Shopping on Kauai: Local Artisans, Galleries and Where to Find Them
Shopping on Kauai isn’t about malls. It’s about wandering old plantation towns, meeting the artists, and finding the pottery, prints, soaps and trinkets you’ll actually want to bring home. It’s also our favorite plan B: when it’s raining on your side of the island, or you just need a break from the sun, an afternoon poking around shops and galleries is a great way to spend it. Hours change by season, so check before you go.
Hanalei and Princeville
Ching Young Village (Hanalei)
A small, old-school shopping center in the middle of Hanalei town, with surf shops, boutiques, a market and places to eat.
Website
Princeville Center
The North Shore’s everyday center: groceries, gifts and casual food, handy if you’re staying in Princeville.
Website
Hanalei’s main street is lined with small shops and galleries; park once and walk it. Access past Hanalei town is still limited after the storm, so check our What’s Open Now page.
Kapaa and Old Kapaa Town
If you or someone in your party wants to spend a leisurely afternoon shopping, Old Kapaa Town is where you go. Kuhio Highway through town is lined with countless small shops, galleries, boutiques and cafes in old wooden storefronts. Walk it, stop for shave ice, and take your time. The Kapaa Sunshine Market (Wednesdays at Kapaa Beach Park) adds local produce to the mix.
Lihue
Kukui Grove Center
The island’s main mall, and the place for clothes: Ross, Famous Footwear, Jeans Warehouse, Longs Drugs, Target and Times Supermarket, plus local shops like K.A.P.A Native Books and the Kauai Society of Artists gallery, and a food court.
Website · 808-245-7784
Near Costco
The Costco in Lihue sits with the island’s big-box and chain stores nearby, including Walmart and Home Depot. This is where you stock up on groceries, sunscreen, snorkel gear and beach chairs.
Koloa Town and The Shops at Kukui’ula
Old Koloa Town
Plantation-era storefronts with gift shops, boutiques, shave ice and Koloa Fish Market, on the way into Poipu.
Website
The Shops at Kukui’ula (Poipu)
Open-air village of galleries, boutiques and restaurants (including Merriman’s). Don’t miss the Kauai Culinary Market on Wednesday afternoons.
Website
Hanapepe: Kauai’s Biggest Little Town
Hanapepe is the island’s art town, full of locally owned galleries, artisans and shops in old false-front buildings. Friday Art Night is the time to go: the galleries stay open, and artists, musicians and vendors line the main street.
Banana Patch Studio
Hand-painted pottery, plates, mugs and tiles made on Kauai: the perfect thing to bring home.
Website
Talk Story Bookstore
A quirky independent bookstore, a fun browse on a rainy afternoon.
Website
Hanapepe galleries
Browse the full list of shops and galleries on the town’s site.
Hanapepe directory
What to Bring Home
- Local pottery and art from Hanapepe and Kapaa galleries.
- Island soaps and lotions. Island Soap & Candle Works is a Kauai favorite.
- Kauai coffee, honey, jams and sea salt from farmers markets and the Kauai Culinary Market.
- Books and prints about Hawaiian culture from K.A.P.A Native Books at Kukui Grove.
More to do: Restaurants · Sports & Golf · Excursions
