Let your fingers do the walking through Uniquely Hawai'i's exquisite gallery in a catalog. This company’s
catalog is a gift in itselfBased in Volcano on the Big Island, Uniquely Hawai'i has issued a "catalog" comprising 35 glossy cards, each featuring a color photo of a gift item, with full description, price and a biography about the artist who created the piece.
Items range from embossed note cards by Elizabeth Root for $3, to a Queen Liliuokalani rocker by Ray Nitta, made to fit your body. The rocker is $3,600 in maple or at market price for koa.
Custom ukuleles by David Gomes start at $715, Hawaiian quilt needlepoint patterns by Lea Okada at $10 and feather earrings by Diane Masumura at $15.
Uniquely Hawai'i owner Elin Walburn said she wanted to "create a space for local artists without dealing with a physical gallery that tends to mark up works up to 300 percent."
That markup is expected because traditional gallery owners must deal with rent and overhead. But Walburn said, "I thought I could work with the artists so it would be a win-win situation."
Because Walburn's commitment is to artists, you won't find mass-produced items here. "Nothing's in there just to sell," she said.
And as in any gallery, there are pieces in the catalog that are not for sale, such as old-fashioned pinwheel-pattern lauhala hats made by Living Treasure Aunty Esther Makuaole. Walburn said she simply felt browsers would enjoy seeing them.
The catalog is something of a work of art in itself, so shoppers have been willing to shell out $24.43 for it. The cost includes shipping and handling.
For information, call (800) 308-1913. It's a one-person operation, so be patient.
By Nadine Kam, Star-Bulletin