Japanese Bookstore on Maui?

February 27, 2008 9:18 PM

Is there anywhere to purchase Japanese magazines on Maui? Oahu is also on the itinerary - suggestions for good places there would be fabulous.

Specifically, I'm interested in picking up the latest issue of Cotton Time. Any other Japanese language/published crafting books or magazines would be a huge bonus.

Google searches have turned up all kinds of books about Maui/Hawaii but no actual bookstores and their specialties.

I'll be in Maui a few more days and then over to Oahu for the next few days before heading home to the mainland. I'd prefer to go while in Maui and am not stretched for time and transportation (I have both kids with me).

I did find Hakubundo on Oahu. Any other suggestions would be awesome.

posted by TauLepton to shopping (3 comments total)

There's a Borders in Kahului, which is dead central Maui, right near the airport. Don't know if it carries the magazine in question, but I wouldn't be surprised. Call 'em at 808.877.6160 and ask.
posted by mumkin at 10:38 PM on February 27, 2008

I can't give you an exact answer, but I'm pretty sure you'll have 100x more luck in Honolulu. Kahului is the biggest city on Maui and there isn't much there beyond the Borders and the Kmart.
posted by MillMan at 10:59 PM on February 27, 2008

Hard to say whether they'll carry the title you're looking for, but there are three places I would check on Oahu (sorry, don't know Maui very well at all):

1) Shirokiya - located at Ala Moana Center, next to Macy's. It's a large, general merchandise store, but there are books and magazines on the first floor. And if you're at Ala Moana, might as well check out the Barnes & Noble, one floor down from Shirokiya.

2) Don Quijote - located two blocks from Ala Moana Center, on the corner of Makaloa and Kaheka St.; it's a transplanted Japanese discount store, and does a pretty good job of replicating the hyperactive, slightly psychedelic experience of the native Japanese chains. Luckily, they got rid of the hanging vines and the singing plethora of penguins around every turn, at the request of the many frightened elderly customers. As such, I have no idea where they moved the magazines. They do this every now and then to confuse and disorient their patrons.

3) If you walk across Kaheka St. from Don Quijote towards Kanunu St., there's an asian video rental that also sells books and magazines, so you might as well check that out too. I don't know the name, but it's hard to miss.

Good Hunting. Especially if you go to "Donki." You'll need it.
posted by krippledkonscious at 12:33 AM on February 28, 2008 [1 favorite]