Shopping in Oahu’s Open Marketplaces

Shopping in Oahu’s open marketplaces provides one of the most beautiful backdrops to peruse through a plethora of items. The keen shopper can browse Waikiki’s Hawaiiana schtick, international art and patronize some of the finest retailers and boutiques in the world. If you want to shop til you drop, there’s no better place to exhaust yourself than in the golden sun and warm trades of paradise. Hawaii rentals are readily available within a short distance from many of these outdoor markets.  So book your rental property on Oahu and leave the indoor carpet of the malls at home behind.  Grab some sunscreen (and maybe an extra suitcase on wheels) and check out some of these infamous Oahu markets.

The International Market Place on Kalakaua Avenue
Located in the heart of Waikiki with a 100 year old Banyan tree at its center, this eclectic market showcases over 130 vendors. Browse for novel souvenirs, clothing, jewelry and other island treasures.  This bazar covers all the bases in the food realm, too, at the adjoining International Food Court where local dishes and cuisine from other cultures can be sampled. Shop in the evening and enjoy live entertainment most nights of the week.

Maunakea Marketplace on Maunakea Street
Oahu’s Chinatown, located in downtown Honolulu is a hub of artistic expression where cultures from around the world collide in unique harmony. The Maunakea Market is ripe with influences that make Oahu so diverse:  Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Hawaiian, Thai and European. If your staying at a vacation rental, this is an great place to purchase local produce and seafood to take back to your kitchen. If you don’t feel like cooking, take your pick from one of the  many authentic chefs featuring cuisine from these various cultures. Shop the quaint shops and bring home some unique momentos.

Aloha Tower Marketplace on Aloha Tower Drive
Feel the salt air on your skin as you wander Piers 8, 9 and 10 on the waterfront of Honolulu Harbor. Plenty of restaurants and retail shops are open for browsers and serious shoppers, alike. Live entertainment fills the air as the sun shines, offering a unique Hawaiian shopping experience as the ocean waves lap. The market is open Friday and Saturday from 10am to 10pm and Sunday through Thursday from 10am to 9pm. Enjoy night time shopping by Hawaiian moonlight.

Aloha Stadium Swap Meet at the Aloha Stadium
For those that appreciate finding diamonds in the rough, this huge swap meet is a treasure trove of bargains and unique finds. Booths from hundreds of vendors are represented here selling a vast array of souvenirs, novelty items, plants, collectibles and all items in between. Prices generally reflect the swap meet environment.  Here’s a great way to get a feel for the local style, as it is popular with residents. If you want the best buys, get there early. There is a nominal admission fee of fifty cents. Open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 6am to 3pm. Happy hunting!

Ala Moana Shopping Center on Ala Moana Boulevard
The most well-known shopping center on the island, Ala Moana is one of the largest open-air malls in the world. Host to over 200 stores, this shopping venue is home to mix of international and local retail shops. Familiar stores like Macy’s, Sears, Fossil and Valentino are represented amidst local boutiques and retail shops which are spread throughout the huge complex that stands three stories high. An open-air food court can seat 1,500 people and serves cuisine that spans the globe: Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Korean, Hawaiian, Mexican and Italian. Die-hard patrons should plan to spend a day at this sprawling shopper’s dream.