Shopping, Honolulu

The Waikiki strip that runs along the shore line is the heart of Honolulu, it pulsates with people and lights and has a magnetic draw to it. While I'm not big into shopping I found I spent hours walking down the strip looking into all the different upscale shops and taking in the vibrant feel of Waikiki. For those who love the upscale shopping they will not be letdown, all the big names have a home in Waikiki like Polo, Saks, Prada, etc. But whether or not you plan on spending money or not be sure to take the time to explore the Waikiki shopping district and take in the ambience!

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THIS ACTUALLY IS AN INTERESTING PLACE..A LOT OF SMALL SHOPS. .MANY SELLING THE SAME THINGS OR AT LEAST SIMULAR ITEMS.. A huge 100-year-old banyan tree sits in the middle of this open-air shopping mall in Waikiki. It opened in 1956 and is still a popular shopping stop. Shops sell Aloha shirts, diamonds, pearls, woodcarvings, gold, kites, tapestries and surf equipment. You can find some interesting things at a reasonable cost at this reasonable place.

There's an international food court on the premises. On the second level you'll also find a surprisingly good Hawaiian art co-op gallery. Live Hawaiian entertainment is presented free of charge every Friday and Saturday evening. 8:30am-10pm Mon-Sun

This isn't really a tip but more of a question! I'm driving myself crazy trying to figure out what store I saw these t-shirts at. One in particular was "catnapple" - a cat sleepig onto of a pineapple. Does anyone remember this store and where I could find it on the web? I thought it was at the store that had the full length window aquarium. Thanks for your help!!!!!!

I did not take a picture of this, but it is a really cool semi-outdoor mall. It is right by Ala Moana hotel. It was fun to go shopping here, although some of the stores were really expensive. Shopping is expensive in Honolulu, but it makes for a fun window shopping, people watching, and a relaxed afternoon in general.

NATIVE BOOKS & BEAUTIFUL THINGS shop in Ward Warehouse.
It is one of the few bookstores/crafts shops focussed upon Native Hawaiian culture and run by Native Hawaiians; you occasionally hear transactions being made in the Hawaiian language. It is also a center for cultural activity, including chant classes and arts demonstrations. Information on special events at the store are available from the cashier. The art objects and crafts it carries are tasteful and culturally meaningful; prices reflect these two qualities. Its distinctive style of gift-wrapping reinforces aloha 'aina, love for the land.

FARMER'S MARKET at Manoa Market Place.
The Market days are currently Wednesdays and Fridays from about 8:00 am - 1:00 pm at Manoa Marketplace, located up the valley from the University in a comfortably upper middle class neighborhood. The landmark for it is the Safeway store. The outdoor market offers a great range of inexpensive fruit and vegetables. In addition, good quality Hawaiian, Samoan and Tongan crafts, embroidered pillows and other cottage crafts (as opposed to kitsch mass-produced in China) are for sale. This is senior citizen haven, a great opportunity for them to socialise while the grandchildren (whom they often have to take care of) are still in school.

Lei-making and giving is central to Island protocol. The many shops in the Chinatown area constitute a veritable museum of lei culture, including the types of blossoms and the techniques of assembling them. The variety is seasonal, so that the displays in each shop change freqently. I find the shops along Beretania Street between Smith and Maunakea the most interesting and their shopkeepers the most knowledgeable. For example, at Sweetheart's the older man will ask you about the gender of the recipient and about the occasion, even before he tells you the price. If the lei you chose is not appropriate for either of the two variables, he will steer you to something else. Also it is OK to go from shop to shop and ask questions before you buy, as long as you are respectful and don't get in the way of other customers. Although most lei shops are open by 7:00 am, a lot of the fresh leis are made by families and dropped off around 10:00 am. For example, puakenikeni doesn't usually appear until that time. If you want to get maile, be sure to ask whether it is from here or imported from the Cook Islands. The small-leaf Kaua'i maile is getting scarce in Honolulu shops. Although the Big Island maile is still available, it has become expensive, c. $35 - 50. During June graduation season, all prices go up at least 75%, lei shops are decimated by hordes of aunties and uncles, and the leisurely perusal described here is impossible.

Tourist flock to Ala Moana because of its nice and breezy halls. You can find anything at Ala Moana that one would need, but it is exactly like your regular shopping malls at hime except that it is just in Hawaii.

It's open from M-S 9.30 - 9 p.m.
Sunday 10-7 p.m.

Ask your hotel concierge how to get there by bus or if they have a shuttle to take you to and from there.