O‘ahu Shopping Guide: The Best Boutiques in Kaimukī

HONOLULU Magazine’s style editors spill on where to go and what to buy to shop like a local.

May 14, 2024

Brie Thalmann,

Editor’s Note: This story was first published in January 2019 and has since been updated with the latest information.

Sugarcane Shop. Photo: Brie Thalmann

Chock-full of small-town charm, Kaimukī is easily one of our favorite Honolulu neighborhoods for shopping. Here, homegrown boutiques are peppered in between small eateries, coffee and dessert shops, and mom and pop specialty businesses. Most sit along sunny Wai‘alae Avenue, the area’s tree-lined main thoroughfare, which begins near the University area and runs parallel to the mountains all the way to swanky Kāhala.

We suggest starting at the “top of the hill” where Wai‘alae Avenue meets Koko Head Avenue, working your way down Wai‘alae, then looping back up to explore the side streets. Or since most shops don’t open ‘til 10 or 11 a.m., jump-start your day at one of Kaimukī’s fantastic breakfast spots (Kaimukī Superette’s ‘ono hapa fried rice and Koko Head Café’s cornflake French toast are our go-tos) and branch out from there.

Photo: Brie Thalmann

‘Awa and ‘Ōlena

Update: This shop closed in 2022.

Designer Amanda Watkins’ jewelry line, A.Wattz Dezigns, effortlessly marries Island inspiration with global and minimalist touches. The same can be said for ‘Awa and ‘Ōlena, her chic boutique perched two stories above Koko Head Avenue. Along with Watkins’ cowrie shell necklaces and colorful tassel bracelets, you’ll find a slew of great home décor, wellness and beauty items. A few of our faves: Maui skincare line Oshan Essentials and O‘ahu-made Speedy Jane Studio ceramics.

1152 Koko Head Ave., Suite 202, @awa_and_olena

Surf ‘N Hula Hawai‘i

Update: This shop closed.

It’s a struggle not to leave this vintage shop without buying one of everything. From old-school Meadow Gold bottles and surfing trophies to aloha shirts, the mix of Hawaiiana and collectibles here is super eclectic and just plain cool.

3588 Wai‘alae Ave., (808) 428-5518

Photo: Brie Thalmann

Amié Honolulu

A pale, freshly painted blush exterior signals Amie Honolulu, which went from click to brick. Inside, light wood and white fixtures offer the perfect pared-back setting for the shop’s earthy, minimal fashion, lifestyle and keiki products.

3434 Wai‘alae Ave., Suite 2, shopamie.com, @amiehonolulu

Shop Toast

Teeny in size but jam-packed with cuteness, Shop Toast stocks adorable handcrafted party favors and gift items. Snag a few of designer Jeremy Shoda’s signature kokeshi-inspired figurines complete with hidden compartments for treats.

3434 Wai‘alae Ave., Suite 3, (808) 447-9233, shoptoast.com, @shoptoast

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

The Public Pet

A must-stop for design-minded pet owners, The Public Pet is filled with stylish wares for dogs, cats and their humans. Owners Jordan Lee and Matthew Guevara are aces at tracking down wag-worthy accessories, from ombre leashes and Spam musubi squeak toys to rainbow-embroidered bandanas, often teaming up with local artists on fun exclusives. No furry friends? No worries. You can scoop up kitty-shaped planters, pooch-covered stationery and playful animal pins.

3422 Wai‘alae Ave., (808) 737-8887, thepublicpet.com, @thepublicpet

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

Ten Tomorrow

Skipping the traditional storefront, local womenswear designers Summer Shiigi of Ten Tomorrow set up shop in a cozy two-story cottage on 11thAvenue. The bright and airy shared space houses the designer’s modern resortwear.

1114 11th Ave., (808) 591-6219, tentomorrow.com, @tentomorrow

Photo: Brie Thalmann

Sugarcane Shop

Tucked between a handful of little eateries, out of view from the main streets, Sugarcane isn’t the easiest to spot. But the quaint gift shop is worth seeking out for its lovely mix of vintage dishware and locally made jewelry, accessories and gift items—think Cultivate Hawai‘i tea towels, Bitty Bambu burp cloths and My Mānoa handmade soaps.

1137 11thAve., (808) 739-2263, sugarcanekaimuki.com, @sugarcanehawaii

Photo: Brie Thalmann

Da Shop HNL

Indie bookstores are scarce on O‘ahu these days, so we were stoked to see this creative haven open in 2018. Owned by Island publishing house Bess Press (the retail space fronts its warehouse), Da Shop HNL offers a nicely edited selection of titles from local presses, as well as national and international best-sellers.

3565 Harding Ave., (808) 421-9460, dashophnl.com, @dashophnl

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This article appears in the June 2019 issue of HONOLULU Magazine.