(opening)
What are good souvenirs from Hawaii? The best Hawaii souvenirs you can give to your friends and family can be local food delicacies, classic Hawaiian shirts, or other products distinctively made in Hawaii. This tropical paradise has so much to offer! So before ending your visit to the best Hawaiian islands, why not take the time to explore the best mementos you can take home with you?
Read on to discover what souvenirs to buy in Hawaii so that the feel-good aloha spirit will be able to transcend your memorable Hawaii vacation.
1. Hawaiian Coffee
[caption id="attachment_135406" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash[/caption]
Hawaii’s Kona coffee beans rank among the world’s finest, offering a bright, clean taste with sweet, fruity notes. Depending on the grower, you might detect hints of honey, brown sugar, or even chocolate in a freshly brewed cup.
Grown exclusively in the Kona region of the Big Island of Hawaii, this coffee’s unique flavor comes from the mineral-rich volcanic soil and the region’s weather, yielding exceptional quality and taste.
Where to Buy: Hawaii Coffee Company and Kona Coffee & Tea Company
2. Passion Fruit Jam
[caption id="attachment_135448" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo by Thidarat on Adobe Stock[/caption]
Hawaii’s passion fruit jam ranks among the best Hawaii souvenirs for good reason. Open a jar, and the tropical aromatics immediately call for freshly baked bread. Its balance of tart and sweet makes it ideal for spreading over cakes, cookies, and other baked goods. For a taste of the islands to bring home, you can order a jar directly from Hawaiian Farmers Market or North Shore Goodies, both offering convenient shipping so you don’t have to pack it in your luggage.
3. Coconut Oil Body Lotion
[caption id="attachment_135389" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo by Iryna Mylinska on Adobe Stock[/caption]
Coconut oil body lotions rank among the top Hawaii gifts for her. Hawaiians have used coconut oil for centuries—for meals, health, and skin. In body care, it protects, moisturizes, and nourishes. Hawaii produces some of the highest-grade coconut oils, so you’re getting Hawaii lotions that truly replenish your skin.
Where to Buy: Island Essence and Maui Soap Company
4. Reusable Hawaiian Tote Bags
[caption id="attachment_135401" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo from Aloha Collection's official website[/caption]
The fun and colorful patterns of these tote bags scream Hawaiian vacation. One look at them and you’ll be wishing you were back on the tropical islands! The bonus part is that reusable Hawaiian tote bags are some of the most functional things to buy in Hawaii since you’ll be able to use them in your day-to-day life. They come in different sizes, so you’ll easily find one that suits your needs.
Where to Buy: Aloha Collection and KC Hawaii
5. Custom Keychains
Skip mass-produced trinkets and design a one-of-a-kind keychain online instead. You choose the pattern, material, and color—pulling from the unforgettable sights and textures you experienced in Hawaii. A professional design team will turn your ideas into a finished Custom Keychains piece. The result works as a wearable, personalized decoration or a collectible keepsake. Either way, it’s a creative gift your family will appreciate far more than a generic store-bought item.
6. Ukulele
[caption id="attachment_135411" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo by Christy Ash on Unsplash[/caption]
The ukulele is a staple in the Hawaiian music scene, with plenty of Hawaii gift shops on the island selling decorated and colorful ukuleles. Beyond creating soothing island music, these string instruments double as decorative pieces for your home, serving as a lasting reminder of your trip. For a wide selection, visit The Ukulele Site or the handcrafted options at Kanile'a `Ukulele—both offer quality instruments that capture the islands' spirit.
7. Hawaiian Sea Salt
[caption id="attachment_135400" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo by nicoletta zanella on Adobe Stock[/caption]
Hawaiian sea salt stands out for its noticeably richer flavor compared to regular sea salts. Made with volcanic clay or activated charcoal, these salts enhance a wide range of dishes, adding extra depth to your cooking. You can also find flavored varieties infused with herbs, spices, and other seasonings to boost your meals’ flavor profile.
Where to Buy: Kona Sea Salt and Sea Salts of Hawaii
8. Macadamia Nuts
[caption id="attachment_135408" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo by sunnysun0804 on Pixabay[/caption]
Most of the world’s supply of macadamia nuts is grown on the Big Island of Hawaii, making them a top local food souvenir. Their richness, creaminess, and hint of sweetness are hard to beat.
You can find macadamia nuts in most Hawaiian grocery stores or popular gift shops, with flavors ranging from unsalted and salted to honey-roasted and chocolate-covered.
Where to Buy: Mauna Loa and Hawaiian Host
9. Hawaiian Gift Baskets
[caption id="attachment_135393" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo from Hawaii's Gift Baskets' official Facebook page[/caption]
Gift baskets packed with locally made products are easily among the best Hawaii souvenir ideas. Step inside most Hawaii gift shops and you’ll spot ready-to-go baskets or bags loaded with different flavors of Hawaii—ranging from tropical fruits, Hawaiian coffee beans, snacks, candies, bath products, and even rum. Each hamper is carefully curated with mementos to help you remember everything you love about Hawaii. These make it easy to add TSA PreCheck to an existing Delta reservation-style planning a breeze, though you won’t need that here—just grab a basket and go.
Where to Buy: Hawaii's Gift Baskets and Tastes of Aloha
10. Classic Hawaiian Shirts
[caption id="attachment_135388" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo by William Matt on Pexels[/caption]
Looking for cheap souvenirs from Hawaii? Classic Hawaiian shirts are great, inexpensive gift ideas for those on a budget. There is no shortage of shirts in various tropical prints on the Hawaiian islands. The best part? You can find a variety of designs and quality at affordable prices. Not a fan of the big and bold prints? Don’t fret. Aloha shirts with smaller, subtler prints are also available in most Hawaiian shops.
Where to Buy: Kahala and Avanti Hawaiian Shirts
11. Honolulu Cookie Company Cookies
[caption id="attachment_135403" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo from Honolulu Cookie Company's official Facebook page[/caption]
For one of the best souvenirs from Oahu, grab treats from the Honolulu Cookie Company. This cookie shop specializes in island-inspired shortbread cookies, with pineapple-shaped ones as the top seller. Other flavors include coconut, Kona coffee, and macadamia, plus chocolate-covered and jam-filled options. A stop at one of their stores fits neatly into your things to do in Honolulu.
Where to Buy: Honolulu Cookie Company
12. Black Pearls
[caption id="attachment_135387" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo by Rafael Ben-Ari on Adobe Stock[/caption]
Looking for truly special Hawaii souvenirs for your significant one back home? Consider jewelry adorned with Tahitian black pearls. Though harvested from the waters of nearby Tahiti, these pearls are popular among Hawaiian tourists. Their romantic hues and iridescence make them a captivating gift. For a wider selection, you can compare pieces at dedicated pearl shops, or even plan your purchase around a trip that lets you browse online first to gauge pricing before you arrive.
Where to Buy: Honolulu Jewelry Company and Black Pearl Source
13. Sweets from Big Island Candies
[caption id="attachment_135386" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo from Big Island Candies' official website[/caption]
Big Island Candies is a top spot for food souvenirs from Hawaii. Like Honolulu Cookie Company, they make some of the best shortbread cookies in the state, with their Milk Chocolate Dipped Macadamia Nut Shortbread leading the lineup.
They also offer biscotti, brownies, and Manju—a Japanese dessert with a Hawaiian twist. A box or two of these treats makes a sweet gift for anyone back home.
Where to Buy: Big Island Candies
14. Koa Wood Products
[caption id="attachment_135405" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo by Atlas on Adobe Stock[/caption]
Koa wood is highly prized by Hawaiians for its extreme durability and has been used for centuries, even in weapon forging. Its distinct, rich colors and interlocking grain pattern make it instantly recognizable.
Today, Koa wood products remain a top souvenir choice. You’ll find everything from large furniture pieces and surfboards to small bowls and intricate musical instruments. Whether you’re after a statement piece or a compact keepsake, there are plenty of options in Hawaii merchandise made from this native wood.
Where to Buy: The Koa Store and Hawaiian Koa Company
15. Hawaiian Jewelry
[caption id="attachment_135395" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo from Royal Hawaiian Heritage Jewelry's official Facebook page[/caption]
For a souvenir that lasts generations, Hawaiian jewelry stands out. While inexpensive Hawaii-inspired accessories fill most gift shops, traditional pieces from reputable specialty stores feature trained jewelers and higher-quality materials. Choose from beach-inspired seashell necklaces, gold bracelets, or pearl necklaces—all suitable for a special keepsake. Many stores also offer customizations, letting you add a personal touch to your piece.
Where to Buy: Maui Divers Jewelry and Royal Hawaiian Heritage Jewelry
16. Li Hing Mui (Dried Chinese Plum)
[caption id="attachment_135407" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo by crash: candy on Flickr[/caption]
Li hing mui (pronounced lee-heng-moo) or dried Chinese plum offers a perfect balance of sweetness, saltiness, and tanginess. A top snack in Hawaii, it comes in several forms. Grab a bag of whole dried plums or powdered li hing mui to sprinkle on poke, chicken, and other local dishes. You can also buy li hing mui-flavored snacks like dried mangoes, gummy bears, and popcorn.
Where to Buy: Snack Hawaii and Lin's Hawaiian Snacks
17. Pineapple Wine
[caption id="attachment_135410" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo from MauiWine's official Instagram page[/caption]
Hawaii’s abundant pineapples yield a range of pineapple-inspired souvenirs, including pineapple wine—a sweet, fruity drink that pairs well with savory dishes or as a dessert wine. You can also mix it into fruity cocktails. For those exploring things to do in Maui, visit MauiWine, which produces some of the country’s best pineapple wines. Tour the vineyards, go wine tasting, then pick up a bottle to take home.
Where to Buy: MauiWine
18. Fresh Flower Leis
[caption id="attachment_135392" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo by Maridav on Adobe Stock[/caption]
Fresh flower leis are a quintessential Hawaiian souvenir, embodying the aloha spirit of love, friendship, and celebration. They make a meaningful gift for someone special. While traveling with fresh flowers requires care, a properly stored lei can last up to two weeks.
To keep your lei fresh on the flight home, pack it in a plastic container with gel ice packs. Pre-packed leis are available at the airport, or you can choose artificial flower leis instead.
Where to Buy: Flower Leis and Hawaii Flower Lei
19. Hula Girl Figurine
[caption id="attachment_135404" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo by Maridav on Adobe Stock[/caption]
Like the flower lei, the hula girl is iconic Hawaiian imagery, making her figurine a quintessential souvenir. Pick one up for your car’s dashboard to recall luaus whenever you glance at the swaying dancer. These tiny figures in grass skirts come in various poses, some even strumming a ukulele. They make great road-trip companions—just the thing to keep you company on long drives, whether you’re mapping out how far is a trip around the world or simply heading to the next beach. You can find them at KC Hawaii and AlohaOutlet.
20. Hawaiian Music and Instruments
[caption id="attachment_135396" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo by BeeRu on Adobe Stock[/caption]
For a budding musician at home, pick up Hawaiian music that evokes your tropical getaway. Choose a CD of luau music with percussion and string instruments, or singers with soft melodic harmonies. The tunes carry the aloha spirit. Traditional instruments—the ipu (gourd drum), ohe hano ihu (bamboo nose flute), and ‘ukeke (a three-stringed bow, not the ukulele)—are popular tourist choices.
Where to Buy: Aloha Hula Supply and Hawaiian Music Store
21. Maui Gold Pineapple
[caption id="attachment_135409" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo from Maui Gold Pineapple's official Facebook page[/caption]
In the 1970s, horticulturists at the Maui Gold Pineapple Company developed what they call the sweetest, most flavorful pineapple in the world. If you’re on your Hawaii honeymoon, grab one—or eight. Known for extra sweetness, low acidity, and high vitamin C, it’s perfect for snacking or desserts. Pick one up before you add TSA PreCheck to an existing Delta reservation for your flight home.
Where to Buy: Maui Gold
22. Hawaiian Quilts
[caption id="attachment_135398" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo by Jason Raia from Valley Forge, PA, USA on Wikimedia Commons[/caption]
Bring a piece of Hawaii home with a handmade Hawaiian quilt. Introduced to the islands in the 19th century by missionaries, quilting has become a celebrated local art form—families often gift quilts to new brides and newborns. Beyond their beauty, these quilts are practical. You’ll find island-inspired designs on household items like beddings, oven mitts, and potholders.
Where to Buy: Hawaiian Quilt Wholesale and Moana Quilts
23. Hawaiian Shell Necklace
[caption id="attachment_135397" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo by smcgee on Flickr[/caption]
A shell necklace is a piece of island culture, said to bring sailors good luck and a safe return home. Today, it also represents tranquility and leisure for vacationers. This accessory ranks among the best souvenirs from Hawaii, offering a sense of easygoingness even when you’re back to the daily grind.
Where to Buy: Flotsam & Co and Lavahut
24. Hawaiian Rum
[caption id="attachment_135399" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo from Kōloa Rum Company's official Twitter page[/caption]
Looking for Hawaii gifts for him? A bottle of Hawaiian rum works perfectly. Hawaii hosts several distilleries offering high-quality rum in different styles and flavors—from classic pure sugar rum to innovative profiles like coffee and pineapple. Koloa Rum stands out among the best, using pure cane sugar and mountain rainwater for their premium bottles. For a trip that includes distillery hopping, you might wonder how far is a trip around the world, but on Oahu or Kauai, the distilleries are close enough to visit in a day.
Where to Buy: Koloa Rum Company and Ko Hana
25. Hawaiian Honey
[caption id="attachment_135394" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo from Rare Hawaiian Honey Company's official website[/caption]
Hawaii’s unique flora yields some of the world’s rarest organic honey. On the Big Island, look for raw, unfiltered bottles in flavors like Lehua Blossom and white Kiawe. Popular infusions include lemon, lavender, vanilla, and cinnamon. For adventurous foodies, try Hawaiian chili pepper-infused honey for a spicy kick.
Where to Buy: Raw Hawaiian Honey Company and Rare Hawaiian Honey Company
26. Crack Seeds
[caption id="attachment_135391" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo by Syda Productions on Adobe Stock[/caption]
Can’t get enough Hawaii treats to buy as souvenirs? Grab a pack of crack seeds! Made from dehydrated fruits marinated in different flavors, these Hawaiian snacks can be found in dedicated “seed shops.” You can likewise purchase crack seeds in grocery stores, drugstores, and even at the airport! Not only do they offer a unique taste of the islands, but they are among the best cheap souvenirs from Hawaii too.
Where to Buy: Kaimuki Crack Seed Store and Crack Seed Center
Best Places to Buy Hawaiian Souvenirs
Besides the ones mentioned above, here are a few more places where you can shop for Hawaiian souvenirs.
1. Grocery Stores
[caption id="attachment_135390" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo by Tada Images on Adobe Stock[/caption]
Address: Multiple locations
If there are no specialty gift shops in your area, head over to the nearest grocery store! You can find several major chains on the different islands, including Costco, Walmart, and Best Buy. While you may not typically expect anything out of the ordinary from chain stores, certain branches in Hawaii, like the Best Buy in Honolulu or the Costco in Maui, offer local items exclusive to the island! This includes food items, clothing, houseware, toys, and books. For travelers planning a longer stay, you can also use these stores to stock up on essentials before heading to your accommodation—just remember to check your airline’s baggage rules if you’re flying inter-island.
2. ABC Stores
[caption id="attachment_135442" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo by Tony Webster on Flickr[/caption]
Address: Multiple locations
Since the 1930s, ABC Stores have supplied visitors with souvenirs and gifts from Hawaii. One of the state’s most famous souvenir shops, they carry a wide range of made-in-Hawaii products. You’ll find food items, apparel, locally-made cosmetics, home décor, and accessories. They also stock eclectic novelty souvenirs like Hawaii keychains, mugs, refrigerator magnets, and coin purses. Whether you’re picking up a quick gift or a personal keepsake, ABC Stores make it easy to find something authentic. For travelers planning ahead, you can even add TSA PreCheck to an existing Delta reservation while you’re out shopping—though you’ll likely spend more time browsing the shelves than at the airport.
3. Ala Moana Center
[caption id="attachment_135385" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo from Ala Moana Center's official Facebook page[/caption]
Address: 1450 Ala Moana Boulevard Honolulu, HI 96814
Just a few minutes outside Waikiki, Honolulu’s premier retail destination—Ala Moana Center—houses over 350 stores. You’ll find everything you need here, including ABC Stores and Big Island Candies branches within its premises. That means you can easily pick up different items and gifts from multiple stores in just one stop, without having to travel between shops. It’s a practical base for souvenir hunting, letting you compare local snacks, apparel, and crafts side by side before you commit to buying. Whether you’re grabbing a quick gift or browsing for something specific, the sheer variety makes it efficient to knock out your entire shopping list in a single visit.
4. Hilo Hattie
[caption id="attachment_135402" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo by John Fowler on Flickr[/caption]
Address: Multiple locations in Oahu, Maui, Big Island, and Kauai.
Looking for Hawaiian fashion items to bring back home? Hilo Hattie is the one-stop shop for all your tropical clothing needs. Named after the famous Hawaiian singer and hula dancer, this chain of gift and souvenir stores has been an institution among vacationers for the last 50 years. Visitors of Oahu, Maui, Big Island, and Kauai are treated to an extensive catalog of Hawaiian apparel, including aloha shirts, dresses, footwear, and accessories. Whether you’re packing for a luau or just want a casual island look, this is the place to stock up before you head home.
5. Waikiki Shopping Plaza
[caption id="attachment_135412" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Photo from Waikiki Shopping Plaza's official website[/caption]
Address: 2250 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Located on one of Hawaii’s busiest shopping strips, the Waikiki Shopping Plaza is a multi-level center popular with both locals and tourists. You’ll wander through a mix of high-end global brands and boutiques carrying unique presents you can only find in Hawaii. It’s an easy stop for souvenir hunting while exploring the area. If you’re planning a longer trip, you might also want to check how far is a trip around the world to budget your time—but for now, this plaza offers plenty of one-stop shopping right along Kalākaua Avenue.
Best Gifts From Hawaii for Your Friends and Family
Keep the memories of your tropical getaway alive with mementos from Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and the other islands of Hawaii. The possibilities for the best Hawaiian gifts and souvenirs are endless. Whether you’re seeking unique presents and special mementos or something fun and inexpensive, it’s easy to find what to buy in Hawaii for family, friends, and even yourself. From local crafts to iconic treats, these finds capture the islands’ spirit. Don’t forget to check airline baggage rules before packing your haul—you can always add TSA PreCheck to an existing Delta reservation to speed through security on your way home.
