it! aloha-collection.com

6. Lei tees, Mahina Made

 

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Wear a lei all the time with these adorable tees from Mahina Made. This Native Hawaiian-owned lifestyle brand is bringing back its popular Lei Pakalana tee in a comfy shape that flatters every body type. While pakalana isn’t native to Hawaiʻi, these tiny green flowers are often sewn together into single-strand lei and worn as layers. The only thing missing from this tee is the sweet fragrance of the flower. mahinamade.com

7. Lilikoʻi butter, Kahuku Farms

Kahuku Farms’ lilikoʻi butter now comes in a pouch.
Photo: Courtesy of Kahuku Farms

The popular lilikoʻi (passion fruit) butter from Kahuku Farms on Oʻahu’s North Shore now comes in a squeezable pouch. The butter—perfect on pancakes, ice cream, fruit and cheesecake—is made from lilikoʻi grown on the 5-acre farm. kahukufarms.com

8. Spices, O.K. Farms

 

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O.K. Farms in Hilo is one of the only places that we know of in Hawaiʻi that grows and makes its own spices. The family-operated estate grows nutmeg, allspice, cloves and cinnamon—all of which it sells in its shop and online.

10. “Lei Aloha: Celebrating the Vibrant Flowers and Lei of Hawaiʻi” by Meleana Estes with Jennifer Fielder

“Lei Aloha” will be available on April 25, 2023.

From colorful waterproof totes to quick-drying towels emblazoned with bold patterns, beachgoers don’t have to trade style for function at Lamonts. The boutique, in the lobby of the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, carries fashion-forward brands—many of them locally owned—so you’ll not only be prepared, but also well-dressed, for the beach. It’s also a wonderful place to stock up on tasty snacks.

Conveniently situated just steps from the golden shores of Kāʻanapali Beach, Lamonts is a perfect pit-stop for people staying at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa or other nearby resorts, or anyone just headed to the beach on Maui’s west side, says Jamie Tokunaga, a spokesperson for the brand.

At the charming store, shoppers will find a superb selection of items by local brands. “We’ve got locally made gifts for everyone in the ʻohana. We have great partnerships with many local makers and artisans [so] we are able to offer a large selection of unique Hawaiʻi-made, high-quality products,” Tokunaga says. “Our staff also loves welcoming visitors and sharing aloha with them.”

Shoppers can browse the newest additions to Aloha Collection’s line of popular travel totes and beach bags. According to Tokunaga, the bags are bestselling items at the boutique, which is no surprise. The popular Island-inspired accessories are a fashion staple across Hawaiʻi: Just spend an hour on the beach and you’re sure to spot these waterproof bags hanging from a couple of shoulders.

More beach essentials at Lamonts include towels by Tag Aloha, a lifestyle brand started in Kailua on Oʻahu’s Windward Side. From prints of kalo (taro), a revered plant in Hawaiian culture, to a tribute to the wāhine (women) surfers of Waikīkī, the towel patterns celebrate the spirit of Hawaiʻi. Another reason you’ll want one of these adorable towels: They feature a waffle-weave texture that’s fast absorbing and quick drying.

Trendsetters will also be thrilled to find the boutique also carries chic resort wear for men and women with popular labels like Tori Richards and up-and-coming brands like Billy Aloha. Shop at Lamonts and you’ll not only support local creators but leave Hawai‘i with a suitcase full of stylish clothes you’ll be sporting long after your trip.

And Lamonts is a one-stop-shop. Along with apparel and accessories, shoppers can snag delicious local snacks to enjoy on the beach or by the pool. “We have a lot of Hawaiʻi-made products to choose from, as we pride ourselves on supporting local,” Tokunaga says. Here, you can grab a bag of Mauna Loa Macadamia Nuts to graze on throughout the day. Pro tip: If you plan on being in the sun, pick the seasoned macadamia nuts opposed to nuts with a chocolate coating. Dusted in a sweet and savory powder, the Maui onion and garlic flavor is a favorite—and you won’t have to worry about a melted chocolate mess. But if you have a sweet tooth to satisfy, you can score Cook Kwee’s Maui Cookies, a beloved Valley Isle specialty. The shortbread cookies are crispy light and come in a variety of flavors, including chocolate chip, coconut macadamia nut and coffee macadamia nut.

While you’ll certainly want to buy an item—or two—for yourself at Lamonts, it’s especially easy to find one-of-a-kind gifts here for family and friends. “We have a lot of repeat customers who shop with us every time they visit Maui, as they tell us they can always count on finding unique Hawaiʻi-made gifts at Lamonts,” Tokunaga says. “We offer gifts that you can only find at Lamonts, such as our exclusive Spirit Jerseys or custom Adventure Hawaiʻi water bottles and flasks that all have fun designs with a touch of Hawaiʻi.” Tokunaga adds popular items include Maui Fruit Jewels, Bubble Shack candles and Kula Herbs Excellent Soaps. And those chocolate-covered macadamia nuts that aren’t so great for the beach will make a fantastic present. If you’re shopping for a foodie or someone who loves to cook, be sure to also check out the jars of decadent honey by Big Island Bees and small batch hot sauce by Adoboloco.

Lamonts is in the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, 2605 Kāʻanapali Parkway, Lahaina.