Shopping in Hanalei

A souvenir to take home, a new swimsuit to hit the beach, and a healthy snack: We’ve rounded up the best spots for shopping in Hanalei.

A boar skull carved with cut out patterns in Dayak tradition.
A boar skull hand carved by the Dayak, the indigenous peoples of Borneo. Photo courtesy of Havaiki Oceanic and Tribal Art.

Kauhale Center

In the Kauhale Center (4489 Aku Rd.), on the oceanside of the road, The Bikini Room (808/826-9711, 10am-5pm Mon., Wed., Fri., Sat., 12pm-5pm Tues. and Thurs.) is where unique and quality Brazilian bathing suits can be found. A sale rack can often be found in front of the shop, and the staff is especially helpful with insight on what suits are best for swimming or sunning.

The Root (808/826-2575, 9:30am-7pm Mon.-Sat., noon-6pm Sun.) has an array of fun, funky, simple, sweet, and trendy women’s clothing. From dressy to relaxed, it’s of high quality and pretty.

Hanalei Center

The historic Hanalei Center (5-5121 Kuhio Hwy.), on the mauka side of the highway, has an array of shops and eateries. Harvest Market Natural Foods and Cafe (5-5161 Kuhio Hwy. #F, 808/826-0089, 8am-7pm Mon.-Sat., 8am-6pm Sun.) brings healthy food to Hanalei. The shelves are stocked with organic and natural food, produce, body products, and vitamins.

At the west and back side of the center is Havaiki Oceanic and Tribal Art (5-5161 Kuhio Hwy. #G, 808/826-7606, 11am-5pm daily), where a visit feels like an exploration through the Pacific. The collection resembles what you may find while visiting a museum, with all the most prized gifts the area has to offer. Interesting and amazing artifacts, statues, carvings, jewelry, and much more pack this store full, ranging from affordable to outrageous. Every piece tells a story.

The Yellowfish Trading Company (808/826-1227, 10am-8pm daily) is an interesting store that feels like a journey through Hawaiian history and memorabilia. The store is loaded with Hawaiiana, collectibles, hula girl lamps, aloha shirts, carvings, swords, candles, jewelry, and so much more.

At the far east end of the old Hanalei school building is the Hanalei Surf Company (808/826-9000, 8am-9pm daily), which sells and rents boards and water gear, along with a good stock of clothing and swimwear for the whole family.

Ching Young Village

The bustling Ching Young Village (5-5190 Kuhio Hwy., 808/826-7222) has many shops, including Divine Planet (808/826-8970, 10am-7pm Mon.-Fri., 10am-6pm Sat.-Sun.) and Aloha From Hanalei (same phone and hours), which are two connected shops, but with different themes. The former features bamboo women’s clothing, beads, Asian-themed collectibles, and pretty and fun paper star lanterns. The latter shop has a unique array of local gems, handmade creamy soaps and lotions made by a local goat dairy, and Hawaiiana.

On the east end of the shopping center is Backdoor Surf (808/826-1900, 8:30am-9:30pm daily). It rents and sells surfboards, and offers a large array of men’s, women’s and children’s swimwear, surf gear, and clothing.

Colorful and cute describes the clothing in Kokonut Kids (808/826-0353, 11am-4pm Mon.-Fri.), which offers all things local for children. From play clothes to dress clothes, Kokonut Kids can deck out the children for the whole trip. The Hanalei Toy and Candy Store (808/826-4400, 10am-6pm daily) has a unique selection of quality toys and candy.

Hanalei Colony Resort

Further down the road, Na Pali Art Gallery & Coffee Shop (5-7132 Kuhio Hwy., 808/826-1844, 7am-5pm daily) is a wonderful art gallery filled with local art, jewelry, house decorations, tribal carvings, and more. The collection of Ni‘ihau and sunrise-shell jewelry at the back of the small shop should not be missed. Paintings, scratchboard art, and local shell puzzles decorate the place. Coffee, smoothies, and bagels are offered too.

Travel map of Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii
Map of Hanalei

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