Oahu - Hawaii with Kids - page 147

art of lei making to how to identify those colorful fish in the ocean. Borders,
with its main branch at Ward Centre, 1200 Ala Moana Blvd. ( & 808/591-
8995 ), is a great place for kids to hang out and read (they even have kid-size
chairs); check out special weekend events for children. Barnes & Noble, Kahala
Mall, 4211 Waialae Ave. ( & 808/737-3323; www.barnesandnoble.com), with
more than 150,000 titles, has a respectable kids' selection and strong Hawaiiana
and fiction departments, as well as a popular coffee bar. If you are looking for
something uniquely Hawaiian, try Pacific Book House, 1249 S. Beretania St.
( & 808/591-1599 ), where the literati come for finds in Hawaiiana, rare prints,
collectible books, and other out-of-print treasures. A likely favorite for your
teenagers is Rainbow Books and Records, 1010 University Ave. ( & 808/955-
7994 ). A little weird but totally lovable, especially among students, eccentrics,
and insatiable readers, the store is known for its selection of popular fiction,
records, and Hawaii-themed books, secondhand and at reduced prices.
DISCOUNT SHOPPING
Just say the word “Waikele” and my eyes glaze over. So many shops, so little
time! And so much money to be saved while shopping for what you don't need.
There are two sections to this sprawling discount shopping mecca: the Waikele
Premium Outlets, some 51 retailers offering designer and name-brand mer-
chandise; and the Waikele Value Center across the street, with another 25 stores
more practical than fashion-oriented (Eagle Hardware, Sports Authority). The
64-acre complex has made discount shopping a major activity and a travel pur-
suit in itself, with shopping tours for visitor groups and carloads of neighbor
islanders and Oahu residents making pilgrimages from all corners of the state.
They come to hunt down bargains on everything from perfumes, luggage, and
hardware to sporting goods, fashions, vitamins, and china. Examples: Donna
Karan, Saks Fifth Avenue, Mikasa, Kenneth Cole, Banana Republic, and dozens
of other name brands at a fraction of retail. Kids will love Big Dog Sportswear,
Blue Hawaii Surf, Crazy Shirt, Hawaiian Moon, and Local Motion. (You'll
probably want to check out the deals at The Children's Place and OshKosh.)
The ultra-chic Barneys has added new cachet to this shopping haven. Open
Monday through Friday from 9am to 9pm and Sunday from 10am to 6pm, the
complex is located about 20 miles from Waikiki at 94-790 Lumiaina St.,
Waikele ( & 808/676-5656; www.premiumoutlets.com). Take H-1 west toward
Waianae and turn off at Exit 7. Or take bus no. 42 from Waikiki to Waipahu
Transit Center, then no. 433 from the Transit Center to Waikele. To find out
which companies offer shopping tours with Waikiki pickups, call the Informa-
tion Center at & 808/678-0786.
FLOWERS & LEIS
At most lei shops, simple leis sell for $4 and up, deluxe leis for $10 and up. For
a special-occasion designer bouquet or lei, you can't do better than Michael
Miyashiro of Rainforest Plantes et Fleurs ( & 808/591-9999 ). He's an ecolog-
ically aware, highly gifted lei-maker—his leis are pricey, but worth it. He cus-
tom-designs the lei for the person, occasion, and even destination. Order by
phone or stop by the Ward Warehouse, where his tiny shop is an oasis of green
and beauty. Upon request, Miyashiro's leis will come in ti-leaf bundles, called
pu`olo. He also offers custom gift baskets (in woven green coconut baskets) and
special arrangements. You can even request the card sentiments in Hawaiian,
with English translations.