Home : 50 Ways to Love Oahu : Shops Markets and Malls

Luxury lovers, bargain hunters, and arts aficionados will find treasures, souvenirs, and gifts to take home from Oahu.

Located in the heart of Honolulu, Ala Moana Center is one of the largest open air shopping centers in the world with more than 290 merchants including major department stores, international luxury brands, local specialty shops, fine dining restaurants, and an international food court. Shop Neiman-Marcus and Nordstrom; take home surf wear from Town & Country and Hawaiian Creations; and sample ethnic cuisines of Thailand, Korean Japan, Hawaii, Mexico, and Italy. www.alamoanacenter.com

Bargain hunters love the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet, a popular outdoor bazaar where local vendors sell a wide range of products at very reasonable prices. Located at Hawaii’s largest sports venue, the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet attracts hundreds of vendors, crafters, and artists from across the globe. Come early Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday to find every thing from souvenirs and plants to tee-shirts, handcrafts, unique art pieces, and collectibles. www.alohastadiumswapmeet.net/

Down on the Honolulu waterfront, Aloha Tower Marketplace is a festive outdoor market bazaar featuring retail shops, popular restaurants, an open air food court, and live entertainment. Along with the sweeping ocean views, the territorial-style architecture is reminiscent of Honolulu in the 1930s and 1940s. Discover shops selling apparel, gift items, art, home furnishings, jewelry and accessories. Many stores feature unique Hawaiiana apparel, gift items, arts, crafts, and instruments. www.alohatower.com

For a relaxing shopping experience, the Kāhala Mall in the upscale Kāhala neighborhood features more than 90 shops and restaurants and eight movie theaters. Peruse the bestsellers at Barnes and Nobles Bookstore, sip a cappuccino at Starbucks Coffee, and discover unique keepsakes and souvenirs at dozens of independent retailers. www.kahalamallcenter.com

Kalākaua Avenue is Waikīkī’s very own Fifth Avenue, lined with stores and shopping plazas boasting the world’s most renowned luxury brands along with locally owned retail businesses. King Kalākaua Plaza, home to Niketown and Banana Republic, is on the west end of Waikīkī. Luxury Row at 2100 Kalākaua Avenue is a luxury shopping destination offering eight of the world’s prestigious brand s including Chanel, Gucci, Tiffany & Co, and Yves Saint Laurent. The newly renovated Royal Hawaiian Center, in the heart of Waikīkī, offers 110 world class shops, restaurants, and entertainment destinations in an environment with a distinct Hawaiian sense of place. Indulge at Hermès, Fendi, and Kate Spade; discover Hawai'i treasures at Honolua Surf Company and Bob’s 'Ukulele; and take classes in 'ukulele, lei-making, hula, or Hawaiian quilting www.2100kalakaua.com, www.royalhawaiiancenter.com

Waikīkī Beach Walk is an impressive new shopping, dining, hotel, and entertainment destination. This dramatic complex offers an abundance of fine stores, many selling authentic Hawaii made items. There are Hawaiian arts and crafts along with classes in ukulele, hula, lomi lomi massage, and lauhala weaving at Mana Hawaii; locally crafted quilts at Hawaiian Quilt Collection; art, woodwork, and gifts at Under The Koa Tree; and exquisite jewelry at Maui Divers Jewelry and Na Hoku. www.waikikibeachwalk.com

Great deals abound at ele Premium Outlets, located west of Honolulu, at brand name outlets including A/X Armani Exchange, Banana Republic, Barney’s New York, Brooks Brothers, Coach, Guess and many more. Waikele Center, across the street, is an open air shopping center featuring Lowe’s, Kmart, OfficeMax, Sports Authority, Old Navy, and other national brand name retailers. http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=29

Historic Chinatown is home to Maunakea Marketplace with retail stores and an open marketplace selling fresh produce, meats, seafood, and poultry. You’ll find a dazzling array of ethnic foods including Vietnamese, Thai, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, and Filipino and everything from pizza to plate lunches. Tip: Take a stroll down Maunakea to take in the beauty and sweet fragrance of the lei stands. Celebrate your day and pick beautiful lei for each other and don it during that night’s dinner.

Ward Centers offers an array of shopping, dining, and entertainment options centrally located in Honolulu. Ward Warehouse, the oldest center in the complex, is home to unique boutiques including Native Books/Na Mea for Hawaii-made crafts and food and Nohea Gallery for works by local artists. The newer Ward Center offers an array of upscale dining and shopping options while Ward Entertainment Center is bustling with the Ward 16 Theatre and Dave & Buster’s dining and high-tech gaming and entertainment complex. www.wardcenters.com

Lovely Haleiwa on the North Shore offers some terrific shopping and a laid back vibe. Retail shops in plantation-era buildings feature surf gear, surfboards, swim suits, hiking and outdoor accessories, unique apparel, jewelry, art, and home furnishings. Find out more about North Shore Oahu.