13 Best Places to Shop in Big Island, Hawaii

This meandering oceanfront marketplace includes gift shops, cafés, restaurants (including Outback Steakhouse, Humpy's Big Island Alehouse, Thai Rin, Lava Java, Foster's Kitchen, and Gecko Girlz), sports bars, sushi, boutiques, crystal stores, Jack's Diving Locker, a running shop, and several art galleries. At night, locals gather to watch outdoor sand volleyball games held in the courtyard or grab a beer and enjoy live music. Directly adjacent is Alii Sunset Plaza, which is served by the same large paid parking lot. (Parking may be validated by some retailers.)

Among this shopping plaza's 40 shops are a guitar store, a pharmacy, a brewpub, a trendy boutique, and the popular Island Naturals Market & Deli. Other dining destinations include Happy Valley Seafood Restaurant, Sunlight Cafe, and Restaurant Miwa, a Japanese restaurant. There's plenty of free parking. Across the street, the Kilauea Market has a wide variety of hard-to-find Asian cooking ingredients.

Located south of the airport, this large retail complex includes Costco, the best place to stock up on food if you're staying at a vacation rental. Kona Wine Market features curated wines and beers, while Mrs. Barry's Kona Cookies sells beautifully packaged, delicious "souvenirs."

This almost-oceanfront shopping plaza houses the exquisite Harbor Gallery, which represents many Big Island artists. Try the Big Island–made ice cream and shave ice (the best in North Hawaii) at local favorite Anuenue. Also here are Kohala Burger and Taco, Mountain Gold Jewelers, and Kohala Divers.

About 5 miles south of Kailua Village, this large neighborhood shopping center includes KTA Superstore, Longs Drugs, Kona Stories bookstore, and a multiplex movie theater. Kenichi Pacific, an upscale sushi restaurant, and Peaberry & Galette, a café that serves excellent crepes, are favorite eateries, joined by Bianelli's Pizza. You can also grab a quick bite at Los Habaneros, Subway, or L&L Hawaiian Barbecue.

Lakeside restaurants and cafés, surf shops, designer boutiques, a nine-hole putting green, a farmers' market, a weekly Polynesian fire-knife show, and free morning petroglyph tours are just a few of the reasons to visit this conveniently located outdoor shopping center. Probably the best large center on the Kohala Coast, its roster of stores includes Martin & MacArthur, Tori Richard, and island jewelers Na Hoku, as well as high-end retailers Tiffany & Co. and Michael Kors. Gourmet offerings abound at A-Bay's Island Grill, Foster's Kitchen, and the more casual Island Fish & Chips. Shuttles run from the resorts to the center daily from noon to 8, although A-Bay's stays open until midnight, a rarity on the coast.

This downtown center features a Ross Dress for Less (for suitcases, shoes, swimsuits, and aloha wear) and Hawaiian Island Creations (for a great selection of surf gear, clothing, and accessories). There's also an Old Navy, Island Naturals, Vitamin Shoppe, Office Max, and a number of other smaller clothing retailers. Food and drink options include fast-food standbys like Dairy Queen, Subway, and Panda Express, as well as Ultimate Burger, for local beef and delicious house-made fries, and Genki Sushi, where the goods are delivered via conveyor belt. Across the street, Target has fresh-flower lei for a fraction of the cost of local florists.

Originally a hotel, the Kona Inn was built in 1928 to accommodate a new wave of wealthy travelers arriving by steamer and was booked months in advance. As hotels and resorts opened along the Kona and Kohala Coasts, it was transformed into a low-rise, outdoor shopping village with shops and island-style eateries. Although quite a few longtime shops did not survive the pandemic, new ones are expected to take their place. Broad lawns with coconut trees on the ocean side provide a lovely setting for an afternoon picnic. The iconic Kona Inn is best for drinks and appetizers.

On the mauka (mountain) side of Alii Drive, near Hulihee Palace, this small retail enclave in Historic Kailua Village includes galleries, T-shirt/souvenir shops, and Sam's Hideaway bar. Local favorite Hayashi's You Make the Roll offers outstanding sushi to go.

With a welcoming, ranch-style motif, this shopping hub includes a large supermarket, some fun food court eateries, gift shops, and clothing boutiques. During the holidays, they install a very large Christmas tree and garlands by their classic stone fireplace, great for photos.

Although the Gallery of Great Things, known for art and collectibles, is this shopping center's star attraction, it's also worth looking into the Waimea General Store; Sweet Wind, for books, chimes, and beads; Bentley's, which sells locally crafted and imported home decor and gifts; and Hula Moon, for upscale women's fashions. Waimea Coffee Company satisfies with salads, sandwiches, and Kona coffee.

The largest shopping complex on the Kohala Coast houses fashionable clothing stores, jewelry boutiques, galleries, gift shops, and restaurants such as Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Kuleana Rum Shack, and Romano's Macaroni Grill. Island Gourmet Markets, Starbucks, and an affordable food court are other options. Waikoloa Luxury Cinemas offers the ultimate movie experience and includes a restaurant called Bistro at the Cinemas, which is a worth a stop even if you don't hit a show with dinner.

This pleasant complex offers Hawaiian and tropical apparel, a hair salon, and lots of dining choices. Pizza does not get better than at Knead & Bake, where you can dine in or order online for pickup. A small market lets you stock up on basics, and coffee, smoothie, and sandwich shops are still around, as well as a couple of nice surf shops, jewelry stores, and upscale clothing boutiques. Tommy Bahama Restaurant and Bar is especially favored by locals for a pau hana (after work) cocktail and pupu (appetizer).