Shopping in Honolulu & Waikiki
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A
Ala Moana Center
Holy fashion, this attractive open-air shopping mall could compete on an international runway with some of Asia's most famous malls. And the shoppers are top-shelf fashionistas, stocking up on couture. The usual mall anchors are here, (Sears and Macy's) as are the designer name brands (you name it) and the trendy teen brands (Abercrombie & Fitch).
A favorite for local color is the Crack Seed Center, where you can just scoop from jars full of pickled mangoes, candied ginger, dried cuttlefish and banzai (rice crackers, nuts and dried fish) mix. The ground floor or the shopping center is also the hub for TheBus service.
reviewed
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B
Ward Farmers Market
Ward Farmers Market, across the street from Ward Center, is this almost daily fresh market and grocery. For the average tourist, a visit here is more like sightseeing for food and is a good introduction to Hawaiian and Asian dishes and ingredients, from local produce to prepared meals. The market covers the budget range from blue collar to gourmet imports.
reviewed
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C
Kamaka Hawaii
Dozens of shops sell cheap plastic and wood ukuleles around Waikiki and Chinatown. But this legendary instrument maker near Restaurant Row specializes in the real thing: handcrafted ukuleles made on Oʻahu, with prices starting around $500. In business since 1916, its signature instrument is a 'pineapple' ukulele with an oval-shaped body that produces a less twangy sound.
reviewed
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D
Aloha Tower Marketplace
This handsome harbourfront shopping centre is anchored by the 56m (184ft) Aloha Tower, built in 1926 to greet arriving cruise ships. Today the two-storey marketplace, with over 75 open-air shops and kiosks, is a theme mall with many Hawaiiana or only-in Hawaii shops. Some of Hawaii's best musicians perform at several of the waterfront restaurants and lounges.
reviewed
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E
Diamond Head Farmers Market
Diamond Head Farmers Market is O'ahu's premier gathering of farmers and their fans. Everything sold at the market is local and has a loyal following, such as Don Akiyama's jams that are made with berries from the Big Island, and North Shore's Big Wave Tomatoes. Different restaurants are invited each week to prepare meals should you come only to 'window' shop.
reviewed
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F
Ward Warehouse
This is the original Victoria Ward complex that today takes in the adjacent and more upscale Ward Centre, the rambling Wards Farmers Market and Ward Entertainment Center, a movie and restaurant complex. Ward Warehouse is an accessible two-storey complex with specialty clothing shops, music and bookstores, several courtyard eateries and free parking.
reviewed
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G
Aloha Stadium Swap Meet
The Aloha Stadium, best known as the host to nationally televised football games and music concerts, transforms itself three days a week into Hawaii's biggest and best swap meet. For local flavour, it's hard to beat, with some 1500 vendors selling an amazing variety of items, from beach gear and bananas to T-shirts and old Hawaii license plates.
reviewed
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H
Yat Tung Chow Noodle Factory
If you look inside one of the half-dozen noodle factories in Chinatown, you'll see clouds of white flour hanging in the air and thin sheets of dough running around rollers and coming out as noodles. One easy-to-find shop, Yat Tung Chow Noodle Factory, makes nine sizes of noodles, from skinny golden threads to fat udon.
reviewed
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I
Jeff Chang Pottery & Fine Crafts
Not everything at this beautiful downtown gallery is island-made, but it is all handcrafted. The striking raku pottery is made by Chang himself. You'll also find exquisite hand-turned bowls of Hawaiian hardwoods, art jewelry and blown glass by some of Hawaii's finest artisans. There's another branch at Ward Warehouse.
reviewed
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J
Shung Chong Yuein
Shung Chong Yuein sells delicious moon cakes, almond cookies and other tasty pastries at bargain prices. This is also the place to buy dried and sugared foods - everything from candied ginger and pineapple to candied squash and lotus root. Come early before the counters are emptied by loyal customers.
reviewed
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K
T&L Muumuu Factory
So much flammable aloha wear in one space - it is worth a visit just for the oddity factor. This is an auntie's shop, where polyester still represents progress. Bold-print muumuus run in sizes from skeletal to queen, and pu'u skirts are just funky enough to wedge into an urban outfit.
reviewed
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L
Antique Alley
This cooperative shop is delightfully crammed full of rare collectibles and other cast-off memorabilia from Hawaii through the decades. Vendors sell everything from poi pounders and carved wooden bowls to vintage hula dolls, Matson cruise-liner artifacts and estate jewelry.
reviewed
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M
Hula Supply Center
For 60 years, Hawaiian musicians and dancers have come here to get their kukui-nut lei, calabash drum gourds, Tahitian-style hula skirts, nose flutes and more. Kapa-print aloha shirts and Hawaiiana CDs, DVDs and books are nifty souvenirs for nondancers.
reviewed
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N
Locals Only
The brand name, which has been around since 1981, says it all. It's a casual place to pick up rayon reproductions of vintage aloha shirts and T-shirts that represent island lifestyles, such as a Rastafarian-colored shaka sign with the logo 'Keep Hawaii Green.'
reviewed
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O
Lai Fong Department Store
For antiques, junk and kitsch, a great place to browse is Lai Fong Department Store, which sells a variety of antiques and knick-knacks, including Chinese silk clothing, Oriental porcelain and old postcards of Hawaii dating back to the first half of the 20th century.
reviewed
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P
Nohea Gallery
A soothing space amid the shopping-mall madness, this high-end gallery sells handcrafted jewelry, glassware, pottery and woodwork, the vast majority of it made in Hawaii. Island artisans occasionally give demonstrations of their craft on the sidewalk outside.
reviewed
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Q
Hilo Hattie
You can't escape ads for this warehouse of kitschy Hawaiiana, built to process gigantic busloads of tourists. If you need a cheap aloha shirt, matching muumuu or plastic puka shell necklace, Waikiki's ubiquitous ABC Stores are probably cheaper, however.
reviewed
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R
ManuheAli'i
When Hawaii gals need a party dress, many look to this homegrown shop for original and modern designs. The flowing rayon dresses take inspiration from the traditional muumuu, but are transformed into contemporary looks that range from daring to sassy.
reviewed
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Cinnamon Girl
Flirty rayon dresses that are cool, contemporary and island-made hang on the racks of this trendy shop designed by O'ahu resident Jonelle Fujita. Sandals, bejeweled necklaces and sweet, old-fashioned accessories like floppy hats line the shelves.
reviewed
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S
Pegge Hopper Gallery
The Pegge Hopper Gallery is one of several good art galleries and antique shops in Chinatown. As its name suggests, the gallery showcases the works of Pegge Hopper, whose prints of voluptuous Hawaiian women adorn many a wall across the islands.
reviewed
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Waikiki Shopping Plaza
Just opposite the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, this three-story plaza features close to 75 shops and eateries, most with an Asian theme, along with drop-in weekend classes in the art of making lei and shell necklaces.
reviewed
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Montsuki
Designers Janet and Patty Yamasaki refashion classic kimono and obi designs into modern dresses. Hybrid wedding dresses, formal attire or sleek day wear can all be custom-crafted even for short-term visitors.
reviewed
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U
Cindy's Lei Shop
A friendly and inviting place with lei made of maile (a native twining plant), lantern ilima (a native ground cover) and Micronesian ginger, in addition to more common orchids and plumeria.
reviewed
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Mana Hawaiʻi
This airy space offers authentic Hawaii-made products (eg woodcarving and bowls) as well as photos and books on Hawaii, and hosts classes in Hawaiian language, hula, lauhala weaving etc.
reviewed
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V
Waikiki Beach Walk
Part of the Outrigger Enterprises' much-anticipated makeover of Waikiki, this new shopping center includes a Trump Tower hotel, Hawaii-based shops and restaurants.
reviewed
