Put down the leis and pick up souvenirs from Maui that you’ll actually use instead. So many tourists get caught up in the idea of buying artifacts like ukeleles, hula skirts, and leis, only to have items collecting dust once they get back home.
What’s more, buying souvenirs like this can be insensitive because many are significant to Hawaiian culture. For example, leis are a religious symbol meant to be worn a specific way. So buying one and wearing it as a fashion garment is offensive and should be avoided.
The key to the best Maui souvenirs is to pinpoint gifts made by local artisans so that your purchase supports Hawaii’s economy without mocking its culture. I visit Maui regularly and am obsessed with finding small makers, so use this guide as your shopping list the next time you’re on the island and ready to buy souvenirs to take home!
Maui experienced catastrophic fires August 9, 2023. Please consider donating to help locals recover from devastating loss.
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Save this to Pinterest for later because I’ll update this with more local souvenirs I find on future trips!
Maui coffee
I was appalled to see other articles about the best souvenirs from Maui suggesting that you buy Kona coffee. Yes, Kona on the big island is the largest producer of coffee in Hawaii. However, there are a lot of local coffee farms right on Maui worth supporting.
Coffee is not native to Hawaii, but was introduced by the governor of Oahu when he brought back seeds from Brazil. Since then Hawaii has become the predominant exporter of coffee in the US. Coffee farms have replaced sugar cane fields and become a vital staple to the economy. So buying Maui-grown coffee makings the perfect souvenir or gift for java lovers!
Where to get it
- Akamai Coffee – Roaster using 100% locally-grown Maui coffee
- O’o Farms – Upcountry farm in Kula that offers tours and tastings
- Social Hour Coffee – Native-owned wholesale roaster of Maui beans
Prefer tea? Maui Tea Farm grows their own leave and offers tours!
Local honey
Bees are vital to local ecosystems, so supporting farms who help them thrive makes honey a win/win souvenir from Maui. While honey bees are not native to Hawaii, they have been vital to helping plants pollinate for the past 150 years. In fact, it’s estimated that 1 in 3 bites of food in Hawaii were made possible because of honey bees.
Furthermore, Hawaii has become important to the bee industry as a whole. The state’s weather allows apiary farmers to rear queen bees year round to be exported to the mainland. Hawaii supplies 25% of the queen bees in the US and a whopping 75% in Canada!
Where to get it
- Maui Bees – Kula farm known for their farm stand, tours, and dinners
- Honey Bee Sanctuary – Another Upcountry farm with tours and tastings
Chocolate
Chocolate makes one of the best souvenirs from Maui because Hawaii is the only 100% American-grown chocolate producer in the country. This is mind boggling considering there are only about 25 producers in the whole state. That means the majority of the cacao farms you see are mom-and-pop operations.
Similar to coffee, cacao isn’t native to Hawaii. It has pretty much the same success story as coffee, considering it was also introduced in the early-mid 1800s from Central/South America and became one of the predominant agricultural industries in the state.
Where to get it
- Maui Ku’ia Estate – Largest chocolate farm with tours, a cafe, and shipping
- Hana Gold – Smaller farm in east Maui selling bars made on their farm
Fun tours for trying before you buy
Pick up Maui souvenirs after taking one of these tours!
Banana bread
No one is really sure why banana bread became such a thing on Maui, but some speculate it’s because of how many bananas grow there. And these aren’t just any bananas. They’re sweeter and creamier than the kind we see at grocery stores on the mainland.
You’ll find banana bread everywhere in Maui. There are a bunch of farm stands at markets and on the Road to Hana that make their own version. Many of them also use locally-made sugar and butter, plus get creative with mix-ins like guava, macadamia nut, and more. So if you want to bring home one of the ultimate souvenirs from Maui, banana bread is a great choice.
Where to get it
- Julia’s Best Banana Bread – Roadside stand on the rural northwest coast
- Aunt Sandy’s – Famous banana bread stand on the Road to Hana
- Lynie’s – Exceptional banana bread you can get delivered
Macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts are another foreign import that turned into big business for Hawaii. The first macadamia plant was brought to Hawaii in 1881 from Australia. Since then the nut has thrived in the state’s tropical climate.
You’ll see macadamia nuts everywhere in Maui, including at restaurants and mixed into sweets. Look for smooth nuts free of blemishes and make sure to store them in an air-tight container so they don’t go rancid.
Where to get it
- Kumu Farms – Small Wailuku farm that sells roasted mac nuts and butter
- Olowalu Farmers Market – Roadside stand selling a ton of gifts from all across Hawaii. Look for mac nuts and other goodies made in Maui.
Hawaiian jewelry
You’ll find so much Hawaiian jewelry in Maui. It makes great souvenirs and gifts, but you need to be careful to support actual local artisans and not items imported from overseas. Additionally, don’t buy items like beaded leis that have significance to native Hawaiians. You wearing it is appropriation, especially if you didn’t buy it from a Native-owned business.
One common misconception is that pearls are common in Hawaii. You’ll see a ton of jewelry with them, particularly black pearls.
Don’t be fooled by this. All black pearls are imported from French Polynesia or manufactured in China.
Where to get it
- Hana Maui Creations – Hana jewelry using beach finds (ships nationwide)
- The Monarch Collective – Small shop in Makawao that makes jewelry
- Wings – Another small shop creating handmade jewelry
Repurposed beach finds
It’s not recommended to bring home shells and lava rocks from the beach. However, it’s totally fine if they’re part of a souvenir you purchased.
You’ll see a lot of local artisans use natural materials to make cute knick knacks. For example, I have a magnet on my fridge made of driftwood and sea glass. I also have a blown glass crab peaking out of a shell. Keep your eyes peeled for handmade items like this, taking caution not to accidentally buy something imported from overseas.
Where to get it
- Maui Hands – Souvenir shop with a few locations sourcing artisan goods
- Karen Lei’s Gallery – Another souvenir shop with local handmade gifts located on Maui’s desolate northwest coast
Jam
There is so much juicy tropical fruit in Maui, including guava, dragonfruit, bananas, mango, pineapple, passionfruit, and more. Bringing some home is one of the best souvenirs from Maui because you can get a taste of the island well after your trip.
Pro tip: If you can’t find travel-sized jars, buy TSA-approved toiletry containers at a drug store and transfer the jam into that. And bonus if it has a squeeze top: you can get a quick hit of jam on cheese and crackers without making a mess!
Where to get it
- Julia’s Best Banana Bread – I’m obsessed with their guava jam!
- Maui Upcountry Jams – The most widely-available jams on the island
Fruit
I am not above bringing fruits home in my carry-on luggage. If you’re the same way, buying fresh versions of tropical fruits grown in Maui is a wonderful souvenir or gift. Note, you can only do this if you live in the US.
Where to get it
- Upcountry Farmers Market – Great place to find produce from small farms
- Kula Country Farms – Sweet farm stand in the Upcountry
- Laulima Farm – My favorite farm stand on the Road to Hana
Fun tours for trying before you buy
Salt, spices, & hot sauces
You’ll undoubtedly see a bunch of Hawaiian sea salts. These make a great souvenir, but did you know that Maui also grows a lot of spices? Your typical varietals like parsley, thyme, etc. can be found, but you can also find less-talked-about plants like allspice. In fact, I learned how allspice actually grew when I took a tour of O’o Farms in the Upcountry!
Many small businesses sell spice blends and seasonings. You’ll also find a bunch that add them to hot sauces, which is a great Maui souvenir for those who like heat.
Where to get it
- Tutu’s Pantry – Kihei shop with salts, seasonings, and pantry staples
- Volcano Spice – Another local shop selling seasonings an hot sauces
Koa wooden decor
Acacia koa is a gorgeous tree that’s native to Hawaii. The word “koa” means warrior and is a sign of resilience and courage. Given the durability of koa, it’s a fitting name.
In Hawaiian culture, koa wood used to only be appropriate for monarchs to own. But nowadays you can take a piece home with you as a souvenir. Many local artisans use this gorgeous wood to create bowls, furniture, and art. While the tree is most prolific on the Big Island, you can still find local wood craftsman on Maui.
Where to get it
- Kea Woodturning Studio – Makawao artist on the Maui Woodturners Association
- Maui Hands – Sells wood souvenirs from artists all over Hawaii
- Maui Crafts Guild – Cute little shop in Paia curating local art, including wood
Beer, wine, or spirits
I love that no matter where you travel, you can always find locally-made booze. Though the industry is small, you can still find Maui artisans making beer, wine, and spirits.
Beer is the most prolific, with 5 breweries in Maui. There’s only one winery and a handful of distilleries, so taking some of their craft home makes for a very special souvenir!
Where to get it
- MauiWine – Wines made with pineapple and some Hawaiian-grown grapes
- Mahalo Aleworks – Upcountry brewery with classic styles
- Koholā Brewery – Lahaina brewery off-the-beaten path
- Maui Brewing Co. – Largest brewery with wild flavors and shipping
- Waikiki Brewing – Oahu based, but the Wailea brew pub has great beers
- Hali’imaile Distilling – Makes vodka, gin, rum, and whiskey and offers tours
- Kupu Spirits – Owned by Maui Brewing and makes gin, amaro, and whiskey
- Ocean Distillery – Makes gin, vodka, and rum and offers guided tastings
Fun tours for trying before you buy
Local art
There are so many local artists creating stunning wall art and sculptures. You’ll find everything from Hawaiian landscapes, Native art, and contemporary abstracts. As you shop, just make sure you’re at a shop known for selling local Hawaiian gifts. Many of the tchotchke shops in popular areas like Old Lahaina and Paia will have imported and mass-produced art.
Where to get it
- Taylor Binda – Local artist making colorful abstracts (I own one!)
- Debra Lumpkins – Kihei artist painting wildlife using a Japanese technique
- Carla Gangini – Local artist with oil paintings (I love her surfer girls)
- Chelsea Bryce – Maui-born artist making pretty geometric pastels
Candy and snacks
There are so many unique snacks to be found on Maui. For example, go into any local convenience store and you’ll see items like wasabi peas, li hing mui (plum) gummies, and crack seed. You’ll also find potato chips with interesting flavored. So if you’re a snack fiend, definitely browse for locally-made treats to bring back!
Where to get it
- Tamura’s – Market and liquor store with a few locations
- Mana Foods – Local grocery store in Paia that prioritizes Maui-made goods
- Down to Earth – Hawaiian chain that also prioritizes locally-made items
More Hawaii tips
After you map out the souvenirs from Maui you plan to bring home, check out my other guides fro planning your trip.
- My Favorite Shopping Spots in Maui
- The Ultimate Road to Hana Itinerary
- Best Places to Eat in Maui (According to Locals)
- Where to Stay in Maui: Best Areas by Price and Location
- Easy Hikes in Maui with Stunning Views
- Best Snorkeling Spots in Maui
- The Ultimate 5-Day Maui Itinerary
- Kauai Itinerary: How to Spend a Few Days in Paradise
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