A lei stand at the Waikiki International Market Place
1. ABC
It doesn’t take long for first-time visitors to Hawaii to notice the sheer abundance of the islands’ ABC Stores. They are so prolific, their website doesn’t even offer a store locator. No matter where you go in Waikiki you are almost guaranteed to find an ABC Store in your sight line. No? Wait…. just lean a little to the left. See? There you go. There are even ABC Stores located inside hotels like the Marriot Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa, the Pacific Beach Hotel, and less than a block away from many others. ABC Stores carry just about everything a visitor to the islands could want. They’re your source for drinks (alcoholic and not), snacks for the beach, and all manner of island tchochkes. This is the place to pick up surfboard bottle openers, pikake-scented lotion, and silk flower lei. They have an impressive collection of T-shirts, some better quality than others. The “5 for $20” deal is great for gathering lots of souvenirs, but if you want a shirt that will last, choose those from the wall display. If you’d like to take home a little Hawaiian music to prolong the island mood, ABC Stores have a small but decent selection.
2. Hilo Hattie
Dressing the islands in aloha wear since 1963, Hilo Hattie is Hawaii classic. Shop for made-in-Hawaii aloha shirts and mu‘umu‘u, as well as breezy dresses perfect for a summer day. While you will find bold tropical prints here, there are also some understated patterns that could pass for office wear – even on the mainland. In addition to clothing, they carry an assortment of food items (think: chocolate covered macadamia nuts), soaps, candles, and jewelry. There are numerous Hilo Hattie outposts throughout the islands, including two in Honolulu (a free shuttle from Waikiki area hotels will take you to the one at 700 North Nimitz Highway seven days a week), one in Kauai at 3-3252 Kuhio Highway (in Lihue, not far from the Marriott Kauai Resort and Beach Club), two in Maui (one at the Lahaina Center and another at the Piilani Village Shopping Center in Kihei), and two more on the Big Island, one in Hilo’s Prince Kuhio Plaza and another in Kailua-Kona.
3. The International Market Place
Situated under the shade of a giant banyan tree, asphalt paths meander through this collection of ethnic shops in Waikiki. While it’s changed over the years – rag tag portable carts have been replaced by brick and mortar buildings – the Market Place still features a mind-boggling assortment of items for sale. Visitors can get a bargain on – and maybe even barter for – plenty of souvenir items. There is tons of jewelry. Tons! You can pick a pearl, visit a psychic, get a manicure, find a new swimsuit, and grab a bite to eat all in one location. Though it varies day to day, you can sometimes watch local craftspeople carving or painting their wares. The International Market Place is surrounded by hotels including budget options like Aqua Waikiki Wave, Ohana Waikiki West, and Ohana East.
- Kris Bordessa of Honolulu On The Cheap and Big Island On The Cheap
[Flickr/vipnyc]
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve also shopped at all of these sites. In my last visit to Hawaii (Oahu), I finally heard of the ABC stores. Got a souvenir mug there because I bought so much stuff. I love that mug!
Hilo Hattie also has two locations on the Big Island at Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo and in Kailua-Kona. Second Oahu location is at Ala Moana Center. Thank you
I’ve been to all three. Hilo Hattie is a great place to shop for shirts and I bought a beautiful carved wooden picture frame there. The International Marketplace is a little overwhelming and honestly pretty junky, but it’s a sight to see for sure. My grandparents visited there in the 60s and my grandmother bought a pearl that she saw being removed from the oyster. I have that pearl set in a ring. So visiting there was a must for us. I don’t think we bought much there though. I much prefer shopping at stores that carry work by local artisans and craftspeople and fortunately there are lots and lots of shops like these to be found in Hawaii.
I must get to Hawaii one of these days. And when I do, I’ll be certain to visit these shops. They sound like a lot of fun.
Mark, you’re right. Those locations were in the story initially, but were inadvertently omitted. My editor tells me that this will be corrected soon! Thanks.
I love Hilo Hattie! The colors are so vivid you can see them from outerspace. When I was there with my son we were happy that it was so kid friendly. It’s an outing as much as a shopping venue!