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Published: August 3rd 2006
This post is going to be on a hodge podge of things about Honolulu which may help our visitors experience various aspects of Hawaii. Waikiki where 90% of the tourists usually stay at, is a town within a town have numerous shops and restrarants, where they need never leave to enjoy their stay there. However, they may want to venture out of their comfort zone and experience a little more of the real Honolulu. Perhaps a suggestion would be to hop on the #19, 20 or 42 bus for a short trip to Ala Moana Shopping Center, or further up the Blvd. to the Ward Shopping Complex which includes Ward Warehouse, Ward Centre, Consolidated Theatres, Famers Market and Sports Authority. About 2 blocks up towrds the Mountains from Ala Moana SC, is the Walmart and Sams Club complex.
So what does one shop for while in Hawaii? Of course Chocolate covered Macadamia Nuts or just plain Macadamia Nuts would make you Numero Uno, at the office when you return. Other unique Hawaii foodstuff, are the different flavored Kona coffees such as Macadamia nut (of course), white chocolate, hazel nut, chocolate, Irish Creme, etc. Or tropical fruit preserve such as Guave
or Papaya Jelly or Jam. Because of our mixture of culture, we tend to adapt to each other eating habits and sometime experiment with fusing East West North and South. Hurricane Popcorn is like your regular popcorn you pop in the microwave except they add a little eastern touch by adding Arare(Japanese Soyu coated rice crackers) or Nori Furikake (Seasoned Seaweed flakes), and believe me, it's great. You can also buy Arare separately, and mix it with your popcorn yourself.
You may also see various "crack seed" (Chinese style preserved fruits) for sale in the snack areas. It really a generic term as not all are cracked. One variety is and is quite sticky and gooey, but they have dryer varieties like the most popular Li Hing Mui, salted or sweet ginger, Li Hing Mango, pickled plums (my favorite, but also wet ), etc. Or you may see Shredded Cuttlefish or Ika. fried squid or Seaweed. Don't knock till you've tried it.
Perhaps less intimidating are the various flavored Mac Nuts, such as onion and garlic flavored, honey glazed and the latest, Wasabi Teriyaki.
Other things to buy are Hawaiian Tee Shirts which can sell for as cheap
Too Coy for Their Own Good.
Actually the Kois are hiding from the strong mid-day sun.as 8 for $20.00 especially at the Swap Meet. Some have Hula Girls, Warriors, Surfers, Fishes, Flowers, etc. adorning them. Shell necklaces, though perhaps imported from Philippines,
nethertheless are very good bargain, or even imitation puka shells necklaces with whale tooth fish hooks or pink or black coral jewelry. Real Kukui Nut leis used to cost up to $50.00 but now they have imitation that looks almost real for $4.00, some with flowers imprinted on them.
Some stores sell only genuine made in Hawaii products like Native Arts and McArthurs, though the price may be higher than the typical made in China or Philippine souveniors, one finds in Longs or Walmart. However, islands artists have become quite creative lately and their products are colorful and well designed and produced.
Of course you may need to take a break and find a place to refuel. There are places like the Makai Food Court with International Fast Food or individual restrarants like Bubba Gumps, Island Burgers, Romano Macaroni, Jackie Chan, California Wok, Pineapple Room (Alan Wong's, in Macy), Assagio's, L&L, Zippy's, etc. in Ala Moana SC.
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