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We hope you've saved room in your suitcase. With our shopping guide, you can find the top shops for everything "Maui-grown," from lilikoi (passion fruit) jams and fresh pineapples to koa wood bowls and swimwear. Style hunters can get their fill of bohemian-resort chic in Paia, luxury brands in Wailea, and paniolo (cowboy) threads in Upcountry's quiet Makawao town. And before packing up your plunder, conjure up some Zen by soaking in Maui's natural resources at one of the island's top spas.
If you're seeking authentic Hawaiian artistry, check out the handcrafted instruments at Mele Ukulele and Maui Divers' jewelry designs. Splurge on an heirloom Niihau shell lei found in art galleries around the island or score pretty puka charms from the Maui Swap Meet in Kahului. Maxed out on your luggage weight? No problem. There’s Hello Makana (www.hellomakana.com), a subscription service that curates food and gift items from high-quality local artisans and ships to your doorstep. Although the cost of basic goods might be higher on the Islands, keep in mind that the state has a much lower sales tax (4%) than the mainland.
Specialty food products—pineapples, coconuts, or Maui onions—and "Made in Maui" jams and jellies make great, less expensive souvenirs. Cook Kwee's Maui Cookies have gained a following, as have Kitch'n Cook'd The Original Maui Potato Chip Company. Coffee sellers now offer Maui-grown and roasted beans alongside the better-known Kona varieties. Remember that fresh fruit must be inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture before it can leave the state, so it's safest to buy a box that has already passed inspection.
Business hours for individual shops on the island are usually 9–5, seven days a week. Shops on Front Street and in shopping centers tend to stay open later (until 9 or 10 on weekends).
To unwind on your trip, you can rejuvenate in a yoga class and then enter one of the island's world-class spas. Many treatments use ingredients indigenous to Hawaii, like kukui nut and coconut. With coveted beauty lines like Eminence or Epicuren sharing the shelves with locally made Ala Lani Bath and Body, you're bound to find a spa product or two to bring home.
Traditional Swedish massage and European facials anchor most spa menus on the island, though you can also find shiatsu, ayurveda, aromatherapy, and other body treatments drawn from cultures across the globe. It can be fun to try some more local treatments or ingredients, though. Lomilomi, traditional Hawaiian massage involving powerful strokes down the length of the body, is a regional specialty passed down through generations. Many treatments incorporate local plants and flowers. Awapuhi, or Hawaiian ginger, and noni, a pungent-smelling fruit, are regularly used for their therapeutic benefits. Limu, or seaweed, and even coffee are employed in rousing salt scrubs and soaks.
This locally owned shop is a favorite among stylish surfers and landlubbers alike. Stop here immediately after deplaning to stock up on surf trunks, windsurfing gear, bikinis, or sundresses. You can also rent a surfboard or sign up for windsurfing or kiteboarding lessons while you're at it. You'll find additional branches in Kihei and Paia.
For a professional-quality, authentic ukulele, skip the souvenir shops. Mele's handcrafted beauties are made of koa or mahogany and strung and finished by expert craftsmen on the Island. Owner Michael Rock has consciously observed the cultural significance and importance of the ukulele to the Hawaiian people and their music, by creating instruments for everyone from kupuna to keiki (grandparents to children). There is a location at The Shops at Wailea and in Paia.
This store in the heart of Wailuku champions cultural traditions and craftsmanship. It has curated Hawaiian and Polynesian works of art that include traditional wear, jewelry, weaponry, photography, books, music, hula instruments, and even surfboards.
At this women's clothing store, statement Polynesian prints are redefined in vibrantly colored blouses, pareos (beach wraps), dresses, and aloha shirts. All clothing is designed and made locally, as is most of the jewelry.
It's the best stop in Kahului for 100% Kona, Kau, and Maui coffee from the best coffee farms in Hawaii. This café and roasting house is near Kahului Airport. Sales associates are very helpful and friendly, and they will ship items. You can get a free cup of joe in a signature to-go cup when you buy a pound of coffee. Order online or call in your food or drink order and the barista will meet you at the door or bring it to your car!
Conveniently located five minutes from the airport and across from Kahului Harbor, and anchored by Longs Drugs and Whole Foods, the Maui Mall is a haven for locals and travelers alike. There are several casual eateries ranging from fast food, national chains, and local eateries to sushi. Local favorite Tasaka Guri Guri Shop is also here—it's been around for more than a hundred years, selling a Japanese-style sherbet confection called guri guri. The mall also has a whimsically designed 12-screen megaplex.
Crafts, T-shirts, fresh produce, flowers, souvenirs that range from authentic to average make this enormous flea market—operating since 1981—the Island's biggest bargain. Maui-made food product vendors and freshly cracked coconuts can be found next to the food trucks serving fresh, affordable, authentic local food.
This convenience store/gas station is a Maui staple, the first stop before a day at the beach or road trip. In addition to convenience items and Hawaiian-made snacks, it boasts some of the best fast food on the Island featuring local-style plate lunches, deli items, and their famous fried chicken and potato wedges. There are eight locations across Maui.
This newer shopping center is near Kahului Airport. It is anchored by a Target store that includes a supermarket, making it convenient to purchase necessities and groceries after landing on Maui. Other retailers include Planet Fitness, Ulta, Maui Tacos, Petco, Starbucks, and the popular farm-to-table takeout joint Fork & Salad.
Maui's largest shopping center has more than 100 stores and restaurants, a movie theater, and a food court. The mall's attractive rooftop is easily spotted, composed of a series of manta ray-like umbrella shades. Stop at Camellia Seeds for what locals call "crack seed," a snack made from dried fruits, or swing by 180 Boardshop for Hawaii-based streetwear like 808 All Day or In4mation. For surf-inspired gear, stop by The Foam Company and Shapers. Other stops include Macy's, PacSun, Bath & Body Works, and American Eagle Outfitters. Beyond retail therapy, the mall also hosts a creative lineup of events throughout the month, including a farmers' market, live music, and car shows.
Located a minute from Kahului Airport, this gigantic 24-hour supermarket has all the essentials, and then some. The deli, prepared foods, and seafood sections, and bakery are all fantastic. There's a good wine selection, tons of produce, and a flower shop where you can treat yourself to a fresh lei.
Cheeky celebrity portraits, trippy cartoons, and whimsical Maui scenes line the walls of this art gallery and studio run by the equally eclectic namesake artist. Sandell's affordable art comes in various sizes, and some designs are printed on T-shirts.
This busy supermarket carries local organic produce, and the seafood, bakery, beer and wine, and meat offerings are exceptional. The pricey prepared foods—including pizza, sushi, a salad bar, Asian bowls, and Mexican fare—attract crowds.
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