The Best Souvenirs to Bring Home From Hawaii

From ukuleles to handcrafted gifts, jewelry, and even food and snacks, there’s plenty Hawaii has to offer that you’ll likely want to take home with you! The best souvenirs from Hawaii are those that really reflect the culture - meaning that the same old refrigerator magnets and postcards might not always cut it!

In this guide, we’ll take you through the best souvenirs from Hawaii to give as gifts or to keep for yourself! Just make sure you have a SIMOVO eSIM for the United States loaded up on your smartphone first so you can save mobile data money to spend on take-home goodies.

Discover traditional Hawaiian souvenirs

When you think of traditional Hawaii souvenirs, you probably think of lei and garlands, jewelry, and musical instruments. And, you're not too far off the mark when it comes to the most popular items tourists love to take away! Let’s first of all explore some non-perishable Hawaii souvenirs before moving onto the best snacks.

Hawaiian ukuleles and musical instruments

The humble uke is an absolute staple of Hawaiian culture, and while you may not know how to play one right away, picking up a traditional instrument could be a fantastic way to kick-start a new hobby! 

Ukuleles have four strings, meaning they are easier to learn than the guitar on average, and you’ll find there are plenty of well-known brands, such as Koaloha, retailing across the state. These instruments are mostly lightweight, but do try and opt for a traditional, authentic, wooden uke.

Other musical souvenirs to consider taking home might include the percussive Pu’ili and the ipu heke. There’s lots of choice if you’d like to drum out a beat!

Aloha shirts and local clothing

They’re called Hawaiian shirts for a reason! The ultimate in vacation wear, Aloha shirts and other local Hawaiian clothing are typically bright, bold, and super comfortable in hot weather. Look for some wild prints - such as floral and palm displays - and go as cheesy as you like.

Aloha clothing is all about representing the spirit of the state, and you can find equally vibrant dresses, hats, and footwear to match.

Handcrafted koa wood items

Koa trees are endemic Acacias in Hawaii, meaning that any items you buy made from their wood will be unique to your trip to the islands. This wood is deep, rich, and used in all kinds of item crafting.

For example, why not take home koa bowls, jewelry, or even artwork, sculptures, or carvings? Older koa trees are particularly sought-after, and the wood is particularly rare, meaning you’ll be buying a spectacular slice of natural history.

Authentic Hawaiian jewelry

From shells and pearls to genuine heirlooms, you’ll find an incredible array of Hawaiian jewelry for sale at tourist shops, specialized jewelers, and beachfront stores. We recommend checking out the pink and orange sunrise shell jewelry available at some of Hawaii’s best-known retailers.

These shells are super diverse and adaptable, meaning you can choose to make pendants, earrings, necklaces, charms, and more. And, you can always take them with you, forever reminding you of your fantastic trip to Hawaii.

Hawaiian quilts and textiles

Believe it or not, quilting is a popular and very important tradition in Hawaii, and while the weather may not always be right for thick quilts around the year, you’ll miss out on a wonderful souvenir opportunity if you pass them up too quickly.

Check out traditional markets and specialized craft stores, for example, for stunning symmetry and exciting colors. You don’t have to get under these quilts to enjoy them - why not hang them from walls or set them on floors? The best part is, you’ll be investing in genuine, traditional craft - provided you avoid mass-produced enterprises.

Non-floral lei and cultural garlands

The classic floral lei is perhaps one of the first things people associate with Hawaiian souvenirs - but due to local restrictions, you won’t be able to take flowers home with you.

Therefore, do the local area a kindness and support traditional businesses that make non-floral lei and cultural garlands instead! You’ll find there are plenty of small crafts businesses that offer yarn and candlenut lei crafts, which are easy to protect and will continue to look great as you wear them for years to come.

Honu turtle-inspired souvenirs

The honu turtle is a symbol of Hawaii you’ll want to take home with you - and thankfully, plenty of small businesses offer carvings, art, and even clothing emblazoned with these beautiful creatures.

Honu turtle gifts are unique little pieces of Hawaii that work brilliantly as presents for the whole family, and if you invest in any shirts, shorts, or skirts, they’ll look great as part of your summer wardrobe. A superb choice if you adore nature!

Popular food and snack souvenirs from Hawaii

Yes, believe it or not, there are plenty of edible bits and pieces you can take from Hawaii, too. If you’re a big fan of chocolate, coffee, and nuts, there’s more than enough choice from traditional snack vendors if you shop around. Here’s our pick of the best souvenirs from Hawaii that are good enough to eat!

Kona coffee and local blends

Kona coffee is Hawaii’s super-famous take on everyone’s favorite morning pick-me-up, and it’s easy to find local blends across the islands. Whether you choose a bag or two from stores or from traditional shopfronts, there’s a real kick to Hawaiian roasts you won’t forget in a hurry. Be warned, though, the caffeine really does pack a punch!

Maui gold pineapple products

Pineapples, pineapples everywhere - if you’re a tropical fruit fan, Hawaii is absolutely the right place to head. Specifically, you’ll want to sample the Maui Gold pineapple where possible, a super-sweet variation of the fruit that’s typically sold at farm stores.

Believe it or not, you might not always be able to take pineapples home via the airport due to specific checks, so always be careful to purchase pre-approved fruit!

Hawaiian sea salt varieties

Salt isn’t just another condiment! There’s a real burst of flavor to Hawaiian sea salt that works wonders in traditional recipes across the state (and you might even dare to use it in your own home cooking!). Look for the pink variety and use it sparingly on snacks and dinners.

Macadamia nuts and nut snacks

Hawaii is also super-famous for its home-grown macadamia nuts, and whether you enjoy them fresh or chocolate-covered, these inexpensive treats are extra special thanks to the local history behind them. Hawaii was at the forefront of macadamia nut production worldwide thanks to its first official commercial farm! You’re also likely to find all kinds of unique local twists on the snacks across the islands, too.

Hawaiian chocolate and cocoa treats

Beyond macadamia mania, Hawaii is also well-known for its cacao/cocoa and chocolate treats, such as nibs, bars, and even special teas. We highly recommend taking tours of local farms, factories, and tasting experiences before you buy any snacks to take home!

Local rum and island spirits

Finally, our trip to the Hawaiian food and drink aisle wouldn’t be complete without considering alcohol. Hawaiian rum, in particular, is well-loved thanks to the fact that it’s made from a sweet, memorable blend of local sugar canes - and many rums are also aged with the help of barrels made of that magical koa wood.

Regardless of the Hawaiian souvenirs you take home, give your bank a breather by topping up with a SIMOVO eSIM for North America before you touch down. Don’t bring all of that good stuff home only to get sidetracked by a huge mobile data bill!