I have summarized the places I especially want to introduce from the recommended shopping spots in Waikiki and Ala Moana into one guide.
It is no exaggeration to say that it is a shopping paradise where various brands from all over the world are gathered together!
Because it is one of the top-class shopping areas in the world, many people come from overseas just to shop.
They are introduced in alphabetical order, so please try looking for them according to the places you want to visit and the things you want to do.
→Complete Guide to Popular Spots in Oahu’s Waikiki and Ala Moana – Definitive Edition
Recommended Shopping in Waikiki and Ala Moana
This summarizes only the shopping locations in the Waikiki and Ala Moana areas.
If you find a place you are interested in, please use the link to the detailed article under each heading.
Ala Moana Center
Ala Moana Center is one of the world’s largest shopping malls that Hawaii boasts.
Almost all top brands from around the world are gathered here, so it is worth a visit just to experience the atmosphere!
Since Hawaii has high living costs, people often assume the shops are expensive too. However, because it is a tourist city that gathers people from all over the world, the sales tax is actually low, and retail prices are often set lower than on the US mainland.
Many people visit Hawaii purely for shopping, focusing especially on luxury brands where the price difference is easy to notice.
With 4 large department stores, about 340 brand shops, and about 90 restaurants, the mall is too massive to cover in a single day, so please explore efficiently.
→See more about Ala Moana Center
International Market Place
International Market Place is a massive shopping spot located in the center of Waikiki.
It is a beautiful shopping and dining spot lined with unique shops, restaurants, a food court, and supermarkets!
Originally opened in 1957 as Waikiki Village, it was a rustic market centered around food stalls and street vendors, and the area had a cluttered and slightly messy vibe.
Today, it has become a beautiful shopping mall where coupons like the Shopping Passport are issued and various loyalty points can be earned, allowing international visitors to enjoy shopping with great deals.
Events such as hula shows and farmers markets are also abundant, so be sure to visit at least once during your stay in Waikiki.
→See more about International Market Place
Walmart
Walmart is a nationwide discount supermarket chain often called the world’s top retailer.
It is characterized by having absolutely everything you need, selling a wide range of items from groceries, clothing, and cosmetics to toys and baby products.
It is also known as the shopping spot where you can get the best deals in Hawaii, making it extremely popular with both locals and tourists!
There are 5 stores in Hawaii: Honolulu, Pearl City, Kapolei, Mililani, and Waipahu. Among them, the Honolulu store offers excellent access as it is only about a 5-minute walk from Ala Moana Center, making it perfect for souvenir hunting.
When you want to buy items at the lowest price in Hawaii, it might be a good idea to check here first!
Farmers’ Market at KCC
The Farmers’ Market at KCC is the most famous and large-scale morning market in Hawaii.
Not only can you buy Hawaiian vegetables and fruits, but there are also many popular stalls for tourists selling local specialties, sundries, and souvenirs that can only be found here!
Ingredients and seasonings used for daily meals are also popular among locals.
It is held twice a week, on Saturday mornings (7:30 AM – 11:00 AM) and Tuesday evenings (4:00 PM – 7:00 PM).
However, the Tuesday evening farmers’ market only has about 10 tents and is not very large, so the Saturday morning farmers’ market is recommended!
Since it is located at the foot of Diamond Head, a popular sightseeing route is to hike Diamond Head in the cool morning hours and then grab breakfast at the farmers’ market before heading back.
→See more about Farmers’ Market at KCC
Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club is an incredibly cheap membership warehouse club where you can shop at the lowest prices in Hawaii.
It is a warehouse club created by Walmart, the world’s largest supermarket, and since it is not available in every country, many international visitors might not know about it.
Because items are sold in bulk, the quantities are very large, but you can purchase them at an overwhelmingly more reasonable price than at other supermarkets.
In the United States, it is a true rival to Costco, with about the same number of stores and members!
The extremely spacious store is stocked with a massive variety of products, making it highly recommended not only for souvenirs but also for stocking up on food and drinks needed during your stay in Hawaii.
T.J.Maxx
T.J.Maxx is a discount store where you can buy popular mid-tier brand items at bargain prices.
They buy clearance items in bulk at incredibly low prices, such as overproduced or less popular goods, so prices are on average 40 to 60% off!
It is famous as a place to find hidden gems, so those who love shopping probably visit it often even in Hawaii.
The products are extremely cheap but entirely new, falling into a different category than flea markets or second-hand shops!
It is a place that feels like a treasure hunt, so it might be nice to casually drop by while taking a walk.
Don Quijote
Don Quijote is a famous Japanese discount chain known for its spacious interior packed tightly with merchandise.
Actually, it boasts overwhelming popularity in Hawaii as well as a comprehensive discount store!
They carry every imaginable kind of product, from food to sundries, daily necessities, cosmetics, and medicine, so it should come in handy in many ways during your stay.
Among them, a wide variety of Hawaii souvenirs, large and small, are abundantly stocked, making it the perfect spot to buy bulk souvenirs to hand out to friends and family!
You can buy them at much better prices than in Waikiki, so please visit if you want to purchase souvenirs in bulk.
Nordstrom Rack
Nordstrom Rack is a discount store that specializes in selling outlet merchandise.
High-end brand items from names like Chanel, Ferragamo, and Christian Dior are constantly sold at 30 to 70% off!
The system actually works by stocking clearance items, such as unsold or overproduced goods from the upscale department store Nordstrom.
Unlike seasonal sales, you can shop for great deals at any time, making it a highly popular shopping spot among international tourists.
It is a precious spot where you can enjoy shopping at great prices in Hawaii, where the cost of living is high, so be sure to go hunting for hidden gems.
→See more about Nordstrom Rack
Foodland Farms
Foodland Farms is the largest and most well-known local supermarket in Hawaii.
It is a popular grocery-focused supermarket that anyone living in Hawaii is sure to use frequently.
Various items are sold, but it has a reputation for having the No. 1 selection and best-tasting poke in Hawaii.
You might wonder, “Is the poke sold in a supermarket’s deli section really that good?” but it actually ranks first in Hawaii’s popularity rankings every single year!
There are more than 30 locations in total across Hawaii, so you will likely see them everywhere, but the store at Ala Moana Center is the largest in Hawaii and highly recommended.
→See more about Foodland Farms
Royal Hawaiian Center
Royal Hawaiian Center is the largest dining and shopping spot in Waikiki.
With a wide range of shops ranging from luxury brands to local names, it is a convenient spot where you can find everything from casual souvenirs to Hawaii-exclusive items from popular brands!
There are actually plenty of popular gourmet options as well, so taking your time to explore it thoroughly might take a whole day.
If you are staying in Waikiki, it is within walking distance from almost all hotels, so most people probably drop by at least once.
It is a cutting-edge shopping center in Hawaii full of highlights, so please make some time to visit.
→See more about Royal Hawaiian Center
Ross Dress for Less
→See more about Ross Dress for Less
How to Access Waikiki and Ala Moana
Waikiki and Ala Moana are the closest areas, located about 0 to 15 minutes from downtown Waikiki.
As for access methods, tours are recommended for peace of mind, comfort, and efficiency; rental cars or Turo are best for flexibility; and BIKI or the Waikiki Trolley are great for prioritizing sightseeing.
Recommended Transportation for Waikiki and Ala Moana
Complete Guide to BIKI – Bikeshare Service to Freely Explore Waikiki and Honolulu
Complete Guide to Waikiki Trolley – Sightseeing Bus to Efficiently Visit Popular Tourist Spots
Complete Guide to Taxi and Uber – Ride-Hailing Services to Easily Travel Around Hawaii