Shopping In Honolulu
Ala Moana Center , at 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., is the largest shopping mall in Hawaii. Amid gardens, pools, fountains and sculpture, over 350 stores sell products from the entire Pacific area, and a variety of restaurants satisfy hungry shoppers. The department stores—Bloomingdale’s, Macy's, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom—balance the haute couture (think Balenciaga and Escada), as well as other upscale establishments like Fendi, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co.
Across from Kewalo Basin at Ala Moana Boulevard and Ward Avenue, is another Honolulu hallmark, Ward Village Shops . Its five contemporary complexes house about 175 specialty stores and restaurants. Ward Entertainment Center boasts a 16-screen movie theater. Koko Marina Center , 7192 Kalaniana‘ole Hwy. near Hānauma Bay, offers a number of shops and eateries as well as water sports rentals.
Fort Street is pedestrian shopping mall downtown that offers an open market on from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. Venders offer fresh fruits and vegetables, specialty food items, gifts, apparel and accessories. Chinese shops and restaurants showcase the multicultural character of Hawai‘i at the Chinatown Cultural Plaza , 100 N. Beretania St.
One of Honolulu's most recognized landmarks is the centerpiece of the Aloha Tower Marketplace , on the waterfront off Ala Moana Boulevard. This 10-story tower, built in 1926, was for decades the tallest building in the city. Residents would line up along the docks and welcome the sailing ships and big steamers with a hula dance, music performances and flower lei. Today the tower can still be seen from the water, and the observation decks on the top floor provide a scenic view of the Honolulu skyline. The surrounding marketplace includes about 30 shops, dockside restaurants and other fun things to do. Now part of Hawai‘i Pacific University, the mixed-used space also includes student housing.
In Waikīkī, the most concentrated shopping district is Kalākaua Avenue, which extends from downtown Honolulu to the end of Kapi‘olani Regional Park. The Royal Hawaiian Center , 2201 Kalākaua Ave., has more than 110 shops, restaurants and services. Chanel, Gucci and Saint Laurent Paris are among the retailers along Luxury Row , 2100 Kalākaua Ave. There are 150-plus establishments at the Waikīkī Shopping Plaza , 2250 Kalākaua Ave.
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International Market Place , 2330 Kalākaua Ave., is a posh, three-level, open-air shopping and dining destination anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue. The retail center creates a relaxing environment with splashing water falls, shaded walkways and lush tropical foliage.
Other Waikīkī area temptations for those on vacation are the slick, three-level Pualeilani Atrium Shops complex at the Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort & Spa, 2424 Kalākaua Ave. and Rainbow Bazaar , which brings items from Polynesia, Japan and Southeast Asia to the grounds of Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort. Yet more shopping and dining opportunities are found at the nearly 8-acre Waikīkī Beach Walk on Lewers Street, which intersects with Kalākaua Avenue.
Aloha Stadium Swap Meet & Marketplace , at Aloha Stadium, offers great bargains Wed. and Sat.-Sun. 8-3 (on Sun. the swap meet opens at 6:30; the marketplace opens at normal time). Admission is $1; free (ages 0-11).
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Two large suburban shopping centers are Kahala Mall , beyond Diamond Head via H-1 at 4211 Waialae Ave., and Pearlridge Center , at Pearl City via Kamehameha Highway. Kahala's more than 90 specialty shops and eateries are anchored by Macy's. At the Pearlridge, a monorail connects the center's two buildings which house more than 170 stores, restaurants and services that are anchored by Macy's. Waikele Premium Outlets , off H-1 exit 7 in Waipahu, has 50 stores, including Coach, Michael Kors and OshKosh B'gosh.
Most of O‘ahu's shopping centers open daily at 9 a.m.; closing times vary.