Some folks might suggest that the only difference between a souvenir and a memento is about $50 or more. I’d rather not make judgments of that sort. Sitting atop my computer monitor at this very moment is a sandbag gecko ($5) from my first visit to Kauai and a $3 tropical fish from this last visit. Other pricier remembrances can be found at home. But my point here is that if you see something that strikes your interest and will trigger memories of a wonderful trip for years to come, go for it!
There are all sorts of places that feature Hawaiian shirts, sarongs and other items, but let’s face it, how many of them really, really are Hawaiian in origin? A check of the label is always a good place to start, and at the very least it should say "Designed in Hawaii, Made in ______" The usually "made in" location will probably be China, but where’s the surprise in that eh?
So with that in mind, I would recommend a couple destinations for picking up those gifts and souvenirs that you’ll need to fill up your suitcase and carryon bags for your trip home.
First off, there’s the big Kanuna of Hawaiian wear, Hilo Hattie’s. They offer a ton of wearing apparel that reflect both the best and less than best aspects of Hawaiian style. They also have plenty of other items, ranging from kitschy hula girl statues to Hawaiian music CDs (I personally recommend "Facing Future" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole). As you enter the store, you’re greeted with a shell lei. That’s a nice touch! Prices are reasonable for the value that you receive. That means you’ll find some economically priced shirts with okay designs and you’ll find some more expensive ones that look and feel wonderful!. And there are plenty of cheap gifties for the kids and folks back at the office.
One word of caution though, beware the "pearl ladies". If you hear the sound of a bell, accompanied by a loud "Aloha", you can best interpret that as a warming that someone is about to get roped into a purchase of pearl jewelry that they really didn’t plan on. The hook is that you pick an oyster and it’s opened right there. You get to keep the pearl (either for free or a minimalish $5.00 charge). The fun starts when you start pricing the rings and other jewelry to display this erstwhile treasure. If it’s pearls you want, you would do much better to just go to a jeweler you know and trust.
Another source of genuine Hawaiian stuff is the famous Red Dirt Shirts. I like them because they’re truly original, t-shirts that are dyed using the red dirt that you find everywhere on Kauai. I’m told that one pail of dirt will dye 500 shirts. The designs on them range from simple to uniquely Hawaiian petro glyph images or a brightly colored rooster; to the more corny touristy slogans and such. They have a few stores located around the island, and a number of other vendors sell them as well. I have a certain fondness for the Red Dirt Store in Waimea (see the picture). Their selection is awesome, the prices are reasonable and they are located just a couple doors down from Jo Jo’s Shave Ice stand (a destination worthy of a pilgrimage if ever there was one).
Lastly, if you’re looking for more variety, check out the Kauai Craft Fair just north of Kapa’a. There are a number of tent booths interspersed with a couple permanent stores that all specialize in locally produced merchandise. That’s not to suggest that everything is local, but you’ll find more local stuff here than most locations, and sometimes you’ll be taking to the person that made the clothes, art or jewelry that caught your eye in the first place. On each of our trips to Kauai, we’ve brought home stuff ranging from bookmarks, pareos, jewelry and other little tschotskes. The most popular of these has proven to be a clamshell style purse that Sue bought on our first trip, and has since purchased a couple others at the behest of friends (sorry, you got to go there to buy them, no catalog… no web site).
There are plenty of other craft fairs and roadside vendors as well. I’ve heard a lot of nice things about the West Kauai Craft Fair in Waimea, but since it is a one day a week affair, we’ve never really had a chance to visit it.
Last but not least, there are lots of places that feature locally-themed art, from photos and lithographs ($25-50), to giclee reproductions (a highly detailed inkjet printing process) of original artwork, and finally original oils, acrylics or watercolors.
Perhaps the best known artist of Hawaii might be Wyland. He’s produced a number of aquatic-themed murals throughout the world, and operates a couple of galleries on Kauai. I don’t know if it’s a fair comparison or not, but given the availability of Wyland’s work and the different formats, he might be likened to Thomas Kincaid. And I dare say that he has similar legions of both fans and detractors.
Kapa’a is home to my favorite two galleries, Aloha Images and Kela’s Glass. I’m particularly fond of Aloha Images for a number of reasons, first and foremost they are a no nonsense gallery that treats visitors with outstanding courtesy and a total absence of high pressure sales pitches. The first time we wandered in, we chatted with the owner, Ray Charron for almost 30 minutes, learning about giclees and the various artists. The next trip, we stopped by again, a visit that took an hour and resulted in our first investments in original art. If you’re on a budget, they also have some lithographs for a very modest price. Kela’s Glass is also a favorite of mine, and yes my credit card has been used their. Glass art never ceases to amaze me, perhaps more than any other medium.
I also have a fondness for the Koa Store because wood is at least one medium that I have some clue about how to work. Koa is a beautiful hardwood, that is becoming all too rare (although thankfully, not yet endangered). They have both finished pieces ranging from $10 bookmarks to gorgeous pieces of furniture for much more. What’s cool about them, is that they also sell unfinished raw lumber… I couldn’t resist buying one piece that will become (I hope) a family heirloom stool years from now.
So there you have it, you can spend anywhere from a couple bucks all the way up to a few thousand dollars and come up with a treasure that will remind you of a place that to me is incredibly wonderful. That is in no way intended to be an all-inclusive list. It doesn’t make any difference what you buy, or how much you spend on it. But what you should do is at least make sure that your purchase has some originality and uniqueness. Leave the "3 for $10" t-shirt buys to the others!