Hawaii Big Island Shopping: Top 11 Malls and Markets
Where to Shop in Hawaii Big Island and What to Buy?
Hawaii Big Island’s shopping scene is just as exciting as its wondrous nature and varied landscapes. Strip malls here hold cultural events and performances weekly so that visitors can experience local culture and the aloha spirit, while the various farmers’ markets showcase the best of Hawaiian fresh produce and locally made products.
On a tropical island like this, malls here are designed to resemble open-air markets, where you can check out local art in the galleries or equip yourself with beach gear at the surf shops. For a true island-style shopping experience, visiting a farmers’ market on Big Island is your best bet. Get ready for retail therapy with these best places to go shopping on Hawaii Big Island, below.
1. Queens’ MarketPlace
An open-air mall for shopping, dining, and entertainment
Good for: Shoppers, Budget
Queens’ MarketPlace within the Waikoloa Beach Resort consists of more than 35 shops. The resort-style mall also houses a cineplex and a supermarket well stocked with fresh produce, food, and drinks so you can gather the necessities for your stay.
Shopping options range from Hawaiian boutiques to international stores offering a great variety of items. You can also check out the galleries showcasing works by local artists or get something Hawaiian from the gift shops for your living room or the folks back home. When you’re hungry, grab some freshly made poke, sushi, bakery items, and other Hawaiian and Asian-inspired or mainland cuisine from the restaurants, food courts, or the supermarket deli.
Location: 69-201 Waikoloa Beach Dr, Waikoloa Village, HI 96738, USA
Open: Daily from 10 am to 8 pm
Phone: +1 808-886-8822
Queens' MarketPlace
2. Keauhou Shopping Center
A strip mall with a supermarket and weekly live performances
Good for: Families, Food, Shoppers
Keauhou Shopping Center is where you can get your groceries, picnic supplies and beach gear, especially if you’re staying in the Keauhou area. There’s a huge supermarket with a deli serving freshly made musubi, sushi, and Hawaiian food, as well as several eateries to satisfy your cravings.
The variety of shops ranges from drugstores to clothing stores, and there are specialty shops where you can purchase souvenirs and local products to take home. The center also boasts a movie theater and a heritage center and on Saturday mornings, you’ll find a farmers’ market with vendors selling fresh fruits, veggies and fish. You can also catch local cultural events held in the mall. Don’t miss the weekly free Hawaiian cultural performances.
Location: 78-6831 Alii Dr #232, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Open: Daily from 10 am to 6 pm
Phone: +1 808-322-3000
Keauhou Shopping Center
See also
3. Kona Inn Shopping Village
A historical shopping village perfect for a stroll
Good for: Families, Shoppers
Kona Shopping Village, on the waterfront on Ali’i Drive, is a quaint shopping village full of Hawaiian charm. Formerly a hotel where wealthy visitors who traveled by steamships stayed, the boardwalk shopping village has been home to shops, art galleries, and boutiques where you can buy unique memorabilia and Aloha wares since 1980. There’s also a supermarket and drugstore for anything you need.
Offering stunning sunset and ocean views, along with Asian, Hawaiian and American food, the Kona Inn Restaurant is a great spot for dinner. After your evening meals, take a stroll along the shoreline where you can sometimes spot dolphins and other marine life.
Location: 75-5744 Ali’i Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Open: Daily from 10 am to 7 pm
Phone: +1 808-329-6573
Kona Inn Shopping Village
4. Kona International Market
For wooden sculptures and authentic Hawaiian plates
Good for: Shoppers, Food, Budget
Kona International Market combines an outdoor market with an indoor shopping experience. Essentially a flea market, booths are set up here, with vendors selling exquisite hand-carved wooden statues, artworks, and crafts that would make wonderful decorative pieces for your home.
There’s also a food court with cuisines from various countries. Sample authentic Hawaiian plates like laulau (pork wrapped in taro leaves), kalua pig, poke, and poi (mashed taro) or enjoy some Mexican or Filipino food. Like shopping at most markets, haggle the prices down when buying anything from the booths and you might walk away with a bargain. To get there, take the free shuttle that runs from the Kailua Pier on days when cruise ships drop visitors off.
Location: 74-5533 Luhia St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, United States
Open: Monday–Friday from 8 am to 5 pm (closed on Saturdays and Sundays)
Phone: +1 808-329-6262
Kona International Market
5. Kings’ Shops
An upscale lakeside mall for a premium shopping experience
Good for: Families, Shoppers, Food
King’s Shops is a high-end mall that features brand-name stores and local boutiques, across the road from Marriott Hotel in the heart of Kohala Coast. Luxury shoppers can take a look at Tiffany & Co. and Michael Kors, while those looking for something uniquely local can head to the art galleries that sell quality gifts and crafts, or local jewelry stores with handcrafted bracelets.
Dining options include a few restaurants serving Pacific Rim cuisine and Hawaiian plates, as well as a fine-dining restaurant serving food prepared with locally sourced produce. Discover Hawaii through song, dance and storytelling at different cultural events, markets, and tours organized at the mall.
Location: 250 Waikoloa Beach Dr, Waikoloa Village, HI 96738, USA
Open: Daily from 10 am to 8 pm
Phone: +1 808-886-8811
Kings' Shops
6. Prince Kuhio Plaza
A family mall to spend the day with your kids
Good for: Families, Shoppers
Prince Kuhio Plaza is the biggest mall on Big Island and offers plenty of shopping, dining, and fun options for the whole family. With 74 retailers, you can find clothing, footwear, jewelry, gifts and much more. The various casual restaurants, snack booths and cafes offer international, American, and Hawaiian fusion food.
When you’re tired from all the shopping, catch a flick at the movie theater, take a break on the massage chairs scattered throughout the mall, or take your kids to the arcade where they can play a variety of games on the machines. Kill time here on rainy days or cool off on hot days without getting bored with so many cool offerings.
Location: 111 E Puainako St, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
Open: Monday–Thursday from 10 am to 7 pm, Friday–Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm, Sundays from 11 am to 6 pm
Phone: +1 808-959-3555
Prince Kuhio Plaza
7. Hilo Farmers Market
An authentic Hawaiian shopping experience
Good for: Shoppers, Food
Hawaii is famed for its artisanal products, and the best place on the Big Island to sample the local merchandise is at the bustling Hilo Farmers Market. If possible, come during the busier days of Wednesday or Saturday when a small army of local farmers comes to flog off their wares. Aim to arrive in the morning for the liveliest atmosphere and remember to bargain hard.
The produce on sale includes anything from cheese to coffee and kettle corn to macadamia nuts, all of which are fresh and delicious. If you’re in the market for superb souvenirs, check out the traditional Hawaiian handicrafts such as bongo drums, jewelry, and artwork.
Location: Corner of Kamehameha Avenue and, Mamo St, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
Open: Daily from 7 am to 3 pm
Phone: +1 808-933-1000
Hilo Farmers Market
8. Maku’u Farmer’s Market
A large market with fresh produce, hot food, and live music
Good for: Shoppers, Budget
Maku’u Farmer’s Market on the east side of the Big Island carries a huge selection of fresh Hawaiian fruits, nuts, honey, and homeware. Whether you need clothing, soap, art, jewelry, plants or food, this market has it all. With hot food stalls serving Lebanese food, Thai food, Mexican food, French food, Vietnamese food and authentic Hawaiian food, you can discover culinary delights from all over the world under one roof while live bands perform during lunchtime.
Experience the aloha spirit here with a mixed crowd of shoppers including locals, tourists and hippies, all on the hunt for what their hearts desire.
Location: 15-2131 Keaau-Pahoa Rd, Pāhoa, HI 96778, USA
Open: Sunday from 7.30 am to 2 pm (closed Monday–Saturday)
Phone: +1 808-896-5537
Maku'u Farmer's Market
9. Ali’i Gardens Marketplace
For locally made unique gifts to take home
Good for: Families, Shoppers, Budget
Ali’i Gardens Marketplace is an island-style market that’s worth checking out on Big Island if you’re looking for something truly unique to get your friends and family. About a mile south of Kailua Pier, Ali’i Gardens Marketplace is where visitors come to shop for handcrafted trinkets made by local artisans.
Here, you can find natural soaps, coffee beans, artwork, T-shirts and jewelry. One of the most popular stalls here is the coconut stall where you can get a personalized decorated coconut and have it mailed to your loved ones. If you’re hungry, grab some grub from the BBQ stall that garners great reviews from visitors or cool down with a shaved ice drizzled with homemade syrup.
Location: 75-6129 Ali’i Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Ali'i Gardens Marketplace
10. Kona Farmers Market
Authentic Hawaiian items
Good for: Shoppers, Budget
Kona Farmers Market is a welcome sight in the heart of Kailua Kona if you happen to be strolling along Ali’i Drive and looking for local Hawaiian souvenirs. The street-side market has a variety of vendors under tents selling everything from locally grown fresh fruits and veggies, flowers, nuts, dried fruits, herbs, honey and locally made products that you never even knew existed. You could also find the popular Kona coffee sold here.
There are food trucks and food stands for when you’re feeling hungry from all the stall browsing. The market is open 5 days a week and the assortment of goods on display changes daily depending on what the vendors have on any particular day. Look for the popular Kona coffee for an instant pick-me-up.
Location: 75-5767 Ali’i Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Open: Wednesday–Sunday from 7 am to 4 pm (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Kona Farmers Market
11. The Shops at Mauna Lani
Where to fulfill your beachwear and grocery needs
Good for: Shoppers, Food
The Shops at Mauna Lani is where you can come to buy your beach and grocery essentials, and it’s especially convenient if you’re staying at Mauna Lani Resort. Stores here are mainly focused on beachwear and beach gear, and most people come to The Shops at Mauna Lani for anything they could need for a day at the beach.
The supermarket, Foodland Farms, stocks a fantastic array of locally sourced food and fresh produce, including a full-service bakery and deli. Dining options include restaurants that serve Hawaiian food, a steakhouse, a sushi restaurant and a vegetarian restaurant serving sandwiches, wraps, salads and more. Check out the galleries showcasing some great local art that you can take home.
Location: 68-1330 Mauna Lani Dr #100, Waimea, HI 96743, USA
Open: Daily from 10 am to 9 pm
Phone: +1 808-885-9501
The Shops at Mauna Lani
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