Makana

Before leaving for our honeymoon in Hawai‘i, I packed a suitcase full of handmade barnacle-covered goblets, mermaid crowns, and sea glass candy. I wanted to participate in the island’s spirit of reciprocity—not just to receive, but to offer something in return.

Throughout our trip, I gave goblets as spontaneous gifts to tour guides, hosts, new friends, and even a kind stranger at the farmer’s market. On our final days, my wife and I set up near the shore in downtown Hilo. Dressed in mermaid regalia, I handed out the last of the goblets and candy to swimmers, beachgoers, and passersby—each exchange a small moment of connection.

Though it wasn’t a formal event, it remains one of the most meaningful parts of the journey: a gesture of thanks, shared through joy, whimsy, and handmade offerings from one coastline to another.