Karen is a Scottish freelance travel and culture writer based in the US. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, National Geographic, BBC, and Condé Nast Traveler.
Karen is a Scottish freelance travel and culture writer based in the US. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, National Geographic, BBC, and Condé Nast Traveler.
Hi, I'm Karen!Karen is a Scottish freelance travel and culture writer based in the US. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, National Geographic, BBC, and Condé Nast Traveler.
Hi, I'm Karen!Karen is a Scottish freelance travel and culture writer based in the US. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, National Geographic, BBC, and Condé Nast Traveler.
Shopping may be the last thing on your mind when soaking up Oahu’s sun and surf, but the island’s shopping scene offers everything from big-brand names and local designers to vintage Hawaiiana garments. Here’s a rundown of the best places to shop on Oahu.
Filled with more than 350 stores and restaurants—including Macy’s, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdales department stores—Ala Moana Mall is Hawaii’s largest shopping center. It’s also conveniently located behind Ala Moana Beach Park, which is considered one of the best beaches in downtown Honolulu.
Located in downtown Honolulu, Chinatown is one of the island’s hippest districts and has the boutiques to prove it. Among contemporary art galleries, bars and coffee shops, and bespoke stores, you’ll find decades-old lei shops, where you can purchase a fresh lei and learn about the colors and flowers used in them.
One of the most fun shopping experiences you can have on Oahu is at the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet, which is renowned for its bargains. Hawaii’s largest open-air flea market features around 400 vendors and is the perfect place to pick up vintage Hawaiiana such as aloha shirts and tiki mugs.
Up on the laid-back North Shore of Oahu, prices are generally lower. At the small outdoor mall of Haleiwa Town Center, you’ll find a small section of Hawaiian art galleries and vintage surf shops. After shopping, enjoy a shave ice at Matsumoto's, one of the island’s most famous vendors.
