Sweet Hawaii, here is my money!

December 18, 2008 3:47 PM

What to buy while in Hawaii? (Maui & Oahu)

My mom is spending Christmas & New years eve in Hawaii with her boyfriend (manfriend? They're over 50 after all) and she's asked me if there's anything I'd like bought and brought back.

Since the US is comparatively cheap on electronics, I figure that might be an option (I live in Sweden - land of expensive thingies) but can't for the life of me figure out what to get where.

I'm thinking maybe a Wacom tablet, e-ink reader or an extra SATA-drive or two. Suggestions? Addresses to cheapo stores? What should not be missed shopping-wise when on the islands? Good bookstore maybe? (heavy, but one or two pockets books might be nice) Is there a webpage that lists offers and such for the islands?

Basically, what would you get if you were going to Maui and Oahu, and is there anything worth to bring back to Europe/Sweden besides souvenirs and trinkets?

Sorry for being unspecific, but last time I went to the states I ended up getting a load of second hand clothes and mp3-player and half a library, and trying to come up with something specific beforehand is difficult.

posted by monocultured to shopping (14 comments total)

Pineapple. I know you asked for electronics, but honestly, the Dole plantation pineapples - they sell them in the airports - are so wonderful. If you're going to see your mom within a day or so of her getting back, have her get you some pineapples. They come 3 in a case and you can have them as carry-on luggage. They taste better than any canned, or even fresh pineapple you can get in a market.

Also, the ABC stores are like corner markets and are everywhere in Waikiki and Maui - and I imagine Oahu too. They have tons of stuff. Touristy, grocery and books and other goods too - for pretty good prices. It would be a good place to look for things. Otherwise, they have malls just like in the states, with major chain stores.

Here is a shopping guide for Maui shopping centers - Maui Mall - Store listing for a Oahu Mall/Shopping center...

I also recommend getting a nice Ukulele. Mine is my most prized purchase from my travels to Hawaii.

Happy Shopping!
posted by Kimothy at 4:05 PM on December 18, 2008

I don't know on the cheapness factor of Sweden vs. Hawaii, but in general, stuff tends to cost more in Hawaii compared to mainland US due to shipping. I don't know if "cheap" and "bargains" is really gonna work there.

I'd say, just go to the ABC store and get the amusing souvenirs, which aren't badly priced.
posted by jenfullmoon at 4:13 PM on December 18, 2008

My parents brought back Chocolate covered macadamia nuts and regular macadamia nuts, nothing better then that.
posted by lilkeith07 at 4:15 PM on December 18, 2008

The Ukulele sounds good. They also have an incredible selection of Hawaiian shirts there.

Anything that comes from mainland US was shipped there at great expense. Don't buy the $100 pints of ice cream, or $200 steaks they sell at the airport. That's just to take advantage of Japanese tourists who haven't figured out the exchange rate.

Something Japanese might be good, since that's closer to Hawaii than to the mainland.
posted by StickyCarpet at 4:17 PM on December 18, 2008 [2 favorites]

Kona coffee is good, and I don't even like coffee that much.
posted by cucumberfresh at 4:19 PM on December 18, 2008 [1 favorite]

Yeah, Hawaii isn't the best place to shop for items you might buy in the mainland states. Everything has to be shipped to Hawaii from the mainland, which naturally drives up the cost of most items.

The things you want to look for are those items that are indigenous to Hawaii or are produced there. Hawaii is a big exporter of coffee, macadamia nuts, pineapple and sugarcane. Other options might be local art, clothing, instruments, etc... anything having to do with their culture. I'd stay away from general "American" items though, you'll pay through the nose for them.
posted by ISeemToBeAVerb at 4:53 PM on December 18, 2008

Hawaii isn't exactly a destination for bargain hunters, but you can get yummy chocolate covered macadamia nuts and similar treats for quite reasonable prices.

You can also find inexpensive, delectable non-perishable candies and other goodies made with passion fruit (liliko'i), guava, mango, coconut, and pineapple. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, maybe try li hing mui or rock salt plum from a crack seed shop.
posted by velvet winter at 5:12 PM on December 18, 2008

kava ('awa)
posted by GooseOnTheLoose at 5:53 PM on December 18, 2008

The ABC stores, or any grocery store, will carry coconut syrup which is so yummy on pancakes or red sea salt for heartier dishes. Some of the gift shops might carry red dirt shirts or items made from kapa cloth.
posted by hoppytoad at 6:06 PM on December 18, 2008

There's a Walmart on Maui and on Oahu, too. Walmart will definitely have a SATA drive, and they might also have a wacom tablet (though based solely on their website, it doesn't look good). I highly doubt they'll stock eBook readers (like the Sony reader), but I'd imagine that they don't -- that's a pretty rare item to see in U.S. stores anywhere. Sorry I don't know of a real computer store, though I'm sure there are some haunts by the University of Hawaii (which is pretty near Waikiki beach, on Oahu).
posted by zpousman at 7:51 PM on December 18, 2008

Target stores on the mainland have been carrying Sony ebook readers this year. I've seen them in and out of stock this fall. Google leads me to believe there are Targets in HI. Might be a better hit for electronics than Wal-Mart!
posted by clango at 8:53 PM on December 18, 2008

I'd stay away from general "American" items though, you'll pay through the nose for them.
Hawaii isn't exactly a destination for bargain hunters

That depends entirely on where you are coming from and what the exhange rate is like. I was in Waikiki in April, and the shopping was amazing! At the time the exchange rate was excellent - the Aus & US dollars were almost at parity and I was getting about 0.94 US$ to the Aus$ (it's now more like 0.65US).

The Ala Moana shopping centre in Waikiki was fabulous - we mainly bought shoes & clothes and some cosmetics. Levis, Billabong, Skechers stuff was about 50% cheaper in Waikiki than in Australia and also great savings on Revlon & MAC products.
Not sure about electronics, I wasn't looking for any at the time so didn't know what was a bargain and what wasn't.

Here is a directory of the shops at Ala Moana.
There are also lots more shops in the main street in Waikiki, Kalakaua Ave.
There is the International Maket there, that has lots of trinkets, gifts, jewellery, t-shirts, etc. Some of the inexpensive silver souvenir jewellery is really lovely - necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings with little turtles, flowers, etc on them are very pretty and very Hawaiian. Pearls are also common.

Pineapple.
The fruit I ate in Hawaii was so much more sumptuous than the fruit I get at home, and I don't know what Swedish/Euro customs is like, but I'd be surprised if they allowed fresh fruit in. My daughter bought a heap of American candy & chocolate back for her friends: kisses, twinkies, reece's, things that we don't get. Macadamias are indeed awesome, we didn't get any in Hawaii as they are plentiful here.

Maybe some bottled cocktails? Not as good as freshly made cocktails, but you can get bottled single serve pina coladas and other similar coctails. Mai Tai mix?
posted by goshling at 11:15 PM on December 18, 2008

Thanks all for the wonderful answers. I'll check out the links, but as you've said I'd better stick to indigenous stuff.

Never imagined that a Ukulele would rank as an export product. Brilliant.
posted by monocultured at 4:26 AM on December 19, 2008

Hawaii isn't exactly a destination for bargain hunters

That depends entirely on where you are coming from and what the exhange rate is like.

Indeed. That's a good point, and the correction is appreciated. (Please pardon my US-centric comment.)
posted by velvet winter at 10:47 AM on December 19, 2008