Waikele Center

The basics

The Waikele Center is home to familiar international fashion brands such as Banana Republic and Old Navy, as well as home-grown brands with island flair, including the Local Motion surf shop. There’s also a food court where you can refuel with a bite to eat at a typical mall staple such as Panda Express or try local flavors at Mr. Malasadas or Laverne’s Hawaiian and Local Style Food.

Things to know before you go

• The center is open-air so not a good rainy day option.

• Free parking is available at Lowe’s.

• Waikele Center is wheelchair accessible.

How to get there

The shopping center is located west of Honolulu, around a 25-minute drive from Waikiki. You can also take the E bus from Waikiki, in the direction of Ewa Beach, to Paiwa Street and Hiapo Street from where it is just under a 20-minute walk to Waikele Center. Shopping shuttles from Waikiki transport shoppers to nearby Waikele Premium Outlets.

When to get there

The Waikele Center is open seven days a week, year-round. The center is open from mid-morning until late evening, but hours for individual stores vary so you should call or check specific store’s websites before heading out. The best day to visit is the first Friday of the month when, during the center’s “What the Truck?” event, dozens of food truck vendors set up shop on the grounds.

Multicultural Shopping

After Waikele Center, you can get a taste of Hawaii’s diversity by visiting nearby H Mart and Don Quijote. H Mart is an outpost of a popular Asian grocery chain and has a food court serving Korean favorites such as tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and kimchi fried rice. Don Quijote Waipahu is an outpost of the Japanese discount department store, which sells everything from groceries to jewelry. Both are less than a 10-minute drive away.