Support Local: 20 Hawaii Products You’ve Never Heard Of

Jun 1, 2023

There’s more to Hawaii-made products than macadamia nuts and Kona coffee (although we love both). Hawaii is a garden blooming with entrepreneurs, designers, artisans, and chefs— and their creations will blow you away. While this is by no means a complete list, we’ve rooted out some fantastic made-in-Hawaii wares. From ulu pies to Hawaiian-inspired stationery, here are 20 of our favorite island-made products.

Taro Plants

1. Pono Pies

Maui

Pono Pies are handheld, melt-in-your-mouth pies made with locally sourced ulu (breadfruit), macadamia nuts, honey, coconut, and almonds. They are 100% gluten and dairy-free and come in various flavors like chocolate, lilikoi, and banana coconut cream. You can find these guilt-free treats at Whole Foods and natural markets across the state.

2. North Shore Goodies – Coconut Peanut Butter

Oʻahu

Local Hawaii Products Coconuts

North Shore Goodies is famous for its two-ingredient coconut peanut butter. This family-owned and operated business sources peanuts from the Big Island, and coconuts from Oahu, and produces its celebrated peanut butter in Haleiwa. North Shore Goodies also makes a variety of other jarred delights, like jams, butters, syrups, and sauces. You can purchase from them online or in person at their Haleiwa location.

3. Porcelain Ocean

Big Island

Zoe Johnson, a studio ceramist, creates intricately-detailed, ocean-inspired porcelain works. She designs a range of pieces— from mugs and bowls to vases and spoons— but each reflects the same thing: the ocean’s delicate corals, creatures, and movements. You can shop Zoe’s stunning works on her website or at select galleries across the Big Island.

4. Oʻo Farm – Coffee

Maui

Morning Coffee

O’o Farm is an eight-acre organic farm in Kula, Maui. O’o grows various crops and supplies several local restaurants with fresh produce. The farm also produces several types of specialty coffee, like Red Catuai and Typica, which are harvested and roasted on-site. You can visit the roastery every day from 8 am to 3 pm. Alternatively, you can purchase 12 oz bags of O’o Farm’s coffee online. Coffee tours are also available.

5. Anahola Granola

Kauaʻi

Anahola Granola was first dreamt up by Becky Burns, a then-single mother, over 30 years ago in Anahola, Kauai. Burns’ granola bags and bars are made with simple ingredients and tropical twists like dried mango, ginger, and pineapple. Although Anahola Granola has grown exponentially in the last three decades, Burns has never once changed her recipes. Today you can find Anahola Granola in grocery stores across the state and online.

6. 21 Degrees North – Jewelry

Oʻahu

21 Degrees North is the brainchild of Brooke Holt Pennell, native Hawaiian, mother, surfer, and artist. Brooke creates stunning ocean-inspired jewelry using ethically-sourced shells, pearls, and semi-precious gems. Each piece is handmade with intention. 21 Degrees North can be purchased online.

7. Vitalitea Kombucha

Maui

Since 2018, Vitalitea Kombucha has become one of Maui’s most recognizable kombucha brands. Vitalitea produces nitro cold brew and a variety of kombucha. Locally sourced ingredients are at the forefront of Vitalitea’s operation, relying on local farmers to supply them with fruit and herbs. In addition, each beverage is canned on Maui. You can find Vitalitea in grocery stores across Hawaii, Southern California, Nevada, and Arizona.

8. Green World Coffee

Oʻahu

Hawaii Coffee Cherries

Green World Coffee is a small coffee farm set on seven acres in Wahiawa. The farm is home to about 3,000 arabica trees and a roastery. Green World Coffee’s blends are created using homegrown beans and beans purchased from around Hawaii. In addition to local blends, Green World produces specialty flavored coffees like Hawaiian coffee cake and coconut creme. You can buy online or visit Green World’s retail shop in Wahiawa.

9. Hot Island Glass

Maui

Local Hawaii Products Hot Island Glass

Hot Island Glass has been creating stunning glass works of art since 1992. Their works range from head-turning decor— like vivid jellyfish suspended in clear glass— to practical pieces like jewelry, lighting, and bowls. Each Hot Island Glass item is blown from molten glass by artist Chris Richards. Pieces can be purchased online or in person at the Makawao gallery.

10. Kahala – Aloha Shirts

Oʻahu

Founded in 1936, Kahala is the oldest operating apparel company in Hawaii. This family-owned company was also the first brand to manufacture the ‘aloha shirt’ that is ubiquitous in Hawaii today. Each handcrafted shirt represents Hawaii’s vibrant colors and unwavering aloha spirit. Shop online or in person at one of Kahala’s five Oʻahu locations.

11. Oshan Essentials

Maui

Born on Maui’s north shore, Oshan Essentials is a sustainable luxury skincare line. Each formula is handcrafted in small batches with high-quality, ethically sourced, organic ingredients— including botanicals grown on Oshan’s seven-acre farm. In addition, Oshan exclusively uses glass bottles— never plastic— and uses paper filling and 100% recycled boxes in their shipping. Oshan’s collections are available for purchase online.

12. Maui Cookie Lady

Maui

Local Hawaii Products Maui Cookie Lady

Okay, you might have heard of the Maui Cookie Lady— but her confections are too good not to include. Maui Cookie Lady is known across the United States for her creative cookie creations. Her monstrous cookies are handmade in Upcountry with unique local ingredients— like Maui Brewing beer and lavender buds— which leads to some deliciously quirky creations. If you can’t make it to her storybook shop in Makawao, online ordering is a breeze.

13. SALT + SOL CO.

Big Island

Burning Candle

Inspired by Hawaii’s sweet scents and exotic fruits, SALT + SOL CO is a hand-poured, all-natural candle company. SALT + SOL CO’s candles are made with 100% soy wax and phthalate-free, BPA-free fragrances. The Kona-based candle company’s island collection features beautiful island fragrances like plumeria, Hawaiian jasmine, Kona coffee, and puakenikeni. SALT + SOL CO ships nationwide.

14. MauiWine

Maui

Local Hawaii Products MauiWine

Located in the lush hills of Ulupalakua, Maui’s only winery produces an assortment of estate wines, sparkling wines, and, most famously, pineapple wines. The wines made here are distinctly Maui and reflect the island’s tropical climate. Wines are made in small batches using Maui Gold pineapples or estate-grown grapes. Wine tastings are available by reservation or you can drop in to purchase bottles. Wines may also be ordered online.

15. Cindy’s Lei Shoppe

Oʻahu

Lei Making

A longstanding local favorite, Cindy’s Lei Shoppe is one of the oldest lei stands in Hawaii. Owner Cindy Lau is a master in the trade of lei making, earning her lei shop a slew of local awards. The family-run shop is known for its stunning hakus, orchid and fragrant leis, and customer service. Cindy’s ships to all 50 states, or you can visit her shop in Chinatown in Honolulu.

16. Hana Gold – Chocolate

Maui

Local Hawaii Products Chocolate

Located on the Hana Coast, the Hana Gold chocolate plantation is one of the oldest cacao farms in Hawaii. Because of Hana’s rich volcanic soil, the cacao grown here is bursting with flavor and subtle undertones. Hana Gold produces a variety of chocolate bars using their hand-picked cacao. Maui visitors can tour the Hana Gold plantation or pick up Hana Gold chocolate bars in select stores. Hana Gold chocolate is also available for purchase online.

17. Jules + Gem Hawaii

Oʻahu

Jules + Gem is a wahine-owned fragrance company specializing in candles, oils, hand soaps, bath salts, and perfumes. Owner Lana Gronwald says the goal of Jules + Gem is to help customers fill their homes with the soothing scents of Hawaii. Jules + Gem prides itself on creating clean, handcrafted products in the heart of Honolulu. Visit Jules + Gem’s retail location in Kaimuki or browse products online.

18. Hanalei Spirits Distillery

Kauaʻi

Local Hawaii Products Cocktail

Nestled in the sleepy town of Kilauea, Hanalei Spirits Distillery strives to preserve Kauai’s rich agricultural past. This family-run distillery creates premium spirits using local ingredients collected on their farm. Hanalei Spirits Distillery crafts ultra-unique seasonal small-batch releases, like Taro Vodka and Lilikoicello. Make an appointment to visit the distillery in person or order Hanalei Spirits online.

19. Opihi Maui

Maui

Opihi Maui makes handcrafted, decorative wooden signs and magnets with Hawaiian words and phrases. Owner Kiani Yasak is a Hawaiian Immersion teacher at an Upcountry middle school and creates signs to help perpetuate Hawaiian values and language. All of her signs are hand painted at her kitchen table. Custom orders can be placed on the Opihi Maui website.

20. Kakou Collective – Notebooks & Stationery

Oʻahu

Kakou Collective is a Native Hawaiian-owned business that creates island-inspired stationery and notebooks. Kakou Collective’s designs feature native plants and animals as well as lei. Notebooks and stationery products are crafted ethically and sustainably in Honolulu, Hawaii. Shop Kakou Collective online.

Monstera Pattern