Shopping on Hawaii

A word to the wise: Plan to leave Hawaii Island with one suitcase more than you arrived with. Because if you’re like most people, chances are very good that you’ll find one or two or 20 mementos and gifts that you absolutely, positively cannot do without. Like maybe … fresh-roasted Kona coffee, chocolate-covered macadamia nuts, Big-Island-made cookies and confections, long-lasting tropical flowers, bowls carved by local craftsman from local woods, art in every imaginable medium inspired by the erupting volcano, the rainforest and ocean, locally-designed Hawaiian print clothing, body-surfing fins, the mini-paper-umbrella bouquet you make from all your mai tais, and of course books, books and more books about Hawaii history, natural environment, legends, food and culture.

And remember, many shops, galleries and nurseries will wrap and ship your purchases home.