Small, quiet and charming, this is much more of a neighborhood mall than neighboring Ka'ahumanu Center is. Locals come here to pick up new books, music or sundries. After a recent facelift, the mall is more appealing to the crowds of cruise ship passengers who visit weekly. There are specialty shops and a few eateries, including an International House of Pancakes.
Aesthetically a notch above its across-the-street neighbor the Aloha Marketplace, this bazaar sells local arts, crafts and gift items. A number of local artisans and vendors have booths in the open-air market, while specific business such as Jabooka Jooce and Alexander's Fish & Chips are clustered around the bazaar area. A sunny outdoor patio in the center is the perfect spot for an informal meal. It is fairly easy to spot this place; it looks like a gigantic warehouse with no front doors. Credit card acceptance policy and hours of operation vary by merchant.
When you are planning on buying little hula dolls for about 100 people back home, this is the place to visit. Great quantities of every stereotypical Hawaiian souvenir are on the shelves. You will find sarongs, souvenir license plates, macadamia nuts, hats and more. This is also the place to find flip-flops, trashy paperbacks or any other beach essential. The store is large, well-lit and well-organized—which is good, because the service can be sluggish. There are other store locations throughout Maui.
The unveiling of this shopping center marked the beginning of a new era in Maui's commercial development - the era of the chain store invasion. While many people are depressed to see that mainland giants such as Borders and Starbucks have settled into this center, locals seem to be rather happy about it. Independent local merchants such as The Vault and Hawaiian Island Creations are interspersed with the chains, making for good browsing.
High ceilings, fans and a straw-mat floor give this store a definite island feel. It's open and comfortable, which makes for easy browsing. There is a lot of floor space, and every bit of it is covered with merchandise. Bikinis, one-pieces, separates and cover-ups in every conceivable style are available. If you want something showy, you'll definitely find it. Frilly, sporty, flowered or plain, just take your pick. You can even have a suit custom-made. The local girls at the register are usually pretty cheery and ready to help you with your shopping experience!
It has been around for ages, but this mall seems to be going through a hibernation period. (As any retailer will tell you, this is normal for a Maui mall.) Currently it is home to a few restaurants, notably Coconut's Bakery & Cafe and Thailand Cuisine. Longtime clients Waldenbooks and the Kukui Theaters remain, while the opening of a new bank may signal the beginning of a commercial spurt for this sleepy little mall. If not, well, it is still the only place in South Kihei to catch a movie. Note: Credit card acceptance policy varies by merchant.