How to Find Cheap Souvenirs in Hawaii. Hawaii has a reputation for being expensive and it is certainly possible to spend plenty of money there. However, if you do a little legwork, you can find cheap souvenirs in Hawaii. Each of the major islands has a stash of inexpensive items that make memorable gifts and keepsakes.
Steer clear of the gift shops and souvenirs vendors at your hotel. You can find better deals on identical items elsewhere.
Go to the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet in Honolulu. There are great deals on bags, purses, luggage, jewelry, beach towels, photo albums, CDs and shell or nut leis. You can find cheap T-shirts for sale for $3 each or 8 for $20. The merchandise is definitely touristy, but it is also decent quality and inexpensive.
Find a Wal-Mart for carved wooden dishes, key chains, magnets, beach towels and many other items at great prices. Wal-Mart has one or more stores on each of the four major Hawaiian islands.
Stroll along Waikiki Beach. Sidewalk vendors sell shell and shark tooth jewelry, postcards, license plates, shells, T-shirts, coconut purses and many other goodies. Comparison shop, since you may find a cheaper price might be just a few blocks down the street.
Check out the International Marketplace in Waikiki Beach. Vendors sell bathing suits, sarongs, muumuus, hats, ukuleles and myriad other items. Prices vary by shop and vendor, so hold off on buying anything until you can compare prices.
Stop at the Hawaiian Trading Post outside Lihue on Kauai for cheap souvenirs and gifts. Merchandise ranges from magnets and jewelry to cookbooks and clothing.
Look for sales on line and in Hawaiian newspapers. You can often find a more upscale item on sale as a shop turns over its merchandise. For example, Hilo Hattie's, Hawaii's premier purveyor of island clothing, house wares and souvenirs, has a big sale on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
Shop at Hawaiian chains like ABC, Long's drugstores and supermarkets. While selection will be more limited than in a true "souvenir store," you often find better prices.
See if there are independent local vendors selling souvenirs near attractions like beaches, waterfalls and parks.
Buy in bulk. Many smaller souvenirs like necklaces are cheaper if you buy more than one at a time.
