OUR FAVORITE WAYS TO BRING A PIECE OF HAWAII HOME WITH YOU

When you think of Hawaii you don’t typically think of it as a shopping destination (unless it’s to pick up an extra swimsuit to use at the beach). But from fresh macadamia nuts and locally made honey, to colorfully designed aloha shirts and brightly printed purses, there’s a good chance that you’ll want to take home a suitcase filled with souvenirs you’ve discovered you can only find in the islands. If you’re wondering what to get for friends and family back home (and of course, for yourself), here are a few of our favorite made-in-Hawaii gems.

Big Island Candies

Home of the famous diagonally dipped shortbread cookies, Big Island Candies also offers an array of classic Hawaii treats. Big Island Candies was established in 1977, and uses local ingredients whenever possible including fresh island eggs, high quality chocolates, and 100 percent Hawaii-grown macadamia nuts. Visit their flagship store in Hilo, or their Ala Moana Center location in Oahu, and scoop up boxes of their delightful hand-dipped macadamia nut chocolates and cookies. Your coworkers will go cocoa for them.

Manuheali’i

Wear aloha wherever you go with Manuheali’i’s line of clothing. Their easy-fitting styles and polished, modern pieces embody the tropical beauty and rich culture of Hawaii. Visit their locations in Kailua and Honolulu on Oahu to pick up an outfit for your entire family. They even have keiki (children) sizes so you can grab cute tops or dresses for your favorite niece or nephew.

Ali’i Kula Lavender

Grown on the lush slopes of Haleakala (known as the “house of the sun” in Hawaiian) in Upcountry Maui. Here roughly 55,000 lavender plants thrive on the 13.5-acre farm alongside olive trees, hydrangea, protea, succulents and other flora. These delicately scented plants are what goes into every Ali’i Kula Lavender product–making each of their essential oils, soaps, candles even more distinctive and special.

Manoa Honey Company

You won’t bee-lieve how good fresh, local honey can taste until you’ve tried Manoa Honey Company. Made on the island of Oahu, Manoa Honey Company specializes in producing pure, raw, and delicious honey. A great gift for friends and family is their signature honey set called, “Pele’s Gold,” which features honey from all of their nine apiaries on Oahu, and contains nectar from more than a thousand different kinds of flowers.

Royal Kona Coffee

Coworkers won’t be able to stop buzzing about the Royal Kona Coffee you brought for the office! Owned by the Hawaii Coffee Company, the Hawaii Island company has been producing 100 percent Kona coffee since 1969. If you want to pick up a few bags at the source or see how the coffee is made, our Hawaii Grand Circle Island Tour includes a visit to the Royal Kona Coffee Mill and Museum.

Island Soap & Candle Works

This Kauai company’s line of lotions, beeswax candles, lip balms and salves are a perfect way to bring the scents of Kauai home to your loved ones. For the surf bum in your life be sure to pick up some of their Surfer’s Salve – not just for surfers it’s also great to use for bug bites, diaper rash, dry cuticles and so much more. Each item includes natural botanicals and everything is crafted by local artisans or made right in their factory.