Yellowfish Trading

Giving one star because 0 stars isn’t an option. Being rude to my dad is the fastest way to make me furious.
We came into the store this evening after dinner. My dad, a Mason and a Shriner, saw the fez at the front of the shop. Interested, he went to the front desk to ask about it. The woman at the desk, my brother says her name was Barbara, very rudely grunted out, «Are you talking to me?» Yes, shopkeep, he was talking to you. When a customer is asking something in your direction, they are generally inquiring about the goods you are selling. Shockingly *SARCASM* she didn’t know much about the fez.
My dad proceeds to look up on his phone where the fez was from. Hoping to better inform the woman about the goods she is selling, he attempted to tell her. She almost slammed into him running to look in a chest of linens. She very rudely barked at him, «I’ll be with you in a minute!» He turned on his heel and was out the door with his wallet.
My mother and sister had somehow managed to find some tchotchkes in the store, but because of the worker’s hateful attitude, we chose to not buy. Also, the store and everything in it with a porous surface REEKED of whatever that smell is.
Also, word to the wise, a sticker promoting a divisive politician in the window of your store is a great way to turn away business.

Great store! Definitely worth a peek when you’re in town!

This is a really nicely curated gift shop with a wonderful mix of vintage and new. There’s a great variety, and while the price points are pretty high, you can get some beautiful and unique things. Definitely check this place out.

Wandering around Hanalei and wanting to get out of the sudden downpour, I followed a walkway that had construction all around. Sketchy I know-​but it’s how I roll on vacation.
Low and behold, I was transported through a door into Hawaiiana Heaven!!! Eclectic, funky, and all things vintage I was instantly in love. With that being said, vintage/​antique typically=way out of my price point. I was sad as I was ready to leave after basking in the yards and yards of beautiful hawaiiana fabrics, before I stumbled upon some vintage ads, that were turned into magnets.
After pretty much pulling out every magnet out of the basket, the employee working that day pulled out some additional ones that were not put out on display. I ended up walking away with over 10 different varieties. I took over the register area in spreading everything out, but the employee working was so sweet and insisted I take as much space as I needed, after I apologized for making a mess.
So do not fret! If you take your time as well, you’ll be sure to find something within your price point from this quaint little shop. Whether it be vintage or modern, I think this little spot can fit your souvenir needs for those «special people» as well.

This store never lets me down! One of my two favorite stores on the island! Hawaiiana! Unique, quirky and festive items for everyone! The help is always so friendly and patient. And… they ship will your gifts home (for a fee, of course), but how convenient is that?! I’ve shopped here for over 15 years!

My family and I had previously had an awful experience here, but the owner contacted us via email to apologize and give us a $ 50 gift card. The fact that she cares about her customers nets this place a few more stars.

The owner contacted me regarding our bad experience with one of the employees. Great to see an owner that cares!

There are lots shops in Hanalei, but there’s only one Yellowfish Trading Company.
Yellowfish has been in Hanalei about twenty years. The goods here are mostly Hawaiian vintage mixed with modern surfer. The wares are fresh, full of a sense of style and humor.
There are many vintage Hawaiiana items here, very 40’s thrift shop-​y but well-​selected and well-​curated. The antique items are pricey, but they are vintage and the modern mix of items (books, bags, signs) are standard spend-​at-​home prices. All items are artfully displayed and fun to look at.
While my days of collecting have given way to simplifying and pairing down, and collecting experiences mainly, I could see finding room in the suitcase for a well selected coffee table book on with historical photos of longboard surfers like the Duke, or an adorable 40s Hawaiian rag doll with an intact grass skirt and a red flower behind her ear.

This was one of two of my favorite shops during my two week stay in Kauai. There a lot of souvenir items here, but they are high quality and unique with is always a win. I snagged a huge tote bag that served me well during my trip (I will also use it on my boat this upcoming summer) and a magnet.

I came back to visit Yellowfish Trading Co. this year after having visited years ago, and am delighted to say how much I reveled in the experience!
Walking into this unique store feels as though you’ve taken a step into the past … and the future at the same time! I drooled over the stunning antique lamps and tables, their teak benches, bark cloth pillows, panels and material … then I was delighted by the spunky cocktail napkins, flirty postcards, beautiful journals, books on Kauai past and present, the stunning antique and new jewelry, and the delicious soaps and lotions. I learned that Yellowfish Trading Co’s owner refreshes the inventory weekly so that each visit is a different experience! Cool! Which Kauai chain stores or boutiques can boast about that!!! I bought one-​of-​a-​kind gifts (you can’t come to Kauai and not buy gifts!) for my friends and family, which they’ll be enjoying and talking about for years.
Plan to spend some time here; you’ll love the ambience, the shop’s music and staff, and the total experience.

Super cute shop run by a very interesting, kind lady. My husband and I really enjoyed just wandering the store and checking out her unique items.
I really loved: antique postcards, ancient maps, varied books about Kauai (movies made here, folk tales, etc), as well as a bunch of interesting items.
I ended up buying a fabulous tote bag with the islands on it (very unique that I did not see in other stores), a journal, and a really great book I intend to read to my children about Hawaiian folk legends.

Really fun, authentic wares. But gods is everything pricey! Beware the antiques; sure, it looks like a tiny old matchbox… how much could it cost? ALL THE MONEY.

It is easy to spend a lot of time poking around this fabulous little store. I can’t say I am a huge fan of contemporary Hawaiiana but I love the vintage stuff and Yellowfish is chock full of it. There is also a lot of non-​Hawaiian kitsch, fun nice gift items and books.
Yellowfish is a breath of fresh air after having wandered into one too many ABC-​like stores.

You know those people that collect souvenirs on vacation? Things like shot glasses or spoons? I am one of those people but I collect scarves. Every vacation and country I have visited, I have purchased a scarf. I had, up until the point I found Yellowfish Trading Co., not found any scarves worth buying in Hanalei. Trust me, I get that purchasing a scarf in Hawaii seems ridiculous.
I walked in to a wall of beautiful sarongs and scarves; all in beautiful colors with tropical patterns. I ended up purchasing a blue and purple scarf that has been the bearer of many compliments.
Anyway, it’s a nice little store to visit for something nontraditional.

This shop was very hard to find but I found an amazing lamp that I loved. I was charged too much on shipping and the owner refunded me. How honest and sweet was that. The lamp arrived in one piece and I am so excited about my beautiful lamp from Hanalei Hawaii. An honest good shop!

This is consistently one of my most favorite stores on Kauai, settled back from the main highway in Hanalei. They have a great assortment of collectables and Hawaiiana, always nicely presented and operated by pleasant local folks.
Beautiful vintage bark cloth, framed colorful menu’s and art, brick a brack, vintage tropical pottery, Bakelite jewery as well as classic Hawaiian furniture… simply not to be missed on any trip up to Hanalei.
NYTimes says:
This shop has a well-​curated collection of old and new Hawaiiana:
Art Deco teapots and furniture, vintage patterned textiles by the yard, fragile hand-​colored photographs, and books and crafts by local writers and artists. Tasteful, accessibly priced items remind you of where you are: white cotton tea towels printed with maps of the Hawaiian Islands, chic woven basket purses, and a book about Hawaiian surfers by the legendary surf pioneer Tom Blake. Jewelry includes hand-​carved Hawaiian fish hooks made out of cow bone and rainbow-​hued bracelets made of 1940s Bakelite dice and mah-​jongg tiles.
Yellowfish is also rich with astonishing one-​of-​a-​kind items, like a 1940s «trench art» lamp made by a World War II serviceman, painted with a tropical scene and trimmed with shells and military decorations.

Every time I come to Hanalei, I make a point to stop in this store. You have to look for it as it’s tucked away in the back of the main shopping center. It’s packed with island treasures with a retro touch… like Bakelite jewelry, unique books, linens, etc. Not your typical cheesy tourist junk… and, while some items are expensive, in general the prices are reasonable.

A very cute little shop. It’s a shame that they’ve been having an issue with shoplifting.
My Boyfriend and I really loved the vintage WWI ‘Enlist in the Navy’ poster they had framed on the wall– but at $ 1800 it was a bit stiff for us. I’m sure it’s vintage– but if they had offered a reproduction at a lesser cost (even an inflated one) we would have bought it. Instead, we’ll end up ordering it online.
The shop owner seemed perturbed that what we liked about the poster were the serious homoerotic overtones (It’s a bunch of guys in navy uniforms standing with their arms around each other– with awesome vintage style mustaches).
They had some very nice vintage barkcloth pillows that I thought were very reasonably priced, and the quality of all of the items is very nice.
I love the color palette of the store!

This store has more unique and vintage items than any other store I found during my trip!

Wonderful store with lots of vintage lovelies!!!