Alan’s Art & Collectibles

Good old collectibles shop. Difference from the usual is the presence of so many items demonstrating the mixed social milieu of Hawaii over the years.

This place is so crazy. It is hard to go in there without smiling. It is like someone’s Japanese grandfather died, and they took his attic and turned it into a store. Lots of stuff is not marked, and I think they aim REALLY high on their prices if stuff is unmarked. But it is so worth going there. The contents tell such a (albeit bizarre) colorful story. Everything from X-​Force comics to Japanese commemorative ashtrays to vintage Mercedes key chains to funky computerized typewriters. Lots of crazy laserdiscs and Japanese LPs. I wish I could have bought the «1981 Balloon Race» poster in the very back.

Yes, they parted me from some money, for a vintage glass citrus juicer of all things. Casual vintage/​antique collectables with prices clearly marked and friendly service. Comic books to Hawaiiana. Very fun to browse.
Gotta go, got some squeezin’ to do!

A place to find something unique on the Hilo waterfront. Small things from Hawaii long forgotten… and the great thing is that most of the collectibles are local and from the Hilo area. Owner just «minds his own business» behind the counter. Sometimes talking story to a friend. Comfortable to walk around, BUT be careful to not break anything– somewhat cramped.
That «gremlin» treasure box might be buried somewhere…

This was a funky store full of antiques and junk, many items with a Hawaiian edge (milk bottles from Kona and Honolulu dairies, ceramic statues of Kamehameha, tikis, ashtrays from Hawaiian nightclubs of the past), plus all the other assorted oddities you’d find in this kind of shop anywhere else in the country. Worth a poke around if you like this kind of thing while you’re walking through the Bayfront shops.

Specializing in vintage Americana/​pop culture/​Hawaiian, his store is packed — in a good, non-​hoarder type of way — with lamps, tables, jewelery, coins, bottles, figurines, koa bowls, jewelery boxes, coffee tables, books, etc. His shop is my favorite to browse through every time I take a trip back to Hilo. He’s located along Bayfront and has AC with lots of fans running through the store (a nice break amidst the killer Hilo humidity!).
Really nice older Asian guy who knows his stuff when it comes to vintage Hawaiiana collectibles (talk stories with him to see if he had certain pieces o hand).
The metered parking in downtown Hilo is free; they did away with charging anything. If you’re looking for an interesting store to look through, take a stroll through here! Unique offerings amidst the other stuff along Bayfront.