Must-see shopping in Hawaiʻi the Big Island

  • Big Island Candies

    Hilo

    Once a mom-and-pop shop, this wildly successful confectioner is now a full-fledged destination. In an immaculate showroom-factory, enjoy generous samples,…

  • Waipiʻo Valley Artworks

    Hamakua Coast

    This inviting little shop wears many hats. Browse the handmade koa (Hawaiian timber) pieces, from extraordinary milo rocking chairs (got a spare $4000 to …

  • The Knickknackery

    Hilo

    Keliʻi Wilson, the Hilo-born shopkeeper, is a true collector. Among his hand-picked gems, you might find a 1950s koa (Hawaiian timber) dresser, a vintage…

  • Hamakua Harvest Farmers Market

    Hamakua Coast

    Featuring 16 or so vendors, live music and talks, this market is worth checking out. Everything is locally grown or made, including produce, honey, goat…

  • Woodshop Gallery

    Hamakua Coast

    A wonderful stop worthy of a browse or splurge on items from their extraordinary collection of handcrafted koa (Hawaiian timber) pieces, from rocking…

  • Basically Books

    Hilo

    A browser's paradise, this shop carries the gamut of Hawaii-themed books – history, botany, cooking, fiction and memoir, plus the expected maps and travel…

  • Kona Bay Books

    Kailua-Kona

    The Big Island's largest selection of used books, CDs and DVDs, including Hawaiiana titles, is piled floor to ceiling in this warehouse-sized bookstore.

  • Jeff Hunt Surfboards

    Puna

    Jeff Hunt is one of the island's best board shapers, and at his little hut you can buy one of his boards ($450 to $1000), talk surfing or accessorize your…

  • Studo 7 Gallery, Holualoa.  Kailua Kona.

    Studio 7 Fine Arts

    Kona Coast

    A serene, museum-like gallery featuring prominent artist-owner Hiroki Morinoue's watercolor, oil, woodblock and sculpture pieces, and the pottery of his…

  • Honokaʻa Trading Company

    Hamakua Coast

    If some of Honokaʻa aunties emptied their attics, basements and garages, the results would look like this hangar-size store. Weave through a mesmerizing…

  • Sig Zane Designs

    Hilo

    Legendary in the hula community, kama‘aina (locally born and raised) artist Sig Zane designs unmistakable cotton fabrics, marked by rich colors and modern…

  • Aliʻi Gardens Marketplace

    Kailua-Kona

    This open-air shopping center, about 2 miles south of 'downtown' Kailua-Kona, is a pleasant spot to while away an hour or so while perusing arts, crafts…

  • Locavore Store

    Hilo

    For 100% locally grown or made products, this tidy little market is all you need. Find seasonal produce, meats, cheeses, coffee, chocolate, dried fruit,…

  • Holualoa Ukulele Gallery

    Kona Coast

    Inside a historic post office, owner Sam Rosen displays beautifully handcrafted ukuleles made by himself and other island luthiers. He's happy to show you…

  • Kiernan Music

    South Kona Coast

    Friendly owner Brian Kiernan has a talent for restoring vintage ukuleles and guitars, and he's a wonderful resource whether you're a curious beginner or a…

  • L Zeidman Gallery

    North Kohala

    The exquisitely crafted, museum-quality wood bowls made by the owner are mesmerizing en masse. They don't come cheap; many exhibits sell for four digits.

  • Kona Stories

    Kona Coast

    Independent bookstore with a strong Hawaiiana section, which hosts community events for kids and adults. It's near KTA Super Store.

  • Donkey Balls

    South Kona Coast

    When it comes to sweets, we love Donkey Balls – and we promise it's not just for the saucy name, but for the excellent quality and diverse varieties of…

  • Paradise Meadows Orchard & Bee Farm

    Hawaiʻi the Big Island

    This small farm stand packs a lot in, offering samples of locally produced coffee, honey and macadamia nuts (though the chocolate is by Guittard). Its…

  • House of Fire

    Puna

    Artist Rika Blue and her daughter, Hannah, handle the beautiful pottery at this artisan gallery, which curates work from over 60 Big Island artists. The…

  • Kimura Lauhala Shop

    Kona Coast

    Four generations of Kimuras have sold lauhala (hala tree) products in this shop, making it as much a landmark as a business. There's a beautiful selection…

  • Bee Boys

    Hawaiʻi the Big Island

    Tucked away in Naʻalehu's commercial shopping center, this small, flagship honey shop is easy to miss. Following a regenerative, 100% treatment-free…

  • Local Antiques & Stuff

    Hilo

    History buffs, don't miss this teeming display of local artifacts and memorabilia. Along with a few valuable furniture items, there's tons of 'stuff':…

  • Bryan Booth Antiques

    Hilo

    Transporting a rocking chair or dining table home is probably a deal breaker. But Bryan Booth's expertly restored wood furniture might convince you…

  • Pure Kona Green Market

    South Kona Coast

    The Green Market is, in many ways, a gossip center, town hall and temporary village green for the eclectic community of South Kona. That said, it's also a…

  • Rankin Gallery & Studio

    North Kohala

    Located midway between Pololu Valley and Kapaʻau, this gallery is noted for its landscapes of Hawaii and the American West (and for the conviviality of…

  • Hawaiian Force

    Hilo

    Craig Neff, a Native Hawaiian artist, sells aloha wear marked by bold graphics and Hawaiian motifs. While somewhat similar to Sig Zane's prints, Neff's…

  • Cathy's Angelite Crystals

    Hamakua Coast

    Filled with stones, dreamcatchers and powerful New Age vibes, this shop is strangely compelling. Selection of crystals include a 1000lb behemoth (probably…

  • Hoʻoulu Community Farmers Market

    Kona Coast

    Unlike the touristy Kailua-Kona farmers market selling knickknacks from who-knows-where, this weekly event focuses on small-scale farm and fishing bounty,…

  • Puako General Store

    South Kohala

    This general store sells groceries and has traditionally been a spot for locals to hang and gossip. It's been purchased by Blue Wilderness, a Kohala dive…

  • Hawaii Cigar & Ukulele

    North Kohala

    The ukulele as a work of art? Definitely, as proved by the fascinating collection at this store, which claims to be the only cigar and ukulele shop in the…

  • Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo

    Hilo

    Kids of all ages delight in the little treasures here: jewelry, Japanese dishware, children's games and toys, clothing, home textiles, and random cute…

  • As Hawi Turns

    North Kohala

    Forgive that groan-worthy name and focus instead on the range of breezy, bohemian clothes, locally designed jewelry and crafts, handmade ukuleles, and…

  • Gallery of Great Things

    Kohala & Waimea

    This unpretentious gallery is crammed with antiques, high-quality art and collectibles from Hawaii, Polynesia and Asia. Among the Hawaiian crafts for sale…

  • Blue Ginger Gallery

    South Kona Coast

    This idiosyncratic little gallery is supremely eclectic and friendly. There's a definite blue-turquoise color scheme going around, as well as plenty of…

  • Prince Kuhio Plaza

    Hilo

    Hilo's largest shopping mall includes mid-level chain retailers such as Macy's, Old Navy and American Eagle. Also find a multiplex, restaurants, indoor…

  • Extreme Exposure Fine Art Gallery

    Hilo

    At this informal gallery, find striking nature photography – featuring Hawai‘i's wildlife, seascapes, landscapes and lava – by photographers Bruce Omori…

  • Dragon Mama

    Hilo

    Treat yourself to exquisite bedding, custom made from imported Japanese fabric. The proprietor has decades of experience sewing meditation pillows and…

  • Wishard Gallery

    North Kohala

    Apart from Harry Wishard's own work – imaginative landscapes that pop up in houses and restaurants around the island – this gallery also contains a slew…

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