Shopping—some love it, some loathe it. For those in the latter category, the holiday season, with its long lines, overly cheerful canned music and mandatory purchasing sprees, can be tough. Let us ease the pain a little by offering a silver lining.
As we told you in our last gift guide, by doing your holiday shopping at locally owned businesses you can keep your dollars here on Maui, boosting the local economy, saving jobs, etc.
According to figures from an economic research firm, if every reader of Maui Time put $100 into the cash registers of local businesses instead of big box chains, that would add up to an extra $2 million staying on-island. That’s significant.
OK, we’ve sold you on the idea. Now, what do you buy? Allow us to offer a few humble suggestions, from the swanky to the silly, from high end to low budget. Whatever you purchase, remember—it’s the thought that counts. So think local. -JS
Banana bread
Hana Paradise Farms
2910 Hana Hwy.
248-7553
The drive out to Hana is remarkable for a number of reasons. But we’re not here to talk about the breathtaking scenery or the insanely narrow hairpin turns—we’re here to talk about banana bread. And specifically, the banana bread at Hana Farms, which numerous sources have called the best they’ve tasted. Given the abundance of great banana bread and other such goodies at establishments and small stands along Hana Hwy., let alone Maui as a whole, that’s saying something. You can get your loaf plain, or flavored with everything from pineapple to mac nuts to chocolate chips. They also sell fruit, candy and other delectables. Plus, they have a really cool bicycle powered mixer. [JS]
Lavender fudge sauce
Alii Kula Lavender Farm
1100 Waipoli Rd., Kula
878-3004 or www.aliikulalavender.com
If you’ve ever wondered how many things can possibly be made with lavender, a visit to this Upcountry farm is in order. In addition to being a wonderful place to stroll around and enjoy sweeping views, the gift shop is a veritable goldmine (or lavender mine, if you will), especially if anyone on your list is an unabashed lover of that fragrant purple flower. From soap to lotion to clothing, they’ve got it. But perhaps most intriguing are the edible offerings, ranging from the predictable (candy, scones) to the wholly unusual (coffee, salad dressing). Our favorite is the fudge sauce; it’s the kind of concoction that practically begs to be eaten straight from the jar and that elevates a run-of-the-mill sundae to elite status. [JS]
An evening out
Fine local restaurants island-wide
When the economic going gets tough and budgetary belts are tightened, the first thing that gets the axe is often dining out, especially at places that aren’t big, cheap and family friendly. So what better gift to give the cash-strapped couple in your life than a romantic evening for two over gourmet entrees and a bottle of good wine, sans rug rats? Just contact their favorite restaurant (in keeping with the theme of this issue, make it a locally owned one), buy a gift certificate and cap the package off with a few hours of kid sitting. It’s a surefire winner, and if you’ve got progeny of your own it’s an obvious wink-wink, nudge-nudge for a return of the favor. [JS]
Guri-guri
Tasaka
Maui Mall
70 East Ka’ahumanu Ave., Kahului
871-4513
Ice cream doesn’t exactly make for an ideal stocking stuffer, unless you happen to hang your stocking in a meat locker. But a gift certificate, or even just a promise to buy a few scoops at this beloved frozen treat dispensary, should suffice. Tasaka doesn’t have a monopoly on guri-guri, a locally adored goodie that’s best described as the perfect marriage between sherbet and ice cream. But their version is famous across the isles and beyond. Once a well-kept local secret, Tasaka is now featured in guidebooks and listed as one of those things you have to try. Its under-the-radar appeal may be melting away like a scoop in the sun, but its simple deliciousness remains firmly intact. [JS]
Maui Gold Rum
Available island-wide
Perhaps it’s because my ancestry is sprinkled with seafaring folks, but I find rum to be one of the more enjoyable substances on the planet. Although it’s traditionally featured in day-glo beachside concoctions, the stuff works well within the context of wintertime beverages. Exhibit A: nog. Now I must disclose here that I do not consume nog of eggs, per say. (My coworkers laugh at me because I thoroughly enjoy soy nog, especially with a few fingers of rum.) For those who can do real nog, a brilliant solution to the what-to-bring-to-the-party quandary is to bring a bottle of locally produced rum—Kimo’s Maui Gold Rum will do the trick and isn’t too pricey. Make it extra special with locally produced nog ingredients, which typically include eggs (separated, whipped, etc), whipping cream and milk. An associate of mine (my mom) adds ginger to the mix and tops it with nutmeg. [KB]
Mango Essence Tea
Maui Sun Tea Co.
Natural food stores island-wide
or www.mauisuntea.com
It’s easy to forget how awesome tea is. It’s especially tasty on those days when one’s liver is threatening to file for divorce. It lends a certain purity, warmth and stillness to any setting. Operating out of Kula, Maui Sun Tea Co. offers some most rejuvenating blends. Their Mango Essence Tea, for example, consists of lemongrass, oatstraw, mullein, cinnamon, licorice, stevia and, of course, mango flavor. The beauty of gifting specialty tea (and, probably, appropriate tea consumption accessories) is that, unlike some consumable gifts, you probably won’t offend somebody you don’t know very well, such as distant relatives or new in-laws. You can find Maui Sun Tea Co.’s wears at natural food stores as well as online. [KB]
Growler
Maui Brew Co.
910 Honoapiilani Highway #55, Lahaina
669-3474 or www.mauibrewingco.com
I suck at Christmas shopping. Not gonna lie. It’s books and booze for my loved ones. I fortunately do not have any loved ones who do not read or drink—in fact, most are prodigious at both. Perhaps you’re the same way. You could go the sixer in wrapping paper route, but how cliché. And irresponsible, given the economic as well as the ecological implications. Good thing Maui Brewing Company sells its beer in half-gallon glass jugs known as growlers. When you buy the jug you pay for the container as well as 64 ounces of beer (four pints). Your loved one can return to the brewery for refills as much as he or she wishes. Cost wise, a pint of the good stuff for those wielding growlers is less than what one would pay for a pint of its watery off-island counterparts at any given bar. Plus there’s the environmental aspect: no glass bottles to be hauled off island for recycling. See? Beer is a win-win. [KB]
MauiGrown Coffee
277 Lahainaluna Rd., Lahaina
661-2728
Come the Apocalypse and the resulting breakdown in lines of communication and transportation, there is one disaster that Maui, unlike many of the planet’s other population centers, will probably avoid: running out of coffee. Could you imagine being in some Midwestern city that’s surrounded by zombies without the ability to stay awake? Thanks to MauiGrown Coffee, which grows the majority of its beans in the vast stretches of Kaanapali Estate and peddles them in Lahaina, Mauiains can rest assured that they’ll get their caffeine fix, unless a pestilence is unleashed on the island’s crops. (But let’s not worry about that.) In the meantime, their coffee makes a most excellent gift. I would go for the darker roasts, like the Espresso or the Lava Flow. [KB]
Orchids
Tropical Gardens of Maui
200 Iao Valley Road, Wailuku
244-3085
I’m not sure why orchids are such a big deal in Hawaii, but whether they know it or not everybody out here probably has a friend or two who’s into growing the rare, exotic buds. Maybe orchid enthusiasts are lurking in small towns everywhere and I am the oblivious one, but whether you’re shopping for a flower freak or your favorite grandmother, orchids are going to go over pretty well. It doesn’t even have to be grown yet; you can buy bulbs. The potential beauty is enough to put a tear of excitement in any auntie’s eye. Personally, I think this gift (the already flowering kind) would be perfect for the girl you just started dating a month ago and aren’t sure if you should get her anything or not. You could buy them online, but why would you do that when you can buy locally from the experts over at Tropical Gardens of Maui? [JA]
Decorative rocks
Supernatural
3682 Baldwin Avenue, Makawao
573-2385
Before you go giving out another round of scented candles to people when you don’t know what they’d like, want or need, stop for a second and consider if they’ve gotten around to burning the one you gave them last year. Yes, the impulse to pass the pumpkin-vanilla bean-spice around can be strong—but try to resist. Instead, consider giving a decorative rock, like the many sparkling, colorful minerals of all shapes and sizes you can find at Supernatural. Rocks are said to have powers that border on the mystical and benefits for health and happiness. And for the decoratively challenged they also offer rocks that can be worn around the neck or slipped into a pocket. [JA]
Rasta Wall Hangings
Available at head shops and craft fairs island-wide
This is a gift that would be perfect for your high school-aged, long-haired nephew who surfs, listens to reggae on the radio and is about to realize that he’s part Jamaican. He’ll appreciate the one with Bob Marley sparking a fatty on it but the “˜rents probably won’t let him hang it in his room, so you should go with the Lion one with the red, green and yellow border. These things are big, so they’re also good for your couch-surfing stoner friend, who can use it as a curtain to keep the 11am light out his eyes or as a blanket for those cold, lonely nights spent on the beach. [JA]
Island Hunny T-shirt
Sisters & Co. Boutique and Salon
The Shops at Wailea
874-0003
Like many, I generally view shopping malls as second only to Wal Mart when it comes to signifying what’s wrong with humanity. This is in part why malls make a perfect setting for zombie movies. Think about it. But Shops at Wailea provides an exception to that rule, a local jewel in the overly polished corporate rough. Sisters, which was originally stationed near the Barmuda Triangle, is packed with locally made jewelry and clothing. What stands out immediately are the screen print skull-and-cross bone T-shirts that constitute the Island Hunny line, a brand that’s exclusive to the boutique. If someone on your list errs on the side of funky this place is a pretty safe bet, but there are some understated items as well. This is the type of mold-breaking stuff that may be worth weathering the mall for. [KB]
Decorated purse
AnAloha Boutique
117 Prison St., Lahaina
661-5274
Funk is a key element of true existence. No matter how one manifests it, the funk is a spark within us all, something so fundamental to happiness that to suppress it brings on a cancerous sense of quiet desperation. This is not to say that haphazard flamboyance is a virtue. In fact, cultivating a calculated sense of funk is a true challenge. Some choose to adorn themselves with clothing and accessories that are totemic of the elemental funk that shimmers within their cells. For those who will be shopping for such individuals this year I recommend stopping by AnAloha Boutique, which features stuff for the dudes as well as the ladies. Purchasing clothes for those particular about cut and cloth is never a good idea. However, there are some pretty sweet accessories here. My favorite: a fake fur purse that sports feathers and an abalone shell. [KB]
Coco-Loco jewelry
Cafe Marc Aurel
28 N. Market St., Wailuku
244-0852
Due to its proximity to my place of employment, I pretty much live at Cafe Marc Aurel. They caffeinate me in the morning and make me slightly less socially awkward at pau hana. Their green ethic is extremely admirable, as are their tireless efforts to promote local artists and musicians. Plus everyone employed there is effing cool. Currently available for sale at this establishment is Coco-Loco jewelry, a line of tribal wear crafted from coconut, seashells, wood and, yes, water buffalo bone and horn. Included in the collection are carved fishhooks and intricately whittled plugs for the pierced. Every piece screams Maui, which makes Coco Loco items a can’t-miss choice for a good chunk of those on your list. [KB]
The hot dress
Mahina
1913 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei, 879-3453
335 Keawe St., #208, Lahaina, 661-0383
23 Baldwin Ave., Paia, 579-9131
In general I advise the following: never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever give a female an article of clothing for Christmas. It’s a gesture out of which no good—none, I tell you!—will come. That said, the one clothing item I feel comfortable endorsing is a dress featured at my favorite chick clothing store on island, Mahina. The dress, pictured, is one-size-fits-all, but unlike most of the often dumpy stuff labeled “free size” it doesn’t make girls who require more than an A cup look pregnant. It’s soft, formfitting and reveals just enough cleavage. Plus it comes in a wide spectrum of colors, each with a lovely floral pattern down the front. I own it in teal and lavender. If you simply must purchase a piece of clothing for a female on your list, go with this one. [KB]
Dude pleasing T-shirt
Maui Thing
7 N. Market St., Wailuku
www.mauithing.com
Buying clothes for guys can be an equally dicey proposition, if for different reasons. Unless the man on your list is an exception to the rule, he probably doesn’t care that much about what he wears and thus won’t be too stoked on some ensemble of designer duds. That said, what self-respecting male doesn’t love a good T-shirt? Enter Maui Thing, the island’s hip, eco conscious purveyor of funky tees that combine wearability with cool slogans and stuff, making them a sure bet to please even the most clothing-averse dude. (They also, of course, have lots of great apparel for the ladies.) [JS]
A REAL ukulele
Bounty Music
111 Hana Hwy., Kahului
871-1141 or www.ukes.com
Right after gaudy floral print shirts, those little dashboard hula girls and a tiki anything, a ukulele is probably the most clichéd Hawaiian gift you can purchase. Don’t let that scare you off. If you invest in a quality uke rather than some flimsy plastic knockoff, you’ll not only be giving a genuine piece of local culture but a fine, deceptively simple instrument that, when played properly, can stand toe-to-toe with any of its more famous stringed brethren. Bounty Music offers an impressive selection of ukes spanning an array of shapes, sizes and sounds. Whether you’re buying for a clumsy but intrepid beginner or a seasoned strummer, they’ve got the music-maker for you. And don’t worry if you enter the store short on knowledge; their staff is well schooled enough to guide you in the right direction. Sure beats a tiki bottle opener. [JS]
Kite
Maui Toy Works
Lahaina Cannery Mall
1221 Honoapiilani Hwy. , Lahaina
661-4766
Kite flying is one of Maui ‘s more underrated activities. With frequent gusts and long stretches of open sand, this is an exemplary place to enjoy the simple pleasure of releasing a wind-catching piece of fabric into the air and watching it dance with the breeze, tethered to earth only by the string in your hand. In addition to being a wonderfully meditative activity, kite flying is a great thing to do with your kids. For 25 years, Maui Toy Works has been offering Valley Isle parents an alternative to the corporate plastic slingers. In addition to games, puzzles, books and the like, they’ve got a nice selection of colorful, functional kites that are easy to fly and will stand up to even the stiffest tradewinds (within reason, of course). While the wee ones may be squealing for the newest thing that beeps and flashes, try something different this year. Nintendo Wiis are awesome, but do they know how to fly? [JS]
Custom Surf Board
Kazuma Surf Shop
75 West Kuiaha Rd., Haiku
575-7510 or www.kazumasurf.com
Being the birthplace of surfing and all, Hawaii is home to a number of world-renowned shapers. One name that rises to the top is Matt Kazuma Kinoshita. A Maui-based board master with more than three decades of experience, Kazuma has gained the trust and admiration of some of the island’s best surfers and has outfitted more than one up-and-coming pro. Each of his creations is handcrafted with expertise and care—just like the waves they’re built to glide along, no two boards are alike. Of course, getting something of this caliber and quality comes with a price tag that may be beyond some people’s budget. But if you’ve got a hardcore barrel-rider on your list who’s been very good this year, consider this the ultimate reward. They don’t even make “˜em this good in Santa’s workshop. [JS]
Eco Tours
Pacific Whale Foundation
300 Maalaea Rd., Ste. 211
249-8811 or www.pacificwhale.org
There are a lot of ways to engage the ocean, from the elaborate (a gear-laden SCUBA expedition) to the simple (just diving in). The nice thing about taking an aquatic adventure with the Pacific Whale Foundation is that even as you’re enjoying Maui ‘s amazing water wonderland, you’re helping to preserve a fragile ecosystem and to protect and sustain some of the most amazing creatures on Earth. Unlike some of the island’s other guided outings, you don’t have to be a tourist to get something meaningful out of the Foundation’s numerous eco tours. While they emphasize environmental sensitivity, the experience is plenty immersive; you’ll still get to go eyeball to blowhole with whales, dolphins and other denizens of the deep. If you’re looking to play the romantic angle, they also offer sunset and specialty holiday cruises replete with food, libations and a little mood-enhancing stargazing. [JS]
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