Souvenirs have long been the tangible reminders of a Hawaii vacation well spent, but it appears that Hawaii’s visitors are moving on.
Souvenirs have long been the tangible reminders of a Hawaii vacation well spent, but it appears that Hawaii’s visitors are moving on.
Having visited 5 of the Hawaiian Islands numerous times, our most valued souvenir is a hand carved whale tail from a local Maui artist. But I always buy Kona and Kawai coffee!!
My take on Hawaii is, the genuine warmth of the people. The best souvenirs of all is the Ohana experience. The people, the experience of the spirit,, the memories of the experience. Been there, done that…that is the souvenir. The memories last forever. They are beautiful memories. Aloha and Mahalo.
Agree!
Na Mea Hawaii is in Ward center that only sells made in Hawaii products. At any other place, the trinkets are made in China. When I go I only buy products made in Hawaii to support local business. I’ve had a couple times I had to purchase another suitcase because I buy to much. Mostly food I can’t get here on the mainland. Yum!!!
When we visit Kauai I always stock up on Island Soap and Candle Works products. I love to give these as gifts and I keep some for myself as well. Their products are all made on Kauai. They smell amazing.
There are some fantastic Hawaii-made toiletries eg the Malie (mah-lee-ay) range.
I’ve gotten to were I limit myself, mostly, to things I can’t get anywhere else and that I can’t order online from Hawaii. There are always impulse purchases, the swap meet lol but my feeling is even with the impulse buys you are still supporting the locals.
We got a couple t-shirts at one of the ABC stores, I got a couple pounds of coffee & a tank top from Green World Coffee Farm, & a very pretty bikini at a surf shop in Haleiwa. And a lot of photos!
I really hope we can visit Hawaii again! It was the best vacation trip I’ve ever had!
I’m fortunate to have connections with Big Island artists and artisans who market their own creations through a pop-up boutique a couple of times a year. Cross-body bags, pillowcases in gorgeous aloha prints, soft mermaid tree ornaments and prints from an extremely talented painter – you’d recognize her renderings of Madame Pele and other Hawaiian legends. I pick up clothing from local shops like Rainbow Jo’s and Jungle Love, Hulakai, Olivia Clare Boutique, etc. Baskets and vases constructed from palm sheaths by Shelley Hoist (see Waimea Farmers Market). Shout out to Hamakua Toffee Company, so good! And I suppose I should admit to the fridge magnet in the shape of a surfboard with a shark bite that serves as a bottle opener.
I love buying souvenirs from the places I travel. However, I’ve found lately, it is difficult to find ‘original items’ that cannot be found elsewhere. I had always tried to get others things that could only be found on location, but it’s difficult and a lot of common things are found in other places more so now. 😢
Local artist carvings and jewelry. Guava Jam!
We have been fortunate to travel to the islands every 7 or 8 months to experience “the seasons”; whales, lilikoi juice, mangos, lavender, macnut farming, and coffee bean harvest & processing in Kula. In the beginning we bought lots of “touristy” trinkets. We also purchased some functional works of art; a rare curly koa salad bowl and utensils. For the past 5 years, we have purchased from local artists whose items are displayed at the Kahului airport and Westin Nanea; another makes unique Raku pottery items. We also always manage to buy unique aloha shirts and dresses from a gyotaku artist using primative Hawaiian techniques. And we capture once-in-a-lifetime moments in pictures; a fav is of my 90 y/o dad’s picture sitting at the gold-plated drum set at Fleetwood’s. Sadly the restaurant is gone … but Dad is 99! Also, lots of turtle pics with our GoPro while snorkeling; many with wife or me in the background … makes for great metal picture prints which we proudly display.
We stay away from generic Hawaiian t-shirts and buy them from local venues like restaurants or bar and grills. My favorite is from Captain Jacks in Lahaina, an upstairs grill with awesome people watching views of the banyan tree and wharf. I still get a lot of compliments when I wear it. Hopefully they will be able to rebuild better than ever.
Our favorite souvenirs are hawaiian plants .
We have grown several trees from a coconut.
Currently have one about 10 yrs old.
We have several plumeria trees from cuttings purchased in 1989.
We have many birds of paradise started from seeds purchased in kauai in 1989.
They all blossom all year in Wisconsin and summers they live outside.
We also enjoy small trinkets we use every day like jewelry. Can cooler .drinkcoolers.wall decorations.clothes.
Look on Craigslist Kauai for local handmade puka shell, coconut bead, sea glass surfboards, and other pieces of jewelry. All authentic from Kauai materials and exceptional quality.
My go-to gift from the islands is dehydrated sugarloaf white pineapple, available from Aloha Ola Farms in Kilauea, Kauai…
Too yummy for words!
That sugar loaf pineapple is bomb!!! I was there a few years ago and they made a freeze with it at the kcc farmers market. It was so good!!! Didn’t know they dehydrated it. Mahalo for the info!!
When visiting the Big Island we always go to Hamakua Macadamia Nut factory. Amazing different flavors of mac nuts: Kona coffee , Soy, Butter toffee. Also have flavored salts, Kona coffee. Great ice cream also. Don’t buy much else for souvenirs – family & friends await the mac nuts.
After our visit in June…there was minimal purchases. $10 for a box of chocolate covered macadamia nuts??? Nobody got one this time. I did get a coffee mug. My souvenir is my photos and memories of being at a beautiful beach. And if I have to dust it, I don’t need it anyway!!
Prior to COVID, my husband and I traveled to Hawaii every other year. Our souvenir choices our anything Hawaiian made or grown. We support local. Luckily, I’ve been supporting the Hawaiian Islands since 2011, so I have many websites I can go to to continue to support the local Hawaiian stores I’ve come to love.
*May God watch over the native people and their land in Lahaina.
Sea glass, a different rock, shell, piece of coral or driftwood. These are the things my wife and I bring home. I carry a couple zip lock baggies in my pocket or backpack. Have pieces from all over the world. Do I still stop at ABC or someplace and pick up Alohamacs? Yeah, can’t go home without em.
You do know you shouldn’t do that, right?
Have you ever heard of Pele’s curse!
You realize you’re breaking the law taking home the items you do from the ocean and land
Also you are the type of tourist Hawaii is discriminating against and making the .mindful visitors look bad.
I enjoy finding unique locally made items at farmers markets. Plus, you can find local fruits/vegetables and prepared food items better than any restaurant. And bonus….you can meet some pretty awesome people!
Food is not a typical souvenir
I always bring home fresh poi (been known to have my carry on full). Now I can order straight from Kauai. So more room for my Aunties homemade mango chutney for family and friends. Mango’s too…just no seed. And Laulau’s….
It is when its the coffee salt and nuts of Hawaii
Always appreciated by the recipients and much better than mass produced cheap souvenirs
I like practical gifts: Mac nuts that aren’t available on mainland; Kauai Coffee Plantation coffees; other food only available on the islands!