In stunning Waikiki, Diamond Head magnificently presides over an area teeming with Hawaiian history and global influence. Here, endless natural beauty captivates visitors outdoors while some of Hawai‘i’s most creative designers, artists and makers are showcased within Waikiki’s enticing boutiques.
Along the world-renowned Waikiki Beach Walk, shops boasting an enormous array of island-inspired creations beckon shoppers. Many are locally owned, often with inspiring stories behind their wares.
Featured image: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Jewelry seekers revel in the selection at Kolohe, where every piece purchased helps create local scholarships for Hawai‘i’s arts and entrepreneurship students. Kolohe translates to “rascal” or “mischievous” in Hawaiian, an apt description for this female-founded store that touts challenging norms and being unconventional. Find beguiling Hawaiiana pieces such as those in their Plumeria and Hula Collections alongside pearls evoking your inner goddess and “Blue Ocean” druzies that let you shine as brightly as the Waikiki sun.
Nearby, Mahina is a sought-after destination for fashionistas wanting to affordably dress as lovely as their tropical surroundings. Eye-catching colors fuse with flowy or form-fitting designs within the walls of Mahina Waikiki Beach Walk, where everyone can fall in love with their new ‘fit.
For island-inspired housewares, gifts, stationery and jewelry, among other fun finds, visit SoHa Living, also located along the Beach Walk. Shelves here show off seashells crafted into décor, vibrant housewares, Hawaiian gifts and so much more at affordable prices.
When wanting to explore Waikiki’s wonders, the OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beach Resort offers an ideal home base, as well as alluring shops to peruse. Make Waves Waikiki, located in the hotel, takes you on an underwater tour through their largely locally crafted oceanic jewelry, wine accessories, gifts and souvenirs. Na Hoku is one of Hawai‘i’s most luxurious jewelry purveyors, featuring delicate designs capturing the exquisite elements of the archipelago such as waves, waterfalls and the stars overhead.
Outside of the OUTRIGGER’s legendary Duke’s Waikiki, world-renowned waterman Duke Kahanamoku is honored at Duke’s Surf Shop, where amateur to pro surfers, or those simply keen on the culture, can find apparel, gear and wave-riding accessories.
Just a short stroll away is the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, a go-to locale for Waikiki shopping since 1980. Within the center is Harbors Vintage, Waikiki’s only clothing store celebrating second-hand clothing that spans the eras. From funky to chic, searching the racks here is like going on your very own treasure hunt, featuring finds that may never be seen again if not snapped up.
At House of Mana Up, only products crafted by Hawai‘i’s artisans and makers can be found. It’s not just a shop, but an entrepreneurial initiative that helps propel local small business owners by sharing artistry, ingredients and innovations handcrafted or grown in Hawai‘i. Exclusively selling locally produced and sourced products also helps positively impact the local economy, as House of Mana Up gives back to the entrepreneurs they celebrate both financially and through helpful resources, while providing visitors with one-of-a-kind foods, mementos and gifts.
Basking in the sun and gazing upon the glistening waves aren’t the only entertainment options while on vacation in Waikiki. Shopping the area’s bountiful boutiques is the best way to keep memories of your getaway going for years to come.
