Founded in 1974, Volcano Art Center is dedicated to preserving � and promoting worldwide awareness of � the Hawaiian Islands' rich artistic history. The center hosts a variety of monthly exhibits and art sales that showcase paintings, wood sculptures, baskets, jewelry, and Polynesian-influenced masks. The exhibition gallery is located in the historic Volcano House Hotel, which dates to 1877. There is some overlap with the Kilauea Visitor Center which sells some of the same souvenir gear as the art center. If you're looking for custom local art check out the art center, and if you're looking for souvenirs browse the visitor center.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: With a beautiful array of local arts, the Volcano Art Center provides some of the best things to purchase.
Jade's expert tip: Ask about local artist shows.
Over forty vendors gather Wednesdays through Sundays from 7 am. to 4 p.m. at the Kona Farmers Market. Located on Alii Drive in the heart of Kailua Kona, the Kona Farmers and Crafts Market is a must see while on the Big Island of Hawaii. Check out the huge selection of locally grown produce, flowers, hand-made arts and crafts, Kona coffee and and many more local items in the outdoor market. It's an easy stop while exploring Kailua on foot, as the market is located across the street from the ocean, in the midst of many other shops and restaurants.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: The Kona Farmers Market supports local farmers and crafters.
Jade's expert tip: Bring a reusable shopping bag since plastic bags are banned on the Big Island.
Designed to combine feeling of outdoor shopping with the comforts of outdoor shopping, the Kona International Market features boutiques, unique gifts, art, and locally made crafts. A business center is on site for your comveniance business center and coffee shop. The farmer's market and Asian market offer unique finds. The International Food Court provides extensive cuisine options and parking is free. A free shuttle also runs from the Kailua Pier on ship days from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The market also serves as a platform for local music and shows at the on site stage. This is a great place to shop to support local.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: The Kona International Market offers outdoor shopping with unique art, gifts, and locally made crafts.
Jade's expert tip: Bring a reusable shopping bag.
The Big Island's most modern mall, enclosed Prince Kuhio Shopping Plaza is home to department stores like Macy's and Sears, as well as to popular specialty shops like Foot Locker, Gamestop, Claire's, American Eagle Outfitters, and Pacific Sunwear. Nine-screen Prince Kuhio Stadium Cinemas is a terrific rainy-day option, and small kids love paying a visit to Plenty Fun Family Entertainment Center near the food court. The food court offers expected mall food options, and a supermarket an drug store on the same property, but not adjacent to the building fulfill other needs. The mall is small compared to mainland malls, but is the biggest on the Big Island.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: This is the largest and most elaborate mall on the island.
Jade's expert tip: The most unique stores are Local Style and Big Island Surf.
Located just minutes from Kona Airport, Kona Coast Shopping Center offers an unbeatable variety of department stores, specialty shops and restaurants. It's a good place to stop when you get in to stock up on necessities. From apparel for the whole family to appetizing eats, they have just about anything you could need. The collection of shops includes - 808 Computers Ba-Le Sandwich Don's Chinese Kitchen HFS Federal Credit Union Jamba Juice Kamuela Deli Royal Hawaiian Heritage Jewelry KTA Super Stores Mary's Spa Nails & Hair Orange Tree Yogurt Payless ShoeSource Radio Shack Starbucks Coffee Taeng-On Thai Food II Tesoro Wendy's Pier 1 Imports
Recommended for Best Shopping because: From gorgeous jewelry to electronics, all the basics you could need are here.
Jade's expert tip: Enjoy a sandwich at Ba Le.
Located at the Waikoloa Beach Resort along the sunny Kona coast, Kings' Shops offers visitors and local shoppers a large array of shopping choices. From Baron & Leeds, Coach, L'Occitane, Louis Vuitton to Maui Divers, Royal Gold, Solstice Sunglass Boutique, Sunglass Hut, Tiffany & Co., Tommy Bahama's, and many more exciting retailers. Dining includes Pacific Rim cuisine to casual snacks from Island Fish & Chips, Merriman's Market Caf�, and Roy's Waikoloa Bar & Grill. The Kings' Shops measures 75,000 square feet of prime retail property that boasts sales per square foot as among the highest in the state of Hawaii with a planned expansion of 25,000 more.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: The King's Shops houses the largest concentration of high end retail shops on the island.
Jade's expert tip: Check it out when you're going to Hapuna Beach or to Waikoloa.
If you plan on taking home locally made items to placate those who couldn't make it to the Big Island with you, check out this public market. Here, just a mile or so south of Kailua Pier, shoppers can find everything from handmade baskets and hats to black pearl necklaces, wood carvings, fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, and Kona coffee beans. Considered the island's largest and best open-air market. Brings a reusable shopping to join the locals in their venture towards a sustainable future and going green. Also, take a moment to separate the locally made goods from the imported ones.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: As the island's largest open air market, this marketplace offers a huge selection of unique goods.
Jade's expert tip: Take a moment to separate the locally made goods from the imported ones.
Over 200 vendors of all kinds frequent the Hilo Farmers Market. Although it's open daily, the biggest days are Saturdays and Wednesdays from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. every other day. At the market you'll find everything from jewelry, to fresh flowers, to clothing and home decor, to food, ready to eat and to bring home and cook. The market is a bustling place to socialize or window and is a classic Hilo attraction. Along with browsing the market, explore the surrounding area of Downtown Hilo, known for it's hip mix of boutiques and shops.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: The Hilo Farmers Market is a fun, large outdoor market offering a wide array of interesting goods.
Jade's expert tip: Bring a reusable shopping bag since plastic bags were banned on the Big Island in early 2013.
The small shop called Jungle Love is as unique as the community it's in - colorful, wild, eclectic and fun. Jungle Love is family run by a mother and daughter, long time residents of the area. The shop sells locally made art and home decor, as well as imported goods from Indonesia, Thailand, and the like. You'll also find a large selection of jewelry from all over the world. Shopping here offers some of the most interesting finds on the island. From bamboo chimes to local paintings and photography to batik clothing and sarongs - if it's different you'll find it here.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: Jungle Love offers a thorough collection of wild, colorful and eclectic clothing, home decor, and accessories.
Jade's expert tip: Check out the postcards and cards made by local artists to drop a line home.
The Maku`u Farmers market is huge. Seriously. Here you can find everything from clothing (new and used), home decor, house wares, garage sale like things, fresh plants for the yard, kid's toys, fresh produce, and a huge amount of ready to eat food. Taking place every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., the market is swarmed with people shopping, eating, and socializing. There's usually live music to accent the experience. The market never fails to be packed with people and is constantly growing. After passing Maku`u Drive on Highway 130, you'll see the market on your left. After the market explore lower Puna.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: This huge outdoor market offers a vast selection of new and used unique goods.
Jade's expert tip: Bring a reusable shopping bag.