Ala Moana Shopping Center, along with Waikiki, is Hawaii’s largest shopping center, boasting around 150 dining establishments and approximately 200 shops. As it is a core station for The Bus and a major stop for the free Pink Line bus operated by JCB, it is one of the must-visit places when you come to Hawaii.
This time, we will focus on shopping and introduce 20 popular and recommended spots! From four department stores, luxury brand boutiques, American brands not yet available in Japan, casual wear, Hawaii’s unique surf shops, Aloha shirt stores, swimwear specialty shops, bookstores, supermarkets, and more, there is a diverse range of shops that could take an entire day to explore.
By utilizing your limited travel time effectively, we hope you find this guide helpful.
So, to start, let’s set the premise for this guide…
- We have compiled 20 “shopping spots”.
- Focusing on「Department Stores」「Fashion」「Vintage & Affordable Fashion」「Accessories」「Beauty」「Snacks」.
- The targeted area for this guide is within the popular tourist destination, Ala Moana Shopping Center.
Check other information about Ala Moana Shopping Center!
Trivia of Ala Moana Shopping Center
Get Free Wi-Fi
At Ala Moana Shopping Center, newsletter members can enjoy free Wi-Fi. By registering before your trip, you can use the internet without any hassle once you’re there—highly recommended! As a newsletter member, you can also receive sale information from various shops, which can be quite useful.
You can register through the following link to the official Ala Moana Shopping Center website.
Get The Map in Ala Moana Shopping Center
Throughout the facility, there are maps available that are much easier to understand than the web version, which is convenient. However, if you don’t have much time, it might be smoother during your trip to check the floors and locations in advance. The official website has up-to-date floor maps, so check them out if needed before you go!
Department Stores
Nordstrom
This store is one of the most famous department stores in America, handling many well-known brands and designer products.
Known for its thorough hospitality and high customer satisfaction, there’s even a story where they refunded the cost of tires due to complaints from an old car dealership that operated on the same land where they opened their store.
The store emphasizes support from fashion advisors and beauty consultants, aiming to provide not just shopping but an overall experience.
With new collections appearing each season, you can find the latest trends and enjoy a consultative shopping experience.
If you manage to get items from new collections not yet available in Japan, you’ll surely stand out when you return home!
- Business Hours
MON-SAT 10：00～21：00
SUN 10：00～20：00 - Closed Day
None - Price Range
They offer a wide range of products, from luxury brands to affordable items. You’ll find fashion, accessories, shoes, beauty products, and home goods.
Bloomingdale’s
Also a high-end department store run by Macy’s, it primarily features luxury brands.
The prices seem quite similar to Nordstrom.
In the Little Brown Bag section inside the store, they sell Hawaii-exclusive tote bags, so it might be a shame to miss out just because it’s a high-end store.
The store is also known for its Instagram-worthy interiors and decorations, so it’s worth visiting even if you don’t buy anything.
Exploring while taking photos might be fun as well.
- Business Hours
MON-SAT 11：00～20：00
SUN 11：00～18：00 - Closed Day
None - Price Range
They offer high-end fashion, accessories, cosmetics, and more, with prices ranging from mid to high. Many high-quality brands and designer products are available.
Macy’s
This is one of the relatively inexpensive department stores representing America, offering a wide range of product categories.
They provide fashion, shoes, bags, home goods, cosmetics, jewelry, electronics, and more, with a variety of seasonal and event-based products.
They are also known for frequent sales and special promotions, offering great shopping deals.
The sales from Black Friday in December to the end of the year have the largest discounts, so be sure to check them out if you visit during this time.
Personally, I feel they’ve lost some uniqueness compared to the past.
However, since they have such a wide variety of items, you’re likely to find a one-of-a-kind item.
- Business Hours
MON-THU 9：30～20：00
FRI-SAT 9：30～21：00
SUN 10：00～20：00 - Closed Day
None - Price Range
They offer products at a wide range of prices, from affordable to high-end. You’ll find fashion items, home goods, beauty products, jewelry, and more.
Fashion
Crazy Shirts
Known for its innovative and unique designs in T-shirts and apparel.
Their items feature illustrations and graphics related to Hawaii, allowing you to enjoy the landscapes and culture of Hawaii.
They are also characterized by comfortable materials and high-quality prints, making them great for souvenirs or stylish items for yourself.
Their original cat character was once hugely popular…
Personally, I like this cat character, but it’s unfortunate that the designs have decreased since the founder(?) changed.
They have many stores in Hawaii, so be sure to check them out at some point.
By the way, they also have a store at the Dole Plantation on the North Shore, where the items are not available at other stores and are quite cute. I bought a lot during my 2024 trip!
- Business Hours
10：00～20：00 - Closed Day
None - Price Range
A brand that offers casual wear and T-shirts, with mid-range prices. It is generally considered a reasonably priced store.
Local Motion
Originating from Kailua, this surf brand offers apparel and goods rooted in surf culture.
In addition to surfboards and beach gear, they have a wide range of T-shirts, board shorts, beach totes, hats, and more, featuring designs embodying Hawaii’s beach style.
There are especially many surf brands in the Haleiwa area, but if you are short on time or can’t venture far, it’s a good idea to look around Waikiki to Kakaako, including this store.
The tote bags, which are very popular souvenirs, were the cutest designs I saw during my 2024 trip, even though they were a bit pricey.
- Business Hours
MON-SAT 10：00～20：00
SUN 10：00～18：00 - Closed Day
None - Price Range
A store offering surf brands and beachwear, with prices ranging from mid to high. They sell apparel, accessories, surfboards, and beach gear related to surfing and beach culture.
Lululemon
This Canadian brand offers activewear, casual wear, accessories, and sports goods.
Their products are known for high quality, comfortable wear, and trendy designs.
Additionally, they support the fitness community by regularly hosting activities such as yoga classes and running events.
They also provide appropriate advice and fitness support.
Now a globally renowned unicorn company, it is still relatively new to Japanese consumers.
They offer a lot of stylish sportswear, so take this opportunity to make your Lululemon debut.
This brand provides high-quality activewear and yoga wear, with prices ranging from mid to high. They focus on quality and design, offering a wide range of meticulously crafted products.
- Business Hours
MON-SAT 10：00～20：00
SUN 10：00～19：00 - Closed Day
None - Price Range
This brand offers a wide range of women’s fashion items, including lingerie, nightwear, and beachwear.
Victoria’s Secret
Especially known for high-quality bras, panties, and shorts, they offer a variety of designs.
They also have a wide range of perfumes and body care products.
With regular new collections and sales, it is a popular destination for many women looking for fashion and beauty products.
Victoria’s Secret is known for its attractive and sexy products, so it might be worth making a purchase here.
- Business Hours
10：00～20：00 - Closed Day
None - Price Range
The brand offers lingerie, nightwear, beachwear, perfumes, and beauty products, with prices ranging from mid to high. They provide high-quality lingerie and beauty products.
MANAOLA
This store features stylish and innovative clothing with bold use of ethnic patterns inspired by Polynesian motifs.
Though Aloha shirts are considered formal attire in Hawaii, this brand’s clothes have been exceptionally recognized as formal wear due to their incorporation of Hawaiian ethnic backgrounds into modern fashion.
The brand is not very well-known in Japan yet, but it has the potential to lead fashion trends, with similar styles likely to become more popular in the future.
If you love bold fashion and vibrant colors, you’ll probably fall in love with this brand.
- Business Hours
10：00〜20：00 - Closed Day
None - Price Range
Most items range from $100 to $200.
PacSun
For streetwear at Ala Moana Shopping Center, this is the place to go!
This California-based select shop is known for curating only high-quality items.
They offer everything from simple designs to those full of American street style, a bit of surf-like California vibe, and even Hawaiian-themed clothes.
Overall, their focus is on street fashion, so street style enthusiasts are sure to find something they like.
- Business Hours
10：00〜20：00 - Closed Day
None - Price Range
T-shirts start at around $20, giving an overall impression of affordability.
Old Navy
Old Navy, no longer available in Japan, can still be found in Hawaii.
Its greatest appeal is the affordability, and depending on the time, you can find a lot of cute items.
The Ala Moana store is the largest in Hawaii, so you’re likely to find something you like.
The brand targets families, making it easy to find matching outfits for the whole family.
Since it’s affordable, taking family photos in matching outfits in Hawaii could make for unforgettable memories!
- Business Hours
SUN-THU 10：00〜20：00
FRI-SAT 10：00〜21：00 - Closed Day
None - Price Range
Overall, very affordable.
ZIMMERMANN Honolulu
This Australian brand offers very cute and stylish women’s dresses and swimsuits.
Their innovative patterns and cuts evoke the best of the 70s and 80s.
While the store’s interior is all white, the products are mostly colorful, making them stand out.
They carry everything from formal wear like dresses to Hawaii-themed items like swimsuits, so check them out depending on your budget.
While the prices are not cheap, you’re likely to find items you’ll fall in love with at first sight.
- Business Hours
10：00〜20：00 - Closed Day
None - Price Range
Swimsuits range from $200 to $300, and dresses range from $700 to $1,000, making it a high-end store.
Vintage & Affordable Fashion
Eco Town Select
A store run by Bookoff, offering secondhand clothes and miscellaneous goods.
Since they sell locally sourced items, you might find unexpected treasures.
It’s a must-visit for vintage clothing lovers.
Though it used to be mostly local customers, the increasing popularity of vintage clothing in Japan has drawn many young Japanese customers recently.
According to the staff, there’s been a high demand for dresses typically worn only for weddings in Hawaii, and they are expanding their lineup to meet this demand.
- Business Hours
MON-SAT 10：00～20：00
SUN 10：00～19：00 - Closed Day
None - Price Range
Prices start as low as $1, and even high-priced items are cheaper compared to other stores.
Target
This very popular American retail chain offers a wide range of product categories all in one place, making it a convenient shopping destination.
They carry home goods, fashion, groceries, beauty products, electronics, toys, furniture, and more, with many items under their private label.
The “Target brand” combines reasonable prices with quality, making it very popular.
Personally, I like their versatile products like underwear and socks, and I visit the store to purchase them.
Due to its affordability, it is very popular with both tourists and locals.
They are also known for announcing which genres will be discounted on specific days of the week. Check out the following schedule:
Monday: Accessories, children’s items and clothing, books, electronics
Tuesday: Cleaning supplies, groceries, pet supplies, women’s clothing
Wednesday: Beauty products, gardening supplies, men’s clothing
- Business Hours
8：00～22：00 - Closed Day
None - Price Range
This large retail store offers a wide range of products at affordable prices. Their price range is low to mid, making most products reasonably priced.
Ross Dress for Less
Due to the extremely low prices and all-new products, this store is very popular not only with tourists but also with locals.
It is known for offering high-brand items at significantly discounted prices, with a wide variety of products arriving each season, ensuring a constantly updated inventory.
The store carries a diverse range of items, including clothing, shoes, bags, home goods, and cosmetics. However, since the availability of products is irregular, there may be times when there aren’t many good items.
Generally, all stores consistently offer the same products (depending on stock availability), so visiting a different store won’t result in finding completely different items.
During a trip in 2024, I managed to buy Michael Kors pants for just 1,300 yen ($9)!
- Business Hours
MON-THU 9：00～21：30
FRI-SAT 8：30～21：30
SUN 9：00〜21：00 - Closed Day
None - Price Range
It is a discount store, generally offering products at affordable prices. The items you find here are usually discounted from regular retail prices. The cheapest items start at around $1.
Accessories
Maui Divers Jewelry
This Hawaiian jewelry store, originating from the Big Island, is one of the most popular brands.
The sophisticated designs are very attractive and look great whether you wear just one piece or multiple pieces together.
Compared to other Hawaiian jewelry shops, the designs are unique, and those who know the brand will recognize it immediately.
Unlike the cheap Hawaiian jewelry often sold in Japan or in Hawaiian markets, you won’t find many people wearing the same items.
- Business Hours
SAT-THU 10：00〜20：00
FRI 10：00〜21：00 - Closed Day
None - Price Range
Prices vary greatly depending on the product, but you can find items starting from around 10,000 yen.
Pandora
A brand that once took the world by storm, it’s popular among travel enthusiasts, with many owning pieces.
Each country’s store sells original charms, and many people collect charms from the countries they visit.
I only bought a bracelet and have been collecting Hawaiian jewelry charms to go with it!
While purchasing charms one at a time isn’t too much of a burden, when you add them all up, it can be quite a sum…
Recently, they have many cute items other than bracelets, so be sure to check them out.
- Business Hours
MON-THU 11：00〜19：00
FRI-SAT 10：00〜20：00
SUN 11：00〜18：00 - Closed Day
None - Price Range
Hawaii-exclusive charms vary by product, but many can be purchased for under $100.
Beauty
Sephora
This international chain specializing in beauty products offers many famous brands and its own private label products.
The store features makeup, skincare, perfumes, haircare products, and provides plenty of samples and testers for customers to try.
Beauty advisors are available to offer advice and makeup application, suggesting products tailored to customers’ beauty needs.
In America, where self-expression is more open than in Japan, makeup tends to be more daring.
Since you’re in the tropics, it might be fun to try a different makeup style than usual.
- Business Hours
10：00～20：00 - Closed Day
None - Price Range
This retail store specializing in beauty products has a wide price range. They carry cosmetics, skincare products, perfumes, and haircare products, from low to high-end.
Bath & Body Works
As the name suggests, this store offers bath and body care items.
Think of it as a stylish version of a Japanese drugstore, with prices not too high, making it an easy-to-use store.
While supermarkets often sell only large sizes, this store offers travel-size items, which is a nice convenience for travelers!
The store has a wide variety of fragrance products, so it’s a must-check for scent enthusiasts.
- Business Hours
10：00〜20：00 - Closed Day
None - Price Range
Overall, most products are quite affordable.
The Vitamin Shoppe
This store specializes in body care products and has six locations in Hawaii.
With a convenience store or drugstore size, it’s easy to enter, and they always have organic products and sale items, making it a popular spot.
They also have a lot of supplements and protein products, and unlike typical American oversized products, they offer more manageable sizes, making them easier to buy.
Sale items often have significant discounts, so it’s worth checking out.
However, some products cannot be brought back to Japan, so it’s important to check in advance!
- Business Hours
MON-SAT 9：00〜21：00
SUN 9：00〜19：00 - Closed Day
None - Price Range
Prices vary greatly depending on the product, but overall they are moderate.
Sweets
IT’SUGAR
This candy store is quintessentially American, with an interior that feels like Disneyland!
They have lots of cute, pop-style American candies, guaranteed to delight children.
Since many of their products aren’t found in other supermarkets, it’s worth checking out.
Prices are quite reasonable, so they could make great souvenirs.
The Spam plush toy is very popular as a souvenir and sells out quickly after restocking.
If you’re aiming to get one, Friday is the restock day, so it’s worth visiting then.
- Business Hours
SUN-THU 10：00〜20：00
FRI-SAT 10：00〜21：00 - Closed Day
None - Price Range
Most products can be purchased for around $10.
Check other article about Hawaii!
