i have a shop and was wondering what people would buy for gifts or souvenirs in hawaii?
2006-10-18 10:39:11 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Honolulu
Dear State808:
People love jewelry as a memento of a vacation, but I thought of something that would interest ME if I were still traveling and exploring :
The islands peoples originally had paganistic gods and totem gods. The spirituality of the island peoples is always fascinating to travelers. I know in Jamaica, for instance, I heard it spoken of softly about Vodoo. This tended to simply add to the adventure I was having.
I think a quick study of the island's spiritual heritage could lead YOU to carry some BOOKS on the topic. Offer some island-made folk art like carved totems, dolls fashioned after the gods, good luck charms that can be put on good chains and worn around the neck. Also, if there are sources still available for BASKETRY made by islanders. We travel for the adventure - you know? The spirits of the islands are of interest. It lends color, stimulation to our trips. Although Hawaii is a Sun state and big on fruits - what types of spices are used in the cooking there? I would add a section of packaged spices for Tourists who would like to cook something at home similar to what they enjoyed on the island. Maybe small packages of island coffees.
My shop would look like this: An island-flavored jewelry section. If you are not certain, yourself, about great taste in jewelry, find a friend or relative who does have good taste in jewelry and have them help you make selections.
Another section for the totems or gods of the islands. The basketry would be part of this section also. Books should be sprinkled about in this section as well.
Then a gourmet foods section with coffees from the islands, spice packages for at-home cooking - similar to the islands, etc.
Does Hawaii use any special spices fairly unique to the island cooking? Carry those! Scatter some island cooking books around this section too! Do the islands grow tobacco? Have pouches of pipe tobaccos for men - some exotic aromas in this department.
Make YOUR shop have different things from what most of the others carry.
Have fun! Best regards, Lana
2006-10-18 11:14:54 · answer #1 · answered by Lana S (1) 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Among so many things, one item that could go over well are koa products. Specifically necklaces with koa crucifixes. They can come in various designs; the more popular ones I've seen are made with smooth white oval buffalo bones, interspersed with opal, with a polished koa wood crucifix in-lain with mother of pearl (I'm wearing it as of this writing). Just a suggestion (I don't have a sales & marketing background so lacking a market research, I really can't provide you with an adequate marketing approach).
BTW, where's your shop brah?
2006-10-19 15:11:50 · answer #2 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Make up your own specialties....empty cans or bottles labled Hawaiian sunshine, or fresh air. Magic sand from the beaches of Hawaii.
2006-10-18 17:48:11 · answer #3 · answered by starting over 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
when you go to hawaii you would buy mauna loa chocolates which are sold at Wal Mart and most convenient stores
you would also buy Jade brand snacks which they sell at Wal Mart also
another thing is Kona Coffee (do they have that in the mainland?)
2006-10-19 12:33:40 · answer #4 · answered by NewYorker 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Aloha e State!
Congrats on your store in the making.... Start small and then build up....Of course we all like the Tshirts, Post cards, Shot glasses, things of that nature, but what you want to do is not be another ABC or Hilo Hatties eh? Be original in your concept and what you carry........
Once you get it going, please touch base with me via email so I can patronize your business..it would be an honor to support any of my braddahs and sistahs.
Shakaz
2006-10-20 14:24:50 · answer #5 · answered by tahitidreamz 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I buy t-shirts, Kona coffee, keychains, DVD's about Hawaii, cd's (Hawaiian artists), fruit, calendars
2006-10-19 18:57:02 · answer #6 · answered by gloria381948 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Pineapples is the obvious answer.
How about cooled lava? Or things made by local artisans?
Hula skirts...Hawaiian shirts....ukulele (spell)
2006-10-18 17:43:25 · answer #7 · answered by Canadian Ken 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Key chains, post cards, shirts, mugs, and seashells.
2006-10-18 17:42:03 · answer #8 · answered by Diana 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
key chain
2006-10-19 22:33:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋