Business Monday: Need last-minute holiday gifts? Here are ideas from Kona shopkeepers

With Christmas only two days away, and no time left to shop online, small business owners on the Big Island are offering you last minute shoppers with ideas for stocking stuffers or presents to be put under the tree.

Amy Sheffield, owner of Pueo Boutique on Ali‘i Drive in Kailua-Kona that specializes in her hand made jewelry, said a great gift would be bangles with black and fresh water pearls, shells and soft glass. Prices range from $75 to $259.

Sheffield said another option would be any of the boutique’s body products, including soaps, sprays and roll-on perfume. The boutique carries Saltwater Buddha soaps, which are made on Maui and cost $12. She also features locally made shampoo and conditioner bars sold together for $29.

“People tend to gravitate to that table because it’s easy,” Sheffield said.

Pueo Boutique has two locations in Kona: 75-5729 Ali‘i Drive in Kona Marketplace and 75-159 Lunapule Rd.

Sheffield said she gets her stocking stuffers from Tasty Kona, where you can find locally made chocolates.

Eva Koenig, owner of Tasty Kona, said her store carries more than 200 local brands from treats to treasures, with 80% to 90% made locally.

The store also sells soaps with loofa bars for $12 each.

Koenig said one gift idea is anything that is authentic to the Big Island, like Kona salt with a gift set of spices. A 6-ounce bag of Deep Sea Kona Salt is available for $14. There are also locally made hot sauces with flavors including lilikoi and dragon fruit, for $18 each.

For those on a budget, Koenig said people can’t go wrong with locally made chocolate, candles, baseball caps and coozies designed by a local artist.

“We try to have something for everybody for all the different budgets,” Koenig said.

Tasty Kona has two shops in Kailua-Kona: 75-5725 Ali‘i Drive B101 and 75-5703 Likana Lane.

Also in downtown Kona, there are many options at Keauhou Shopping Center at 78-6831 Ali‘i Drive.

Noelani Sugata, marketing director at the shopping center, said merchants got a good start to the holiday shopping season on Small Business Saturday on Nov. 30. This year, there’s been a lot of foot traffic.

Brenda McConnell, co-owner of Kona Stories that is located in the shopping center, said for the past week she has been super busy.

“We’re selling books and also educational STEM toys for children,” McConnell said.

The bookstore, which offers many books by local authors, has a little bit of everything at a variety of prices. McConnell said they have paperback books starting at $20, with staff capable of recommending a good read for whoever you might be getting a gift for.

Kona Stories also has a variety of stocking stuffers, including coasters, napkin sets, eyeglass holders, coin purses and handmade bookmarks.

“I would say for last-minute shoppers, gift certificates are always good,” McConnell said.

Some other unique items in the bookstore include wind chimes ranging in price from $20 to $200.

“People really love wind chimes, especially people who bought a new home or have a new baby,” McConnell said. “I also have hanging crystals that you could hang in a window that create a rainbow.”

For acquaintances or a host gift, McConnell suggested Hāmākua Toffee or macnut tarts, which can be shipped and have a long shelf life.

“It’s always good to give something local,” McConnell said.

Sugata also recommended gift cards to a local restaurant.

“You don’t have to buy people presents, you can take them to a nice dinner and give them an experience,” she said.