Small business is what makes our Kona community great! This holiday season, we wanted to take the time to highlight some of our favorite locally-owned shops and brands that have awesome gifts. From chic boutiques, online brands, charming bookshops, markets, and gifts you can eat - here’s our guide for where to shop local and shop small in Kona Hawaii. Not on Big Island currently? No worries! Many of these companies sell their goods online, too - so you can support small business in Hawaii wherever you are.
Why shop local and support small business?
When you shop local and shop small in Hawaii it creates a positive ripple effect through our community! On average, small businesses donate 250% more than larger businesses to non-profits and community causes. AND if you spend $100 at a local business, roughly $68 stays in your local economy, while if you spend the same at a large business, only $43 stays in the local economy. Yep, small business owners are the bomb.com! Join us in supporting the following rad companies based in Kona, Hawaii.
Fashion, Lifestyle & Accessories
Quill and Feather Boutique - the highlight of this shop is the gorgeous hand smithed jewelry made by the owner, Hannah. They also carry a curated selection of handbags, shoes, homewares, clothing, kidswear and swimwear. They are a sister shop to Pueo Boutique. Shop in store or online.
Pilikana Boutique - a thoughtful collection of ‘made in Hawaii’ apparel, accessories, beauty products, crafts, and gifts. Their items have a distinctly Hawaiian flare from hand-woven lauhala hats and bags, to beautiful prints displaying culturally significant motifs. They also carry fresh made lei. Shop in store or online.
Kepola Design House - this unique women’s fashion brand is on a mission to make the clothes we wear more sustainable, timeless, and beautiful. Founder Autumn Tyler designs, cuts, and sews each piece by hand from natural fabrics. Shop online and follow her on social media for news about pop-up shops in the Kona area @kepola.designhouse.
London linen overalls, photo courtesy of Kepola Design House.
London linen overalls, photo courtesy of Kepola Design House.
Pikai Swim - beautiful handmade swimwear, produced right in Kona town! Stunning Hawaii-inspired prints and unique designs for active water people. Shop in store or online.
Sam & Matt Designs - rad wood-cut accessories and crafts from earrings to xmas tree ornaments, cutting boards, pocket knives, and more. Follow them on Instagram @sam_and_matt_designs to find them at local pop-up shops in Kona, or shop online.
Health and Wellness
Malama Mushrooms - Medicinal mushroom powders and blends for your health. This cool company offers Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Chaga, and Cordyceps mushrooms which offer numerous scientifically proven health benefits including stress relief, and immune boost. Pop some in your coffee, smoothie, or baked goods and take on the world! Shop online or find their products in local health food stores like Island Naturals in Kona.
Mana Artisan Botanics - this wellness-driven hemp company offers a line of top quality CBD products. Try their topical creams and ointments, CBD oil tinctures, infused honey, chocolate, and CBD products for pets. Shop online or use their store locator to find their products in a store near you.
Ili Kope - organic skincare made with Kona coffee, coconut oil, vanilla bean, and other delicious ingredients. Based in Kona, this brand has exploded in popularity over the past few years because their products simply are amazing! Shop online or look for them at select Big Island retailers.
Image Courtesy of Malama Mushrooms
Image Courtesy of Malama Mushrooms
Photo courtesy of Mana Artisan Botanics
Books, Cards, & Gifts
Kona Stories - This shop has so much cool stuff! In addition to an excellent selection of books, they have the holy grail of greeting cards, a killer keiki (kids) section, crafts, homewares, and more. Bonus: two cute cats who wander about the shop.
Coffee, Chocolate & More
Kona Coffee and Tea - this family run coffee shop grows, processes, and roasts their own beans on the slopes of Hualalai Volcano above Kona town. Choose from several different signature coffee roasts as well as a selection of Hawaiian teas, honey, mac nuts, chocolate covered peaberry coffee beans, and divine smelling handmade soap. Shop at the cafe or online.
Peaberry and Galette - known for their tasty crepes and espresso bar, this little cafe also carries a collection of locally made jewelry and a small rotating selection of other crafts. Pop in - you never know what treasure you might discover - like a cool handmade mug or a shark tooth necklace.
Puna Chocolate Company - delicious chocolate made from cacao grown on the Big Island! Peppermint paradise dark chocolate bar…ginger apple milk chocolate…maple + bacon chocolate bar…their chocolate is out of this world! Shop online or in store (they have a location in Kona and Hilo on the Big Island, and in Wauconda, Illinois). They even have ‘chocolate subscriptions’ and a chocolate of the month club for those of you who got a bad sweet tooth.
Big Island Burn Hot Sauce - yeeeoowww! The perfect gift for your spicy loving friends and fam. Made in Kona with Hawaiian chili peppers, this female-owned company offers awesome flavors like “Kona Coffee Kick”, “Pele’s Flame”, “Mango Pineapple”, and “1,000 Island”. Shop online or follow them on Instagram @dabigislandburn for news about pop-up shops and events.
Image courtesy of Kona Coffee and Tea.
Image courtesy of Kona Coffee and Tea
Markets & More
Pure Kona Green Market - this Sunday market hosts dozens of arts and craft vendors, food vendors, and farmers every week. Shop in person from 9 am - 2 pm. Located at 82-6160 Mamalahoa Hwy Captain Cook, HI 96704 in South Kona.
Holualoa Village - charming Holualoa village is home to a tiny collection of cute shops and art galleries. It’s especially fun to take a stroll through the village during the month of December, when it’s all dressed up with Christmas lights. The village hosts First Friday of the month events with live music too. Visit their website for more information.
Fresh Flowers and Lei
Hakus by Ki - specializing in lei and custom Haku leis (flower crown or head lei). Choose from a selection of Ti Leaf Rope Lei, ti leaf Maile Lei, Crown Flower Lei, and “Hapa” Lei, and a variety of Haku lei styles. Order online and pick up in Kona.
Island Girl Plant Designs - specializing in living orchid arrangements and custom fresh cut tropical flower arrangements. Kela, the owner, grows her own flowers in Holualoa and sources local as much as possible for all arrangements. Contact her through the website to order. Local pickup or delivery only.
Image courtesy of Island Girl Plant Designs
Mahalo for supporting small business in Kona, Hawaii! It’s the backbone of our community and a big part of what makes this town so special. Did we miss one of your favorite locally-owned shops in Kona? Tell us about it! We’d love to add it to this blog post.
By M the Writer
Based in Kona, Hawaii since 2013, M is a content writer and blogger. She loves using the power of words to help small businesses tell their story online. She also leads virtual creative writing workshops on Zoom. When she’s not writing or teaching, you can find her in the ocean.
Drop her a line and learn more at https://mthewriter.com