What makes Costco in Hawaii unique? In addition to the warm ocean breezes outside, the product offerings inside cater uniquely to Hawaii’s lifestyle, blending high-quality, locally sourced goods, island-inspired flavors, and exclusive finds you won’t find at mainland locations. Hawaii residents rely heavily on Costco for its bulk pricing. It’s also a go-to place for visitors, who account for one-third of all Costco purchases in Hawaii.
Unique products only found in Hawaii Costco stores.
Hawaii’s Costco stores are treasure troves of island-exclusive items that reflect the state’s rich culture. Among the standout offerings are local snacks such as taro chips and macadamia nuts in various flavors, such as Kona coffee or honey-roasted. Regional beverages, including Hawaiian Sun juices and teas, are customer favorites, as is Kauai Coffee, available in various packs you won’t find elsewhere.
Frozen and refrigerated foods like lau lau are perfect for a quick vacation meal with an authentic Hawaiian flair. Desserts and baked goods are another highlight, with options like guava chiffon cake and haupia pie regularly appearing. These unique offerings reflect Hawaii’s cultural fusion, blending Polynesian, Japanese, Filipino, and Western influences.
Visitors’ favorites and surprising finds.
Over the years, visitors have shared their delight in discovering unexpected gems at Hawaii Costco stores. Popular choices include bulk souvenir packs and island-themed t-shirts. During the holiday season, shoppers often find gift sets featuring Hawaiian-made products like honey and sea salt, perfect for sharing a taste of the islands back home.
For some, Costco is also a place to stock up on staples of Hawaiian cuisine, whether it’s Spam for musubi or other locally inspired ingredients. Other notable finds include locally distilled rum and wines, offering a unique way to bring home a piece of Hawaii’s flavor.
For others, however, Costco in Hawaii is less about treasures and more about practicality. It may serve as a quick stop for discounted gas or a convenient snack run during island adventures.
Pricing: Deals or just different.
One of Costco’s big draws is its value, but are Hawaii-exclusive items a bargain? The answer varies. Some products, like bulk snack packs or souvenir chocolates, are cheaper than boutique stores, as shown in the photos. Other items, however, may lean more toward novelty than outright savings. For instance, fresh poke or frozen lau lau might cost slightly less than at specialty stores, but they often come in larger quantities that may not suit every traveler.
Costco offers significantly lower prices on everyday essentials like sunscreen and beach gear than at nearby resort-area stores. This makes it a source for unique finds and a practical stop for vacationers looking to save on travel necessities.
Tips for shopping at Costco in Hawaii.
Shopping at Costco in Hawaii can feel like an adventure, but planning helps avoid overbuying. To avoid crowds, we recommend visiting at the store’s opening or late towards closing time, as these stores are popular with residents and visitors all day.
If you’re buying for the trip home, consider the size and weight of your purchases—items like chocolate, macadamia nuts, and dried fruit travel well. You’ll find locations on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island, and it’s no surprise that these stores are conveniently located near tourist areas. Welcome visitors!
Hits and misses: What visitors love or skip.
Over time, visitors have shared strong opinions about their Costco hauls in Hawaii. Many rave about the quality and variety of local snacks, which often top their shopping lists. Others have noted that some items, like tourist-centric souvenirs and clothing, felt overpriced or less authentic than expected.
One reader shared, “I stocked up on Hawaii-made chocolates and Hawaiian Sun drinks for friends back home—huge hit!” Another remarked, “The surfboards looked fun, but they’re not practical to bring home, and Costco won’t take them back. We stuck with local food instead.”
On the flip side, some visitors arrived expecting more exclusively Hawaiian goods and were surprised to find that much of the inventory was the same as mainland stores. While there are unique items to discover, Costco in Hawaii isn’t an all-encompassing Hawaiian marketplace—it’s a mix of the familiar with a few island twists.
Final thoughts on Costco Hawaii for visitors.
Costco in Hawaii is more than just a place to stock up on groceries—it’s a cultural experience that blends practicality, discovery, and a sense of camaraderie between visitors and residents. Whether you’re a returning traveler searching for new treasures or a first-timer curious about the unique offerings, visiting Costco adds a memorable twist to your Hawaii adventure.
Have you explored Costco in Hawaii? Share your favorite finds and experiences in the comments.
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If not on Kona I look for loaves of Punalu”u sweet bread.
Our first stop after leaving the airport is Costco. We head straight for the fresh fruit section and get 2 packs of locally grown chunk sliced fresh pineapple. If you can be in heaven, this is it. Enjoy !
Don’t forget Costco now has Alaska $500 gift cards for $450 which can allow us to afford more Hawaiian gifts.
Aloha M was wrong about there being no Alaska Gift cards at Costco.
I’d like to know if anyone has used the Alaska Gift cards to purchase Hawaiian tickets on the Alaska site.
On Big Island, Aunty’s Maile Teri sauce is what I pick up as much as possible. It’s a stop to buy breakfast staples or for BBQ dinners. I grab manuals as well.
On Oahu, I pick up items that I crave to bring home like shrimp chips. Being in California, some of the hawaii items makes it way to my local Costco like honolulu cookies.
Of course, I sometime wait to buy items like iPad because the sales tax is cheaper in Hawaii.
For really local snacks, Walmart on the other islands have great selections.
Bottom line. Nothing beats a stroll through a Hawaii Costco for all the gifts one wants to take back to the Mainland. My “go-to” is the baking macadamia nuts…. Purportedly for baking, they are also great for snacking. Plus, the Hawaii Costco employees are some of the nicest folks you can meet in a crazily busy warehouse store environment. The only other place I go for stuff when I want to impress my Mainland friends is Foodland — I pick up a few of their iconic grocery bags to gift to friends. They always get nice comments when they use them!
Mele Kalikimaka, guys! 🎄
We love Kona Costco – Hamakua mushrooms in bulk and the Ahi sashimi tray! Friendly service! 👍
We used to always stop at Costco as soon as we got off the plane in Kona before heading over to Hilo, but I now find more enjoyment from shopping at the local
KTA.
Aloha BOH and Mele Kalikimaka to Everyone! the Best Costco buy is the fresh flower LEI !!! the 2-pack purple orchid lei is a sweet price- …and the Pikake lei are just heavenly smelling & come in a variety of delightful colors and combos (roses & carnations for example) ! Buy on the way to your vacay & your room will smell just like Hawaii …or buy on your way home & bring a fresh flower lei to friends or family 🙂 !
The Island Princess Macadamia varieties are always a special treat. It’s hard to not buy more than 1 bag!
We always stop at the Kauai location on our way to the airport to drop off the rental car. It is by far the cheapest gas on the island.
Not just Kauai! We stop by any of the three Costco gas stations on Oahu if in the area. Much cheaper prices and 4% back if you use your Citi Costco credit card.
It felt more like a regular Costco with some Hawaiian touches—not quite the treasure trove I was hoping for, but not awful either. Pick and choose.
Gift packs of honey and sea salt were a hit with friends back home. And easy to transport.
We got some great deals on sunscreen and beach gear. That in itself saved me a small fortune compared to the resort store, or even grocery or Long’s prices.
The bulk packs of Kauai Coffee were a steal compared to boutique stores on the island.
The surfboards were fun to see but completely impractical for travelers like me. Plus knowing the grief I would get from Costco if I even thought about returning one!
Loved the taro chips and now not so unique macadamia nuts, but I wish there were more unique baked goods to bring home from Costco.
I used to Love loading up on all sorts of Hawaiian coffees. From Kauai Coffee Company, Molokai Coffee, and my favorite the 100% pure Kona Coffee in the red bag.
Well now the prices are so overly inflated that it doesn’t make sense. They don’t even have the Kona Coffee anymore but when they did it jumped from $25 per bag prepandemic to $43 per bag for the same exact thing. Now it’s not even available.
Large bags of Kauai Coffee used to be around $20-$25 mark now it’s significantly higher.
These days I just stick to my traditional Peet’s Coffee which frankly tastes better and it way cheaper. Such a shame as I would load an entire suitcase up with Coffee, Snacks, and other things to bring home for friends and family. Not anymore. It’s just not cost effective.
“Bah, humbug!” Nonetheless, Mele Kalikamaka!
I know someone who is from the islands but lives on the mainland now. When she goes back for a visit she loads up a cooler with goodies to take over and distribute and then reloads it with Costco poi to bring back to the mainland.