Na Mea Hawaii

I love getting lost in this place. It's a one of a kind bookstore featuring all things native Hawaiian. The atmosphere is so calm and welcoming, the staff is always so pleasant.

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. Supporting this local business supports our Hawaiian culture.

I attended a class at Kīpuka with Kai Hyde making Ni'ihau Shell earrings and I am very pleased to say that I'm sooooo happy that I now own Ni'ihau shell jewelry! Kai prepares the type of kit you want to make which includes, Ni'ihau shells with holes (what a bonus, it's the hardest part to making your jewelry), needles, thread, & felt to lay your shells out on. He demonstrates how to put it together and is there the whole step of the way until you are pau! You get to walk out of the shop wearing your piece of jewelry, like a proud owner of my own hand crafted Ni'ihau shell earrings! Kai shares his 'ike loa with you and doesn't mind e noi ana while you sit and create. I will definitely take another class of his, it's well worth the kālā and all his manao!!

If you are looking for a place in Honolulu to buy books on Hawaiian history or mythology, this place is great. We found a great board book on Hina and a book on Hawaii’s legends. There are also small trinkets for purchase. Think small independent bookstore, and you will understand the vibe here. Go!

I visited the store for the first time again since moving away to Colorado. Happy to say the service I received from the lady at the register was outstanding! I ended up buying all 3 volumes of Nana I Ke Kumu, which my great grand aunt contributed. When I return to Colorado, I'll see if i can mail order my future purchases. This store is a treasure of wisdom for anyone interested in the living culture and history of Hawaii.

Sugarcane shop's manager introduced this shop. There were various products here. Very special and unique. Hawaii locally! I was cheaper to buy than North Shore I did a great shopping.

Beautiful local handcrafted souvenirs and high-quality clothing. I spent the best part of an hour looking around and had a wonderful time taking it all in. The prices run the range from inexpensive to extremely dear, so you should find something for everyone - whether looking for a simple souvenir or a heirloom. Definitely worth a visit especially if you find yourself tired of the tourist track and looking for more unique pieces or wearable art.

The ladies at Na Mea Hawaii were do nice and knowledgeable about their products, they helped me find a book on Hawaiian history that I couldn't stop reading. Everything in the store is so beautiful that it almost feels like walking into an art gallery

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!

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!

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!!

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.

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.

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 :)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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! ;)

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

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.

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!

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.

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

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...

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

One day I just wanted to do something crafty during my summer break so I googled for any lei making classes. Na Mea Hawaii was offering a "Pua Culture" lesson with Aunty Syl Kop of the Hula Supply Company. Cost would be $8 per person. I called the store just to make sure if I needed to be added to their list to join, but the person I talked to said I could just walk in. My chauffeur husband drove me there and luckily we found parking on the second level in the garage. Right when we got out of the elevator, we saw the store. Aunty Syl had her table laden with flowers right by the entrance. There were two open chairs across the table from her. I took a seat while my husband walked around the store. Aunty Syl had me make a practice wristlet lei where she showed me step by step how to braid the raffia, then lay out a pattern of flowers and palm fronds made into heats and loops to put in my lei, and how to wrap the raffia around the flowers. After I made my first lei, then she had me make another lei with different flowers and with just a little bit of coaching if I forgot what to do next or how to do something. I like how Aunty Syl got me going right away with making one lei first with her step by step instructions, then make a second one with just reminders. When my husband sat down at the table, Aunty Syl made small talk with us about the hundreds of flora and fauna is needed to make just one haku lei to how the leis can last for up two weeks with in just a plastic bag filled with air in the refrigerator. I enjoyed making my leis, wearing them while we went out to dinner and shopping afterwards. Of course I got them Facebook and Instagram likes from posting pictures of my creations and they're still looking fresh a week later in the fridge.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Wow, what a way to end your run at Ward Warehouse, treating me like a suspect. It wasn't only in your main store where I was asked for ID, but in the separate bookstore, where I was watched closely, followed, and asked if everything was OK, as if a bookstore is inscrutable. Was it my haole looks? Or my Sāmoan heritage t-shirt? Sorry I didn't dress up in this heat. Either way, I was disappointed because I've been coming to Na Mea for years and was never treated like that. I'm tempted to return what I bought, but I'll probably be treated like I'm committing fraud. BTW, on five visits to Mainland in the last seven years, I think I was asked for ID once, and I shop a lot. I must fit in better there? Except I returned to Hawai'i because it used to be so pleasant and courteous, in keeping with the values I was raised with, but it no longer is. Go shopping and you'll be regularly treated like shoplifter, a credit card fraud, or a counterfeiter. The Na Mea I recall fondly was at the Ewa end of Ward Warehouse, full of beautifully crafted, high quality Hawaiian things (na mea) like koa wood items, lovely shell jewelry, books, new and used, uniquely designed clothing, including Bete Mu'umu'u. My Kam HS grad friend would gift me Na Mea wooden hairsticks and Na Mākua shirts designed by her mother's family in Puna. Na Mea will reopen in the old Brookstone store in Ward Center in September. It will be a long time before I return to buy anything. At first I was disappointed my 'afakasi cousins (we all look palagi), whose parents grew up on Ala Wai Boulevard, would miss Na Mea when they visit here in August for Auntie's 100th birthday. Now it doesn't matter to me. There are other places to buy Hawaiian crafts.

Best place to shop for locally made products and perfect for picking up some omiyage/ makana / gifts before traveling. Love the book selection - an encyclopedia of resources related to Hawaiian culture, history and flora and fauna. Excellent customer service and easy to find parking, too!

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

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

I've only been here twice so far and I just want to say I LOVE LOVE LOVE this place!!! Too many good things to say about this book store, which it is, but is more than just a great na mea book store. They have so many authentic Hawaiian made products and gifts...almost anything you can think of including jewelry, lotions, food stuffs (even homemade poi!), art work...even the famous Ni'ihau shell necklaces they have displayed under a glass case. All of the employees are so friendly and helpful and really go the extra mile when you need any assistance or have a question to ask. The bookstore is very involved with their local community. When I happened to go in my first time, they were holding a silent auction of local crafts and artwork for disadvantaged Hawaiian children to purchase art supplies and such for learning. I thought it was a cool idea and made a bid on a print which I happened to win! They also have basket weaving classes there at certain times during the week. I'm going to try and make it to one before my trip is over. If you are looking for a super nice gift for you or someone else, forget the ABC store or Hilo Hatties. Come here and find something authentic and of true quality which helps the local community at the same time. :)

Oh my goodness, what a treasure of beautiful gifts and books and local creations. The staff are extremely helpful and knowledgable. Wish I had found this place sooner. There is a pop up location as well and gift wrapping is complimentary right now before Christmas. I do not know how anyone decides what to purchase because everything is just lovely! I'll be back for sure!

Have you ever walked into a bookstore and felt like you belong there? I have and it's here Native Books / Na Mea Hawai'i! Here is where you can sometimes listen to the author read from a selection and get to know so much more about a book and author than you would ever get to know from a big box store like Borders. it is all local all the time. Slow down and relax as you browse through a wonderful selection of Hawaiiana .... Be ready though to pay more at the end as it is small and friendly instead of priced to move and fast. They don't sell a million like a new harry Potter book so you have to be willing to help pay more to support the store and the artists.

Malahini: If you want to bring something back from Hawaii you should stop here. Neva mind the swap meet! Na Mea Hawaii simply translated means All Things Hawaii. This place truly lives up to the name as the bode many unique items that cannot be found anywhere else. From rare treasures such as Ni'ihau shell lei's to hand made soaps; this place has it all! Many of the items are crafted on the spot in the workshop so it's really unique to see these beautiful crafts come to life in front of you eyes! They offer many classes, lectures and activities. This is a great opportunity to learn about the real Hawaii! My favorite thing about the space is the library. It's such a welcoming space to sit back, relax and learn about our culture and history. This place is truly an asset for the preservation and continuation of the Hawaiian Culture. So please stop by and say hi to Aunty Maile and staff; you won't be disappointed.

Besides being a bookstore with plenty of information about the islands and its culture, this store also sells Hawaiiana products, local foods, artisans, and a small selection of Hawaiian Aloha print apparel. They even have classes there for all kinds of things. If you are interested in learning about Hawaii or looking for that certain treasure, then this store is going to excite you to no end. The staff is very helpful and easy going. They will also special order and item for you. Located right under the Spaghetti Factory past the escalators.

This review is for Native Books/Nuuanu location. No free parking, no way to turn around (all one way streets), plus terrible traffic. If you work that area, you can probably easily walk and pick up what you need. If you dont work in the area, the Ward location is the best.

It's hard to find a bookstore around in today's age, even more rare is it to find one that showcases local publications and flavor. Na Mea Hawai'i has a great assortment of books that are all things Hawaiian. Subjects cover everything from Folklore, Children's Books, Cook Books, Chicken Skin Tales and even Humor ("Pidgin to Da Max" anybody?). The store also showcases local crafts ranging from wearables, home decoration to that one of a kind gift with made with Aloha. Staff were very welcoming and eager to share more about their culture. I had visited this store back in 2006 and am more than relieved to see that it is still around today! If you're looking for a memento that has an authentic Hawaiian spirit, head down to Ward Warehouse and check them out! You'll not only be supporting the dying breed known as the bookstore, you'll also be supporting the local businesses

Na Mea Hawaii is an eclectic bookstore located in Ward Warehouse in Honolulu, and it's definitely worth a visit there. We were looking for a book of poetry by a local Hawaiian poet, in English, as a gift for a friend. We went to Na Mea and asked the friendly staff for some suggestions and she hand picked out three books for us that she could recommend, and pointed us to the section where we could browse for other books that might be of interest to us. We settled ourselves at a nearby table and began to peruse the books she gave to us. We found a wonderful collection of local poetry books as well as lots of other interesting books, everything Hawaiiana. We looked around the store and they have some locally made handicrafts, jewelry, cards, music, etc. It's a very interesting store, filled with beautiful things, and it made us feel good to be there. We will definitely go back to Na Mea and can definitely recommend it to anyone looking for Hawaiian books and gifts, kama'aina and malihini alike.

The best local Hawaiian shop in Honolulu... the Ward Center shops suck but this is really best place for shell leis and other things Hawaiian. The other Hawaiian supply shop on King St. closed because they were owned by Japanese and selling sacred ili'ili rocks and sold their soul to Yakuza who control Hula industry in Japan.