Shopping in Hawaii is a lot of fun! There are cute souvenirs, hand-made items, local products, and more. Scroll to find out the best places for some Maui shopping!
This Maui shopping post was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Every vacation should involve some shopping! After all, how else will you bring home the best souvenirs from Maui? Well, you’re in the best place to learn more about Maui shopping!
Maui is home to plenty of shopping centers with handmade craft vendors, Hawaiian clothing, and touristy gifts to give to your friends back home. It’s no wonder that shopping in Maui is one of the most popular tourist activities on the island!
You’ll find everything from luxury boutiques to casual spots like a bustling Maui shopping center or charming lifestyle stores run by friendly locals. Families can enjoy a mix of brand names and unique shops that carry treasures made right on the island.
When shopping in Maui, avoid the tourist traps. That hula dancer figurine is probably made in China, not on a neighboring island. Instead, look for island-made Hawaiian goods to take home with you.
Also, look for national chain stores that carry the things you left at home. If you just need one basic tank top, it may make more sense to find it at Old Navy than at a boutique shop. Don’t spend more than you have to on essentials!
If you want an authentic shopping experience on Maui, check out these retail hubs. They include malls in Maui, shopping districts, and communities with plenty of fun Maui stores to explore.
While this post mainly focuses on small businesses in Maui, you’ll find the best places to find familiar brands toward the end.
Before buying anything on Maui, remember that you will have to take it back on the plane with you. Make sure everything you buy passes a TSA baggage check!
Keep scrolling to find out where to shop in Maui for any budget!
Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Maui Itinerary, complete with daily schedules, kid-friendly activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.
Where to Go Shopping on Maui
Here’s your go-to guide for the best shopping in Maui, Hawaii!
From charming open-air markets to fully enclosed shopping malls in Maui, the island offers plenty of family-friendly spots to browse, snack, and shop—rain or shine
Front Street in Lahaina
Due to the recent Maui fires, most of the shops in Lahaina were burned. While things are slowly opening up in that area, you might not find shopping in Lahaina, at least not what it used to be like.
Front Street Lahaina used to be one of the best Maui shopping areas, but unfortunately, the fires destroyed the shops, galleries, and so much more.
One day, it will be rebuilt, but in the meantime, you can enjoy the other best shopping on Maui below.
Paia
This “hippie” town on Maui is a great place to find locally made goods. You’ll also find some cute cafés in this North Maui spot.
Aloha Bead Company has an Etsy store, but you can buy the seller’s products on Hana Highway.
If you’re looking to buy clothing, you’re in luck: Boutique stores like Mahina, Boutique Aloha, and Nectar Creations have fashionable pieces to try on. These are some of the best clothing stores in Maui.
Don’t forget to browse the art galleries while you’re here, too! Find surf-themed art at Maui Crafts Guild, Art Project Paia, and Cesere Brothers. You won’t just find wall art in these galleries – you’ll also find ceramics, woodwork, and other art forms to marvel at.
You will find some of the best gifts from Maui at these local shops!
Paia is a small town in Maui near Kahului Airport. It’s also close to Haiku and Wailuku, places you might be more familiar with. The town is relatively accessible to those staying in North Maui.
Families looking to explore Paia Town will appreciate its relaxed pace and walkable streets, ideal for an afternoon of shopping and grabbing a snack with kids in tow.
Makawao
Not too far from Paia sits Makawao, a place that’s earned the name paniolo (cowboy town). Anyone looking to shop for clothes on Maui should stop by the boutiques in this town!
Pink by Nature carries well-known designers (like Havaianas), but you’ll likely stumble upon brands you’ve never heard of, too. It’s also a great spot to browse home goods and accessories you won’t find in big-box stores.
For eco-friendly finds, head to Fleur de Lei. This boutique only curates clothing from brands that share their values so you can feel confident in your purchases.
If you’re not in the mood for these Maui clothing stores, don’t cross Makawao off your Maui bucket list!
The town has some specialty shops and galleries to browse, like Hot Island Glass. At this gallery, you can watch the glassblowers make high-quality pieces that will then be sold. It is one of the top Maui Hawaii stores to check out!
Chefs and tea lovers should stop at Dragon’s Den Herb Shop. In addition to their wide variety of bulk herbs and teas, they sell incense, candles, crystals, and other gifts.
Makawao is also known for supporting local artists, and you’ll find beautiful pieces of local art in many of its galleries and shops.
Makawao is just 10 minutes from Paia and Pukalani and roughly 30 minutes from Wailea and Kihei. Stop by after a day at the beach!
Maui Swap Meet
Another place to find locally made Maui products is at the Maui Swap Meet. It’s not your typical swap meet. Instead, it’s like a local arts and crafts fair.
Here, you’ll find t-shirts, jewelry, ornaments, baked goods, and one-of-a-kind souvenirs. It’s much smaller than the Aloha Swap Meet on Oahu, but it’s still worth stopping.
It’s held every Saturday morning from 7 AM to 1 PM in the University of Hawaii Maui College parking lot in Kahului.
Plus, they have food trucks and vendors that sell snacks, shave ice, and plate lunches. In my opinion, the Maui Swap Meet is one of the best places to shop in Maui, Hawaii, if you want to shop locally.
It’s especially great for picking up local produce and supporting local businesses all in one spot.
Shopping on Maui: The Best Shopping Malls
Malls on Maui are filled with the brands you love and some smaller souvenir shops. Visiting these Maui shopping centers is a great way to cool off, grab a snack, and explore a wide variety of stores in one convenient location.
WHALER’S VILLAGE
Across from the Kaanapali beach, you’ll find Whaler’s Village.
Since this Maui shopping mall is right across from the beach, Hawaiian surf brands like Honolua Surf Company and Volcom can easily be found here. If you left your rash guard at home, grab one at the mall before surfing!
Whaler’s Village also has an escape room for those who want to escape the Maui heat.
Whaler’s Village has some of the best shopping Maui has to offer.
THE SHOPS AT WAILEA
If you want an excellent, high-end resort shopping experience, head to The Shops at Wailea.
You’ll find designer stores like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Prada. But you’ll also find Lululemon, Billabong, SoHa Living, Honolua Surf Company, and more.
The Shops at Wailea are not only a luxury destination, but they also offer a good mix of upscale and beachy boutiques that appeal to families staying in South Maui.The shops at Wailea offer the luxury shopping Maui offers.
It’s also one of the few places on Maui to find Honolulu Cookie Company (the place with the adorable pineapple-shaped cookies!)
Whether you’re looking for designer handbags or fun women’s clothing, it’s a great stop for stylish vacation finds. You will enjoy all the Wailea shopping here!
QUEEN KA’AHHUMANU CENTER
The largest mall on Maui is Queen Ka’ahumanu Center, also known as Queen K.
Unlike Whaler’s Village, parking is free here, making it the best Maui Hawaii shopping location. Get your fast fashion fix at Forever 21, or grab that much-needed pair of shoes at Journeys.
If you’re looking for an authentic Hawaiian gift and have a large budget, check out Na Hoku, a Hawaiian jeweler with locations nationwide.
This is the best mall in Maui to go shopping at!
LAHAINA CANNERY MALL
This was partially affected by the Lahaina fire, but it has limited opening currently.
This is the place to go if you’re looking for a fully enclosed, air-conditioned mall. It’s pretty tiny, but they have a cool toy store, an ABC store, Hawaiian clothing shops, and even a Denny’s.
Not only do they have a few great stores and restaurants, but they also have a 24-hour Safeway. This is super helpful if you arrive on a late flight and need something to eat on the way to your hotel.
Plus, they have a Longs Drug Store, which will have everything you forgot to pack.
This mall is another one of the great places with shops in Maui, Hawaii, to check out. While not as large as other shopping malls in Maui, it still offers essentials and local finds in a convenient location.
MAUI MALL
If you’ll be in Kahului on a Sunday, visit Maui Mall. The mall hosts a hula dancing event every Sunday morning; visitors can join in!
There are about 30 stores here, one of which is a Whole Foods. However, you should still stop in if you need something from TJ Maxx or a locally owned apparel brand.
This mall offers some of the best local shopping in Maui.
Kihei Kalama Village
If you’re looking for some shopping in Kihei, Maui, you’ll love Kihei Kalama Village! It offers a wide variety of clothing stores, dining, and fun activities.
This vibrant shopping spot in South Maui has a great selection of casual apparel, souvenirs, and unique shops, all in a laid-back, open-air setting that’s stroller-friendly for families.
Here, you will find some Maui boutiques like Aloha Snorkel and Surf, 808 Clothing Company, IPO Boutique, and so much more!
It is open daily from 10 AM to 7 PM.
Big Box Stores on Maui
Outside the Kahului Airport, there are several big-box stores where you can stock up on groceries and vacation essentials before heading to your hotel.
Check these out for more shopping in Kahului:
Walmart
Walmart is one of the original Maui Big Box Stores. It’s an easy place to grab some groceries, beach essentials, clothing, etc.
It’s also a great place to get cheap souvenirs, such as calendars, T-shirts, silk flower leis, grass skirts, and tiki statues.
If you need to do some cheap shopping in Maui, head to Walmart.
Target
One of the newest Big Box Stores to open on Maui is Target. It has a fairly small souvenir section, but it has a nice selection of Aloha shirts and dresses for the whole family.
It’s also a great place to stop for pool toys/inflatables, swim diapers, baby supplies, snacks, and just about anything you can think of.
Costco
I’m ending this list with one of my favorite shopping places on Maui: COSTCO! Even though I’m from Seattle (where Costco is headquartered), I always try to stop at Costco on Maui.
If you rent a condo or Airbnb on Maui, you can save a lot of money by grabbing food at Costco and cooking your own food.
Not only do they have many bulk items like meat, produce, drinks, etc., but you can also find many products made in Hawaii. Keep an eye out for items from the beloved Maui Cookie Lady, as well as bulk bags of macadamia nuts, perfect for sharing or gifting.
If you go to Costco during the holidays, you’ll find tons of gift baskets full of Hawaiian treats, sauces, and other fun items at a fraction of the cost.
Whether you’re looking for trinkets or an extra pair of sunglasses to remember your trip, you can find it all on Maui.
If you’re buying authentic Hawaiian merchandise, you should expect some prices out of your comfort zone.
Even if you have a small shopping budget, you can find something to bring home!
What to Buy in Maui
Now that you know where to go, you’re probably wondering what to buy in Maui. Different Maui shops specialize in a variety of items and Maui souvenirs.
Personally, I think the best things to buy in Maui are clothing items that you can wear during your trip and once you get home.
A similar option is to buy a sarong that you can use as a beach cover-up or blanket for the sand. Or a nice sun hat. The best boutiques in Maui offer these things, and you’ll support the small businesses in Maui!
I’m also a huge fan of buying food souvenirs. Maui CookWees are some of my favorite Hawaiian cookies, and they have an outlet store in Kahului. Ululani’s Shave Ice sells its own shave ice maker and shave ice syrups.
Also read: Best Maui Bakeries for Souvenirs to Bring Home
Maui Shopping FAQs
You should buy locally made products like Maui coffee, jewelry, clothing, food items, swimsuits, art, and craft items. Plus, so many awesome Hawaiian souvenirs!
Yes, there’s the Queen Ka’ahumanu Center, Maui Mall, Whaler’s Village, Rainbow Mall, and the Outlets of Maui for the best shopping in Maui. Here, you’ll find some of the best shops in Maui.
Yes, and it’s right by the airport. We recommend making this your first stop after you land for Kahului shopping.
Yes! There are tons of Maui farmers’ markets where you can buy locally grown Hawaii fruits and vegetables and baked goods. These are the best places to shop in Maui that support local families.
This all depends on what you want to get. Head to any of the farmer’s markets in Maui for fruits and some fun Maui gifts to take home. Otherwise, look for shops in Maui with locally made items for unique things to buy.
Some of the best places to buy souvenirs are in Maui farmers’ markets, local shops, and even some boutiques! The best Maui souvenirs are not ones that you grab at any store and that are made in China; you want something unique and made in Maui or Hawaii!
Yes, you will find ABC Stores all over Maui. It is one of the best stores in Maui, Hawaii, that both locals and tourists love!
Best Maui Shopping Wrap-Up
If you love shopping, Maui is a great island to visit. I hope you enjoyed this list of the best shopping Maui offers.
From relaxing afternoons in charming open air shopping villages to browsing through climate-controlled shopping malls in Maui, there’s something for every family’s travel style.
If you want more information on traveling to Maui, check out our other blog posts about visiting here! With all these great stores in Maui, it’s no wonder people are coming from all over the world to visit!