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Best places to buy Hawaiian gifts & souvenirs

POSTED BY
Carole Cancler

Listed below, we offer a list of gifts and souvenirs that are uniquely Hawaiian, including Aloha wear, jewelry, crack seed, local honey, sea salts, quilts, tropical prints, koa wood carvings, and of course Hawaiian music. We also suggests some of the best places to buy Hawaiian made goods, including independent shops, craft stores, artist galleries, farmers markets, malls and stores, online retailers, and other locations around the Hawaiian Islands.

Racks of Hawaiian shirts and dresses for sale

Aloha Wear: Hawaiian shirts and dresses for sale at Aloha Stadium Swap Meet 2021 photo by Carole Cancler

House of Mana Up: local products and gifts

House of Mana Up is an online and local retail shop for products and gifts from local makers and artisans across Hawaiʻi. Many of the entrepreneurs featured at House of Mana Up have been recognized internationally for their products’ high quality or innovation. Shop online or in-store:

Clothing & Accessories

Aloha Wear

Aloha shirts and mu’umu’u define Hawaiian wear for residents as well as visitors. Less well-known is the palaka shirt, historically worn by field workers and paniolo (cowboys) in Hawai’i.

  • The long, loose-fitting colorful mu’umu’u is considered by many as the quintessential Hawaiian dress. The mu’umu’u was introduced by Christian missionaries in the early 1800s. The original garment was a loose-fitting chemise to be worn over a Mother Hubbard dress. Hawaiian women adapted the chemise to become the mu’umu’u. Today it is considered everyday wear and a popular option for Aloha Friday.
  • Palaka (checkered or plaid) shirts (referred to as ”frocks”) were originally made from sturdy cotton twill fabric in a simple blue-and-white block pattern. Referred to as “Hawaiian denim”, the fabric was durable, easy to mend, dried quickly, and provided protection from the sun. The style transitioned over time from a long-sleeve jacket to a short sleeve shirt. Locals embraced the style in many colors. Although it’s popularity waned with the disappearance of plantations, many consider the palaka more Hawaiian than the Aloha shirt. You can find palaka shirts at some stores selling Aloha wear. Some fabric stores carry cotton palaka yardage.
  • Aloha shirts began to appear in Hawai’i sometime in the 1920s and 1930s. The colorful print shirts are typically short-sleeved with a straight hem, usually worn untucked. Today Aloha shirts are available for men, women, and children. Visitors frequently purchase shirts and matching ensembles to wear on vacation or anytime at home to recall their visit to paradise. Residents wear aloha shirts for casual wear, as well as business casual attire. In addition to the mu’umu’u , it is another popular option for Aloha Friday. You can read more about its history in the book ”The Aloha Shirt” by Dale Hope.

Listed below are some of our favorite Hawaii-based retail manufacturers and clothiers focused on Aloha wear. Some have multiple locations and most have online stores:

Where to buy Aloha Wear

(Listed alphabetically by company name)

Kukui nut and shell lei

Kukui nut and shell lei necklace – Depositphotos.com

Jewelry & Accessories

Hawaiian heirloom jewelry

Hawaiian Heirloom Jewelry is characterized by gold or silver pieces engraved with black enamel. The design dates to 1893, when Queen Lili’uokalani gifted a bracelet engraved with Aloha ‘Oe to the the Principal of Pohukaina Girls School. Mothers and grandmothers started ordering engraved bracelets as graduation and birthday gifts for their daughters and a tradition was born. Today, Hawaiian jewelry is often gifted to celebrate important milestones including birthdays, graduations, weddings, and anniversaries. These heirloom pieces are passed down from generation to the next.

Makau (fish hook)

The makau (fish hook) worn as a necklace bestow good luck, strength, and safe journeys. Traditionally carved from bone (historically whale, but cattle bone in modern times), makau may also be made from other materials, especially koa wood and jade.

Lei necklace

Traditional fresh flower, leaf, or fern lei are ubiquitous in Hawai’i, used to celebrate special occasions. Fresh lei can be purchased in floral shops, grocery and convenience stores, and lei stands. However, lei are also crafted out of many other materials, including kukui nuts, shells, ribbon, silk or paper flowers, and candy or small liquor bottles. Find these lei at stores selling souvenirs, as well as gift shops, florists, and retailers selling hula supplies.

Lauhala accessories

The pū hala (pandanus or screw pine tree) produces lau (leaves) that are long, flexible, durable, and water resistant. Lau hala is made from strips of leaves that are ulana (plaited), rather than woven or braided. In ancient Hawai’i, lau hala was used to make floor mats, as well as fish traps, sandals, bed coverings, and clothing.

Today, you can find a variety of handmade lau hala, including placemats, fans, bracelets, baskets, handbags, and hats. The more skilled the artisan, the thinner the strips and more intricate the pattern. An exquisitely crafted item can cost hundreds of dollars.

Coconut palm (niu) accessories

Like lauhala, ulana lau niu (plaiting leaves of coconut) has also been used since ancient times to make many useful items including rope, roofing and walls, hats, and much more. A crownless coconut palm hat is of favorite of many. Other accessories are available including baskets, bowls, and bags. Untreated, the fresh green leaves will fade to grayish brown and will many several years.

Red Lehua flower

Nectar from the Lehua flower is used to make Hawaiian monofloral honey – Depositphotos.com

Food Gifts

Crack Seed & Li Hing Mui

Hawaiian “crack seed” are various dried fruit snacks that developed after immigrants to Hawai’i brought traditional foods with them. Crack seed can be an acquired taste. They come in a variety of sweet, salty, and sour flavors.

Old-school varieties (“dry seed”) appear dark and shriveled with extraordinarily strong flavors, which if you get used to them can become addictive as you chew the fruit off and then suck on the seed. In Hawai’i, Yick Lung was the first company to produce Li Hing Mui commercially in the early 1900s. Licorice and other spices were added to appeal to Hawaiian tastes.

Modern crack seed snacks lean towards sweeter tastes. Some are plump and glistening and drenched in syrup (“wet seed”). Many contain the artificial sweetener aspartame (aka NutraSweet® and Equal®). Big Island Candies in Hilo produces a chocolate dipped Li Hing Mui (well, why wouldn’t they?)

Li Hing Mui is perhaps the best known crack seed snack. The name means “traveling plum”. The salty dried plum has long been used in China by travelers because it is light, easy to carry, and keeps a long time. On long trips, the snack helps restore salt lost from perspiration, reducing muscle cramps. In addition to the dried fruit, you can buy powdered li hing mui. People use it in all sorts of ways. Sprinkle it on fresh pineapple, buttered popcorn, shave ice, or ice cream. Use it to flavor pickled mangos. Rim a margarita glass with li hing mui instead of salt.

Other dried fruits are also made into crack seed, including ume (Japanese apricot), lemon peel, mango, guava, cherries, tamarind, and ginger. There’s really no limit. You can also find strawberry, lychee, peach, apricot, “baby seed” (mulberry), “footballs” (fruits from the Asian Carnarium album tree—like an olive, though not related).

In addition to dried fruits, stores selling crack seed offer other popular Hawaiian snack foods including Japanese arare rice crackers, peanut snacks, and wasabi peas. Dried seafood is also popular, such as ika (dried cuttlefish, similar to squid), dried tako (octopus), and dried shrimp.

You can find racks of crack seed at Long’s Drug and Foodland grocery stores. But there are still neighborhood stores, some who make their own products or import specialty items from Asia. They are worth seeking out.  Listed below are old-school crack seed stores in Hawai’i. Many offer shipping:

Where to buy Crack Seed

(Listed in order by zip code)

Hawaiian Honey

The color and taste of honey depends on the types of flowers that bees collected the pollen or nectar. Lighter colored honeys generally have a lighter flavor. In addition, there are several forms of honey, including clear liquid, comb honey, white honey, and whipped or creamed honey.

Types of honey

Listed below are various types of honey produced by beekeepers worldwide.

  • Raw honey: liquid honey extracted from the honeycomb without using heat and only lightly strained to remove foreign particles and bits of beeswax, but not bee pollen.
  • Pasteurized, processed, or ultra-filtered: liquid honey that is heated or pasteurized to destroy yeasts and filtered to remove most or all of the pollen. Most major brands of honey found in grocery stores are processed and contain no pollen.
  • Whipped or creamed honey: honey manufacturers can also whip or blend any type of honey to produce a white, spreadable honey. Any variety of honey can naturally form crystals, becoming lighter in color and opaque rather than clear. It can be used as is, or gently reheated by placing the container in a bowl of warm water until it softens.
  • White honey: nearly colorless and very light colored honey is produced from sage, alfalfa, fireweed, and white clover. A rare form of white honey comes from the kiawe tree in Hawai’i (more information below).
  • Comb honey: unfiltered and unheated, comb honey includes the liquid honey and the edible beeswax comb. Spread both on toast or pancakes as you would any liquid or whipped honey. Aficionados also recommend pairing comb honey with cheeses (such as Reggiano, Manchego, blue cheeses, Brie, or Cheddar, etc.), as well as chocolate.
  • Organic honey: technically, there is no way to guarantee that honey is 100% organic because bees are uncooperative in the process, flying wherever they please. (We’re saying this tongue-in-cheek of course.)
  • Varietal honey, also known as uni-floral or mono-floral honey, is produced from the nectar of only one type of flower. For example: Clover (most popular type in the U.S.), Manuka (from the Tea Tree bush in New Zealand), Tupelo (from Cypress swamps in Florida), and Fireweed (from the Pacific Northwest and Canada). There are many, many more—Hawaiian varietals are listed below.
  • Multi-floral honey is produced from many types of flowers and is commonly labeled “Wildflower Honey”.

Hawaiian honey varietals

Listed below are typical Hawaiian varietal honeys produced in the islands. You can also find multi-floral and varietals made from other tropical fruits and flowers, including lilikoi (passionfruit), kukui nuts, and mango.

  • Kiawe honey is a rare honey produced from the nectar of a species of acacia tree found in a relatively small forest on the slopes of Mauna Loa on Hawai’i Island. The naturally pearly white honey has a creamy texture and delicate flavor, which is described by some as vanilla-almond with a minty aftertaste. Kiawe wood is a popular fuel for barbecue.
  • ‘Ohi’a Lehua Honey comes from the most common native Hawaiian It is also known as ‘ihi’a lehua, ‘ohi’a, or just lehua. Many native Hawaiian birds depend on ‘ohi’a. It is one of the first to sprout on new lava flows. ‘Ohi’a is currently threatened by disease. State and federal agencies are working to protect the tree. Help prevent the spread of Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death. Rapid Ohia Death Poster (PDF). Lehua honey is naturally white and has delicate floral undertones.
  • Wilelaiki or Christmas Berry is a shrub also known as the Brazilian pepper. Wilelaiki honey is brilliant amber color with hints of fig and chestnut with spicy undertones. It’s like a bit of Christmas any time of year.
  • Macadmaia Nut Honey comes from beehives in the nut orchards. Hawaiian macadamia nut honey is dark amber with floral aromas, sweet caramelly flavors, and subtle nutty undertones.

Where to buy Hawaiian honey

One of the best places to try and buy a variety of Hawaiian honey is at local farmers markets. You can find them almost every day of the week, on every island:

In addition, you can find a selection of Hawaiian grown honey at many stores throughout the Hawaiian Islands, including ABC stores, Foodland Stores, and natural food stores. Hawaiian honeys are also available direct from farmers listed below:

Hawaiian Sea Salts

Pa‘akai (sea salt) was important in ancient Hawaiian culture to preserve fish as well as for ceremonial uses. Hawaiians created ponds near the ocean in which they routinely evaporated sea water.

The following short YouTube video shows Traditional Saltmaking in Hawaii:

Hawaiian sea salts can be define by coarseness of the salt grains:

  • Paʻakai lele wai is fine salt
  • Paʻakai puʻupuʻu is coarse salt

Authentic Hawaiian Sea salts are harvested from coastal waters and solar evaporated. Salts processed in this naturally have more minerals, complex flavors, and less sodium than other industrial salts.

The three basic varieties of Hawaiian sea salt are white, red, and black:

  • White sea salts are produced by evaporating sea water
  • Red Alaea Salt is made by combining white sea salt with red ʻalaea clay, which is rich in iron oxides. The Hawaiian name for salt treated with ‘alaea is paʻakai ʻulaʻula.
  • Black lava salt is made by combining white sea salt with activated charcoal.

Other contemporary flavored Hawaiian salts are made by adding ingredients to white salt, for example: garlic, herb, smoke, and other flavors.

Where to buy Hawaiian sea salts

Hawaiian sea salts can be purchased at a variety of stores in the Hawaiian islands, such as Foodland grocery stores, ABC convenience stores, Whalers General Stores, Walmart stores, independent gift shops, and from the following manufacturers:

Hawaiian style quilts

Hawaiian style quilts at Aloha Stadium Swap Meet 2021 photo by Carole Cancler

Home Décor

Hawaiian Quilts

Ancient Hawaiians developed the art and craft of making fabric from natural materials around them. Kapa (aka tapa) cloth is felted from the fibers of the wauke or paper mulberry tree (Broussonetia papyrifera). The fabric was sewn together and used for clothing, as well as kapa moe (bed covers).

When Christians arrived in Hawai’i in the 1820s, they introduced woven fabrics and patchwork pieced techniques. In typical style, Hawaiians adapted these techniques to their extensive repertoire of fiber arts, cloth making, sewing, and kapa designs.

The defining feature of a Hawaiian quilt is a single piece hand-appliqued over a contrasting color. Patterns are symmetrical and balanced stylized designs of plants and flowers, such as ‘ulu (breadfruit), kukui, ti leaf, pineapple, bird of paradise, and many others. Traditional designs were typically two colors: an applique in red, green, or yellow on a white background.

Perhaps the most famous Hawaiian quilt is Queen Liliʻuokalani’s patchwork “crazy quilt”, sewn during her 10-month imprisonment, which can be viewed at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu. After the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893, symbols of the sovereign nation were forbidden. However, quilts of that time furtively included the Hawaiian coat of arms, crowns, flags, and other royal symbols.

Over the next century as the Hawaiian Islands continued to undergo tremendous change, the Hawaiian quilt has remained a constant that survives to this day. While Hawaiian quilts are still recognized by applique, the designs and color schemes have become more complex.

Today, Hawaiian quilts are still made as cherished family heirlooms to be given as gifts for important occasions such as weddings and births. Tourists especially like to purchase pillow covers, shopping bags, and quilting kits as mementos of their paradise reverie.

Where to buy traditional and contemporary Hawaiian quilts

Where to find quilt making supplies and classes

See also the next section about Tropical Print Fabrics.

Tropical Print Fabrics

Crafters, costume makers, fashion designers, hula hulau (hula schools), and quilters will want to visit a fabric store to consider yardage for their next product. We focus on stores selling Hawaiian prints, cotton barkcloth and palaka, Japanese silks, and other tropical fabrics.

Where to buy Tropical Print Fabrics

(Listed alphabetically)

Koa Wood Objects

The most abundant wood used in Hawai’i for furniture is the native koa and ōhiʻa. However, many other woods are also used, including mango, avocado, lychee, coconut palm, monkeypod, milo, kamani, kou, and tropical ash. Besides furniture, many objects and accesories in Hawaii are crafted of wood. These include statues or “tiki”, musical instruments, serving bowls and platters, spoons and other utensils, storage boxes, canes or walking sticks, canoe paddles, and sculptures.

Carving was common across ancient Pacific cultures, including Hawai’i. Many carvings were inextricably linked to social and religious traditions. Tiki statues are perhaps the most well-known. Tiki images were carved in wood or stone to represent gods in Polynesian mythology. Tiki bestow mana (power) or protection where they are displayed or worn (as a pendant).

Interestingly, the word tiki is not Hawaiian, it is in the Māori language of New Zealand. The Hawaiian word is ki’i (image, statue) and the Tahitian word is ti’i. But you’ll find tiki sold everywhere in Hawaii, as souvenir curios as well as hand-carved artisan statues.

Where to buy wooden arts and crafts

Carving demonstrations can be seen at the Polynesian Cultural Center and Waimea Valley on O’ahu.

Carvers can also be found in craft markets throughout Hawai’i, where you can find out the inspiration and meaning behind the piece you buy.

Souvenir shops carry a variety of inexpensive wooden objects, from bowls to tiki and other items.

In addition, the following stores sell a variety of carved and wooden objects.

ukuleles

Ukuleles for sale in a shop – DepositPhotos.com

Music & Instruments

Hawaiian Performers

Traditional or ancient Hawaiian music include oli (chants). There are several categories of oli. Many are often used to tell a story; some oli are traditional and performed the same way now as in ancient times. But new oli are being written today.

Modern Hawaiian music styles expanded to include the ‘ukulele and slack key guitar, falsetto singing, and many classic songs, including those composed by Hawaiian ali’i (royalty). King Kalākaua (1836-1891) wrote many songs, including “Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī (“Hawaiʻi’s Own”), which is now the Hawaiʻi State song. His sister, Queen Lili’uokalani (1838-1917) composed one of Hawai’i’s most beloved melodies, “Aloha oe” (Farewell to Thee).

Where to buy Hawaiian music

One of the best ways to buy Hawaiian, or any local music anywhere, is from the local artists performing at street fairs, shopping malls, community stages, restaurants and lounges, concert halls, and other locations. If you like what you hear, be sure to ask the artist or the front desk if they offer CDs for sale.

  • MELE.COM is Hawaiʻi’s first, non-profit streaming service for Hawaiʻi-based Creators (filmmakers, music producers, event broadcasters, content creators, and more).

ʻUkulele Instruments

The ‘ukulele is the official modern instrument of Hawaiʻi (the ancient pahu drum being the traditional one). Hawaiians uniquely adapted the Portuguese four-stringed instrument called the braga to create the ‘ukulele.

The instrument is made in different sizes from 20 to 30 inches. From smallest to largest, they are soprano, concert or alto, tenor, and baritone. Soprano is the most popular size. The “best” size is personal preference, often dictated by the size of the player’s hands. The standard ‘ukulele tuning is GCEA (with high G). However, the instrument has many alternative tuning systems.

There are many other types of ‘ukuleles, including: sopranissimo, pineapple, coconut shell, turtle shell, cigar-box, cutaway, double-hole, steel-string, six-string, eight-string, and the Liliʻu (8-string Concert ukulele).

In the list below we focus on locally made musical instruments sold in shops across the Hawaiian Islands.

Where to buy ‘ukulele

(Listed alphabetically)

Hawaiian Grown jams

Hawaiian Grown jams at KCC farmers market 2021 photo by Carole Cancler

Souvenir Shops

If you are visiting Hawai’i on vacation and looking for souvenirs to bring back as mementos or gifts, don’t overlook the many independent gift stores, craft markets, and artisan shops found in the cities and towns throughout the islands.

The following major stores, shopping malls, and local markets also offer a wide selection of apparel, foods, décor, and other items we haven’t mentioned, including Kona coffee, macadamia nuts, local brews and distilled liquors, cookies, and crackers.

There are foreign made goods mixed among Hawaiian made goods. Be sure to check the package label if you want to make sure you buy items made in paradise.

Where to buy Hawaiian made souvenirs

(Listed alphabetically)

Shopping malls throughout the islands offer a range of stores, many selling locally made goods. Check our lists of Maui shopping centers and Oʻahu shopping malls and peruse their directories for Hawaiian stores.

Farmers markets almost always have local honey, jams, and jellies. Some markets also feature local artisans offering wood carvings, jewelry, accessories, and other goods that make unique and wonderful gifts. Check our list of Hawaiian Islands Farmers Markets.

Big box stores including Walmart and Target are also popular locations with souvenir sections offering Hawaiian souvenirs as well as a variety of useful and affordable goods such as beach towels, snorkel gear, water shoes, suntan lotion, and much more.

 

Posted by Carole Cancler Filed Under: Bargain Shopping

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