"For a subtler aloha shirt or shell dress (a simple shift), try this place in Hilo’s old downtown. Opened in 1985, it's now a second-generation shop steeped in local rites and rhythms. Designer Sig Zane creates patterns based on traditional plants and legends, some incorporating elements from kapa (mulberry-bark paper fabric) orthe kupukupu fern, symbolizing continual growth and expansion."

"Once you've seen your first Hawai‘ian quilt, you'll want to buy them all! The distinctive fabric art uses appliqués—usually symmetrical—in bold colors, often depicting botanical designs on a white background. Many experts consider it the marriage of missionary handicrafts with the indigenous kapa (mulberry-bark cloths with geometric patterns). Opened in 1973, Kapaia Stitchery on Kauai remains the largest and longest-operating retailer of batiks, quilting supplies, and Hawai‘ian-print fabric on Kauai. It also sells finished masterpieces, for those who don't sew, as well as aloha shirts, wall hangings, locally designed visors, and animal-shaped pot holders. One especially charming gift: little stuffed-animal chickens with simple pyramid bodies of flowered fabric and cloth faces, beaks, and combs."

"This lovely, nostalgic shop has been selling traditional Hawai‘ian designs—bright and botanically themed—alongside contemporary creations by owner Michael John Gillan for decades. The classic buy is a kapaeke (an heirloom quilted handbag), but you can pick up everything from USB-stick holders to kits that teach the craft. The oldest retail quilt company in Hawai‘i, it has catered to local royalty, as well as Hollywood stars, and pioneered the islands' fabric-art tradition in Japan. Its instructors offer lessons and demonstrations at Waikiki's Beach Walk every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon, as well as at the Big Island's Queens' Marketplace every Sunday from 1–3 p.m."

"Trees arch over boutique stalls in this charming garden market. Expect the usual array of treats (kettle corn), schlock (coconut postcards) and art (Polynesian carvings). Of special interest are the makau —fishhook pendants symbolizing strength and prosperity. Over time, the onesmade from bone turn a gorgeous honey-gold hue from contact with skin oils. Open daily except Mondays."

"Founded in 2004, this exquisite Chinatown boutique sells unique jewelry pieces designed by Cindy Yokoyama. "I started as a painter and fell in love with abstraction," she says. "Many of my pieces still reflect elements of this, including asymmetry." She also plays with order and chaos, and mixes urban elements with natural organic ones beautifully. Expect seeds and shells mixed among metallics... and the azure hues of Hawai‘i's sea and lush greens of its slopes. Of special note: earring sets where two teardrops complement each other, rather than matching—showcasing stones like lapis lazuli, fossilized coral, and bumble bee jasper."

"The once-industrial Kakaako neighborhood of Honolulu is starting to trend—and this botanical boutique is riding the wave! The lovely plant shop shares space with the Aussie cafe Arvo and the Hawai‘ian surf-lifestyle shop Milo. Pop in for a "flat white" coffee (microfoam over espresso) and a Vegemite-avocado toast, then browse the books, stationery, home goods and fresh local bouquets. Paiko has a terrific DIY bar for air-plant terrariums, complete with shells from Hawai‘I. Just make sure to review USDA regulations about what's allowed back to the mainland first! (For example, seed jewelry and most flower lei are fine; cactuses and plants in soil don't make the cut.)"

"If it's an image you can hang up, Lahaina Printsellers probably has it for sale. Look for wonderful vintage Hawai‘ian photos of surfers and hula dancers, menu covers and iconic movie posters printed on cotton canvas. Standouts include fish prints by lithographer Julius Bien (1826–1909) and daring aquatic photography by locals Mark and Shayla Middleton."

"The Lāhainā Arts Society was formed in the 1960s by a group of Maui artists who used to hold informal exhibitions along the seawall and in the park next to the Pioneer Inn. After raising money from 10 local couples, the group established a gallery in Lāhainā’s old courthouse building and, later, a second space downstairs. Today, the nonprofit continues to be the gatekeeper for new artists on Maui, operating two galleries, holding regular art fairs, and teaching free weekly children’s art classes. Head to one of the fairs, now held in front of the Lāhainā Cannery Mall on weekends, to shop fine art, listen to live music, and watch hula dancers sway in the sunlight, or swing by the galleries to browse what’s new from your favorite artists."

"Big baggy aloha shirts—that could double as canoe sails—goodbye. Instead head to this Chinatown boutique, featuring the sharp, tapered designs of the eponymous Roberta Oaks. She draws on her hippie, farmhouse childhood and mid-century modern Hawai‘ian flair to create prints, which she then combines with a more fitted and form-flattering modern silhouette. These fabrics also take a star turn on graceful day dresses and even doggie bandanas. Open since 2009, this alluring boutique goes beyond attire, selling jewelry, candles, surf photography, and scents like Sándalo (a moody meditation on the islands' vulcanism with ash, patchouli, and Royal Hawai‘ian sandalwood)."

"Once common, the art of carving and dyeing Hawaiian ipus (gourds) is fading. But artist Bill Wright still sells detailed masterpieces—both traditional and contemporary—in the village of Hōlualoa. His gallery also displays engravings from the late 18th century, which illustrate the age of European discovery in Polynesia. Open Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m."

"Browse among arguably the finest selection of aloha shirts on Oʻahu: The racks here are crammed with vintage and modern, silk and 1970s polyester. Expect to pay anything from five bucks to thousands of dollars for the centerpiece of the gaudiest or coolest outfit on the planet, depending on your taste."

"The Artisans of Waipio Valley For road-trippers around the Big Island of Hawai‘I, the Waipio Valley is an attraction all its own with a beautiful green valley that opens into the sea. Several shops and stops in the area make a pleasurable drive more interesting. One such stop at the Waipio Valley Artworks shop will make travelers rearrange their suitcase on the way home to make room for koa wood bowls, jewelry, and even furniture."

"Shop for Shells from the Forbidden Island of Ni'ihau The small, dry, mysterious island of Niʽihau is unlike any in the Hawai‘ian chain. This arid island to the southwest of Kauaʽi was sold in 1864 to the Robinson family by King Kahemameha V. For 150 years, the island has existed under the domain of a single family. Completely cut-off from modern development, there are no roads, no restaurants, no stores, and no police. Hawai‘ian is still the official language, and outsiders who aren't of Hawai‘ian descent aren't permitted to visit the village. There is one school run completely on solar power. Though, with limited opportunity for full-time employment, the island population struggles to surpass 100 permanent residents. While the future of Niʽihau remains uncertain, the lone bright spot for the island's economy is handmade Niʽihau jewelry. Rare shells no larger than pinheads accumulate along a shore that's devoid of people. From off-white momi to black kahelelani, these shells are found nowhere else in the world. In addition to their rarity, the shells are masterfully formed into lei that are handcrafted using ancient techniques. Sizes and shapes are painstakingly matched, and a single lei can take months to create. In West Maui, the best selection of Niʽihau jewelry can be found in Whalers Village at Totally Hawai‘ian Gift Gallery. From earrings to lei to exceptionally rare pieces, each item includes a letter of authenticity stating that the shells are, in fact, from the Forbidden Island of Niʽihau."

"A Men's Store The minute I opened the door to Oliver in Kailua, I said to myself: "If I had a boyfriend right now, he would be spoiled with gifts from this place." The quaint quarters betray the well organized and perfectly matched assortment of items in this men's store. From tshirts to beach towels, the owners effectively designed their masculine merchandise to cater to the male audience, and their significant others, with a classy beachy ambiance (check out their website for a sense of their retail flavor and peruse the brands they sell). Sister store, Olive, is just down the block with an equally fun and refined flare focused on women."

"A Book for the Beach Local shops and the Big Island go hand in hand. Kona is home to plenty of homegrown shops, but if you are just looking for that great piece of literature to read on the beach, Kona Stories is a fantastic little book shop worth browsing around. Beach goers and holiday makers should be able to find something to pass the time or entertain them while they stay in Hawai‘I."

"All The Good Stuff in One Kailua General Store Handmade soaps with local scents, island and Kailua themed artwork, the good kine slippers, greeting cards, books, treats, floral purses, Hawai‘ian honey, tees, fresh tropical flowers and other goodies will delight you at Kailua General Store. Sit outside and enjoy a cooling shave ice before you shop or sip something and ask owner Steven Parker for the latest Kailua news. You will love this old-time family store reminiscent of plantation days expertly designed and built with recycled materials. Wander over to the shop next door that shares a door way: 3rd Ave Shore. Friendly, well curated and definitely recommended."

"Vintage Hawai‘i If you're looking for vintage Hawai‘ian stuff then head to Honolulu 's Chinatown and visit the Tin Can Mailman! This place is full of old Hawai‘iana. They sell vintage Hawai‘i related ephemera, postcards, books, maps, photos, pin-up girls, Hawai‘ian clothing & jewelry, hula dolls, tiki cups & more. Fun place to browse and get a taste of old Hawai‘i."

"The Best Place to Shop Locally in Honolulu Light and airy, with a shabby-chic feel and an ocean and beach theme, this cool little boutique saved me last Christmas. You can find locally designed clothing and artwork, unique greeting cards, vintage bottles, and shells. This appeared in the May/June 2016 issue. Read more about Chef Ed Kenney's take on Honolulu here."

"The Artisans of Lauhala In the Hawai‘ian language, lauhala means "leaf." A fourth generation family business, the Kimura Lauahala Shop is more than just a roadside store, it is a landmark of sorts, and a steadfast member of the Holualoa community. The custom made hats, baskets, handbags, placemats, and slippers made for the shop are woven by hand by artisans like they have been for years. The beautifully woven pieces that shoppers take home are great value for the quality of workmanship. Beyond the woven goods, Kimura’s sells local greeting cards, koa wood products like bowls and utensils, and kona coffee."

"Old Hawai'i Revealed The Isaacs Art Center is a rare find on the Big Island. It offers a beautiful glimpse into old Hawai'i through paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, and all sorts of other artifacts; some part their permanent collection, others for sale. It's a great place to learn, browse and find a real piece of Hawaiiana to take with you. Best of all, the proceeds go to support local education and scholarships. The gallery is housed in Waimea's first public school structure, built in 1915."

"Hula Lamps for the Home One of the most charming souvenirs from the Big Island is a Hula Lamp. The lamps are a great way to bring the spirit of aloha into your home. They are a much grander version of a dashboard hula doll. Charles Moore is the artist who began creating the lamps based on vintage topless hula lamps he had seen from the past. He’s created a variety of designs, colors, and shades for the hula lamps so anyone can find something they like to suit their home. He’s always thinking ahead to new ideas including hula coffee tables, vases, and sculptures. When you walk into his shop, you’ll be impressed by his creations and likely end up taking one home!"

"Beyond the Great Things In The Gallery of Great Things, visitors will find much more than "things" to experience when they walk in the shop. The actual building was a nurses' quarters during WWII serving an estimated 50,000 soldiers who passed through during the war. Maria, the shopkeeper who founded the gallery, has filled her store with art, antiques, and curiosities that reflect the Pacific culture, history of the Islands, and Hawai‘ian lifestyle. She has endeavored to preserve the culture of the Islands through her work in the store and sells the work from more than 200 local artisans, including the best known Hawai‘ian artists. One walk through her crowded shop guarantees everyone will find a treasure—whether it’s a wind chime, koa wood sculpture, painting, or just postcard."