My best friend is in Hawaii and she wants to know what to bring back for me, the boyfriend, and the kid. She wants to know what we want her to bring back for gifts? What are cool keepsakes to have from Hawaii? OTHER THAN a lay?

A lay sounds like the best idea but it's pronounced lei if you mean the traditional floral necklace. That in itself lessens my interest at least somewhat.

Macadamia nuts are always nice.

When I lived there for a few years, we sent everyone Rainbow Bread... we did have to explain it as some people thought it had gone bad and was starting to mold... lol.
Hawaiian jewelry is always nice and unique... and something simple like t-shirts with Hawaiian sayings on them.

Ohhh, and if you like coffee, they make some nice, original blends... :)

I have 15 lei's from visits. I want something non-traditional. A child isn't going to appreciate bread. She's going to want something that she can take to school and show her friends.

Actually the bread is pretty cool... it is made to have different colors because of the ingredients... would be different to share some with classmates.
Since this is for a child... maybe a Hawaiian dress to wear... they make Hawaiian jewelry for children, and the t-shirt with a Hawaiian saying. Your friend could also send a video of hula lessons for children.
Another idea would be a few children's books with Hawaiian stories and legends.

I'm actually digging the Hawaiian dress idea!

Here's just one site of many for ideas:

Flower girl's Hawaiian dresses: Hawaiian Aloha Shirts - Shaka Time Hawaiian Shirt Co.

I think chihuahuamomma actually wanted the "lay," not the "lei"

Sand? Get some sand. Send me some. I want some sand.

Hey, sands not a bad idea!. if your friend is on the Big Island, she can send you some black sand... that would be something different... :) She might be able to buy some in a tourist shop too.