Big Island Guide: Where to Shop and What to Buy

To add some Big Island Style to your wardrobe, try these little stores.

Photo: Odeelo Dayondon

To stock up on stuff you won’t find (easily) on O‘ahu, in Hilo, try Sig Zane Designs for blouses, dresses, shirts, shorts; Dragon Mama for strikingly patterned Japanese-modern fabrics and pillows; Extreme Exposure for prints, photos, art; Basically Books for books, art, gifts; and Still/Life Books for its wonderfully curated used books and local art. In Pāhoa, hit Jungle Love for unique one-off clothing, toys, gifts, art; while in Hāwī, Aloha Man preaches classic surf-shack style through bikinis, boardshorts, surf art, body care products—everything “Made in Hawai‘i.” In Kona, Ginger and Koi conjures up ethereal little dresses, active/yoga gear, accessories; while in nearby Waikoloa Persimmon Boutique pleases the fashion fixated and offers local jewelry.

Omiyage

You gotta bring something back at the end of your trip. Better make it good.

Strawberry mochi from Two Ladies Kitchen, Hilo

Fresh flowers and fruit from the Hilo Farmers Market

Beanies and wraps from the Hawaiian Homegrown Wool Co. stand at the Waimea Farmers Market at Parker School

Chicken Skin from Hawai‘i Tsunamis, Pacific Tsunami Museum curator Barbara Muffler’s new book (perfect gift for those disaster-loving nieces, nephews, and grandparents)

Atebara’s Chips and Kona Chips furikake style

This article appears in the June 2015 issue of Honolulu Magazine.