Holiday Gift Guide Part 1:
Drinks
Not that you need an excuse to imbibe, but the holiday months are prime time to showcase local brews–alcoholic and non–to your mainland loved ones and to rediscover them yourself. Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say when you’re sipping any of theseÖ
Waialua Soda Works
Five big fat pigs! Four flower leis. Three dried squid. Two coconutsÖAnd one bottle of Waialua Soda Works ($1.79). The little soda company that could is spreading its range of flavored pineapple, mango, root beer and vanilla cream sodas, all sweetened with Maui cane sugar, and all sold in cool glass bottles.
Available at Star Market and many other locations on O’ahu.
www.waialuasodaworks.com
Haleakala Distillers
Haleakala Distillers makes a range of Kimo’s Rums to add punch to your holiday eggnog or mai tai. Available in Braddah Kimo’s Mo Betta Gold and Silver, and Maui Dark Rum. If you really want to deck the halls, try Braddah Kimo’s new Da Bomb Rum, a snow-melting 155 proof. The bottlenecks are already decorated with fake lei.
Tamura’s Fine Wines & Liquors, 1216 10th Ave., 735-7100
The Liquor Collection, Ward Warehouse, 524-8808
www.haleakaladistillers.com
Kona Brewing Company
In addition to its Longboard Lager, Fire Rock Pale Ale and Big Rock Golden Ale, Kona Brewing Company is offering a new seasonal Pipeline Porter through March. Deep and dark, it’s a wintery beer whose reputation among brew enthusiasts is sure to swell to the epic heights of its namesake surf break. Make it a complete set with signature Kona Brewing Company pint glasses and a colorful lizard bottle opener keychain.
Koko Marina Center, 7192 Kalaniana’ole Hwy., Hawai’i Kai, 394-5662,
www.konabrewingco.com
The People’s Wine Shop
Fill in the drink part of the eat, drink and be merry mantra with a visit to this laid-back wine shop. Owner Andre Lopez recommends sparklers for holiday festivity: Zardetto Prosecco ($13) for a great value, Nicolas Feuillate Brut Chapmpagne ($30) for your holiday gatherings, and for a splurge, 2000 Palme D’ors Brut Rose. To pair with your holiday roast, try the plush 2002 Etude Cabernet Sauvignon. ‘Ho, that was so good!’ exclaimed a customer.
1136 S. King St., 593-7887, www.thepeopleswineshop.com
Hawaiian Style Homebrew Supply
Give someone a beer and he’ll drink for an evening. Give someone a home brew kit and he’ll drink for a lifetime and probably invite you over to sample the brews of his labor, too. Hawaii Homebrew Supply has all the tools and supplies you’ll need to give the gift of a perpetually stocked beer fridge.
2646 Kilihau St., 834-2739
Food
‘Tis the season that all island tables are especially loaded with plenty of kaukau, and because we all love to eat, food is a foolproof, one-size-fits-all gift for everyone on your holiday list from your DHL guy to your next door neighbors. Here’s a selection of the finest local edibles.
Padovani Chocolates
The brothers Padovani are making exquisite chocolates with a minimum of 66 percent premium cocoa. There are champagne truffles plus ganaches and caramels exquisitely flavored with Hawai’i’s bounty: liliko’i, Ka’u orange, Kona Peaberry coffee, ginger, apple banana and kiawe honey. The three wisemen might have traded in their frankincense and myrrh for a few hundred truffles. From $3.75 for a two-piece box to $95 for a 49-piece New Year’s box. Order in advance and they’ll ship anywhere in the U.S.
The Davies Pacific Center, 841 Bishop St., 536-4567
www.padovanichocolates.com
Soul of The Sea
Since even Santa has to make his annual arrival via red canoe, Moloka’i-based Hawai’i Kai Company has turned our abundant ocean surroundings into a line of Soul of the Sea Salts. Made from sea water transformed with hi-tech, patented, solar seal technology, the sea salt retains the natural mineral richness of its oceanic origins. Available in Papohaku White, Haleakala Red and Kilauea Black ($29.50 for 12oz) and in a Palm Island Gourmet selection of White Silver, Red Gold & Black Lava ($7.99 for 8oz).
www.hawaiikaico.com/shop/home.php
Executive Chef
As a small, affordable gift for all those to whom you’d like to give a little holiday cheer but don’t know personal tastes, take a trip to Executive Chef and stock up on Hula Girl Pancake & Waffle mixes ($6.50) and delicious Island Preserve spreads ($5.75). Standouts include liliko’i and lime butters, cream cheese with liliko’i, poha, ‘ˆhelo berry, and chili pepper mango jams–sure to please every palate on your shopping list. Sugar-free versions, too.
Ward Warehouse, 596-CHEF
Kitchen
With all the cooking and feasting going on, these elegant gifts add flair to a tired kitchen
and can easily double as hostess gifts during this season of nonstop holiday travel.
Lee Ceramics Hawai’i
Laua’e, monstera, bamboo and protea are a few of the striking designs featured by this local pottery. The Hawai’i Aloha collection features affordable items, from an $11.99 coffee mug to a practical five piece wasabi dish set perfect for pupu ($24.99). If you’ve got the cash, a standout piece from the studio collection, like a poke or poi bowl (from $63), handcrafted by siblings and designers Jeff and Carol Lee, makes a grand heirloom gift.
Available at several locations on O’ahu.
www.leeceramicshawaii.com
Vintage
For the person who has everything, nothing can top a unique vintage find, whether it’s a true collector’s original, reworked vintage or an affordable replica. Half the thrill is in the hunt, and the other half is in knowing you’ll score mega originality points.
Bailey’s Antique & Aloha Shirts
This Kapahulu store boasts the world’s largest collection of vintage aloha shirts for sale. For big spenders, there are vintage originals like the 1950 blue coconut tree patterned Duke Kahanamoku by Cisco shirt worn in the film From Here to Eternity ($2,500), and for everyone else there’s the vintage replica made by local label Kona Bay ($60). And of course, the perennially popular vintage replica Primo beer shirts can be had for $54.99.
517 Kapahulu Ave., 734-7628
Kariza Vintage
Drawing inspiration from the ever-versatile sarong, Kariza Vintage designer Molly Earz makes one-of-a-kind layered garments made from vintage silks that she imports from India. Available in small, medium and large sizes ($45, 60, 65), there are more than 100 ways to wear each one, from strapless babydoll top to halter dress. Her favorite way to wear them? As a skirt. However you wrap it, it’s the gift that keeps on changing.
Ala Moana Center Kiosk, Street Level
88 Tees Too
Well-cut jeans never go out of style, but they’re often low on stock, especially if you want well-worn vintage styles. Sure you can brave the racks at Goodwill and Savers, but for an organized selection by waist size, hit up the Kalakaua location of 88 Tees for vintage Levis, some customized with 88 Tees patches and artificial distress, starting at $48. Check out the new T-shirts, street-cool accessories and a well-edited vintage clothing section, too.
2168 Kalakaua Ave., 2nd Floor, 922-8832.
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