Hawaii Vacation Gifts by Double Brush-Hawaiian Gifts & Blog

Enter Your Best Hawaii Photo to Win a Free Trip Back to the Islands

2009-05-18T02:38:00-07:00

Hawaii Magazine is sponsoring their 11th annual photography contest. The grand prize is a trip to Hawaii. All you have to do is go through all of your vacation photos from Hawaii, and send up to eight of your best photographs by August 7, 2009.

The grand prize includes airfare for two to Honolulu, Hawaii from your nearest Hawaiian Airlines gateway city, and a six night stay at the newly remodeled Outrigger Reef on the Beach Hotel in Waikiki.

Read complete contest details at Hawaii Magazine's 11th Annual Photography contest.

Win a Trip for Two to Hilo Hawaii

2009-05-11T03:39:22-07:00

The makers of o.b. tampons are sponsoring a new sweepstakes called, "one small vote, one mighty impact." All you have to do is cast your vote for the sustainable cause you believe in the the most, and you could win an Earth friendly getaway to Hawaii!

Grand Prize Earth Friendly Getaway to the Big Island

Trip for two (2) to Hilo, Hawaii via roundtrip coach-class
5 nights accommodations at the Mauna Lani Resort
Rental car for length of stay (you will need it to drive from Hilo to the Kona side where the Mauna Lani Resort is located)
$1,000.00 American Express Gift Card for spending money

Enter Big Island Getaway now, this contest ends on June 30,2009

See official rules here.

New and Exclusive Fresh Pineapple Gift Baskets from Hawaii

2009-04-27T03:02:00-07:00

We are excited to offer two new pineapple gifts baskets made exclusively for us from our partner company on Oahu. People love sending our fresh Hawaii pineapples and Hawaii papayas gift boxes, but some customers have asked for a pineapple gift basket. We are happy that we can now accommodate those requests.

Our pineapple gift basket with Kona coffee and treats includes a tasty assortment of edible delights from Hawaiian Host to compliment the fresh Hawaiian pineapple. A can of honey glazed macadamia nuts, a large box of dark chocolate, a smaller box of chocolate, a caramac candy bar (caramel, chocolate and macadamia nuts), and 2 bags of Royal Kona coffee to top it off. All of these goodies are arranged in a natural hand woven lauhala basket.

The second Pineapple gift basket is filled with treats for breakfast and snacks. Besides a sooo healthy and good for you fresh pineapple fruit, there is a large taro bread mix, box of Kauai cookies, a large bag of Hawaiian Isle Kona classic coffee blend, a Hawaiian design ceramic coffee mug, a can of macadamia nuts, and two Caramac candy bars. All of these items come in a dark stained willow basket.

Please check it out and tell us what you think.

Kauai Sweepstakes Link Corrected

2009-04-26T05:24:20-07:00

Aloha to my RSS and email readers. I apologize that there was a glitch when I was posting and could not check the link till after it was live. It is good now, best of luck to you!

Cheryl

Kauai Sweepstakes - Win a Family Trip to Kauai

2009-04-26T05:16:57-07:00

We found a wonderful Hawaii sweepstakes contest that is not just for you and a guest, but for you and 3 other people! This Kauai sweepstakes is sponsored by Islands Magazine.

Kauai Sweepstakes Grand Prize:

5-night stay for a family of four in an ocean view 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo fully equipped with kitchen, private lanai, and maid service, Epicuren Discovery prize package of specialty spa products. approx. retail value $2,400.

Enter Islands Kauai sweepstakes by June 20, 2009.

See our other Hawaii sweepstakes listings.

Say Aloha to an Unforgettable Hawaii Vacation

2009-03-22T06:02:04-07:00

To all my blog subscribers, this is a great Hawaiian sweepstakes but you have to enter NOW!

Entry deadline is on March 28, in 6 days.

A vacation to Hawaii offers up sun, sand, and the opportunity to experience an unforgettable culture not found anywhere else. Discover for yourself what makes a Hawaii vacation unlike any other.

Enter for your chance to win a trip for two to O'ahu with United Vacations' 2009 See the World giveaway series.

One lucky winner will receive:

Roundtrip air for two to O'ahu on United Airlines
5-night stay at the newly renovated Outrigger Reef on the Beach in an oceanview room
Roundtrip airport/hotel transportation
In-room amenity

The Outrigger Reef on the Beach has recently been reborn after a $110 million transformation. Discover a resort that is uniquely Hawaii, from the redesigned entry to the free activities provided to guests. The Outrigger Reef on the Beach is delightfully unexpected, and truly unforgettable.

See our list of other Hawaiian Sweepstakes.

Smile When You Think of Winning a Trip to Maui

2009-03-09T02:45:00-07:00

Smile when you think of winning a trip to Maui, and it may become true!

The HVCB or Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau is sponsoring a new contest to Hawaii appropriately named, "Thousand Reasons to Smile". To participate, all you have to do is upload a smiling picture of your face to their site and you could win a free trip to Hawaii--to the beautiful island of Maui.

Maui Sweepstakes Grand Prize Includes:

80,000 Hawaiian Miles (From Hawaiian Air Mileage Program)

5 days and 4 nights standard hotel accommodations at the Sheraton Maui for winner and their guest

Helicopter tour for 2 on Maui.

Approximate retail value of the Maui prize is $5,220.00

Enter here at ThousandReasonsToSmile.com

Hurry, contest expires at the end of this month, April 30, 2009.

Do more than dream, actively enter a new contest to Hawaii every week by subscribing to our blog with your favorite feed reader or through email. (See links in far right column) We try to post a new Hawaii contest every Sunday.

See our past Hawaii sweepstakes blog posts here - Hawaii Sweepstakes.

Ship Hawaiian Gifts to APO, FPO, and PO Boxes

2009-02-21T14:07:00-08:00

The first time someone wrote an APO address for me to ship to, I had to check with my local post office because I didn't know what it was. In case you also don't know what an APO address, FPO address or PO box address is, the following is a short explanation.

APO and FPO address are for US military personnel stationed overseas. The United States Postal Service (USPS) in a partnership with the Department of Defense (DoD) came up with a system called the Overseas Military Mail.

APO, stands for Army Post Office (Army or Air Force installations)

FPO, stands for Fleet Post Office (Navy installations and ships)

and followed by

AA, which stands for Armed Forces (the) Americas
AE, which stands for Armed Forces Europe
AP, which stands for Armed Forces Pacific

A typical Overseas Military Mail address looks like this:

Name
Postal Service Center + Identifier
APO, AP ZIP

Name
Postal Service Center + Identifier
FPO, AP ZIP

By having all Overseas Military Mail conform to the USPS domestic mailing addressing system, the USPS can easily sort and manage military mail using their sophisticated sorting and distribution machines, just like regular mail.

A PO Box simply stands for Post Office Box, you know, the rows and rows of little metal boxes you see outside of your local post office.

Many companies do not ship to APO, FPO or PO box addresses simply because they only use a private carrier like Federal Express (Fed Ex) or United Parcel Service (UPS).

UPS and Federal Express CANNOT ship to an APO address, FPO address, or PO box address.

Because we mainly ship through the US mail using 1st class or Priority mail, we can easily send Hawaiian gifts to your friends and loved ones stationed overseas. It is more work for us as we pack your Hawaiian gifts extra well, have to fill out a special custom USPS form, and double check that the address is legitimate. Of course we do not charge anything extra for providing this service.

There are some restrictions such as you cannot send anything perishable like fresh fruit and flowers. Sorry, that means no Hawaii papayas, pineapples, bouquets or leis.

However, we can send Kona coffee, macadamia nuts, Hawaiian candies, Hawaiian cookies, Hawaiian snacks, Hawaiian chocolates, Hawaiian gift baskets, Hawaiian candles, Hawaiian soaps, and more. Please visit us at Double Brush or Hawaii Vacation Gifts to see our large selection of products.

To look up restrictions for an APO/FPO zip code and for more information about APO shipping and FPO shipping, check this page at OCONUS Overseas Military Portal.

Win $10,000 Towards the Vacation of Your Choice in Hawaii

2009-02-16T01:38:00-08:00

NOTE: DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME WITH THIS PARTICULAR SWEEPSTAKES. SEE READER COMMENT BELOW.

How would you like to win $10,000.00 towards the vacation of your choice in Hawaii? Choose your own accommodations, eat in the finest restaurants, and see and do everything on one or all of the Hawaiian Islands--it is up to you.

Enter to win a $10,000 Trip to Hawaii Better Living Sweepstakes at Sweepstakes.com

The "Better Living" Sweepstakes ends on March 31, 2009.

See all of our recent Hawaii Sweepstakes and Hawaii contests. We post a new Hawaiian sweepstakes every Sunday. For your convenience, sign up for our Hawaii blog by email or with your favorite feed reader now.

New Kona Coffee Club--Monthly Coffee Delivery Program Plan

2009-02-13T23:42:40-08:00

Indulge in an affordable and convenient necessity--great tasting coffee to start your day right! By joining our Kona Coffee Club program, you will receive a bag of authentic 100% pure Kona coffee automatically shipped every month (or every other month) to your doorstep, direct from the Big Island, Hawaii. Choose from our 3 month Kona coffee delivery plan, or 6 month Kona coffee delivery plan, or 1 year annual Kona coffee delivery plan with free shipping to the mainland.

We know you are busy so we have made it convenient as possible to ensure that you receive a dependable supply of gourmet Kona coffee every month for yourself or as a gift to a family member, friend, business associate, or for a happy occasion gift such as a birthday or holiday gift. Besides the convenience of having monthly coffee home delivery or monthly coffee office delivery, you save with discounted prices of 10-20% off of our single Kona coffee package with shipping, and receive free coffee related gifts! Our wonderful Kona coffee fragranced handmade soy candle is included in your first coffee shipment, and a high quality Hawaiian design coffee mug with the 6 month or annual coffee package plan.

When you order a Big Island Kona coffee monthly club subscription online, membership saves you time by letting you choose your options once with our convenient drop down menus, and then sitting back and relaxing with confidence knowing that we will do the rest to fulfill your requirements. (Besides great prices, we promise you excellent customer service.)

With our drop down menu, choose from our all purpose grind or whole bean, the start month, monthly or ever month delivery, shipping to same address or a different one every month (flexible delivery plan).

One of the best coffees in the world with a stellar reputation is 100% pure Kona coffee from the Big Island of Hawaii. If you have never tried Kona coffee, or think you have and was not impressed, chances are you were served a Kona coffee blend. Most Kona bends use as little as 10% Kona coffee beans, and 90% inferior cheaper foreign country coffee beans. The taste difference is like night and day.

The taste of pure Kona coffee has an amazing rich distinctive flavor and aroma. This is due to the perfect growing conditions for coffee in the Kona district of Hawaii Island with its rich volcanic soil, mild island breezes, afternoon shade and cool gentle rains.

The "Farmer's Choice" brand of coffee purchases their coffee cherries direct from the many small Kona farmers here on the Big Island. This fair trade coffee is then roasted to perfection and packaged in freshness valve bags to lock in the quality and flavor, then placed in a nicely designed printed burlap bag, perfect for gift giving.

Read our other blog posts about Kona coffee and Kona coffee recipes.

Win a Hawaii Vacation Sweepstakes from Win Free Sweepstakes

2009-02-08T03:13:06-08:00

This is an easy Hawaii sweepstakes to enter, but the catch is that by submitting your information, you will receive "special offers from selected third parties" so I recommend that you use a free email account, in case you get too many "offers."

It does not say when this contest expires so I am assuming it may be an ongoing contest.

By submitting the form above, you are accepting terms and you will be automatically entered into the Win Free Sweepstakes $10,000 cash prize drawing. Win Free Sweepstakes is open only to legal residents of the United States and the District of Columbia who are at least 18 years of age. These Promotions are void in Puerto Rico. Offer void where otherwise prohibited by law. Winners are responsible for taxes on all prizes. No purchase necessary to play or win the sweepstakes. Copyright Â© 2009 Win Free Sweepstakes. All Rights Reserved. *By submitting your information above, you will also receive special offers from selected third parties.

Enter this Hawaii Sweepstakes at www.win-free-sweepstakes.com

See our complete list of our weekly Hawaii sweepstakes postings.

We find and post new Hawaiian sweepstakes contests almost every Sunday. Give your dream to vacation in Hawaii more action by signing up for our Hawaii blog now! (Look in the far right hand column)

Hawaiian Valentine's Day Gifts and Gift Ideas from Hawaii

2009-02-03T04:33:32-08:00

Valentine's Day is less than 2 weeks away--February 14. This year, if you are planning to give your Valentine or lucky someone flowers and chocolate candy, why not change it up with a tropical twist? At HawaiiVacationGifts.com and Double Brush we have a wide assortment of fresh Hawaiian flower bouquets and Hawaiian leis made with flowers grown on the Big Island of Hawaii. Anthuriums, orchid sprays, bird of paradise, exotic heliconia and tropical foliage, are all long lasting and a good value for your money. Our Hawaiian flowers will last for 2-4 weeks compared to traditional cut flower roses which only last a few days to maybe a week.

If your Valentine sweetie has a sweet tooth, we offer all kinds of delectable chocolate candy goodness. For that touch of Hawaii, all of our chocolate candies from Hawaii are made with macadamia nuts. We carry 2 boxes of chocolates: Mauna Loa Mountains--macadamia nuts covered in milk chocolate, and Mauna Loa Clusters--Caramel and Macadamia nuts covered in milk chocolate. We also have Mauna Loa shortbread macadamia nut cookies dipped in milk chocolate and other chocolate Hawaiian treats.

How about sending him or her a bag of Valentine kisses? Our Hershey kisses chocolate candy with Mauna Loa macadamia nuts are only sold in the state of Hawaii. You can kiss someone 50 times with a bag of chocolate kisses (amount of candy kisses in one bag).

If you cannot make up your mind between flowers and chocolate candy, here's a way to send both. We can deliver to your recipient's doorstep, our completely original Hawaiian candy bouquet. Made with Mauna Loa chocolates and vintage silk flower parts, we create and assemble unique chocolate Hawaiian candy bouquets
displayed in a pretty and practical Hawaiian coffee mug instead of a vase.

If candy and flowers aren't what you had in mind for Valentine's Day, we also have handmade soy candles, beeswax candles, solid perfumes, and other delicious treats sold separately or in custom gift baskets.

Please visit our Hawaiian stores, we look forward to assisting you with your Valentine gift needs.

Win a Trip to Maui for Four and Meet Oprah's Trainer

2009-01-26T01:44:00-08:00

Wow, this is a great Maui sweepstakes sponsored by Silk Light, manufacturers of a soy milk beverage.

You could win a trip for four to the island of Maui in Hawaii where you will receive the "Best Life" treatment from Silk. Your trip includes air transportation, luxury hotel accommodations, spa indulgences, fine dinging, and $5000.00 spending money!

To top it all off, you will get a personal consultation with Bob Greene--Oprah's trainer and author of the Best Life book series--so you are sure to return home inspired.

Maui Sweepstakes 2009 Grand Prize:

A trip for winner and three (3) guests to Maui, Hawaii. Trip consists of round-trip, coach air transportation for four (4) people from a major commercial U.S. airport near winner's home to Maui, Hawaii; five (5) nights lodging (occupancy options selected by Sponsor at its sole discretion); a spa experience, for winner only (options selected by Sponsor at its sole discretion); a consultation, for winner only, with Bob Greene; and $5,000 cash, for winner only (awarded in the form of a check).

Enter the Wake up in Maui Sweepstakes by February 27, 2009.

See last week's Maui sweepstakes contest and other Hawaii sweepstakes contests here. Better yet, sign up for our Hawaii blog by email or via your favorite feed reader. We try to post a new Hawaii sweepstakes every Sunday.

Best Time to Buy Hawaiian Pineapples is Anytime--Hawaii Pineapple Season

2009-01-21T22:06:44-08:00

Sweet, juicy, nutritious, and flavorful pineapples from Hawaii can be enjoyed in any season and at any time during the year. Enjoy eating a Hawaii pineapple in the winter, spring, summer, or fall...all you have to do is call (us). Hawaiian pineapples are grown year round but the peak growing season is from March through July.

Pineapples are the traditional symbol of hospitality and are a welcome housewarming gift, holiday gift, family gift, get well gift, or any other special occasion gift or everyday occasion gift .

Following are some seasonal Hawaii Pineapple recipe ideas. All of these recipes can be found on our Hawaiian Pineapples blog category. I will be adding more Hawaiian pineapple recipes soon.

Hawaii Pineapple Winter Recipe: Hawaiian Pineapple Pepper Dip

Hawaii Pineapple Spring Recipe: Edible Fruit Bouquet with Pineapple Daisies

Hawaii Pineapple Summer Recipes: Easy Pineapple Prosciutto Pupus, Easy Hawaiian Pineapple Coleslaw

Hawaii Pineapple Fall Recipe: Hawaiian Fresh Pineapple Pie Dessert

Hawaii pineapples can also be added to your favorite recipes or foods. Add them to a smoothie, fruit salad, as a topping on pizza, or grill pineapple slices at your next BBQ.

Eat the inner pineapple fruit and use the outer fruit as a decorative pineapple boat dish, or as a fancy cocktail cup. Afterwards, plant the pineapple crown for a fun houseplant.

If you have any questions or want to purchase fresh picked pineapples shipped direct to your door from Hawaii, please order pineapples online or call us at eight-zero-eight 966-6048

Order 2 Pineapples or Save over 50% when you buy the 6 Pineapple case.

Hawaii Pineapples are shipped on Monday and Tuesday.
Hawaii Pineapples are flown by UPS
Hawaii Pineapples are delivered by Friday.

President Barack Obama Thrills His Hawaii Alma Mater Punahou Band

2009-01-21T01:58:00-08:00

President Barack Obama showed his true Hawaii local boy style, and warmed the hearts of many on this cold day in Washington D.C during his Inauguration's celebratory parade.

As the Punahou School band passed by him and his family, he gave the Hawaiian shaka sign greeting. Even his two adorable girls Malia and Sasha gave the shaka sign as their father's high school alma mater band marched by. President Obama's special visual acknowledgment went deep into every person who saw him wave the shaka sign and knew what it meant. The shaka sign has many meanings--all of them positive. In this case he could have been saying hello, good job, and take care all at once. With the President of the United States flashing the shaka sign, I think soon the whole world will be doing it, and that is a good thing.

With all of the other 102 bands, he saluted or waved whichever was appropriate.

Tonight he and his family will sleep in the White House for the first time. The television news said that the Obama's clothes are in the closet, their personal items have been moved in, and the White House kitchen is stocked with each of the Obama family member's favorite foods.

I can't help but wonder if he will have his chef make him a special "Zip Min" (saimin noodles in hot broth and topped with garnishes like char sui pork, eggs, won ton, green onions, and fish cake) to warm his body and remind him of home. Last year when he visited Honolulu he told reporters that he wanted to go to Zippy's and maybe get a Zip Min.

President Barack Obama--Born & Raised in Hawaii, Self Guided Tour

2009-01-20T05:47:57-08:00

Today people around the globe will celebrate one of the world's most important events in history--the inauguration ceremony of Barack Obama to become the 44th President of the United States.

People that live in Hawaii or have ties to Hawaii are particularly proud of this achievement as Barack Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 4, 1961 at Kapiolani Hospital. You can see a copy of his Hawaii birth certificate and a detailed photograph of the Birth announcement in the Honolulu Advertiser's Births, Marriages, Deaths column printed in The Sunday Advertiser newspaper on August 13, 1961 at FactChecker.org

I felt compelled to add the above because when I was standing in line at the grocery store check out the other day, the sleazy tabloid called the Globe (January 12, 2009 issue) had a huge headline shouting, "Where Obama was Really Born!"-In this hospital 8,000 miles from the US, New Shocking Charge, Is his Inauguration Against the Law? I took a quick look inside and it claimed Obama was born in an African hospital in Mombasa, Kenya. I find it incredulous that this tabloid trash magazine can get away with printing outright lies. I think Obama could have a libel lawsuit against them and others who have tried to defame him.

45 years ago, John F. Kennedy said, "Hawaii is what the rest of the world is striving to become." And Michelle Obama told her husband's biographer David Mendell, "You can't really understand Barack until you understand Hawaii." As for Obama himself he once said, "What's best in me, and what's best in my message, is consistent with the tradition of Hawaii."

If you want to begin to understand how Hawaii's environment, people and culture influenced Obama to become the man he is today, what better way than by visiting the places where he lived, went to school, played, and worked.

You could pay around $40.00 to go on one of the several Obama Hawaii tours being offered, or be adventurous and take a self guided Obama Hawaii tour for free. I found the best Obama Hawaii site called Obama's Hawaii Neighborhood. Even if you can't make it to Honolulu, this wonderful site has pictures, addresses, maps, and captions for all of the places he lived and frequented.

There is also a section called "The Neighborhood" which gives you a good idea of the Makiki working class neighborhood Obama grew up in. When you see it you will understand why Obama laughed when Republicans were trying to accuse him of being elitist earlier in the election.

The Obama's Hawaii Neighborhood site also features articles, videos, and related links. This wonderful site was created by Robert F. Kay, a professional journalist who through his research into Obama's past, understood how important Hawaii was in shaping Obama's present and future.

The more I read about candidate Obama and the more spoke to his old classmates, teachers and friends the more intrigued about him I became. Simultaneously, the more research I soaked up, the more I realized how significant Hawaii was in shaping the intellect and psyche of this remarkable individual.

Nobody in Hawaii seemed surprised at his tolerance, humility and relaxed manner. After all, he's "local" and these are qualities all revered by Hawaii culture. However, this "local" understanding of Obama is not necessarily shared elsewhere. Robert F. Kay

Congratulations to President Barack Obama, a true son of Hawaii. We are so proud of you.

See related post about how Obama flashed the shaka sign at his inauguration parade.

Say Aloha to a New You-Maui Sweepstakes

2009-01-18T02:01:00-08:00

"Say Aloha to a New You" is the catchy slogan from Natural Factors, a vitamin and supplement company, to advertise their new Hawaiian sweepstakes. The grand prize is a trip for two to the island of Maui, Hawaii for a whole week.

Prize: ONE GRAND PRIZE: A Trip for two to Maui, Hawaii. Trip package includes air transportation for two to Maui, Hawaii; seven nights accommodations at a hotel in Maui, Hawaii (double occupancy), and transfers to and from hotel in Hawaii. No other transportation provided. No meals. Winner must complete the trip by December 31, 2009 or prize will be forfeited. Trip must be booked by May 29, 2009 and at least twenty-one days prior to departure. Approximate Retail Value: $3,000. Prize may not be exchanged for cash and is non-transferable. Winner is responsible for all taxes and fees associated with prize receipt and/or use.

Enter now. This Maui sweepstakes contest ends on March 6, 2009.

We take the time to slog through all of the Hawaii sweepstakes listings on the internet--many of them are expired but still show up high on searches. We post a new Hawaii contest almost every Sunday.

Save yourself some time and sign up for our blog via RSS feed or email while you are here. (Look at the far right hand column.)

Win a Private Jimmy Buffet Concert in Hawaii Sweepstakes

2009-01-11T02:01:00-08:00

Hey all you Jimmy Buffet fans! Jimmy Buffet has been very busy in Hawaii lately and now you can have a chance to see him in action if you win this Hawaiian Sweepstakes sponsored by Land Shark Lager.

The Jimmy Buffet in Hawaii 2009 Grand Prize consists of:

Round trip airfare for the winner and one guest to Honolulu, Hawaii.

Attend the grand opening of Jimmy Buffet's at the Beachcomber restaurant in Honolulu, Hawaii.

5 Days and 4 Nights hotel accommodations at the Ohana Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel.

Two Passes to attend a private Jimmy Buffet Concert in Hawaii

Tour of the New Jimmy Buffet Surfing Museum

Ground Transportation to and from Honolulu International airport to hotel.

Anticipated travel will occur in the months of February, March or April, 2009.

Approximate Retail Value: $4,200.00 each.

Hurry and enter now at www.landsharklager.com because this contest ends on January 31, 2009.

To enter other Hawaiian Sweepstakes, visit our Hawaii Sweepstakes blog category where we post a new legitimate sweepstakes almost every Sunday. FYI It's easier if you just sign up for our blog by email or your favorite feed reader so you don't miss out.

Win a Trip to Hawaii with an Ocean View Grand Waikikian Hotel Suite

2008-12-14T02:01:00-08:00

Hilo Hattie, the famous garment manufacturer and Hawaiian souvenir store chain is sponsoring a "Win a Trip to Hawaii" sweepstakes--but you have to hurry, this sweepstakes is pau (finished) at the end of this month!

You could win the grand prize: A round-trip for two to Hawaii on United Airlines, 6 nights in an Ocean View One Bedroom Suite at Hilton's new Grand Waikikian Hotel, and a $250 gift certificate for Hawaiian fashions at Hilo Hattie.

Enter the Hilo Hattie "win a trip to Hawaii" sweepstakes here.

Limited to one entry per person per day. Sweepstakes must be submitted by December 31st, 2008. The winner will be chosen on January 14, 2009.

Check out our other Hawaiian sweepstakes listings.

New Hawaiian Candy Bouquets or Hawaii Chocolate Edible Arrangements

2008-12-08T02:41:00-08:00

Since we started selling Hershey's kisses with macadamia nuts chocolate candy a few months ago, I had an idea to try and make a Hawaiian candy bouquet. I had seen the Hershey kisses chocolate candy turned into rose buds where two kisses are abutted back to back, then has a colored cellophane piece wrapped around it so it looks like a rose bud.

Although I saw many Hershey kisses rosebud candy bouquets online, I did a search for Hawaii candy bouquets or Hawaiian candy bouquets and nothing turned up! So of course I had to create a delicious Hawaii chocolate edible arrangement to fill that void.

I happened to have a stash of high quality vintage silk flower parts from the early eighties. (My sister used to design silk flower hair barrettes when it was a fad back in the day.) You can't even get these silk flower parts anymore as the majority of silk flower items (hair barrettes, leis, stems, etc.) already come assembled from China.

What I came up with is this:

We start with 2 Hershey kisses back to back, wrap the candies with clear plastic wrap, add a vintage high quality silk flower, secure it with a plastic flower calyx part, use a clean bamboo skewer to secure the candy kiss flower, and wrap the stem with green floral tape. There are quite a bit of steps involved to assemble each candy kiss blossom by hand and we only have a limited amount of our vintage flowers.

I also was able to assemble the small triangle packs of Mauna Loa macadamia nut snack packs in a similar fashion. It is featured along with Hershey kisses tropical candy flowers and assorted Mauna Loa chocolate candy bars in our "Chocolate Hawaiian Candy Bouquet Edible Arrangement by Mauna Loa" bouquet. This is a unique Hawaii bouquet gift that will satisfy the eyes as well as stomach:)

Our other bouquet (pictured at top) features one dozen Hawaiian flower Hershey's candy kisses. Both come in a Hawaiian porcelain coffee mug as a vase.

The Hershey kisses Hawaii chocolate flowers and macadamia nut flowers are also sold individually for unique Hawaiian party favors or original Hawaiian wedding favors.

Related blog posts:
Hershey's Kisses with macadamia nuts review

Hershey's Kisses Cookie Recipes

Win a Week Long Hawaiian Vacation to Maui

2008-12-07T13:45:04-08:00

We found a new Hawaiian vacation sweepstakes to Maui sponsored Cold-Eeze. It is different from any other Hawaii sweepstake entries we have seen in the past.

In this contest you go to the Share Your Cold-Eeze Sweepstakes site, enter your contact information and email addresses for one to five other people. (Your playing partner will be contacted by Cold-EEZE with an email from you letting him or her know that you are inviting them to enter this sweepstakes as your partner.) The last and third step is to enter the Cold-EEZE winning phrase which is "Cold-EEZE is clinically proven to shorten your cold by nearly half."

Here's the rub, if you do win the Hawaiian vacation contest, you have to bring someone on that partner email list.

*Contest ends on February 28, 2009*

Hawaii Vacation Grand Prize:

7 day/6 night trip for two (2) to Maui, Hawaii.

Hotel accommodations

Use of mid-size rental car

For more win a free trip to Hawaii opportunities, visit our Hawaii Sweepstakes blog category where we try to post a new and legitimate Hawaiian contest every Sunday.

Hershey's Kisses with Macadamia Nut Cookies Recipe-Kisses Cookie Recipes

2008-12-03T19:07:28-08:00

My mother-in-law from Oahu was visiting us on the Big Island to celebrate Thanksgiving. She wanted me to stop at the Hawaii Mauna Loa Visitor's Center to buy some Hershey's Kisses with macadamia nuts candy to use in her holiday baking. She had a Hershey Kisses cookie recipe that she wanted to use for her Christmas cookies and thought the kisses with the macadamia nuts would be the best.

I told her we sell the Hershey's kisses with mac nut candy on our Hawaiian gifts website and would give her some. She was delighted that I had them because she said they always sell out when they go on sale at Long's on Oahu.

The following Hershey Kisses candy cookie recipe came directly from the Hershey's candy site where this candy chocolate kisses recipe was one of 71 published candy cookie recipes!

Double Chocolate KISSES Cookies Recipe

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup milk
36 HERSHEY'S KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates or HERSHEY'S HUGS Brand Candies
1 can (16 oz.) vanilla ready-to-spread frosting

Instructions:

1. Beat butter, sugar, egg and vanilla in large bowl until well blended. Add flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt alternately with milk, beating until well blended. Cover; refrigerate dough about 1 hour or until firm enough to handle. Shape dough into 1-inch balls; place on ungreased cookie sheet.

2. Heat oven to 375°F. Remove wrappers from chocolate pieces.

3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. Spread frosting onto cookies, leaving about 1/2-inch around outer edge unfrosted; place chocolate piece in center of each cookie. About 3 dozen cookies.

Free New Hawaii State Quarter With Any Double Brush Purchase

2008-11-12T20:41:25-08:00

Major banks in Hawaii ordered extra new Hawaii state quarters in anticipation for the official launch 2 days ago (November 10). Many banks were also limiting the number of new Hawaii state quarters to one or two rolls per customer as they expected demand to be heavy.

Not many of the new Hawaii state quarters are in circulation yet, although you can find the Hawaii quarter on ebay--of course. The United States Mint estimates it will take a few more weeks before the new highly collectible coins become widely available.

This is the final state coin needed to complete the successful 50 State Quarters Program which started 10 years ago from the US mint.

We stood in line at the Bank of Hawaii branch in Hilo today just to buy roll of the shiny new Hawaii quarters.

We thought it would be a fun customer give-away to give a new Hawaii state quarter with each order from our Double Brush site or Hawaii Vacation Gifts site. Order anything, there is no minimum purchase. We have new Hawaiian lotions, soaps, and shampoo in travel sizes that start at an amazing 1.50 each and also make great Hawaiian party favors, to custom Hawaiian gift baskets where the sky is the limit.

If you are need of a Hawaiian gift or Hawaiian party favors, Hawaiian gift baskets, fresh Hawaiian flowers or leis, 100% pure Kona coffee, Hawaiian macadamia nuts, Hawaiian candies and Hawaiian snacks, and more, please visit us:)

We also just added new wine gift baskets, spa gift baskets, and fresh baked gift baskets from the mainland that can be shipped to Hawaii with NO ADDED Surcharge!

This offer will be good until the end of this year. Just mention "free quarter" in the order's comments section.

Last Hawaii State Quarter Now in Circulation

2008-11-11T01:28:00-08:00

News Flash!! Free Hawaii State quarter with any purchase from Double Brush!

For the last 10 years, coin collectors have avidly waited for the release of each new state quarter from the United States Mint "50 State Quarters Program". The final Hawaii quarter was officially unveiled in Honolulu today with people standing in line waiting to buy the shiny new coins. The release of this quarter signals the end of the 50 states quarter program.

The Hawaii state quarter has the unique position of being the last coin to complete the 50 state quarters set because each state quarter was released in the order that particular state joined the Union. Our "Aloha State" was admitted to the Union on August 21, 1959.

The reverse of Hawaii’s quarter features Hawaiian monarch King Kamehameha I stretching his hand toward the eight major Hawaiian Islands. Inscriptions are the state motto "UA MAU KE EA O KA

‘Ā

INA I KA PONO," ("The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness"), "Hawaii" and "1959."

King Kamehameha I is a revered figure in Hawaiian history. He unified the governance of the Hawaiian Islands into one kingdom in the early 1800s and navigated changes in Hawaii, while maintaining the native practices and traditional ways of island life. His "Law of the Splintered Paddle" guaranteed the protection of citizens from harm during war and became a landmark in humanitarian law. He is honored with a statue in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall.

The following information was on a full page ad from the United States Mint in the October 2008 issue of This Old House Magazine. It said to visit www.usmint.gov or call 1-800-USA-MINT. I spent some time on the US Mint site trying to locate the exact page for the silver proof set but could not find it, so you may want to call. If any of our readers find the exact page please share it with everyone via a comment.

The United States Mint is the only mint authorized to make U.S. legal tender coins. For authentic collectible coins you can buy a proof set directly from the United States Mint. You are guaranteed to receive impeccable, pristine coins, never touched by human hands and sealed in a protective case.

You can purchase the 2008 United States Mint 50 State Quarters Silver Proof Set--struck in 90% silver for only $25.95

Win a Trip to Hawaii to Attend the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl

2008-11-03T01:33:00-08:00

Win a sun and fun 4 night trip for 2 to Honolulu, Hawaii to see football's best stars play. If you win you not only get to enjoy the football game, but also a tailgate party and another VIP party.

What a great way to conclude an exciting NFL season by watching the Pro Bowl at the Aloha Stadium with the AFC's and NFC's top stars on hand for one fantastic afternoon of football in paradise.

This Hawaii NFL Pro Bowl football sweepstakes is sponsored by the Santa Fe Packing Company which produces Spike's all natural Santa Fe salsa and con queso.

Enter the 2009 Hawaiian all star Pro Bowl football game with online entry form and official rules.

Enter now! This contest ends at the end of this month, November 30, 2008.

Hawaiian Grand Prize Winner Receives:

A trip for two (2) to Honolulu, Hawaii to attend the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl All star game held on February 08, 2009.
One standard hotel room for 5 days and 4 nights
Round trip game transfers, tailgate party ticket, VIP party, Lower Level game tickets, and round-trip hotel transportation. Approximate retail value is $6,000.00

Want more?! See our other Hawaii sweepstakes listings and sign up for our Hawaii blog by RSS feed or email while you are at it. We post a new legitimate win a trip to Hawaii sweepstakes every Sunday.

New Design: Kona Coffee Candles in Donkey Stamped Gift Bag

2008-10-24T04:50:34-07:00

Living on the Big Island where the world famous Kona coffee is grown and being a candle maker, it wasn't long before I invented Kona Coffee Candles to honor that heritage. I thought it would be so cute to package our fragrant coffee candle votives in drawstring cloth bags hand stamped with an original design. It would be a miniature version reminiscent of the burlap coffee bags that Kona coffee beans used to be packed in by the many small family Kona coffee farms.

Back then I chose to draw a sweet donkey portrait and had it made into a rubber stamp that served us well through the years, but the stamp got warped and it was time to draw a new design. This time I drew a new donkey wearing a flower lei around her neck, and had it made into another rubber stamp.

Mixing acrylic paint and using a brayer and palette, I hand stamp the front of each cotton sack with our new donkey stamp design.

Why a donkey? The donkey has a deep historical significance in the history of Kona coffee production on the Big Island of Hawaii. Between 1900 and 1945, sure-footed donkeys were used to haul the heavy 100 pound burlap bags filled with ripe coffee beans, up and down the steep rugged hillsides. Wild herds, escapees from coffee farms still roam the Kona coast; at night their not-so-melodious braying sounds have dubbed the noble donkey "Kona Nightingales."

Our handmade soy candles are better than paraffin candles and scented with a really intoxicating coffee aroma. It smells so good our Kona coffee fragrance candle has been called a fake out candle.

Besides Kona coffee scented soy candles, we also carry 100% pure Kona coffee, and 100% Kona Instant Coffee. These authentic products are great for Hawaiian gifts, coffee gifts, or to add to our custom Hawaiian gift baskets where you choose what goes into your custom coffee gift basket.

Win a Hawaiian Vacation--NFL Pro Bowl in Hawaii 2009

2008-10-19T22:34:34-07:00

The famous Campbell's Soup company is sponsoring a Campbell's Chunky 2009 Pro Bowl Sweepstakes.

The Grand prize winner will receive a 4 day and 3 night Hawaiian vacation for two. This Hawaiian prize package includes round trip air transportation, hotel accommodations, and 2 tickets to the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl. Trip must be taken on February 6-9, 2009. Approx. retail value is $5,500.00

How to Enter: Go to www.chunky.com at any time during the Promotion Period. Participate in the Click For Cans promotion by voting for your favorite NFL team. After voting, consumers will be given the opportunity to enter the sweepstakes as a thank you for participating in Click For Cans and helping to fight hunger. First time entrants will complete the registration page including their name, address, birth date, email address, and telephone. Once completed, click “submit” and you will receive an entry in the sweepstakes. Returning players will simply enter their email address. Entries must be received by 11:59:59 PM ET on 12/31/08 in order to be eligible.

Contest ends on December 31, 2008.

We try our best to find you a new and legitimate sweepstakes to Hawaii contest that we post here on our blog every Sunday. Don't miss out on the action, sign up for our Double Brush blog by email or RSS feed.

See our current and past listings for Hawaiian sweepstakes here.

When is a Green Candle a "Fake Out" Candle?

2008-10-15T05:04:36-07:00

Our original soy candles and beeswax candles are considered "green candles" because they are non toxic and eco friendly (made with only natural renewable waxes). Our handmade candles have been called lovely, beautiful, clean burning, well made, and other nice descriptions from our customers and friends, but I had to hear the explanation when someone called our green candle a fake out candle today.

I had to go to Island Princess to pick up more Hawaiian macadamia nuts (party favor bags & wasabi macadamia nuts) and Hawaiian candies (chocolate covered Kona coffee beans and Mele Macs). While there I was introduced to Steve the production manager who had been given our Kona coffee scented soy candle by Tracy who handles my orders.

Steve said, "Oh, you're the one who makes the fake out candles!" I said, "Pardon?" and he told me this funny story. He went home and put our coffee candle on the table in his house. The next morning he awoke to the delicious smell of fresh Kona coffee brewing and was happily thinking that his wife had got up before him and was making the coffee. He was disappointed however to find that his wife was still sleeping next to him, and then he realized that it was the coffee fragrance from the candle that he was smelling. Ever since then, they call it the fake out candle.

It has been weeks since he was given the Kona coffee candle, and he still gets faked out!

Soy Candles vs Paraffin Candles-May the Best Candle Win

2008-10-13T05:24:28-07:00

I was surprised to read in Brand Week Magazine recently that most American consumers are still not familiar with natural soy wax candles, or that the majority of candles made and sold today are produced from paraffin wax, a by-product of the industrialized oil refining process.

So what is the difference between soy wax used for soy candles and paraffin wax used for paraffin candles?

Soy wax is produced from harvested soybeans from green living soybean plants. Soybeans have been enjoyed as a vegetarian high protein food source world wide for thousands of years, but the oil from soybeans have only recently been used to make soy candles and other non food soy products. Harvested soybeans are crushed and pressed to separate the soy oil from the soy meal. The soy oil goes through a process called partially hydrogenation to turn it into a soft wax. This is the reason why you probably see so many soy wax container candles. To make free standing soy candles, other harder natural waxes like palm and beeswax, or paraffin has to be added to the soy wax.

The benefits of soybean wax is that it is non-toxic, bio-degradable, an environmentally friendly unlimited renewable resource, and supports farmers. (At Double Brush we use soy wax made from American farm grown soybeans. Our soy wax is also organic, vegan, and kosher.)

Paraffin wax is a byproduct of the industrialized petroleum crude oil refining process. Other petroleum products include diesel fuel, gasoline, asphalt, and kerosene. All of these oil products may be manufactured from foreign oil and contribute to our dependency on crude oil, which as everyone knows is a limited resource.

Now that we know about the difference between soy wax and paraffin wax, what about the differences in the waxes used for candles?

A soy wax candle is a true "green candle" that burns at a lower temperature than a paraffin candle and therefore with a candle of the same size, the soy candle will burn slower and last longer. An important benefit of soy candles are that they are non toxic and less likely to cause an allergic reaction as the soy candles are cleaner burning and don't release any carcinogens (cancer causing agents) like petroleum based candles do. Also with soy wax candles there is none to little black petro-carbon soot which can blackening of walls, ceilings, furniture, and contaminate ventilation ductwork in your home which happens all the time when burning paraffin wax candles.

The Dangers of Burning Paraffin Candles:

If you burn paraffin candles, you might as well be inhaling diesel fumes. “The fine particulate matter collected from candle emissions was similar to that of diesel engine exhaust in particle size, morphology, elemental carbon content, and absorbed chemical constituents” says David Krause. Krause is an air quality engineer and former employee of the Florida Department of Health. He also adds, “These similarities point to a similar potential for adverse health effects.”

These chemicals are also normally found in paraffin candles:

Acrolein, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde exceeding EPA safety thresholds, dibutyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, didecyl phthalate, toluene, styrene, benzene, styrene, toluene, ethyl benzene, naphthalene, benzaldehyde, benzene,ethanol, and 2-butanone (methyl ethyl ketone) and acetone.

With the craze for gel candles you can add in mineral oil, terpene-type chemicals, modified hydrocarbons & viscosity increasing chemicals.

If you are considering buying soy candles, make sure that you read the label and it says 100% natural wax or else you may end up with a blended wax candle of 75% paraffin and only 25% soy wax! (Our soy candles are 100% natural wax.)

The wick should be made of natural fiber with no metal core. Lead core wicks have been banned in candles manufactured in the United States, but imported candles from other countries may still be using lead core wicks. (We use hemp fiber wicks with no metal core.)

Most fragrance oils that are used for candle making is made from a mineral oil base with solvents and other chemicals like dipropylene glycol in them. (Our soy candles are made with high quality custom blended fragrance oils in a soy oil base with little or no additives in them.)

Our soy candles do not contain added chemical additives such as UV light reflectors and chemical wax stabilizers that are common in paraffin candles!

And the winner for the best candle goes to a soy wax candle, or other all natural wax candle.

We invite you to please check out our handmade unique looking and wonderfully fragrant soy wax candles, and original beeswax candles.

Win a Trip to Hawaii--Pass and Snack in Paradise

2008-10-12T04:20:35-07:00

Enter to win this new Hawaiian sweepstakes sponsored by Kraft Foods. The winner will not only receive a trip to Hawaii for her or himself, but you can also take 3 other people with you and get a nice chunk of cash. While in Hawaii, you and your guests will be to attend a private event with lots of snacks on hand. It is sponsored by Kraft so I am guessing cheese on Ritz crackers and Planter's peanuts!

Hawaii Sweepstakes Grand Prize:

A 5 day/4-night trip for four (4) to Hawaii. Prize includes four (4) round trip economy air travel from the International airport nearest winner's home to Hawaii, round trip ground transportation to and from airport in Hawaii, hotel accommodations (based on quad occupancy) for four (4) nights; four passes to attend the private Kraft "Pass & Snack In Paradise Event" in Hawaii to be held February 2009 and $1,500 spending money.

Enter the Kraft Pass and Snack in Paradise Hawaiian sweepstakes contest here with link to official contest rules. Contest ends on December 1, 2008.

See all of our Win a Trip to Hawaii contests and sweepstakes here. While you are at it, sign up for our Hawaii blog via email or your favorite feed reader so you will know about a new Hawaiian sweepstakes (posted every Sunday) that you can enter.