Hawaii is so much more than a vacation destination—it’s a place with a rich culture all its own, unique flavors, family businesses passed down generations, and local artisans selling one-of-a-kind creations.
But if it’s your first trip to the islands, figuring out what souvenirs or gifts to bring back can feel a little overwhelming. What exactly is Hawaii known for? And what’s worth taking home?
That’s where this guide comes in. Whether you’re shopping for friends and family or looking for something special for yourself, we’re here to help you navigate the world of Hawaiian goods. From iconic foods like macadamia nuts and tropical fruit jams to handmade crafts and traditional clothing, Hawaii offers so many thoughtful options that capture the spirit of the islands.
In this guide, we’ll share some of the coolest, most meaningful, and delicious souvenirs to bring back from Hawaii. Let’s make sure your suitcase is packed with the best treasures Hawaii has to offer.
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 back home, they’re probably super overpriced. 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 specific fruit stands that specialize in treating fruits and 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.
But be careful! You’ll wanna check your country’s agricultural laws to see what’s okay to bring back. Here’s a list of the agricultural items from Hawaii that are allowed into the USA.
👉 NOTE: Don’t try to bring back a hodgepodge of fresh fruits from Hawaii in your luggage. Check your country’s agriculture laws, meant to protect against pests and diseases. If you can’t bother with bringing home fresh fruits the official way, stick to packaged, processed, or dried snacks. Products like dried pineapple, taro chips, or fruit jams are great options.
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 handmade pieces using traditional methods.
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.
Sunrise seashell necklaces are another regional specialty in Hawaii. These shells come in red, orange, and yellow hues and are highly sought after. What makes them so expensive is how difficult it is to find them in perfect color and condition!
Sunrise shells are naturally found along Hawaii’s shores, but only a small number are in pristine, usable condition. The process of collecting, cleaning, and crafting these shells into beautiful necklaces is labor-intensive, which adds to their value.
Na Hoku is a classic Hawaiian jeweler that you’ll see at the big shopping malls, 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 no matter where you travel to, but Hawaiian coffee is some of the best in the world!
I’m sure you’ve already heard of (and potentially even tasted) Kona coffee. But what is it about Kona coffee that makes it taste so good… and expensive?
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. Their beans are on the pricier side, but we always pick up a few bags when we’re in town. Their 100% Hawaiian-grown beans are so good.
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 circle, then gourmet ingredients are an easy souvenir idea. 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.
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.
Even if it doesn’t get used, it can still serve as cute home decor.
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.
You can also do a quick search for thrift shops on the island you’re on. The chances of the shop having a large used aloha shirt section are massive!
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 at farmers’ markets and at many grocery stores across Hawaii.
We love scouring farmers’ markets for it because the vendors usually also have other tropical fruit jams and ‘butters’, such as lilikoi (passionfruit) butter, haupia butter, local nut butter, and more. I recommend ALL of the above!
Most of the time, you’ll find them in smaller TSA-approved sizes (so those of you who are traveling with only a carry-on can still bring some home).
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
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. Honolulu Cookie Company
One of the best souvenirs to grab from Hawaii is a box of shortbread cookies from Honolulu Cookie Company. My mom is obsessed with these cookies, and she’s always so grateful whenever I bring them home.
The cookies are buttery, perfectly crisp, and come in fun, tropical flavors. They have seasonal options too – my all-time favorite is the lemon-flavored shortbread, which is a refreshing twist on the classic.
Honolulu Cookie Company has stores all over, so you’ll probably stumble upon one naturally during your trip.
14. McDonald’s haupia / taro pies
This next one only makes sense for dessert-obsessed people like me, but if you’re looking for an unconventional but delicious treat to bring back from Hawaii, McDonald’s pies are a must.
These aren’t your typical McDonald’s apple pies—the McDonald’s pies in Hawaii come in tropical flavors like coconut and taro, which really capture the essence of Hawaii. They’re so good!
We make it a point to grab a few at least twice during each trip, and sometimes, we even buy extra to bring home and freeze for later. Yes, they’re that good.
McDonald’s is everywhere in Hawaii, so you won’t have trouble finding one no matter which island you’re on.
15. Pineapple-flavored everything
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 pineapple everything: gummies, hard candies, pineapple plush dolls, soaps, 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
Looking for more Hawaii travel inspiration? You may also like:
- 125 Bucket List Things To Do In Oahu, Hawaii
- The Ultimate Oahu 4-Day Itinerary For Budget Travelers
- 2 Days In Oahu: The Perfect Weekend Itinerary In Hawaii
- Polynesian Cultural Center: Worth The Money? My Honest Review
- The Perfect Kauai 7-Day Itinerary For An Unforgettable Hawaiian Vacation
- 35 Things To Do on The Big Island Hawaii For The Perfect Weekend
