One of my favorite stores on Oahu PERIOD. The owner, Lori, is one of the sweetest, personable, dog & environment loving people I've ever met. Everyone who works at the store is just as kind, helpful, and thoughtful as Lori. The positive, friendly & fun culture of this store is unmatched. They've downsized their refill options in the last year to make way for the thrift side of their store, but they still have all the household & personal care essentials we need. Lori does such an awesome job with vetting everything she carries in the store. Basically, if it's in the store, it's because she loves it & it works! We come to Protea at least 2 times a month to refill our household & personal items. We live about 20 minutes away, so we make it worthwhile by grabbing a coffee and a meal from a local shop nearby. I'd highly recommend you check out this lovely shop! Also, make sure to follow them on Instagram @proteazerowaste to find out about sales, events, & more! *Since another review brought it up I wanted to say that they will sometimes post on their IG stories & feed that they have to close early or close for a day when they're normally open (VERY infrequent) because, just like all small, local businesses, that has a small team (I think there are 4 of them total), sometimes things come up and they aren't able to staff the store. I think it's important to give our small local businesses some grace if they're closed when they've supposed to be open. Even though it's frustrating, I don't think it's worth writing a 1 star review without having experienced the store & without knowing why they were closed. Let's practice giving benefit of the doubt & showing some aloha. read more

Very cute 2nd hand boutique. Perfect place to find that special dress or outfit that still captures true island vibes and chic looks. Will keep coming back to see what new cool things arrive! read more

Such a beautifully curated secondhand & thrift store! Protzea always has the best finds that are stylish, unique, and high-quality pieces that never disappoint. This trip I noticed they didn't have soaps or refillable body products for sale anymore, but I was impressed by how big the clothing selection was. I love that it's more than just clothes too - it feels thoughtful, sustainable, and inspiring every time I go. A must for thrifting lovers looking for quality pieces! read more

Such a cute shop, happy I finally made it in after only being able to browse on Instagram however you can pay by phone and have them ship to you or you can pick up in store. I'm blown away at the curated pieces this shop has to offer and the affordable prices you can score them. On top of that, they seem to run lots of sales. Continue to support this local business who chooses to promote affordability for great quality, normally expensive items. read more

Protea Thrift - Thrift Stores Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

I really love their ambiance and it's such a cute concept to reuse and reduce plastic waste! I tried their all-purpose cleaner in a glass bottle spray and it has been such a good cleaner without harsh smells/odor. I know that it's safe for pets and kids so I don't feel bad using it all over the house to clean. The only downside is that some of the items have scents and you're not allowed to smell them beforehand so if you're sensitive to scents/smells, either ask them about the scent or avoid the scented items. I also bought some bamboo utensils that I use almost every day. Parking is very difficult as it is in a small plaza and very few parking spots. read more

Protea is a little corner shop on Kainehe Street that specializes in zero waste goods and products. There's ample parking in the front and the workers here are the sweetest gals ever! You walk into such a cute and inviting store that has so much packed into a little space. You're not only helping the environment with one wasted bottle or container at a time shopping here, but you're getting a fabulous product to #quitplastic !!! You can buy one of their several containers here to fill with your essentials like shampoo, conditioner, and body wash for $1.00/oz which I felt was on the pricier side since you can go to the store and get a 29 oz bottle for $10.00 at target. What I did find to be on the reasonable side was things like their all purpose orange cleaner that's $0.35 oz. Also they have organic certified fair trade deodorants that can compete with commercial ones that are only $6.00/oz, but these are all natural with no chemicals in them. The also saw that they had laundry detergent at $0.24/oz and if you only need 1-2 oz as they say then you're only paying $0.50 a load which isn't too bad. They also have a second hand clothing section that's so organized and color coordinated....big plus and totally inviting to shop through. The prices were fair to high for some pieces in my opinion, being that they were second hand pieces. They did have a $10 bargain bin with some Hurley dresses in it that still had their tags on them. The clothes were great quality but a bummer then didn't have my size in pieces I did like, so I'll be back to shop and check for new items later. Down side to Protea is that it is all the way in Kailua for a west side girl like myself. I don't see myself shopping here regularly for their soaps and refillable items because of distance, convenience, and price on certain items. Also, you don't really know what you're getting until you buy it since you can't even smell test or sample the items in the store. It is located in the right place on the island being in Kailua, so I imagine they have a lot of #quitplastic folks on that side of the island. Overall the concept of this no waste store is just amazing and I love it for our planet. It's a very specialized store, but meets the market for those that want to reduce their carbon footprint on our planet. read more

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Great concept but not sure if I would drive out to Kailua just for this zero waste store. I'm not sure if the store was particularly busy or the staff is more on the quieter side and it wasn't much of an educational experience. I did have to ask about the products and how they smelt since you're not allowed to smell the bulk products. I wasn't too impressed with the coconut body wash, after buying a small batch and smelling, it wasn't the strongest coconut smell that I was expecting. Again this is a great concept but not 100% sold on the products themselves. I do love their little boutique area as some of the clothes are adorable and affordable plus looked like they're in great condition. Thank you protea for the experience and your efforts in eliminating waste. read more

Protea Thrift - How to refill rules - Thrift Stores Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

Reuse, recycle, and refill in Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii... A couple of years ago, Yelp Hawaii had an Event here at Protea Zero Waste. I wasn't able to attend, but I kept this shop in the back of my mind... because I saw my friends' photos and wished I had been there... Later... so many times, I have passed by this store, but forgot to bring my empty bottles... Today, I thought I'd just stop by and do some research... Protea Zero Waste has a great concept for helping the earth on which we all reside. Just bring your empty bottle and refill it with dish wash, shampoo, hand soap, conditioner, etc. For a nominal cost, we can prevent our landfill from one bottle cluttering up our environment! Inside the bright, clean, organized shop, I found machine-washable sponges, organic products such as toothbrushes, handmade bar soaps, reusable clothing, tote bags, and more! I'll stop by again next week... and, if I forget my bottle again, there are some beautiful, new ones for purchase... and also some that have been donated! Note: check out the $10 sale bin! Thanks to Lori, the owner, and staff for being so welcoming, helpful, and cheerful! read more

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This is a very eco friendly store that champions reusable products and decreasing waste. The employees also use the products which make them very knowledgeable about the products that they sell. They have an array from body care to laundry and to everyday cleaning and different fragrances as well! read more

Protea Thrift - Inside the store - Thrift Stores Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

I went for the second time this weekend and I was not disappointed. I refilled on: laundry detergent (lavender flavor), hair conditioner (orchid flavor), and disinfectant (lemon flavor). I also purchase: reusable cloth, thank you card, sponge holder, and cloth planter holder. I also donated three glass jars. It can be an expensive habit to do refill, and I realize this is subjective, but the price (pun intended) is worth it, IMO. I'll continue to patronize this business for the standard items on refills (see above) plus I'll incorporate body wash, pet shampoo, lotion, and hand sanitizer. The great thing is certain refill items come with different scents. The place is always clean and the employees are nice. I met the owner the first time I came here, and including the videos posted to Instagram, she legit lives this lifestyle. Which is great to see from a business owner - practicing what you preach. read more

Protea Thrift - Thrift Stores Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

Protea is my go to now for everything! We love their sustainable cleaning products and the staff is beyond sweet. What I love most though is the team's commitment to their community and each other! Lori is so great about posting on instagram when they will be closed, making it very easy to track when the best time to go in is. This world needs more Protea's! read more

Love what they are doing for our community/earth. Refill products smell really good. I've had the same soap dispenser for 4 years now and still looks like new. Did the buy back program and was happy with the amount of money that I was offered (very easy process). However (as of now) they don't accept certain items like evening gowns/athletic wear (so keep that in mind if you're doing the buy back). Great store, keep it in business and buy local! read more

You don't need to have grown up in the islands to be much more aware we need to help Mother Earth in so many ways. Unnecessarily dumping chemicals or trash in our landfill and ocean hurts. Protea is a great start if you're unsure and can help in any way to start in many ways from self care shampoo, conditioner, hand sanitizer, sun care, toners, essential oils and even makeup. Fill up on disinfectant, cleanser, soap, even pet shampoo. So simple and easy everything smells heavenly all you need to do is bring a clean empty container have it weighed and you're ready to go. Just don't forget your stamp card because you get a stamp for every cost and once you reach 10 stamps you get one free refill up to 16oz of cleaning product...amazing!! Thank you!! read more

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I absolutely adore this place! Zero waste, especially in products we use our whole lives, is amazing, and I love the way they've run with it. I love the secondhand clothes and I absolutely love the fill your own aspect. My only complaint? I live too far! read more

Okay I've been here several times already and really love the feeling I get when I'm among the eco-friendly and sustainable products! I love that we can bring our own bottles to refill and I especially love that they provide a bin for those who forget to bring their reusable bottles (although that bin is very limited, so just don't forget to bring your own). I do think that the staff could be a little bit more welcoming and helpful, but I wouldn't say they are rude. I don't take it offensively, but I could see others getting turned away if it's the customers first time in the store and not knowing what to do. The staff should match the vibe the store is giving off. I've been following them on Instagram and I'm so excited for the expanded store! Hopefully there are more products brought in so this place will be the one stop shop! read more

Protea Thrift - Thrift Stores Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

Wonderful unique resell boutique, filled with gently used and new items for the entire family. Beautifully decorated, relaxing atmosphere, great selection and affordable. . . read more

I love this store so much. It's such a cute little thrift boutique! Sustainable and eco-friendly. Workers are super nice and it's so organized in there! Did a buy back and it was very straightforward and fast. Their prices for my items I gave were reasonable. read more

Protea Thrift - Thrift Stores Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

If I could give this place 10 stars, I'd do that. I don't live in Kailua anymore, but I am there at least once a week, although, I had never heard of Protea Zero Waste Store until I saw the Yelp Elite Event show up in my app. I got super excited about it being that for the New Year (2021) I had decided to make it a goal to downsize the amount of waste my household creates, and also make some changes to our purchasing for our house to not only save money, but to help save our planet as well. Every little change counts for something, so I am so very glad that I got chosen to be able to be a part of the elite event here. Anyway, this cute little store is packed with things to help you in your zero waste goals, no matter if you're planning to go completely zero waste, or just taking a couple small steps. They carry make up products, soaps, laundry detergents, dish soaps, lotions, body wash, hand sanitizer, essential oils and so much more. Here's how it works: 1. You bring in your own containers, whether it be glass mason jars, or even an empty soda bottle. And don't forget your reusable bag to carry everything out in. Don't worry though, they have some stuff for sale if you forget yours. 2. You weigh your containers without anything in them, write it on the container, so that you won't be charged for your container, just the weight of everything inside. 3. Fill your containers with whatever your heart desires. 4. Take your containers to the check out to be reweighted and pay for your items. 5. Congratulate yourself for helping to save the planet a little at a time! I was literally looking around this place like a kid at a candy store, and was so excited to begin my venture at lowering the waste that we create. I got some hand sanitizer, coconut hand soap, tuberose body wash, and Magnolia Laundry detergent! I also bought a reusable & washable dish sponge, that is completely compostable when you're done with it; and also a hemp dish scrubber too! I was so excited to use them, that I already started with the dish sponge! Protea Zero Waste Store is highly recommended to everyone, but especially those who have a passion to help save our Earth! Better late than never, and every little bit counts! You can absolutely count me in to be here everytime I need a refill or even to try out different things! There is so much more I want to try! read more

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This is such an amazing store, I'm so happy to see this location on the island. We love the bamboo holders and brushes, vegan soap and so many other reusable items! The staff and owner has such wonderful customer service, they were out of something and I was notified I could purchase it on the website and have it shipped and to my surprise by the next day, I had a voicemail from the owner letting me when when the next shipment would be delivered to the store if I wanted her to hold one for me to pickup! I love all the vibes and will continue to recommend this awesome store! read more

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I really love the concept of refill stores. The number of containers I put in the recycle or 'opala bin every month is not insignificant, and I am sensitive to the amount of waste I generate. Protea has helped remedy this, with products that are also eco-friendly. You take in your empty, clean containers, weigh them, fill them with your product, and pay by the ounce. There are all kinds of household items - laundry soap, dish soap, hand soap, the best-smelling hand sanitizer on the planet (this is what I come in for most frequently!), disinfectant, glass cleaner; personal care products like shampoo and conditioner, body and face washes, moisturizers and lotions, and loads of face serums, creams, etc; plus things like toothpaste tabs, bar soap, reusable straws and utensils, cosmetics, unpaper towels and washable dish scrubbers, and many other reusable swaps for otherwise disposable products. There isn't the variety that you get in a larger traditional store, but that is a trade I'm willing to make for less waste. The fragrances and formulations they do have are well-curated and appealing. No minimum, so it's very easy to try a small amount before you commit to a whole bottle, which also helps cut down on waste. They also have events like clothing swaps and plant swaps, which are a lot of fun. I got a few plant cuttings at a recent plant swap and they are going strong - and a sweet token of generosity from other plant enthusiasts. The space is also darling. Great light, boho aesthetic. Very friendly and helpful staff. read more

you just have to check this place out! bring your own refillsble container or spar bottle or purchase there.

I'm obsessed with local designer aloha wear but can't afford to buy new. This store has so GEMS. Great condition and great prices. I've bought Acacia, Manuheali'i, Ava Sky and love all my pieces. read more

Love this store! They have such high quality items and I love their buyback program! They offer fair prices, and are always so sweet when I go in! read more

I have been here twice within the last week and they haven't been open when they say they are. Super annoying that it's over a 30 min drive one way and to come twice and have this happen. I really wanted this to be my store. But I think I'll look elsewhere. read more

Protea Thrift - Store hours wrong - Thrift Stores Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

Jane Goodall once said: "You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." I told myself at the beginning of 2020 that this would be the year of many big changes to something positive for not only myself, but also society, and the world arou. One of those changes being to live a more sustainable and eco-friendly life. What does this mean? It means, eating less take out (LOL), using less single use plastic, carpooling/walking more, using reusable bags, thrifting/buying second hand, and overall just being more conscious about the things I consume. Sustainability has and always will be something that I care deeply about. Having been born and raised in Hawaii my entire life has been such a blessing and something that I know I often take advantage of. From Hawaii's pristine and clean beaches, to the untouched mountain ranges and hiking trails this place will always be home for me. Despite being in a time where some of these options for living more sustainably seem extra hard to do, there has been some solutions to help with this problem; one of them being sustainable and eco-friendly dry goods stores like Protea Zero Waste! This uber cute, zero waste store has been an awesome place for me to turn to when looking for more sustainable and eco-friendly options to my everyday necessities. From lotions, essential oils, and soap, to tooth paste, facial cleanser, toner, glass cleaning brushes and more. This place is so encouraging for those looking to make that switch and take steps in the right direction to becoming more eco-friendly. The process for filling up your products is easy. Simply, bring in a clean container (or you can purchase one-but they highly encourage recycling and using what you already have). Weigh your container, the full your container up with the product you desire. On a most recent trip, I purchased some all purpose cleaner, and a few other goodies like metal straws, and essential oils. Needless to say, I think this is my new favorite place to shop! read more

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I've been trying really hard to incorporate more eco-friendly products and practices into my life, and Protea let's you do just that. Zero Waste. Big Impact. Bring your mason jars and get ready to refill! But don't worry if you're short a jar because there's a little crate of FREE jars you can donate to and take from for refills! I filled two 24 oz masons with coconut hand soap and half a 16 oz mason with eucalyptus hand sanitizer for just over $20. I can't wait to try them out! read more

Protea Thrift - Refill station! - Thrift Stores Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

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If you want to start being more sustainable and helping the environment but aren't sure how, this store is a great place to start! They have a variety of soaps, including hand soap, dish soap, detergent, pet shampoo and hand sanitizer. They're also decently priced - I got hand soap (smells SO good) for 0.35/oz and sanitizer for 0.75/oz. If you bring your own jar, you can fill it at no extra charge. I didn't have a jar so I bought a 16 oz jar for $12 and an 8 oz jar for $8. They were pretty pricey, but I do think I'll make use of the jars as they seem high quality and came with pumps. The customer service here was also fantastic! There were two girls working when I came in and they were very friendly and clearly explained how the process worked. As I was filling up my soap, I spilt a little, which I was embarrassed about, but they were really nice about it and showed me that they even keep the towels at the tables in case that happens. Overall, I think this store is an innovative concept and has great customer service so I will definitely be back! read more

(Covid Review) Being from Hawaii I always cared deeply about environmental impacts and how I can be more sustainable to do my part in the community, so when I found out that the first Zero Waste store was going to open up locally, I was all in for it. About the store: Today, I was finally able to drive out to Kailua and check this place out! The inside of this new store looks just like how they advertise on their social media and website, and they have a lot of different things for a Zero Waste lover like me! I love how they have a lot of different refill options and all of their bars don't have any unnecessary packaging associated with it. Don't forget to bring your old shampoo/conditioner/laundry detergent containers or bottles if you're looking to refill household items when you come by. They also have a variety of soap bar options if that's what you're going for instead. What we got: I came looking to purchase a face bar but they were current sold out so the two lady workers let me know about their liquid face wash that they had. They were both very helpful and informative and I really appreciated my interaction with them. My boyfriend and I ended up purchasing their Kealia Organics handmade conditioner bar in the jasmine scent (smells SO GOOD) instead as we also go through our conditioner bars pretty quickly. I'm super excited to try out this scent when we finish our current conditioner bar. Price: Okay the price was a little over $13, which I know, it's not cheap BUT this soap bar is made locally in Kauai, made of zero waste and is all natural so it doesn't have any unnecessary chemicals that you would be putting onto your hair/skin. The upfront cost to go Zero Waste isn't always cheap, but I try to think about the long term benefits I am doing for my skin/body as well as the environment. It's something I value and care about so to me this was worth the price. Covid Info: Wear a mask when you go inside! They're still open during this time as I think I read somewhere that they are considered an essential business. Overall: Please go check them out and support if you have the chance! For the benefit of our environment and to support local during these difficult times. I for sure will be back again when I can make it back out to Kailua. read more

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Friendly staff, great concept! Love the curated second hand clothing, too! Finally a venue where we can dispense with some of the ubiquitous harmful plastic in our lives and recycle clothing as well! This is the only store I know of that has the combination of personal l, household and clothing products! Highly recommend. Right across the street from the naturopathic store, in a very convenient and walkable area in central Kailua town. read more

I absolutely love Protea: their concept, their crew, their products! They have some amazing hearts and love to give back to their community. I can't praise them enough! -Rachel Knobel read more

Cute store in Kailua with lots of clean, reusable, and refillable products. There are many hand soaps, cleaning products, bath products, etc. that you can purchase per ounce. I picked up two tea towels on my recent visit. Staff is friendly and professional. Even though I live in town, I can't wait to return to this store with my empty soap dispenser so I can refill it with one of their hand soaps! read more

There isn't a product I didn't like in the whole store. The owner clearly took her time selecting high quality items, many of them locally sourced. Sure, you could find zero waste essentials online, but why not support a local small business? We need more of these stores and less Walmart and Amazon. Plus, the selection of second hand clothing was outstanding! A huge bonus I did not expect. I thought I was shopping in one of those expensive boutiques (minus the outrageous prices). I will definitely be shopping here again! read more

Stumbled in here a couple months ago and have quickly become a regular. I love the thrift section. It's on the smaller side but that's because they're selective about what they buyback which I appreciate because I don't want to weed through a bunch of stuff to find the cute stuff. They do that instead. Everything is organized, clean, and all pieces are great condition and cute! The employees and owner are always super helpful and friendly too. I've also sold some of my clothes and the buyback process was quick and easy. read more

Like seriously love this store. I came in for a few things and ended up walking out with more. I love that this store can help myself and others reduce plastic and more to help our planet. It is something that I have always been very compassionate about. I would get upset when people do not recycle. So I always did my part to help in amy way I can. This store will help you transition to a more simpler eco friendly products while helping the planet. Do your part and seriously check out this store. read more

Love this store so much! There is an abundance of goodies here, more than other stores I've been to on the mainland. Lots of options, and great vibes from the ladies working there read more

Protea Thrift - Thrift Stores Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

Awesome store, awesome concept! Bring in a mobile refillable truck or scooter and come to town! Or for townies make the trek up to support this small biz lady owned local shop. It's a great place to start your sustainability adventure. Keep a cleaner home with natural products. I especially love the availability of kitchen stuff here - sponges, scrubbers, etc. Thanks Protea! read more

Protea Thrift - Come here for your sustainable kitchen wash up needs! - Thrift Stores Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

I absolutely love this store. Since they opened the store in 2020, I buy all my household products and personal care products here, refilling jars and bottles. I have reduced the amount of plastic waste coming out of my home a great deal, thanks to them! This does my heart good and hoping it's doing the environment good, too. I realize the impact I can make at my home is small in the scheme of the global challenge, but one household at a time, and collectively, we can make a difference, right? Some people ask if things are more expensive, but in fact, I believe most things come out cheaper. And the quality of the products are all good, with good organic ingredients, so there are hidden cost savings (safer for our bodies and homes) which is often overlooked. Many items are produced by local manufactures, using local ingredients, such as Oahu Organics and Puna Noni. Now they opened Protea Thrift -- a curated second hand clothing racks inside the store -- I am hooked! Every time I come for refills I quickly go through the rack; more often than not, I find something nice! If you have not discovered refills, give it a try. A beauty of refills is that you can buy as little as you like, to try the product first. And if you like the product, then you can go back and fill up your big jar! read more

Zero waste shopping made easy! Anything you can think of that is wasteful, they have a no waste alternative. Although the price points may be a little steep, the recycling jars are well made and cute. While I stopped in, I noticed the staff members were all friendly and willing to answer any questions. I picked up the following items: Ylang Ylang essential oils: Great quality, I believe it was roughly $1/oz. Face cleanser: Refreshing, decently priced Narrow scrub brush: Perfect for cleaning jars and water bottles P.S. If you have any clothes you no longer wear, they have a swap rack where you can leave your old and take a new piece. Love it! Parking: Limited stalls out front but there's also plenty of street parking. read more

If you happen to find yourself in the Kailua area or live in the area, check out Protea, zero waste store. Protea is a store that can start you off and stop polluting the environment with plastics, they products such as beauty products, cleaners, all natural products. First timers bring your own containers because you would fill them up with the liquid product you purchase. The products are Very inexpensive. The two products I purchase was the laundry and dish soap about 33oz per was $7 each. Locally made. read more

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I really tried to like this store but each of the three times I went in the staff were pretty engrossed in their conversations with friends and god help you if you disturb them for help or want to actually pay for your purchase. So I drive all the way from Kailua to Kaimuki to buy my zero waste products at Keep It Simple Kaimuki. They are super friendly, answer questions, are eager to collect payment for my purchase, and provide great advice on products. read more