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Editor’s Note: This roundup was originally published in April 2023 and has since been updated with one more eco-store and the latest information.
April is Earth Month, AKA the perfect time to switch to more sustainable products and practices. To help get you started, we’ve put together a handy cheat sheet of our go-to O‘ahu eco-stores dedicated to stocking environmentally friendly goodies.
SEE ALSO: Encouraging Visitors to Mālama Hawai‘i
Photos: Courtesy of For Simple Sustainability
Who: Keely Nakama opened shop in 2023, seamlessly mixing aesthetic eco ware with local art, vintage finds that celebrate old-school Hawai‘i and upcycled fashions and accessories.
What: We’re fans of the palaka-print bowl covers, bamboo scrub brushes and Swedish dish cloths. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for the shop’s art exhibitions and pop-ups featuring local artists and makers.
Refill Station: Score hand soaps, body washes, hair care bars, skincare, fragrance oils and more. Not to mention cleaning and laundry finds, such as detergent sheets, wool dryer balls and all-purpose cleaning tablets.
Where: Ward Centre, 1200 Ala Moana Blvd., (808) 773-7270
When: Open Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
for-simplesustainability.com, @for_simplesustainability
Photos: Brie Thalmann
Who: Opened by Katie Meadows in 2019, this charming sustainable homewares and gift shop is tucked back behind Kaimukī’s Goodwill store in the Okumura Building.
What: Meadows fills her shelves with stylish and small-batch goods sourced from all over the globe. We’ve spotted everything from chic cotton napkin sets from Australia and machine washable copper cleaning cloths from Germany to British umbrellas made from recycled plastic bottles. She’s also mindful to carry brands that use sustainable packaging.
Refill Station: No refill station, but you can snag packaging-free shampoo and conditioner bars.
Where: 1223 Koko Head Ave. Suite 2, (808) 737-7770
When: Open Tuesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
everydaybetterbygreenmeadows.com, @everydaybetter_by_greenmeadows
Photo: Brie Thalmann
Who: Jack and Kim Johnson opened Kōkua General Store as an extension of their nonprofit Kōkua Hawai‘i Foundation, which is dedicated to environmental education in Hawai‘i communities. The foundation receives 100% of the shop’s profits.
What: One half of the store holds an extensive refill station, pantry, beauty and personal care items—think Kapa Nui nail polish, Bee’s Cotton Wrap food covers and the Indigo Elixirs natural beauty line. The other half is dedicated to vintage clothing, vintage records from Hungry Ear Records, home décor and more.
Refill Station: Includes MamaSuds dishwasher powder and Toilet Bombs, and Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Pure-Castile soap and Sal Suds cleaner. You’ll also find Hawai‘i-made refill items such as AIM HI body scrub, North Shore Soap Factory body wash and laundry detergent and Keali Organics’ bar shampoos and conditioners.
Where: 66-249 Kamehameha Highway, Hale‘iwa
When: Open Wednesday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
@kokuageneralstore
SEE ALSO: Cool Sustainable Finds at Kim and Jack Johnson’s Kōkua General Store
Photos: Kenna Reed, Courtesy of Protea Zero Waste
Who: Texan Lori Mallini originally moved to O‘ahu to pursue environmental studies at Hawai‘i Pacific University. After learning about the microplastics that pollute Hawai‘i’s beaches and water, she was inspired to start Protea Zero Waste in hopes of cutting plastic pollution and protecting people from exposure to toxic materials.
What: Protea stocks a ton of great products that make the transition to a more sustainable lifestyle a snap, such as Unpaper reusable towels, biodegradable kitchen scrubs, organic cotton coffee filters and even reusable menstrual pads.
Refill Station: You’ll find all of the standard refill station products, along with trickier-to-find items, such as plant-based floss, hand sanitizer, baby oil and makeup remover. It’s even got dog shampoo.
Where: 35 Kainehe St., Kailua
When: Open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
proteazerowaste.com, @proteazerowaste
Photo: Brie Thalmann
Who: Friends Jillian Corn and Hunter Logan opened Keep It Simple Zero Waste’s first location on Kaimukī’s Wai‘alae Avenue in 2020, inspired by the zero-waste shops they had encountered during their world travels.
What: Find great home and beauty items, plus a nice array of gifts, swimwear, clothing and accessories. We’re especially fond of the bikinis and workout apparel from local label Tai Swim, which uses fabrics made from recycled plastic bottles, and the cloud-soft tees from LA brand Studio Ko, cut from bamboo, cotton and hemp.
Refill Station: Along with common refill products, snap up harder-to-find ones like laundry scent boosters, fabric softener, dishwasher pods, shower steamers, Epsom salt and clay detox masks.
Where/When: You can find Keep It Simple in two locations on O‘ahu:
keepitsimplezerowaste.com, @keepitsimplehonolulu
SEE ALSO: Local Brand Laulima’s Designs Feature Lovely Native Flora and Fauna
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From plantation towns to planned communities, Central O‘ahu has its share of secret spots, a bumper crop of bowling alleys and neighborhood eats.
We celebrated National Take a Hike Day (Nov. 17), with a round up of our top picks for the best hikes on the Island.
Not willing to change her identity to be part of the industry, Mahina Florence is at the height of her career because of her flawless Hawaiian complexion, strong athletic build, and friendly aloha spirit.
These restaurants and cafés hold themselves to a higher eco-standard that make deciding where to eat for ocean-minded people an easy decision.
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