With less luggage being the way to go, finding those perfect and right-sized Hawaii souvenirs for you and your loved ones is a must. There are many products made in Hawaii that you still cannot get on the mainland as well as things made elsewhere that have the look and feel of Hawaii.
If you have found interesting Hawaii souvenirs to bring home that can pack easily and not add much weight to luggage, be sure to post them below.
Enjoy while we’re awaiting the next round of fall and winter airfare sales to get you here on the cheap, from Hawaii’s trifecta, Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Virgin America.
The Best Hawaii Souvenirs – 22 Ideas To Get You Started
1. Flat Rate Priority Mail boxes from USPS are economical and come in handy should you run out of space. You can send from any local post offices. Another suggestion is to pack a collapsible nylon duffle for the trip home.
2. Longs, Costco, Wal-Mart, ABC Store and Macys usually offer a large selection of local products and gifts at reasonable prices.
3. Craft Fairs and Farmers Markets make great stops on all the islands and help support local Hawaii artisans. We’re blessed with a plethora of artists who create everything from honey to jewelry, jams and baked goods to sculpture. One of our favorite farmers markets is the large Saturday market at Oahu’s Kapiolani Community College.
4. T-Shirts make great gifts. We’ve also purchased Crazy Shirts for years and they last virtually forever. Tip: You’ll often find deeply discounted seconds at the Ward Center Crazy Shirt store.
5. Hawaiian Music CD’s and MP3’s are light and can help you dream of Hawaii during a cold winter. Great gifts too even if you forget to purchase then when you’re in Hawaii.
6. Buy Hawaiian clothes that you can enjoy both here on your trip as well as when you get home. Examples include slippers (flip-flops), shirts, pareos, bathing attire and more. They’ll be all the more meaningful at home and can help bring your Hawaii vacation back to life.
7. Post cards can turn into nice stationery cards. Wal-Mart usually sells these for a quarter or less. Or consider turning a key chain into a holiday ornament.
8. Coffee. Locally grown coffee is available on Kauai, Maui, Molokai and Oahu. Hint – check out Big Island Kau coffee.
9. Crack seed. This local favorite is also a Beat of Hawaii top pick. An endless supply of choices and places to acquire them. We wrote about crack seed recently.
10. Hawaii calendars. Keep the islands in your heart or a friend’s all year long. Available for under a dollar at Long’s and Wal Mart.
11. Place mats and coasters. Grill local island fish and serve it on colorful Hawaii style designs.
12. Hawaiian Salt. Add to your favorite foods at home, these include salt rubs with guava and other delights.
13. Soaps from Hawaii. Found at local markets and specialty stores, the fragrances of coconut, plumeria and hibiscus will take you back to paradise.
14. Hawaiian Heirloom Jewelry with beautiful and enduring designs.
15. Hawaii luggage tags. If you’re a return visitor, this will get you thinking about your next Hawaii vacation.
16. Reusable shopping bags. Show up at your local grocery market at home with a colorful bag from the islands.
17. Hawaiian Fabric. Great for making seat cushions or other uses at home.
18. Hawaii beach/pool towels.
19. Hawaiian grown macadamia nuts. By the bag from Costco or in chocolate.
20. Hawaii beverages of all varieties.
21. Honey from Hawaii.
22. Jewelry from the islands.
Please comment below with your ideas and tips. What’s your favorite or unusual Hawaii souvenir suggestion?
Pamela S says
My favorite was a Hawaiian-print lunch bag from a Foodland grocery store. It makes me think of the Big Island every day!
Linda H says
Thank you for your wonderful ideas. Being a long time visitor to the Islands and former long time resident. I always take your advice. I usually bring back coffee, family and friends love it, also calendars. I always have them hanging in my home, and bring them back for friends.
Thanks again, will certainly help those on their first visit to beautiful Hawaii!
Tropical M says
Pandora beads made exclusively for each island. You can also buy s bead that says Hawaii to cover all the islands.
Mari Ann R says
Pieces of Diamond Head for those who didn’t go. I still keep sand from Hawaii and seashells from Tahiti from travels there years ago. Decorated seashells are great souvenirs. Seeds from flowers and plants – if authorities give their permit. Bibs for babies. Ties for men. Headbands for women. Hawaii fragrance for men and women. Flip flops for all. Decorated teaspoons (- some collect from different countries). Colouring books. Jig-saw Puzzles. Cards. Games. Book marks. Soap made from Hawaiian quality coffe grounds, good for skin and nature. Hawaii make nice motives for umbrellas. 🙂 Drink umbrellas.
Melinda says
A nice item is something made from the beautiful Koa wood……maybe a pen,or a trinket box.
Glenn W says
My favorite gift is Passion fruit tea by Hawaiian Tea Company. Another for my craziest friends is the dashboard Hula Girl.
Irma says
I always buy jewelry from local artists. I have several gorgeous pieces from my trips to Hawaii.
Terra says
To expand on #13 – fragrant soaps – look for concentrated oils of tropical flowers. Here on the Big Island in Kona, Island Naturals offers a large assortment. I like to add a few drops to the palm of my hand then add my daily lotion and rub my hands together. Subtle yet fragrant way to move through the day. And especially noticeable when off island as the tropical flowers are unique in locations other than here.
Terra says
Need to add at the end of this sentence…. I like to add a few drops to the palm of my hand then add my daily lotion and rub my hands together then apply to arms and legs.
Denise says
KONA Coffee is always a must for gifts to take to mainland!!! 100% KONA only!!!!
Janet says
Lonohana Hawaiian Estate Chocolate and other Hawaiian bean to bar chocolates grown and processed in Hawaii. I take them to my special friends on the mainland. They are like fine wines but much easier to carry!
Julie S says
Yes, the calendars at Walmart were .50 cents last year. Got a ton of them to bring back and people are still complementing me on them because they last ALL YEAR!
Scott T says
Kapena Tequila for anyone that enjoys a good spirit! Extremely unique tequila that is infused with dried plum. Only available in Hawaii and super delicious!
Jay J says
My parents went to Hawaii without me when I was a kid and I was really excited when they came back with souvenirs. My parent’s bought me some crack seed in which I quickly grew to love. I think all of these suggestions are great ones and I would recommend them all!