When I started creating this post I wanted to create a list of all of my favorite small businesses on the Big Island, Maui, Oʻahu, and Kauaʻi. It is really important if you have a opportunity to visit these special islands you must support small businesses and the people who live there. We all know Maui needs our kōkua (kōkua means “help.” Its deeper meaning, however, is to extend help to others in a sacrificial way, with no intent of personal gain). So I wanted to start out my post with a list of organizations you can donate too:
Hawaii Community Foundation-Maui Strong
Below are my list of businesses giving back to Maui and all my favorites (that I shall keep updated!) and I hope you can support them!
Business that are giving back to Maui
Below are my personal Hawaiian small businesses:
Clothing and Jewellery
I first came to know this awesome store during my honeymoon on O’ahu. I ended up spending some time in the store buying a long sleeve birds of paradise top that I still wear! I love that you can call the store anytime and they will ship clothing to you!
While on vacation on Kauaʻi I got to chat with Stephanie who is the owner of Kauaʻi Handmade. I purchased a floating Tahitian pearl necklace that I absolutely love. She even offered to size it exactly how I wanted it! I loved checking out her store at the Coconut Marketplace and see her process in creating beautiful jewelry! Please also check out her website because she’s got some amazing work on there too!
Sandy Feet Hawaii (Oʻahu)
I have been lusting after creator Elene’s work back when she had a Etsy! Now she has a beautiful website of every type of tropical inspired bag you could want. I finally settled on the pineapple one above and I love it! She has also launched some amazing pillowcases too.
Pueo Boutique (Big Island)
This was another honeymoon find this time on the Big Island. They have handmade jewelry along some amazing clothing. I have also made purchases over the years from the mainland as they make it very easy!
I think my first Aloha Collection bag was back in 2016. These are perfect bags for the beach, gym, and also make great packing cubes. Pretty much every day I use their hip pack as seen in the post above (and doubles as a approved bag for stadiums and concerts.) I love that if you purchase directly from them you can accumulate points. I recently gathered enough points to get a discount on a Dopp kit. I have used it on several trips now and it’s perfect because it’s water resistant. They also carry cozy sweatshirts that I highly recommend.
Kapa Nui Nails (Big Island)
A friend of mine got me a starter kit from Kapa Nui with my new favorite nail polish color HinaHina! I love that this brand is female owned, completely non-toxic, and from the big Island. My nails are in much better shape since using this nail polish.
This is a Kauai based company with the best smelling body care products. I discovered their Koke’e scent a few years ago and it’s truly my favorite lotion ever.
Always A.line (Oʻahu)
Wings Hawaii (Maui)
Island Jungle Designs (Big Island)
Food & Beverages
Aunty Sandy (Maui)
Aunty Sandy’s banana bread stand is on the road to Hana and I consider it a must stop. I think I bought 5 loaves and managed to pack my backpack with them when. I came home. They do also offer a banana bread mix which I made for a Christmas presents one year and it was a hit!
Lydgate Farms (Kauai)
After doing a tour of Kauai’s Lydgate chocolate farm I have a better appreciation of the creation of chocolate. This is the smoothest most delicious chocolate I have ever experienced. I’d highly recommend the tour because you get to taste it all and understand the long chocolate making process.
Big Island Vanilla (Big Island)
Inflation has made everything expensive including vanilla. I have read you can make your own vanilla so I did some googling and some the Hawaiian Vanilla Company. After your purchase a kit you add your liquor of choice (like vodka, whiskey, or rum!) and in 6-9 months your own unique vanilla extract will be ready for use! When the beans start to surface above the liquid, just add more spirits. I’m very excited for my own vanilla to be ready for holiday baking this year.
Greenwell Coffee (Big Island)
On my honeymoon my husband and I discovered the smooth tasty brews of Greenwell Farms. Now a few times a we purchased some beans to bring back memories of the Big Island home. During lockdown Greenwell did a fun virtual tasting which was almost as fun as being there!
Shaka Tea (Big Island)
Shaka teas are simply the best iced tea I have ever had! The teas have Māmaki in it which is an ancient, herbal tea that is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, only found and grown in Hawai’i, making it one of the rarest herbal teas in the world. The teas are pretty easy to find locally too, available Sprouts, Safeway, and Cost Plus World Market.
Honolulu Cookies (Oʻahu)
I’m a cookie monsters and Honolulu Cookies are my absolute favorite. These are shortbread cookies in the recognizable pineapple shape. I love the dipped chocolate cookies with coconut and the seasonal peppermint cookies. You can find the mini versions of these cookies at some Costco’s and a gift set around the holidays at Tommy Bahamas.
I first discovered these teas at a Longs Drugs store on Maui. I love that these teas are sugar free and caffeine free. There are available in thirteen tropical flavors. Handcrafted and sustainably sourced by Maui Sun Tea Co. on the island of Maui. My favorite flavor is the Lavender-Lemongrass which is perfect to relax at the end of the day. You can email your order directly with the owner or find it in various shops on Maui.
Thanks for reading this far and please support are these great companies!
oh wow, it is amazing that you’re sharing these amazing small businesses. The Honolulu cookies seems awesome…
so many great choices I grew up in Illinois with great friends in Hawaii when I was young. Thanks so much for sharing come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
It’s amazing the way you are supporting small businesses and raising awareness about them! By the way I loved the offerings of Aloha the most! The jute gym bag sounds too good to be true!
I couldn’t agree more with the sentiment of supporting small businesses and giving back to the beautiful Hawaiian islands. It’s amazing to see how communities come together to help one another, and we should all strive to do it whether we live there or are just visiting.
Never been to Hawaii, but a friend of mine goes all the time. He sends back lots of pics.
These small businesses and their products look amazing. I think it’s great that you are giving small businesses a shout out!