Ah Lan's Lei Stand (Hilo)
Ah Lan's is a local staple. If you are coming to the island for a special occasion, or just want some great family photos, or a take-home souvenir - these leis are really amazing. You would have to coordinate with a day-drip to the Hilo-side for pick up. You can order online in advance and pick up on arrival. We recommend coordinating several few weeks in advance to be sure they can source your preferred flora and fauna.
Location: Near the Airport (2450 Kekuanaoa Street, Hilo, HI 96720)
Hours: A bit fluid...
For more information:
https://www.ahlansleistand.com
Aloha Hawaiian Flowers and Gifts (Kona)
Beautiful leis. Online ordering avalable. They also ship! We recommend coordinating several few weeks in advance for on-island pickups to be sure they can source your preferred flora and fauna.
Location: 75-5660 Kopiko St, STE C-7, PMB 298, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 US
Hours: 9:00 - 5:00 Tuesday through Friday (Closed Saturday through Monday)
For more information: https://www.alohahawaiianflowers.com
Keauhou Farmers Market (Keauhou)
On Saturday mornings there is a farmers’ market in the Keauhou Shopping Center parking lot near the movie theatre. Fresh vegetables, fruits, premade pastries and other foods are regularly offered. You can order your fresh fruits and veggies online for pick up on Saturday.
Location: Keauhou Shopping Center
Hours: Saturday mornings from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
For more information:
https://keauhoufarmersmarket.com
https://www.facebook.com/KeauhouFarmersMarket
Pure Kona Green Market (Captain Cook)
This market has a strong focus on organic and sustainable lifestyle. The market motto is "From The Land, By Our Hand." Vendors exhibit a commitment to natural practices. The market offers only local farm products, locally sourced value-added food products, handmade art and crafts, and other earth-conscientious items.
Location: Located in the Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Gardens in Captain Cook
Hours: Fridays & Sundays 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
For more information:
https://www.facebook.com/SouthKonaGreenMarket
Waimea Town Famers Market (Waimea)
What’s special about this farmers’ market is the ability to purchase hot fresh food prepared by great chefs and enjoy it at picnic tables. You may get to enjoy bread fresh from a wood-fired stone oven or food prepared by some of the top chefs on the island. There is usually live music.
Location: 65-1224 Lindsey Road, Waimea (right across from the park and playground in front of the Parker School in the center of Waimea)
Hours: Saturdays 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM
For more information: https://waimeatownmarket.com (the website is, not so great, but it does provide a list of the current vendors!)
Kona Farmers Market (Kona)
This market is located near downtown Kona. Vendors offer fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers and hand-made local arts and crafts (and you will also find a lot of imported souvenirs). One of the good things about this market is that it is open several days each week. It can be a good place for stop last-minute for fresh local fruits and snacks to pack for your day trip. Be aware, however, that if you are not already IN Kona, getting to this downtown location and parking can take some time. Also, while the market was at one time quite large, the number of vendors has dwindled substantially post-COVID. This market gets a lot of hype but the CheCa Hale crews believes there are better options!
Location: Kona proper, just south of Kailua Bay
Hours: Wednesdays through Sundays between 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Big Island Bees (Captain Cook)
Bee Keeping Tour: Offered daily (reservations required and admission fees available on website). This guided tour allows you to explore actual hives with our beekeeper and learn where the queen resides, how the hive is organized, and what makes bees so special and interesting. This also includes a honey tasting. Space is limited.
Visit the Bee Museum: Free admission and no reservation required. You can peer into a live, interior demonstration hive and see what activity the bees are up to at the moment. There is also an interesting selection of beekeeping artifacts, history on beekeeping and facts about out how honey is made.
Onsite Store: The onsite store sells the variety of honey flavors and other honey-based products produced by Big Island Bees as well as some other island-sourced products such as teas, body care products, artwork and tote bags.
Location: 82-1140 Meli Road, Suite 102, Captain Cook, HI 96704 (Use directions provided on their website or google maps; don't follow GPS instructions.)
Hours Monday through Friday only:
Museum: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Tours: 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM (reservations required and weather permitting)
For more information: https://bigislandbees.com
Due to COVID-19, a mask or cloth face covering is required in the store/museum.
Ho’oulu Community Farmers Market (Keauhou)
Although called a Farmers’ Market, this market offers more locally made arts & crafts and less fresh produce. There are generally between 20 and 40 vendors who sell local produce, coffee, macadamia nuts, and locally produced arts and crafts.
Location: 78-128 Ehukai Street, Kailua-Kona, HI. 96740 (Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay on the lawn fronting Kaleiopapa Street) (free parking)
Hours: Wednesdays 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/Hooulucommunityfarmersandartisansmarket
Ali’i Garden Market Place (Kona)
There are many stands here selling local arts and crafts (and some not-so-local), as well as some good places for a quick bite.
Location: 75-6129 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona
Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (closed Monday and Tuesday)
For more information:
https://www.facebook.com/aliigardensmarketplace
Kona Natural Soap Company (Kona)
Kona Natural Soap Company is a small local business that produced specialty products in a solar powered voltaic factory. The produces are crafted without chemical fragrance and using many farm-grown products including locally grown Kukui Nut oil. Kona Natural Soaps’ stated mission is to “provide a product that is not only good for the consumer, but is an alternative to steroid creams, sodium laurel sulfate detergents and shampoos as well as being non-toxic to the environment. We strive to make a safe and natural product for everyone to use and enjoy.”
They also offer tours of their 5-acre farm and factory. See the Tours section of this Activities page.
Location: This vendor has a stall at Ali’I Gardens Marketplace located at 75-6129 Ali'i Drive; and also a store at their farm located at 78-6749 Mamalahoa Highway, Holualoa HI 96725 (about an 8-minute drive up the mountain from CheCa Hale).
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
For more information:
http://www.konanaturalsoap.com
https://www.facebook.com/KonaSoap
Harbor Gallery (Kawaihae, North of Waikoloa)
This is a great art gallery that offers a wide selection of creative goods at varying price ranges.
Location: 61-3665 Akoni Pule Hwy, Kawaihae Shopping Center Lower Level, Waimea, HI 96743
Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
For more information: http://www.harborgallery.biz
Bamboo Restaurant and Gallery (Hawi)
Bamboo offers a unique island experience. Browse the in-restaurant art gallery and locally crafted creative offerings with a delicious cocktail in had while waiting for your Pacific Rim meal to be prepared. If you make it this far north on the island, Bamboo should not be missed. Check out the dinner menu on their website for an interesting history of the restaurant.
Location: 55-3415 Akoni Pule Hwy. Hawi, HI 96719
Hours: The gallery shares restaurant hours. Tuesday through Sunday: 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM; Thursday through Saturday: dinner is also served (by reservation). Note: due to limited staffing, the gallery has not always been open between 2:30 and dinner Thursday through Saturday.
For more information: https://www.bamboorestauranthawaii.com
Parker Square (Waimea)
Parker Square in Waimea has a number of shops offering clothing, jewelry, art, and artistic souvenirs. This is a nice place to peruse after breakfast at the Hawaiian Style Cafe.
Location: 65-1279 Kawaihae Rd, Waimea, HI 96743
Hours: Vary by shop, but generally 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Daily
Porcelain Ocean (Waimea)
This is a pottery art studio with some really cool and unique pieces.
Location: 65-1204 Kahawai St, Waimea, HI 96743
Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Monday through Friday
For more information: https://www.porcelainocean.com
Koa Wood Ranch (Kona)
Koa Wood Ranch (the store) sells handcrafted pieces made from Koa wood harvested through Koawood Ranch's (the farm's) conversation efforts. The pieces can be home decor, jewelry or other accessories crafted by artist Craig Villarrubia. The supply and inventory varies widely based on available material and the products it is suitable to transform into.
Location: 75-5725 Aliʻi Drive #B107, Kailua-Kona, HI 96776
Hours:
11:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Saturday
12:00 PM to 6:00 PM Sunday
For more information: https://koawoodranch.com
Waimea Body Essentials (Waimea)
Offers local products made with tropical oils and butters, fragrance or essential oils. Their products are phthalate, sulfate, and paraben free. They also offer 100 percent Kona Coffee enriched soaps and products.
Location: They do not have a brick front location; but the products make great souvenirs and their website offers a list of island locations that sell their products. there are multiple options in Waimea.
For more information: http://www.waimeabodyessentials.com
Honoka'a Trading Co (Honoka'a)
Offers a wide variety of merchandise - much of it less commercialized than bit souvenir stores. There is clothing, jewelry and accessories, art, linen and bedding, home décor and artistic souvenirs.
Location: 45-3490 Mamane St, Honokaa, HI 96727
Hours: 11:30 AM to 4:30 PM (closed Monday)
Honoka'a offers several more antique, gift and art shops. It's worth a stroll around this quaint little down not far from Waimea (or Tex's for malasadas).
Polynesian Paddling Products
This may seem like an odd addition. It's not in a primary tourism location but is a little shop out near Costco. We've included it here specifically for their selection of wood canoe paddles. (which are not necessarily "locally" made). Plus, its sort of cool to see all the outrigger and ocean-faring canoes.
Location: Although the mailing/Google search address is Olowalu Street, the store is physically on Kamanu Street From the highway, whether you are traveling north or south, turn up Hina Lani Street (up the mountain) and take the second right onto Kamanu Street. It is the first driveway on your right.
Hours: 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM (closed Sunday and Monday)
For more information: http://www.p3kona.com/HawaiiPaddlingProducts.asp