Best of HONOLULU 2023: The Best Services on O‘ahu

SEE ALSO: Best of HONOLULU 2023

• The Best Food and Drinks on O‘ahu
• The Best Shopping on O‘ahu
• The Best of Fitness and Outdoor on O‘ahu
• The Best of HONOLULU Family on O‘ahu
• The Best Entertainment and Getaways on O‘ahu

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

Best Sewing Machine Repair

A visit to Stanley’s Sewing Machine & Vacuum Center feels like a step back in time. Amid new machines, find classic models that Frank McKay is fixing. The shop stands out for friendly, affordable service and taking on repair challenges. McKay recalls a black hand-crank Singer sewing machine used by the nuns at Kalaupapa. It took him a year and an invented tool to get it moving. “Sewing is part of the culture here,” he notes, for generations of hula hālau, quiltmakers and seamstresses. A former Harley-Davidson mechanic, McKay took over Stanley’s in 2011 when cousin Ken Humphries asked for help running the Kāne‘ohe shop. Wife Barbara works there part time, and hānai son Tyler rounds out their team. —RD

46-003 Alaloa St., Suite 104, Kāne‘ohe, (808) 236-3225

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

Best Alternative Bookstore

Josh Spencer and Jenna Hipp Spencer have a knack for creating bookshops that mirror the magic of the stories they hold. The couple’s LA spots, The Last Bookstore and Lost Books, have been enchanting bibliophiles for years with dreamy plant tunnels, flying books and spooky nooks. Now, the Spencers have brought their novel approach to bookselling to Downtown with Skull-Face Books & Records, curated to reflect an affinity for all things counterculture. Tapestries featuring mythological creatures, punk show flyers and retro movie posters set the stage for an offbeat assortment of books, from military history and graphic novels to fairy fantasies, sci-fi and true crime. All together it’s a vibe, and experience, not found anywhere else on the island. —BT

1148 Bethel St., @skullfacehawaii

Best Neighborhood Library Architecture

Sure, the Hawai‘i State Library’s grandeur and inner courtyard are perennial draws, but for most of us, it’s the neighborhood libraries that sustain our daily reading habits. The smaller libraries have their own feel befitting their neighborhoods, and the Waikīkī-Kapahulu Public Library is among our favorites. Built in 1952 and designed by Cyril Lemmon and associates (Lemmon also worked on the Hawai‘i State Capitol), it combines Wai‘anae sandstone with tall cathedral-style windows. And while the tall ceilings give this small library a spacious atmosphere, it still has a cozy, midcentury modern beach house feel with turquoise accents. A sheltered walkway welcomes you like a friend’s lānai—or favorite book. —MC

400 Kapahulu Ave., (808) 733-8488, librarieshawaii.org

Best Cooling and Air Conditioning

Reader Pick

In Hawai‘i, we’re certainly no strangers to hot and humid weather. With that in mind, our savvy readers voted Alternate Energy Inc. the best at keeping you cool. This locally owned business has been operating since 1993 and is not only dedicated to providing energy-efficient air conditioning systems but also provides other products such as solar water heating, electric vehicle chargers and solar storage. Installation through Alternate Energy Inc. offers warranty benefits, and the business has an in-house team of licensed electrical workers who install, repair and renovate. One of only 22 companies nationwide to be awarded the prestigious Panasonic Elite Installer status, Alternate Energy Inc. offers top-tier product quality and customer service. —JS

96-1276 Waihona St., Suite 114, Pearl City, alternateenergyhawaii.com, @aeihawaii 

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

Best Pet Groomer

Local dog owners have declared Petco their go-to for grooming. Along with standard services, such as a bath, haircut, nail trim, ear cleaning and teeth brushing, packages can be tailored to specific needs. Have an extra-floofy Fido? Opt for an undercoat removal. If you’ve noticed a lot of scratching, go for the flea or soothing oatmeal shampoos. There are even lavender-scented options for anxious pups. And eco-conscious hoomans will be happy to know that Petco offers clean grooming services that are free of parabens, phthalates and chemical dyes. —BT

Multiple locations, petco.com, @petco 

The Rest of the Best: Reader Picks

Best Adult Day Care

Winner: Central Union Church Adult Day Care & Day Health Center
1660 S. Beretania St., (808) 983-5910, arcadia.org, @arcadiafamilyofcompanies

Finalist: The Plaza Assisted Living
Multiple locations, (808) 900-6540, theplazaassistedliving.com, @theplazahawaii

Best Auto Detailer

Winner: BMW of Honolulu
777 Kapi‘olani Blvd., (808) 597-1225, bmwhawaii.com, @bmwofhonolulu

Finalist: Buffin Stuff Detailing and Auto Services
94-1388 Moaniani St., Unit 113, Waipahu, (808) 216-9082, buffinstuffdetailingandautoservices.com, @buffin_stuff_detailing

Best Auto Insurance Company

Winner: State Farm
Multiple locations, statefarm.com, @statefarm

Finalist: Geico
Multiple locations, geico.com, @geico

Best Automotive Repair

Winner: Lex Brodie’s Tire, Brake & Service Co.
Multiple locations, lexbrodies.com, @lexbrodiesoahu

Finalist: Ace Auto Glass
Multiple locations, aceautoglass.net, @aceautoglasshawaii

Best Bank

Winner: American Savings Bank
Multiple locations, asbhawaii.com, @asbhawaii

Finalist: Bank of Hawai‘i
Multiple locations, boh.com, @bankofhawaii

Best Barbershop

Winner: Crows Nest Barbershop
1104B Pensacola St., (808) 537-2600, crowsnestbarbershop.com, @crowsnestbarber

Finalist: Supercuts
Multiple locations, supercuts.com, @supercuts

Best Car Wash

Winner: McKinley Car Wash
1139 Kapi‘olani Blvd., (808) 596-2609, mckinleycarwash.com

Finalist: CarWash808 Express
Multiple locations, carwash808.express

Best Chiropractor

Winner: Ke‘ale Chiropractic
1314 S. King St., #425, (808) 763-8387, kealechiropractic.com, @keale_chiropractic

Finalist: Global Health Chiropractic
677 Ala Moana Blvd., #914, (808) 521-9686, globalhealthchiropractic.com

Best Cooling and Air Conditioning

Finalist: RevoluSun
660 Ala Moana Blvd., #220a, (808) 748-8888, revolusun.com, @revolusun_smarthome

Best Cosmetic Surgery

Winner: Dr. Shim Ching, MD: Asia Pacific Plastic Surgery
1401 S. Beretania St., #888, (808) 207-7345, drshimching.com, @shimchingmd

Finalist: Dr. Benjamin Chu, MD, FACS
1380 Lusitana St., #702, (808) 524-1551, drbenjaminchu.com

Best Credit Union

Winner: Hawai‘iUSA Federal Credit Union
Multiple locations, hawaiiusafcu.com, @hawaiiusafcu

Finalist: Hawai‘i State Federal Credit Union
Multiple locations, hawaiistatefcu.com, @hawaiistatefcu

Best Day Spa

Winner: Elizaveta Neginskaya Signature Brows & Beauty Studio
627 South St., Suite #3, (808) 797-5757, en-beauty.com, @signaturebrowshawaii

Finalist: Lavish Spa & Nails
Multiple locations, lavishspanaillounge.com, @lavishkapolei and @lavishbylmour

Best Dry Cleaner

Winner: Marie Louise Cleaners
331 G Kamani St., (808) 593-1110, mlcleaners.com

Finalist: Hakuyosha Dry Cleaners
Multiple locations, (808) 955-6116, @hakuyoshacleanliving.com

Best Employment/Staffing Company

Winner: Altres
967 Kapi‘olani Blvd., (808) 591-4940, altres.com, @altres_inc

Finalist: HiEmployment
745 Fort St. Mall, #124, (808) 695-3974, hi-employment.com, @hiemployment

Best Eyelash Extensions

Winner: Lavish Spa & Nails
Multiple locations, lavishspanaillounge.com, @lavishkapolei and @lavishbylmour

Finalist: The Beauty Room Hawai‘i
Multiple locations, thebeautyroomhi.com

Best Financial Adviser

Winner: Edward Jones
Multiple locations, edwardjones.com

Finalist: Morgan Stanley
733 Bishop St., Suite 2800, (808) 525-6900, morganstanley.com, @morgan.stanley

Best Gas Station Convenience Store

Winner: 7-Eleven Hawai‘i
Multiple locations, 7elevenhawaii.com, @7elevenhi

Finalist: Hele
Multiple locations, helegas.com, @helegas

Best General Contractor

Winner: David’s Custom Roofing & Painting Inc.
96-1217 Waihona St., Pearl City, (808) 833-1633, davidsroofinghi.com

Finalist: Surface Shield Roofing Co.
94-110 Leokane St., Building B, Waipahu, (808) 739-9599, surfaceshieldroofing.com

Best Hair Removal

Winner: Lavish Spa & Nails
Multiple locations, lavishspanaillounge.com, @lavishkapolei and @lavishbylmour

Finalist: European Wax Center
Multiple locations, waxcenter.com, @europeanwax

Best Hair Salon

Winner: Color Lounge
3408 Wai‘alae Ave., (808) 772-4177, colorloungehawaii.com, @colorloungehawaii

Finalist: Style Loft Hair Studio
1601 Kapi‘olani Blvd., #100, entrance on Māhukona Street, (808) 784-0777, stylelofthawaii.com, @stylelofthi

Best Handyman Service

Winner: Handyman Services Hawai‘i
(808) 358-9000, handymanserviceshawaii.com

Finalist: Kama‘āina Handyman
(808) 393-1163, kamaainahandyman.com, @kamaainahandyman

Best Hardware Store

Winner: City Mill
Multiple locations, citymill.com, @citymill

Finalist: Hardware Hawai‘i
Multiple locations, hardwarehawaii.com, @hardwarehawaii

Best Home Painter

Winner: Bernardo’s Painting
94-716 Lanikūhana Ave., Mililani, (808) 384-0864, bernardospainting.com, @bernardospainting

Finalist: Kapili Solar Roofing & Painting
94-221 Leonui St., Waipahu, (808) 621-7663, kapiliroof.com, @kapiliroofingpainting

Best Home Security Service

Winner: Alert Alarm of Hawai‘i
3210 Ualena St., (808) 521-5000, alertalarmhawaii.com

Finalist: ZMANA Residential and Commercial Security Systems
1038 Queen St., (808) 425-1131, zmana.com, @zmanahawaii

Best Landscaper

Winner: Norbert’s Landscaping and Yard Maintenance
1555 Kalaepa‘a Drive, (808) 200-8292

Finalist: Personal Touch Landscape
1253 Ala Aolani St., (808) 623-8481, personaltouchlandscape.com, @personaltouchlandscape

Best Locksmith

Winner: Salz Lock & Safe
3012 Wai‘alae Ave., (808) 734-6557, salzlock.com

Finalist: Isle Locksmith Inc.
(808) 650-7776, islelocksmithoahu.com, @islelocksmithoahu

Best Luxury Car Dealer

Winner: BMW of Honolulu
777 Kapi‘olani Blvd., (808) 597-1225, bmwhawaii.com, @bmwofhonolulu

Finalist: Servco Lexus Honolulu
650 Kapi‘olani Blvd., (877) 290-7794, servcolexus.com, @lexushawaii

Best Mani/Pedi

Winner: Lavish Spa & Nails
Multiple locations, lavishspanaillounge.com, @lavishkapolei and @lavishbylmour

Finalist: Heaven on Earth Salon & Day Spa
1050 Alakea St., (808) 599-5501, heavenonearthhawaii.com, @heavenonearthhi

Best Moving Company

Winner: Island Movers
4397 Lawehana St., (808) 832-4000, islandmovers.net

Finalist: J2 Services Hawai‘i
(808) 707-5211, j2serviceshawaii.com

Best Pest Control Company

Winner: Kīlauea Pest Control
Multiple locations, kilaueapest.com, @kilaueapestcontrol

Finalist: Terminix
Multiple locations, terminix.com, @terminix

Best Pet Groomers

Finalist: Beauty Salon for Doggies
1016 Kapahulu Ave., #195, (808) 371-8376

Best Pet Shop

Winner: The Public Pet
3422 Wai‘alae Ave., (808) 737-8887, thepublicpet.com, @thepublicpet

Finalist: Petco
Multiple locations, petco.com, @petco

Best Place for a Massage

Winner: Ko Olina Wellness Spa
92-1220 Ali‘inui Drive, Kapolei, (808) 398-3090, koolinawellnessspa.com

Finalist: Massage Envy
Multiple locations, (808) 524-3689, massageenvy.com, @massageenvy

Best Plumbing Service

Winner: J2 Services Hawai‘i
(808) 707-5211, j2serviceshawaii.com, @j2serviceshawaii

Finalist: Steve’s Plumbing & A/C Service
96-1225 Waihona St., Unit A, Pearl City, (808) 215-7860, stevesplumbinghawaii.com, @stevesplumbingachawaii

Best Real Estate Firm

Winner: Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Advantage Realty
Multiple locations, betterhawaii.com, @betterhawaii

Finalist: Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC
Multiple locations, coldwellbanker.com, @cbrealtyhawaii

Best Retirement Community

Winner: The Plaza Assisted Living
Multiple locations, (808) 900-6540, theplazaassistedliving.com, @theplazahawaii

Finalist: Kāhala Nui
4389 Malia St., (808) 218-7001, kahalanui.com, @kahalanuihi

Best Roofing Company

Winner: Kapili Solar Roofing & Painting
94-221 Leonui St., Waipahu, (808) 621-7663, kapiliroof.com, @kapiliroofingpainting

Finalist: David’s Custom Roofing & Painting Inc.
96-1217 Waihona St., Pearl City, (808) 833-1633, davidsroofinghi.com

Best Senior Assisted Living

Winner: Arcadia Family of Companies
1434 Punahou St., (808) 941-0941, arcadia.org, @arcadiafamilyofcompanies

Finalist: The Plaza Assisted Living
Multiple locations, (808) 900-6540, theplazaassistedliving.com, @theplazahawaii

Best Solar Company

Winner: RevoluSun
660 Ala Moana Blvd., #220a, (808) 748-8888, revolusun.com, @revolusun_smarthome

Finalist: Kapili Solar Roofing & Painting
94-221 Leonui St., Waipahu, (808) 621-7663, kapiliroof.com, @kapiliroofingpainting

Best Storage Company

Winner: Hawai‘i Self Storage
Multiple locations, hawaiiselfstorage.com, @hawaiiselfstorage

Finalist: Public Storage
Multiple locations, publicstorage.com, @publicstorage

Best Travel Agency

Winner: Vacations Hawai‘i
1585 Kapi‘olani Blvd., Suite 900, (808) 591-4777, boydvacationshawaii.com

Finalist: Panda Travel
1017 Kapahulu Ave., (808) 734-1961, pandaonline.com, @pandatravelhi

Best Urgent Care Clinic

Winner: Queen’s Island Urgent Care
Multiple locations, queens.org, @queenshealthhi

Finalist: Straub Medical Center
Multiple locations, hawaiipacifichealth.org, @straubhealth

Best Veterinarian

Winner: Kaka‘ako Pet Hospital
815 Queen St., (808) 592-9999, kakaakopethospital.com, @kakaakopethospital

Finalist: King Street Pet Hospital
2016 S. King St., (808) 951-7777, kingstreetpethospital.com, @kingstreetpethospital