Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [87]
Locals Only (Map; 942-1555; Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd; 9:30am-9pm Mon-Sat, 10am-7pm Sun) Around since 1981, this homegrown brand’s name says it all. Rayon reproductions of vintage aloha shirts and casual T-shirts speak to island lifestyles – our fave is a Rastafarian-colored shaka sign with the logo ‘Keep Hawaii Green.’
Manuheali′i (Map; 942-9868; 930 Punahou St; 9:30am-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm Sat, 10am-3pm Sun) Look to this island-born shop for original and modern designs. Hawaiian musicians often sport Manuheali′i’s bold-print silk aloha shirts. Flowing rayon dresses take inspiration from the traditional muumuu, but are transformed into spritely contemporary looks.
Cinnamon Girl (Map; 947-4332; Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd; 9:30am-9pm Mon-Sat, 10am-7pm Sun) From the whimsical genius of O′ahu fashionista Jonelle Fujita, flirty rayon dresses that are cool, contemporary and island-made hang on the racks here, while feminine sandals, bejeweled necklaces and sweet floppy sun hats line the shelves.
T&L Muumuu Factory (Map; 941-4183; 1423 Kapi‘olani Blvd; 9am-6pm Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm Sun) So much flammable aloha wear in one space! This is a shop for tutu (grandmothers), to whom polyester represents progress. Bold-print muumuus run in sizes from supermodel skinny to queen, and pu′u skirts are just funky enough to wedge into an urban outfit.
Montsuki (Map; 734-3457; 1148 Koko Head Ave; 10pm-5pm) In the low-key Kaimuki neighborhood east of Waikiki, the mother-daughter design team of Janet and Patty Yamasaki refashions classic kimono and obi designs into modern attire. East-West wedding dresses, formal wear or sleek day fashions can all be custom-crafted.
Antiques
Antique Alley (Map; 941-8551; 1347 Kapi‘olani Blvd; 11am-5pm) Delightfully crammed full of rare collectibles and other cast-off memorabilia from Hawaii through the decades, its co-op vendors sell everything from poi pounders to vintage hula dolls and Matson cruise liner artifacts.
Lai Fong Department Store (Map; 781-8140; 1118 Nu′uanu Ave; 9am-7:30pm Mon-Sat) This family-owned Chinatown shop sells a hodgepodge of antiques and knickknacks in all price ranges, from Chinese silk and brocade clothing to vintage postcards of Hawaii from the early 20th century. Tailor-made apparel can be custom ordered.
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GETTING THERE & AROUND
To/From the Airport
For transportation options and driving directions to and from Honolulu International Airport, Click here.
Bus
The Ala Moana Center, just northwest of Waikiki, is the central transfer point for TheBus, O′ahu’s public transportation network. From Ala Moana, you can connect to dozens of routes across the Honolulu metro area, and other parts of the island. For general information about TheBus, including useful routes, schedules, fares and passes, Click here.
Private trolleys also trundle between Honolulu and Waikiki (Click here).
Car
Directions in Honolulu are often given using landmarks. If someone tells you to ‘go ′Ewa’ (west of Honolulu) or ‘go Diamond Head’ (east of Waikiki), it just means to head in that general direction.
Honolulu traffic jams up during rush hours, from 7am to 9am and 3pm to 6pm on weekdays. Expect heavy traffic in both directions on the H-1 Fwy during this time, as well as on the Pali and Likelike Hwys headed into Honolulu in the morning and away from the city in the late afternoon.
Downtown Honolulu and Chinatown are full of one-way streets, traffic is thick and parking can be tight, so consider taking the bus. N Hotel St is open to bus traffic only. Expensive hourly parking is available at several municipal parking lots and garages, including at Chinatown Gateway Plaza and ARTS at Mark Garage. On-street metered parking is hard to find on weekdays, easier on weekends; bring lotsa quarters.
On the outskirts of downtown, the Neal S Blaisdell Center offers all-day