Happy Valentine’s Day weekend which translates in Hawaiian to Hau’oli La Aloha! What better time to look for the most original and best gifts from Hawaii to send or bring to those far away. Here’s a just updated list with our top 6 Hawaii-themed gifts for Valentine’s Day and 20 more Hawaii souvenir ideas for other times of the year.
Our Top Valentine’s Gifts from Hawaii.
1. Honolulu Cookie Company: These are always a big hit and vary seasonally including holiday collections for Valentine’s Day and Christmas. We send them to friends on the mainland who crave them. These premium cookies are individually wrapped to stay fresh longer. I still remember getting a Honolulu Cookie while flying the now-defunct Island Air.
2. Sunset Boat Cruises: What could be more romantic than a sunset cruise with that special someone. Most islands offer these sailings including seasonal whale watching. You can order gift certificates now to give on Valentine’s Day for a future trip to the islands. And if a short cruise isn’t enough, how about a week-long Hawaii cruise?
3. Tropical Flowers from Hawaii: These include lei and other tropicals delivered to your home. No matter where you live, it’s a way to bring the islands to you. Our suggestion is to decide which island you want the flowers sent from and then do a Google Search for flower vendors.
4. Hawaiian Jewelry: From rare Niihau shells to Hawaiian heritage style, wedding bands, bracelets, and necklaces. You can shop online at places like Royal Hawaiian Heritage Jewelry, Na Hoku and Maui Divers.
5. ETSY: You can find Hawaii-themed cards to download and other gifts from the islands suitable for Valentine’s Day. It is also a great way to support island businesses.
6. Clothes Made/Designed in Hawaii: Our favorites are Tori Richard and Reyn Spooner. Beat of Hawaii likes Tori because they sell tall sizes too.
Hawaii Souvenirs Year-Round that Say A-L-O-H-A.
We always look for Made in Hawaii products and feel those are the best gifts from Hawaii. If it is made in Hawaii, you’ll definitely see that indicated since it is a big deal. There’s also a huge array of less expensive items made elsewhere that have a Hawaii theme. If you care to, learn the difference.
Keep in mind that ABC Stores, Longs/CVS, Wal-Mart, and Costco all offer a large selection of gifts from Hawaii, including local food products, sometimes at a discount.
Craft Fairs and Farmers Markets make great stops on all the islands and help support local Hawaii artisans. We’re blessed with many artisans who create everything from Hawaiian honey and jams to jewelry and baked goods to sculpture.
These Hawaiian gifts all become more meaningful at home and can help bring your vacation in paradise back to life.
Going on a Hawaii vacation with friends or family is the ideal way to relax and rejuvenate! Who doesn’t value precious keepsake memories in every form? Souvenirs from every trip is a special way to remember those vacation moments and keep them alive for a lifetime.
Souvenirs can range from a mug or photo, a t-shirt, or some snacks. It all works. And it can cost from a few dollars to the sky’s-the-limit. The point is that every souvenir is imbued with the Hawaii vacation sentiment that will help you and your loved ones recall the experiences of your vacation. It’s fun to display your travel souvenirs with great pride (some of us have homes full of them — hint, hint)
Are you ready to start creating collectible memories from your Hawaii vacation? If so, keep going, as we, together with your prior comments, will fill your head with ideas. Please add yours too. We love reading about them.
1. T-Shirts. We continue to wear the t-shirts purchased from Crazy Shirts for years; they last virtually forever. You’ll still find deeply discounted seconds at their Ward Village Crazy Shirts outlet store. These make one of the best Hawaiian souvenirs.
2. Hawaii music, whether digitally or in physical media (are there still CD’s?) that help you dream of Hawaii during a very cold winter. There’s a huge array of Hawaiian music on Amazon, and from across the web.
3. Aloha wear and Hawaii hats that you can enjoy both here on your trip and perhaps even more so when you get home. These too are make for a great Hawaii souvenir. Try to find an aloha shirt or other clothes that are actually made here in Hawaii. One example is Tori Richard, where you can buy a beautiful Hawaiian shirt that is made in Hawaii. Reyn Spooner is too.
4. Footwear. Examples include slippahs (flip-flops), including Made in Hawaii by Island Slipper. Online or in person. While many other slippahs are Hawaii-inspired, we aren’t aware of any others currently made here.
5. Postcards can turn into nice stationery cards and can even be framed as an inexpensive keepsake or gift.
6. Key chains. Consider turning one into a holiday ornament too.
7. Hawaii made food gifts. This is virtually unlimited and gets bigger by the day. From mushrooms to honey and Hawaiian sea salt and spices to grown in Hawaii pineapples. Teas too! Also candy of all sorts, chocolates, shortbread cookies, jams/jellies, snacks including famous crack seed, and chips. And so much more. We perennially love and gift Costco’s raw Big Island macadamia nuts by the pound, which are a great buy. A Beat of Hawaii friend owns Monkeypod Jam, and we do buy and enjoy her handmade products including mango jam and guava. Another friend is the president of Koloa Rum, whose award-winning products are served on Hawaiian Airlines and is also now partnered with the Las Vegas Raiders NFL franchise. Don’t forget cookies from Honolulu Cookie Company, a favorite of ours and others also available at Costco.
8. Island calendars are available seasonally for less than a dollar at Walmart and Long’s.
9. Housewares. Placemats, napkins, you name it. Hawaii wood products, including Martin & MacArthur, for example.
10. Christmas ornaments and decor. These are often found at Hawaii museum stores year around.
11. Hawaii coffee. Coffee from Ka’u is our top pick for flavor, albeit expensive and hand-processed. For an over-the-top experience, we also enjoy Kona Coffee from Hula Daddy, just a quick drive up the road from the Kona Airport. Starbucks usually has Hawaii-themed gift cards to take home.
12. Insulated bags with Hawaii motif. Handy here, during travels, and are also one fo the best souvenirs to keep or gift at home. Found at stores throughout Hawaii.
13. Hawaiian jewelry from rare Niihau shells to Hawaiian heritage style, wedding bands, bracelets and necklaces.
14. Musical instruments, beginning with a ukulele. Starting from about $20 at Walmart, but you’ll get what you pay for.
15. Artwork from the Hawaiian Islands. Try the Honolulu Museum of Art and other museums throughout the state if prints are your thing. A koa wood bowl from Hawaii is what some consider the most perfect gift.
16. Hawaii books. Also bookmarks. Check out Native Books/Na Mea Hawaii‘s location at Ward Center new Waikiki.
17. Lei, including shell, kukui nut, and fresh. Many travel well, even some fresh flower leis.
18. Decals and stickers.
19. Pet gifts. We’ve purchased Hawaii-made specialty dog biscuits at Hawaii farmer’s markets.
20. Hawaii notepads, post-it notes, and pens.
Beat of Hawaii friends’ gifts from Hawaii suggestions include (see comments below):
Suzanne: Hawaiian spices and sea salts are inexpensive and easy-to-pack gifts. On Maui, I like to buy Tutu’s Pantry spices. I’ve also picked up a number of spices and salts from gift stores and farmer’s markets. I love the reminder of fun times in Hawaii when I use the spices – especially when we BBQ.
Kathi: My girlfriend grew up on Oahu has her brother send her Anahola Granola. When I was on Kauai, I bought some at a little market in Anahola. Brought it back to San Diego and I am hooked. If you are near a Costco in the islands you can get larger bags there!
Mary: When I come home from Hawaii, my girlfriends always look forward to receiving Hawaiian goodie bags filled with Hawaiian soaps, lotions, lip balm, perfumes and, of course, Maui Babe suntan lotion. When in the islands, I also like to stock up on Hawaiian handmade items, such as the quilted pillow covers and wall hangings, purses, etc, to give away as Christmas and birthday presents. They are always a big hit. Two other items that are a big hit back home are the Hersheys Macadamia Nut kisses and the Maui Onion potato chips!!! No one can get enough of those!!!
Iris: Cookbooks of local cuisine. It’s nice to have a taste of vacation when you’re back home!
Julie: OMG! Kauai Chocolates in Ele’Ele has the best dark chocolate-covered mac nuts ever. Always take a box back with me and let’s not forget the “Filthy Farmgirl” soaps that are wonderful and pack easily so your clothes smell wonderful when you get back. Great soap made on the islands, introduced to me by my wonderful hosts in Kalaheo! National Tropical Botanical Gardens gift shop has a lovely selection of quality earrings at reasonable prices, too. Sea salts and spices are nice gifts, too.
David: On Kauai, Hale Lea Gallery (Poipu) and the Black Pearl Gallery (Hanalei) have a wide range of Kauai made art, hand painted greeting cards, jewelry and craft. Not a typical Hawaiiana gallery, these two places have exceptional selections from some of the most accomplished artists in Hawaii.
Theresa: I ALWAYS, always bring home lots of the foam, hair flowers that clip in. I wear one the whole time I’m in the Islands and then bring an assortment home for the girls. We love them and wear them all summer. Feels like a little bit of Hawaii here California. I love to bring home Beach Towels from the ABC stores for friends. I might have even used them once…while in Hawaii. When I get home, I give ’em a wash and then give them away to people that have pools. You can never have too many towels! I do love the insulated coolers too. But those I keep for myself!
Katie: I’m a huge reader, so I love to buy books. Used bookstores, chains, independents, antique stalls, and museum gift shops are all places I search out. Another favorite is fabric– my favorite stores are on Kauai (Kapaia Stitchery and Vicky’s Fabrics in Kapa’a). And now I don’t have to worry about lugging all of it home since I found out about flat rate shipping boxes from the USPS– if it fits, it ships! And it’s much cheaper than paying $50 and up on overweight baggage fees.
Julianna: Waimea Valley Gift Shop (Oahu) and the Bishop Museum gift shop carry table runners in vintage fabrics. They pack easily. Longs has great dish towels in Hawaiian prints. Coasters and placemats in pineapple or monstera shapes are fun too. The Christmas Craft Fair at the Kauai Museum features really nice slippah floor mops, great for spills on wood floors and a splash of color. Plus lots of other hand made crafts as you mentioned. Not just plumeria, but any of the starter plants. The store owners will usually tell you what will thrive on the Mainland. WalMart carries them, but the airport florists do too. Mac nuts! And finally, mochi and chi chi dango.
Mary: Furikaki (cellophane bags lighter than glass jars); Portuguese sausage (freeze, then wrap in newspaper, seal in a plastic bag, and put in your luggage); surfing poster (buy poster tube at USPS and mail home or hand-carry on the plane); baseball caps with HI theme (humu humu, Univ of HI, whales, etc.).
Steve: Those big decorative painted collapsible fans you can get at the little stands, international market or swap meet. I am so bummed that I forgot mine on the airplane home, and a friend of mine just returned yesterday bought one for me but he lost it too! Those fans are virtually impossible to find online and overpriced when you do find them.
Jason: Oh yeah! That coffee! For sure. And a red dirt shirt.
Sherri: Plumeria cuttings that you can grow at home!
Do you have favorites not yet on the list?
Photo Credit: If you are here in Hawaii for Valentine’s Day, take your loved one to the beach and make hearts like this one Rob did at Polihale State Park on Kauai.
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Aloha BOH!
We just returned from Maui and I stopped at a Farmers Market to purchase mini loaves of different breads before getting on the plane home. Guava, Pineapple, Mango and of course, Banana-mac bread (some with Chocolate chips). They are just delicious and my family and friends love them!
Mahalo for all the other great gift ideas!
Hi Rachel.
Thanks for that tip.
Aloha.
Don’t forget about the wonderful Koa gifts from the Koa Shop on Kauai, Everything from jewelry to jewelry boxes, salad bowls, Christmas ornaments, and for woodworkers, they sell left-over pieces of Koa for you to take home and make what you want.
Aloha! Happy Valentine’s Day Hawaii❤🌺🤙🤙🤙
Our first trip to Hawaii was in 1988. Since then we’ve been to Maui 19 times. Our home is loaded with Hawaiian treasures. Several Lassen’s, Hogue, a hula girl lamp (she does the hula while the light is on), a koa wood ukulele.. And more. The craft shows held under the banyan tree in Lahaina was always incredible. My wife now buys soaps and shampoos from The Maui Soap Company on line. The smells are AMAZING!
I appreciate all that you post. There’s always great information.
Mahalo❤️
Hi Sheldon.
Thanks for the input on your Hawaii treasures and your nice words.
Aloha.
Manoa Chocolate in Kailua on Oahu should be on the list. I am a chocoholic and it’s the best I have ever had!
Our favorite coffee is from Holualoa Coffee Company in Kona, on the Big Island: konalea.com/ Favorite flavor is Vanilla Mac Nut! Small, locally-owned, organically grown coffee farm.
My personal favorite is the Kauai Coffee in the blue bags. Most local stores carry it, and you can get it in larger bags at Costco.
There are many talented artists on Kauai and the other islands. Please don’t forget to check out their work which is influenced by the island. One gallery is online: hanaleiartgallery.com/
Discloser is that some of my work is included in this group of artists.
Sitting in my living room in Michigan right now looking at my three panel painting of Hanalei Bay by a Kauai artist.
Just purchased a three panel triptych photograph of Pololu from Oceanfront Gallery in Kona yesterday! On the BI for three months–arrived February 1.
Today bought some macadamia nut shortbread cookies from Punalu’u Bakery–they are heavenly! I kind of wish my husband would help me eat them, but I also kind of hope he doesn’t.
Aloha! We are starting our 2nd week in Hawaii today, heading to our last stop, Maui. I will be looking for a fresh lei for a celebration dinner, any recommendations? Also for mac nuts, we don’t have a Costco membership, just Sams Club. Best place to get mac nuts for lots of people to bring home to? Hawaiian teriyaki sauce is the best, looking to see if that is something available to take home too. Love supporting the small businesses, so I appreciate this timely article, thanks so much!
Longs/CVS is the cheapest place I have found for mac nuts if Costco isn’t an option. If you have a mainland CVS card, it works here in the islands and may get you a discount.
I agree with Mary’s comment on perfume. The best gift I got was a bottle of Royal Hawaiian White Ginger perfume. Every time I wear it, it takes me right back. 🙂 Mahalo!
We are always buying Hawaiian coffee for both friends and neighbors. Hawaiian coffee is very good and people love getting it.
Aloha
I also love ‘Cracy Shirts’, and they are well made. I still have a polo I bought in 1994, whose color was a result of the warehouse flooding, An original ‘RED DIRT’ shirt with ‘Older than Dirt’ embroidered on the left chest. It truly now represents my mid-octogenarian age!!
Very happy to hear about Common Ground, and looking forward to our visit ‘back to’ Kauai for 3 weeks in late August, early September.
You totally neglected to mention my husband’s & my favorite Aloha Wear…
“JAMS WORLD”. We have been purchasing their fashions for 25 years. We live in Florida & these clothes are the absolute BEST for traveling (lightweight & no wrinkles) on cruises & our trips to Hawaii. They pack fantastically. We get compliments EVERY TIME we wear them! Please include them.
Mahalo!
This is a great article BOH. Your suggestions are spot on. In my 17 years traveling to the islands, I’ve never gone wrong w/ coffee as gift[s] for my fam & friends. Just having the island’s & the roaster’s name on the bag is like a novelty.
Cheers☕ & ALOHA!!! 🙂
Hi Sudesh.
Thanks for the Hawaii coffee feedback.
Aloha.
I like to bundle small gifts in Lauhala boxes either plain or with a ribbon of Hawaiian fabric. Hawaiian Rubber Stamps are fun for crafters. Walmart has a great selection from Rubber Stamp Plantation. Sugarfina candy store has really nice Aloha boxes for their candy; it’s a great souvenir post-candy. Mint tins or boxes with Hawaiian motifs are fun and collectible. I agree with others that the varieties of Hawaiian salts (Ono brand for instance) are great for cooks or weekend grill chefs. For those who crave chi chi dango or mochi made from scratch, Mochiko flour is hard to get here in the midwest so a box is a golden treat for the sweets or Mochiko chicken cravings. NOH seasoning packets or Haupia mix are another lauhala box filler I have included. Finally, Hawaiian wrapping tissue makes gifts a stand-out at parties. Lots of patterns are available at places like Longs.
Is there any good swap meets on Maui? that’s equivalent or close to the aloha stadium swap meet on Oahu?
Yes ! Several of my friend think that Lydgate Farms make the best honey ever ! I always bring some home for them. Also, we like Kauai coffee some much that if we don’t bring enough home, we order it online.
We are in Kauai this week. Thanks for your suggestions, where to shop for gifts.
On Kauai, McPhees Bees honey is to die for! I especially love the “lavender infused” honey and the “golden elixir”. And also you have to visit “Kauai Gourmet Nuts” in Koloa. They have a wonderful assortment of nuts and nut butters that I like to bring home for gifts.
Shortbread Cookies from CANDIES BIG ISLAND….best cookies ever!!
I loved your suggestion of quilted pillows as a gift from Hawaii. My husband and I are thinking about visiting Hawaii, and we are looking for a great gift to bring back for my mom. I believe that a quilted pillow will be an awesome souvenir for my mom.
Nice article. We love Parker Ranch’s Paniolo store in Waimea, Big Island features Paniolo clothing, cowboy hats, belts and locally made spices and soaps. Also love KapaNuiNails.com locally made non-toxic nail polish products with colors inspired by the Hawaii we love. Also the Kona Coffee is the best and you can get that at the Parker Ranch center.
Hi Terry.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Neat article, it makes me want to come back to the islands (and do some shopping) for gifts, I like to hit local farmers markets. Friends on the mainland also like it when I bring home Kona Chips and they like passion fruit puree from DaVine Foods, https://www.davinehawaii.com. We’ve made some good tropical drinks and desserts from their stuff.
When we visit in a couple of months, I am wondering if it is possible and practical to have pineapple shipped back to Ohio or if I can take it on the plane. Any experience or thoughts on that?
Pineapple is ok- I have taken it back to Oregon twice. In my carry on. There are other fruits/vegetation that cannot be taken back.
My favorite too!
Great gift from Hawaiʻi: Diamond soda crackers! Even Saloon Pilots..
Friends initially give an odd reaction to an admittedlyu odd gift, but after they try them they want more! Nothing kike this comes ouit of mainland cracker factories.
Aloha from Maui! Great gifts are at the swap meet here. Nalu Koa makes the most wonderful soaps with sea sponges, fabulous all natural body lotion, reef safe sunscreen and incredible aloe vera products. Hand carved tikis and honu and whales out of wood are fantastic hand made gifts. Honolulu cookie company … yum! Toasted coconut candy.. yum! Lilikoi butter.. yes please! Lucky we live in Hawaii Nei🌺🌺🌺
Visiting Aunti Lilikoi for spices and jams and mustards…always fun to visit their shop in Waimea, Kauai.
And visiting Kauai Coffee and buying many of their flavors!
I can’t believe you forgot to mention Hawaiian Chocolate! It’s a new thriving cottage industry and it tastes wonderful.
There’s also Anahola Granola, and my friends love the reusable Hawaiian themed bags from Costco.
You mentioned Ward Village and Ward Center in the article. I thought those shopping centers were getting torn down and redeveloped. Isn’t that why Old Spaghetti Factory moved to Aloha Tower? Mahalo.
Hi Dale.
Ward is no longer the same. You can see what’s become of it here: https://www.wardvillage.com/.
Aloha.
I love bringing back the reusable shopping bags from Foodland market. They are easy to pack in your luggage and Foodland is always coming out with new designs. So useful too!
The absolutely best gift I have ever bought in Hawaii were the Hawaiian Flag Bags. They can be purchased at an awesome shop in Ka Makana Alii Mall in Kapolei at No Eau. They have tons of awesome locally made items but the Hawaiian Flag Bags were totally unique.
My girlfriend grew up on Oahu has her brother send her Anahola Granola. When I was on Kauai I bought some at a little market in Anahola. Brought it back to San Diego and I am hooked. If you are near a Costco in the islands you can get larger bags there!
Top 20 Hawaiian Gifts – from Kauai…
Coffee from the Kauai Coffee Company, Kalaheo, Kauai. Visit Warehouse 3540, Lawai, Kauai for an assortment of unique gifts; a favorite would be the pearl jewelry from Lily Koi Kauai. My favorite Kauai keepsakes are my sunrise shell necklaces; one a locket, the other two shells wired together with a pearl visible inside – Sunny Side Up Shells designer Cory O creates such unique, beautiful jewelry pieces.
Hawaiian spices and sea salts are an inexpensive and easy to gift to pack. On Maui, I like to buy Tutu’s Pantry spices. I’ve also picked up a number of spices and salts from gift stores and farmer’s markets. I love the reminder of fun times in Hawaii when I use the spices – especially when we BBQ.
Wholeheartedly agree. Makes everything on the grill so much tastier! I am nearly out of my Island Seasonings and will not return until next February. Time to visit the Kauai store to order more.
Love to get the Hawaiian Art cards Christmas card box sets.
What is a good website to buy products from Hawaii?
AlohaOutlet.com is a great website to buy products from Hawaii because they have free shipping and sales from time to time.
Love taro chips
Joyce G, I was hoping someone would mention taro chips. They are best when hot and fresh from the little place in Hanapepe. I also love Kona Coffee Glazed Macadamia Nuts and bring back as many cans as I can fit in my suitcase. Can’t find them here on the mainland.
We like to visit the Lepers Colony in Molokai,how do we obtain a premit,We tried calling Damien Tour munerous times, unable to get a hold of anyone.Please help
Thank you
Hi Hong.
Suggest contacting the state:
Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau
2270 Kalakaua Avenue, Suite 801
Honolulu, HI 96815
From the U.S. 1-800-GoHawaii (1-800-464-2924)
Email: [email protected]
Aloha.
My favorite is North Shore Goods for their Coconut Peanut Butter with different varieties available. It does have to go in checked luggage.