Giving gifts to friends and family after you return from a vacation is one of the nice parts about coming home. Usually with the gift you get to tell a little story about why you picked it out.
Below are 5 awesome gifts unique to Maui that will put a smile on anyone’s face. You may even want to buy some for yourself!
Cookies from the Maui Cookie Lady
Oreo Mocha Mudpie with salted caramel center
Take some extra delicious cookies and sell them in select spots on Maui and you’ve got a “must-have” product. These lovely artisan treats are hand rolled in small batches using local ingredients, organic unbleached and unbromated flour and raw Maui sugar.
The varieties are out of this world: ButterRum Triple Chunker, Chocolate Chocolate Chip, Da Half Baked (giant 8 oz Chocolate Chip Cookie stuffed with Reeses, Snickers & Oreo with Malt), Elvis and Grown-up Samosas to name a few. Yum!
You can find Maui Cookie Lady cookies at the café at The Grand Wailea, The Four Seasons Maui, Maui Brewing Company, The Market, the Kahului airport and — thankfully — online.
Soaps and body products from Moku Pua
Exotic tropical soaps from Moku Pua
Everybody uses soap, so why not gift some exotic natural soaps made right here on Maui? These “farm to shower” bars are handmade in small batches using essential and/or fragrance oils, without harsh chemicals such as parabens or sulfates.
Choose from fragrant tropical scents such as Plumeria, Plumeria Jasmine, Pikake Jasmine, Toasted Coconut, Tahitian Vanilla, Papaya Lemon, Pineapple Coconut and many more.
Moku Pua (that’s Hawaiian for “island flower”) also makes bath bombs, lotions, body washes and mists, sugar scrub and…the list goes on. You can buy their products online or in person at the Maui Tropical Plantation in Wailuku.
Jewelry from The Jewelry Stand Maui
Larimar pendant necklace
Hawaiian jewelry is known for its alluring blend of natural elements, vivid colors and graceful curves. One of the best places to find these kind of lovely pieces is at the The Jewelry Stand Maui on Front Street in Lahaina.
Step inside and you’ll find unique island jewelry crafted with Hawaii’s state gem — local black coral — that’s been sustainably harvested, as well as top quality semi-precious stones, pearls, shells, larimar, kyanite, blue coral and more.
Owner/designer Kathleen Stout has been making jewelry for men, women and children at the same Lahaina location for almost 20 years, so it’s safe to say she knows her stuff.
Women’s swimwear from Maui Girl and Co.
As you might imagine, locally-designed swimwear in Hawaii is a competitive market. On Maui, the most popular (and voted best) swimwear shop is Maui Girl swimwear shop in Paia.
Why? Because the boutique has, as one Yelper says, “anything your little heart desires…rows and rows of different styles and colors of bikinis to strut your stuff on the beach, anytime of year.”
Designer and boutique owner Debbie Wilson has been designing and selling her pieces since the 1970’s. Some of her pieces were recently featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.
Ukuleles from Mele Ukulele
Mele ukeleles are made entirely on Maui
Do you love the soothing sound of an ukulele? Maybe so much that you’d want to bring one home? Head on over to Mele Ukulele in Wailuku or Wailea and see why people from around the world are raving about the glorious craftsmanship of these instruments. After all, 35,000 happy customers (a few of them you might recognize) and a worldwide following can’t be wrong.
At Mele, you can choose from the Mele line of handmade ukuleles, which are hand-crafted from the world’s finest tonewoods.
You can also shop for the more affordable but still-high-quality line of “Hula Ukes,” which also receive the same setup, fretwork and restringing at the Mele production shop. The shops sells other renowned brands of ukuleles as well.
We would be delighted to be part of your next Maui vacation. If we can assist you with planning your perfect Maui vacation, please contact our Sunny Maui Vacations’ team at info@sunnymauivacations.com or at 808-240-1311 Extension 21. Let us help you reserve your vacation rental condo in South Maui and assist you with island recommendations and activity planning through our in-house Concierge at 808-240-1311 Extension 71.
Image credits: Maui Cookie Lady Instagram, Jewelry Stand Maui, Moku Pua, Yelp (Mele Ukulele), maui-girl.com
Need a hand with your next Maui vacation? Please contact the Sunny Maui Vacations team at info@sunnymauivacations.com or call 808-240-1311, ext. 21. We’ll find you the best vacation rental condo or rental home in South Maui and help you with any and all recommendations and activities across Maui.
