| Honolulu Shopping_Where To Go! |
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| Written by Ted Felber |
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From funky island wear to fashionista chic, you can find something for everyone here in Honolulu shopping. In the past few years, this cosmopolitan city has undergone a $1 billion makeover in the famed Waikiki area. Ugly blocks of concrete have gone to be replaced by green open spaces, groves of coconut trees, and a retail mix offering upscale couture, mainstream brand names and the ubiquitous souvenir stores. But even those have had a matching face lift too.
From funky island wear to fashionista chic, you can find something for everyone here in Honolulu shopping. In the past few years, this cosmopolitan city has undergone a $1 billion makeover in the famed Waikiki area. Ugly blocks of concrete have gone to be replaced by green open spaces, groves of coconut trees, and a retail mix offering upscale couture, mainstream brand names and the ubiquitous souvenir stores. But even those have had a matching face lift too. Waikiki Beachwalk The newly opened Waikiki Beachwalk is the largest development in Hawaiian history, at a price of more than 500 million dollars. The beachwalk boasts 50 stores, including the locally owned and operated Mana Hawaii, which features art and local musical instruments. This renovation has revived and revitalized the formerly dull Lewers Street. Add in an eclectic mix of trendy coffee houses and gelato bars, upscale dining options (including restaurants owned by celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi), and hip nightclubs, and you see why the Waikiki Beachwalk has become the new center of Honolulu shopping. Against a backdrop of renovated condos and hotel rooms, with the Trump Tower Waikiki to open later in 2009, are large green spaces beautifully decorated with water fountains and performance stages for free concerts by local artistes every Sunday from 5.6pm. A Hawaiian landmark revisited The famed Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center refused to be outdone in the blitz of new and improved Honolulu shopping sites. With a renovation price tag of more than 84 million dollars, this well known and familiar landmark has been converted to an attractive and expanded open air shopping center. It has more than 110 stores and restaurants, and features a 760 person theater that also doubles as a happening nightclub for 1,000 clubbers. Need some souvenirs or hallmark Hawaiian fashions? Look no further than Hilo Hattie's new digs. As the biggest manufacturer of Hawaiian fashions and souvenirs, it's the place to go for vivid and bright aloha shirts, muu-muu dresses, and an endless range of souvenirs including handicrafts created from coconuts and conch shells, locally made preserves and jams, flower leis, and almost any item of memorabilia you can imagine. Hawaii's largest flea market For a fun and unique Honolulu shopping experience, spend some time with tourists and locals three days each week and browse the swap meet at Aloha Stadium. The stadium is filled with over 700 vendors midweek on Wednesdays, and each weekend from 6 am to 3 pm. Just about every sundry item you can imagine is represented, including fine and vintage jewelry, beach necessities, Hawaiian blankets, old Hawaii license plates, original music and art pieces from local and internationally renowned artisans, and bath and body products created locally with Hawaiian ingredients. Need to cool off? Take a minute to enjoy a deliciously cold Hawaiian shave ice. For a new view of the ubiquitous Aloha shirt, take a peek at "For Locals Only" in the Ala Moana Shopping Center, serving for many years as the premier locale in Honolulu shopping. There you'll encounter exclusive reproductions of vintage style aloha shirts, created from prints used in the 1940s and 50s. A number of these are limited edition prints. Need more options? Visit Bailey's Antique Store for more than 15,000 new and used specialty and vintage shirts. Room for more? Make stops at: o Waikele Premium Outlets, for 50 designer brands at bargain prices Ward Farmers Market - for incredible sightseeing and a range of appealing Hawaiian and Asian ingredients and dishes o Diamond Head Farmers Market - clamor with other visitors and locals to snap up delicious fried green tomatoes and beignets with locally made lilikoi jams, and browse the incredible variety of all locally grown produce With so many choices, you'll have no lack of opportunity for incredible Honolulu shopping. If you're an avid shopper, start early, stay late, and shop til you drop. You'll have a ball! |