Shopping

Mega-malls or large department stores–like freeways and highrises—haven’t made it here yet. Shopping island-style is smaller and much more personal, with an eclectic mix of stores, ranging from small locally-owned businesses and farmer’s markets to pricey designer boutiques at the resorts. In fact, the Kohala Coast is undergoing a kind of “retail Renaissance” with new high end-to everybody shops opening in phases at the Kings’ Shops and upcoming Queen’s Marketplace at Waikoloa Resort and the Shops at Mauna Lani. Look for names like Tiffany, Coach, Louis Vuitton and others, along with upscale eateries like Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Tommy Bahama, Roy’s, Merriman’s and more.

Naturally, at the top of any visitor’s shopping list are those special products and items made on the Big Island. Native hardwoods such as koa, mango, māmane and ohia are expertly crafted into dozens of both decorative and useful items. There are beautiful weavings, textiles, rugs, jewelry, metalwork, paintings, sculpture and glasswork in galleries island-wide. Big Island food products come in a deliciously wide variety, especially Kona coffee and macadamia nuts, but also chocolates, candies, jams, jellies, syrups and dried fruits like pineapple, mango and papaya. We also have an enormous and extraordinary variety of flowers, especially orchids (which is why it’s nicknamed the “Orchid Isle”) as well as gingers, heliconias, birds of paradise and even protea. In all, there is now a tremendous quality selection of locally made, handcrafted or produced items from the Big Island, readily available.