Where to Find Traditional Mu‘umu‘u and Holokū in Waikīkī

Limited quantity available.

When you are in Waikīkī, there are not many stores to purchase authentic Hawaiian dresses like holokū and mu‘umu‘u.

In Waikīkī, there are several souvenir shops and ABC stores selling aloha shirts and Hawaiian resort dresses. While they are made in Hawai’i and convenient for tourists to purchase as gifts, they are not authentic.

Hawaiian clothes have a unique history. During the early 1800s, the British Protestant missionaries introduced the formal holokū and holomu‘u to the ancient Native Hawaiians. The European-style dresses were then modified to accommodate the warm climate, using less corsets and a looser fit. As fabric became more available, clothes became more accessible for the locals and the style began to evolve into a more casual look.

For an authentic Hawaiian dress that can be worn for a party or to purchase as a special gift, we recommend visiting Princess Kaiulani Fashions. We carry more than 60 years of history and pride ourselves on our craft. All of our sewing is done locally at our sewing facility in Mōʻiliʻili. You can also purchase or rent Hawaiian dresses and aloha shirts at Mu‘umu‘u Rainbow.