O'ahu is a shopping mecca with something for everyone. Home to hundreds of fashionable designer stores as well as markets that carry locally made crafts, visitors are sure to love the shopping experience no matter where they go.
- Ala Moana Center will welcome seven new merchants in Summer and Fall 2009. Two new retailers, Aeropostale, a specialty retailer for young men and women, and Miu Miu, Prada's sister brand, will open their first Hawaii locations in May 2009. Goma Tei Ramen, offering authentic Japanese ramen, noodles and specialty dishes, and Wetzel's Pretzels, which specializes in soft pretzels, will also open in May.
Summer store openings will include Kate Spade and Michael Kors in June. This will be Michael Kors' first stand-alone store in Hawai‘i. Fall will commence with the highly anticipated opening of Hawaii's first Victoria's Secret.
- In November 2008, local residents Liz Lerner and Kai Cost opened Guava Shop, a women's boutique in Haleiwa on Oahu's North Shore. Guava Shop is located in the Haleiwa Town Center and carries popular mainland brands, including Indah, Splendid, C&C California, Frankie B, and several others.
The boutique is also an exclusive carrier of Red Flower and Salt Swimwear and offers handcrafted Kaila jewelry by Kai Cost and items from local green companies, including Plastic Free Haleiwa and Defend Oahu Coalition.
- As part of its $115 million revitalization, Royal Hawaiian Center recently introduced 15 new merchants to its 110 shop and restaurant offerings. Wolfgang's Steakhouse by Wolfgang Zwiener, a restaurant from New York, opened its first location in Hawaii at the Center in February. 7
For All Mankind, a luxury denim retailer, also opened its first Hawaii location at Royal Hawaiian Center. The Paina Lanai food court now has nine options including the Grove Bar, Monkey's, Paradise Café, Ezogiku, Kenny's Hawaiian Express, Sbarro, Yummy Korean BBQ, Maui Tacos, and the first Tacone Flavor Grill to open in Hawaii.
In addition, Little Hawaiian Craft Shop, which sells made-in-Hawaii products, has relocated to a new location on the third floor, and Ai Amour Luxury Lingerie opened its doors with high-fashion designer lingerie separates. Select specialty carts like Lotus Natural Beauty feature new skincare products, while Komang Jewelry and SoHo offer accessories.
The Center also continues to offer free entertainment and cultural classes, including lessons in hula, lei making, Hawaiian quilting, and ukulele.
- Ward Centers added six new merchants to its family of over 135 shops and eateries. In January, In4m Boardshop, a skateboard specialty store by the owners of In4mation, opened its doors at Ward Warehouse.
February welcomed the opening of Brian's Hawaiian Kitchen and Expressions Portrait Studio at Ward Warehouse, and marked the opening of popular surf brand Hurley's first retail store on Oahu at the Ward Entertainment Center.
Later this spring and throughout the summer, Ward Centers will be busy with the opening of Blazin' Steaks at Ward Warehouse, Taco Del Mar at Ward Centre, and the completion of Sports Authority's newly expanded Ward Gateway Center store.
Several popular Ward Centers stores will also be reopening in new locations in the next few months, including Marukai 99 Store and Pictures Plus.
