Shopping in Honolulu: Markets & Districts

Kalakaua Avenue runs about 2 miles through Waikiki and carries most of the district's retail weight. The stretch between the Royal Hawaiian Center and the International Market Place leans heavily toward luxury, with Chanel, Hermès, and Tiffany & Co. all within a few blocks. Japanese tourists historically drove the luxury market here, and signage in Japanese is still common. The Royal Hawaiian Center has around 110 shops across 3 levels and tends to feel more curated than a typical American mall. The International Market Place, rebuilt in 2016 as a Taubman property, replaced the old open-air flea market with Saks Fifth Avenue and mid-to-high-end retail. T Galleria by DFS sits near the east end on Kalia Road. To be fair, much of Waikiki shopping is priced for visitors, but the convenience and evening hours keep it relevant.

Best for: Designer brands, Japanese beauty products, duty-free shopping at T Galleria

Ala Moana Center is where Honolulu residents actually shop. It's the largest open-air shopping center in the world, with over 350 stores spread across 4 levels. Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, and Target anchor the different wings. The Ewa Wing expansion added a Foodland Farms grocery store, which is worth a stop on its own for poke bowls and local snacks. You'll find both luxury names like Gucci and Saint Laurent alongside local retailers like Tori Richard and Reyn Spooner, which have been making aloha shirts on the islands since the 1950s and 1960s respectively. The center sits on Ala Moana Boulevard, about a 10-minute walk from the west end of Waikiki. It draws a heavily local and Japanese tourist crowd, and the food court on the upper level (Makai Market) serves solid plate lunches.

Best for: One-stop shopping with both local brands and department stores, plate lunch at Makai Market

Honolulu's Chinatown sits between Nu'uanu Avenue and River Street, roughly bounded by Beretania Street to the north and Nimitz Highway to the south. It's the oldest Chinatown in the U.S., established in the 1850s. The neighborhood has layers. You'll find lei stands along Maunakea Street selling plumeria and tuberose leis for about half what Waikiki charges. Herb shops sell traditional Chinese medicine. A few art galleries have moved into the old storefronts along Hotel Street and Nu'uanu Avenue. The Oahu Market, operating since 1904, sells fresh fish, pig heads, and produce that reflects the neighborhood's mix of Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipino, and Thai residents. The smell of incense drifts out of the older shops. Some of the storefronts look rough. That's part of it.

Best for: Fresh leis, herbs, produce, and a look at old Honolulu that most tourists skip

Kakaako has shifted over the past decade from an industrial warehouse district into Honolulu's version of a creative quarter. Ward Village, developed by Howard Hughes Corporation, anchors the retail side with shops at South Shore Market and Ward Centre. T.J. Maxx and Nordstrom Rack draw the discount crowd. But the more interesting stuff is in the smaller storefronts and pop-ups scattered through the neighborhood. Local surf and streetwear labels tend to show up here. Salt at Our Kakaako opened in 2017 with a mix of local food vendors and boutiques. The neighborhood also hosts the monthly Kakaako farmers' market. Murals by POW! WOW! Hawaii cover many of the warehouse walls, making the walk between shops more interesting than the shopping itself, depending on your taste.

Best for: Local designers, streetwear, specialty food vendors, and browsing between murals

Kapahulu runs from the east edge of Waikiki toward the slopes of Diamond Head, and it's the kind of street that still has mom-and-pop shops with hand-painted signs. The stretch is known more for eating than shopping. Rainbow Drive-In has been serving plate lunches since 1961. But between the restaurants you'll find a few consignment shops, a ukulele shop or two, and vintage clothing stores that locals frequent. The prices here tend to be lower than Waikiki by a noticeable margin. It feels like a neighborhood commercial strip, not a retail destination, which is part of why it's worth walking.

Best for: Ukuleles, vintage clothing, and a break from tourist-oriented retail

Kailua is about 30 minutes from Waikiki over the Pali Highway or H-3, and the town center has a walkable cluster of boutiques, surf shops, and gift stores along Kailua Road and Hahani Street. The vibe leans beachy and residential. It's where windward-side families shop. You'll find locally made jewelry, swimwear from small Hawaiian labels, and home goods with a relaxed island feel. Whole Foods and Target are nearby for practical needs. Kailua Beach, consistently ranked among the best in the U.S., is the real reason to make the trip, but the town shops fill an easy hour or two.

Best for: Boutique swimwear, locally made jewelry, and combining a beach day with casual browsing