A favorite local stop since 1952, this bakery, less than a mile outside Waikiki, is famous for its malasadas. These pastries are a local favorite, similar to doughnuts only without the holes. They're best eaten hot, leaden when cold. Another specialty is pao doce (Portuguese sweet bread). Danish pastries, cookies, breads and specialty wedding and birthday cakes are also available. This is take out only; there is no place to sit. Parking is available.
Sing Cheong Yuan Bakery is one of the more popular shops in Chinatown. Located between North King and Hotel streets, this confectionery offers wonderfully fresh candies, cakes and cookies. During the annual Moon Festival, the lines form for their delicious moon cakes. However, you will find that there is a constant supply of gau, coconut tarts, taro cakes and banana rolls. Moreover, the sesame, macadamia nut and honey candy is simply addictive, and one of the more popular items in the shop. There is a municipal parking lot with metered parking that fills up early, especially on Saturday mornings.
Located between Maunakea and Smith Street, this lei stand is one of the more inviting shops in Chinatown. It's just a small sliver of a stall that is dominated by the huge refrigerated case with glass windows and an adjacent desk. The case is filled with some of the most beautiful fresh flower lei creations. The multitude of colors and styles are worthy of a photo or two. Furthermore, the brighter pua melia and orchid lei will most likely capture your attention first, and also happen to be the least expensive.
More than 75 specialty shops and restaurants are spread over five floors in this interesting Asian-dominated shopping complex. There are several casual eateries on the lower level, including Plaza Sushi and the Plaza Coffeeshop. Famous Teppanyaki restaurant Tanaka of Tokyo is on an upper floor. Shops include Yokohama Okadaya, Belle Vie and Naughty Wave. Most of the wholesalers and open craft studios are located on the top two floors; you can usually spot the artisans at work.
One of the more interesting shops in the Honolulu International Airport, Hawaii Market offers you a collection of Hawaiian treats, snacks, and products that are both unique and perfect to take home as gifts for your family and friends. The shop is located along the garden concourse just past the restaurants. This place also has a good selection of Kona coffee, macadamia nuts, candy, condiments, cookies that can only be found in the islands. Moreover, if you have cravings for salty treats, they offer island made jerky that goes perfectly with that in-flight movie on a long flight.
The Island Snow in Kailua has become more famous for its "shave ice" (a tasty Hawaiian treat similar to a snow cone) than for its brand of apparel. You'll often see a line of people out the door, especially on the weekend. On the walls (and on the website) you'll find photos of President Barack Obama during his trips to Island Snow, one of his favorite spots while he's in town. In addition to the shave ice counter, the rest of the store sells apparel, mainly catering to surfers, skateboarders and snowboarders. It's a great place for souvenir t-shirts. Snowboards, watches, sunglasses and other apparel can also be found here.
If you're searching for an island gift that's tasty not touristy, you might want to visit this store. It makes inexpensive tea cookies, wafers, rice cakes, and Japanese-style treats. Fortune cookies are available in six distinctive flavors. The shop also creates three flavorful (and healthy) varieties of rice cake: ginger, mochi crunch, and sesame seed with seaweed. Colorful coconut balls are a unique treat, as are the five varieties of Hawaiian Island Crisp Cookies. There is online ordering available.
You may spot a park bench outside TNT, but don't let that fool you. It's a tattoo and piercing parlor as good as they get. Tribal and Hawaiian to cover ups and customs, they do it all. Their expertise is as varied as their clientèle. Rappers from the Boo Ya tribe on one hand and Lance and Joey from N'Sync on the other have all had tattoos done at TNT. The piercing outfit came later (in 1993) but Dr.Dave's been tattooing since 1980.
A favorite local stop since 1952, this bakery, less than a mile outside Waikiki, is famous for its malasadas. These pastries are a local favorite, similar to doughnuts only without the holes. They're best eaten hot, leaden when cold. Another specialty is pao doce (Portuguese sweet bread). Danish pastries, cookies, breads and specialty wedding and birthday cakes are also available. This is take out only; there is no place to sit. Parking is available.
The best authentic, handcrafted koa wood ukeleles are sold at this retail store located in the Hyatt Shops. The ukeleles, many of them made by Koa Mele, are primarily fashioned of single pieces of the highest quality koa wood. Other merchandise includes music stands and sheet music. A few unobtrusive souvenir items are on display. The shop is fairly quiet, although it has a solid customer base in Hyatt guests alone. In Hawai'i a good ukelele is a very serious purchase, and the atmosphere of this store reflects that.
Children's clothing, toys, and arts and crafts are the focus of this charming store. Most of the apparel features colorful Aloha prints. Alphabet blocks and stuffed animals line the shelves. There is a decent selection of school and art supplies arranged along the side wall. Accessories like backpacks and bags are also for sale. This store is located in the ritzy Ward Warehouse. The store maintains a calm and quiet atmosphere—quite a feat when you remember the average age of customers!
Specializing in "vintage Aloha wear", this store offers upscale resortwear for men and women. The patterns are more akin to the Hawaiian styles of 40 years ago than the loud fashions of today. The distinguishing feature of the garments is the fabric. They're made of very thin silk, cool on the body and more form-flattering than cotton or polyester. Even if you don't like prints or you don't wear dresses, you'll probably be somewhat tempted to try one of these garments on for size.