This place is a treasure trove of Hawaiian culture! If you're looking for something that's specifically made in Hawaiian or by a Hawaiians, this is the place to go. They have everything from jewelry to clothes to flower pins to books to art work to home decor to chocolates... Clothing racks are placed throughout the store. They sell aloha-wear for men, women, kids, and babies. There's a corner of vintage clothes where I've found some amazing muumuu! The staff are very knowledgeable and patient. I can spend hours in here just getting lost in amongst all the clothes, books, and trinkets. read more

The store is beautifully appointed and well laid out for browsing and shopping. Jewelry, clothing, books, art, collectibles, gifts, and skincare. Come by before they need to relocate! read more

Na Mea Hawai'i - StaciLei and Lando! So charming! So dashing! So handsome! - Bookstores Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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The store carries a wide variety of items that reflect the history and traditions of Hawaii. One of the highlights is the selection of books focused on Hawaiian history, language, and culture. For anyone interested in learning more about the islands beyond the typical tourist experience, the bookstore section alone makes the visit worthwhile. Beyond books, the store also features locally themed gifts, cultural artwork, and traditional items that reflect Hawaii's heritage. Walking through the space feels more like exploring a cultural shop rather than a typical retail store inside a mall. What I appreciated most about Na Mea Hawaiʻi is how it emphasizes education and cultural preservation. The selection clearly focuses on items that represent authentic Hawaiian identity rather than generic souvenirs. The environment inside the store is calm and inviting, which makes it easy to take your time browsing the shelves and discovering different books or locally inspired items. Overall, Na Mea Hawaiʻi is a great place to visit if you are interested in Hawaiian culture, history, and locally meaningful products read more

One of my favorite stores based on the collection of Hawaiiana and the snacks + such cute gifts. My wife and I stopped by to grab some children's books and lavosh. We also picked up this awesome palaka elephant. Service was exceptional. read more

Na Mea Hawai'i - Cute gifts! - Bookstores Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Every time I am in the Ward Warehouse area I love to browse through Na Mea Hawaii as they have a collection of books, jewelry, Hawaiian and local items you will not find anywhere else. Last week I went to the book launch for Linda Paik Moriarity's book, Lei Ni'ihau at Na Mea Hawaii and there was music, food, and an overflow crowd, many wearing stunning Ni'ihau shell leis. We bought several books and had Linda autograph them for us and enjoyed browsing. For people visiting Hawaii, this should be a stop on your list! And for us locals, a business that we should keep supporting. read more

Na Mea Hawai'i - Bookstores Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

What started off as a negative experience actually turned out really well. My daughter received a gift card from here for Christmas and I went online to order a bunch of stickers for her. She's a toddler and loves stickers, so I was excited about it. Later that night, I received a cancellation and a refund...apparently all four stickers were out of stock? That was disappointing. My nephew received the same gift card and was able to order a book without issue. So I decided to order a book, but whenever I tried, it said my gift card was an incorrect number. This was disappointing and I was getting frustrated! I emailed Na Mea about the issue and they issued a new gift card via email for the same amount, which was appreciated. Since I was trying to order online, I was just going off of the numbers in my email and that was not working. I emailed again and the response was to call the store. This was over the course of a few days and I honestly thought about giving up and letting it go. It was for a gift that my kids didn't even know they received and seemed like a hassle to keep going back and forth over email and over the phone. The woman who answered the phone was very nice and helpful but evidently, not the person I was corresponding with via email. She said I'd have to wait until her coworker comes in that afternoon. I wasn't holding my breath, but I did get a call back. Not only that but they offered to ship the book I wanted, one sticker from my previous order and cover the cost of shipping, which was more than what was on the gift card. Although it was a frustrating experience to begin with, they really went above and beyond to make it right. They clearly care about their customer experience. I really appreciate it and am happy to support a small local business. read more

I have so many regrets about all the things I didn't buy at Na Mea Hawaii. If you're looking for an authentic curated shopping experience that helps the Native Hawaiian community thrive this is it. The book section is unmatched and I love browsing all the crafts and clothes from local artists. This time the Pegge Hopper art and local sticker collection impressed me but there are a treasure trove of items to discover. read more

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What a gem this lovely place is!!! My friend and I decided to patronize the remaining vendors at Ward Center before they close at the end of the year, thanks to further expansion of the Victoria Ward/Howard Hughes expansion. This little shop has so much Hawaiiana packed into one small space that you could literally spend an hour looking at everything, picking up stocking stuffers, gifts for friends and family both far and near. Lisa helped me check out, and while I paid for my purchases I noticed this gorgeous blue and white quilt which I discovered was painted! The artist had created smaller quilts and some that were framed. Whatever you're looking for, you'll find here. Prices are reasonable and selection varied. Drop in and you'll find out. read more

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Na Mea Hawai'i is a must-visit for anyone interested about Hawaiian culture, art, language, and history. It's primarily an art and book store, but they also offer cultural classes, lectures, and readings. It is the largest selection of books in 'Ōlelo Hawai'i, including modern popular books like the Hobbit and Harry Potter as well as history, culture, and other subjects. They also have many books about Hawai'i in English for those wishing to know more. The store is located in Ward Centre after having moved from a larger space in Ward Warehouse. It's brightly lit, colorful, and welcoming. Prices are worth the quality and local production; if you're looking for meaningful souvenirs actually made here by local artisans, this is worth your time. They have fabrics, jewelry, and other artwork. For visitors and residents alike, it's a unique place that is worth the visit to learn about the culture and history of the islands. read more

Na Mea Hawai'i - Bookstores Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Na Mea offers AUTHENTIC Hawaiian literature, artistry, crafts, fragrance lines and much more. Great service as well.

Wonderful store. I could describe it but you just need to go. If you are seriously interested in deepening your understanding of Hawaiian culture and in supporting Hawaiian culture- then you need to visit this store. They sell local cards, books, clothing, jewelry , hair decorations and other lovely items. Staff is kind ad helpful. There have lovely items for every budget. I visited this store for the first time in May 2025. I hope to return again soon. read more

Na Mea Hawaii has beautiful arts & crafts, clothing, cards, jewelry and much more. I bought a lovely lava lava in green & black that has a torch ginger design for my granddaughter; she absolutely adores it!! read more

I am a malihini (visitor) but I always stop by Na Mea when I am here. I finally bit the bullet bought a lauhala pāpale (lauhala hat) on this trip with the help of Dell. There isn't a large selection but I was fortunate enough to find one that I love and fit. As those who know, getting a pāpale is an investment and Dell gently guided me through the process and let me make my own decision which is what you want from a retail therapist. He had good knowledge about weavers so I felt confident and happy with my purchase. I will not only wear my hat when I visit again but also in New York when I return. Mahalo Dell and Na Mea! read more

Na Mea Hawai'i - Pāpale lauhala - Bookstores Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Several years ago when this gift shop was at its original location, Ward Warehouse, we'd frequently stop in picking up locally made gifts or books for family and friends. Back then, this store had a larger footprint than its current relocation to Ward Centre. I remember this one time when my husband and his eldest brother were reading a book about Hawaiian Pidgin English while roaring in laughter. Some of the customers and friendly salespeople joined in with their banter in pidgin and soon everyone in the store was "crackin' up" and saying "Eh, you mento buggahs, you rememba wen...". It has been about 3 years since Na Mea Hawai'i had relocated into Ward Centre in a much smaller and intimate space but their customer service and fine artisan-made gifts ranging from hat bands made with loving hands by Hawaiian feather worker, men's and women's Aloha wear, jewelry with semi-precious stones, lovely wood turned bowls from local wood species to Hawaiian culture and history books. We went into Na Mea Hawai'i to browse but were focused on replacing some locally produced stationery (memo pads) for my brother-in-law. Yeah, he's old school to still use paper and pen to jot down his market lists or appointment reminders instead of inputting the information into his smartphone. Besides, the local memo pads are unique, and we were surprised that after 3 years, my BIL asked us to see if we could get more. Unfortunately, we didn't find what we were looking for but the friendly salesperson, Dawn, offered to speak with her manager about finding the source and possibly bringing in the product. We readily filled out their contact list with hopes that we'd be called when the product is available. Meanwhile, my husband roamed around the store and plopped himself in front of the bookshelves. He found the latest release of the Holy Bible translated into pidgin English which we're considering sending a copy to one of my relatives and several other fun books that made us reminisce about our childhood in Hawai'i. There were lei-making and Hawaiian medicine instructional books which caught my eyes. Hm, I chuckled to myself thinking about how I've changed from looking at artwork and considering how to incorporate the artwork into our home décor or buying apparel and jewelry for career wear to just reading books about Hawai'i's historical perspectives or how-to-make projects ...hm, learning never stops. Anyway, Na Mea Hawai'i is a wonderful gift store that features locally-made products and art that promote the Hawaiian culture. Expect to find culturally significant artwork with vintage and modern tastes as in gallery exhibitions. Many items here are NOT inexpensive trinkets and many items are worth passing on to the family but don't let that scare you away as there are fun and made for daily use items. We're hoping that we'll receive a call back from Dawn about those local memo pads and stationery for my brother-in-law, soon. Supporting this local business supports our Hawaiian culture. read more

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Took a Lauhala class. Wasn't able to complete my lauhala project, Kaleo assisted me in finally finishing it. All I can say is Fabulous customer svc. Thank you Na Mea Hawaii!! read more

Na Mea Hawai'i - Bookstores Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I stopped by the reopening party for the new location of Na Mea at Ward Centre. The old location was at Ward Warehouse which will soon be torn down to build (what else?) luxury high rises. The new Na Mea looks everything like you'd expect from a store that specializes in Hawaiian books, arts, jewelry, and apparel. I think this new home suits Na Mea even more than its former Ward Warehouse location. This new space is cozy, warm, and inviting. Because it is inside Ward Centre, noise from traffic is minimized, so you can spend even more time browsing all of the locally made items that are offered. As you know, most things that are local or handmade tend to be on the pricey side. However, prices here are comparable to other similar type of stores on the island. If you are in need of higher quality Hawaiian gifts for friends, family, and colleagues, Na Mea is an excellent place to shop. read more

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Some friends and I came the weekend before last and it was a happy but emotional visit for me. It's funny that earlier in 2020 I was cataloguing various Hawaiian books and where people could purchase them and I had not come across this very special and particular book. So when I turned the corner and saw stacks of them sitting on the display table, my heart dropped. I touched the cover and wanted to cry. Never had I seen the Kū'ē Petitions in any kind of print form except for the names upon the signage that I once helped to place in the 'aina (there is an organization with volunteers who bring those names to sites all around our pae 'aina so that we can ensure they live on and are not forgotten). So my surprise upon seeing it in a book and being able to look through copies of the actual petition with my own eyes was giving me quite a moment (as I explained to the lady who came by shortly after.) Interestingly enough, the lady told me it was on sale only for that day--almost half off. It felt odd. I don't know if it was coincidence, if it was meant to be, if the worker was just being nice or what but... I'm glad because I bought it and now I search every other day for my 'ohana in that book. As for the rest of my experience, both women who helped me were so sweet and helpful. At first I was looking for an out-of-print / antique book and someone helped me with where it would be and was trying to remember the last time she had seen it. Then someone helped me with the petition book and had a wonderful little chat about finding her 'ohana in the pages. She was able to point out exactly what page and line they were on and for me that was so powerful. I think seeing someone able to locate their family in that book is was ultimately what sold it for me. Wonderful experience. Maybe meant to be. Aloha, a me ho'o maika'i au I kou kōkua mai. Mahalo :) read more

This review is only for Hawaiian books. Books available - 3 stars, as they have more selection than Barnes and Nobles at Ala Moana. Service - 0 stars, looking for several books, she checked her computer and it said in stock. I actually found one book on the shelf faster than her, that tells me they don't know books. The other book even though computer said in stock, no where to be found. Knowledge about books, zero. Most people will say, oh why don't you try so and so place, nope, nadda. Will order other books via internet as I tried giving local company my business but due to bad service, forget it. read more

The newly renovated Na Mea Hawai'i / Native Books is on the end of Ward Warehouse. They recently reduced their floor space, but there is PLENTY of Hawaiian goodies available!!!! They have aloha shirts, mu'umu'u, lei hulu (feather leis), jewelry, books, jams / jellies / marinades, pottery, hula supplies, cards, pot holders, towels, replicas of ancient Hawaiian artifacts, and soo many other more fun items! Prices are a bit higher than expected, but that is due to their high rents. I'm OK with that. If you have questions or need assistance, ask for Pee Wee (his nickname). He's super intelligent in the mana'o (knowledge) of Hawaiian art and can offer so many great suggestions. I wanted to get an aloha shirt of a certain designer, and he went out of his way to help me locate the shirt and to even call the vendor when they didn't have my size. THAT is customer service and aloha! Mahalos, Pee Wee! I will always be a fan of this store, because it promotes the Hawaiian culture to Kama'aina and Malihini. read more

This is more then just a book store. Na Mea Hawaii keeps alive the Hawaiian culture by educating people through classes, authors talking stories and many other ways. They carry a wide variety of items here, ranging from Hawaiian books, jewelry, soaps, music, clothes, and much much more. I like to shop here for little gifts for my family back in the mainland. They love when I send them Hawaiian things :) On a side note - Did you know that Na Mea Hawaii holds a Sangria & Paint Party every third Saturday of the month!? It's only $35 for sangria, light pupu's, and a take home canvas! All the paintings are taught step by step by an instructor. So much fun!! Great activity for a girls night or event a date! ;) read more

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This store is quickly becoming my favorite go-to for Native Hawaiian literature. They don't necessarily have a big collection of books, however, they do have a variety of quality selections that I found useful for my dissertation that I am currently writing. They not only sell books, but they also have locally handmade items, such as clothing and jewelry. They even hold workshops for lessons on lei making, basket weaving, as well as olelo Hawai'i just to name a few! The ambiance here is very relaxing. It's nice and quiet- great for reading! The staff always greets you with a smile and they are super helpful. You can really feel the aloha here. So, if you're in the area, stop on by and support our local vendors. read more

I posted a three star review several months ago. Today I went in to utilize my gift card. I saw a beautifully crafted pen price at $188. At the register she said oh it's actually $192. We raised our prices, but forgot to change the tags. I informed her that I thought that was an ethical practice so she said she would give me a four dollar discount. I handed over my gift card that had $77 on it and she said when she entered the number that there was only a two dollar remaining amount. Needless to say, will never ever shop there again again It's very sad because Hawaiian artists deserve a better outlet. read more

Beautiful stuff I love the books so much to look at really nice. Go shopping lol around plenty nice stuff to buy. Good for local people

This is my favorite place for Hawaiian books. The best and biggest selection on Oahu. Will always support this local shop. They also have a wonderful selection of native made jewelry! read more

Yelp Challenge 365 # 14/365 I just had my 3rd visit to this store and it gets better each time. The book selection is simply amazing. I would never have known of these books if not for this store. I know they are not in the major bookstores. You could probably find it on Amazon but you would have to be looking for specific items to find them. I walked out with 4 books and am done reading 2 of them. The crafts are just as amazing. Individual crafters sell their merchandise at Na Mea. I'm quite sure you can find certain things ONLY at Na Mea. The staff! They were the highlight of my visit. Each person was so friendly and helpful. There was a work station to the side of the store. It looked like a local club sitting making crafts,taking lessons, etc. What a terrific store to visit! I learned alot about the State of Hawaii, place I lived all of my life... read more

I always shopped at Nā Mea Hawaii at Ward Warehouse. Now they are located further down at Ward. One day I called to see if they sold Mauna Kea earrings. The woman who answered said they did. I said great I would come down to take a look. A few days later I went to Na Mea Hawaii. I walked in, no one approached me. I asked a girl, do you have Mauna Kea earrings? She said, the only ones we have are these *pointing* I said, oh okay, thank you it doesn't look like what I was looking for. Then this woman came from around the counter and said it looks like Mauna Kea to me and then walked away. I was in shock. I thought how RUDE. I wanted to look around at other Hana Noeau but I walked out. I will not shop at a store with rude sales people like that woman. What happened to their customer service? It seems like it has gone down. read more

This wonderful little gem is hidden in the corner of Ward Warehouse. I really enjoy walking through this store, and there are endless items to admire. I particularly love the local art and crafts that are on display and for sale here. To truly appreciate everything in the store, I find myself walking around the store two or three times. They have a wonderful selection of books on Native topics, local interest and by local authors. The handcrafted art and jewelry is high quality and absolutely beautiful. While walking through the store, I recommend looking high and low since there are little items hidden everywhere. While it is true that you can find some of the items at different shops or stores throughout the island, I really appreciate the attention to detail and variety of quality items on display without hype or commercialism. Although I love this store, most of the items I couldn't really afford. It is nice to get lost in the store and go on a hunt to find little affordable gems that I can take home with me. read more

This place gets 5 stars alone just for their extensive collection of Hawaiiana books for sale. New books, old books, kids books, research books, if it's about Hawaii there's a good chance you can find it here. Everyone should read Hawaiiana! And the books are only a small part of the store, they sell so many interesting and unique Hawaiian items from small trinkets to expensive furniture and collector's items. Plus they do a lot for the community including hosting classes teaching people about various facets of Hawaiian culture and often host authors for talk story gatherings. A one of a kind place that should be patronized by all. read more

Na Mea Hawai'i - New books - Bookstores Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I was trying to kill time in the area before an appointment in town, so the College Kid and I decided to browse around Ward Centre. As we walked toward the 'Ewa end of the mall, we came across Na Mea. I had not visited their new location, so we decided to check it out. The new location is in the middle (or should I say piko) of Ward Centre, right before you enter the air conditioned area of the mall. The store is considerably smaller than their last location, but it seems like they succeeded to display everything that they had out before. There are books, local crafts, jewelry, and clothing. Today's visit, I was drawn to the koa bracelets. There was a small table that had a bunch hanging. They were all so beautifully done. I previously had one that my hubby (Alan D.) had made, but it broke. It was like a sign that I should buy a replacement, right? After looking at the different grains and the differences in the light vs dark, I believe I picked the perfect one. The associates were very so warm and helpful. We were greeted shortly after entering; they were walking around straightening items and answering questions from visitors. From start to finish, our visit was enjoyable. 2 read more

This is definitely my favorite place for all Hawaiian mea. This place has a great selection of books for reference, reading pleasure and for the keiki. The selection of handcrafted Hawaiian jewelry is extensive. They have some of my favorite artists here! They have online ordering but if you order online make sure to specify if you want in store pick up or shipping. That's the only thing I was confused about. Other than that the customer service online and in store is just wonderful. I bought the Kumulipo (with translation) a book on medicinal Hawaiian plants and "Twinkle twinkle small hoku" for my nephew in Alaska. I also purchased a bracelet made out of job's tears which I've been looking for. Such a great Christmas gift for myself! There's also lots of handmade christmas oranaments, clothing and decor. Beautiful store! I would highly recommend a stop in to the shop. It'll be worth the wait in line I promise! read more

I was pleased that this store found a new location and continues offering a variety of Hawaiian crafts, classes and books about Hawaii. The store stocks a small collection of both classic and new Hawai'i CDs & videos. Na Me Hawai'i has some unique locally made items including an unusual CD: Streets of Manuela by Wileys Kanaks Puumaile Social Agenda. The songs are like a delicious golden papaya: beautiful music surrounding the hard, bitter seeds of Hawaiians' life. Like Hawai'i nei, the music pulls from many sources and styles: blues, gospel, Hawaiian and do on. Just listening to the music is a great experience but concentrate on the lyrics and another reality is revealed. Though produced in 2016, this CD is not available from iTunes or Amazon; it's​ probably a rare find. read more

I love Nā Mea Hawaii! It's located inside of Ward Warehouse at the very end underneath Spaghetti Factory. They have all types of local necessities that you could ever want or need! Which I love to support local whenever I can. They have the Monarch Tea Room inside where you can have your afternoon tea. I recommend to make a stop there, their tea is awesome. The one thing I come here the most though is to buy books. They have a pretty good Native Hawaiian Library. They also have a lot of local art which is amazing. They have events here as well like weaving classes and talk story sessions. I've attended some talk story sessions and it's so insightful. I'm grateful for a place like this :) -air conditioning -bathroom -Monarch Tea Room inside -local products, books, and artwork -huge store -staff are friendly and knowledgable read more

Don't miss this store. Don't waste your time at the typical tourist shops where everything is made in China. Here is where local artisans show their work. read more

This is a nice little store in Ward. Anything to do with the Hawaiian culture, they probably have it. From accessories to Aloha shirts - they have it all. Their aloha shirts are from Hilo. It's a little under $100 and thick cotton - good material. The people are also very friendly and greet you when you walk in. Take your time and walk through the whole store - you'll probably find something you like. read more

Great place to pick up Hawaiian books, art, cloths, music, and things for the whole 'ohana. Big open space that's nice and cool inside read more

Na Mea Hawai'i - Entrance to Na Mea Hawai'i - Bookstores Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Just called today to ask if they had a certain book in stock but they just recently sold out and wouldn't be getting any in for sometime. But that isn't what this review is about, what it is about is that the person on the phone suggested a different bookstore which happened to be closer to where I was (which they had - so I was able to pick it up today). This to me is A-W-E-S-O-M-E customer service!! Will definitely patronize them because of this in the future. read more

Amazing books, clothes, and gifts. Everything is high quality and the products are well curated. If you're trying to learn more about Hawaii during your travels, come to this spot and check out their collection of books on the nation's history. read more

Beautiful store and wonderful service every time I have visited. I love supporting a small business, especially a bookstore like Na Mea. This is a precious store that sells not only beautiful books written by Native Hawaiian authors, but also beautiful items. Thank you, Na Mea. read more

Oooh, I love it when I get to support little local book stores, and this is one of the best ones to boot. They don't just offer books, they have music, clothing, instruments, jewelry, jams and jellies, cards and...need I go on? Friendly people, cool store! What more could you ask for? Great books, that's what! If I seem enthusiastic about this store it's because I LOVE browsing here. I consider it one of my "must see" shops whenever I'm in town. Every book I own that has anything to do with Hawaii came from this store. They also mail order, which is...how do you say?.. C'est magnifique! Any store that can inspire me to gush in French is obviously a winner, considering I don't really speak French... Native Books/Na Mea Hawaii has two locations...one in the Ward Warehouse (Ewa end, under the Old Spaghetti Factory) and the other in the Hilton Hawaiian Village. http://www.nativebookshawaii.com/shop/default.php read more

Today was my first time visiting this store. I heard a lot about it from friends. However, I had a terrible and unforgettable experience. No customer service what's so ever. From the time I entered to the moment I exited no one acknowledged me nor said a simple hello. Two words "NO ALOHA." As a Native Hawaiian with 50% Hawaiian blood and Spanish/Portugese in my arteries. This place has no clue what it is to be, feel, and share what is really Hawaiian. They should be ashamed of this establishment. I will share my experience with family, friends, and social media. And I boycott this store. Ms. Pua Andrade Kahaulelio The Queens Medical Center read more