Outlet Shopping in Hawaii, possible or impossible?
 

I'm considering a trip to Hawaii and am wondering if outlet shopping is available in Hawaii anywhere? <BR> <BR>Any suggestions would be welcomed! Thanks. <BR>

Don't mean to rude, but why bother to go all the way to Hawaii to shop? There is plenty of outlet shopping here on the mainland. If you're going to go all the way to Hawaii, wouldn't you want to spend all of your time taking advantage of the unique attractions it has to offer?

I have to ask the same question as Noah? Why does it matter? If outlet shopping is a big part of your vacations, then I wouldn't bother going all the way to Hawaii! To answer your question, though, I've never noticed an outlet mall there.

Bravo to Noah and Tara! You took the words right out of my mouth!

Glen: I am considering going on a trek through the foothills of the Himalayas. Can you recommend any outlet shops in the area, based on your prior travels?

Glen, I don't know why the other responders are being so mean. I am going to Hawaii from Australia very soon and outlet shopping is high on our agenda. There is an outlet shopping mall called Waikele about 1/2 hr drive from Honolulu. We are booking a 1/2 day tour to the mall through our travel agent in Australia.Shops include Saks, Guess jeans, Osh kosh, kmart and a computer warehouse +heaps more

To "Shopper": when you arrive in Hawaii from Australia, I'm certain that you would not consider purchasing a stuffed kangaroo toy or inquire where the nearest Outback Steakhouse is. If one lives on the Mainland, there is little need to seek outlet shopping malls in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Sorry if this seems "mean", but I frankly was amazed that a traveler could be so oblivious to the wonder and beauty of Hawaii...which is exactly what Glen's post conveys to me.

As someone who lives in Hawaii I thought I would pipe in on this one. (I also live near the outlet mall in Waikele). Anyhow, prices in Hawaii are considerably higher than they are on the mainland - even in large department stores like JCPenny or Kmart. The outlet stores do not offer a good bargin relative to what you would pay on the mainland - just relative to what you might pay in a non-outlet store in Hawaii. If you are coming from another coutry and want something unique to Hawaii or something you can not get where you live, then I guess it makes sense. I see very few locals at the "outlet" malls, it is just filled with tourists who are bussed in to shop. I think this says something about the "bargins" that can be found at the outlets. The Ala Moana mall is not an outlet but does have a more interesting atmosphere and a nice bar/restaurant on the top level. So, it is possible to outlet shop in one location on Oahu, but you probably won't save any money doing so. Enjoy other parts of Hawaii while you are here too - its a wonderful place.

Hello Everyone <BR> <BR>I just tuned in to see if I had any responses to what I thought was a fairly innocent question!! Wow, what a shock!!!! <BR> <BR>Many of you have made the assumption that I am from the mainland.... I am very glad to say that I am not. I am from Australia and I have done outlet shopping in the States before and wondered if the same was available in Hawaii. <BR> <BR> <BR>I have travelled extensively throughout the world and have absorbed every ounce of natural beauty and atrractions that I possibly can along the way. I have thousands of photos to prove it! <BR> <BR>I also like to grab a bargain or two if I can. I am very sorry to have asked about the possibilities and have learnt my lesson. <BR> <BR>To those of you that offered constructive comments and support, I truly thank you. <BR> <BR>Glen.

I too "am very glad" to hear that Glen is not from the Mainland...we have more than enough "shoppers" already. <BR>Glen: have a wonderful trip cloistered in the shopping malls of Hawaii.

Perhaps I should have added above that I usually only like to shop in the last day or two of my holiday. The other two or three weeks that I generally spend in a location are spent admiring the beauty and attractions of the destination. <BR> <BR>I am amazed at how nasty and narrow minded the site has become since I last visited a few months ago.....thankfully there are still a few people responding that engender the ethos of the site, and that is to help people by offering constructive advice. <BR> <BR>WHAT A SHAME NOT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS THAT!!!

Thank you for elaborating and explaining Glen, it makes sense now. <BR> <BR>I never intended to be antagonistic or rude. <BR> <BR>

Well, most folks go to Hawaii for the climate, scenery, and opportunity to utterly relax. If "outlet shopping" is what you have in mind, you'd probably want to pick another destination.

Glen, <BR> <BR>I'd like to reassure you that you are not the only one in thousands of visitors that plan a day or two on going to the Waikele Outlet on Oahu while on their vacation. I'm a resident too, and see tons of Japanese and foreign tourists shuttled there to shop! Yes, items on Oahu are higher than most other states because we're in the middle of the pacific ocean. But Hawaii products are cheaper when purchased in Hawaii, and it beats buying from anywhere or around Waikiki. <BR> <BR>Enjoy your outlet shopping, and I hope you find everything you're looking for. FYI- the KMart at Waikele has alot of hawaii souveniers that I purchase to send to friends and family in the mainland. <BR>

Hey Glen - get them going boy! <BR>We have just returned from trip to US west coast and stopover in Hawaii on way home. As a fellow AUstralian I know why you want to go to the outlets. You will find they are not as big as the ones on the west coast of the mainland, however their prices were fairly comparable (give or take a couple of dollars) to the rest of the US. We were in Waikele in January. There is a good shop that sells perfume and eau de toilette at prices that are cheaper than US and AUS duty free - worth a look. You get at least 50% more than you would at home for the same price. You can also get Banana Repulic and Guess etc with at least one shoe shop. I think there's a Benetton store also (plus many more, those listed are the ones we enjoyed parting with our $$ in) <BR> <BR>Ignore all the dribble from the lot above. The real problem is not shopping it's "outlet" shopping. Outlets are consistently poo-pooed in the states by the locals! For us though, they are a great way to shop. I would of thought these people (whom I presume shop) would understand the value of the tourist $$. <BR> <BR>If you are on a very tight schedule, or if there are a few of you, consider picking up a car for a couple of days. We were charged $50 AUS for a day's car hire - we managed to scream around the island in this time (we wanted to see the surf on the north shore). A very fleeting visit I know, but better than catching the bus. The other way, if you have more time, is to catch the local bus ($1 per trip). The organised tours are a blatant rip-off and unless you are disabled or really old, you can get much better value (no offense to the aged or to people with disabilities intended)by bussing it or by hiring a car. Parking is expensive in Waikiki, but it is possible to find decent parking. <BR> <BR>Our favourite part of Hawaii - not the shopping, the surf, or the vulcanoes - but falling asleep on beaches made of Queensland sand. Go figure?? <BR> <BR>Have a great time and spend up big!

Ian, <BR> <BR>In the 'Waikiki' thread, I mentioned that I heard from an Aussie that the sand was imported from Australia but people said that they thought it was an 'Australian Tall Tale'. <BR> <BR>Perhaps you'd like to post there.