Your bags are packed, your ticket is booked, and your toes can practically feel the sand between them. The only thing left to decide is what to do once you get here! Whether you have visited Hawai’i consistently for years, or if this is your very first trip to the islands, you better add a day of shopping to the itinerary. With Honolulu being a world-class shopping destination, and each island offering its own unique style, Hawai’i has something to offer for every shopper. Here are the 10 boutiques that are an absolute must when creating your vacation to-do list.
Nestled in the heart of Kaimuki, one of Honolulu’s business neighborhoods and a total gem, stands an adorable tea and gift shop named Ami + Mei. Woman and locally owned, you can find this shop on 12th Ave (just off Waialae) nestled between Otto Cake and Koa Pancake House. You are immediately greeted with an adorable locally-made window painting and one of a kind displays that are guaranteed to catch your eye. After being offered a sample of the tea of the day, you will be able to sip and peruse your way through carefully curated personal wellness items and incredible tea blends and accessories. Whether you are a tea lover by nature or not, there is truly something for everyone in this tea and gift shop. From financial planners, to Hawai’i grown teas, Ami + Mei is one stop not to miss on your trip into Kaimuki.
Just a quick walk from Ami + Mei, Kaimuki’s Sugarcane has been a neighborhood staple for all of your gift giving and home decor needs for over a decade. Owned and operated by a mother-daughter duo, this Honolulu boutique offers locally-made and consciously sourced items that are beautifully displayed in their well-lit shop. From bikinis and beach blankets, to hand-made jewelry and hilarious greeting cards, this comforting space will have you returning each time you need a gift or to treat yourself with a little something nice.
After grabbing a sandwich at EARL and walking through Kaka’ako’s stunning mural art filled streets, visiting the PAIKO boutique and botanical shop is a must. The fresh feeling space is consciously separated into two halves- with the right hand side offering a curated selection of local floral arrangements and home plant care goods. The left hand side offers a fine selection of clothing, self care, and home good items that has something for everyone. This is the perfect spot for a floral arrangement for any occasion, a gift with a personal touch, or something to spice up your new space.
What is a vacation to O’ahu without a day trip to Kailua? The soft sandy beaches and adorable town are more than enough to draw you in, but a stop at Red Bamboo is sure to round out the day. This Hawai’i boutique displays adorable bathing suits and outfits, and offers some great gifts and home items. Filled to the brim with locally made and artisanal items, you will have no trouble spending plenty of time in here. We have gotten some of our jewelry and cover-up staples from this spot, and can’t recommend it enough!
Based on the island of Maui and located in the Napali Plaza, Lucky Cat Provisions is a home and lifestyle shop that will leave you wanting to redecorate your entire life. Through the shop's white trimmed entryway shoppers are greeted with a beautifully curated selection of home care and kitchen items that would make any employee at Architectural Digest swoon. We can’t get enough of their glassware and amazing smelling candles. This spot is a definite addition to any Maui trip bucket list!
Located right in the heart of Hanalei on the island of Kauai, this adorable clothing and lifestyle boutique has an amazing range of items you won’t want to miss on your next trip over to the garden island. With a warm and cozy bungalow feel, shoppers can peruse through the carefully curated selection of island style clothing, accessories and personal care products. Whether you are shopping for yourself or for the perfect gift, Sway Hanalei will help you find exactly what you are looking for. Love your visit to their shop? Check out their sister store, Sway Island Living in Kilauea!
Another Kauai favorite of ours, Hunter Gatherer is one boutique you definitely won’t want to skip. The items offered here range from insanely beautiful home care items to personal apothecary needs and all the goods in between. You won’t want to miss checking out their stained glass sun catchers, which are featured on their instagram and website! They are perfect for the upcoming sunny days. Offering fashionable and adorable necessities for all people, this spot is great for the whole family.
Just outside of Waikiki on Maunakea Street, Quartz & Thistle is an ‘Urban Spiritual Shop and Learning Center’ that brings the community together with in person events and mindfully sourced spiritual wares within their boutique. Their kind staff will be sure to help you explore the contents of their shop and help you find exactly what you are looking for, and maybe one or two things you never knew you needed. We love a space that is both educational and adorable, and Quartz & Thistle is certainly that!
Tucked away inside Ward Center in Honolulu, MORI by Art + Flea is an absolute favorite spot by locals and tourists alike. This quirky shop offers a variety of locally made accessories and clothing by incredibly talented artists around the state. With a fun and fresh feel, you can find something for everyone in MORI, and a little something for yourself, too! You will leave feeling inspired and with some one of a kind accessories to commemorate your trip here.
Deemed a ‘jewelry store’ when searched on Google, this sweet little shop in the center of Honolulu’s Chinatown offers so much more. Ginger13 is a plant and home good oasis that has something for every corner of your home. Decorated with warm and comfortable tones, this space feels like a cozy living room and smells SO GOOD. Stocked with elevated staples for your space, you will leave wanting to come back and explore some more. On my recent visit to ginger 13 I discovered her signature earring style (one year with a statement gem, and the other with a lot of smaller gems) - I got a pair of the tiger's eye and I wear it almost every day!