Ala Moana Shopping Center, Honolulu

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Ala Moana Center was once the largest shopping center in the United States and currently holds the distinction of being the largest open-air shopping center in the world. Ala Moana Center is part of the commercial, retail, and residential district of Ala Moana, south of Makiki, east of Kakaʻako, west of Waikīkī and across from Ala Moana Beach Park.

Though there are a few stores (such as Longs Drugs, Sears, and KayBee Toys) which offer products to local residents, many of the Center's stores target the tourist economy on which it so heavily relies. The shopping center focuses its marketing on tourism, providing brochures in Japanese, one of its major clientele. There are more than 260 shops and restaurants, including boutique stores of leading international fashion designers. Its current anchor tenants are Macy's, Neiman Marcus and Sears. The Center boasts one of the world's largest food courts, featuring cuisines from around the globe.

Ala Moana Centerstage is one of the most popular public amphitheaters in Hawaiʻi. On a stage in the center of the shopping complex, local talents are showcased for visitors to enjoy. Hula dances are a staple for Ala Moana Centerstage as well as performances by the Royal Hawaiian Band, the oldest municipal band in the United States. Schools throughout the country, as well as the world, travel to Honolulu just to be able to perform at Ala Moana Centerstage. Over 56 million people visit Ala Moana Center annually

What to buy: The new third level is abuzz with eateries and shops, while the ponds on the mall level are thriving with taro and Hawaiian plants. Designer stores, such as Juicy Couture, Prada, Armani Exchange, Christian Dior, and the like have heavily influenced the atmosphere of Ala Moana. The smaller locally owned stores are scattered among the behemoths, mostly on the ground floor. Nearly 400 shops and restaurants sprawl over several blocks (and 1.8 million sq. ft. of store space), catering to every imaginable need, from over-the-top upscale (Tiffany, Chanel, Versace) to mainland chains such as Gap and Banana Republic. Department stores such as Macy's sell fashion, food, cosmetics, shoes, and household needs. Shoes? They're a kick at Nordstrom, and newcomer Walking Co. has first-rate comfort styles by Mephisto, Ecco, and Naot.

A good stop for gifts is Islands' Best, which spills over with Hawaiian-made foodstuffs, ceramics, fragrances, and more. Splash! Hawaii is a good source for women's swimwear. For aloha shirts and men's swimwear, try Macy's, Town & Country Surf, Reyn's, or the terminally hip Hawaiian Island Creations. Lovers of Polynesian wear and pareus shouldn't miss Tahiti Imports. The food court is abuzz with dozens of stalls purveying Cajun food, ramen, pizza, plate lunches, vegetarian fare, green tea and fruit freezes (like frozen yogurt), panini, and countless other treats.

My choice is to eat and hang around ala moana center, specially in Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Bubba gump and Mai Tai Bar!

What to pay: with over 260 shops and restaurants. From beachwear to high fashion, casual dining to fine dining, you'll find everything at Ala Moana Center, all in a beautiful open-air setting filled with lush tropical landscaping and koi ponds hence you will tend to Max out your Credit Cards!

2007 Mall Hours
Monday - Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Makai Market Opens 9:00 a.m. Daily

I liked the Ala Moana Shopping center a lot... you can get there by bus or taxi. I would recommend the bus though, which stops at pretty much all the tourist areas in Waikiki and it's only $2 each way.

It was great to browse and check out US shops at the Center that aren't available in Australia. Macy's was nice and I liked Cinnamon Girl a lot. It was a good place for souvenirs as well, and the 4th floor had some great restaurants and cafes..

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A GREAT SHOP IF YOU ARE INTO COWBOY BOOTS AND ALL THAT MIGHT GO WITH LOOKING THE PART....IT IS NICE THAT THERE IS A STORE HERE IN HONOLULU THAT WOULD CATER TO THOSE THAT DO WEAR THE CLOTHES. GREAT LITTLE SHOP !!!!!!!!You'll find cowboy boots by Tony Lama, Stetson hats, Levi's jeans, Wrangler Apparel, moccasins, jewelry, leather belts, buckles, bolo ties, gift items, and other authentic cowboy goods.

What to buy: You'll find cowboy boots by Tony Lama, Stetson hats, Levi's jeans, Wrangler Apparel, moccasins, jewelry, leather belts, buckles, bolo ties, gift items, and other authentic cowboy goods

What to pay: THIS ACTUALLY CAN GET A LITTLE EXPENSIVE.....BOOTS FOR ABOUT $120 AND UP...

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NOW THIS IS A FABULOUS PLACE TO FEEL LIKE YOUR DOG IS TRULY YOUR BEST FRIEND ..BY WEARING THE SAME SHIRT OR MAYBE HAVING OTHER THINGS THAT SHOW YOUR PET THAT YOU REALY CARE FOR THEM... THEY EVEN HAD A LUXURY BED FOR THE DOG...CUPS AND ALL SORTS OF STUFF..FASCINATING PLACE TO CHECK OUT...

What to buy: ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT STANDS OUT ARE THE T-SHIRTS........SEEMS LIKE A HOT ITEM !!!!!!!!

What to pay: THE T-SHIRTS FOR THE DOG STARTED OUT AROUND $15 AND FOR THE MAN OR WOMAN..THOSE STARTED OUT ABOUT $28....

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ONE REASON OR SHOULD I SAY THE MAIN REASON I HAVE REALLY LIKED THIS STORE IS THAT THE OWNER AND I HAD A LANGUAGE TOGETHER MANY YEARS A GO IT SEEMS... BUT THE IDEA OF CRACK SEED IN HAWAII IS VERY POPULAR AND ALSO VERY TASTY.ONE HAS TO TRY IT AND THEN IT CAN BE SOMETHING THAT YOU COME TO LIKE VERY MUCH Crack seed, a popular local snack in Hawaii, comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and flavors. Also known as Li Hing Mui or See Mui, crack seed is actually a variety of dehydrated and preserved fruits Before canned goods were available, merchants heading west across the rugged terrain of China carried dehydrated fruits to supplement their meals of plain rice. The salt in crack seed was useful for long distance travelers in several ways: besides replenishing the salt lost by the body in perspiration, it also helps the body retain water and lessen muscle cramps.
Crack seed was first shipped and sold directly from mainland China but storeowners in Honolulu's Chinatown gradually began to customize seeds for local taste buds.

What to buy: ALL THE CRACK SEED HERE IS TASTY. BUT YOU CAN START OUT WITH SOMETHING YOU MIGHT KNOW YOU LIKE!!!

What to pay: THIS STORE EVEN HAS GIFT BASKETS SO PLEASE IF YOU ARE IN HONOLULU AND AT ALA MOANA ... .CHECK IT OUT!!!!

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A STORE WITH MANY A TASTY TREAT OF HOMEMADE BREADS AND PASTRIES..VERY YUMMY!!!EVEN THOUGH IT IS NEXT DOOR TO THE GROCERY STORE ..IT IS ALL SO VERY POPULAR WITH REGULAR AND ONE TIME CUSTOMERS... Mon - Sat: 7:00AM - 9:00 PM
Sun: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM

What to buy: ANY OF THE BREAD IS GOOD AND EVEN THE PIZZA IS TASTY.. .BUT ONE OF THE BEST IS THE STRAWBERRY CAKES...

What to pay: . THEY HAVE A LOT OF DAILY SPECIALS..SO THE BREAD CAN BE FROM ABOUT $3 TO AROUND $5....SOME OF THE PIZZA CAN START ABOUT $1.95...

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THIS IS A NICE ASSORTMENT OF HAWAIIAN GIFTS TO TAKE BACK HOME AND..THE STORE IS ON THE 3RD LEVEL OF THE MALL .
IT IS BEAUTIFUL HOW MANY GORGEOUS ITEMS THEY HAVE THAT WOULD BE IDEAL TO GIVE AS GIFTS TO ANYONE..MAKES GREAT MEMORIES OF YOUR STAY IN HAWAII.
FROM BEAUTIFUL QUILT BAGS AND BASKETS AND RUGS TO CANDLES AND SO MANY MORE SUPER THINGS TO GIVE TO THOSE THAT DIDN'T MAKE THE TRIP WITH YOU...

What to buy: I THINK THE QUILT PILLOWS ARE AN ITEM OR ITEMS THAT ANYONE WILL USE.. CHECK THOSE OUT!!!!

What to pay: THE PILLOWS CAN BE FROM $35 TO $120......FOR THE CASES ALONE.. THE PADDING INSIDE WOULD BE ANOTHER $5...

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THE HARLEY DAVIDSON STORE ON THE 3 RD LEVEL AT THE ALA MOANA MALL IS GREAT AND A SUPER PLACE FOR THE BIKE ENTHUSIASTS OF THE WORLD...THERE ARE GREAT ITEMS TO TAKE BACK TO FRIENDS FROM A STORE THAT IS SO VERY POPULAR IN MOST OF THE WORLD. Pacific Harley-Davidson Exclusive T-shirts, available only in Hawaii come in white, black, blue, tan and grey, with various designs depicting popular local destinations like Diamond Head, Chinaman’s Hat, and the Arizona Memorial. Also featured are signature images of hula girls, green sea turtles (Honu), and the Hawaiian Islands. These T-shirts are available in sizes small to extra large. Larger sizes are also available upon request . Retail: $32 - $34

What to buy: GREAT GIFTS LIKE BELT BUCKELS AND CALENDARS AND CIGARETTE LIGHTERS,,ETC ALSO THE GREAT SHIRTS THAT ONLY HAWAII WOULD SELL IN THIS HARLEY DAVIDSON....

What to pay: THE SHIRTS WERE BETWEEN $ 32 TO $ 34 ...

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THE largest mall in all of Hawaii
smack in the middle between the AirPort and Waikiki Beach's major hotel area .
it's an open-air mall linked with several dept.stores
noteably : Sears, Neiman Marcus, Macy's
and larger stores like Old Navy & Shirokiya .

What to buy: if U R from abroad perhaps designerwares from connected dept.stores .
if U R from the mainland shore-found decorations .

What to pay: OK this is no discount store
but rather a group of expensive dep.stores .

We enjoyed going to the Ala Moana Shopping Center. It was convenient by bus. It had a grocery store, otherwise as a shopping centre, it was normal. We loved snorkelling, and landed up buying snorkelling gear at the Sears in this mall.

The mall might have been ordinary, however we really enjoyed eating meals at their food court. You could eat reasonably priced meals from any corner of the world. The food court stalls seemed to be privately owned, and not A&W or Arbys, etc. We especially enjoyed the Hawaiian, Italian, Chinese and Japanese fare.

What to buy: Try the Food Court!