The Contemporary Museum and Honolulu Academy of Arts (Oahu): These two architectural and cultural wonders, legacies of the same kamaaina (old-timer) family, house peerless collections in garden settings. For Asian, American, and European masters, go to the Academy; for a look at some of America's most significant art since 1940 (and the prettiest forest drive in Honolulu), TCM is the only game in town. For those who want to buy as well as browse, both museums have stellar shops: The Academy Shop (tel. 808/523-8703) features ethnic and contemporary gift items representing the arts-and-crafts traditions of the world, from basketry and beadwork to ikats and saris. At the Contemporary Museum Gift Shop (tel. 808/523-3447), everything is art: The avant-garde jewelry, stationery, books, and gift items are brilliant, spirited, and functional.
Avanti Fashion (Oahu; tel. 808/926-6886 and two other Waikiki locations): Avanti aloha shirts and sportswear, in authentic prints from the 1930s and 1940s reproduced on silk, elevate tropical garb from high kick to high chic. Casual, comfortable, easy-care, and light as a cloud, the silks look vintage but cost a fraction of collectibles' prices. These nostalgic treasures are available at many stores statewide, but the best bets are at the three Avanti retail stores in Waikiki.
Native Books & Beautiful Things (Oahu; tel. 808/596-8885): Hawaii is the content and the context in this shop of books, crafts, and gift items made by island artists. Musical instruments, calabashes, jewelry, leis, fabrics, clothing, home accessories, jams and jellies -- they're all high quality and made in Hawaii.
Nohea Gallery (Oahu; tel. 808/596-0074 and three other locations): Works by some of the finest artists and craftsmen of Hawaii can be found here. From handcrafted fine jewelry to hair accessories, paintings, hand-blown glass, ceramics, and stunning curly koa furniture, the works are top-drawer.
Silver Moon Emporium (Oahu; tel. 808/637-7710): It just keeps getting better at this sleek and chic magnet that's drawing adventurous fashionistas to Haleiwa. Bevies of fans from California, New York, France, and Japan, not to mention Hilo and Honolulu, have left this boutique with hats, handbags, sandals, jewelry, party dresses, beachwear, and the perfect sarong skirt for the perfect backyard luau.
Dragon Mama (Big Island; tel. 808/934-9081): All-natural, mostly organic comforters, cushions, futons, fabrics, antique kimono and obi, as well as designer teas and incense, make Dragon Mama the dreamiest of stops in Hilo. The bolts of lavish silks are the most sumptuous you'll find in the islands.
Hula Heaven (Big Island; tel. 808/329-7885): You'll turn giddy at Hula Heaven, the spot for collectors of Hawaiiana -- like aloha shirts, hula-girl lamps, vintage ukuleles, one-of-a-kind 1940s textiles, and Don Blanding dinnerware. It's a celebration of nostalgia.
Sig Zane Designs (Big Island; tel. 808/935-7077): Sig Zane never runs out of ideas, inspiration, and energy for his culturally meaningful and visually striking Hawaiian wear. Whether it's a Sig Zane shirt, muumuu, pareu, T-shirt, house slippers, or bedspread, it's uniquely identifiable and imbued with the spirit of Hawaii -- like bringing the rain forest into your home.
Volcano Art Center (Big Island; tel. 808/967-8222): We love the creaky wooden floors, the smoky scent in the air, the rolling mists, and the art. Thriving in an 1877 building, the art center offers art education, programs and performances, and wondrous works in all media, featuring the most prominent artists on the island.
Hui No'Eau Visual Arts Center (Maui; tel. 808/572-6560): Upcountry in Makawao, this 1917 Mediterranean manse on a 9-acre estate is part gallery, part exhibition space, and part gift shop, classrooms, and demonstration center -- and every inch is a paean to beauty.
Hana Coast Gallery (Maui; tel. 808/248-8636): The long and winding road to Hana leads to the Hotel Hana-Maui, where the works in the Hana Coast Gallery reflect a deep commitment to Hawaii's cultural art. Native Hawaiian artists and master craftspeople have a presence and integrity here unlike any other gallery in the islands.
Ola's (Kauai, tel. 808/826-6937): Fine crafts from across the country find their way to this temple of good taste: lamps, vases, blown glass, drum sticks, jewelry, hard-to-find books, and the peerless paintings of award-winning artist Doug Britt.
Bambulei (Kauai; tel. 808/823-8641): Celebrate the charm and style of 1930s to 1940s collectibles in this treasure trove at the edge of the cane field. Fabulous one-of-a-kind vintage finds -- Mandarin dresses with hand-sewn sequins, 1940s "pake muumuus" in mint condition, Peking lacquerware, Bakelite jewelry -- fill this jewel of a boutique, owned by two women with a passion for the past.
Kong Lung (Kauai; tel. 808/828-1822): You'll be surprised by what you find inside this 1922 stone building: a showcase of design, style, and quality items, from dinnerware, books, jewelry, and clothing to the finest sake and tea sets on the island. Throw in a lacquer bowl or two, a pair of beaded sandals, and a silk dress from the women's section, and the party's on at "Gump's of the Pacific."
Robert Hamada's Studio (Kauai; tel. 808/822-3229): Wood turner Robert Hamada makes works of art for wood purists: museum-quality bowls and large sculptural shapes in kou, milo, kauila, camphor, mango, and native woods he logs himself. He works in his studio at the foot of the Sleeping Giant, quietly producing luminous pieces with unique textures and grains. His skill, his lathe, and his more than 60 years of experience put him in a class of his own.
Yellowfish Trading Company (Kauai; tel. 808/826-1227): Surprise yourself at Yellowfish Trading Company, where vintage bark cloth and that one-of-a-kind 1940s rattan sofa are among owner Gritt Benton's short-lived pleasures. The collectibles -- 1940s vases, '50s lunch boxes, '30s lampshades, antique silk piano shawls -- move quickly.
