Ten Best ‘Made in Hawai’i’ Gifts

Mauna Loa Macadamia Nuts

For over 30 years, Mauna Loa has been providing Hawai’i residents and visitors with all of their amazing Hawai’i Mac-nut products. Delicious and roasted to perfection, these nuts are so ono (delicious)! Whether you prefer your nuts Dry Roasted Salted, Honey Roasted, with Wasabi & Teriyaki, Glazed in Kona Coffee, or Covered in Chocolate, Mauna Loa has it all. Make sure to try the Maui Onion & Garlic, and the Milk Chocolate Coconut…

For the best island treats, and one of the best gifts made on Hawai’i, pick up some classic Moana Loa Macadamia Nuts for a gift for you (yeah), your family and friends. These nutty goodies are available at stores all over the Hawaiian Islands; grown fresh at their farm in Kea’au on the beautiful Big Island. Their Visitors Center is open Monday-Saturday (8:30am-5pm), and closed on Sundays and Holidays. This is a great place to check out if you’re spending some time sightseeing in Hawai’i!

Filthy Farmgirl

I love this company! For over 7 years, Filthy Farmgirl has been making made on Big Island soap products in Kalapana. With their classically artsy labels and hysterical product names to match, you’ll love sniffing out their soaps like Loopy Lavender, Filthy Bridesmaid, Super Hippie Princess, Mellow Fellow and Manly Mint. The packaging alone makes it so you just can’t help but stop and check out these products! Filthy Farmgirl has at least one made in Hawai’i gift for everyone you know, pets included.

All of their products are 100% natural, vegan friendly, eco-friendly, made with coconut oil, high quality herbs and essential oils. There are absolutely no artificial scents or colorizers, no detergents, and no petroleum products used. All of their quirky graphic labels are printed on 100% recycled paper, another reason why this is a super cool Big Island company.

You can find Filthy Farmgirl products at their booths at Downtown Hilo Farmers Market (Wed  & Sat 8-3pm), or Maku’u Farmers Market near Pahoa (Sun 8-2pm), and at various Big Island gift shops including Island Gourmet. Guess what? They offer FREE Shipping from their website, making Big Island holiday gift shopping so easy!

Big Island Jewelers

Since 1978, Big Island Jewelers’ designers has been providing Big Island residents and visitors with a host of beautifully unique Hawai’i inspired jewelry. Their specialties are custom jewelry, waxes and stone settings, but are popularly recognized for the Hawaiian Heirloom collection designs; Maile, Scallop Maile, Hibiscus, Scallop Hibiscus, Lovers, and Roses. They are also internationally known for their Ironman Jewelry (official Ironman World Championship jeweler since 1996), and their custom designed pieces.

Original Hawaiian Chocolate

Grown and made in Hawai’i, Original Hawaiian Chocolate is the only sweet and gourmet good of its kind throughout the Hawaiian Islands. From their farm/factory, their select artisan cacao famers create yummy Hawai’i chocolate goods on the slopes of Hualalai Mountain in Kona.

Original Hawaiian Chocolate features a handful of gifting options. They offer individual chocolate bars (dark chocolate, milk chocolate and criollo dark chocolate), One Pound Bars (dark chocolate, milk chocolate), Small Pumerias (dark chocolate, milk chocolate), Large Pumerias (dark chocolate, milk chocolate and criollo dark chocolate), Roasted Cacao Nibs, and 100% Kona Coffee.

With advance reservations, guests can experience an Original Hawaiian Chocolate Farm Tour (Tue-Fri, 10-3pm). You can also find these Big Island chocolates at an array of Hawai’i stores, or by visiting the Original Hawaiian Chocolate Farm Shop in Kona (Tue-Fri, 10-3pm).

Hana Hou Hilo

Hana Hou Hilo is a great boutique to shop at for made in Hawai’i gifts, and more gifts made throughout the Polynesian Islands. They feature a myriad of handcrafted goods including textiles, jewelry, handwoven bags, clothing, baby items, oils and perfumes, hair accessories, art work and more. This is great boutique in Downtown Hilo to check out if you’re looking for locally made jewelry with sunrise shells and Tahitian pearls.

Honomu Jams & Jellies

Honomu Jams & Jellies are all made from organically grown Big Island fruits, no chemicals and no preservatives. Their farm is located just downstream from Akaka Falls. Their products can be found throughout Big Island stores, and at farmers markets throughout Hawai’i. I definitely suggest that you seek out their booths at Big Island farmers markets so you can have a chance to taste a variety of their flavors. I think that their Passionfruit Butter is probably the best ever made, I love the Tahitian Lime Ginger Jelly, and the Orange Pineapple Marmalade is to die for.

Other unique flavors include Poha Berry, Meyer Lemon Pineapple, Waimea Strawberry, and the White Guava. Specialty products include their Lychee Jam, Jaboticaba Jam, and the Passion Fruit Syrup.They also make delicious honey varieties; Lehua Honey, Mac Nut Honey and the Hawaiian Honey Floral Mix.

Hawaiian Quilt Collection

Since 1987, Hawaiian Quilt Collection has been gaining a huge international fan base. Although there are many individual Hawaiian quilters from the Big Island, Hawaiian Quilt Collections owner, Michael John Gillan, is the original designer and creator of the “Kapa’eke” quilt prints. They are the oldest quilt company in Hawaii, and all of their quilted gifts and home items are hand-quilted,100% cotton, and consistently provide only the highest levels of quality craftsmanship.

Favorite items from the Hawaiian Quilt Collection are the quilted bags and accessories, kitchen and holiday items, and of course the Hawaiian quilt bedding and pillow covers. They can also make custom Hawaiian quilts for all gift and interior design needs.

Mountain Thunder Coffee

If you haven’t already tried Mountain Thunder’s 100% Kona coffee, you are missing out! They have received over 16 awards in the past 5 years; most recognized for their Award-Winning Organic Cloud Forest Estate 100% Kona Coffee. They specialize in Big Island organic roasted blends, and are certified Organic by GOCA. They hold the seal of quality from the State of Hawai’i, and are also certified Kosher by K-OFK. With accolades from the Discovery Channel, Food Network, and the Fine Living Channel, the future continues to look bright for Mountain Thunder Coffee Company.

They have an array of beautiful, high quality Big Island made gift baskets, and offer FREE Tours and VIP Tours at their farms in Kaloko and Kainaliu. They also offer a Japanese language farm tour at their Kaloko location.

Sig Zane

Sig Zane has been designing and making Big Island clothes for over 29 years! His designs have been numerously featured in regional, national and international fashion publications. His designs are first, and foremost inspired by the symbols, flora and fauna of Hawaiian culture. Sig Zane is truly a mentor that has most definitely made a huge impact on how Hawaiian-style fashion and trends are today.

If you haven’t already been, the gorgeous Sig Zane boutique is located on Kamehameha Avenue in Hilo Town, right next to the Pacific Tsunami Museum. This is a great place to go if you’re looking for made in Hawai’i gifts for yourself, your family and friends. At Sig Zane, you’ll find Men’s, Women’s and Children’s clothes, accessories, a home collection, leather goods and jewelry.

Big Island Candies

Last, but not least, Big Island Candies is the sure thing for a tasty selection of Hawaiian confections. Headquartered in Hilo, they have been making taste bud tantalizing Hawaiian candies and baked goods since 1977. All products are made with the finest ingredients; locally grown macadamia nuts, 100% Kona Coffee beans, high-grade chocolate, Big Island eggs, and real butter. Yum!

Unlike most Hawaiian candy companies, Big Island Candies makes more than just chocolate macadamia nut creations. They also offer tropically inspired Shortbread Cookies, Cookies & Brownies, Mac Nut Toffee, Chocolate Kona Coffee Beans, and traditional local Hawaiian Treats like Ika, Iso Peanuts, Mochi Balls, Li Hing Mui Cookies, and Manju.

The Big Island Candies Flagship store is located in Hilo (Mon-Fri, 8:30am-3:45pm). Products can be found at various stores throughout Hawai’i, and also ordered online.