13 Cool Souvenir Gifts to Bring Back From Hawaii

Hawaii is a beautiful place with stunning scenery and friendly people. It’s no wonder that so many people choose to visit there every year!

Getting to Hawaii is no easy feat. Even from the West Coast of the USA, getting to Hawaii takes about 5 hours. From the East Coast? Now we’re talking 11+ hours of flight time. That’s a doozy of a flight.

If you’re one of the lucky ones who get to visit Hawaii, you should consider bringing home some cool gifts from Hawaii for your friends and family who haven’t had the luxury of visiting just yet.

Wondering what treats/gifts are worth bringing back from Hawaii? We’ve put together a list of our favorite souvenir gifts that you can find in Hawaii. From exotic fruit jams to vintage aloha shirts, there’s something for everyone on this list!

So, without further ado, here are the coolest gifts to bring back from Hawaii!

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13 Cool Souvenir Gifts to Bring Home from Hawaii

1. Exotic Fruits

If you know someone who enjoys edible souvenirs over random keychains or magnets, tropical fruits are one of the best things to bring home! Hawaiian pineapples, mangoes, and papayas are definitely sweet treats that your friends and family will love.

While you may be able to find these at your local grocery store, they may be quite expensive. If that’s the case, then a trip to Hawaii is the perfect opportunity to stock up!

I know personally when I’m in Hawaii, I make my best attempts to eat as many sunrise papayas as possible because out here in California, those things cost an arm and a leg.

Fresh pineapples can usually be purchased at the airport as well as at special fruit stands that specialize in packing them up for you to fly with. If you’re on Oahu, one of the simplest ways to get pineapples to bring home is at the Dole Plantation.

Fresh papayas can also be purchased and shipped to your home state.

Oahu Farmers' Market - Family Activities In Oahu

2. Handmade Jewelry

Walk through the various shops in Hawaii’s historic towns or through a farmers’ market and you’ll immediately notice one thing–there are lots of artisans on the island! There are many talented jewelers in Hawaii who specialize in creating beautiful pieces using traditional methods.

These make for unique and special gifts that will be treasured for years to come. You can find jewelry pieces featuring sea turtles, pumeria, shells, and more, as well as Hawaiian Heirloom designs that celebrate a tradition that traces back to Hawaii’s Queen Lili’uokalani.

Na Hoku is a classic Hawaiian jeweler, but there are independent artists that you can support, too. You just need to spend enough time on the islands to come across them!

3. Hawaiian Coffee

Coffee is one of the most popular gifts to give and receive (regardless of if you’re traveling or not), but Hawaiian coffee is some of the best in the world!

I’m sure you’ve heard of (and even tasted) Kona coffee. But what is it about coffee from the Kona Mountains that makes it taste so good? Well, it has to do with the ideal growing conditions for the coffee beans–the mineral-rich volcanic soil and western slopes of the Kona Mountains provide shelter and fertile lands for the beans.

And of course, you don’t need to be on the Big Island to be able to enjoy Kona coffee. You can find great coffee all over Hawaii. For example, one of our favorite coffee shops on Oahu is Kona Coffee Purveyors. We always pick up a few bags of beans when we’re in town!

Be sure to pick up a few bags to take home with you.

4. Hawaiian Chocolate

Chocolate lovers will love Hawaiian chocolate! I mean, did you know Hawaii is the only US state where cacao trees grow? Made with locally grown cacao beans, these chocolates are truly unique and delicious.

Of course there’s Hawaiian Host, the pioneer of the now-iconic chocolate-covered macadamia, but there are also smaller businesses like Manoa Chocolate, Maui Specialty Chocolate, and Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory that sell even better (and harder to find) chocolate treats.

5. Hawaiian Sea Salt

If you’ve got a foodie or an aspiring chef in your group of friends/family, then you should consider bringing back some gourmet ingredients for them to stock their kitchens with. Gourmet Hawaiian sea salt is the perfect gift–it’s a big deal in the spa world as well as in the culinary world (great for cooking or as a finishing touch on any dish)!

Hawaiian sea salt is much healthier than regular table salt as it contains minerals that help maintain the body’s electrolyte levels. Not only is it rich in minerals, but it also has a ten-year shelf life! It’ll be the gift that keeps on giving.

This is certainly a unique souvenir gift to bring home from Hawaii that your foodie friends will appreciate.

6. Ukulele

The ukulele is an iconic instrument of Hawaii, and you absolutely cannot miss its beautiful notes in local music. If you know someone who’s instrumentally inclined, it makes sense to bring one home as a gift (or even just get one for yourself!).

There are many different types and styles to choose from, so you’re sure to find the perfect one. For those wondering about the cost? There are more affordable ukuleles that are meant to be for souvenirs/casual use, and then there are the more professional options.

7. Aloha Shirts

No trip to Hawaii is complete without bringing home a Hawaiian shirt! These colorful and unique shirts are perfect for summer days, outdoor BBQs, or even casual days spent at the office.

You can buy aloha shirts in almost all gift shops across the islands, but we like to visit vintage Hawaiian shirt shops to admire all the various styles and patterns that have existed over the years. These vintage styles are typically going to be costlier, but who knows, if you find something that calls to you, it might be worth the extra money!

Pictured above is Bailey’s Antiques and Aloha Shirts on Oahu.

8. Guava Butter

If you’re looking for a cool gift to bring home from Hawaii, look no further than guava butter! Guava butter is a delicious spread made from the fruit of the guava tree. It’s perfect for spreading on toast or banana bread, and makes a great addition to any Hawaiian-themed breakfast or brunch.

Guava butter is available in many grocery stores across Hawaii, so be sure to pick some up on your next trip!

And if you can’t find it in stores, head to the nearest farmers market you stumble upon on vacation. They are sure to have it, along with other tropical fruit jams and butters such as lilikoi (passionfruit) butter, haupia butter, guava jam, and more. I recommend ALL of the above.

9. Li Hing Candies

If you haven’t caught on yet, li hing is all the rage in Hawaii.

Li hing powder is a popular ingredient in Hawaii and is used to add a slightly sour and salty flavor to food. It’s made from dried plums and is available in both powder and liquid form. One of the most popular ways you’ll find it used is on dried fruit and candy!

These candies are extremely popular in Hawaii, as you’ll find them at almost all the grocery stores you visit. They are sour, sweet, and salty all at the same time in the most perfect way possible.

Li hing candies make for a great souvenir to bring home from Hawaii. Not only are they delicious, but they are also unique edible gifts that allow your friends/family to taste a piece of Hawaii for themselves.

Not sure what to get among the vast array of options? I’d recommend picking up li hing mango, li hing sour belts, and li hing gummy bears. The redder they are, the tastier!

And for true li hing fans, buy it in powder form so you can top fresh fruits with it when you get home.

If you’re interested in visiting a specialty candy and dried fruit shop, head to Lin’s Hawaiian Snacks in Honolulu, HI.

10. Macadamia Nuts

North Shore Mac Nut Farm - Things To Do In North Shore Oahu — North Shore Mac Nut Farm, Oahu

If you’re looking for another edible gift to bring home from your trip to Hawaii, look no further than macadamia nuts! These delicious nuts are native to the islands, and make for a tasty and healthy snack. They’re also a great souvenir to share with friends and family back home.

When you visit macadamia nut farms in Hawaii, you’ll be blown away by the array of macadamia nut flavors offered. I’m talking about sour cream and onion, Kona coffee, coconut glazed, honey roasted, and lots more.

The best part is that a lot of them will let you sample the various flavors for free before buying!

So next time you’re in Hawaii, be sure to pick up some macadamia nuts to take home with you. Your friends and family will be sure to appreciate the fresh, healthy, and delicious snack.

11. Dashboard Hula Figurines

You all know what I’m talking about. This is the vintage hip-shaking hula dancer figurine that can be found on the dashboard of many old cars. They are so darn cute, and make for a really fun gift from Hawaii.

You’ll find this at many typical gift stores throughout the islands. On Oahu, a great place to pick up a few of these are at the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet.

12. Koa Wood

Koa wood is a really cool gift to bring home from Hawaii. Koa is an endemic tree in Hawaii, meaning it is found nowhere else in the world. Historically, Koa wood was used by early Hawaiians to build ocean-going canoes, surfboards, spear handles, and ukuleles. In fact, Koa was considered the wood of Hawaiian royalty!

Koa wood is also very strong and durable, making it a great material for furniture that will last for many years. If you are looking for a long-lasting gift to bring home from Hawaii, anything made of koa wood is a great option.

It is sure to be appreciated by anyone who receives it.

13. Pineapple Gifts

Because of the Dole Plantation’s presence in Hawaii, pineapples have become a very big deal around these parts.

At the Dole Plantation, you can pick up a vast array of pineapple treats alongside your traditional whole pineapple. They’ve got gummies, hard candies, pineapple plush dolls, and so much more. I have yet to set foot in another store that carries so much variety of items derived from one fruit!

While you’re there, do not miss the iconic Dole Whip soft serve.

Where To Buy Souvenirs / Gifts To Bring Home In Hawaii

ABC Stores
Hilo Hattie
Local grocery stores (like Foodland)
Superstores that sell souvenirs like Walmart or Don Quijote
Aloha Stadium Swap Meet (on Oahu)
Independent gift and boutique shops across the islands
Farmers markets

We hope you enjoyed our list of cool gifts to bring home from Hawaii! What other gifts would you add to the list? Let us know in the comments.

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