Aaah, one of my favorite subjects.

1) Swap Meet

Yes, I echo Swap Meet as a great place to shop. It's at Aloha Stadium on Wed/Sat/Sun. I think it's open from about 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.. The admission is 50 cents per person, but look in the free tourist guides for coupons that allow free admission for 2 people. If you don't have a rental car, you can take the regular bus ($2.00 for adults one way or $20 for a 4 day unlimited visitor's pass) or take one of the shuttles from Waikiki (about $5 one-way the last time I checked). Go early and expect to spend at least 2 hours there if you are a fast shopper. The sun can be brutal there so wear lots of sunblock and a hat!

Items at Swap Meet:

T-shirts with local designs (surf, sand, sun) - kids up to youth large were 10 for $20 and adults were 5 for $20.

Board shorts - those longer shorts with the flowers down the side.

Shorts, dresses, tops for women with local flower designs. Little tropical design dresses for girls for going for $6.00 each.

Bikinis and sarongs.

Beach towels. The super large ones were 3 for $20 in all types of designs. The smaller ones (normal bath size) were 5 for $20.

Hawaiian themed silver and gold jewelry. Lots of stands selling pretty and reasonably priced earrings, pendants and rings to remind you of your vacation in Hawai`i.

Knick knacks to bring home for those jealous co-workers and relatives: dancing hula girl with music, key chains, weird shell art, etc.

And finally, you can pick up extra bags and luggage to bring back all your goodies too.

2) Waikele Outlet Mall
The mall is in west Oahu. Mix of designer (Lauren, Coach, Hilfiger) and regular (Adidas) outlet stores. My cousins always find great deals here (e.g. Prada suit (orig. $1700) for $350). It's all in the timing.

3) Wal-Mart (open 24 hours) and Sam's Club by Ala Moana Shopping Center.

I only mention this mega complex because they do have lots of local items at reasonable prices. You can buy your sunblock, sunhat and snacks here. Sam's Club also has the cheapest sweet pineapples for $1.95 each.

4) Ala Moana Shopping Center

Our state's biggest mall. Anchored by Macy's, Sears, and Neiman Marcus. Lots of stores that you will find on the mainland and is continuing to add upscale stores. Take a break from your shopping and go for lunch at the Mariposa restaurant in Neiman Marcus. Ask for a table on the lanai and you won't regret it.

5) Kahala Shopping Center

Smaller mall in more upscale area that is more manageable than Ala Moana. Has Macy's and Long's Drug store.

6) Ward Center/Ward Warehouse/Victoria Ward shops

Small shops and restaurants situated in about a 10 block radius between Ward Avenue and Piikoi Street on the makai side of Ala Moana Blvd. Some major retailers like Brookstone, Pier 1 and Nordstrom Rack and some small local retailers too.

7) Long's Drug stores

New sale ads come out every Sunday and sale items usually run to Wednesday with a sale supplement that starts on Wednesday to Saturday. This is where you can pick up your coffee, chocolate covered mac nuts, and other local goodies.

8) Costco

Lots of local items at our Costco, including the mac nuts and coffee. If you have a membership, the closest one to you is by the Dole Cannery. Costco carries Aloha shirts and other clothing with the tropical theme too.

9) Ross

Time consuming, but my friends swear on the deals that they get. I usually am not as patient. I'm told the downtown one and the one by Ala Moana are the best. Of course, I have Canadian friends that visit and their goal is to scour every Ross on the island!

10) Local craft fairs

If you're into handmade items then keep your eyes out for local craft fairs. Many take place at Kapiolani Park near your hotel on the weekends. Some bigger ones take place at Thomas Square near the Blaisdell concert hall.

There are also many great local areas (e.g. Kailua and Kaimuki) to explore for shopping, but if this is your first visit, this list should be enough to keep you busy.

Have fun! TF