The 11 Best Souvenirs From Maui
Aloha, fellow Maui lovers!
I can’t tell you how excited I get every time my boyfriend and I pack our bags for another trip to paradise. But when it comes time to head back home, the toughest part is definitely saying goodbye to that island magic! That’s why I’ve made it my mission to find the most unique and memorable souvenirs from Maui – so we can carry a piece of Hawaii with us wherever we go.
Look, I totally get it:
Choosing the perfect souvenir can be overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to avoid typical tourist traps. Well, fear not! My years of exploring Maui have led me to some seriously amazing local finds at great prices. Trust me; these treasures will make your heart sing long after you’ve left those sandy shores behind.
Now let’s talk about what this guide has in store for you – insider tips on finding top-notch gifts and keepsakes, all straight from Maui’s hidden gems. You’ll discover where locals shop for their favorite trinkets and uncover great bargains that won’t break the bank.
Warning: Once your loved ones back home glimpse these incredible souvenirs, they might start “accidentally” pocketing them for themselves – but hey, that just means it’s time for another trip to Maui!
Okay, enough chit-chat! Let me show you what I’ve uncovered in my quest for the ultimate Maui mementos…
Maui Gold Pineapple
The best pineapples in the world are undoubtedly grown in Hawaii, and you can find a unique variety and flavor profile depending on which island you eat them from.
We’re biased when it comes to Maui’s pineapples, as they’re the sweetest, juiciest, and most tangy ones in Hawaii. So you can get the best pineapples from Maui from the island’s famous Maui Gold Pineapples company, which ships packed boxes of these fruits within the US.
Although you can get prepackaged ones from local markets and the airport, we prefer to have the Maui Gold Pineapple shipped back home in packs of two, four, and eight, as they’ll be waiting on your doorstep when you get back.
So make sure to sample and pack this delicious fruit, as it’s one of the best souvenirs from Maui.
Maui Coffee
Although Hawaii’s most famous coffee is of the Kona variety, a trip to Maui necessitates trying the locally grown coffee grown on farms on the island. That’s because Maui coffee is richer, has a delicious flavor profile, is grown in small amounts, and has an all-natural preservation process.
So you can get the local coffee beans in Maui from Aloha Rise, which sells pure Maui coffee and is a favorite among locals. The coffee from these beans is usually prepared in cafes and restaurants around the island, and you can try a fresh brew from any local eatery.
We like to buy a bag when we can find one from a local store and take it home to share the rich aroma and flavor with loved ones.
In addition, you can find both light and dark Mokka beans of the Maui coffee, which make for excellent crews and flavored lattes.
Tropical Fruit Jams
Hawaiian fruit is the most delicious in the world, and you can preserve the flavors of local Maui fruit through tropical jams and jellies. These jams are prepared fresh in batches by locals and are easily available from farmers’ markets around the island.
Some delicious jam flavors you can find only in Hawaii are lilikoi (passion fruit), guava, mango, lychee, and pineapple. The unique flavored jams make for great souvenirs and gifts because they’re nearly impossible to find anywhere else in the world.
So my boyfriend and I buy a few jars on every trip to Maui as our family loves the lilikoi and guava flavors, and they last a good while in the refrigerator.
However, if you’re unable to visit any farmers’ markets, the tropical jams are easily available in any ABC store or Costco. The best companies to buy jams from are Maui Upcountry Jams and Jellies and Aunty Lilikoi, as these make for the best souvenirs from Maui.
Hawaiian Spices
Nothing beats the flavors of Hawaiian food, which is seasoned with the best spices and aromatics. So you can bring the flavors of Hawaii back home with local spices, which add a tasty kick to the simplest dishes like chicken and eggs.
Some great Hawaiian spices you need to get from Maui are the Maui onion and garlic salt, Hawaiian sea salt, roasted and mashed Kukui nuts, seaweed, and coffee rubs.
These are easily available in any supermarket in Maui, and the Aloha Spice Company makes some of the best ones.
We love taking Hawaiian salts and chili peppers back home as their rich taste makes them one of the best souvenirs from Maui.
Macadamia Nuts
No trip to Maui is complete without trying macadamia nuts, as it’s impossible not to go nuts for these crunchy and rich treats! Hawaii is the largest producer of macadamia nuts in the world, so you can find the best quality and flavor of mac nuts on its islands, especially in Maui.
The best ones are the chocolate-coated macadamia nuts which are loved by locals and tourists alike, and you can buy a six-pack of them from Costco.
We like the Maui onion and garlic, honey roasted and salted flavored ones, and you can buy the Mauna Loa ones for the best taste.
So make sure to get a few packs of each flavor (and try not to finish them all yourself!), as they’re one of the best souvenirs from Maui.
Hot Island Glass
There’s no better gift than a handmade piece of art, and you can make glasswork pieces from Hot Island Glass in Maui. Located in the small town of Makawao in Upcountry Maui, this glass art studio/museum/gift store helps you make a customized glass piece, which you can take back home.
The expert glassworkers in the workshop guide you on how to blow glass and mold it into your desired shape before adding color and finishing touches to the glass pieces.
You can have the pieces delivered to your hotel or pick them up a few days later when they’re ready, packaged to perfection, so they don’t get damaged during the flight.
Some common and easy designs you can try are pineapples, fish, and flowers, and they make the best souvenirs from Maui.
Boutique Dresses
Maui fashion is some of the best in Hawaii, and you can find stylish island wear from chic boutiques on the island. These include flowy dresses, bikinis, sarongs, scarves, and shoes, which are bound to make your vacation style irresistible.
You can get the best quality boutique dresses in Maui from local-favorite stores like Mahina, which sells incredible sundresses, handbags in bright colors, rompers, and light scarves which go with any dress.
They have retail outlets in Lahaina, Kihei, Paia, and Wailea, so you can bag some great finds no matter where you’re staying in Maui.
I like to buy dresses for my girlfriends from Mahina, and their gorgeous designs make the best souvenirs from Maui for your fashionable friends.
Local Maui Artwork
The local art scene in Maui is incredible, with diverse pieces displayed in galleries around the island. So you can buy both cheap and pricey pieces from the up-and-coming artists of Maui to take back home and decorate your living spaces with.
You can buy the best artwork from Village Galleries Maui, which is the island’s oldest art boutique and sells a range of gorgeous kettles, petroglyphs, and wall art displaying island colors and using unique mediums.
Another great place is the Ki’i Gallery, with stores in Wailea, which has incredible hand-blown glassworks by European and American artists. They also display Hawaiian jewelry like rings and necklaces and nature paintings.
So tour these beautiful galleries and invest in some local art pieces as they make for the best souvenirs from Maui.
Hawaiian Jewellery
If you want something to remember your trip to Maui forever, get a piece of Hawaiian jewelry prepared by local artists, as it makes for a long-lasting keepsake and cherished gift.
Hawaiian jewelry is known for its fine quality and high price point, especially pieces with rare gems, black pearls, and stones that make the most beautiful statement pieces.
So if you want to pamper a loved one back home, get them something from an authentic jeweler on the island, such as Maui Divers Jewellery, which makes the most intricate pieces.
However, you can also buy terrific jewelry from local artists from Heart of Paia at low prices and good quality, which is a great souvenir from Maui without splurging.
Koa Wood Products
Hawaii produces a unique variety of wooden products made from Koa wood, which is found only on the islands in Hawaii. This is an excellent quality wood used to make durable items for daily use, such as utensils, furniture, and even carvings.
The most common and preferred Koa wood products for a souvenir are bowls prepared by expert woodworkers. The bowls display the Koa wood’s natural light-and-dark hues and intricate patterns, which make them a valuable gift.
So you can buy a variety of Koa wood products in Maui, such as key chains, phone cases, and decor items, or even get something customized from Martin & MacArthur in Maui, who make the best ones.
Aloha Shirts
There’s no better way to dress for your Maui vacation than in Aloha attire; tees, button-downs, shorts, and dresses, as their bright colors and breezy fabrics make for great clothing options.
The most famous item has to be Aloha shirts, worn by tourists and locals alike and available in a range of different colors and sizes.
So you can buy good-quality Aloha shirts to take back home from chain stores like Hilo Hattie and any ABC store, or buy a more stylish variety from Moonbow Tropics in Wailea, Lahaina, and Paia.
My boyfriend and I love buying Aloha shirts on our trips for the family back home, as they’re one of the best souvenirs from Maui.
Tip: You can style your Aloha attire with hats, glasses, and funky jewelry from Alice in Hulaland to complete your island look.
FAQs
What is the most popular souvenir in Hawaii?
Hawaiian souvenirs are loved all over the world, and some of the most popular items are Aloha shirts, the hula girl, Maui Gold Pineapples, cookies from the Honolulu Cookie Company, and Kona coffee, among others. These souvenirs are easily available from any ABC store on the islands at low prices.
What are things you can only get in Hawaii?
Hawaii produces many rare products found nowhere else in the world, like Koa wood products, Hawaiian quilts, Hawaiian honey, Kona coffee, fresh flower leis, and Hawaiian black pearl jewelry. These items make for the best souvenirs, and you find them in local stores in Hawaii.
What is Maui best known for?
Maui is best known for its Gold Pineapples, Maui coffee, local artwork, and high-quality clothing, which are known to make the best souvenirs to take home from the island.
What is a traditional Hawaiian gift?
Leis are a traditional Hawaiian gift as locals present them to newcomers upon entry to most places. The leis are made from fresh tropical flowers, kukui nuts, shells, and even silk, which make for a precious keepsake.
Winding Up The Best Souvenirs From Maui
You can’t leave Maui without splurging on souvenirs, as they’re the best way to remember your trip to paradise. Fortunately, Maui has some terrific souvenirs which are pretty unique and serve as great gifts, such as locally-grown coffee, pineapples, tropical fruit jams, and clothing from local boutiques.
So you can find the best places to get souvenirs from Maui at great prices from the details mentioned in this article.
Looking for the best cheap souvenirs from Maui? Get Hawaiian spices, jams, pineapples, macadamia nuts, and coffee.
Need the best durable souvenirs from Maui? Buy Hawaiian jewelry, Koa wood products, and local art pieces.
Want a special souvenir to remember your trip to Maui? Take a glasswork workshop from Hot Island Glass in Makawao town.
So make sure to get your hands on the best souvenirs from Maui!
Last Updated on April 3, 2023 by Brigitte