My 10 Favorite Hawaii Brands and Honest Talk on Sponsorships

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Although I made a video about my favorite Hawaii brands in the past, I really liked making this video because I was able to talk about my thoughts on sponsorships and working with brands. It's been something that has been on a my mind for a while and so I'm glad to finally get out my thoughts on this issue as someone who has made videos on KZbin for a while. I guess I'll never quite understand the business and marketing side of social media. And maybe that ignorance and naivete has saved me for falling into the common traps that many creators fall for.

[@LoveOldMusic808]

Zippy's is total comfort food from small kid time to now.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Yeah. We had Zippy's for dinner this evening. 😆

[@Khaiman111]

Waffle and berry so fyiah braddah!!! Such a good happy vibes video! Mahalo!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

They're great 🤙

[@milessakauye8819]

HI Chris, It's great to support local brands. Some of my favorites (besides Zippy's, Diamond Bakery, and Wholesale Unlimited) are LiIiha Bakery and several of the other plate lunch places including Leeward Drive Inn and Rainbow Drive Inn.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Liliha Bakery is great too. Loco moco is ono!

[@dorayoung1073]

That’s what I like about your channel. You are genuine and your channel is unique. You should feel comfortable speaking about something and not be pressured to say something positive about a product because the company is paying you. Thank you for doing it your way.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo. Appreciate the kind words. 🤙

[@mariaelvenia2117]

Great video Chris! Please don't change your channel to be like everyone else! Your genuine honest insights about life in Hawaii from a local point of view is what makes me look forward to your videos! Just continue to be YOU!!!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo. Appreciate it 🤙

[@waveriderz2687]

I love cookie corner! Zippys for chili. Jams World shirts are my favorite for wearable art, and Kahala for more traditional garments... Thanks!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

🤙

[@hawaiianradio]

🗣️🎙️ Mahalo for sharing your deeper insight on Sponsorships and Brands. I myself have turned down a few offers from Brands that I didn’t really connect with even though the money offered would have benefited me and my radio station substantially. I believe if you operate pono then the right sponsorships will eventually come your way. I’ve been a subscriber of yours since I discovered your channel during the pandemic and as a transplanted islander living in Vegas, I’ve enjoyed your mana’o and perspective on all things Hawai’i. Continued success my braddah. -Pu’ukani 🤙🏾

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing. I think you're right about being patient and waiting for the right sponsorships to come around. But even if they don't, I can feel good about what it is that I'm doing while creating content. 🤙

[@hawaiianradio]

⁠Youʻre right. 21 years ago when I first started my radio station I told myself Iʻm going to play all the music that I like to hear and if no one else listens then at least I know I would enjoy the music. Thank God that many far and wide have the same great taste in music😜 Keep up da great work brah🤙🏾

[@VH07V]

Your integrity is so refreshing. Keep doing you, brother! 💕🤙🏼

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo 🤙. Keep doing what you're doing.

[@FIRED13]

I dont do the typical social media "thing" as well, so maybe that's why I enjoy your channel BTW thanx for the top ten, especially the foods! Gives me some things to try next time we visit your home 👍

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo 🤙 Hope you give them a try.

[@EvilTheOne]

SUPPORT LOCAL! - Even though I love online shopping like Amazon, I always try to find the item locally first, even if it's going to cost a little bit more. - Locally-owned companies: As I made the first statement, I always try to buy from a company that is locally-owned & operated. BUT if I can't, I use and/or purchase from a mainland-company that is franchised by a local resident. - Zippy's pumpkin pie: Hey Chris, it's that time of the year when Zippy's starts to make their pumpkin pie very often...YES! - Diamond Bakery: Please don't forget that they have a store location that carries their entire assortment of products. They're closed on the weekends, and only open for four hours during the midday, but they are worth it. - Sponsorship: Yes, it is annoying when social media content creators need to always 'brand-name-drop' during their videos. It seems that they are tethered to their wallet more than their heart. We love the fact that you are not controlled by corporate greed and commercialism. Stay independent!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for the comments. Yes, I'm excited that pumpkin pies will start to be pushed and everyone can enjoy them, even though they are available year-round😄. I've been meaning to head to the Diamond Bakery store. It would be nice to see all of their stuff in one place. We mostly buy from the grocery store or Costco/Sam's. And I've enjoyed the freedom of being more independent. Maybe not as much money as I could be making, but I feel like I'm having fun and more freedom. 🤙

[@EvilTheOne]

@@HelloFromHawaii - It's been hit or miss when I see pumpkin pies at Napoleon's bakery/Zippys. Although we are at the time of year when they're more regularly produced. - I really don't mind if 'content creators' make some money from their KZbin channels, it's just bad when they are peddling the merch into our faces, probably out of some contract agreement OR guilt because of the brand affiliation. Since you're doing the majority of your videos outdoots, I don't feel that your audience would mind if you had Maui Jim sunglasses sitting a top our head, or wearing the 'ALOHA' ball caps. Or even dropping the brand name Zippys if your video may be about food items. I just don't think we like to see videos 'paused' because there needs to be an exclusive part of it dedicated to merchandising. Although I believe that you are intelligent enough to strike up a balanced deal should you choose to be sponsored. Regardless, we understand.

[@garypalmer6848]

Just placed an order with Aloha Revolution. I love the idea of the meaning behind it! If everyone who has ever been to Hawaii kept aloha in their heart wherever they are, this would be a better world to live in! Visiting one of their stores next year when we are back on Oahu is going on the list of must go to places!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Awesome. Did you get a hat or shirt? Something else? Ed has a nice steady supply of new designs.

[@barrettish]

Totally agree. I think generally, when someone tries to sell something, especially another company’s product, their image can take a little hit and if they do it too often with too many companies, they may be less effective at selling over time. You’re doing it the right way, I think everyone can see that 👍

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Appreciate it. It's a very interesting "job" in making KZbin videos. The creator has to wear so many hats that there really isn't training for this kind of thing. In the camera space, there are so many channels that started off great, but then they turned into marketing channels. Nothing wrong with that to pay the bills, but that spark is gone. And I hope that never happens with this channel and what I'm trying to do. 🤙

[@brockjennings]

Zippy late-night saimin was the best way to minimize a hangover 😊

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Late night saimin. 😆. No place else to eat saimin that late.

[@SuiGenerisAbbie]

Seattle needs one Zippy's! When nothing else looks good on da menu, order da Saimin there, too. Cinnabon makes junks. Sorry if you like. Crack seed stores are closing ... so sad! 😢

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Not sure they would expand to Seattle, but I'm surprised there isn't more local food places up there. Saimin on those cold Seattle days would be great.

[@SuiGenerisAbbie]

@@HelloFromHawaii Saimin so ono always! If nothing else looks good on a menu, there is always Saimin.

[@SuiGenerisAbbie]

@@HelloFromHawaii Brah, dey got one Kaua’i food place ova heah but it’s tiny and nevah get good reviews. Too far out of town, too.

[@VH07V]

Check out Kona Kitchen near Northgate. Super ono! 🤤🤙🏼

[@SuiGenerisAbbie]

@@VH07V Yeah, have heard of it. Have heard it’s ono to da max, too! 👍 🤙

[@tofu1Ja]

Mahalo, Chris, for your thoughts. In November, my family will be flying in from Hilo and planning on heading towards Chinatown eating dim sum for my daughter's 7th bday, but I resonate with Lex Brodie, Zippy's, and Kahala shirts. My husband and son have a manta ray-designed Kahala shirt I got them during Father's Day. Love the quality. I learned this year that "saimin" came from a set of Cantonese words that means "small" "noodle", and I'm a Cantonese speaker. Learning something new everyday. =P

[@Mrus-jo1rh]

Lex Brodie service is amazing. The Big Island Waimea store has fantastic staff.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

🤙

[@kaila62kaila]

On the mainland now: Miss the Zippy's in Kaimuki so much!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

🤙

[@butchpedit4871]

Really miss Redondos Portuguese Sausage here on the mainland.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

lol. I was thinking about those the other day. Red hotdogs 😆

[@harveyh3696]

09:10 Back in the 80's I started wearing Cooke St shirts because the breast pocket pattern matched the shirts. Seems more manufactures are doing so now. I wore Cooke St shirts at work for years. Actually decades. One year, I thought to splurge and bought a $$ Reyn Spooner shirt. After wearing the shirt a couple of times, it got caught up on something at work and tore a patch open on one of my sleeves. Went back to my 'budget' Cooke St. which can still be found in Costco Oahu for under $20. Since retiring I have no use to buy a new Aloha shirt as I have a myriad of old shirt on hand. Wish I had an original Primo Beer shirt!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I like Cooke St brand too. I had a few, but they are getting old so I'm slowly replacing them. Kahala has held up over time.

[@harveyh3696]

@@HelloFromHawaii Cooke St under $20 at Costco. :)

[@Khaiman111]

Gotta get one kine marshmallow s'mores brah... Cookie corner is da bomb

[@troopbeutler4785]

Cuz I just had one on my way home from work today. Best !

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I haven't had that one, but sounds good. 🤙

[@island_princess_diana]

Wow - someone who actually prefers something besides Reyn Spooner Aloha shirts - I swear that’s the only brand I ever see at work - it’s almost like a status symbol around Hawai’i - like if you don’t have a reyn spooner then you aren’t cool or something - but thanks for sharing your local brands - some I’ve heard of but neva tried so I’m gonna have to check them out - Mahaloz!

[@DiegoGomez-pk5tg]

New vid!

[@tetama2agani]

Oh Happy Hawaiian chip yes we have those here in French Polynesia especially the taro chips❤❤one of my favorite snacks I always buy two to three packages whenever I go to the supermarket✨✨and the rest of the brands I heard of them from my hawaiian friends who came here at my college for a cultural exchange✨✨that was pretty interesting now I know what I should try when I come to Hawaii✨✨here in French Polynesia our famous brands are Rotui a brand of local fruit juice🥭🍊🍍🍌🍉Punu puaatoro Maohi (Corned beef) it's a brand of corned beef and we love to stir fry it with onions and eat it with breadfruit and coconut milk🥩🧅🥥and of course our Monoï from Tahiti made with the local flower Tiare Tahiti✨✨that was a cool video love it❤❤

[@HelloFromHawaii]

That's great that there are taro chips in your part of the world. I'd love to try them from different parts just to see how they are prepared.

[@kauaiboy5o]

An upside down American flag means distress. Anyone who displays an upside down US flag means the person is protesting the current condition of the country. When someone sees the upside down Aloha you can assume the person is protesting against tourism and tourists. I read the website which is hard to find and saw the message on the upside down Aloha. Unfortunately for the average person will see it as symbol of protest against tourism and/or counter-culture.

[@nv0us]

Yeah. My first impression was negative regarding Aloha. Then, I thought - it's capitalizing on the word

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I guess I never viewed the upside-down logo as a form of protest against anything, particularly because the word is slightly modified. But even if it wasn't, I guess I haven't read into it that much.

[@markvader8083]

There's a reason why Lex Brodie(Queen St) is always busy(quality work/customer service/fair prices). But no matter how busy they are, they always had time to squeeze me in when I had an emergency with my car. Lex Brodie continues to take care of their customers for years & years...

[@HelloFromHawaii]

So true. So busy, but they seem to be able to fit you in.

[@JohnnyAloha69]

We often go to Zippy’s, mostly on Kapahulu or on Nimitz. Love the comfort food classics but man the service and food quality can really vary. Some better management is overdue.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I've noticed that the Nimitz location can be slow at times. There is usually only one person at the counter. Tough to take orders, work the bakery, and call on customers.

[@kauaiboy5o]

Will be going to Tokyo/Kyoto for the 1st time in two weeks and I am wondering if I should bring my Kahala, Reyn Spooner, Sig Zane shirts or my plain jane solid color polo shirts? My Aloha shirts are the subdued ones in color and design.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I'm sure the shirts would look great. They would really stand out. When I wore my aloha shirts in Tokyo, at first I was small kine shame. But most of the people are dressed the same so it was nice to stand out a little. Besides, they already know I'm not from Japan 😆

[@kauaiboy5o]

@@HelloFromHawaii I'll bring only one Aloha shirt because when I am there the weather forecast will be alot of rain...should have planned for November.

[@youtubeguy1]

Zippys portions now getting smaller. Not kidding. Check out the chicken Katsu. YIKES! 😩

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I haven't paid attention to portion sizes. Still plenty of food to me.

[@FIRED13]

Are we allowed to bring chips on the plane back to the mainland? Some years ago, TSA security would not let us bring unopened individual cartons of Kirkland (Costco) soy milk because of agriculture concerns, and they were manufactured in Seattle!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

You can bring back chips. I don't think you can travel with liquid, though. Might have to be under a certain volume.

[@troopbeutler4785]

Aloha Revolution is amazing. But i kinda big Chris. Cant fit. Ed is great ! Hawaii's Finest is great too.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

No more big sizes? What about the hats? 😄

[@VH07V]

Mahalos! We go up to 3XL. 🫶🏼🤙🏼

[@bkproductions3569]

I understand branding well so I am very careful what brands I support. Even if I push a brand I do it concientiously because ultimately theyʻll be getting exposure and sales and my bank account gets nothing.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

That's a good attitude to have. It's a part of their marketing budget and they need to see a return on investment. 🤙

[@tjernst6488]

I don’t think anyone has an issue with you making some money with your channel.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I think it's more about pushing products that I don't use/believe in that I'd rather not do to make money. Nothing wrong with making money with KZbin/social media content. It takes a lot of time and effort. However, I want to make sure that the brands I support are really brands that I like. In other words, I don't want to just promote things to get paid when I wouldn't buy them myself. Some people might be okay with that. For me, I'd just rather not do it.

[@Pain-o7d]

I can’t tell what brand Hawaii is but it better be cookie corner

[@jyosh0]

Your mom and the wholesale...... Yeah she made me a customer for them

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Yeah, she still goes a lot these days. 😆

[@SuiGenerisAbbie]

Quid pro quos are junks. If you scratch my back, I will give you some scratch = fake. I like your intelligence Chris. You are down to Earth, too.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

lol. Thanks. "Down to Earth"? Pun? 🤙

[@SuiGenerisAbbie]

@@HelloFromHawaii Hui, no pun Braddah. Jus no lie.

[@easyislander]

Aloha! I'm from Hawaii and work as a content creator. I understand your viewpoint on sponsorships, but I respectfully disagree. I believe it's perfectly fine for you to earn a living through sponsorships and other means. People don't mind if your content is sponsored, as long as it's genuine and heartfelt. Many creators who receive sponsorships openly disclose it while still providing their honest opinions. I think it's completely acceptable if you choose to go in that direction. This way, we can continue to enjoy your videos and learn more about Hawaii while you being rewarded for providing true value from local Hawaii sponsors.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing. I'm sure many people don't mind sponsored content, but I'm not sure everyone likes it. I also think it's hard to provide truly honest opinions about products when being sponsored because it does impact the review. I do think creators can find other ways to monetize themselves, perhaps directly from their audience, that is much more reliable and freeing. 🤙

[@liliaalesan8201]

Liliha Bakery one of my favorites.. Zippy is over priced and overrated.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Liliha Bakery is great. In what ways do you think Zippy's is overrated?