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Kailua Hawaii Holiday Ornament - Mokulua Christmas Canoe

Kailua Hawaii Holiday Ornament - Mokulua Christmas Canoe

Regular price $24.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $24.00 USD
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A fir tree, lights and all, riding an outrigger canoe across the bay toward the Mokes. It looks like a joke. In Hawaii it's closer to the truth than you'd think.

Christmas in Hawaii arrives by sea. Growers in Oregon and Washington load fir trees into refrigerated containers each November, and shippers have been bringing Pacific Northwest trees to Hawaii for more than a century — the arrival of the "Christmas tree ship" is a holiday marker of its own. Out on the water off Lanikai sit the Mokulua: Moku Nui on the left with its two humps, Moku Iki on the right, the twin islets everyone in Kailua simply calls the Mokes. They lie about half a mile offshore, a state seabird sanctuary ringed by reef.

So the tree has come a very long way. The canoe is just the last half mile. Nobody actually paddles a Christmas tree out to a bird sanctuary, of course — but on a calm December morning, with the trades down and the naupaka blooming at the edge of the sand, you could almost picture it.

A three-inch faceted crystal ornament, the art printed on a white backing so the line work stays crisp and the facets catch the light. It comes in a white or gold gift box, ready to give, and is printed to order in the USA. Drawn as an 1880s-style engraving; the tree and its lights are the only color.

For windward families, Lanikai regulars and anyone who has paddled out to the Mokes. Profits support hunger relief.

3-inch faceted crystal glass · white-backed print · white or gold gift box · printed to order in the USA

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Kailua stayed country until the middle of the twentieth century. After the war, new roads over and through the Koʻolau opened the windward side to Honolulu, and through the 1950s and 1960s Kailua filled in as a leafy bedroom community of schools, churches, and beach bungalows. Tourism mostly went the other way — to Waikīkī — which left Kailua delightfully local and let its beaches keep their easy, unhurried feel. What did draw the world was the wind: the same steady trades that cool the town make Kailua Bay one of the great windsurfing and kitesurfing waters anywhere, and the sport's early champions made their name on this very water.

Today Kailua is loved for exactly what it has always been: a windward Oʻahu beach town that stayed itself. Its days run on sand and trade winds — paddling out to the Mokes, swimming off Kailua Beach Park, hiking up to the pillboxes, and a walkable town center behind the dunes that never tried to become Waikīkī. Our Kailua designs gather that into wearable form. Wear the windward life. Two seas, one beach town.

Why People Visit Kailua

Kailua blends scenic windward beaches with deep Hawaiian heritage. Visitors come to swim, paddle out to the islands, and hike to a pillbox view, then slow down in a town that stayed local. It is picturesque, approachable, and meaningful to the island families who call it home — natural beauty and everyday culture side by side, with year-round appeal in its parks, paths, and shoreline.

Kailua Hawaii Merlin Classics retro logo — Hawaiian hibiscus, 1795 Kamehameha unification

Wear Local. Feed Local. Stay Classic.

Product FAQs

How does your sizing work?

Because items are made to order, we can’t accept returns for sizing or color choices. We do accept returns for defects, misprints, or shipping damage. Please review the detailed photos and descriptions before purchasing. Women’s fitted tees run small; if you prefer a looser fit, consider sizing up.

How do I send gifts?

All items ship without prices and include a simple packing slip for easy gifting. Enter the recipient’s shipping address and your billing address at checkout. Use your contact info to receive tracking updates. Orders typically arrive within 6–11 business days—please allow extra time for time-sensitive gifts.

How do I care for my item?

For apparel: wash cold, inside-out, with like colors; avoid bleach and high heat; tumble dry low or hang dry. For embroidery, iron inside-out to protect the stitching. See specific care instructions in product descriptions and also follow general best practices in caring for your items for long term enjoyment.

How are items made and when will they arrive?

We make each item on demand using premium blanks, embroidery, and soft-hand prints. Production usually takes 2–5 business days (excluding weekends and holidays). You’ll receive tracking once shipped. We currently ship to U.S. addresses via USPS, UPS, or FedEx. Most orders arrive within 6-12 business days.

What’s the return/exchange policy?

We accept returns for defects, misprints, or damage on arrival. Report issues within 30 days with photos and your order number, and we’ll replace or refund. Size or color changes aren’t supported after purchase, so please consult size charts before ordering if you are at all unsure.

Who are we?

Merlin Classics is a volunteer-run, AI-assisted apparel project celebrating timeless local style. Every item is made to order, and profits (revenue minus external product/marketing cost) support hunger-relief programs in the communities our collections spotlight. Classic looks, real local impact—every purchase helps.