My husband and I stopped by Koana after a recommendation from a friend while we were on our way to…read moreVolcano. I mean this with all kindness, but I think my friend undersold the place! At first glance, it may look like other small, local shops, with locally made products and a few interesting goods to browse. (I ended up buying the last 'I'iwi bird pin they had on display, which I loved!) After reading some other reviews, I realized we may have just gotten lucky because the owner happened to be in that day. Let me say this upfront: they advertise slow black coffee and they mean it! The owner (Brian?) takes his time with each customer, chatting with you to understand what you're looking for and making some suggestions. It's clear he enjoys both his craft and engaging with customers. It was not very busy while we were there, which added to that relaxed, Hawaiian vacation vibe. We really enjoyed the conversation with him and even walked away having learned a few new things. We took our coffee and other purchases to enjoy on the bench outside, along with some stone cookies from nearby. (There were also additional tables and chairs available on a side patio.) Overall, we loved both the experience and the coffee, and we will definitely plan to stop by again the next time we are in the area!

Service was incredible, very personable and educational. Atmosphere was very homey. 10/10 would…read morerecommend. Will definitely be back. The mocha was really good.

The home decor and jewelry here are very original and high quality. I bought an amazing men's…read morenecklace here(molten lava drop hole design) that I now wear almost daily. The friendly, passionate guy who owns this place has been making jewelry for a long time and it shows. Even though the bakeries on the way and Akaka falls nearby kinda suck, this place saved the day. Also check out the few collectible/antique stores nearby. This entire area is a nice retreat from the mass-produced crap that plagues all the islands these days. I will be back (there).

This pretty little botique in Pahoa sells a number of gift items including clothing. You can find…read morejewelry, Hawaiian shirts, candles, sarongs, dishtowels, skirts, scarves, and toys there - most of it representing Hawaiian style and some of it made by local artists. Prices are reasonable and the shop owner was very helpful - even looked through the store with me to find items with Anthurium flowers on them. I bought a men's hawaiian shirt, painted dishtowel, necklace, and postcards for about $50 - a very good deal.

I found Margy many years ago while visiting Hawaii. I have purchased soaps, lotions, lip balm and…read moresalves. I have continued to bring the scents home from her online store. Her products are consistent, smell amazing and if I close my eyes, I'm standing in the beauty that is Hawaii. I'm grateful for Goodies from Hawaii, so a little bit of the islands stay close. I appreciate this business, and the quality and the care put into each package. I ordered recently and added two masks for today's environment. Not only are they beautiful, they are so well made, and I will order more. Thank you Margy. You are so very appreciated! Mahalo.

I have been buying from this family run business for a number of years. Their handmade soaps are so…read moregood. All of their bath products are nicely packaged . Everything they make is top quality. I like to bring home their scented bath salts as gifts. I always have an order from a friend for 5 Noni soaps to bring back too. And their aloha spirit adds to it all!

As I was leaving Two Ladies Kitchen, I was moseying to the car when this cute little cartoon cat…read morecaught my attention. Now let me tell you that I am FAR from being a cat person, but I fell in love with the little guy and decided he had to go home with me. I talked to the owner and found out that he used to specialize in custom framing, but recently decided to stop production and focus on the artwork. He was in the middle of working with the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo because they were interested in carrying his artwork! I love the motto for the Dharma cat, Wabi-Sabi, meaning, life is not perfect.

I really enjoy this shop. It has very beautiful signs with profound sayings. I always visit and…read moretalk with the owner when I'm in town getting mochi. He is so friendly and helpful. I love the cat drawings that his daughter made too.

One of my favorite things about neighbor islands are their mom and pop shops. These kind of shops…read morehave been a fixture in these neighborhoods for many years and have been passed down from generation to generation. During my trip to the Big Island I went to check out this shop for the very first time. I didn't know what to expect when I went to the shop but they had a variety of things. They had hairpicks made from koa, hat pins, leis to adorn lauhala hats, as well as an array of handmade lauhala crafts. Compared to the marked up items sold in Honolulu these items were priced affordably and you could tell by looking at the items that they were made locally vs the made in the Philippines crafts frequently sold around town. The Aunty in the shop was very knowledgeable and helpful. She could even tell you who made each item in her shop. If you're interested in lauhala crafts I'd suggest visiting this local shop. There's another lauhala store in Hilo however this one has more local items and are more affordable.

My parents used to come here back in the day…read more Limited street parking and limited days/hours. Only one Aunty working so maybe make an appointment. They make custom papale. You're paying for quality so be prepared to $$$$. Sadly did not feel any Aloha here so I moved on.

I visited Ka'u Art Gallery and Gift Shop recently while visiting friends on the Big Island for the…read morefirst time. This was an absolute gem of a find!!! The owners were extremely kind and welcoming, and their shop was lovely. They have beautiful local art pieces, jewelry, accessories, and the best handmade soap I have literally ever tried. I am not kidding when I say I am obsessed with their exotic coconut soap. I love natural, handmade soaps, and this one has surpassed every one of the many I have tried before. The scent is the loveliest tropical smell of coconut, vanilla, and musk. I'm very sensitive to smells and I usually don't like coconut scented items, but this soap is literally the only thing I want to smell like for forever. I bought 5 when we visited and regretfully gave three as gifts (which the recipients loved, but I hated to part with). As soon as we got home I looked up Ka'u Art Gallery online to order more. They were so friendly and efficient in their replies for ordering online, and my box of 15 (!) soaps arrived quickly! We cannot wait to be back on the island again, and Ka'u Art Gallery will always be on our itinerary when we visit. I'm sure next time we will come home with a piece of their gorgeous art, as well as my favorite soaps!

The PERFECT location to pick up high-quality -really MADE IN HAWAII art by local artists. Dont pass…read morethis little shop up! You will be amazed at the selection of items. Great prices and well worth the time to visit. You wont leave empty handed. Perfect for gift giving or sending items to friends and family on the mainland. Glassware, jewelry , soaps, art work of all kinds. My first time in the store today and not my last. Will be purchasing gifts here from now on.

Nalani Farm Store is amazing! All of the products are made in Hawaiʻi. I went kind of crazy doing…read moreChristmas shopping because everything was super cute, and I'm so happy to support a local small business that features other local small businesses. There were items under the Christmas tree that were on sale, so I grabbed some of those. The owner Napua knows all of the companies whose products she sells, and while I was visiting, an aunty who makes lauhala products came in. Such a delight! I picked up some fruit gels, lotions, chili pepper water/sauce, toffee, soap, and even an adorable pair of earrings made from recycled materials shaped like the Big Island. Prices were reasonable, and the owner is Native Hawaiian. Nalani Farm Store is tucked away behind KTA and the farmers market, but is easily findable using any map app. I'll be back!

Cute little shop in historic downtown Hilo tgst offers some local treats - teas, coffee, chocolate,…read morelocal books, jewelry - great place to visit to find some treasures. Staff was helpful, friendly & such a treat to chat with - will go back next time I'm In town

Tourists: If you're searching for adorable souvenirs that aren't junk, THIS is your place! I'm a…read moresnob *and* I bleed green, so this boutique's local bits are absolutely perrrrfect! Food, jewelry, tees, beauty products, tiny hot sauces that will fit in your carry-on...if you want to support local artists while serving Gwyneth Paltrow-approved tchotchke, step this way. Trust me when I tell you that you'll find exactly what you're looking for, and you'll have the kindest employees on-island to help you find the items you didn't know you needed. You're welcome xo

Predatory prices! 8$ for ONE crock charm. ONE. So ridiculous! Avoid this tourist trap.read more