Kaimuki Camera

don’t trust kaimuki camera. a buddy brought in a camera lens to have it looked at by neil the owner, he asked to leave the lens and when he picked it up. neil pulled a fast one on him by switching the lens. «shady business practice»

My favorite family owned camera store in Hawaii! Well… I think it’s the last and only family owned camera store in Hawaii. Some of the reviewers may be perceive that the owners aren’t friendly, or that they’re pushy in sales. I think it may be a cultural thing (Chinese). However, for camera knowledge, they’re the best when it comes to answering photo and equipment questions. I’ll take product knowledge and a wide selection of gear vs. a friendly but unknowledgeable sales clerk (and limited merchandise) at Best Buy any day.

First off, I want to say that I’ve been a long time customer of Kaimuki Camera, almost 2 decades in fact. Although I buy much of my equipment online, I try to shop for my equipment as much as I can locally. I love this shop, and Neil and his wife have been nothing but excellent to me, and I will continue to support their business for as long as I can. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that this store will not last forever. With many big box and online retailers offering lower prices and incentives such as packaged deals and in-​store rebates, Kaimuki Camera is unable to remain competitive in that category. What they do offer, is knowledge about he product, and Neil has a genuine passion for photography. I will admit, his customer base mostly includes the «older» generation of photographers, and those of you just getting into photography may find his store lacking. No bright shiny lights, none of the latest and greatest accessories and fads, no classes or tutorials on using your camera or how to edit in photoshop. Beginners beware, unless you know exactly what you want, this may not be the store for you.
The shop offers a broad selection of Canon, Olympus, and Fuji, as well as Manfrotto, Lowepro, and a lot of common accessories you would need to round out your kit. They also offer film processing and in-​house printing (though last I talked to them, the cost of keeping this service actually loses them money). You will not find Nikon or Sony here, period. So unless you’re looking to buy a camera strap, gear bag, or tripod, you’d be better off going to Best Buy or Pro Camera in Aiea.
That being said, after reading the reviews of other people here, I can definitely understand some of your frustrations, however, I think some reviews are negatively biased because they were told something they didn’t want to hear. My review is based solely on my experiences there, which have been nothing but great. The only reason 5 stars was not given is because parking can be inconvenient at times.

They are NEVER getting another dollar of my Canon needs. EVER!
I just walked in the door from buying a 35 mm lens and realized I actually wanted a 50 mm (yes I know that sounds idiotic but I’m not a pro and just bounced in on a whim from Coffee Talk and dropped $ 628 in 5 minutes without them having to put in any effort into the sale). So immediately upon realizing this mistake I call them back to ask if I can come right back and exchange it for the other lens plus any difference. They act like they have no idea who I am or when I came in. I WAS JUST THERE BUYING THE LENS! I’m speaking to the woman who just sold me the lens and she doesn’t remember me.
She says ‘come back so we take a look at it’ like in the time I left I went on safari shooting card after card of images. I say it’s still in the box but she repeats herself as if I have no idea what the standard procedures and protocol are for fair product exchange.
I’m about to walk out the door to drive back to them and they call me back saying ‘Hi. We spoke earlier…’, NO, we JUST spoke, 30 seconds ago. They then say, ‘Sorry. My husband says we can’t take the lens back, he showed you the pricing sheet when you were in here’. WTF!?! I know you did, between two different 35 mm lenses. I’m telling you I bought the wrong one 10 minutes ago and want to exchange it for the 50 mm. She repeats herself but places the decision on him. I’m shocked. Literally in awe. I sit quietly for a moment in amazement. Dumbfounded.
I sign off the call with ‘Fine. I’ll take my business elsewhere’. Not that I believe they care.
Are you serious? ARE YOU SERIOUS??? I was proud to give a local, mom and pop shop, in my neighborhood more money than buying off Amazon or Best Buy or wherever… but now, now you will never get an ounce of my money. Not a dime. Not only that but I will make sure if any of my friends in the creative world here in Hawaii or abroad (and I know many) need any camera equipment that they definitely don’t go to Kaimuki Camera.
Take you needs to Hawaii Camera, Lighthaus Camera, anywhere. They don’t care about customers, and obviously not about them returning
Out!

This is a hole in the wall hidden gem! It’s very small and cluttered and musty but that’s what makes it so charming.
I was looking for a gift for a friend, who was on the hunt for a specific thing for his camera. He couldn’t it find it ANYWHERE. One day, I was walking down the street, just browsing, killing time before my pedicure appointment and that’s when I came across Kaimuki camera.
I went inside and found what my friend was looking for and for a reasonable price!
I also noticed that they are the ONLY camera store that carries brands and merchandise that isn’t available anywhere else on the island. They even have vintage cameras.
Some of the merchandise is expensive and you can find it somewhere else at a cheaper price, but Kaimuki Camera is the best place to go when looking for something specific.
I never had a problem with the customer service. I always just ask for help if I need it and they have accommodated me every time. They even present different options that are similar to whatever I’m looking for and take the time to explain the differences of each one in detail in a way I can understand. I think a lot of people walk in, expecting it to be another electronics store that sells general cameras and equipment. In actuality, Kaimuki Camera is more of a specialty camera store and more for experienced photographers.

Enjoy the facts its a mom and pops store !! Owner sold me his lens for a good price !

Trust the one-​star reviews; go to this place only if you are in an emergency to pick up an item or just want to check out some items before you buy on-​line. (haha)
They have an attitude that they don’t need your business and customers are «Stupid», I differently will not give them my business! my money are just as good around the world that I don’t need to spend it here!!! there’s a reason why they are still «small business» after over 30 yrs. in the same location. Adiós Kaimuki Camera!

Never made it past the phone call. Was asking about a wrist strap for a Nikon and all I got was a condescending woman saying we only deal with Canon cameras. Like I should have known that, What Nikon isn’t a big enough brand for them to deal with? Also they may have carried a wrist strap of a non canon camera brand but I will never cross the threshold of that business

Very disappointing. The lady owner is very rude and does not treat you to well until buy spend money. They ran my credit card two times and said my card was declined.
I thought that was weird. Later I found out that the transaction went through and the owner yelled at me saying that it did not go through. But Later they did find it and gave me a refund. what kind of customer service is this. I wish before they tell me anything they would check on their end first. Just unbelievable. I don’t know how they are going to stay in business like that.

I went in yesterday to purchase a Manfrotto tripod for mounting a spotting scope. I had an idea what I was looking for, so I didn’t ask for help initially from the lady behind the counter. She approached me asking if I had any questions. When she found out I wanted the tripod for a scope, she proceeded to tell me the tripods would not work with a scope. I told her I intended to buy the appropriate head, but she continued to argue with me, being quite hostile and pushy about it. When I told her the purchase was to be
I understand I was not going to be spending big money on a camera or lens, and therefore I might be viewed as a less desirable customer, but that is no reason to be nasty. If you plan on approaching a customer who is minding their own business, you had better be ready to help with whatever he /​she came to your shop for, or be prepared to lose business.
I notice I am not the only person who has had problems with this woman, and it seems other reviewers find her more helpful than the guy she works with. That said, avoid this store unless you have no other option. With all the online options, there is no reason to even bother with Kaimuki Camera at all.

Just got off the phone with one of the workers there. She sounded very nice and like she wanted to help me out as much as she could but that was not the case. At all. I was referred to Kaimuki Camera by Lighthaus Camera because it was told that they had a certain camera that I’m still currently on a hunt for (Fujifilm X20). They did in fact have it, but not in the color that I wanted. I wasn’t making too much of a big deal about it over the phone, just politely asked if they had the one that I wanted in stock and she had very rudely interrupted me and told me that the all black one was the only one that they had and just hung up the phone on me without me having a chance to reply. I would have happily done business with them and they could have had my money, but being that the customer service is horrible, I have changed my mind. Looks like I’ll have to resort to getting my camera off Amazon or B&H.
Also hoping that the owners of Kaimuki Camera are actually seeing all of these reviews so they could do something about their customer service. I would have given a one if they had not have the camera that I was looking for in stock.

I realize that is hard to be in business in Hawaii with the high costs and overhead but the only way to compete is by providing exceptional customer service. If you can’t provide that service and cannot connect with the customer base, people will go where the price is lower and will not be willing to pay the MSRP and not get any «service». There is not any customer service provided at this store to justify paying the full list prices they ask for. Although I want to support «local» shops, stores like B&H and Amazon provide superior customer service/​support and much much better prices.

Five Stars? Hell yes! Just because it’s small mom & pop store isn’t a reason to not patronize the place. I found the perfect carbon fiber tripod for my Canon EOS 7D camera.
The lady behind the counter was friendly and very helpful. She showed me a selection of tripods, showed me how to use each and wrote up the sale after I
I’ll probably go back for a telephoto lens when I decide on one.
Now to some of the complaints I’ve read. First, it’s a business and they have ever right to charge whatever traffic will bear.
You, as the customer have a right to buy or not to buy. Comparing their prices to a mail-​order site on the mainland, plus the shipping after you bought something?
The couple who own the store are not the original owners. The wife runs the front and her service is probably a lot better than her husband’s. In this day and age, business is tough for small stores. Think about them vs. the likes of Best Buy or Amazon.
Seems people go to Kaimuki Camera and try out what they’re thinking of buying, then leave and buy it on-​line. Me, I’d rather support local businesses.
Don’t you think you should have checked prices … before you went shopping?

First you should know that this is the only fujinon store on the island. They have every accessory for all x series cameras. They also carry every other brand. I really enjoy filters and this store has the best German and Japanese filters available. The staff is super friendly and helpful. Really love this shop. It is tiny though. Like really really tiny.

Been there about 4 times purchasing camera equipment. First off, most of these poor reviews are absolutely correct. The customer service is dismal at best. If you know what you want prior, it’s fairly easy sell. Don’t bother asking questions, short, incomplete answers just don’t cut it anymore. It’s too easy now days to get all your information online. Better off purchasing from B&H photo online, much better prices too. Don’t waste your time here unless you need it quick. I would like to support mom & pop business and general do, best to skip this one. Adiós, Kaimuki Camera

DO NOT SHOP HERE!
These people are very dishonest.
I bought a Fujifilm NP-​95 battery from Neil, one of Kaimuki Camera’s owners. I was charged $ 57.99 plus sales tax ($ 60.72 total).
I came home and double-​checked the NP-​95 price at Fujifilm dealers in California and New York. PopFlash, a small Fujifilm dealer in Thousand Oaks, CA, charges $ 34.95 for the NP-​95, with no tax and free shipping. B&H Photo, a ‘superstore’ in New York City, charges $ 34.95, no tax and a little over $ 5 for shipping.
I immediately called Kaimuki Camera and spoke with Neil’s wife, Patti. I said that I was shocked at the difference in price and that I would bring the battery back for a refund right away. She relied, «All sales are final,» and immediately hung up on me.
I called back and spoke with Neil. I explained that he had overcharged me by $ 23.04, not including tax. I asked him to please allow me to return the battery for a full refund. He said: «All sales are final.»
I told Neil that it seemed short-​sighted, to upset and lose customers by overcharging. He repeated: «All sales are final. That’s been our policy for 30 years.»
I said that I would contact Fujifilm Hawaii, Fujifilm North America, and the Better Business Bureau and that I would also post a complaint at Unilocal.Neil replied, «Good. You do that,» and he hung up.
I’ll never go back to Kaimuki Camera.

Went to buy a new point and shoot camera for a trip next week. They sell mostly Canon and Olympus cameras, no Nikons. Ended up getting a Canon S110.
Overall, a good experience. I just wish there was closer parking.

Kaimuki Camera has been in business as long as I have been alive. And I have been born and raised in Kaimuki. With that said, this mom and pop business is a fixture in Kaimuki town and has been around longer than most businesses on Waialae Avenue — besides Kaimuki Chop Suey. I have been here on a few occassions where I had to find a good camera, since I had a camera and it was being a ditz. I needed a new camera and I couldn’t just get anything. I thought Kaimuki Camera would be the one that’ll get me the right one. I thought I was doing the right thing, until I stepped into the door.
Previous Unilocal reviews had got it right. The customer service does need a major attitude adjustment and I just was blind sided by the rudeness that I experienced the few times I was there, on separate locations. Once you enter the door, the counter was right there. The store is very small, so there was not much room for their goods. Perhaps, they had a storage area somewhere offsite? Maybe that’s all they were selling in the store? I looked to me that they were doing old school photography, complete with the tripods for the heavy duty cameras and associated parts and gear. For me, I needed a digital camera — no muss, no fuss. I probably could just get one at Wal-​Mart, if I wasn’t so lazy. This place was the closest to home I could get. Oh well, the way I was treated, I would be better off at Wal-​Mart.
While I am not trying to be a professional photographer, I understand the need to ask questions from qualified experts. To get the response I did on a few occassions I was there did not justify me to return for another round of rudeness. I’m sure they have longevity to Kaimuki, but this is ridiculous. Yes, supporting small businesses is good and all, but I rather just spend my money elsewhere.
D–

I’m all for supporting local and family owned shops so I’m a little sad that I have to write this review.
I walked into the store knowing I wanted to purchase a lens cover, but was also curious about the flashes and tripods they carried. Being new to photography, I immediately told the salesman that I’m a beginner and asked what they recommend for flashes. That’s when his mood shifted. He handed me a flash without saying a word and just stood there. It was so awkward. I asked him about the price (not sure what else to ask since it felt like I had to pry information from him). He responded with $ 250, but the way he said it was so belittling — as if I didn’t have that kind of money and that I didn’t know camera equipment was expensive.
I understand that there’s probably been incidences where a customer wastes time by asking a million questions without intent of purchase, but I am passionate about photography and aspire to become better over time. In a business standpoint, it means I could have easily been a lifetime customer.
Had the service been better, I could not only guarantee my loyal support but my friends who are interested as well. It just doesn’t make sense to run a business with such a condescending tone.

My grandparents and I made a trip to Kaimuki Camera to shop for my birthday present since we were in the downtown area. As long as you know the address, you should be able to find it easily as it’s located on the left side of waialae avenue if you’re going up. The yellow sign isn’t that hard to miss. Make the first left after the shop, and park at one of the meters. Be sure to feed it at least maybe an hour and a half (chances are you’ll have to wait to be helped after the customers who are already there).
The owners (i believe it’s a husband and wife) are pretty friendly. The husband was a little more likable though. I went in looking for a macro lens for my canon rebel xsi, and only had to wait about a minute or so even though he was helping some other people. He showed me my two options for a macro lens, and I tested both out. The prices weren’t toooo bad, although I’m not an expert on camera equipment prices.
I liked that he went back and forth between me and the other customers to give us all equal assistance. In my opinion, he would just be wasting his time if he just stood there watching me test out the lens.
They weren’t pushy with sales, but did recommend a few accessories such as a UV lens protector and case for my lens. I know they were recommending them for my benefit more than their own.
The woman didn’t really have a sense of humor. My grandpa is quite the joker and she seemed to be getting annoyed with his humor. Oh well, not everyone can take a joke!
Overall, I rate this experience ****/​5. I’ll be coming back here for my next purchase.