Oahu - Hawaii with Kids - page 146

shops such as Northshore Boardriders Club, North Shore Marketplace,
66-250 Kamehameha Hwy. ( & 808/637-5026 ); and shops like Silver Moon
Emporium, North Shore Marketplace ( & 808/637-7710 ), which stocks an
eclectic mix of everything from great T-shirts to unique jewelry.
THE GOODS A TO Z
ALOHA WEAR
One of Hawaii's lasting afflictions is the penchant tourists have for wearing loud,
matching aloha shirts and muumuus. We applaud such visitors' good intentions
(to act local), but no local resident would be caught dead in such a get-up (espe-
cially matching “his and hers” outfits). Muumuus and aloha shirts are wonder-
ful, but the real thing is what island folks wear on Aloha Friday (every Fri), to
the Brothers Cazimero Lei Day Concert (every May 1), or to work (where
allowed). It's what they wear at home and to special parties where the invitation
reads “aloha attire.”
For the best prices in children's aloha wear, I recommend Hilo Hattie, at 700
Nimitz Hwy. ( & 808/535-6500 ) or at the Ala Moana Shopping Center ( & 808/
973-3266 ). Hilo Hattie has everything for infants to teens including shirts,
T-shirts, dresses, footwear, and even toys. In business since 1965, Hilo Hattie
has become very fashionable in recent years and offers contemporary clothing
for adults, too.
Aside from the vintage Hawaiian wear (1930s-1950s) found in collectibles
shops and at swap meets, our favorite contemporary aloha-wear designer is
Hawaii's Tori Richards. The best aloha shirts are pricey these days, going for
$70 to $100. For the vintage look, Avanti has a corner on the market with its
stunning line of silk shirts and dresses in authentic 1930s to 1950s patterns. The
$70 shirts boast all the qualities of a vintage silky but without the high price or
the web-thin fragility of an authentic antique. The dresses and other styles are
the epitome of comfort and nostalgic good looks. The line is distributed in bet-
ter boutiques and department stores throughout Hawaii. In Waikiki, the major
retail outlets are Avanti Fashion, 2229 Kuhio Ave. ( & 808/924-1668 ); Waikiki
Shopping Plaza, 2250 Kalakaua Ave. ( & 808/922-2828 ); 307 Lewers St.
( & 808/926-6886 ); and 2160 Kalakaua Ave. ( & 808/924-3232 ).
Also popular is Kahala Sportswear, a well-known local company established
in 1936. Kahala has faithfully reproduced, with astounding success, the
linoleum-block prints of noted Maui artist Avi Kiriaty and the designs of other
contemporary artists. Kahala is sold in department stores (from Macy's to Nord-
strom), surf shops, and stylish boutiques; for a list of retail outlets, check
www.kahala.com .
BABY & PRESCHOOLER CLOTHES
Apart from aloha wear (see above), Hawaii is a very expensive place for clothes.
Most island families shop at department stores like Macy's. For reasonable prices
and a wide selection, try Gymboree (www.gymboree.com), which has some-
thing for newborns to 9-year-olds. There are three stores on Oahu: at Ala Moana
Center ( & 808/955-2110 ), Kahala Mall ( & 808/735-1038 ), and Pearlridge
Center, 98-1005 Moanalua Rd., Pearl City ( & 808/484-1846 ).
BOOKS
Hawaii loves to read; you can tell by the sheer number of bookstores. You'll
never be far from a great book to take to the beach, but take the time to wander
through the Hawaiiana sections where you'll find everything from books on the