Visitors to Hawaii and residents alike who wish to learn more about Hawaii and Hawaiian culture often look for bookstores where they can find books and other related materials about Hawaii. While many of the big, national chains like Borders Books and Music and Barnes and Noble have superstores in Hawaii, and those and more, like Amazon.com, have Internet Sites where you can purchase books online, there is much to be said for being able to walk into a locally owned bookstore, and take your time to leaf through the books both new and many which are now out of print.
There are many wonderful local bookstores in Hawaii. In this week's feature we will take a brief look at some of my favorite places in Hawaii to find just that perfect book.
Big Island of Hawaii
On the Big Island of Hawaii there are two bookstores that I really find to be well worth a visit. The first, in Hilo, is called Basically Books. The store is located at 160 Kamehameha Avenue facing Hilo Bay.
Photo by John Fischer
As Bob Olson, our former Big Island of Hawaii Guide states in his excellent feature, A Walking Tour of Hilo Town, "This is your one stop for Hawaiian specialty books, videos, maps, posters and stationary. Great bargains for leisure reading can be found in the used book section. This is always an interesting shop to browse. Be sure to ask for your free copy of the 31 flavors of Hilo, Hawaii. The brochure spotlights some great Hilo destination spots." In addition to a fine selection of general interest books about Hawaii, Basically Books has an excellent selection of books on various aspects of Hawaiian culture, geography, children's books and many older hard-to-find books. While you're there be sure to wander through the rest of the store too. You'll feel like you are in small town old-fashioned stationary store. Basically Books is a must stop when you are in Hilo.
On the opposite side of the island in Kailua-Kona, tucked back off the main drag in the Kona Plaza Shopping Arcade at 75-5719 Ali'i Drive, you will find the Middle Earth Books.
Photo by John Fischer
Celebrating 25 years on Kalua-Kona, this is a excellent all purpose book store with a very fine selection of books about Hawaii including some expensive but beautiful, oversized hard back books. They also have an excellent selection of Hawaiian Calendars.
Maui
On Maui, three of my favorite places to find some unique books are all both located in the shops of museums.
If you have an interest in the whaling days of Hawaii and whales in general, and you are in the Ka`anapali area, be sure to stop by the Whalers Village Museum at the Whalers Village Shopping Center.
Photo by John Fischer
There you will find the Whalers Village Museum, a collection of l9th century scrimshaw. We'll be doing features on this museum, however, if you stop by be sure to visit the museum gift shop. The shop features a small but very nice selection of books and videos covering the history of whaling in Hawaii.
Located in Wailuku in Central Maui near Kahului is the Bailey House Museum.
Photo by John Fischer
Built from 1833-1850, the building has a long history and today is a major museum featuring the paintings of Edward Bailey and rooms of furniture and other Hawaiian artifacts. Again we will be doing a detailed feature on the museum itself, but if you stop by do not leave without stopping by the museum bookstore and gift shop. The bookstore features and excellent selection of Hawaii related books at very reasonable prices. You are likely to find a number of books that are currently out of print and hard to find elsewhere.
O`ahu
Surrounded by the city of Honolulu and many of the big national bookstores, you will find one of really fine bookstores in Hawaii.
Photo by John Fischer
Native Books is located at 1050 Ala Moana Blvd, in the Ward Warehouse.
Photo by John Fischer
Native Books, Inc. which owns the stores features not only an excellent selection of Hawaii related books which is unmatched on O'ahu, but also the works of over 25 independent artisans who craft items for the co-op store. In 1996 Native Books was the winner of the Retail Merchants of Hawaii Niche Retailer of the Year and winner of the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau Kahili Award.
I hope you have enjoyed our brief visit to some of the great locally owned and operated places to buy books and related items in Hawaii. If you know of any others that we should check out, please let me know.
