2025 Holiday Gift Guide: HONOLULU Magazine Staff Picks
What’s on our gift list this year? Local-kine stationery, lei ornaments, a furrific fundraiser calendar and more from Hawai‘i businesses.
There’s still time to shop local and pick out the perfect presents for loved ones—find inspiration in our holiday gift guide.
SEE ALSO: Can’t-Miss Local Holiday Markets and Craft Fairs on O‘ahu
Photo: Courtesy of Hontas Higa
Hontas Higa Hala-Days Card
$5 or $20 for a set of five
Every year, we look forward to artist Jordan Higa’s witty, local-kine holiday cards, and this year’s release did not disappoint. Featuring playful illustrations of lauhala Island staples, her Happy Hala-Days card is the perfect vehicle for sending well wishes to loved ones near and far. Scoop them up individually or in a discounted set of five. —Brie Thalmann, home and style editor
SEE ALSO: 20 Fun, Stylish, Handy Gifts That Foodies Can Use
Photo: Courtesy of Bess Press
An Illustrated Map Book of Hawai‘i
$35
I’m such a fan of Lauren Trangmar’s precise, detailed illustrations that remind me of scientific copperplate prints from the 18th century. Her new map book shows the Islands and their species along with information on Hawai‘i’s geological history and development in a 14-by-11-inch book you’ll want to keep on your coffee table. The 64-page hardcover from Bess Press comes out in early December. —Katrina Valcourt, executive editor
SEE ALSO: Da Shop’s Ultimate Bookish Gift List
Photos: Courtesy of Olive Boutique
Ceramic Lei Ornaments
$23
How sweet are these? Terri Ann Murakoshi is one of our favorite local potters, and I love how her ceramic lei ornaments add a handcrafted touch to any tree. Also available in a sunny yellow version! —BT
43 Kihapai St., Kailua, oliveandoliverhawaii.com, @olive_boutique
Photos: Courtesy of Haruyeon Hawai‘i
Hanbok Scrunchies
$29
Here’s what to get for those into all things Korean: Hair scrunchies handmade with authentic Korean hanbok fabric. Haruyeon Hawai‘i crafts these pretty and fun hair ties, which come in various colors and styles. I personally love the Cloud and Crane design ($29), inspired by unhakmun, a cherished design from the Goryeo Dynasty that symbolizes grace and peace and is often seen on celadon vases. A bonus: Each scrunchie is wrapped in a bojagi, a traditional Korean wrapping cloth , making it perfect for a gift. —Diane Seo, editorial director
haruyeonhawaii.com, @haruyeonhawaii
Photo: Caleb Heikes
Dogs of the Bark Park 2026 Calendar
$12
After its founder-financier Clark Hatch passed away in 2024, community members rallied to support The Bark Park, the small-but-beloved dog park in Diamond Head, which, despite being Hawai‘i’s oldest dog park, doesn’t receive public funding. Since 2025, artist and Small Kine Gift co-owner Adam Kurtz, with photographer Caleb Heikes and floral designer Chad Okino, has produced this awesome fundraiser calendar as a labor of love. 100% of donations go directly to the park. —BT
SEE ALSO: Kōkua the Diamond Head Bark Park Dog-Loving Community
Photo: Katrina Valcourt
Tidal Theory Leather Lei Tassel
$65
How cute are these little leather flowers? The craft that goes into Tidal Theory’s pieces make most of them out of reach for my holiday budget, but these 7-inch beauties add an elegant touch to any bag. —KV
tidaltheory.com, @tidal_theory
Photo: Andrea Lee
Small Kine Gift Sticker Sheet
$5
Perfect for the support-local sticker fiend, these stickers capture little moments and memes of local life. This sheet is the first product designed by Small Kine Gift co-owner Cody Maemori, and I hope it’s not the last. —Andrea Lee, digital editor
3424 Wai‘alae Ave., Kaimukī, small.kine.gift, @smallkinegift
Photos: Sam Feyen, Courtesy of Love Me Knots
Love Me Knots Weave Fish Necklace
$78 for gold-plated, $425 for solid gold
So niche Hawai‘i and such a cute, dainty nod to the lauhala fish we all wove as keiki. Scoop it up in 14-karat gold-plated version or splurge on the 14-karat solid gold option. —BT
lovemknotshi.com, @lovemeknotshi
SEE ALSO: We Tried It: Love Me Knots’ Piercing Party
Photo: Courtesy of Mori by Art + Flea
Kalapawna Record Scratch Pad
$30
Is this a gift for a cat or a cat owner? Both. This handmade, upcycled scratcher will delight kitties and make for cute décor for a local music-loving household. Bonus: it comes with a 4” Kalapawna vinyl sticker. —AL
moribyaf.com, @mori_hawaii, @kneadandpaw
