For
visitors,
Hawaii’s
shopping scene has evolved over the years from friendly tourist
traps selling tacky souvenirs—although admittedly there’s
something endearing about those "I Got Lei’d in
Hawaii" T-shirts—to malls and shopping centers
that offer the complete shop-till-you-drop experience.
For most people,
the island of Oahu is Hawaii’s shopping capital, offering
everything from big box retailers and upscale boutiques to
unique specialty stores and outlet shops.
Great shopping
adventures are available right in Waikiki. Located on Kalakaua
Avenue, the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center offers more than
150 shops and restaurants. Here you’ll find retailers
offering a variety of merchandise, from small kiosks peddling
Hawaiian mementos to world-famous boutiques like Cartier,
Hermes and Fendi. The shopping center also offers hands-on
craft demonstrations and live entertainment.
Across the
street is the International Market Place, an open-air shopping
bazaar with more than 130 vendors offering jewelry, apparel,
souvenirs and novelty items. The kiosks, stands and shops
surround a century-old banyan tree. Also located here is the
International Food Court, which serves a variety of local
and ethnic foods. Free entertainment is provided five nights
a week.
King’s
Village in Waikiki includes about 45 shops and eateries. A
favorite tradition here is the "Changing of the King’s
Guard" ceremony. Wearing exact replicas of uniforms worn
by King Kalakaua’s Hawaiian Royal Palace Guard in 1875,
the King’s Guard performs an amazing rifle drill exhibition
each day at 6:15 p.m. The show is free to the public.
The largest
and most well known shopping venue on Oahu is Ala Moana Center
in Honolulu. Included here are major department stores such
as Sears, Macy’s and Neiman Marcus, as well as more
than 220 other shops and restaurants. In addition, 20 new
stores and restaurants are slated to open at the center by
spring 2005. Live entertainment is presented daily at the
mall’s Center Stage.
A short walk
from Ala Moana is the Victoria Ward Centers, a lively shopping
complex that includes Ward Warehouse, Ward Centre, Ward Village,
Ward Gateway, Ward Farmer’s Market and the Ward Entertainment
Center. Ward Centers offers more than 140 shops and restaurants,
and a 16-screen, state-of-the-art megaplex.
Located at
historic Honolulu Harbor is the Aloha Tower Marketplace, home
to numerous specialty stores, kiosks and restaurants. Crafts,
Hawaiiana, artwork, gift items and souvenirs are among the
many types of merchandise to be found here. The centerpiece
is the 10-story Aloha Tower, once the tallest building in
the state. Visitors can take the elevator to the top floor
and enjoy sweeping views of the harbor and downtown Honolulu.
Heading toward
Leeward Oahu, visit the Waikele Premium Outlets, a favorite
stop for bargain-hunters. More than 25 stores and restaurants
are here, including Banana Republic Factory Store, Bebe, Brooks
Brothers Factory Store, Kenneth Cole, Mikasa, Off 5th-Saks
Fifth Avenue, Polo, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and more.
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