Maui’s “Santa Lady” plans Hawaiian-style Christmas with her Santa and Tutu dolls.In ancient times, Hawaiians held a four-month celebration from October through February called “Makahiki” in honor of Lono, the god of fertility and music. During this time, many feasts and games were held, and war and all unnecessary work were forbidden. It wasn’t until 1820, when Protestant missionaries from New England came to the islands, that Christmas was formally introduced to Hawaiians. The holiday coincidentally fell into the Makahiki timeframe, and over time, as Christianity became widely practiced, so, too, did Christmas. The two celebrations blended customs nicely, and even today, we say on the islands, “Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hau‘oli Makahiki Hou (Merry Christmas and Happy New Year)!”
The Hawaiian Christmas celebration that we now know is unlike any Mainland (or international, for that matter) interpretation of the holiday. Our famous melting-pot cultural variation, as well as our tropical climate, make a Hawaiian Christmas uniquely its own. Lahaina Town celebrates the commencement of the season with the lighting of the Banyan Tree, a distant cousin of the Rockefeller pine we’re used to seeing aglow on our TV sets. Christmas turkey is often accompanied by rice and poke, for example, instead of the customary trimmings of mashed potatoes and yams.
Even Christmas’s most beloved character, Santa Claus, exhibits his Hawaiian style when arriving to the islands via, not sled, but outrigger canoe, to shower local boys and girls with gifts. Having abandoned his red velvet suit for more appropriate attire—an aloha shirt and board shorts—he lavishes our keiki with surfboards and hula implements.
Our Hawaiian Father Christmas is certainly one-of-a-kind, and it’s no surprise that tourists and locals alike seek out replicas of him to add to their holiday décor. Maui’s “Santa Lady,” Deborah Sawyer, has captured Mr. (and Mrs.) Clauses’ island essence in her popular Hawaiian Santa and Tutu dolls. Her dolls evoke the unique flavor of a Hawaiian Christmas, as Sawyer starts with the classic character and embellishes him with all things local.
“The porcelain faces and hands come from the Mainland, but I find the natural things here,” Sawyer explained. “The pineapples, for example, are small pinecones found in Spre-ckelsville that I spray gold. The surfboards [that this year’s limited edition Santas hold] are made by a man on the Big Island.” The Hawaiian fabrics, shells and haku lei that adorn the dolls are all from the islands.
Sawyer began crafting the exquisite Santa dolls 12 years ago. “Initially, I wanted to do something from home so that I could take care of my babies,” she said. Working out of her Kula home studio provided the perfect solution, and the dolls’ popularity quickly skyrocketed. Now, Sawyer’s studio is brimming with dolls and all the pieces that go into making them special. “It’s a very slow process,” said Sawyer. “Gluing the heads, which takes one to two weeks, is the first step. Then there’s a lot of prep work, like cutting fur strips. It takes me a week or two to get a batch ready. Then my mom comes over and helps me put them together.”
The finished product can be found all over the island, as well as in various galleries on O‘ahu. Martin & MacArthur, Totally Hawaiian, Maui Hands, Village Gallery, Whaler Limited, the Fairmont Kea Lani and the Bailey House all sell Sawyer’s dolls, which retail for $230 to $350.
“People want to bring the dolls home with them, so that they have something to remind them of their Hawaiian Christmas… And I’ve found that people like to collect them, so I come out with a new doll every year.”
Throughout the years, Sawyer has mainly marketed the dolls to island visitors. This year, however, with the downturn of the economy, the retail market is a less prosperous venue, and this business-savvy artisan has gotten creative. She held her first-ever studio sale, and it was so well received that she plans to hold one more before the end of the season. “I’m excited to do it again. It’s a completely different market: all locals that have seen the Santas and wanted to get one at a good price. Because I’m holding the sale out of my studio, I’m able to cut the price to almost half of what they sell for in the stores.”
Sawyer’s next and final sale of the season will be held on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 28 and 29, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and this time, Maui Potpourri will join her. Sawyer will provide coffee, tea and Christmas cookies for customers to enjoy as they drift amongst Hawaiian holiday gift items. You can discover this unique holiday shopping experience at Sawyer’s studio at 50 Kainana Place, Kula (between Holy Ghost and Morihara Store). For more information, call 876-0738.