Everything You Need To Know About Shopping In Honolulu
Honolulu is located on the big island of Oahu and is the largest city in all of Hawaii. It was first discovered by foreigners in 1794 by Captain William Brown, and today it is one of the most popular tropical destinations in the United States. The city offers a wide range of activities for you to enjoy, from snorkeling in the clear blue waters to hiking along the shore, along with many other free attractions and things to do. Of course, Honolulu is home to some fantastic beaches and beautiful parks with free admission too, as well as fantastic museums, art galleries, and dining opportunities.
A trip to Honolulu will not be easily forgotten, although it could be nice to buy something to remind yourself of your time in this incredible city. Once you stow your belongings with Bounce in Honolulu, finding souvenirs or a treat for yourself won't be difficult. Meander through an abundance of cute seaside shops, big shopping malls, and retail districts just waiting for you to discover them. If you want to learn more about where to find the best shopping areas and stores in this part of Hawaii then look no further!
Shopping Malls and Outlets in Honolulu
Waikele Premium Outlets
Prepare to spend hours shopping if you want to check out the Waikele Premium Outlets. This is the ultimate shopping destination for shoppers who are looking to buy high quality products at a good price, and the area is composed of 50 different retailers. You will probably get hungry at some point during your shopping spree, but don't fret since there is a nice open-air food court as well as plenty of restaurants where you can go to eat.
Lots of popular brand names have a store here, and all of the items are marked down in price. Expect to see big names like Adidas, Ralph Lauren, Kate Spade, Calvin Klein, Banana Republic, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Michael Kors.
Ala Moana Shopping Center
Ready to let your inner shopaholic shine? Take a trip to the Ala Moana Center in Honolulu. It is the largest mall in all of Hawaii, and apparently even the biggest outdoor shopping mall in the entire world! The mall is made with 4 floors of shops for you to explore, as well as beautiful gardens and charming koi ponds mixed in between. Since it is an open-air shopping center you can take full advantage of the sunny tropical weather while you shop.
Throughout the multiple levels of the shopping center, you will find 2 food courts, many independent restaurants, and nearly 300 different stores! If you are looking to buy everything that you need in one go you can pay a visit to one of the 3 big department stores on site. If you are lucky you might even see a hula show going on; they are a daily occurrence that happens at 1 pm.
Royal Hawaiian Center
Spanning for up to 3 blocks, the Royal Hawaiian Center is much more than a shopping complex. It follows the theme of some of the other top malls in the city and is open-air, which is perfect since it is just a short walk from the beach! There are over 100 stores inside the mall giving you plenty of options for shopping.
The nice thing about this shopping mall is that you can find both luxury brands as well as items made by local artists and designers. You have probably heard of brands like Valentino and Hermes, but other stores like Crazy Shirts or Island Soap will give you a unique shopping experience. If you get all shopped out at any point there is still plenty to do with live music, hula dances, and classes happening at an old coconut plantation called The Royal Grove. There are over 30 places to eat and drink as well, including the Honolulu Cookie Company where you can try locally made Hawaiian food.
Kahala Mall
If the hot weather ever ends up being too much or you find yourself faced with a rainy day, then a trip to the nicely covered and air conditioned Kahala Mall might be worth a shot. This shopping plaza is home to more than 100 different places to shop and eat. It is a good spot for locals and tourists to find both international brands and local retailers, and it is often less busy than some of the other complexes.
Head to the Whole Foods Market for all sorts of treats and snacks, the Apple store for phones and gadgets, GameStop for video games, and the Macy's department store for nearly everything else. If you want to shop locally you can check out places like Liang of Hawaii which is a jewelry shop, or the Honolulu Surf Room. The mall even has an 8-screen cinema on site!
Waikiki Shopping Plaza
This next shopping destination is found on the fancied location of Kalakaua Avenue. It is a premium shopping destination with world-class shops and some pretty sweet dining opportunities as well. You will love it here!
There are plenty of stores that experienced shopaholics will already know, like Victoria's Secret or Sephora. If you are interested in a more local experience this mall has that, too. Want to go out for dinner after your shopping spree? Check out the restaurants found on-site, like Tanaka of Tokyo or Buho Cocina Y Cantina!
Aloha Tower Marketplace
It will be hard to miss the Aloha Tower, a massive 18-story building that was previously used as a landmark and lighthouse at the beginning of its day. It was also used as a control center after the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Today the tower and the area surrounding it have been transformed into one of the best retail complexes in the city.
The marketplace has about a dozen stores and a few restaurants that you can check out, too. On the shelves, you will find nice Hawaiian souvenirs, candles, cigars, art, clothes and accessories, perfumes plus much more. If you stick around in the evening you can go stargazing on the observation deck located on the 10th floor of the tower. Visit during the day to get some spectacular views of the Chinatown area and Downtown Honolulu!
Designer Stores in Honolulu
Savage Public
If you like streetwear and surfing then Savage Public is the place for you. They sell trendy clothing that is both fashionable and will remind you of your time on the gorgeous Hawaiian islands. You will find this shop in the South Shore Market.
You will notice funny phrases and words printed on the shirts, but if you are familiar with surfing terminology then you should be able to understand what they mean. For example, there is a shirt that names different kinds of surfboards!
Cosmopolitan Sun Shop
A city like Honolulu just has to have plenty of bikini and bathing suit stores, especially with so many pristine beaches nearby. If you've forgotten to pack your own bathing suit or feel like treating yourself to a new one then the Cosmopolitan Sun Shop will have what you need.
The bikinis sold here are so beautiful that you won't want to save them for the beach, and the best part is that you won't have to! Take the top with you to yoga class, or just wear it as a cute shirt when you are out and about in Honolulu.
Hound & Quail
Hound & Quail, located in Downtown Honolulu, is a store unlike any other in the city. They sell a variety of items, most of which are thrifted, so you can find lots of unexpected surprises and weird treasures. It is the perfect place for people who like strange things or want to buy something that stands out!
Everything from paperweights to vintage clothing and furniture can be found here, as well as old electronics, books, and photographs. Many of the items don't even come from Honolulu but from places around the world, since the owners love to travel.
Kealopiko
This store was originally famed for its men's clothing and aloha shirts, although they eventually started selling women's fashion and home decor as well! A lot of the items that they have in stock make perfect gifts, too.
You will fall in love with the cute items that they have on display. Bring home a pretty plant holder, a lovely sarong, or maybe some Hawaiian alphabet cards that you can use to teach the kids a new language! The fun thing about Kealopiko is that they include little tags with stories or meanings on some of their products so you can understand exactly why they made them and what makes them important.
The Best Shopping Areas in Honolulu
Aloha Stadium Swap Meet
If you are traveling with bargain hunters then this spot will be your favorite. The Aloha Stadium Swap Meet is a massive flea market that happens three times per week on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. There is a small entrance fee of $1 but the bargains that you get will more than make up for it. When you first arrive you might be a bit overwhelmed, since there are about 400 unique stalls to check out and it can get a bit busy.
The variety of items being sold at the flea market is truly impressive, and you can never really know what you might find. Keep an eye out for traditional Hawaiian clothing and shirts, fresh produce and nuts, antique furniture, handcrafted souvenirs, tasty treats, gorgeous jewelry, sports equipment, bags, and more.
International Market Place
Made with an open-air design, the International Market Place is a great place to go shopping in Honolulu when the weather is nice. It was first constructed in the 1950s but has been recently updated in order to provide you with the best shopping experience possible. Not only are there some fantastic stores and boutiques, but the market also features stunning landscaped gardens and a banyan tree that is at least a century old.
As you walk around the market you will find 90 different stores and some brands that you will definitely recognize. What used to be small shops and kiosks has turned into bigger stores, and overall there are 3 floors waiting for you to discover. Burberry, Christian Louboutin, Vilebrequin, Rolex, Michael Kors, and Surf Line Hawaii are some of the brands that you will see.
Kailua Farmers Market
The Kailua Farmers Market is a good place to shop, not only for food but also for local arts and crafts as well. Come experience the local culture while you dine on delicious ready-made meals, fruits, vegetables, and other fresh food products.
The market is open for a few hours every Thursday evening beginning at 5 pm. It is advised to bring a reusable bag to store all of the tasty and beautiful things that you buy. There is often live music playing around the area as well.
Haleiwa Farmers Market
If you've enjoyed the Kailua Farmers Market then you should definitely take a trip to the Haleiwa Farmers Market as well. This is a popular spot for people to go shopping and on average, you can see about 3,000 individuals browsing the local stores when it is open for business each Sunday.
This market has a rule that everything being sold has to have been grown or made locally, making it a truly unique Hawaiian shopping excursion. It is also environmentally friendly and proudly plastic free, meaning that any plates or utensils are completely compostable. You will find the Haleiwa Farmers Market on the North Shore which is a beautiful spot to explore, even if you don't want to go shopping.
Honolulu: The Ideal Retreat for Shopping Lovers
Honolulu is no small island, and its shopping opportunities really reflect that. You can find all sorts of things in the city's shopping centers, from clothes and jewelry to furniture and tech. For a more authentic shopping experience, we suggest focusing on the farmers' markets and street malls where you will find locally sourced goods like art, handmade items, and locally grown fruits. With so many great places to shop, it will be hard to not buy anything while in Honolulu, HI!