Something special from Honolulu

Last November I opened a "little" shop…

Finding beauty and value in small tokens is very much core to my whole deal, and over time these little reminders found their way online and formed the basis of a creative hobby-turned-career making art that feels personal and small, even as my reach has grown. Cherishing tiny, sentimental, thoughtful things feels ingrained, and sharing them with others has always brought me a lot of joy.

This is something I kept coming back to as I spent time really analyzing my life over the past few years: who I am, where I live, what I want, and where I might be going.

After much thinking, talking, writing, planting seeds, and (as always) some lucky timing, my husband and I opened a shop called SMALL KINE GIFT.

Our opening day during the “Keep It Kaimukī” festival | Photo: Tommy Shih

Via Wikipedia:

Da kine (/də ˈkaɪn/) is an expression in Hawaiian Pidgin (Hawaii Creole English), probably derived from "that kind", that usually functions grammatically as a placeholder name. It can also take the role of a verb, adjective, or adverb. Unlike other placeholder names in English, however, which usually refer specifically to a device ("gizmo" or "widget"), person ("so-and-so"), or place ("Anytown, USA"), "da kine" is general in usage and could refer to anything, any being, object or concept.

To me, the idea of a “SMALL KINE GIFT” just means a little something special. A simple gift. So far, it really has been.

The shop is honestly not a long-held dream of mine, not something I thought about while living in New York, but has slowly emerged in the last few years as I thought about what I specifically have to offer, in this place, at this time. As I enter the second half of my 30s, as I try to shift away from being VERY ONLINE, as I try to imagine who I could be at 40 and beyond. So far it’s been a blast.

The shop is considered, but also a little zany, especially the first time you walk in.

Via Honolulu Magazine:

If the neon sign and shimmering disco ball didn’t tip you off to the vibe at Small Kine Gift, the shop’s floor-to-ceiling candy lei installation should confirm that this is a place where fun and creativity thrive.

Every Thursday-Sunday for the last three months I have had the great pleasure to be a small and happy part of people’s day. People come specifically to explore and shop, or just drop in to grab a snack (we have good snacks). People come in with their dogs (!!!) after visiting the pet store next door.

Sometimes it’s completely empty for 30 minutes, other times we have 25 people at once and I’m just grateful to have my spot behind the register. We talk story and joke and hang out and get a little coffee from the shop on the corner and it really feels like a dream job except that I don’t get paid and it will take years to break even but shhhh.

Opening up the possibility for chance – anything can happen every day! – has brought something back into my life that I find really energizing. Creating something from scratch that captures so much of what we love, while holding space for others to build special somethings within it, feels so good. It’s so exciting to imagine all the projects and pop-ups and releases and opportunities for all involved. I hope it feels this way months and years into the future! If I ever forget, please forward this note back to me.

We are somewhat-online at small.kine.gift, on Instagram, and on TikTok. If you are in Honolulu, please come visit. We’d love to see you!

My personal art and projects have a home in the shop too, mixed in among other books, stationery, and accessories. Seeing people get excited about my stuff on the shelf – for what it is at face value, unrelated to me personally – has been helpful as I continue to repair and evolve my relationship to my creative work and it’s value.

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While SMALL KINE GIFT is not doing the full e-commerce thing (and I hope we never do lol), I am hosting a “small” sale on my own Adam JK online shop, celebrating my love for – specifically – the special little things I’ve made over the years.

Take up to 50% off on tokens and reminders like my classic keychains, pins, patches, card decks, stress toys, and more. No code necessary, now through next Wednesday.

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Dear Diary, (jk but this part does feel especially “diary”)

This year I am choosing to focus on the things I can control, because otherwise I will lose my fucking mind. Right now, my 2025 goals look like:

• Stay on top of my mental and physical health

• Create personal work that feels true, fulfilling, and useful

• [Same as above but maybe also generates income ???]

• Operate a cool and fun shop that brings people (including me) joy

• Volunteer, help others, and make a difference where possible

• Spend time with friends and family when (and while) we can

I hope you, reading this, are able to find some peace too, in the midst of the casual cruelty that feels heavy around us. Don’t ignore reality, but don’t let this consume you fully or you’ll burn out completely. It can be hard to feel hope, but we need it, so I’d like to share some of mine with you:

Life is hard but mostly worth it. Focus on what’s possible. Try to be a good person. Create happiness where possible. We will be okay.

Love you,
Adam