WAIMEA — In a two-part series beginning today, the North Hawaii News elves have researched some readily available options made by local purveyors with a story all their own.
From wreaths to hair care products to a unique sunscreen, creative artisans can help lessen shopping stress this year.
Decorative wreaths
Handmade wreaths, created entirely from local flora, are a special treat available only near Christmastime at the Kuhio Hale Farmers Market in Waimea.
“They are made at a wreath making party that’s been going on for about 20 years,” said Kumu Hula Micah Kamohoalii.
He and his cousin, Stallone Chartrand, sell the wreaths they make at their Dezigns By Kamohoalii booth. Proceeds from the sales benefit Waimea Halau Na Kipuupuu, currently the biggest halau in Waimea, with students ranging in age from two to 85 years old.
The communal wreath making effort started years ago as an activity at the YMCA gym, local resident Wardene Kanekoa said. But not many people signed up so they decided to move it to her home.
But then it grew, she said, with a chuckle.
“Over the years the event has attracted upwards of 100 people,” Kanekoa said. “We never know who is coming. It’s always lots of fun.”
Her neighbor, Angela Thomas, and other friends get required permits to collect wreath materials such as ohia lehua and pukiawe from Saddle Road; spruce clippings from their Christmas tree and other pines around town; haole koa found past Waimea airport; and ti leaves and Song of India from her and Kamohoalii’s yards. Succulents come from her father’s property on the wet side of Waimea.
“We go different directions to get different things. That’s how we ensure a wide variety of materials,” Kanekoa said. “We’re gatherers.”
So, in a sense, “We prune town,” she said, laughing. “We do our best to help out.”
It wasn’t until the last few years that some of the wreaths were made available to the public for purchase.
“Micah has taught us how to make better quality wreaths and gives us good ideas,” Kanekoa said. “He’s so talented. He sees weeds and can turn them into beautiful things.”
For this year’s wreath making party, she approached a friend and client of hers, Kiyomi Yoshimatsu.
“Her yard was filled with green pine and a pretty pink succulent flower. I stopped, knocked on her door and asked, ‘Is it okay if we come and pick?’” Kanekoa said.
Among others, she made a wreath for Yoshimatsu from the materials and returned the next day to give it to her.
“She was so happy. She’s 93 years old and she said, ‘No one’s ever given me a Christmas wreath before,’” Kanekoa recalled.
The Christmas wreaths are available this month only at the Kuhio Hale Farmers Market in Waimea, beginning at 8 a.m. They range in price from $30 to $60, depending on size, and sell fast.
Haircare
It is said necessity is the mother of invention.
That’s certainly true for two Waimea residents, Joan Campbell and Katherine Cross, who out of desperation developed a hair-care product for themselves in their own kitchens named Hawaii Island Waves Conditioning Creme.
“It can be used by anyone who wants soft, manageable hair, and it’s made here in the islands with all natural products,” Campbell said.
She and Cross have been friends for more than 20 years and both lead active lives filled with bicycling, running, hiking and swimming in the ocean nearly every day. But those activities left them with dry and frizzy hair from the hours spent in the tropical sun and sea. The problem was even worse for the two women because they have naturally curly hair.
For decades they searched for a product that would help them conquer the frizz but nothing seemed to help. Even more frustrating, most had high concentrations of chemicals and overpowering perfumes they didn’t like.
About eight years ago, Campbell was lamenting about her hair to a fellow beachgoer at Anaehoomalu Bay.
“She suggested I try making my own conditioner at home and gave me a recipe,” Campbell explained, who immediately cooked up a batch in her kitchen and shared it with Cross.
Excited by their initial success, they made several more batches, refining the recipe along the way. Eventually, they shared their product with family and friends.
“Everyone who tried it loved it, so we began marketing it,” Campbell said. “It’s easy to apply and light and nongreasy so you can rinse it out or leave it in.”
It’s also easy on the sea.
“In the islands, we’re worried about the ocean, about our own health and about what we’re putting in our body,” she said. “Our product is good for the community and the environment, and we’re having fun making it.”
Hawaii Island Waves Conditioning Creme is available in citrus, lavender and coconut scents. It’s sold online at hawaiiislandwaves.com and Waimea General Store.
Info: Go to the FB page at www.facebook.com/hawaiiislandwaves/ or call 960-0108
Sun protection powder
She’s not selling a “craft” per se, but the product Laura Williams-May displays at the Hawaii-made Crafty Hands &Gifts event at Parker Ranch Center would make a nice Christmas gift for those living in the islands or just visiting: Lahilahi sun-protection powder.
Made from all natural ingredients that can be worn every day, not just at the beach, the sunscreen comes in 12 different colors and can be custom matched — making it nearly invisible on the skin while hiding brown spots and skin imperfections.
Williams-May got into the sun-protection business after moving to Hawaii four years ago. As a fair skinned person who’s had three minor bouts of skin cancer, she knew she had to wear sunscreen every day.
But she didn’t like applying sunscreen to her skin in Hawaii’s humid weather.
“You’re already sweating and then you have to spray yourself with something greasy. Yuck,” Williams-May said.
So she started looking into powder products online but when they arrived they didn’t match her skin color and looked odd. Finally, she contacted a wholesaler and ordered 25 different color samples, took them around to everyone she knew and narrowed the 25 colors down to 12 that seem to match almost everybody.
And that’s when Williams-May knew she had something special. She said she’s willing to sell Lahilahi because it’s a product she wears every day.
“I’m not a salesperson. I’m a retired teacher,” Williams-May said. “I couldn’t sell something I didn’t believe in. It’s much less expensive than other sunscreen products on the market and I found something I want to share with others.”
The sun powder is also beneficial to Hawaii environmentally.
“It’s a mostly zinc oxide product which provides a protective barrier so it goes on the skin and sticks to the skin even in the water,” she explained, “But because it doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals it doesn’t harm the reef.”
Lahilahi sun-protection power is sold in 1/2 ounce biodegradable tins.
“When applying the powder you don’t need much,” Williams-May said.
For Christmas, she’s offering gift certificates for mailing to friends on the mainland. A tin sells for $20 at the Parker Ranch Center craft fair Dec. 9 and 16; or a little more if purchased commercially at Island Naturals in Hilo or Vitality Natural Medicine Clinic in Pahoa.
Info: Go to the FB page at www.facebook.com/lahilahi.sun.protection.powder or call 805-545-0642.
