Hawaii Locals Say Tourists are Getting Scammed Off at ABC Stores – They Buy Gifts at These Hidden Shops Instead

I've lived on Oahu for more than three decades. I've watched countless tourists walk out of ABC Stores clutching bags full of “Hawaiian” souvenirs that were actually made in China. Last week, my mainland cousin asked where I buy gifts for the family. My answer surprised her – I haven't stepped into an ABC Store for gifts in over 20 years. Let me show you where real locals shop and how to spot authentic Hawaiian products in three seconds flat.

The ABC Store Problem Nobody Talks About

ABC Stores are everywhere in Waikiki. You can't walk a block without passing one. They're convenient, air-conditioned, and packed with everything tourists think they need. But here's what most visitors don't realize – the vast majority of those “Hawaiian” souvenirs came from overseas factories.

I remember my friend Sarah's mom visiting from Ohio. She spent $300 at ABC on gifts. When she got home, her neighbor (who'd visited Hawaii the year before) pointed out the “Made in China” labels on everything. Sarah called me mortified. That's when I started sharing my local shopping secrets with every visitor I know.

The grass skirts came from the Philippines. Those King Kamehameha statues were manufactured in China. Even some of the “Kona coffee” contains as little as 10% actual Kona beans mixed with cheap imports. The markup for Waikiki tourist areas makes everything cost more too.

Pro Tip: ABC Stores aren't evil – locals use them for sunscreen, snacks, and emergency supplies. We just don't buy gifts there.

The 3-Second Authenticity Test

Turn the product over. That's it. Look at the label. If it says “Made in China,” “Made in Taiwan,” “Made in the Philippines,” or has no origin label at all, put it back. Real Hawaiian products proudly display “Made in Hawaii” on their packaging.

My neighbor owns a small boutique in Kailua. She showed me something fascinating. She keeps two similar-looking koa wood bowls on her counter. One costs $20, feels lightweight, and was carved from Australian blackwood in China. The real one costs $85, has substantial weight, and came from a Big Island woodworker. The wood grain tells the story – authentic koa has that distinctive curly, figured appearance with reddish-gold to dark brown coloring.

What To Look For On the Label

Hawaii has official certification programs that most tourists never hear about. The Hawaii Seal of Quality certifies products that are truly Hawaii-grown or Hawaii-made with over 51% Hawaii ingredients. The Made in Hawaii with Aloha program differentiates genuine Hawaiian products from items simply packaged here but made elsewhere.

Price tells you something too. A $20 “koa” bowl is fake – guaranteed. Authentic handcrafted items cost more because local labor, materials, and craftsmanship aren't cheap. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Where Locals Actually Shop For Gifts

Na Mea Hawaii at Ward Centre

This place is like stepping into Hawaiian culture itself. I've been shopping here since the '90s. Everything sold here meets strict authenticity standards – handcrafted items, cultural books, locally designed clothing, and food products, all made in Hawaii.

The staff can tell you the story behind each product. Last month, I bought my sister a hand-stitched Hawaiian quilt pillow. The woman at the counter knew the artist personally and explained the meaning behind the pattern. You don't get that at the ABC Store.

They offer weekly classes too – lei making, hula, and Hawaiian language. It's part community center, part shop. The used book section has out-of-print Hawaiian treasures you won't find anywhere else.

Pro Tip: Visit on weekdays before 2 pm to avoid crowds and get more one-on-one time with knowledgeable staff.

House of Mana Up at Ward Village

This shop opened in 2024 and instantly became my go-to for mainland gifts. Every single product comes from 100% Hawaii-based businesses. We're talking local entrepreneurs who went through Hawaii's Mana Up accelerator program.

I love building custom gift boxes here. You can mix HI Spice hot sauce (made with island-grown peppers), Maui Chili Chili Oil, locally roasted coffee, handmade jewelry, and kids' books, all illustrated by Hawaii artists. The staff helps you curate boxes that tell a real Hawaii story.

The selection changes as new local companies join the program. Last visit, I discovered this amazing kukui nut body oil from a North Shore maker I'd never heard of. That's the beauty of shopping local – you find hidden gems.

KCC Farmers Market

Every Saturday morning from 7:30 to 11 am, this market transforms a community college parking lot into Hawaii's best gift shopping. I've been coming here for 20+ years. Get there early – by 9 am, the good stuff starts selling out.

The honey vendors alone are worth the trip. Nalo Meli brings fresh honey from Oahu hives. All Hawaiian Honey has varieties from Windward Oahu, Molokai, and the Big Island. You can taste before buying – each location produces distinctly different flavors.

I always grab fresh turmeric, local fruit, and prepared foods. The açai bowls loaded with island fruit make the perfect breakfast while you shop. For gifts, look for the craft vendors selling handmade jewelry, koa items, and locally made bath products.

The producers are right there. You're buying directly from the farmer who grew those lychees or the artist who carved that pendant. No middleman markup, just honest pricing.

Aloha Stadium Swap Meet

This outdoor market runs on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday and features hundreds of vendors. Yes, some sell imported tourist stuff. But if you know where to look, you'll find incredible deals on authentic items.

I've found hand-painted artwork, genuine koa jewelry, and locally sewn aloha wear here for half what tourist shops charge. The key is talking to vendors. Ask where items were made. The ones selling authentic Hawaii goods are proud to tell you their story.

One vendor has been selling his wife's handmade kukui nut leis for 15 years. Another carved bone pendant is right there at his booth. These are the people I buy from, not the stalls with identical mass-produced t-shirts.

Bring cash and water. Wear comfortable shoes. It gets hot in summer. But you'll find ABC Store items here for literally half the price.

Pro Tip: Visit right at opening time (8 am most days) for the best selection and cooler temperatures.

Foodland Farms Ala Moana

This locally-owned supermarket chain has a dedicated “Made in Hawaii” section that puts mainland grocery stores to shame. The Ala Moana location especially showcases local products.

I buy gifts from their omiyage corner all the time. They stock small-batch honey, locally roasted coffee, Hawaii-made chocolates, and artisan food products mostly from small island businesses. Everything is clearly labeled with its origin.

The poke selection is legendary. While that's not a gift you can ship, grab some for yourself. The bakery makes guava and lilikoi donuts using local fruit. Their hot food bar sometimes features whole fried akule when in season.​

For gifts, I love their selection of local snacks, sauces, and seasonings. Salty Wahine seasoning blends, Auntie Lilikoi products, locally made preserves – all things mainland relatives actually use and enjoy.

Costco Hawaii Locations

Locals hit Costco for bulk Hawaii-made products. The pricing makes it perfect for stocking up on gifts. Every Hawaii Costco has an aisle dedicated to local snacks and treats.

Taro chips in multiple flavors, macadamia nuts (check those labels – many are grown elsewhere despite Hawaii packaging), Hawaiian Sun juices, and locally roasted Kauai Coffee fill the shelves. I buy chocolate-covered mac nuts here in bulk, verify they're actually Hawaii-grown, and give them as gifts year-round.

The produce section stocks locally grown pineapple chunks and papaya. Fresh pineapples cost way less here than anywhere else on the island. Grab some POG (passion-orange-guava juice) from the refrigerated section – it's a Hawaii staple.​

Membership required, but if you're staying with local friends or family, tag along. The savings on authentic Hawaii products add up fast.

The Coffee Scam Every Tourist Falls For

Kona coffee is legendary. It's also widely counterfeited. Hawaiian law allows coffee labeled “Kona Blend” to contain as little as 10% actual Kona beans mixed with cheap imports from Central America or Africa.

I watched my friend's dad spend $45 on a bag labeled “Kona Coffee” at a Waikiki shop. When I checked the fine print, it said “10% Kona Coffee Blend” in tiny letters. He paid a premium price for mostly non-Kona beans.

How To Buy Real Kona Coffee

Look for “100% Kona Coffee” on the label. Not “Kona Blend,” not “Kona Style,” not “Hawaiian Coffee”. If it doesn't explicitly say 100%, it's mostly something else.

Buy directly from Kona farms when possible. Mountain Thunder, Greenwell Farms, and other Big Island growers sell online and in their farm stores. Yes, real 100% Kona costs more – usually $30-40 per pound. That's because Hawaii labor and land costs can't compete with Central American production.

Ka'u coffee from the Big Island is also excellent and sometimes mislabeled as Kona to fetch higher prices. If you want authentic Hawaii coffee without Kona prices, Ka'u is fantastic.

The Macadamia Nut Shell Game

Hawaii is famous for macadamia nuts. But Australia, South Africa, China, and Kenya now produce more than we do. Many brands sold in Hawaii tourist shops contain imported nuts simply packaged here.

This drives local farmers crazy. Foreign nuts marketed cleverly as “Hawaiian” without clear origin labeling confuse consumers. You think you're buying a Hawaii product when the nuts came from China.

Look For These Authentic Brands

Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company sources exclusively from Hawaii farms. The Mauna Loa brand recently committed to 100% Hawaiian macadamias and front-of-pack labeling, confirming origin. Hawaiian Host chocolate-covered mac nuts are trickier – they buy one-third of Hawaii's crop but also import.

Check the packaging for the country of origin. Starting in 2026, new Hawaii legislation may require clearer labeling. Until then, read carefully or buy from farmers' markets where you can ask vendors directly.

Authentic Aloha Shirts Are Worth The Investment

I own exactly two ABC Store Aloha shirts from my college days. They faded after three washes. My Reyn Spooner and Tori Richard shirts from the '90s still look perfect.

Reyn Spooner has made aloha shirts in Hawaii since 1956. Their reverse-print design (pattern on the inside of the fabric) is a kamaaina trademark. Tori Richard, also a 1956 original, offers slimmer fits with contemporary styling.

Sig Zane creates the most culturally authentic prints. Every design celebrates specific aspects of Hawaiian culture. His shirts cost more, but they're wearable art. I save my Sig Zane for special occasions.

These brands use better fabrics – cotton lawn, cotton elastane with stretch, and moisture-wicking materials. They fit properly instead of the boxy, cheap cuts that tourist shops sell. A good aloha shirt lasts decades if you treat it right.

Pro Tip: Buy Tori Richard shirts at Macy's during sales for significant discounts off retail prices.

Locally Made Bath and Body Products

Island Soap & Candle Works started on Kauai in 1984. They make everything from natural ingredients – beeswax candles, botanical lotions, handmade soaps, lip balms, bath salts. The pikake blossom bath salt uses genuine Hawaiian sea salt.

You can visit their working factories in Kilauea (north shore) and Koloa (south shore) to watch production. The stores smell incredible. Products are sold throughout Hawaii and online, but buying direct supports Kauai businesses.

Hawaiian Bath & Body operates from Oahu's North Shore. They handcraft soaps with macadamia nut and kukui nut oils – both native Hawaiian ingredients. The unscented kukui nut oil is my go-to for dry skin. Paraben and phthalate-free formulations.

These products cost more than drugstore brands ABC Stores sell. But the quality, natural ingredients, and supporting local makers make them worth it for gifts.

Chocolate Made In Hawaii You've Never Heard Of

Madre Chocolate in Honolulu makes bean-to-bar chocolate from Hawaiian-grown cacao. They're Oahu's first bean-to-bar operation. The Nine Fine Mynahs bar won multiple awards and tastes unlike any chocolate you've tried.

Nat and Dave, the founders, actually grow cacao on their own farm now. They've become the epicenter for cacao processing in Hawaii, helping farmers perfect fermentation techniques. This means Hawaii's chocolate flavor profiles keep improving.

Their triple cacao bar combines cacao fruit pulp, roasted nibs, and dark chocolate, all from the same beans. It shows chocolate's evolution from fruit to finished product. Try the passionfruit or coconut milk caramelized ginger flavors.

You won't find this at ABC Stores. Visit their Kailua location or shop online. These bars make incredible gifts for chocolate lovers who think they've tried everything.

What About Different Islands

Maui Local Shops

Makawao and Paia offer the best concentration of local boutiques. Maui Hands represents over 300 Hawaii artists and sells exclusively locally crafted items. Monarch Collective Maui curates handmade jewelry and local art. Maui Crafts Guild pioneered selling Maui-made art and home goods.

The Maui Gift & Craft Fair happens every Sunday in Lahaina. Smaller than Aloha Stadium Swap Meet, but focused on locally-made gifts and jewelry. Alii Kula Lavender Farm makes lavender products right on their working farm.

Kauai Local Shops

Kauai Products Store in Kukui Grove Shopping Center stocks 200+ Kauai-made items. Banana Patch Studio makes ceramics and art. Nani Moon Meadery produces local honey wines and unique small-batch gifts.

Koloa and Kapaa have great local boutiques. Salty Wahine seasoning and Auntie Lilikoi products originated on Kauai.

Big Island Local Shops

Dan De Luz Woods carries on a family business, turning koa, milo, mango, and other island woods into beautiful bowls. Kimura Lauhala Shop specializes in everything lauhala – traditional Hawaiian weaving. Under the Koa Tree at Waikoloa sells locally made koa items, including jewelry, boxes, and keepsakes.

Alii Marketplace on Alii Drive features local vendors selling mostly handcrafted items. Kona Potter's Guild in Captain Cook offers unique ceramic souvenirs.

My Personal Gift-Giving Strategy

I keep a running stash of Hawaii-made items for my mainland family. Every few months, I hit House of Mana Up or Na Mea Hawaii and stock up. Small-batch hot sauce, locally roasted coffee, handmade jewelry, bath products. When birthdays roll around, I'm ready.

For perishable items like chocolate or fresh coffee, I order online from Madre or local roasters and ship directly. The packaging keeps everything fresh. Recipients think I put in way more effort than I actually did.

Farmers' markets provide last-minute gifts when relatives visit unexpectedly. Fresh honey, local fruit, handmade crafts – you can assemble a beautiful gift basket in one Saturday morning at KCC.

The key is planning ahead. Don't wait until your last day in Waikiki, then panic-buy at ABC. Visit local shops early in your trip, ask questions, and buy items with meaning.

Breaking Free From Tourist Trap Thinking

Most visitors stick to Waikiki because it feels safe and convenient. I get it. But you're missing the real Hawaii. Drive 15 minutes to Ward Village and discover shops locals actually use. Wake up early one Saturday for the KCC Farmers Market. Visit neighborhoods like Kailua, Haleiwa, or Makawao, where authentic island life happens.

ABC Stores serve a purpose. Grab your sunscreen, bottled water, and emergency snacks there. But when it comes to gifts that represent Hawaii's culture and support local families, shop where locals shop.

Your mainland relatives will notice the difference. A hand-carved koa pendant from a Big Island artisan carries more meaning than a mass-produced trinket. Local honey harvested from Oahu hives tastes distinctly different from imported honey packaged in Hawaii. These gifts tell stories.

Supporting local businesses keeps Hawaii's culture and economy thriving. When you buy from House of Mana Up, you're directly funding Hawaii entrepreneurs. When you shop at farmers' markets, money goes straight to island growers and artisans. That matters more than saving a few dollars on fake souvenirs.

The marking tourists never check is the one that says “Made in…”. Turn products over. Read labels. Ask questions. Within three seconds, you'll know if something's authentic or imported. Once you develop this habit, you'll never waste money on fake Hawaiian products again.