Hawaii is one of those destinations where it is almost impossible to come home without a few souvenirs tucked into your suitcase. From ABC Stores on practically every corner of Waikiki to farmers markets, local shops and even grocery stores, there are plenty of opportunities to pick up something that reminds you of your trip.
I have traveled to Oahu several times, Kauai once and soon will be taking a small ship cruise that visits some of the lesser-visitied islands. With all of those visits, I have learned that the best Hawaiian souvenirs are not necessarily the expensive ones. Some of my favourites are things you can eat or use once you get home, while others are simple keepsakes that immediately bring back memories of being in Hawaii.
If you are wondering what to buy in Hawaii, these are some of the souvenirs I would keep an eye out for. Some are practical, some are edible, and some are just fun reminders of your Hawaiian vacation.
Top Hawaiian Souvenirs to Keep Your Eye Out For!
Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts are probably one of the easiest souvenirs to bring home from Hawaii. They are everywhere, they pack easily and they make a great gift if you need to bring something home for friends, family or coworkers.
There are also so many varieties to choose from. You will find chocolate-covered, salted and all kinds of flavoured macadamia nuts. The wasabi-flavoured ones are worth trying if you see them!
Aloha Shirts
You cannot spend much time in Hawaii without noticing Aloha shirts. They are not just something sold to tourists. You will see locals wearing them to work, restaurants and events, making them one of the more practical Hawaiian souvenirs you can bring home.
There are plenty of inexpensive options in souvenir shops, but if you want something you will actually wear at home, look for a locally made shirt or a print you genuinely love rather than simply buying the first Hawaiian shirt you see.
Hawaiian Jewelry
Jewelry is one of my favourite souvenirs to buy when I travel because it is small, lightweight and something I can actually use once I get home.
In Hawaii, look for pieces inspired by the islands, including plumeria flowers, sea turtles, waves and other Hawaiian designs. You will find everything from inexpensive necklaces for kids to beautiful locally handcrafted pieces.
Kona Coffee
Coffee is an easy Hawaiian souvenir to bring home, especially if you are buying for someone who does not need another magnet or coffee mug.
If you are looking for Kona coffee, pay attention to the packaging. Some products contain only a small percentage of Kona coffee blended with other beans, while others are 100% Kona coffee. If you specifically want Kona coffee, it is worth checking before you buy.
Ukulele
A ukulele is definitely one of the more recognizable souvenirs from Hawaii. You will find them everywhere from souvenir shops to stores selling professional-quality instruments.
When my boys were little, I bought them inexpensive ukuleles at the beginning of one of our trips. They played with them in the hotel room and even in their strollers, and years later they were still sitting on their shelves at home. They were inexpensive toys at the time but ended up becoming great reminders of that trip.
If you actually want to learn to play, skip the cheap souvenir versions and visit a proper music store for a better-quality instrument.
Beach Towel
A beach towel might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Hawaiian souvenirs, but it is one of the most practical things you can buy.
Pick one up at the beginning of your trip and use it at the beach before bringing it home. Every time you pull it out for a beach day or trip to the pool, it becomes a reminder of Hawaii.
Christmas Ornaments
We have collected ornaments from different destinations over the years, and Hawaii has no shortage of options.
You will find surfboards, sea turtles, palm trees, Hawaiian shirts, Santa in board shorts and just about every other Hawaii-themed ornament imaginable. They are also small and relatively easy to pack, which makes them one of my favourite types of travel souvenirs.
Hawaiian Calendars
Calendars are another inexpensive and easy-to-pack souvenir from Hawaii. You will find them in ABC Stores, hotel gift shops, Longs Drugs and plenty of other shops around the islands.
They are flat, lightweight and also make an easy gift to bring home. Just make sure you are buying one for the upcoming year if you are visiting toward the end of the year!
Hawaiian Clothing and Local Surf Brands
One of my favourite things to buy when traveling is clothing that I can actually wear when I get home. Hawaii has plenty of local clothing brands selling everything from casual beachwear and graphic tees to tropical dresses and surf-inspired clothing.
Look beyond the typical tourist t-shirts and check out local boutiques and Hawaiian surf brands. If you are traveling with tweens or teens, letting them pick out a shirt or hoodie from a local brand is an easy way to get them excited about souvenir shopping. Unlike another fridge magnet, it is something they might actually use long after the vacation ends.
Hawaiian Art and Prints
If you want something a little more unique than the typical tourist souvenirs, look for artwork from local Hawaiian artists. From colourful surf-inspired prints to beautiful illustrations of Hawaii’s beaches, mountains and tropical flowers, there are plenty of options that will remind you of your trip long after you return home.
I particularly like art prints because they are lightweight, easy to pack and do not take up much room in your suitcase. Check out local galleries, farmers markets and independent shops for something you won’t find in every souvenir store. Buying directly from local artists is also a great way to support the community while bringing home something that has a little more meaning.
Another place to look for meaningful souvenirs is at the attractions you visit. If you’re planning to visit Pearl Harbor, consider adding the USS Missouri to your itinerary. The historic battleship has a gift shop where you can pick up souvenirs that remind you of your visit. I particularly like buying souvenirs at places we actually explore because they bring back memories of an experience rather than just a destination.
Tropical Preserves
One of the best parts of eating in Hawaii is all of the tropical fruit. Pineapple, mango, guava and passionfruit seem to taste even better when you are eating them somewhere warm with the ocean nearby.
Locally made jams and preserves let you bring a little bit of those flavours home with you. Passionfruit and guava are two I would keep an eye out for at farmers markets, local shops and grocery stores.
Hawaiian Island Silhouettes
The shape of the Hawaiian Islands is instantly recognizable, which is probably why you will see it on just about everything.
You can find island silhouettes on t-shirts, stickers, magnets, jewelry, coasters and artwork. If you have a favourite island, look for something featuring that specific island rather than the entire chain.
Mochi and Hawaiian Snacks
One of my favourite things to do when traveling is wander through grocery stores, and Hawaii is a particularly fun place to do it because of the mix of Hawaiian, American and Asian influences.
Keep an eye out for mochi and other snacks you might not normally find at home. Foodland is a great place to browse, and we especially liked trying different varieties of mochi. Edible souvenirs are also convenient because you do not have to find somewhere to display them once you get home!
Photos
Some of the best souvenirs from Hawaii are the ones you do not actually buy in a souvenir shop.
I am usually the person behind the camera when we travel, which means I can come home with hundreds of photos of my boys and very few photos that actually include me. Booking a family photo session while you are in Hawaii is one way to make sure everyone gets into the photos. When we travel, we use Flytographer.
Where to Buy Hawaiian Souvenirs
If you are staying in Waikiki, you will not have to look very hard for Hawaiian souvenirs. ABC Stores seem to be everywhere, and most grocery stores and larger retailers have at least a small section of Hawaiian gifts.
I also like checking places such as Longs Drugs, Target and local grocery stores because you can often find many of the same snacks and inexpensive souvenirs without paying tourist-shop prices.
Farmers markets and craft fairs are better options if you want something locally made. Look for local jewelry, artwork, food products and other items where your money is going directly to a Hawaiian maker or small business.
On Oahu, the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet is another place to browse for souvenirs, with vendors selling everything from clothing and jewelry to food and inexpensive gifts.
If you are heading to Maui, you will find plenty of souvenirs in grocery stores, ABC Stores, local markets and shops around the main tourist areas. I also have a separate guide to the best things to buy in Maui if you want island-specific ideas.
For Kauai, stop and wander the local shops. You will find lots of cute island designs on t-shirts, magnets, candles and other locally made wares!
Hawaiian Souvenirs I’d Skip Next Time
Not every Hawaii souvenir deserves precious space in your suitcase.
I would skip most of the generic plastic souvenirs that you can find in every tourist shop. They might say “Hawaii” on them, but they do not necessarily have much connection to the islands and often end up forgotten in a drawer once you get home.
I would also think twice about buying a cheap ukulele unless it is specifically for a child to play with. Ours were fantastic when my boys were little, but if you actually want an instrument you can learn to play, spend a little more and buy a proper one.
Bulky mugs and fragile souvenirs are another thing I am more selective about now. If I really love something, I will make room for it, but after carrying it through airports and worrying about whether it will survive the flight home, sometimes it is just not worth it.
And I would not leave all of your souvenir shopping until the airport. Part of the fun is finding something while wandering through a farmers market, grocery store or local shop during your trip. Those are usually the souvenirs that end up having a story attached to them anyway.
Lindsay Nieminen hails from Vancouver, Canada and shares her love of travel on this website. She is passionate about showing others that they should not put off traveling the world just because they have children or are single parents. She aims to encourage them to seek out adventure, whether it is at home or abroad by providing information on how just about everywhere can be a destination to explore as a family.