Taking care of family, friends and coworkers when you return from a Hawai‘i vacation can seem like a chore. We can help with ideas that are easy on the eyes, the tastebuds and your wallet.
Spam musubi aside, there is no more an iconic food item in Hawai‘i than the pineapple-shaped, premium shortbread cookies from Honolulu Cookie Company.
Honolulu Cookie Company baked their first batch in 1998 after entrepreneurs Keith and Janet Sung developed a recipe for premium shortbread cookies. As an artist, Keith wanted to create a cookie that was truly unique and represented true Hawaiian hospitality.
With multiple stores on O‘ahu, there is no excuse for not bringing home these individually wrapped treats.
Here’s a dilemma that most visitors to Hawai‘i can relate to: your vacation is winding down, you want to get something for all your family and friends back home, but you’ve already spent a lot of money and you only have so much room in your luggage.
Today we’re going to turn you on to an amazing discovery—Fabric Mart on Kalākaua Avenue, right at the edge of Waikīkī. Now, you may be surprised to learn—like we were—that Fabric Mart sells more than just bolts of fabric, sewing patterns, needles and thread. They also sell a variety of items that both visitors and locals will appreciate, that are both practical and can make for great souvenirs, too.
The best part? Not only are these items reasonably priced, but they will also pack easily!
For starters, Fabric Mart has an array of beautiful beach bags that will make you the envy of fellow beachgoers here, or at the local swim club back home. There is a large selection of prints and styles, and they’re only $20 for a medium-sized bag, $24 for the large.
You’ll be a hero with friends and family by loading up on the cutest quilted coin purses at $2.99 each. They have so many different designs that you can give a different one to everyone at the office. They’ve also got quilted drawstring pouches, too.
Maybe put an individually wrapped cookie inside!
In business since 1966, the family-owned and operated Pearl and Coral LTD specializes in pearl and coral jewelry. All high-quality pieces are made mostly in Hawai‘i, and come direct to you at wholesale prices. They offer a wide variety of designs and colors, so let the friendly staff guide you through more than 12,000 designs to find that perfect piece for any occasion.
Soccer Locker, conveniently located minutes from Waikīkī at 813 Kapahulu Avenue, has been thrilling soccer-crazy visitors since 1976. “We carry a wide variety of apparel and accessories that is ‘Hawai‘i’ branded,” says owner Bob Picerno. “We have a lot of visitors who find the perfect souvenir for themselves or for soccer lovers on their gift list.”
Soccer Locker is located right behind The Running Room and Bus Route #13 stops right in front.
Pearl Factory makes your shopping experience fun as “Hawaii’s Original Pearl-In-The-Oyster.” Creating excitement and memories is what they’re all about. All of their pearls come from genuine saltwater-cultured oysters. Discover Akoya, Tahitian, South Sea and freshwater pearls in fine jewelry pieces such as necklaces, lariats, bracelets and earrings.
With pearl in hand, select from over 135 jewelry mountings in a variety of styles and price ranges for a custom experience.
[A version of this article appears in print in the pages of This Week O‘ahu]
