Shop Local: Where to Find Vintage and Secondhand Mu‘umu‘u on O‘ahu

January is Mu‘umu‘u Month in Hawai‘i! From Princess Ka‘iulani and Bete Inc. to Manuheali‘i and Mamo Howell, here’s where to shop for vintage and secondhand mu‘u.

January 21, 2025

Brie Thalmann,

If you’re looking to support local by buying from Hawai‘i brands and boutiques, let our Shop Local series be your guide. We’ve scoured the Islands for everything from fitness apparel and vintage mu‘umu‘u to tropical home décor and swimwear, making it easy for you to snag amazing finds.

Honolulu Magazine Mu?umu?u At The Museum

Photo: Sean Marrs Photography

Every year, we look forward to Mu‘umu‘u Month and seeing the beautiful array of mu‘u shown off in celebration. And frequently, vintage and secondhand styles are among some of the most special, thanks to their rarity and the wonderful sense of nostalgia they bring. If you’re looking to add a gem or two to your own closet, we’ve got you covered with this handy roundup of O‘ahu retailers and curators.

DeStash Hawai‘i

Nestled in the corner of a nondescript two-story building on South Street in Kaka‘ako, DeStash Hawai‘i’s unassuming exterior belies the exuberant array of vintage and secondhand alohawear inside. Owner Lei Batty, who opened the shop in 2018 after retiring from the corporate world, has an eye for special pieces and possesses extensive knowledge about local labels. We’ve come across treasures from Princess Ka‘iulani, Bete Inc. and Liberty House, along with defunct brands that are hard to get your hands on.

736 South St. #103, (808) 200-7874, destashhawaii.com, @destash_hawaii

Bailey’s Antiques & Aloha Shirts

As its name implies, this longtime Kapahulu haunt is best known for aloha shirts, but it also offers a small selection of secondhand mu‘umu‘u (largely 1980s styles) and vintage mu‘umu‘u that date back to the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s. While there, be sure to also peruse the shop’s assortment of vintage collectibles.

517 Kapahulu Ave., (808) 734-7628, alohashirts.com, @baileyalohashirts

Image: Kaimuki Lei Stand - Credit: Pekuna Hong - Image of nine Hawaii women, men and children dressed in aloha shirts and mu‘umu‘u

Photo: Pekuna Hong

The Kaimukī Lei Stand

Along with creating gorgeous lei po‘o and floral arrangements, The Kaimukī Lei Stand owners Keoni and Makamae Williams share a love of 1960s and ’70s alohawear. The duo offer private shopping appointments at their home in Kaimukī.

thekaimukileistand@gmail.com, @thekaimukileistand

Photo: Brie Thalmann

Nā Mea Hawai‘i

Maile Meyer’s Ward boutique is one of our go-tos for artful wares from Hawaiian makers and designers, so it’s fitting that the shop offers a small selection of vintage and secondhand mu‘umu‘u. Expect an expanded section in January in celebration of Mu‘umu‘u Month.

1200 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 270, (808) 596-8885, nameahawaii.com, @nameahawaii

Photo: Brie Thalmann

Mottainai Vintage

Tucked out of sight from the street, up on the second floor of the Okumura Building (the small teal walk-up behind Goodwill), Ann Kedl’s vintage boutique is a little hidden gem in Kaimukī. Along with 1960s glassware sets and Kedl’s handwoven accessories, you’ll also find a rack of old-school alohawear, including mu‘umu‘u from brands, such as Tropicana, Ku‘ulei Sportswear and McInerny by Lola.

1223 Kokohead Ave., #5, (808) 729-6336, @mottainai_hawaii

Photo: Brie Thalmann

Every Day Better by Green Meadows

Just below Mottainai in the same building, Every Day Better by Green Meadows is one of our favorite shops for sustainable home goods and gifts. Be sure to scope out the vintage corner, where owner Katie Meadows keeps a rack full of mu‘umu‘u featuring groovy retro hues and the ditsy florals of your cottagecore dreams.

1223 Kokohead Ave. #2, @everydaybetter_by_greenmeadows

Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino

Mu‘umu‘u Library

One of the best ways to try a multitude of mu‘u styles without breaking the bank is with a Mu‘umu‘u Library membership. The community closet, created by Marion Camo in 2019, boasts a studio space at Ward Centre filled with hundreds of lovely styles that can be taken out on loan. Members also get access to educational workshops, sewing equipment, literature and mu‘u-themed events.

Ward Centre, 1200 Ala Moana Blvd., muumuulibrary.org, @muumuulibrary

Mu‘umu‘u Rainbow

Owned by alohawear label Princess Ka‘iulani, Mu‘umu‘u Rainbow is the brand’s apparel rental boutique (shoppable by appointment), which offers access to a selection of pre-owned, vintage and sample Princess Ka‘iulani dresses. Mu‘u can be borrowed for three days at a time or you can sign up for a monthly membership.

Waikīkī Business Plaza, 2270 Kalākaua Ave. Suite 1105, (808) 921-8118, princesskaiulanifashions.com, @pkaiulanifashions

Best Of Honolulu 2020 The Best Services On Oahu Happy Hale 2

Photo: Courtesy of Happy Hale Hawai‘i

Happy Hale Hawai‘i

Operating out of a cheery, creamsicle-hued trailer, mobile boutique Happy Hale Hawai‘i is the shared passion project of friends Angie Runyan and Jan Nagano. Along with kitschy collectibles, midcentury homewares and aloha shirts, you can also snag mu‘umu‘u from brands such as Sig Zane Designs, Tori Richard and Andrade.

happyhalehawaii.com, @happyhalehawaii

Chain Thrift Stores

If the thought of unearthing a diamond in the rough thrills you, consider hitting up O‘ahu’s biggest thrift stores—Goodwill Hawai‘i, The Salvation Army and Savers—which have a constant influx of alohawear. Finding something amazing is hit or miss, but if you do, it will be at an equally amazing price.

Multiple locations, goodwillhawaii.org, @goodwill_hawaii, hawaii.salvationarmy.org, @salarmyhi, savers.com, @savers_thrift