Page 3 - MidWeek Windward - Apr 7, 2021

PAID ADVERTISEMENT
April 7, 2021 WINDWARD OAHU VOICE 3
“Your photos printed on wood”
Memory Block Hawai‘i recently commemorated its first year in business at Ala Moana Center, and the locally owned and operated biz looks forward to many more to come. Located on the street level in front of Big Island Candies, Memory Block Hawai‘i specializes in natural wood prints, which forever memorializes life’s most precious moments.
General manager Avi Maschkowski saw the product in Australia and knew it would be a perfect fit for Hawai‘i. No stranger to the retail world, Maschkowski spent some time Down Under learning the craft before bringing it to the Aloha State.
“People here in Hawa‘i take pictures all day long — there are so many pretty places here,” he says. “There’s good vibes and people just want to capture those memories ... like weddings, engagements or people just coming to visit.
“I think it really fits to the Hawaiian design and the houses and style here,” he continues. “This is the perfect place.”
The white pine prints are custom-made and range from $30 to $80, depending on size. There are also a variety of shapes to choose from, including square, rectangle, hexagon or heart. By design, the wood is freestanding, meaning it can be placed nearly anywhere in the home or office. The best part, though, is that the process takes only five minutes.
“It can be a last-minute gift,” notes Maschkowski. “It’s on the spot. You can grab a coffee, come back and it’s ready.
“Pictures can be sent by AirDrop or Bluetooth. We process it through the system and make sure the colors are good. When we print it right on the spot, it’s ready to go as soon as it comes out of the printer. We cover it in brown paper and a sticker, so it’s already wrapped. It’s an instant gift.”
“It’s a beautiful way to display memories and amazing as a gift,” he adds.
Maschkowski says he’s created prints for nearly every occasion possible, from graduations and birthdays to puppies and newborns.
“People bring all kinds of pictures and every picture has a story behind it,” he shares. “Every day is different — one picture will be about somebody who passed away and it’s a sad memory, but the next moment we have somebody who has a newborn with a happy memory. A lot of people bring their parents’ and grandparents’ pictures, too, and we have the ability to fix them a little bit. We can sharpen them or if there’s any damages on the picture, we can fix them, so they can bring those pictures back to life and display those really old pictures again.
“I like working with people. People share a lot of the stories with us, which is nice. I like the reaction — the true ‘wow!’ It’s a real ‘wow’ product. We’re happy that they want to take it home and display it.”
For more information, call 203-0809, or check out Memory Block Hawai‘i on social media (Facebook, Instagram or Yelp) and find special offers, promotions and giveaways.
OPEN: Mon-Sat 11a - 7p • Sun 12p - 6p
Ala Moana Center (Street Level)
1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96814