Maui Made

Part 1 – Gift and Clothes Boutiques of Makawao (plus, an apothecary!)

The unique thing about writing a ‘shop local’ blog about Hawaii is that there is a mix of residents and visitors reading these posts.  Last week, I went to have a look around Makawao town to see which shops offer ‘made on maui’ products.  But first, I need to briefly introduce Makawao.

If you are visiting Maui: Makawao is ‘upcountry’, and has an interesting history as a ‘paniolo’ (cowboy) town.  There is a charming collection of locally-owned shops, ample free parking, and the best part – NO ABC stores.

If you live here: You know that Makawao has great shops and restaurants, but did you know that most of the shops carry locally-made products?  Its a great place to ‘shop local/buy local’, and if you make products, a great place to sell them!

So, here is a virtual tour/ shop local guide to Makawao, Maui, Hawaii, listed by type, in alphabetical order: (and, how to get in touch with/follow them)

Apothecary:

Dragon’s Den Herb Shop – (Follow on Facebook)

The Dragon’s Den is worth a stop for residents and visitors – they carry “organic herbs and herbal formulations for general wellness and specific conditions, patent Chinese Formulas, supplements, crystals, incense, superfoods, gifts and more.” Their staff is friendly and helpful, and this year, the shop is celebrating their 25 anniversary, with a day of special events on Saturday, September 21, 2013.

Dragon’s Den makes many of their own products, including their popular ‘green drink’, ‘superfood blend’ mix, a ‘vog buster’ and lots of teas.  They also carry other made on Maui products, including Queen Bee Productions, Cheshire’s Herbals,  and Goddess Rising Perfumes.

Worth a stop inside

The wall of teas

Malik’s Superfood Blend – Maca, Bee Pollen, Ginseng and more! Mix into smoothies

Queen Bee Productions at Dragon’s Den

Perfumes and Bath and Body Products…

Something to cure whatever ails you…

Boutiques (clothing/gifts):

Collections – (Follow on Facebook)

In 1975, Collections opened as a consignment shop, and after some time, transitioned into a retail boutique focused on fine women’s clothing, home furnishings, and gift items. Collections carries jewelry by local designers including KEANI Jewelry and Maui Dive Girl, soaps, Kula Cushions eye pillow (filled with delicious-smelling lavender!), Maui Dog Treats, and a wide selection of greeting cards, one of the products for which Collections is known!

This way to the BEACH!

Beautiful Bangles by KEANI jewelry

Earrings by KEANI jewelry

Greeting Cards by Erica Collins

Kula Cushions Eye Pillow

Maui Dive Girl Jewelry on a Coral Display Tree

Designing Wahine Emporium – (Follow on Facebook)

Designing Wahine Emporium (and sister store Hale Zen in Lahaina) carry a diverse selection of locally made items, including jewelry, baby gifts, home accessories, food gifts, and bath and body.  Among the popular locally-made or designed items are jewelry by Free to be me and Hula Hoops Maui, annie fischer pillows, painted wooden signs in Hawaiian by ‘Opihi Maui, eskyflavor trucker hats, beautiful textiles by Tiare Style and Maui Potpourri, Ergo Baby Carriers and their own line of bu tiki clothes.

Hand painted Annie Fischer Pillows

Colorful painted wood signs in Hawaiian – by Hawaiian speaking crafters- ‘Opihi Maui!

Day.Day.Blue hand tie-dyed head bands

Maui’s Must Have Hat- Esky Flavor – The exclusive upcountry store to carry this hat

everything about this store beckons you inside…

A great selection of baby and kids clothes and gifts

You can’t miss this store while driving up Baldwin Avenue

Textiles by Tiare Style

Gorgeous selection of locally made jewelry

Holiday & Co – (follow on instagram @ holidayandcomaui)

This boutique has a great blend of high-quality women’s clothing and fun gift items.  It also carries three amazing but hard-to-find made on Maui products – textiles (including scarves, clutches and more) by Palapala Designs and lap quilts by Hali’i by Harriet, and the awesome soaps by Shaka Street Soap Company.

Halii by Harriet Lap Quilts

stunning workmanship and talented artistry in these quilts

Shaka Street Soap Works

Block print clutches, drink mats and more by Palapala Designs

Hurricane-  (Follow on Facebook) 

A beautiful clothing & gift boutique for Women, Hurricane features lots of Maui made jewelry, plus fun and colorful headbands and embellished (with glitter!) greeting cards by the shop’s owner, Malia.

Starfish Hair Pins

Malia Maui Designs – Hand Embellished Photo Cards

Lots of locally made jewelry

Headbands by Malia

Oh, Baby! – (this website features an online store)

Most of the items in this shop are conceived, designed, and crafted by the owner, Jeanette.  Jeanette started creating jewelry over 25 years ago, and she now specializes in colorful batik women’s and children’s clothing.

All styles of batik dresses

The popular Kids clothes at Oh Baby!

Diaper Covers – Made in Lahaina for Oh Baby!

Oh Baby! Right next to Casanova

Batik Dresses for Mom and Daughter – Designed by Jeannette on Maui

Volcano Spice Company 

Pretty much everything in this store is made in Hawaii, from their signature spice blends to their impressive collection of puka shells.

Volcano Spice

Maui Puka Shells

Volcano Spice and a nice gift selection

Hope you enjoyed this virtual shopping tour of the boutiques of Makawao –

Which store is your favorite?

And please leave a comment for any shop I may have missed so I can be sure to check it out next time!

Stay tuned for Part 2 : Makawao’s Art Galleries, Food and Beverage, and Salons