Looking for the best shopping on Maui?
Even if shopping isn’t a high priority on your Maui to-do list, you are likely to find something that entices you to open that wallet — whether it’s a handcrafted item, a Maui-made gift for friends back home, or maybe just some exotic fruit from a local farmer’s market.
Statistics show that shopping is one of the most popular things to do on Maui for visitors, coming in third on the list after exploring Haleakala and the Road to Hana!
There are a ton of options for shopping on Maui. Naturally, my biggest suggestion is that you migrate towards locally-owned businesses or those that sell made-on-Maui or made-in-Hawaii products. Not only will you find meaningful mementos from your trip, but these items are likely to be more unique — and you’ll be supporting the local economy!
HERE ARE MY PERSONAL TIPS FOR THE BEST SHOPPING ON MAUI:
Small Towns
Maui’s charming little towns provide great venues for compact shopping excursions, with everything concentrated within just one or two main streets. My favorite shopping towns:
PAIA
Once a bustling sugar plantation town, today Paia is known as a beachy surfer-hippie town. This north shore town tops my shopping recommendation list because it offers a variety of small boutiques, locally made products, and a great selection of restaurants and cafes.
Check out Maui Crafts Guild — located on the corner of Hana Highways and Baldwin Avenue. Here you’ll find an expansive selection of handcrafted items by local artisans. Don’t miss Paia Gelato, Alice in Hulaland, Solely Aloha, and the Paia Fish Market. Below is our recent Facebook Live walking around Paia Town!
MAKAWAO
Located on Maui’s Upcountry slopes, Makawao is a hub for paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys). But it’s also loved for its boutiques, art galleries, bakeries, and adorable cafes.
Makawao is certainly one of the best places to browse local art. Be sure to stop by Hot Island Glass to watch the glassblowers at work. Also check out Viewpoints Gallery and Jordanne Gallery.
Beyond art galleries, Makawao has a ton to explore — from metaphysical shops and Chinese herb shops to fashion boutiques. But some of Makawao’s biggest highlights include Komoda Bakery (one of the oldest bakeries on Maui) and the Maui Cookie Lady. Stop here to satiate your sweet tooth.
Lastly, stop at the Local Artisan Craft Market Makawao Marketplace, an established space with tents and food trucks with rotating crafters and artisans. The food trucks include Road Dogs Maui and Pakamon Thai Food with picnic tables throughout. The vendors include jewelry makers like Little Ocean Jewelry, henna tattoo artists, art work displays, and local honey providers.
WAILUKU
The historic plantation town of Wailuku in Central Maui (near the airport) is often missed by visitors. But Wailuku is experiencing a revival, and more and more local businesses are moving into the area.
The best shopping in Wailuku is found along Market Street and Main Street. Be sure to check out Paradise Now Hawaii for original Hawaii-inspired art and Native Intelligence for beautiful fresh lei and handcrafted Hawaiian products. Don’t skip Requests Music either, and be sure to explore their record collection in the basement.
There are also plenty of places to eat and drink in Wailuku Town. Grab a coffee at Wailuku Coffee Co., a sandwich from 808 on Main, or a fun cocktail from Esthers Fair Prospect. There are plenty more mom-and-pop eateries in this area, so take your time when exploring.
Another thing to love about Wailuku? The town is covered in murals by local artists. Search for building-sized murals completed by all local artists. These murals are historically, culturally, and locationally significant art pieces, organized through the Small Town Big Art initiative!
Wailuku is just a short distance to Iao Valley State Park, so it’s ideal to pair a visit to the Iao Needle with a shopping stop in Wailuku.
Shopping Centers
At the other end of the spectrum, Maui’s shopping centers offer everything from high-end designer stores to hand-made island products. So if your fondest dream is to carry a Louis Vuitton bag you purchased from Maui or you just want some comfy “slippahs” for the beach, you’ll likely find both here.
My favorite shopping center for a good mix of big brand names and grassroots local stores is Whalers Village in Kaanapali (West Maui). Fronting the gorgeous 3-mile stretch of Ka’anapali beach, you can find island lifestyle brands like Volcom and Roxy, grab easy take-out food at the Food Court, cool down with shave ice or gelato, and even try your hand at an Escape Room!
A close second is The Shops at Wailea (South Maui), if you’re staying in Wailea, this is a higher end shopping center compared to Whaler’s Village featuring 70 retail luxury and lifestyle stores, including world-renowned brands and top island restaurants. The Shops at Wailea is smack dab in the middle of the gorgeous resorts of Wailea. For a better mix of all locally-owned and small business-minded shopping area, go to Wailea Village and support local artisans and businesses! Akamai Coffee is a perfect break to your shopping frenzy at Wailea Village.
Maui’s shopping centers are also a great source of free entertainment from hula shows to ukulele lessons, so check out their entertainment schedules. The Shops at Wailea usually hosts entertainment during the week, and Queen Kaahumanu Center in Kahului often offers free concerts and other entertainment.
Costco
Yes . . . on Maui, Costco stands alone in its very own shopping category. EVERYONE shops at Costco, locals and visitors alike. It is “the great gathering place” on our island – the place where you are most likely to run into your neighbor or friend or boss. So if you are a member, bring your Costco card with you to Maui. (If you are not familiar with Costco, it is a U.S. membership-only warehouse store that carries pretty much everything at a reasonable price).
Costco is located about two miles from Kahului Airport, making it a convenient — and cost-efficient — place to stock up on groceries for your kitchen if you have rented a condo or vacation home. And it’s got excellent prices on island products like coffee, macadamia nuts, beach equipment, and other items to enjoy or take home to friends and family.
Swap Meets, Crafter Fairs, and Farmers’ Markets
If you are looking for great souvenirs or unique island products, head to Maui’s biggest swap meet every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the University of Hawaii Maui College campus in Kahului. I love taking visiting friends here. You’ll see both visitors and locals wandering through the rows of open-air booths, where you’ll find arts and crafts, souvenirs, clothing, jewelry, food, flowers, produce, and everything else you can imagine from around 200 vendors. Not everything at the swap meet is a bargain, but it costs just 50 cents to get in and it’s a fun place to search for some one-of-a-kind island products.
In West Maui, head for the weekly Maui Gift & Craft Fair. This event, featuring approximately 50 local vendors, took place for many years in the Lahaina Civic Center, but it has found a new home at Lahaina Gateway Center. (The shopping center across the street from Safeway/Lahaina Cannery.) Every Sunday. Free admission and plenty of free parking.
Lastly, another favorite is the Upcountry Farmers Market, held 7 am to 11 am every Saturday at the Kulamalu Town Center in Pukalani. Obviously, there is a ton of fresh produce here. But you’ll also find unique gifts and souvenirs like handcrafted wooden cutting boards, stained glass art, jewelry, bags, and much more. Plus, there are a ton of good eats here — from empanadas and pastries to mochiko chicken and more.
On any given day of the week, there is at least one farmers’ market taking place somewhere on this island offering a delicious selection of fresh produce, literally direct from the farm. (And often you’ll find homemade foods and gifts at farmers’ markets!) In addition to familiar favorites like tree-ripened bananas and papayas, you’ll undoubtedly discover some local fruits and vegetables you’ve probably never seen before. Give ’em a try! Here’s our Ultimate Guide to Maui Farmers Markets for where, when, how large, and what to expect at each market.
Other Stores Worth A Mention for Best Shopping on Maui:
The non-profit Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center in Makawao is a wonderful place to find locally-made products. Set on a beautiful historic estate (pictured), the gallery shop features handmade gifts from more than 100 local Maui artists and crafters.
Kula Marketplace, located next to Kula Lodge in upcountry Maui. I love this place for its vast selection of high quality, island-made products. If you are doing an upcountry day (and you SHOULD while you’re here!), stop in.
And last but not least, one of my favorite local Maui stores: U’i Gallery in Kahului is owned and operated by artist Rachael Ray Au Hoon and features her vibrantly colored artwork, as well as many other handcrafted items from local artisans. I love this store for everything from unique home furnishings to iPhone covers and clothing. It’s a visual feast. And Rachael always greets you personally with genuine kindness and aloha.
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Aloha! Tiffany here. I've been blessed to call Maui home since 2011. With a background in the island's finest restaurants and hotels, guiding visitors to create unforgettable Maui memories is more than a skill I've mastered—it's a profound source of joy for me.
