The RED List
Gifted N Wanted
By Lehua Kai
Here are some savvy gift ideas that will help keep your wallet and the world green.
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The Indigenous Soap Company www.indigenousoap.com Available in Whole Foods Just like the name suggests, the Indigenous Soap Company is all local and indigenous to the island of Oahu . They have committed to using 100% natural ingredients, local and organic whenever possible. Their fanciful soaps come in a variety of hippie chic scents like Rosemary Peppermint and Tea Tree Patchouli. Each cube is cut like a piece of fudge and starts off with three ingredients: Purified Hawaiian water, Coconut Oil and Palm Oil. From there, each bar gets its own spicy addition that makes every piece unique. One bar of soap sells for $10.00. |
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Heart & Cross 2424 Kalakaua Avenue Suite 136 A Honolulu , HI 96815 Go conflict free this season and buy your loved ones colored quartz instead of diamonds. Hearts and Cross is based out of Oahu and owner Yasutaka Noguchi has been a Hawaii resident since 1991. Owner of five other Waikiki businesses, Noguchi has made a positive impact on Hawaii 's economy. His colored quartz jewelry comes in many designs but it's the heart pendant that is the most unique. More than 90 percent of his designs feature a heart or a cross in each theme. The hearts and the cross evoke “happiness and sense of feeling protected.” Pendants start at $225.00. |
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Muumuu Heaven www.muumuuhaven.com My grandmother never wore any muus like this. Va bam! This family run business has really captured the essence of island fusion. Most of us have had that one muumuu that we never wanted to wear but when it was time for auntie's luau somehow your mom always found it. Well this is not the case for these styleistas! They have taken the muu and given it a new life by turning them into tops, skirts, dresses, bags, children's wear and even pillows. Brighten up someone's day by giving them a piece of old Hawaii . |
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The Imaginary Foundation Second Skin at Ward Warehouse Alexander Farmakis is no stranger to the retail business in Hawaii . His mom owns Mary Z's in Kailua and he also owned an Indonesian furniture store in Windward Mall. His store Second Skin came as an answer to his own fashion needs as a young adult. His favorite line, The Imaginary Foundation, is a tee shirt line made from 100% organic cotton and features designs from a new generation of “free thinkers” who believe that imagination is fundamental to all learning. Although you could find the tees in Nordstrom Alex sells his for $20.00 less at $34.00. |
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Scented Stockings filled with lavender Lavender has long been known for is multi diverse functions. Although it can be used to treat anything it is best known for it's calming and relaxing effects. Its herbal and floral scent can calm and balance even the most stressed out shopper. Lavender also aids in sleep. At Alii Kula Lavender on Maui , they have infused this violet bud into oils, moisturizers, scrubs and food. Their Love Potion will heat up any Christmas Eve! When applied to the skin it will heat with friction or by blowing on the area. Did we mention it's completely edible! $10.00 |
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Gift Green Music 58-207 H Kamehameha Hwy. Haleiwa , HI 96712 While we all know about Jack Johnson and his LA based, solar powered recording studio, I bet you didn't know Oahu has a green gem of its own. L. Records recording studio is based out of Haleiwa and generates all of their power from the wind and the sun. Meaning they aren't tied into the electric company. To keep up with their green theme, their music is only available on line. No C.D.'s! Instead you purchase a biodegradable download card that can be planted and will eventually bloom into wildflowers. Download cards are $10.00 |
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Thinker Toys www.thinkertoysofhawaii.biz Everyone knows that Christmas is for the children! Their look of excitement on Christmas morning is something every parent holds in their memory. While it's ok to spoil them, try giving them the gift of education in addition to their toys. Thinker Toys sells fun toys that incorporate thinking through problem solving and discovery. The bright bold colors and animated characters keep learning fun. |
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Catch his eye with cufflinks John Hardy @ Neiman Marcus Every man could use a pair of cufflinks. Sexy, stylish and sophisticated men understand the statement they make with a nice pair of cufflinks. If you are new to the idea and aren't quite ready for a pipe and slippers, John Hardy is the designer for you. Besides his stylish contribution to dress shirts, he was among the first retailers to create a corporate response to global warming by offsetting carbon emissions with bamboo reforestation in Nusa Penida. For each piece of jewelry purchased John Hardy will plant 4-26 seedlings. His cufflinks start at $250.00. |
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Gift a round of Golf on an Eco Friendly Course The Links at Kuilima ( Oahu ) Yes even the greens are going green! Golf course engineers are re-designing courses to resemble a nature habitat rather than a golf course. In eco courses endangered wildlife are allowed to thrive in a protected, native, man made habitat. They make sure to build around ancient Hawaiian sites rather than through them and keep protected wetlands protected. On the Hapuna golf course, they have noticed an increase in kolea and nene (two endangered bird species in Hawaii ). On Maui they've planted an entire course with the fragrant Sandalwood tree. Prices vary but most start around $68.00. |
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Reusable Shopping Tote All supermarkets Don't you know plastic is sooo OUT? Reusable shopping bags are “where it's at.” Just by making a conscience switch (remember to keep them in your car) you can make a change. So why not help your friends make that change as well. Nowadays reusable bags come in a variety of groovy colors and a slew of sizes. Frozen turkey? No problem. Depending on where you get your bag (Neiman Marcus sells a Marc Jacob for $120.00) you can spend anywhere from $5.00 to…well we are in America . |
