“If somebody local is making it, we have it,” said Kennedy Kramlick, who runs Sugarcane, a small business in Kaimuki that sells merchandise from about 120 local artists. 

Sugarcane is among the many small business options for Hawai’i residents and tourists alike in Kaimuki. From cheese boutiques to yoga classes, this shopping district is home to a wide variety of restaurants, shops, classes, nail salons, and much more.

As prices of operation continue to rise for small business owners, Hawai’i lands 3.9% above the national average failure rate for first-year businesses, coming in at 25.4%.  By visiting small businesses, a chain effect of exposure is created.

Kaimuki has been a platform for local artists, and Sugarcane is no exception. Here, local artists would come in and ask Kramlick if she would display their work. Markets and social media sites like Instagram are additional ways Kramlick finds artists who can contribute their work to her store.

“It’s important to sell products in a physical space because the best way to connect a customer to art that you have made with your own hands is to put it in their hands.” said Kramlick.

Compared to online shopping, physical boutiques like Sugarcane allow shoppers to witness the time, energy and skill that went into a piece of art.  Stores establish a moment between the product and the consumer that Kramlick described as something that “can’t just be scrolled past.”

Sugarcane’s customer base ranges from middle schoolers to aunties stopping by after lunch. Surprisingly, Kramlick noted not seeing as many UH students as she might expect.

This comes as a shock to Kramlick, as she dubs Kaimuki and Manoa as “neighbors.” Kaimuki does benefit from the influx of UH students who happen to stop by at coffee shops.  

“I think it keeps Kaimuki young,” said Kramlick about the impact college students have on the area.  

Keeping Kaimuki young keeps Kaimuki alive. Gen-Z is well-known for using cute cafes and enchanting antique stores as Instagram posts, which often implicitly promotes businesses.  Users are then influenced to engage with small businesses they discover online. 

So what does Kaimuki have for you?

Home to several hole-in-the-wall restaurants, Kaimuki is an 8-minute drive from Campus Center.

Despite having multiple restaurants, cafes and stores, each business stands out against its competitors.  

If you are in the mood for a sweet treat, try Banan. If ice cream isn’t your cup of tea, go for Pipeline Bakeshop & Creamery.

Via Gelato is another ice cream shop. It stands out because the flavors here–from Fierce Chocolate to Okinawan Sweet Potato–cater towards the taste of locals. With a welcoming interior design and comfortable inside seating, Via Gelato has room for students and their computers.

To all Jellycat lovers, another gift store called Red Pineapple will be your new friend. Near the back of the store, you will find a basket filled to the brim with different sizes of Jellycats.

The municipal parking lot located across Daily Whisk Matcha is $0.75 for every half hour.  Neighboring the parking lot stands Koko Head Cafe, Siren and Song Tattoo, plus many more places to explore.

I encourage you to explore the locally owned shops in Kaimuki (and elsewhere), as small businesses rely on community support. There is no better feeling than exploring the goods of a small shop, with friendly staff.

And hey, you may even discover the best matcha you’ve ever tasted!

To support local, keep it Kaimuki.