The Made In Hawaii Festival is an annual tradition for many designers and local discerning trend hunters. Every year, food, health/beauty, apparel/accessories, gifts, books, artwork, crafts and other treasures are found by shoppers, made by the talented creators who live in Hawaii. This year is one of the best we’ve ever seen.
For the first time ever, we’re set up in the Pikake Room as part of the New Products Showcase, organized by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism where there’s entertainment, fashion shows, and eight Hawaii Fashion Incubator (HIFI) boutique designers: Alohiwai, Genuine Guava, Indigo Sage, JenStone Jewelry Hawaii, Kai Ea Hawaii Jewelry, Naturally Young at Heart, Route 99 and Sea Swept Hawaii.
Participating designers in the HIFI Boutique are premier members of the Hawaii Fashion Exchange (HFX), HIFI’s new membership platform launching this summer. HFX is an online directory where the industry can connect, collaborate and promote their work, and where the public can discover the faces of Hawaii fashion.
Indigo Sage is an island lifestyle brand of women’s apparel and swimwear based on the principles of sustainability and social responsibility. Each piece is designed and handmade by owner Taleah Smith in Waimea on the Big Island using the finest eco-friendly materials she can find. www.indigosagedesigns.com
HIFI member Kahualea is in the main showroom, showcasing her one-of-a-kind Koa bags with vintage Hawaii fabric.
Route 99 is a line of trucker caps and other hats, with embroidered/appliqued designs, made by North Shore Embroidery in Haleiwa, where Kamehameha Highway becomes Route 99. www.northshoreembroidery.com
Naturally Young at Heart is a children’s apparel and accessories company in Honolulu. instagram.com/naturallyyoungatheart
JenStone Jewelry Hawai‘i, designed by Jennifer Chun of Pearl City, offers bright colorful jewelry inspired by Hawaii’s Natural Beauty and featuring handmade art glass. www.HawaiiKilnGlass.com
Genuine Guava was created by Honolulu designer Kawehi “Guava” Kuhau’s lifetime love for bags, guava juice, and the simple island lifestyle. Her handcrafted bags are reconstructed and designed from recycled vintage materials making every bag a one of a kind piece. www.genuineguava.com
Sea Swept Hawaii, from Kailua-Kona, makes its own line of custom jewelry. www.seaswepthawaii.com
Big Island-based Kai Ea Hawaii Jewelry is the creator of the original Hawaiian Island shaped jewelry. Earrings, necklaces, bangles in each island shape as well as other designs using semi-precious gemstones, Tahitian and freshwater pearls, and shells. www.facebook.com
Alohiwai clothing is hand-made on Hawaii Island using a Tahitian style of solar painting and printed with leaves picked from the island. www.facebook.com
The Made In Hawaii Festival is at the Neil S. Blaisdell Arena and Exhibition Hall on Friday and Saturday, August 15 and 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Sunday, August 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $5.00 per person, with children age six and under free.