Well, I read some of the reviews and being an older man myself my comment to you guys bite it. Gentlemen that owns the shop has been over and above kind to us even ordering special shirts for my wife and shipping them to her and doing it over because she gave him the wrong ZIP Code. He didn't have to go to extreme, but he did and for that we are deeply appreciative to the gentleman. Take your time get to know him you're gonna get old and grumpy someday yourself and dealing with people like you I can understand why. read more

Unpleasant experience all around. Agree with the other reviews about the gentleman running the shop. I wanted to leave immediately. Not worth the hassle for some t-shirts. read more

This review is not for the items in the store. There was variety and the quality seemed decent (my family and I wanted to purchase several shirts and sweaters). This review is for how uncomfortable the older man with long hair running the cash register made my little sister feel. Unfortunately ,the visit to the store prompted a deep conversation about stereotyping and discrimination. He was all over my little sister and in her personal space .I confronted the older gentleman. he did apologize, but did not seem sincere . I definitely will be shopping elsewhere. Kauai is awesome though and the locals and other tourists are friendly !This was the only negative encounter We have had since arriving a week ago ! read more

I agree with the other reviews about the grumpy owner. I went there to shop for my three daughters. He made all of us feel uncomfortable. It's like he wanted us to just pay and leave. At some point he told my daughter: "you spent half an hour looking at them.." as to rush her. One of my girls (only 11yo) felt so uncomfortable that she decided to not shop there and wait for us outside. Even when I paid, he held my credit card and ordered me to sign first. When I asked to get my card back first (I like to place it back right after scanning so I won't forget it) he held it back and said sign first. It's like I'm gonna run away with my own credit card. There are couple of other shops that sell even better quality t-shirts in that shopping center. I wouldn't go back to this one. read more

Don't bother with this tourist trap. It's filled with a bunch of made in china t shirts. I'm mostly wrighting this review to warn people about the old grumpy A-hole behind the counter. Dude asked me to keep my cap on my bottle of water after I took a dink. WTF! It's Water! I guess it might make a clean spot on the floor if it spilled. read more

I just happen to see the reviews about Hot Rocket in Hanalei. I've been buying from this store for a for a few years, both in person and on the phone. He has one T-shirt that I always buy. It is not listed on his website, however there is a picture of it when you open the site. Both in person and on the phone, he has always been nice. He is not going to go crazy overly nice, that's not him. But if you want a good product at Hawaii prices, stop here. Don't take your open beverages or hot dogs inside. You may end up buying something that you don't care for. See you in May 2020. read more

Really cool store in Hanalei, Kauai, carries Aloha Wear. Great stuff by Reyn Spooner, Jams World. Good quality, bright colors, just right for your luxurious Kauai vacation. Nice materials. They also have a variety of interesting items and good tee shirts. read more

Hot Rocket - super cool original hawaiian artwork by proprietor - Men's Clothing Near Me - Hanalei, Hawaii

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Been buying shirts here for 13 years, cool merchandise, love his off the cuff approach, great selection

While Hot Rocket has interesting things, some reasonably priced, some overpriced, the man who works here (owner?) really runs hot and cold. On one visit, he's pleasant and the next he's grumbling about people coming in after 5 pm. Door open, lights on. We're spending just under $100 in his shop and he says that he's sees that the closed sign means nothing to people who walk in anyway. I guess if he really wanted to be closed he'd have locked the door. He did take our money, though. read more

This is a wonderful store. I bought the most awesome tee-shirt and had to replace the one I had because I damaged it. Thankfully, I was able to replace. They have amazing items. High quality and unusual. They are located in Hanalei at Ching Young Village. A do not miss!!! read more

While the Ching Young shopping center is pretty run down, it doesn't even compare with the dismal quality of Hot Rocket. This tourist trap from Hell sells cheap crap that has been on the shelf for years. The owner looks like the big bad wolf with an attitude to match. He's quite rude to folks who happily wander into his store, and watches everyone like they're out to rip him off. I was considering getting a tattoo at a nearby tattoo shop and I knew that Hot Rocket sold a Reyn Spooner shirt that had a great image that I was interested in using as a reference point for the tattoo. I knew about it because I had bought the shirt from Hot Rocket in 2004. I found a womens shirt with the same images and I took ONE picture (no flash) of the image in question and the owner came over and snatched the shirt from my grasp. I asked if he minded that I had taken the picture and he said he did, When I told him that I had purchased the aforementioned shirt from him 5 years earlier, he basically called me a liar. Whatever. I visit Kauai every year in the fall and I haven't shopped at Hot Rocket for years because the owners always an ass... every single time! Save your money and shop where the owners are happy that you're in their store. read more

LOL! reviews about the attitude of the owner. Im actually writing this review, because he was very friendly with us. He seemed to care and to be a really nice guy. He gave us some tips and directions on how to get to Hanalei Pier, and how to explore the Nepali coast. The store has a really good mix of very nice quality hats, shirts, shorts, swimsuits, etc. We bought a really cute mermaid kids t shirt for my daughter, and a great looking light cotton jacket with a design of a turtle in the back. Reading some reviews about this store: Of corse he is going to get upset if someone comes in with a big Ice cream cone or if someone takes pictures of his t shirt designs (that can be considered stealing). Owner aside, If you are in the area, and are in the market for a good quality shirt, swimsuit etc, this is the place! read more

We felt like an inconvenience to the grumpy, impatient and put-upon, clerk. Merchandise was ok. read more

I visit Hanalei, Kaua'i a couple times a year and Hot Rocket is actually a nice store. To call it a tourist trap is stupid because all the stores in the market are just that. You're a tourist and you're buying imported stuff! He specializes in clothing and that's what the shop is, Hawaii wear and souvenirs for tourists, et. al. I actually think his shirts are better with a variety of style and quality than any other in the area. You just have to get to know Jay the owner. He's actually a nice guy. read more

The best store in all of Kauai !! Every year, I stop in and get the latest Jams because they have the greatest prices. If they are out of stock, they will search for you and get anything you want. I did this and they shipped to my home for free. Now thats service !! read more

Went in to look at the Jam's World shirt in the window. Husband: "I'd like to see the shirt in the window". Owner: "I don't have that one". Husband: "you have the one in the window!" Owner: "that one's not for sale - it's just to get people to come into the store." read more

Overpriced old items on the shelves? Check. Owner that watches you like a hawk? Check. Leaving this tourist trap store right away? Check. Should be Snot Rocket. More appropriate name because of the type of customer service provided. You've been forewarned! read more

You're not kidding! He's not the least bit grateful or gracious to his customers, it's like he's doing you a big favor by taking your money and God forbid you should ask him a question about his t-shirts. He told me to read the label! read more