Akamai Art Supply, Inc., Kailua-Kona HI

Just what I was looking for last minute Christmas gifts. Thanks for being open and for a great store.

Love this place. Every time we’re on island I visit frequently. So much fun. I don’t have an art store where I live so this place gives me a chance to explore some much wonderful stuff.

This place has a good and wide variety of paper. There are more brushes, tools, materials, and markers! Not only for artists, but this place is also for every one who likes art and crafts! They will ship what you need. But it is a ' must-visit' shop if you are on the Big Island!

This is my favorite store on the Island of Hawaii. They have a wide selection of quality paints and art supplies! They are super knowledgeable, friendly and good vibes! If you are an artist of any skill level, run, don’t walk here… you will not be disappointed and will leave with extra art amazing supplies that you cannot paint without! Dawn also offers art classes on line that are the best! You can find fliers in store!

I can't comprehend the several complaints about customer service. I've been in this excellent store many times and have never experienced or seen the staff being anything but helpful and polite. For the Big Island this store has an amazing inventory, and most prices are what you'd expect to pay in Hawaii.

This art supply has a world-class selection of art supplies, everything you would imagine and some things you never thought of. The ladies there are helpful and very very knowledgeable about every product. A very impressive resource for our community.

Absolutely *excellent* customer service in a vibrant local business that carries all the supplies I was looking for, plus much more!

I was a bit apprehensive to check the prices, as this is Hawaii and all, but was pleasantly shocked to see how reasonable they were; paints and canvasses cost the same here as they do back home in Denver!

The women who run the store were super helpful and fun to talk to. I’m trying to run out of paint now for an excuse to go back in one more time before I leave.

Akamai Art Supply has everything an artist of every medium could want and at competitive prices as on-line but you get to see, feel, touch and even try out many of the products before committing. The owners are friendly, knowledgeable and very helpful without any pressure. As an island artist who also works with children artists, I'm grateful for this place.

Not only is the store stocked with a huge variety of high end and beginner supplies, but the gals are beyond knowledgeable about their products. We are so lucky to have such a specialty store in Kona. I can't tell you how many times I have come in with questions and left with products that worked perfectly for my projects instead of buying what I thought might work and crossing my fingers. Excellent customer service and huge selection you won't find anywhere else in Hawaii -I've looked!

I was pleasantly surprised to find such a well stocked art store this far from home. The lady who helped me was professional and knowledgeable. The prices were fair for Hawaii. Their selection of watercolor paints is excellent. I will come back to this store whenever I need art supplies. We are on vacation but this is a great opportunity to paint.

I must agree with the people who rated this place with one star. These people are so rude and so not helpful. Their prices are three times the price of Amazon. The signs on the door say to not bring in big bags yet they have surveillance all over the place.they opened early in the pandemic and boy are they ever adamant about making sure you sanitize your hands by pointing to the sanitizer. (I don't mind I actually appreciate it yet they don't even say hello). They walk around like you are going to steal something.they don't even ask if I am finding everything ok. OMG the prices? ! If something is priced let's say at $3.00 they will charge $9.00. The customer service is so incredibly bad and it's too bad because I love supporting local even with the price gouging. I would rather shop at home and when I have a problem with any company such as Blick, I can expect great customer service.

Really nice staff, very knowledgeable, and doing their best to keep things in stock amidst the pandemic. Really good prices as well, compared to other local shops, and way more selection.

Upon entering you feel unwelcome and like the workers don’t want you there.

The are so scared that you have COVID-19 that the rush you and if they do help they complain about the clinic next door and how they are infected.

If you do find something you want make sure you want it as they do return items but don’t refund you only store credit and if you are visiting and they know they say it doesn’t expire and don’t care.

Also if your mask is on wrong or come off just a little they yell at you.

I would not advise anyone to go there unless you need to just go to target or Amazon and to me they should just be closed till this is over rather than Making you feel uncomfortable and like they don’t want you anyway.

So happy we have a place to get art supplies on the island. Always find treasures for various projects or for presents. If they do not have it in stock they even ordered it for you. What a pleasure it is too have a place to go get inspired and look for new and fun material to try out.

Akamai ladies are very helpful and knowledgable. They have helped me out on several projects and in a pinch they've even held a product for me after hours. We are lucky to have this option here - biggest art store in Hawaii!

Rude and unfriendly. It made the vibe feel unwelcoming. I'll stick with Ben Franklin, Michaels, Jerry's Artarama, Blick Art Materials, Arteza, Hobby Lobby, and Etsy. Plenty of other places. Stink bombs!

I love this store!
When I go there I can always fine what I am looking for
Everyone there is ever one is so friendly and helpful

They are very helpful inside. The store is well stocked, clean, bright, organized and very easy to walk through. Thank you Akamai!