Where to find hand-carved tikis?

Question

In past visits, our kids have purchased the hand-carved tikis (not the "artistic" ones in the fancy shops) from roadside vendors or working from tables in various neighborhoods. I have a grandson visiting Maui right now who'd like to find a similar thing. Any tips where to look? I've suggested the Saturday morning swap meet but wondered if there are other places? Thanks!

Answer

Finding hand-carved tikis from local Maui artisans is absolutely still possible, and there are several spots where your grandson can look beyond the more polished “gallery” pieces. These smaller roadside or market vendors tend to pop up in areas with steady visitor traffic or in community gathering spots, and many still carve right on-site.

The Saturday Swap Meet at the UH Maui campus is indeed one of the best places to find a variety of handmade crafts, including tikis, but there are a few other reliable locations as well. Below are several good options with notes on what to expect.

Here are the places most likely to offer hand-carved, locally made tiki figures:

Roadside stands along Honoapiʻilani Highway (Hwy 30) — Especially between Lahaina and Kāʻanapali, small stands sometimes appear with wood carvings, including tikis. These vendors can be intermittent, but when they’re there, they often have the most authentic and affordable pieces.
Kahului Swap Meet (Saturdays) — A consistent place for local carvers who bring a table or canopy and display tikis in all sizes. The carvers are often happy to talk about their work, and some will even carve custom names.
Lahaina Cannery Mall outdoor vendors (when active) — Vendors periodically set up near the parking-lot perimeter with carved items. Although Lahaina’s landscape has changed, some artisans have shifted to pop-ups in this area.

Beyond these, your grandson may also find small, family-run carving tables or pop-up displays in community hubs or markets. These can be especially good for budget-friendly, handmade pieces.

Here are additional places worth checking:

Whalers Village Marketplace (Kāʻanapali) — Not the main shops, but occasional kiosks or temporary craft vendors sometimes sell hand-carved items. Good for convenience if he’s staying in West Maui.
Kīhei Fourth Friday Town Party — If the timing aligns, these community events often feature local artisans including woodworkers. It’s a fun atmosphere with music and food, too.
Local roadside markets near Pukalani or Upcountry — Artisans in Upcountry sometimes set up simple, no-frills tables with carvings, especially on weekends. Not guaranteed, but worth a quick look if exploring that area.

If he’s specifically hoping for the “old-school” roadside tiki experience, the West Maui coastline and swap meets remain the best bets. Vendors often rotate, so asking hotel staff or local shopkeepers can also lead to up-to-date recommendations on who is currently carving and where they’re setting up.

Hope your grandson finds a great tiki to bring home — those roadside finds are often the most memorable!