The Top Shopping in Honolulu
Honolulu’s largest and most famous mall is Ala Moana Center, located just across the Ala Wai Canal from Waikiki at 1450 Ala Moana Boulevard. Ala Moana Center is a magnificent open-air shopping mall with over 260 stores and venues, including some of Hawaii’s premier shopping, entertainment and dining destinations. Spanning over 50 acres, Ala Moana Center is the largest open-air shopping center in the world. The mall features four tremendous department stores, including Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Sears, and Shirokiya. Ala Moana Center also offers numerous casual and fine dining experiences. To view a full list of Ala Moana Center’s restaurants and stores, visit their website at http://www.alamoana.com/
In Waikiki, Kalakaua Avenue features plenty of shops and stores that range from affordable to incredibly expensive. So, if you forgot to pack your shaving cream, you can pick up a can at one of Waikiki’s eighty or so ABC Stores. If you forgot to pack your $10,000 Montblanc pen, you can pick up one of those, too. Also on Kalakaua Avenue, you will find the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, which contains over 150 designer boutiques, outlets, and dining places. And the International Marketplace, where you can find inexpensive trinkets and souvenirs and other reasonably priced merchandise.
The Ward Center at 1200 Ala Moana Boulevard in Honolulu has an excellent selection of shops and restaurants. You can take the Waikiki trolley here or to Ala Moana Center. Dining here a great idea, as the restaurants are generally less crowded than those at Ala Moana Center and the overall service is better. If you plan on seeing a movie in Honolulu, I highly recommend you see it here. Ward Center has a luxurious theater that is the cleanest and most comfortable I have ever been in. Check out Ward Center’s website at http://www.victoriaward.com/
While I did not set out to list any retailers by name, I would be remiss not to mention Hilo Hattie. Hilo Hattie offers the best authentic Hawaiian clothing on the islands, including aloha shirts, dresses, muumuus, footwear, and accessories. Hawaii residents should bring their state I.D. for a significant discount. The flagship store of Hilo Hattie can be found at 700 North Nimitz Highway in Honolulu (808-535-6500), and another Hilo Hattie retail store is located right in Ala Moana Center. Visit Hilo Hattie’s website at http://www.hilohattie.com/index.cfm
Another fantastic place to visit and shop at in Honolulu is Chinatown. You will not need a full day, but try to fit it in during one of your mornings, before the hot afternoon sun. Honolulu’s Chinatown is not like any Chinatown you will find on the mainland. This Chinatown is authentic. Check out the Kekaulike Market and the Maunakea Market, where you will find dozens of shops and street vendors and where you will likely want to purchase a unique and fragrant fresh flower lei. When you get hungry, stop by Legend Seafood, located at 100 North Beretania Street. Entrees are very reasonably priced, and Legend Seafood offers perhaps the best Chinese food on the island.
Whether you are a die hard shop-till-you-drop shopper or merely a window-shopper, you will enjoy all the designer shops, stores and outlets Honolulu has to offer. Shopping seems to be to tourists in Honolulu what gambling is to tourists in Las Vegas, so if you feel you have a problem, don’t hesitate to seek help. Operators at American Express are standing by. Aloha!
