35 Best Places to Shop in Honolulu and Pearl Harbor, Oahu

Hip and fun, this shop stocks some of the island's coolest T-shirts, accessories, and apparel for women, men, and kids, featuring funky, retro Hawaii themes and designs. Bruno Mars famously wore a tank top from this eclectic shop on a Rolling Stone magazine cover in 2021. You may spend more time browsing—and buying—here than you might expect. A second location is nearby on Kuhio Avenue. Note that the store opens at 1 pm.

Located in the Moana Surfrider hotel, the flagship store of this innovative company is filled with colorful, lightweight, “splash-proof” bags of all sizes, shapes, and styles—from tiny zippered travel pouches to eye-catching beach bags to oversize totes. The company continually offers new patterns and styles, so bag lovers will always find a unique beach- or travel-friendly option.

To really impress those back home, pick up a box of these locally baked, gourmet cookies. Choose from dozens of delicious flavors of premium shortbread delights packaged in a wide range of sizes, all designed for travel. In addition to the location in the Royal Hawaiian Center, the company has a number of stores in Waikiki, so you probably won't be able to avoid them—or their free samples—even if you try.

Hugely popular with Islands residents and visitors, these pineapple-shaped shortbread cookies, half-dipped in milk or dark chocolate, come in an assortment of flavors from macadamia nut to mango and lilikoi (passion fruit). Made locally in Kalihi, these gourmet cookies are sold in boxes and tins of varying sizes at a number of locations in Ala Moana and Waikiki.

The groundbreaking Mana Up organization promotes Hawaii-based entrepreneurs and shares many unique locally made products with consumers. Its retail store in the Royal Hawaiian Center not only showcases innovative, Hawaii-made items but also shares the stories of the makers behind them. It's fun to browse for gourmet chocolate, edible coffee bars, art, sustainable food wrappers, surf-inspired clothing, extra-comfy flip-flops (called slippers in Hawaii), children’s books, and much more. All the profits are used to support these small businesses.

Founded by local entrepreneurs Jillian Corn and Hunter Long (who is also a professional skateboarder), Keep It Simple strives to promote a healthier planet by selling high-quality natural, organic, and/or vegan items with minimal (or zero) packaging. Look for sustainable beauty and bath products; beachwear, cover-ups, and accessories; and items for the kitchen and elsewhere in the home.

In addition to island-style clothing for adults and children, Hawaiian cultural items, and unusual artwork, such as Niihau-shell necklaces, this boutique's book selection covers Hawaiian history and language and includes children's books set in the Islands. Na Mea also has classes on Hawaiian language, culture, and history. A sister store, Native Books, is in Chinatown.

This three-block-long center has more than 110 establishments, including an Apple Store and ABC Store, as well as local gems, such as Oiwi Ocean Gear, Mana Up, Fighting Eel, Honolulu Cookie Company, Koi Honolulu, Hawaiian Island Arts, Island Soap & Candleworks, and Royal Hawaiian Quilts. In addition to a number of restaurants, you can dine at the Waikiki Food Hall. Complimentary cultural classes, a theater, and nightly outdoor entertainment round out the offerings. Note for drivers: the center offers free parking for three hours with validation at shops and restaurants.

The world's largest open-air shopping mall is a five-minute bus ride from Waikiki. More than 350 stores and 160 dining options (including multiple food courts) make up this 50-acre complex, which is a unique mix of national and international chains as well as smaller, locally owned shops and eateries—and everything in between. The newer Lanai @ Ala Moana Center is worth stopping at for a range of casual dining options in one spot. More than 30 luxury boutiques are in residence, with stores such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Christian Dior. All of Hawaii's major department stores are here, including the state's only Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, plus Macy's, Target, and Bloomingdale's.

This designer combines the beauty of classic kimonos with contemporary styles to make unique pieces for work and evening. In addition to women's apparel, Anne Namba designs a men's line.

Vintage aloha shirts are the specialty at this kitschy store. Don't expect to find bargains, but rather unique designs you aren't likely to find elsewhere. Some shirts cost several hundred dollars. Thousands of them are used; others are creations by top designers. The tight space and musty smell are part of the thrift-shop atmosphere. Antiques hunters can also buy old-fashioned postcards, glassware, Hawaiian LPs, authentic military clothing, funky hats, and denim jeans from the 1950s.

This little shop offers a great selection of Hawaii-made items for adults and children. Look for brightly colored, beach-casual clothing, bags, jewelry, and accessories in soft cotton and rayon aloha prints.

This triathlon shop near the Bike Factory offers training gear and bike rentals, classes, and nutritional products. Inquire directly about the latest schedule of classes at the store, which is owned and operated by top athletes.

Claiming to be the oldest surf shop in Hawaii, the store carries old-style Birdwell surf trunks here, along with popular labels, such as Quiksilver, Roxy, Dakine, and Billabong, which supplement Downing's own line of surf wear and surfboards.

A place to find unusual art, this women-owned gallery hosts changing exhibitions and events showcasing works by designers and artists from near and far. It also offers interior design services and carries small and large home items you won't find anywhere else in Honolulu. There's a daily rotation of local eateries at its café.

Bring home some aloha you can sink your bare feet into. Designs from this exclusive Hawaiian rug collection depict Hawaiian petroglyphs, banana leaves, heliconia, and other tropical plants or scenery.

Fashionable beach clothing and bags, bathing suits, hats, and rash guards supplement a huge selection of paddling accessories. Check out the wooden decorative paddles: they become works of art when mounted on the wall at home.

This indoor mall has more than 100 stores and restaurants, with a mix of national retailers and not-to-be-missed, homegrown boutiques, clothing stores, and galleries. You can also browse local foods and products at Whole Foods. For post-shopping entertainment, see what movies are playing at the Consolidated Kahala Theatres, where you'll also find a full kitchen and bar.

Kawamoto grows all flowers on its 3½-acre orchid farm near downtown Honolulu. Their specialty is the cattleya, a favorite for Mother's Day, but they also grow hundreds of hybrids. The nursery now does the bulk of its business online, and they have decades of experience shipping temperamental orchids to the Mainland.

Try Longs at the Ala Moana Center (or one of its many other outposts) to stock up on chocolate-covered macadamia nuts, candies, cookies, Islands tea, and 100% Kona coffee—at reasonable prices—to carry home.

The ultimate destination for designer shopping in Hawaii is this elegant town house–style center, where high-end shops include Chanel, Coach, Tiffany & Co., Yves Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Miu Miu, and Moncler.

For a look into the harvesting and design of coral and black pearl jewelry, visit this shop and take a free tour at its adjacent factory near the Ala Moana Shopping Center. Note that it's closed on weekends. Avoid the "Pick a Pearl" option at their other kiosk locations unless you're prepared to be upsold on a jewelry setting or two for the pearls "found" in your shells.

If you look at the wrists of kamaaina (local) women, you might see Hawaiian heirloom bracelets fashioned in either gold or silver and engraved in a number of Islands-inspired designs. Na Hoku sells these and other traditional Hawaiian jewelry along with an array of modern Hawaii-influenced designs that capture the heart of the Hawaiian lifestyle in all its elegant diversity. There are a number of Na Hoku locations on Oahu, as well as on the other Islands and the Mainland.

Like its larger sibling in the Ala Moana Center, this designer and island-lifestyle jewelry store sells Tahitian pearls and ocean- and marine-themed jewelry. Many beautiful Hawaii-inspired designs are featured here; the store also has branches around the Islands.

High-quality, handwoven Panama hats and tropical sportswear for men and women are the specialties here.

This gallery represents hundreds of artisans who specialize in koa furniture, bowls, and boxes, as well as art glass and ceramics. Original paintings and prints—all with an Islands theme—add to the selection. The store also carries unique handmade Hawaiian jewelry, starting around $20, with ti leaf, maile, and coconut-weave designs. Home items like locally made kitchen towels and Tutu Nene hand-sewn native Hawaiian ducks make great souvenirs.

Owner and interior designer Mary Philpotts McGrath creates a Hawaiian sense of place at this design studio/workshop known for its well-curated assemblage of sophisticated home items in all price ranges. You'll find a global collection of fine lighting, furniture, and textiles, as well as works by local artists and artisans.

This is a good place to buy the aloha-print fashions residents wear. Look for the limited-edition Christmas shirt, a collector's item manufactured each holiday season. Reyn Spooner has seven locations statewide and offers styles for men and children and, sometimes, limited-edition women's wear.

This boutique sells modern aloha wear for men, women, and children. Most of the prints and clothes are designed and made in Honolulu, and you'll also find accessories, bath and body items, and other local products.

The chain, popular throughout the Islands, sells and rents gear—including fins, snorkels, wet suits, and beach chairs—and schedules ocean activities with other suppliers. It's also a good place to seek advice about the best snorkeling beaches and conditions, which vary considerably with the seasons.