Honolulu is the capital and largest city of Hawaii, on the south shore of Oahu, known for Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace, Hanauma Bay and a food scene built on Hawaiian, Japanese, Filipino and Chinese influences.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Kona and Ka'u coffee
100% Kona and Ka'u coffee in sealed bags; check the label for '100% Kona' rather than 'Kona blend'.
Price: $12-45 (US$12-45) per 7-10 oz bag
Where: ABC Stores, 2155 Kalakaua Ave; Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd; KCC Farmers Market, 4303 Diamond Head Rd
Macadamia nuts and chocolate
Chocolate-covered and flavored macadamia nuts, and Honolulu Cookie Company shortbread.
Price: $8-25 (US$8-25)
Where: Royal Hawaiian Center, 2201 Kalakaua Ave; ABC Stores; Don Quijote, 801 Kaheka St
Aloha shirts (Reyn Spooner)
Genuine aloha shirts in cotton and the Reyn Spooner pullover style with reverse-print fabric.
Price: $80-140 (US$80-140)
Where: Reyn Spooner, Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd; Waikiki stores on Kalakaua Ave
Hawaiian quilts and lauhala
Hand-stitched Hawaiian quilt patterns, woven lauhala hats and mats, and koa wood pieces by Native Hawaiian artists.
Price: $25-1,500 (US$25-1,500)
Where: Bishop Museum Shop, 1525 Bernice St; Aloha Stadium Swap Meet vendors
Handmade ukulele
Ukulele made in Honolulu since 1916 by the Kamaka family.
Price: $150-1,000 (US$150-1,000)
Where: Kamaka Hawaii Ukulele Factory, 550 South St
Fresh lei
Plumeria, orchid, pikake and tuberose lei made on the spot.
Price: $8-35 (US$8-35)
Where: Maunakea Street lei shops in Chinatown, near N Hotel St; Honolulu Airport lei stands
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
KCC Farmers Market
Hawaii's largest farmers market: island produce, prepared foods, flowers and local honey
Where: Diamond Head / Kapahulu
Hours: Saturday 7:30 AM-11:00 AM (year-round; confirm on website before visiting)
Aloha Stadium Swap Meet and Marketplace
Hundreds of vendors selling aloha shirts, jewelry, souvenirs, snacks and crafts; cash only parking and small entry fee
Where: Halawa (about 9 miles from Waikiki)
Hours: Wednesday and Saturday 8:00 AM-3:00 PM; Sunday 6:30 AM-3:00 PM (relocated to the lower lot after stadium demolition began; confirm on website before visiting)
Honolulu Farmers Market at Neal Blaisdell Center
Evening farmers market with local produce, ready-to-eat plates and small crafts
Where: Ala Moana / Kakaako
Hours: Wednesday 4:00 PM-7:00 PM (confirm on website before visiting)
Kakaako Farmers Market at Ward Village
Saturday market with Hawaii-grown produce, baked goods, coffee and artisan products
Where: Kakaako
Hours: Saturday 8:00 AM-12:00 PM (confirm on website before visiting)
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Chinatown (Hotel Street and Maunakea Street)
Kapahulu Avenue
SALT at Our Kakaako
Ward Village Shops
Kalakaua Avenue (Waikiki)
ABC Stores (Waikiki flagship)
Don Quijote Honolulu (Kaheka)
Bishop Museum Shop
Kamaka Hawaii Ukulele Factory
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Ala Moana Center
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:30 AM-9:00 PM; Sunday 10:00 AM-7:00 PM (confirm on website before visiting)
Royal Hawaiian Center
Hours: Daily 10:00 AM-10:00 PM; free hula, lei making and ukulele classes on a weekly schedule (confirm on website before visiting)
International Market Place
Hours: Daily 10:00 AM-10:00 PM (confirm on website before visiting)
Waikele Premium Outlets
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:00 AM-8:00 PM; Sunday 10:00 AM-6:00 PM (confirm on website before visiting)
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Prices are fixed in malls and shops. Bargaining is not customary, except for polite offers on multiple items at the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet.
Swap meet vendors and farmers market stalls often prefer cash, and Aloha Stadium parking gates are cash only.
Compare unit prices at ABC Stores and Don Quijote; Don Quijote is usually cheaper for packaged snacks and coffee.
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Hawaii has no sales tax. It charges a General Excise Tax of 4% statewide plus a 0.5% Oahu county surcharge, 4.5% in total, and merchants usually show a 4.712% rate at checkout once the pass-through is applied. The tax is not refundable to visitors., Tipping is not expected at retail counters, but 18-22% is standard at restaurants and food counters in shopping centers., Shoes are not required off in shops, but check for a slipper rack at small boutiques., Genuine Hawaiian-made goods carry a 'Made in Hawaii' label; check that quilts, jewelry and lauhala are not imported.