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Aloha Stadium Swap Meet
- Hours:
Wed, Sat 8 am - 3 pm
Sun 6:30 am - 3 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
323 reviews for Aloha Stadium Swap Meet
323 reviews in English
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Review from Meg H.
Las Vegas, NV
5/23/2012
This swap meet is HUGE! I got a good quality beginning Ukelele here for a decent price. I'm sure I could have bargained a little bit, but I suck when it comes to asking to pay less.
They have a huge selection on dried fruits and just fruits in general. The fresh coconut is delicious and the person who cuts it for you uses a machete like it's a butter knife. Pretty damn amazing!
The only downside to this place is that a lot of the vendors carry the same stuff and it is bloody hot!! So dress as if you are going to the beach. The asphalt bounces heat off the ground and the sun is radiating down, pretty much feels like you're being cooked in an oven.
P.S. Wear sunblock unless you want to get fried.
P.S.S. Bring an umbrella. -
Review from Lynette T.
Los Angeles, CA
5/20/2012 1 photo
We went crazy at the swap meet.
Listening to the advice from friends & family, we came packed light.
Our omiyage (gifts for the Hawaii relatives) took up our luggage weight limits anyways.
We planned to go home heavy with gifts for friends & family back home.
Um.......we bought too much stuff here.
After getting everything back to the hotel, we assessed the luggage situation and then called the relatives and begged and insisted that they not give us anything.
Of course, they didn't listen! Hahaha! But they did scale back some which helped.
We hadn't even bought any of the food stuffs yet and our luggage was even heavier!
Had to go back on Saturday to buy two extra carry-on duffle bags to help get everything home!
My poor husband was turned into a pack mule that first day.
We did the entire circle around the stadium.
Oh, and mid-way through, we took a break and had some of the tastiest mango & pineapple sprinkled with li hing powder I've ever had. Nothing better than fresh island fruit! http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Don't even bother with those ABC shops & the International Marketplace in Waikiki.
Just come here!Listed in: Hawaii fun!
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Review from Gabriel T.
Aiea, HI
5/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
If you is a tourist or a guest of the islands visiting and wanting to get some souvenirs from here then this is one of the best places to get them. This is a good destination and location for tourists and guests of Hawaii not only because of the items and souvenirs and novelty but also because it is close to Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial, another key spots for visitors to go and check out. They don't have a farmer's market section like they do at the Kam Swap meet but they do make up for it with lots and lots of booth vendors selling Hawaiian hand crafted kind of stuff. You'll see many of the same booths and items such as Hawaiian hand crafts, bracelets, leis, necklaces, ukuleles, local kine t-shirts, local kine apparel, and just many more. There are some unique vendors that will sell something totally un-tourist related like weight lose products and a local snacks/food area but it does blend in well with the swap meet. Nonetheless, there is a lot of cool and interesting things at the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet. One time, they sold some really car flags and medium sized flags for pretty cheap. I cannot find them anymore but at the time I am glad I bought it. Walking around the Aloha Stadium looking at all of the vendors can be a day's adventure and journey within itself. At the same time, you can go check out Aloha Stadium if you are a tourist. I have seen the prices of stuff at the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet go from cheap to small kine cheap. Seeing the stuff around you is almost like walking around the International Market Place where you see the same item from a different vendor all the time when walking around. Parking is pretty good. Get choke parking on the side and all around Aloha Stadium. It's like a buck to get in everytime there is Swap Meet on Wednesdays and the weekends. The weekends are the busiest. I like to go here often just to check out what's new most of the time. If you are ever hungry, there are a couple of shave ice stands and local kine plate lunch stands around the area. The prices are decent. It's also a good place to get a tan just walking around on a hot Hawaiian sunny day.
Yelp 365 Challenge #277/365 -
Review from TinTin N.
Frisco, TX
5/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
Shop for your gifts here, don't get ripped off at the hotel gift shops or shops in Waikiki
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Review from Voneezy S.
Chula Vista, CA
5/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
This is a great place to shop for all your souveniors for friends and relatives. You can bargain for great prices and some of the things you find there you wont find any where else in Waikiki or in any ABC store. Dont forget, do not leave valuables in plain site where your car can get broken into. There is a sign that states that and plus as you come in, the person at the gate will remind you. It is located at the aloha stadium. A must see and save your money at the regular places, come here and spend all your money here. You find the best deals here. If you are visiting Honolulu, make sure you make time to visit this place.
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Review from Brittany P.
Aiea, HI
5/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
Always very hot. Same goods everytime. But I love going to it to shop for people I'll see when I go home
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Review from Lai T.
5/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Honestly, everyone tells me there are deals to be found at the swap meet-but I have yet to really encounter any of those. I think I would like the swap meet more if I were better at haggling. My girl friend was here visiting and her dad had given her some money to pick up t-shirts. We were such amateurs and pretty much paid the list price for everything :p
It is $1 per person to enter and gets quite hot in the afternoon. I've been told that it is best to come early. There are a lot of vendors, many selling the same things. I felt that the fresh coconuts were a bit expensive ($7!). -
Review from Nimai W.
4/5/2012 4 Check-ins Here
"Auntie, how much this one?"
"$20!"
"I give you $10.."
""What?! Real leather! $17!"
"Yeah but stay worn out, look! $12.."
"No, no.. too low"
"Okay, okay $15."
"$15."
Okay so I don't quite have those haggling skills yet, but I'm learning.
Why go to the Swap Meet? Bargains and FUN!
I always see or hear something interesting at the swap meet, my girlfriend and I sometimes go just for the entertainment. I mean, who doesn't love rifling through other peoples belongings?
I was rummaging through this bin of crappy camera gear and my girlfriend points out a 35mm slide at the bottom of the container. Curious, I picked it up to investigate... Tits. No kidding, it was a picture of a lady sprawled out on the floor, topless. We were cracking up! It felt good to act like we were nine, again. Pretty much made our morning.
On Sundays, don't waste your time on the outer circle of touristy stuff and food vendors, check out the inner rows where you can find everything from fresh produce, plants, jewelry, kitchenware, tools, furniture, pocket knives, electronics, books, dvd's and whatever you might find at a garage sale or a goodwill. You can also find some interesting military surplus gear, too, just stay away from the MRE's that have been sitting out in the sun. Those won't be good for long. For fresh MRE's check out http://www.yelp.com/bi....
Something look overpriced? Haggle away! A lot of people don't even put price tags on their things. You just lift it up and say, "Auntie, how much this one?" If you're too shame to release your inner-local and bust out the pidgin, just look interested and you'll get some attention.
Be aware, just as much as you can find great bargains here, you can get ripped off, too. So hold your cards close, and have a good time!Listed in: Emergency Prep Supplies, Anti-Rock Fever, Guns'n'stuff
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Review from Joanne A.
4/2/2012 2 photos
It's been over ten years since I last went to the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet. For some reason, I thought there would be a lot more vendors. Maybe there was ten years ago, but when I was there during vacation last weekend, it didn't seem as plentiful like I expected.
Good thing we got there at a decent time, 10:00ish is probably late, but we managed to get good parking after paying a dollar admission per person in our car. They charge you as you drive into the parking lot, so have your cash on hand.
They had the usual stuff you'd expect that most Yelpers already summarized in their review, so I won't repeat what they wrote. I attempted to negotiate when I felt the urge to, but only managed to talk down the price on the girly purse hook souvenirs I bought ten of (she was selling them for $5.99, I priced it down to $5 each and got some free key chains/bottle openers with my purchase). I also got the story of how the vendor divorced her now ex-husband because he smoked two packs of cigarettes a day for free. She later advised me it's not always about the money. Yup, I got cute purse hooks and free advice in the three minutes I spent at her stall.
The kiddies in our families scored on some seriously cute Hawaiian gear. Eight bucks each for the cutie pie dresses and Aloha shirt & short sets for the toddlers we bought outfits for. I loved that the same exact insulated lunch bags I saw at International Market Place for $7.99 the day before only cost me four bucks at swap meet.
My Mom asked me to buy her some pickled mango, found it there for six bucks per one pound bag. Gotta make mama happy, so I bought her three pounds worth of this stuff she later told me she loved. Unfortunately, that also resulted in TSA doing a second inspection on our return flight home with my checked-in my bag to make sure I wasn't out of compliance with the Department of Agriculture regs. I figured that was going to happen, but knew I wasn't violating any laws, so be prepared if you plan on bringing pickled, seedless fruit back to the mainland...you might be better off packing it in your hand carry if you don't want your checked in bag opened.
Our friend bought this beautiful piece of wooden artwork that was hand carved by a young and very talented guy that had a stall there. It was carved as a mini surfboard with some intricate carving of tropical flowers and turtles, very zen and awesome to look at. For no additional cost, the artist carved the family name on it, turned out really nice.
However, my only gripe about this swap meet is the lack of food spots to eat at once we got hungry. We purposely skipped breakfast and went straight here thinking we'd have some wonderful food options. Unfortunately, they had about three stands spread out around the swap meet and all sold the same stuff, BBQ sandwich, pork sandwich, or grilled shrimp with rice & salad. My boyfriend ordered all three for us to split between the two of us (his eyes were hungrier than his stomach) and all three options were very dissatisfying. Don't waste your money on this, it's totally not worth it. If the discreet vendor that's located at the covered patio, you're better off buying a loco moco plate or breakfast sandwich from him. I bought a loco moco mini plate after we threw away the other items we couldn't force down, this held us over until we ate a better meal later in the day.
As others suggested, go early. We lucked out where the sun wasn't beating down on us too badly, but it will get hot out there. Five stars for the clean restrooms at the stadium though, lol! -
Review from Matt K.
Fort George G. Meade, MD
5/16/2012
Really not different from any other flea market. A lot of booths selling the same stuff. Prices are good on shell jewelry. For instance, shell necklace at hotel "A Deal" at $5.00. Vendor told me the necklace was the only thing he had that was made in Hawaii. Found the same necklace at Flea market for $2.00 with tag, "Made in the Philippines."
Bought a $3.00 bag of cut pineapple with a spice because it was cold and I was hot. -
Review from Corine P.
If you are a tourist in Oahu, do not go anywhere else to buy souvenirs or local snacks but here. The cheapest kukui necklaces and macadamia nuts are not in the ABC stores or Hilo Hattie. They are at the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet. AND...you can haggle. What could be better?!
Buyers beware, their hours are short and if there is a sporting event going on they close up early. Best to get their early to get your parking fee's worth and to avoid the afternoon rays.
This meet gets frequented by locals, tourists and celebrities alike. My friend went their and snapped a picture of Kanye West (circa Amber Rose). -
Review from Christine O.
Honolulu, HI
3/15/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I come here for 2 things, well actually 3 things. 1) Hula bread - i loveee this stuff! Yummy hawaiian sweetbread. Mmm, cut it, grill with butter and slap some jam (that u buy from the lady with the awesome lilikoi butter and jams)...breakfast of champions. 2) Balsamic Hawaii - umm have u tasted their 25 year old balsamic? Its delicious! And i have nearly every flavor of olive oil they carry. And 3) the guy from Lin's! "Juiccyyyy sweet hawaiian pineapple. Best in hawaii. Do u want good or do u want the best? Its da bomb" -- he makes it worth coming just to listen to. And his li hing pineapple really is the bomb! :)
Everything else is just normal "get cheap shirts, keychains, and trinkets for when u gotta bring gifts to the mainland" kine stuff. But its cheap to get in, good exercise, and has a few really delicious offerings :)
Oh! Dont forget to pick up one of those foccaccia calzone type stuffed sandwich things. Its a yummy lunch and they always have free samples! -
Review from Cindy L.
San Jose, CA
5/6/2012
I was visiting from California and staying in the Waikiki area. This is the place to go for most of your souvenirs because everything is less expensive here than on the streets of Waikiki, or probably anywhere else on the island. I bought magnets, shells, and dried fruit. Happy with my finds.
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Review from Jason A.
Sunnyvale, CA
5/3/2012
I come here every time I come to Hawaii. At least Oahu. Great place to get souvenirs and "coconut" drinks. They also have great prices on ukulele's. Bought my tenor and baritone ukulele there.
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Review from Lily B.
2/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Ahhh the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet... same stuff for sale every weekend of every year for the last 20 years... lol okay maybe not 20 years... maybe 19?? Much hasn't changed...
Tourist hot spot... has a little bit of everything:
-souvenirs (keychains, mugs, knick knacks, fake flowers)
-aloha shirts
-t shirts
-picture frames
-jewelry
-"hawaiian" themed items
-fabric
-shoes/slippers
-instruments
-luggage
-bedding
-beach wear
-towels
-plants
-the list goes on...
There are a ton of vendors and you could easily spend a half day or more perusing through all of the different stations. They have vendors and they also have people who sell used home items (kinda like at Kam Swap Meet).
You can negotiate prices if you're a hustler which can save you a buck or two!
There are food items for sale as well, and the fresh coconut juice is my Mom's fave!
Plenty of parking. -
Review from Caitlin T.
East Lansing, MI
2/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
Who doesn't love the swap meet?! All of the souvenirs a tourist could want, or if you want to send a present to someone on the mainland. You can get some delicious Li Hing pineapple, underwear, sweats, hats, paddles, knock-offs of any kind, you name it, they got it. The 2nd row of tents are usually more like garage sale stuff. You can get old military clothes, furniture or toys there for cheap.
The main bits of advice I have to anyone coming is:
1, Bring cash. They only have a few ATMs and they take awhile with their little antennas and they charge $5 service fee. Also it is $1 per person who enters.
2. Go to the bathroom before you come. I believe they have 2 restrooms, but they are usually dirty.
3. Sunscreen, especially if you are a tourist. There is hardly any shade.
4. Hydrate! It gets really hot. -
Review from Vicky L.
1/31/2012 1 Check-in Here
Souvenirs. Like, a lot of them. Keychains, bags, swimsuits, shirts, towels, necklaces, food.. perfect for getting a bunch of stuff for coworkers or friends who expect gifts upon your return.
I think this may be the place I got the most sun (?!), so I'm glad I slathered on the sunblock before I went. Only open Wednesdays and on the weekends, so we went earlier Wednesday to beat the crowds and the sun (unsuccessful).
For tourists, this is a short drive (like, one minute practically) to Pearl Harbor, so if you REALLY want to avoid other tourists, go here early Wednesday morning, then go straight to Pearl Harbor before the tour buses arrive. You're welcome.Listed in: On a vacation HI
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Review from Tiffany C.
Long Beach, CA
2/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
A shop-a-holic's paradise ... or a shopping junkee's nightmare. Come here and you can't help but buy something.
I was on a mission. I know what this place is, it's a swap meet. It was my first trip to Hawaii, and I needed souvenirs, and it was souvineers I got. T-shirts were $7 for $20. Flowers for my hair were $7 for $5. Keychains and magnets ... there was so much to choose from.
However, one word of warning. It is a little too easy to get lost in this place. If we weren't on a time crunch, I probably could have spent the whole day there. The shops start to look the same after a while. Keep track of where you started, because before you know it, you may be looking at the same shops over again.
The shops sell pretty much the same things, but you can get better bargains at certain ones if you're willing to look. I even got two large rolling luggage pieces for only $65 for both. That's less than you can get just one at the department stores. And trust, these things are pretty durable too.
It's a swap meet. You're not going to find designer items here. What you will find are some nice nik naks to remind you (and everyone else you get a souvineers for) of your awesome time in Hawaii.Listed in: Hawaiian Adventure
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Review from Angie T.
Natomas, Sacramento, CA
4/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
It's always great to go to the swap meet for souveniers and local snacks for cheap!! It might be the same vendors, but they always come out w/ new patterns for the aloha shirts and dresses. Just gotta Shop for it. After all that's what your there for. ;)
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Review from Kristen T.
San Jose, CA
1/11/2012
Need some cheap, great looking souvenirs or gifts for anyone back home? Well then, the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet is the place for you!
Here are some great tips:
-Saturdays are by far the best days because that's when you'll be able to get a chance to look at all the vendors.
-Get here early...trust me it gets hot and it won't be fun to shop in the heat.
-Shop around! Sometimes places just two stores down will be a bit cheaper than its neighbor
-Come here for all your goodies instead of the International Marketplace
-If you buy in bulk, you can usually bargain down the price!
-Peruse through those tourist books before coming, you can usually find a coupon to get free parking!Listed in: ALOHA!
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Review from Courtney F.
Alexandria, VA
2/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place was awesome. I think I ended up buying at least one thing from every other booth. The only part that made me angry was - I was with my wife who insisted on going into every tent, truck, nook, cave, plastic bag, box...pretty much if you hung a coat hanger outside or had something shiny you just won 15min of her time (and mine by default).
Make sure you randomly buy all the ingredients to make the best PB&J EVER! Go get a loaf of Hawaiian bread from the bakers booth (ONLY after you've eaten as many free samples as possible. My suggestion buy the 7 for $20 t-shirts, that give you 8 chances to eat damn near a whole loaf of bread), get some local flavored honey and peanut butter, and all of the jams from the lady selling jam (again FREE SAMPLES first LOL)
If you're a guy going there with your significant other the proceeding instructions are important
*Man'structions*
Step 1- Find some shade
Step 2- Make PB&J with all the ingredients you just bought
Step 3- Stare at Aloha stadium while eating sandwich and think - if this was a few months earlier (or later) you could be watching the Pro Bowl
My other suggestion is bring a wad of cash and an empty book bag you're going to need it. -
Review from Carady M.
Tacoma, WA
3/4/2012
Not really a swap meet in name, more of a giant ass flea market. I remember going to a place like this in Massachusetts with my grandma back when I was knee-high. Definitely touristy, cheap, cheesy, but just know what to expect. Flea Markets aren't glamorous or fancy, yeah there's a lot of cheap crap, but that's par for the course.
It's a good way to kill a few hours if you don't have anything to do and want some cheap knick-knacks to take home for friends. The grocery stands are awesome, I found boiled peanuts for the first time in like ten years. Lots of deals if you buy in bulk or try to bargain. Handful of ATMs around if you run out of cash. A couple of the stands take debit/credit too. I got a little lost and actually walked around completely a couple times without realizing it, and I still only saw about half the shops. The place is huge! Not too badly crowded though. Some of the smaller shops start packing up around noon, but even around 2 pm there were still vendors open. Didn't try any of the food, but the garlic shrimp smelled awesome. I did pick up an overpriced slushee; should have gone for lemonade instead. -
Review from Tamra P.
2/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
If you are the kind of person that likes to hunt for a deal, the Swap Meet is your kind of shopping experience. For the bargain price of $1 you can gain entry into the bazaar of Hawaii souvenirs made in China. My husband stocked up our house with beach towels he picked up here on the cheap. If you're a hula dancer (or want to pretend you are one) there are tons of shell, kukui, and silk flower lei. I also found a cute beachy dress for $20. You can even buy a coconut to drink from, or shave ice. Filthy Farmgirl (which is locally made) had a booth, check them out for fun toungue-in-cheek gifts. There are the rasta booths, the Hawaiian print dress/pareo booths, the cheesy T shirt booths, the stuffed animal booths, the bag booths....and tons of jewelry.
Make sure you come early or at least when it is not hot because it can be swelteringly miserable here. It rained the last time I went, and I was actually relieved because at least I wasn't dying of heatstroke. Wear sunscreen, dress cool and comfortable, and be sure to remember where you parked. Walk around a bit, chances are whatever you are looking at will also be in the booth 5, 10, and 15 booths down from you also. Bring cash, and happy hunting! -
Review from Racheal R.
Kapolei, HI
4/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Go as early as possible so the sun isn't beaming down on you and parking is a lot better. We haven't been here for a long time and at last minute, decided to go, look around and check it out. They sell the same things at different stalls, some cheaper than others. We ended up just getting little things for the kids, which made them happy. It was a nice time walking around with the family, but it would've been better if we got there earlier. We got there around 11 and the sun was just shining down on us. I felt bad for the kids.
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Review from Angelo F.
12/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Second time here so I think I have a pretty good handle one how to negotiate a good deal.... Especially since Im good in Sales.... =)
Most vendors have the same deal when it comes to shirts, dresses and other items. The idea is to buy in multiples or to buy more than one item from one vendor. For example, one vendor had shirts, hats, tiarre flowers and accessories. My total came out to $55. Told the lady theres another booth about 100 feet away where I can get all this for $40. At first she said no, so i started to put the items back and she quickly said, OK $40! Done deal!
Everything is pretty negotiable so dont be afraid to try. I think my best deal was a carry-on bag. It was selling for $35. This was already cheap and pretty good quality. Offered $20 and ended up getting it for $25.
Tip: wear sunscreen and bring some water. It can get pretty hot there.
Deal in cash. -
Review from Jon F.
1/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
I was honestly not very impressed with the swap meet. Great spot to pick up a ton of T shirts for next to nothing (7 for $20 at many booths!) but there wasn't much other than the same shirts and jewelry at every corner. I did get some great sauces from Gnarly, and another good sauce from a fruit vendor. Food was also not as plentiful as I had hoped when I got here.
Good deals if you want some random souvenirs / board shorts / t-shirts / or jewelry, but I wouldn't expect to find too many gems here like I was hoping. It is probably better than downtown Waikiki if you are looking for those type of wares. -
Review from Shawday B.
San Francisco Bay, CA
3/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great place for Hawiian goods - food, drinks, bread, shirts, shells, jewelry, art, accessories, etc. My hubby and I came here about a week and a half ago on our Hawiian vaca. He grew up on Oahu and him and his mom came here all the time when he was a kid - according to him its still just as jumpin. Mostly locals there so you know it's good stuff!
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Review from Holla F.
Oakland, CA
4/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
On a hot ole day, all you need to do is walk down several stallks and walk back to your car. It's the same products stall after stall..save yourself the torture by walking no more than 10-20 stalls, otherwise you will have to walk the entire circle for the same stuff.
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Review from Joyce B.
Oceanside, CA
2/20/2012 3 photos
One of the best stops during my first time in Hawaii. We went early on a Wednesday and stayed for around 3 hours...first thing we did was get a fresh coconut for $3 and a bottle of kava.
Vendors wrap around the entire stadium. This is the best spot to get your souvenirs super cheap! For around $30, I was able to get t-shirts, towels, bracelets, shot glasses, old school Hawaii license plates, and food...a fraction of what you would spend at all those ABC stores. Many vendors are willing to bargain with you.
Walking around the entire stadium with the sun bearing down on you may not be a pleasant feeling for everyone. Many vendors sell the same things at the same prices. Luckily, you can find what you need without having to walk around the whole stadium. -
Review from James B.
San Leandro, CA
4/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
Same stuff over, and over, and over again. Not worth the trip.
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Review from Maria L.
Riverside, CA
1/23/2012
They have an amazing collection of things! Souvenirs, gifts, accessories for yourself. What's great about it is that there's so many vendors to choose from and you can still bargain for a cheaper deal on whatever it is you're trying to get. They have fabrics, pareos, earrings, necklaces, ukuleles, towels, blankets, hula girls, clips for your hair, fresh coconuts, EVERYTHING! And since it's held at the stadium, it's gigantic! You would need at least 3 hours to walk around and enjoy MOST of the booths.
Since it's a swap meet, ALWAYS CARRY CA$H! -
Review from Caitlin C.
Boston, MA
1/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
Really, how can you not like this place?
Sure, most of the "shops" sell similar things, but you can always find a great deal (or five) while you're there! -
Review from Joraine G.
San Mateo, CA
12/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Getting my cardio on at the flea market.
I love this place because I know I must've burned some calories doing a full rotation walking in this heat.
Just when I thought I couldn't possibly walk anymore and my calves felt like they were going to fall off, something would catch the corner of my eye and I'd say, "Hey, look they're selling those (insert cheap souvenir of your choice here______), maybe it's cheaper here, or maybe they have the (insert color or different style here____)", only to find that maybe they do, maybe they don't, and once you've given up, you'll walk another 3 steps only to find yourself in the same situation again until Voila'! you've realized that you've circled the entire stadium (although you have no idea how).
Sunblock is essential, and I ended buying a big floppy hat to shield me from the sun. Got really tan my first day in Hawaii thanks to this place. Jersey shore in the house. Just kidding.
LIKES:
-Assortment of cheap souvenirs
-You should be able to find SOMETHING here
-Street vendors with cold fruit, shave ice, or fresh coconut juice and they cut the coconut open in front of you-great pick me up just when you think you're gonna pass out.
DISLIKES:
-Some prices aren't that much cheaper than if you bought them in a REAL store. If you're going to make the journey and walk in the blistering heat, then the savings should justify the sacrifice, so you really need to shop around at other vendors or be a great haggler. I really hate when I buy something only to find it cheaper two vendors away.
-Tough crowd, and I mean, the vendors that drive a hard bargain. I expected to be able to negotiate prices and maybe the bf and I just suck at it because I think the highest discount I got off something was $1. Whoop dee doo. You would think they would be more lenient but nope, they were firm, and I wasn't even lowballing!!!
I guess I need to take a class on how to increase my negotiating power. But would definitely visit this place again to buy (insert cheap souvy of your choice here). -
Review from Iris T.
12/24/2011
Definitely a good place to get souvenirs that are sold in Waikiki for way cheaper. However I'd keep in mind much, if not most, of the products are fairly similar throughout the entire stadium and not to mention, made in either the Philippines or Thailand. If you're looking for variety, this really isn't the place to go -- albeit there are maybe 2-3 stands that carry things that are different than the rest.
A good place to walk around, peruse, and buy some cheap run-of-the-mill souvenirs. But if you're looking for one-of-a-kind souvenirs, this really isn't the place to go. -
Review from Sandra s.
12/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is a great place for travelers to visit, and get all their souvenirs here to bring back to the mainland. Things sold here are much more affordable than the ones sold around the Waikiki area. In addition, if you are lucky you can negotiate a good price.
Entrance fee to go inside the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet is only $1 per person. There are many vendors selling a variety of goods (7 for $20 t shirts, nurse scrubs, dried food products, home items, photography pictures, snacks (sweet bread, cookies, coconuts, etc), appliances, jewelry, handbags, ukele, and etc.
My sister and I bought many of our souvenirs here to bring back to love ones. We also ate at one of the food trucks (bbq pork sandwich and the buttery garlic shrimp w/ rice & corn and salad lunch box) which was very delicious! P.S - there were a few shaved ice stands too.
It can get quite tiring walking around the aloha stadium for hours, so do not forget to eat something and hydrate yourself. :) -
Review from Paul K.
9/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Well, it is a tourist trap.....but, then so is the rest of Waikiki. $1 entrance, plus bus ride or rental car from Waikiki, I would say it's worth it if you want to buy a fair amount of souvenirs- it's also very close to Pearl Harbour, so if you think you can get away with only a half a day there (or your wife is an anti-battleship nazi and you're forced into half a day) then combining the two makes sense.
If you're looking to score a fair amount of touristy souvenirs (Aloha shirts, Postcards, dried fruits, etc) I think you can save yourself some $s vs shopping in Waikiki- if you're only looking for a shirt or two, the savings probably doesn't offset the hassle of getting there. Also, be aware the market currently only runs Wed / Sat / Sun. -
Review from Somnang D.
Honolulu, HI
3/18/2012
Not great, I've been to better swap meets. Every corner has the same thing. Shirts Jewels, Fruits and antiques. I honestly think everyone goes to the same wholesaler for merchandise. But for tourists' I can imagine it would be fun.
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Review from Chelsea A.
San Francisco, CA
9/9/2011
Man, this place has gone way downhill. Remember back in the 80's where every single lot was taken by vendors, and how crowded it used to be? Admission was only 25¢ per person. Those were the days. I also remember a lot of vegetable vendors--my grandma was SO ecstatic and overwhelmed at all the produce selections.
Now, it's sad and pathetic. There are hardly any "good" vendors anymore, mostly knock-off tshirts, shoes, and the like. Hardly any vegetable and other food vendors. I only come back because of the tageu lady, whose style was a bit ostentatious, but was super nice and friendly. I'll always remember her warm spirit and generosity of giving samples out and iced-cold water/juice to those that came to her lot. -
Review from Nina H.
10/22/2011
I used to come here all the time with my parents as a little kid and I still love it! They still sell fresh coconuts and that's one of the best parts that I always look forward to when going to the swap meet. That was no exception for my most recent visit back to Oahu.
In addition to buying the coconut, we bought li hing mui snacks, t-shirts, souvenirs for friends, beach towels and I even bought a ukulele. There are so many random things to buy here and it's fun to just shop around too. The best part is that you can always bargain and usually get a great deal out of it.
It's a diverse crowd, you'll definitely see both locals and tourists here on the weekends. It can definitely get really hot so remember to use sunscreen and drink lots of water. The food options here aren't very vast so don't rely on eating lunch here.Listed in: Oh-Oh-Oahu
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Review from Tara K.
9/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
When I think of a "Swap Meet", I think of people trading old/used stuff for other old/used stuff. That's not the case here. This is a great place to pick up souvenirs! Most of the items I bought were half the price they were in Waikiki! And, you can bargain! They have a huge assortment of t-shirts, hawaiian clothes, shot glasses, mac nuts, hawaiian jewelry, fresh and dried fruit, etc.
It's open on Wed and Sun only and $1 per person to get in. You'd have to take a shuttle or bus from Waikiki (it's really close to Pearl Harbor). So, if your just looking for 1 or 2 souvenirs, it's probably not worth the excursion. But, if you have much to buy - definitely worth it! As with the rest of Hawaii, it gets really hot walking around. Bring water and wear sunscreen.
