12 Awesome First-Time Made in Hawai‘i Festival Vendors You Don’t Want to Miss

Trust us, you’ll want to add these new booths to your must-shop list.

August 7, 2025

Brie Thalmann,

Hawai‘i’s largest pop-up mākeke, the Made in Hawai‘i Festival, is back Aug. 15 to 17. Each year, along with shopping our favorite local labels, we look forward to checking out new and up-and-coming brands. To help navigate the event’s whopping 500-plus (yes, you read that right) vendors, we did a little pre-game sleuthing and thought we’d share our findings with you. Here are the first-time vendors topping our must-shop list.

29 Food Vendors Debuting at This Weekend’s Made in Hawai‘i Festival

Photos: Courtesy Candice Doodles

Candice Doodles

Joyful and whimsical without being too cutesy, artist Candice Soon’s fab illustrations feature beloved Island elements, such as tropical flowers, native animal species and even local eats. Here’s your chance to snag a tea towel, sticker or keychain. And you’ll want to keep an eye out for Soon’s MIHF exclusives, which include one-of-a-kind hand-painted daruma and maneki neko (lucky cat), plus her last-ever batch of hand-painted stone coasters.

Space 212, etsy.com/shop/candicedoodles, @candicedoodles

Photos: Amadeo Agis, Ilikea Snow

Clétte

I’ve been seeing this new-to-the-scene local underwear label’s dreamy photos on social media, and the pieces look amazing—gorgeous colors, lightweight and seemingly so soft and comfy. The pale pink Blush Blossom print (above left) is especially lovely and the MIHF will be one of the first times you can get your hands on the new Coral Sunsets color (above right). Plus, designer Dominique Salas will be offering a sneak peek at her new hibiscus print, which she’ll be dropping at the end of September.

Space 304, shopclette.com, @shopclette

Photos: Courtesy Of the Pacific, JSY Designs

JSY Designs

ICYMI, bold shell accessories are having a major style moment right now. Dotted with opihi, cowry and Hebrew shells, designer Jenet Gilardy’s Shelly Charmie necklaces and link bracelets look like they’re straight off the Chloé’s spring-summer collection runway.

Space 426, @jsy_designs_808

Photo: Kicking Bird Photography

Onepa‘a Hawai‘i

Is there a more fashionable way to mālama the world’s oceans than rocking some Onepa‘a Hawai‘i fashions? We think not. The ‘ohana-run label transforms regenerated ocean waste (read: fishing nets and plastic debris) into stylish activewear and swimwear featuring Hawai‘i-inspired prints.

Spaces 1002/1003, onepaahawaii.com, @onepaahawaii

Photos: Kersey D. Hatten

Skye HI

So. Freaking. Cute. Designed by a Maui mom, this line of adorable keiki fashions is meant to be unfussy and super comfy for kiddos. That means soft, breathable and sustainable fabrics made from eucalyptus, beech trees and bamboo without a scratchy tag in sight.

Space 1503, skyehikids.com, @skyehikids

Photos: Courtesy Crystal Rose Label

Crystal Rose Label

I’ve been loving designer Crystal Lee’s fresh spins on palaka—she’s been turning the classic fabric into chic bandana tops, patchwork pants and maxi skirts with floral cut-outs. And her rice bag shorts and shirts are the perfect blend of playful and nostalgic.

Space 1517, crystalroselabel.com, @crystalroselabel

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

Tay & Tholi

Our editorial director Diane Seo has been singing the praises of Thay & Tholi’s cold-pressed turmeric tonic for its many health benefits. Along with ‘ōlena root, it comes loaded with a slew of other locally sourced ingredients, including ginger root, lemon, orange, green peppercorn and honey.

Space 1703, thayandtholi.com, @thayandtholi

Photos: Courtesy Hawaiian Lei Vases

Hawaiian Lei Vases

I have a bit of an addiction to handmade ceramics, so of course I’m going to make a beeline for this booth. Go for the lei vases in dreamy pastels and stay for the clay flowers (the anthuriums, puakenikeni and pakalana are especially gorgeous), jewelry dishes and mugs.

Space 1711, hawaiianleivases.com, @oahuwaterlilies

Artwork: Courtesy Wooden Wave

Wooden Wave

A boombox tree house. An outrigger canoe turned lei stand. Such are the whimsical worlds of local illustrators Roxy and Matt Kawika Ortiz, whom you may recognize from the fantastical murals they’ve created around town. Snag your own piece of their magic via a print, postcard or stickers. And keep a special look out for “Ronin’s Hideout” (above left), the duo’s newest art print featuring an epic samurai treehouse.

Space 2010, woodenwaveart.com, @wooden_wave

Photos: Photography by Kame

Mauna i Kai

You know I love a forever lei, and while I have come across many a polymer style, designer Angela Kaina Parra’s strands feel fresh thanks to unexpected flower combos and the addition of freshwater pearls, cowry shells and glass and lau hala flowers. While you’re at it, scoop up a lei charm for your bag or a hat lei for your pāpale.

Space 2027, maunaikai.square.site, @maunaikai

Photo: Ric and Zak Noyle

Alikaleo Park

Fun, cool-kid threads and accessories from husband-and-wife duo Sarah and Alx Kawakami of the ‘Iolani Sportswear family. I love that they mix legacy ‘Iolani Sportswear prints with trendy silhouettes and technical fabrics that breathe well and protect kiddos from the sun.

Space 2109, alikaleopark.com, @alikaleopark

Photos: Mia Clark

Hilia Swim

Hebrew shell prints, flirty lace-up one-pieces and palaka bikini sets? Say less. The swimwear from this Hawai‘i Island label is replete with figure-flattering silhouettes and pretty details.

Space 2206, hiliaswim.com, @hiliaswim

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

Kailua Beads

Consider this a bonus pick since, technically, this isn’t the first MIHF appearance for designer Constanza Dennis. It is, however, the first market at which she’ll be offering her new Party Box Lei Kit, and we’re OBSESSED. We were already fans of her adorable single-flower acrylic bead kits, and this one cranks the fun waaay up with 130 crown flower and plumeria beads in a ton of different hues.

Spaces 2902/2903, kailuabeads.com, @kailua.beads

Brie Thalmann is the managing style editor of HONOLULU Magazine.