Owner James Holeman has become one of the most sought-after cigar experts in the islands. In addition to providing excellent consultation for novice or connoisseur, he has put together one of the largest selections in Honolulu - a feat he attributes to his ability to speak Spanish and to regular travel to key tobacco producing regions. "I want to run an inclusive shop," he says, "where women feel comfortable and where there is a good mix of local and visitor, young and old." His local following is especially drawn to the seconds he is able to keep on hand from factories like Arturo Fuente and Partagas.
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DON PABLO SMOKE SHOPS
This shop, on the mountain (mauka) side of the famous Ala Moana Shopping Center, specializes in its own, Las Vegas, Nevada produced line of Don Pablo cigars. The humidor is somewhat larger than the company's downtown store. A full line of cigar literature, accessories and a top-of-the-line pipe selection round out the attractions of this site.
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R. FIELD WINE COMPANY
Richard Field, owner of this venue, was a pioneer in bringing fine cigars and wines to the islands. He ran one of the first smokers on the islands four years ago at the prestigious Halekulani Hotel. it was the first, at least, since the turn of the last century when King Kalakaua was puffing away with the likes of Mark Twain and Robert Lewis Stevenson. Tobacconist Timothy Learmont says that the store "maintains a philosophy where we try to diversify our brands in a range of reasonable prices, trying to avoid the really silly prices of some cigars in recent years"'
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ISLAND CIGARS
This store is really a small walk-in humidor next to the Honolulu chocolate Company in Restaurant Row - a complex of clubs, cafes, bars and theaters close to downtown Honolulu and the Aloha Tower Marketplace. Non-descript in the daytime, the place jumps in the evenings when Generation Xers line up outside the store to get stogies to go with their micro-brews or their post-dinner, pre-dance breaks. No bundles, no sign of George Hamilton.
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DON PABLO SMOKE SHOPS
The sister store to Don Pablo on Kona St., this outlet is in the heart of visitor traffic in the Aloha Tower Marketplace - an upscale collection of restaurants and shops at the historic Honolulu Harbor. They carry the Don Pablo, Las Vegas rolled line as well as a full complement of other cigar brands. The humidor is serviceable, but not particularly large. What sets this venue apart from the crowd is the impressive line of pipes and pipe tobacco blends. French briars, and Meerschaums grace the display cases. Proprietor Dale Neff says his store is the only full-service tobacco shop in the islands. The store also sponsors a pipe smokers club.
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HAWAII TOBACCO & FRIENDS ESPRESSO
Across the street from the movie theater in the windward town of Kailua. There is good service and knowledge when native Hawaiian Stacey Kapeliela is there. Now 33 ' he started smoking cigars at age 19 and became an avid hobbyist. He kept a cigar journal and ordered for himself and friends. He has developed good supply connections in Florida and the Dominican Republic and Honduras. Some good Arturo Fuente seconds. This good supply may be related to his access to the family farm's rich Kona coffee, which is also packaged and sold at the Kailua store - and which is rumored to be appreciated by cigar people on the mainland.
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FUJIOKA!S STORE
Turn right after you pass the check-out area in this matter-of-fact rural market and you will find yourself among a fine collection of vintage ports, merlots, cognacs and single malts - and right between the cashier and the ports you will discover some top-of-the line cigars: Arturo Fuentes, a full line of Fonseca, Hoyo de Nicaragua, Cifuentes and Thomas Hinds. The Fujioka family store caters to a variety of regulars, tourists, and professional surfers here on the North Shore for those legendary big waves. The cashier has the key to the cigar cases, if you know what you want. If not, tell them to call Norman and he'll advise you. Some basic accessories and some inexpensive walnut humidors complete the look.
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TOBACCOS OF HAWAII
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DON PABLO SMOKE SHOPS
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HAWAII TOBACCO & FRIENDS ESPRESSO
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FUJIOKA!S STORE