The Best Independent Bookstores in Hawaii
For a place that loves its mom-and-pop stores, bookshops are no exception. Independent bookstores in Hawaii are a fantastic resource for books on local history, language, and culture. After all, what better way to enjoy sunbathing on a tropical beach than with an old classic or the latest bestseller?
1. Talk Story Books – Kauai
Bookstore, Shop, Store
2. BookEnds – O’ahu
Bookstore
3. Na Mea Hawai'i Native Books – O'ahu
Bookstore, Shop, Store
Kona Bay Books is Hawaii’s biggest used bookstore, with over two miles of books, CDs, and DVDs at affordable prices. Browse through sheet music, science fiction, rare finds, local folklore, and more. Bring your old books to trade in for some valuable store credit! Their sister store, Hilo Bay Books on the Big Island’s east coast, also offers a huge selection.
Kona Bay Books, 74-5487 Kaiwi St, Kailua-Kona, Big Island, HI, USA, +1 808 326 7790
Hilo Bay Books, 831 Leilani St, Hilo, Big Island, HI, USA, +1 808 935 9234
https://www.instagram.com/p/6s_eiAHv8c/
4. Kona Stories – Big Island
Bookstore, Store
5. Still Life Books – Big Island
This basement bookshop undersells itself with the simplest front sign imaginable: a simple “Used Books” on Hilo’s Historic Bayfront. Enter the cave, and you’ll be rewarded with titles such as travel, religion, sci-fi, and old poetry of Hawaii, as well as CDs and records. If you’re looking for a random, old guidebook on Hawaii, stop here first and ask owner Royce Wilson if he’s got a copy to recommend.
Still Life Books, 58 Furneaux Ln, Hilo, Big Island, HI, USA, +1 808 756 2919
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWgjmSXh1Nx/
6. Maui Friends of the Library – Maui
Bookstore, Library
This nonprofit, cash-only bookshop has three locations in Maui staffed by volunteers. Prices are donation-based, and all proceeds are used to fund programs for Maui County Public Libraries. What does this mean for you? A fantastic bookshop where you can find a rare title and support the community, with an average of 25 cents a book. Just a word of note: books are sometimes covered in dust—but the staff will dust your book purchases for you and provide you with your very own wet wipes.
Maui Friends of the Library, Queen Kaahumanu Shopping Center, Kahului, Maui, HI, USA, +1 808 877 2509
Maui Friends of the Library, 658 Front St, Lahaina, Maui, HI, USA, +1 808 667 2696
Maui Friends of the Library, E Camp 5 Rd, Pu’unene, Maui, HI, USA, +1 808 871 6563
7. Hakubundo – O’ahu
Store
8. Kalele Bookstore & Divine Expressions – Moloka’i
Bookstore
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
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