The biggest problem with the exploitation and fetishization of our culture is that it becomes increasingly impossible to find authentic artisans and crafts people who produce Hawaiian things… and I’m going to leave that vague because it is a present for somebody.

So many companies are like yes this is authentic or yes this is the native wood when it isn’t and it’s definitely not handmade and you can tell that because everybody is carrying the exact same things and they are ugly and clunky.

There are sweatshops in Asia that are producing these items. Earrings which we don’t really wear but make use of our iconic symbols or pendants that are tied to our culture that definitely are not made by locals. I don’t even need somebody who is Hawaiian to go out into the rainforest and find koa woodfall (because you cannot chop down live koa… It is illegal… And even if you own the tree on your property, you need a lot of permission and permits).

It’s frustrating and everyone has been so helpful and you’re sending me links and then I feel bad because it’s like oh no these are all made out of that same shop somewhere in Asia. Even some of the bigger stores that you would think would carry authentic Hawaiian items, are buying from these places. Are they hand-carved? Maybe. But are they authentic? No.

My search continues. I have reached out to a couple of local businesses in the hopes that I can find what I’m looking for. Push comes to shove I might actually have to go get some koa and do it myself which is insane… But at least I know its origins and would have some actual connection to my culture. I’ll probably end up bleeding on it a couple of times but I will do my best. Hopefully I can avoid that. If not then we shall see!

Tourism fucking sucks. The tiki bar culture fucking sucks too. It’s one of the main reasons I’m having problems finding what I need to find.