Oʻahu: Best shopping malls for holiday sales

Holiday weekends throughout the year are especially popular times for retailers to entice you to shop and save. You can find sales and discounts on a variety of seasonal goods. Stores, shopping malls, and major brands may also host special events and giveaways.

Listed below is a list of the best holidays for shopping sales and discounts. Then, scroll down for a list of some of the biggest and best shopping malls throughout Hawaiʻi.

Best holidays for shopping at sale prices

The following list includes the primary “shopping” holidays when you can expect stores and shopping malls to offer special sales and discounts on a wide range of products. Many of these sales take place over 3-day weekend holidays and others take place leading up to a holiday, such as Easter and Christmas. Mark these dates on your calendar, especially if you are a savvy shopper who likes to save money on everything you buy.

• January: Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend (3^rd Monday)
• February: Presidents Day weekend (3^rd Monday)
• April: week leading up to Easter Sunday (March 31, 2024)
• April: week leading up to Federal Income Tax due date (April 15, 2024)
• May: Memorial Day weekend (last Monday)
• July: week leading up to Independence Day (July 4)
• July: back-to-school sales (school begins August 5, 2024)
• September: Labor Day weekend (1^st Monday)
• November: week leading up to Veteran’s Day (November 11)
• November: Black Friday (Friday after Thanksgiving)
• December: week leading up to Christmas (December 25)
• December: Day after Christmas (December 26)

Shopping Malls on Oʻahu

Arranged clockwise around the island, starting from West Oʻahu up through the central valley to North Shore and around to Windward O’ahu, and then along the south shore east to west through Hawaiʻi Kai, Waikīkī, and Honolulu.

West and Central Oʻahu

We start in Kapolei and then head up the central Oʻahu valley.

Ka Makana Ali’i

Ka Makana Ali’i (“The Royal Gift”) in Kapolei is a major shopping destination for West Oʻahu offering over 100 stores and eateries, including major retailers and nationwide brands, Hawaiian goods, personal services, the Foodland Farms grocery, and a variety of restaurants, plus entertainment including games, playrooms, and a movie theater. Sign up for free as a Royal Insider to receive special discounts, plus information about the latest trends and upcoming sales delivered straight to your inbox.

Waikele Premium Outlets

Waikele Premium Outlets, in Waipahu is the only outlet center on Oʻahu. Shop at more than 50 stores, including designer and name brand such as Coach, Kate Spade New York, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch, and many more. If you need to re-charge during your shopping spree, head to the open-air food pavilion.

Pearlridge Center

Pearlridge Center is Hawaii’s largest enclosed shopping mall. There are two sections: Mauka and Wai Makai. A $1 tram ride (free for age 7 and under) takes you between the Mauka and Wai Makai sides. Pearlridge boasts 170 shops and eateries. Serious shoppers will leave the family at home or bring them along to hang out for miniature golf, in the game arcade, or movie theater.

North Shore and Windward Oʻahu

Weekend beach traffic can clog the northern roads. So, shop early or on weekdays, if possible, to maximize your shopping time. Otherwise, pack plenty of patience.

Haleiʻwa Town Center

Haleʻiwa Town Center on the Oʻahu north shore is a small shopping village with a 1960’s vibe in the surfing town. You’ll find boutique stores offering casual apparel, beach wear, jewelry, vintage goods, gifts, souvenirs, and more, plus great places to grab a bite to eat and a Longs Drug Store.

Windward Mall

Windward Mall in Kāneʻohe is an indoor shopping mall with 100 stores and eateries, including major brands and local companies, everything from apparel, shoes, and accessories, to gifts, specialty goods, services, and entertainment. Shoppers cite the relaxed vide, which can be a welcome relief over the crush of Ala Moana.

East Honolulu & Hawaiʻi Kai

Hawaiʻi Kai is the area from Hanauma Bay to Makapuʻu Point. This area boasts smaller malls that are worth a visit when you are in the area, especially for refreshment or supplies.

Koko Marina Center

Koko Marina Center offers independent specialty stores, a movie theater complex, and services, plus many restaurants and a Leonard’s MalasadaMobile, and several merchants offering gear, rentals, and lessons for every type of water sport. One popular eatery is Kona Brewing Co.

Hawaiʻi Kai Towne Center

Hawaiʻi Kai Towne Center stores include Costco, Ross, and City Mill, plus a range of restaurants including the original Roy’s. There is also office and storage space.

Kahala Mall

Kahala Mall in East Honolulu was the first enclosed, air-conditioned shopping center in Hawaiʻi. Located in the Kahala residential neighborhood east of Diamond Head, the mall offers over 100 shops and restaurants, plus a Whole Foods grocery store and movie theater if you want to make a full day of your shopping excursion.

Waikīkī

International Market Place

International Market Place in Waikīkī is an upscale shopping center with a storied past that is evident through the architecture, water features, lush landscaping, and 100-plus-year-old banyan tree. The parking garage entrance is on Kūhiō Ave at the intersection of Walina St.

Royal Hawaiian Center

Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikīkī is a collection of over 100 distinctive stores including international luxury brands and unique island boutiques, plus many options for refreshments from grab-and-go to sit-down restaurants from casual to upscale dining. The parking garage entrance is on the right side of Royal Hawaiian Ave.

Waikiki Beach Walk

Waikiki Beach Walk has eclectic boutiques offering apparel, accessories, and gifts, featuring locally made products, plus casual and fine dining restaurants.

Kakaʻako & Ala Moana

Ala Moana Shopping Center

Ala Moana Shopping Center is the world’s largest open air shopping mall with well over 300 stores and eateries on three levels. There are luxury stores, department stores, nationwide brands, and local Hawaiian goods. To keep your energy up (shopping can be hard work!) there are well over 100 dining options from snack foods to casual eateries throughout the mall and inside some department stores, plus the Level 1 Makai Food Court (next to Ross), the Lanai @ Ala Moana Center (next to Macy’s) and the Level 4 full-service restaurants.

Ward Village

Ward Village is a sprawling complex of smaller malls and living spaces that replaced the old Ward Centre. There are three districts: 

• East Village Shops: South Shore Market (1170 Auahi St), Ward Centre (1200 Ala Moana Blvd)
• Kamake‘e Corridor: ‘A‘ali‘i Shops (987 Queen Street), A‘eo Shops (1001 Queen St), Ward Entertainment Center (1044 Auahi St), Anaha Shops (1108 Auahi St), Waiea Shops (1118 Ala Moana Blvd # 100)
• West Village, Victoria Ward Park (210 Ward Avenue)

SALT at Our Kaka‘ako

SALT at Our Kaka‘ako, a project of Kamehameha Schools, is situated on 29 acres of ancestral land, home to former wetlands and pa‘akai (salt) ponds. As Honolulu grew, ancient traditions gave way to an industrial development spotted with blue-collar residential neighborhoods that were eventually swallowed up in commerce. Today, the area is transforming once-again to recapture the hard-working entrepreneurial spirit of the past. You’ll find many locally-owned independent retailers, creative eateries, and services in this vibrant, new shopping mall rooted in Hawaiian tradition.

Honolulu

Navy Exchange at Pearl Harbor

Navy Exchange Mall at Pearl Harbor at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Cited as one of the best exchanges in the system. Who can shop there:

• Active-duty members from all four branches of military service
• Guard & Reserve members
• Military retirees
• Medal of Honor recipients
• 100% disabled veterans
• Authorized family members

Aloha Stadium Swap Meet

Aloha Stadium | Swap Meet & Marketplace is Hawaii’s largest outdoor market. You’ll find hundreds of vendors, crafters, and artists from all over the world. The choices include jewelry, bags of all kinds (shopping, backpacks, cosmetic…), vintage goods and antiques, tools and flotsam, inexpensive dresses, aloha shirts, bargain t-shirts, Hawaiian quilts. There are also food products (nuts, coffee, jams, etc.) and food trucks for a meal. Open three days a week: Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Admission: $1.00 per person (age 12+).