Hawaiian Print Gifts

Brightly colored Hawaiian prints evoke a tropical paradise long after you've returned home.

A fresh pineapple, a can of macadamia nuts, a strand of puka beads -- people can, and do, bring these back as gifts or souvenirs from Hawaii. For a more enduring memento, try something made from a Hawaiian print. These colorful fabrics come in a wide assortment of colors and patterns. Whether kitschy or practical, Hawaiian print gifts will last long after that final cup of Kona coffee has been consumed.

Aloha Shirt

The aloha shirt as it is known today dates back to the late 1920s or early 1930s, according to Dale Hope, author of "The Aloha Shirt: Spirit of the Islands." As Hawaii became an increasingly popular tourist destination during the 1930s, tailors starting customizing shirts, often made from Japanese kimono fabric and raw silk, for visitors. Today, aloha shirts are available in several fabrics -- most commonly, rayon -- and an even wider variety of colors and designs. Whether you prefer cartoon characters or hula girls, animal prints or floral patterns, you'll find an aloha shirt to suit your style and pocketbook. Wear it at summer barbecues, for Halloween as part of a tourist costume, or in the middle of winter as a reminder of warmer days to come. An aloha shirt is the perfect reminder of the friendly Hawaiian spirit.

Seat Covers

If you want to recall the feeling of breezing along the Hawaiian shore in a convertible, bring back some car seat covers. Slip them over your vehicle's seats, put down the windows and envision yourself rolling down the coast. If you spent most of your vacation lying by the pool or on the beach drinking pina coladas or mai tais, purchase some cushion covers for your outdoor chairs. Recover the chairs, put up an beach umbrella and sip your drink while reminiscing about the idyllic time you had.

Hawaiian Quilt

If you prefer a more unusual souvenir, bring back a Hawaiian quilt. Nineteenth-century missionaries introduced the art of quilting native Hawaiians, who then put their own spin on the craft. Hawaiian quilts are usually symmetrical in design, with nature-based images, such as pineapples, breadfruit, hibiscus, sea turtles and dolphins, that are reflected in many Hawaiian prints. Hawaiian quilts come in various sizes, making them suitable for use as decorative wall hangings as well as bedspreads.

Collectibles and Knickknacks

No matter what you collect, chances are you can find a Hawaiian print version of it. If you prefer your souvenirs to be useful, consider a floral tote bag or backpack. Cover your soda can with a foam print cover to keep your drink cold, and set the can down on a print coaster to avoid water stains. If you prefer hot drinks to cold ones, take home a set of Hawaiian-patterned mugs. Smaller items such as print-motif key chains or magnets are easy to bring back in bulk if you need souvenirs for a lot of people or want to lay in a supply of stocking stuffers.

References

• "The Aloha Shirt: Spirit of the Islands"; Dale Hope; 2000
• "The Hawaiian Quilt: The Tradition Continues"; Poakalani Serrao, et al.; 2007