Bring Aloha Home: The Best Hawaii-Made Shops on Waikiki Beach
Beautiful wood carvings. Handmade jewelry. Homespun clothing. One-of-a-kind photographs and paintings. What original island-made art, craft, or wearable item will you bring home to remember your trip to Hawaii?
The Waikiki Resort Hotel is within walking distance to a variety of retailers, craft shops, and artisan galleries that offer one of the island's best selections of Hawaii souvenirs and keepsakes.
Hawaii-made Jewelry
• SoHa Living
Few shops exemplify contemporary Hawaiian chic like SoHa Living. The store specializes in Hawaiian-made and inspired home goods including decorative art, linens, and bath and body needs.
SoHa Living also provides shoppers with an array of locally-made jewelry including a wide lineup of bangles, bracelets, earrings, and rings. You can even get coffees, teas, and pancake and cocktail mixes that are sealed and safe to take home. So you can enjoy the tastes of Hawaii long after your trip here ends.
Directions from Waikiki Resort: Turn right onto Koa Avenue and left onto Kai'iulani Avenue toward Don Ho Street.
Walking time: 10 minutes
Hawaii-made Clothing and Souvenir T-Shirts
• Crazy Shirts
Crazy Shirts was founded by local artist Rick Ralston in 1964. The store's genesis was Ralston's sidewalk shop, where he airbrushed surfing scenes onto blank t-shirts for five bucks apiece. The store has since become a Waikiki Beach institution offering both locally made and Hawaii-themed clothing.
From footwear to Hawaiian shirts to dresses and beachwear, each piece features an iconic landscape, a clever local phrase, or a poignant social message related to Oahu and the Waikiki Beach Community.
From specially dyed t-shirts, custom-made prints to customized merchandise, the Crazy Shirts inventory is regarded by locals and travelers alike as the go-to spot for Hawaii-made and Hawaii-inspired clothing.
Directions from Waikiki Resort: Turn right onto Koa Ave. and left on Uluniu Ave. Then turn right onto Kalakaua Ave.
Walking time: 5 minutes
Hawaii-made Paintings & Photography
• Wyland Gallery
Ten retail galleries across the United States showcase the work of celebrated nature artist Robert Wyland. But the space on the Waikiki Beachwalk is considered to be among the best. Located just a short walk from the lobby of the Waikiki Beach Hotel, the 7,000-square foot space features numerous reproductions of Wyland's paintings as well as original works for sale.
A wide variety of small reproductions, books, postcards, and accessories are available with Wyland's famous paintings of whales and marine life.
Space hosts a variety of art-related events across the calendar year, including several where visitors can meet the artist himself.
Directions from Waikiki Resort: Take Koa Avenue to Ka'iulani Avenue to Lewers Street and turn right at Don Ho Street.
Walking time: 5 minutes
Unique Hawaii-made Shops
• Hound & Quail
The description "antique store" does an injustice to the number of unique vintage Hawaiian artifacts and curiosities available at Hound & Quail. Located just a short walk from the hotel, the unique gallery/store has been profiled in publications such as GQ USA and the Wall Street Journal thanks to its eclectic collection of Hawaiian trinkets.
From antique ashtrays, coral sculptures, lithographs, vintage oars, and pocket knives to locally made soaps and raw honey, Hound and Quail is a store like no other. Here you can peruse pieces of vintage Hawaiiana and items from local craftsmen all under one roof.
Directions from Waikiki Resort: Follow Prince Edward Street and Kānekapōlei Street to Ala Wai Boulevard. Turn right onto Kānekapōlei St.
Driving time: 15 minutes
Getting Your Makana (Gifts) Home
Worried about traveling with your newly purchased Hawaii-made gifts and artwork? Many shops offer shipping services to ensure your goods reach home safely. In addition, the friendly staff at the Waikiki Resort Hotel can direct you to many local shipping options if you'd like to mail them home yourselves.