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Went 9 o'clock at night.
In the Rain.
Surreal back alley feel.
Under canopy of trees off busy section of Kalakaua Av.
Dim footpath.
Hustling bustling crowd.
Whoa!!! How'd that big ol' banyan tree get back here? Like "Lion King" Tree of Life.
Lots of food joints, hats, sunglasses, souvenir, and tennis shoe joints.
Ooo, do I see a cotton candy stand?
Hmm, a vendor wants to sketch my portrait?
Cute trinkets at some of the stalls.
Bought black baseball cap with silver embossed Superman "S" at a cramped little sports shop.
Lost Superman hat following day on Waikiki Beach.
I want my Superman hat back.
And more cotton candy.
Will return next Spring.
The BF & I were here for not even a while but I got some clichéd Hawaiian souvenirs.
If you like and know how to haggle, have patience and time -this is the place for you.
For less than an hour; I scored 2 child's ukulele, 3 pairs of earrings (round studs almost like jade), Hawaiian dancer dashboard wobbler (say that 3 times! lol) all for about $25-28! I bought them in separate kiosks/stores.
I could have spent and bought more useless stuff if we had the time...so make sure you plan this trip out!
Located in the heart of Waikiki is a giant tourist trap with a Polynesian tiki feel. You feel like Indiana Jones. It's sprawling and confusing at times with its maze of stores and kiosks. Especially because a lot of the stores and kiosks look exactly the same over and over and over again.
The food court is pretty extensive with Choi's Kitchen and even Dole Whip. Hank's Haute Dogs and Puka Dogs each have a location in the maze. They have entertainment in the form of dancing and singing also.
It's generally a good place to find trinkets for the tourist stuck in Waikiki.
My sisters and I love the International Market Place! So many shops to check out. Lots of souvenir shops. Remember, when you shop for souvenirs, to buy them further from the entrance. It tends to be less as you venture further in. Its like a flea market so you can bargain with some of them.
This is just a review of the food court. Just want to say the food court is good.
Try the Burger (Seems like Beef is just better than West Coast) ....good juicy beef.yum..... can't say pineapples are a must. Beef is.
Korean place was good too.
I definitely want to come back to try the other places. Prices are decent.
One stop shopping for souvenirs. Hubby and I bought matching Hawaiian shirt and dress here. I know it's cheesy but you can negotiate and get a good deal. I bought a few shell necklaces here. Always negotiate - this is a tourist trap and vendors will always try to rip you off. They have a Lids store here but the hats are expensive. A majority of the vendors only accept cash but the vendors with store fronts may accept credit card.
You can find really good deals here. The further in you go the more they are willing to negotiate. I bought silver jewelry when I was here a few years ago turned brown and tarnished within a few months. So I stick with just the shell jewlery and no silver.
The food court has gotten a lot better. I enjoyed the Vietnamese food stall with the hot noodles and the rice plates. The combination meat plate is enough to feed 2 people. The food court offers decent food for the price they charge. Check out the koi pond and stone structure in the middle of the market. It's the coolest thing - my friend built it.
This is a great place to shop for souvenirs. Prices can vary widely between shops. Make sure you bargain with the shopkeepers to get a better price.
They've got a food court with plenty of choices. There is an outdoor stage where they have free hula performances.
The only thing I didn't like about the marketplace is that it can be a little confusing because there are so many shops everywhere you can easily get lost.
This is a must for anyone visiting Waikiki. Here, you can find something for just about everyone at this outdoor market. You will find something for just about everyone - jewlery, tee-shirts, beach towels, hand-made quilts, pottery, etc. I was in Waikiki for 7 days and I visited this place several times. I'm a sucker for great deals. I would comparison shop with the surrounding shops and exchanges for things I wanted. The best deals were definitely here at the market. The best thing is that you can also come here to see free performances and grab a bite to eat at the DELICIOUS and cheap Choi's Kitchen. Just be careful because there are lots of scammers. Definitely spend the time to comparison shop. Do not by the first ie; tee-shirt that you see because you will definitely find it for much cheaper the further along you go.
Do yourself a favor - DO NOT miss this must-visit spot. Just keep strolling down Kalakaua, you won't miss it!
Walking down Kalakaua Avenue after dinner is a ritual for most tourists in Waikiki. There's entertainment in the form of street performers. There are groups of young men and old ladies trying to get you to into the gun club/shooting range up in one of the buildings.
There are also lots of window shopping at all of the boutique and high-end stores. For most of us, the only actual shopping happens at the International Market Place.
This place is filled with lots of little booths where you can find relatively good prices on souvenirs including T-shirts, Hawaiian shirts, dresses and outfits, wind chimes, jewelry, candles, etc. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if most of these booths were run or owned by the same people at the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet.
Most of the items do not have prices displayed. Why? The vendors try to get the shoppers to bite on their inflated opening price. A quick decline and suddenly the price drops 20% immediately. Suddenly, I feel like I'm back in Beijing or Shanghai as the mostly Asian women running the booths start throwing out prices and asking me how much I want to pay.
In addition to the shopping, there are a number of bars, restaurants and a food court in the marketplace. In the food court, I've eaten at the Korean restaurant, the Filipino restaurant and had a shave ice or ice cream at the Dole booth. There's usually only one person working in the Dole booth so be prepared to wait.
If you feel like winding down in the evening, this is a nice no-stress area to just wander and browse.
Walked down here a couple of times while in Waikiki. It's a nice place with lots of touristy items. Though, things can get a little pricey depending on which shop/booth you choose to buy from. It's best to head towards the back where no one goes...you get better deals there.
After a while, though, things being sold can get repetitive. How many Hawaiian made jewelry booths do you need?
Overall, a great place to visit if you are visiting Waikiki!
A must-visit-site for all the tourists for souvenirs at gift shops, kiosks full of Hawaiian must haves, and marvelous hand-made wax candles.
With a full food court servicing consumers to a variety of food, the best dessert to pick up is Dole's frozen yogurt while watching scheduled live shows in the center of the court.
We make SURE our hotel is within walking distance from this market.
Great for souveneirs and A Most Excellent Venue to bust out those pushy haggling skills! What you find at one cart you will most certainly find 2 carts over, then another 2 over, and so on, so make the rounds before you settle on a price! Fun tourist-y thing to do!
If you're not into crowds and haggling then be prepared to be overwhelmed and bamboozled.
The International Marketplace is a great place to find souvenirs to take back to the mainland for all of your envious loved ones back home. Although it's much cheaper than shopping on the strip at actual souvenir shops around Waikiki, It's definitely not the BEST place if you're really into scoring good deals. You're really going to want to visit Duke's Market which literally is right next door to IMP!
Prepare to haggle and walk around in circles in search of a good deal. People will insist to you that they have the lowest prices but it's all a con to get you to buy. The carts closest to the main entrance usually are the more expensive vendors that pray upon inexperienced tourist tired from walking the strip. The true secret is.. walk towards the back of the marketplace to all of the lonely vendors that are desperate for your business!
The food court is quite a eclectic variety of food vendors from Filipino food to Sushi. Lots of the places are inexpensive with awesome mom and pop style food. Occasionally you'll see a grandma in the back with her sleeves rolled up making the food. Those are the kind of spots you must stop and eat at!
Flea markets just aren't for me. Tacky souvenirs, tacky t-shirts and just an overall waste of time. Spend your time at a beach on the north shore or inside another shopping mall.
Love the fact that my hotel was right next to the international market place. Here is where you can find great bargains, especially if you know how to haggle. They have a pretty waterfall fountain with koi fishes. here you can buy all your souvenirs on the cheap. They have a bar on the second floor but when we went there it was closed due to remodeling.
I would probably skip the food court. Their prices are expensive and the quality of the food isn't that great.
This place is also close to where all the street performers perform. You gotta check out the guys that uses spray paint to make awesome pictures. However, beware of the paintings that they sell. Not all are originals. Apparently they sell copies of their work. The only original will probably be the one you see them working on. Either way, I think their paintings are really cool.
Lots of shops and little restaurants in the food court. There is also a stage in the food court where there are free performances in the evenings at 7pm. We came here to see our friend's sister perform hula.
I haven't shopped here - only eaten the food at the food court. I like the two korean stands, and also the Dole smoothie stand. Prices are average for a touristy area.
Go for the food court, stay for the... uh... food?
The food court is the best part of this shopping center. There are a ton of cheap fast food-type vendors at this open-air center. I had food from a two places, and hubby had korean bbq from Yummy BBQ. The food was all good - for the price. The ice cream shop is really good too - the two flavors I tried on our trip were both great.
Beware the birds at the tables at the food court! Sit under the roof or you risk getting covered in bird poop if you sit under the huge tree. It happened to us!
The rest of the shops in this place all seem to have the same schlocky stuff. Airbrush tattoos were a hit with the kids, but the rest is all just junk.
Perfect place to get souvenirs, I think we went to this place 3-4 times throughout our vacation...
Great place to stop by and bargain for some souvenirs or goodies for yourself. The further you go in, the better the deals of course.
They do have a little food court in back with some selections, I wouldn't say it's the best choice for eating but it's something.
souvenirs/ gifts for the loved ones..
food courts that are weird
a famous hot dog stall..
5 stars for the post office/ internet cafe thats on the 2nd level.
ive never been to a post office thats open after 530 pm (on saturdays) & the only employee is flippin thru a mag (& youre the only customer in sight)
in other words, buy a shit load of post cards, stumble up the stairs w/ difficulty cuz youve been wading in the ocean w/cocktails in hand all afternnoon, then scribble nonsense onto the 5 for $1 post cards, & make your loved ones turn green w/envy once they recieve your greetings cuz they wish they were drunk at a hawaiian post office
memories... and as such are probably better than the actual experience.
just go there to chill, people watch, get a bite to eat and relax. I could spend days watching candles being made. other than that all I got to say is...
don't shop here!
Mahalo!
;D
When I think of this place, I think of a glorified flea market. There's a bunch of kiosks and little shops you can visit and look at all their trinkets and souvenirs and whatnot. Like other Yelpers have said, you gotta know how to HAGGLE! Do NOT buy stuff from here at full price. You gotta learn how to negotiate with the seller to bring the prices down. If you can't do that, then you shouldn't be here unless you wanna end up broke in the end!
They sell tons of stuff from clothes to lighters, jewelry to food, etc. A lot of shops may sell similar items so make sure to shop around first so you can get the best prices.
They also have the wonderful koi pond by the entrance of the market. Beautiful koi fish just swimming around in the pond! Also, sometimes they have nice little luau shows during the night with music and everything. So it can a be a nice spot to relax in as well, especially during those hot summer nights.
It's a very touristy spot, as expected, but if you've got about an extra 30 minutes to an hour to spare, just stop by here and see if anything interests you!
The only real international aspect of this outdoor shopping center comprised of vendors and kiosks is the food court which consists of Vietnamese, Korean, Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, and a few other types of food.
Most of the kiosks have similar types of items like pearls (where you pick your own oyster and they open it up for you), postcards, keychains, magnets, and other touristy souvenir things. It's kind of like a swap meet with a much more organized set up and more relaxed environment.
Decent area to spend an hour to pick up inexpensive souvenirs to bring home, but wouldn't consider it to be anything too significant.
There's a post office on the second level if you need to mail anything out so that's definitely convenient.
I missed out on the Swap Meet due to iternary conflicts, so this was my only "bargain market" feel of Hawaii. I would have to say most of the shops are run by my fellow chinese people. And believe me they want your business. If you are really into finding deals it would be wise to make a first loop around to see what each cart has to offer and get an idea of how much. After a while things start to look the same. The stuff isn't all that cheap really. You can haggle and some carts will take the bait. It really depends on the day you are going for great deals. Some will say "business is slow today" and ask what you'll pay for. Some will be pretty rude and blow you off, while some are trying to be nice.
I came here a couple of times and the things i wanted fluctuated up to $5 bucks. There was a koa bangle I really wanted and the first time around she told me $20 on Sunday night and the Monday morning $25. I flat out told her "um I can get this at the mall for $18"-- a little white lie. Then she caved and said she'll give it to me without tax. Score. Not sure if I won or she did, but I really wanted the bangle. I was happy and so was she. I didn't think the market charged tax, but I noticed some did . . .
I loved shopping here for souvenirs!! There's sooo much to choose from. There's also alot of cheap but good restaurants here! During our trip in waikiki last week, we made about 2-3 stops to the market place.
It's like the swap meet, but smaller and higher priced, probably better quality, touristy souvenirs (I'd rather go to an ABC store or the swap meet). The only thing I like, other than the yellow line on the floor for you to follow (in case you can't find your way out...since it is organized in an unusual way) is the old-school, paper-cutting, silhouette artist in the back.
I was able to sample his handiwork since he was commissioned to work at my friend's wedding. He produces such accurate profiles of people's faces...just by cutting it out of paper! He's really nice, strikes up a conversation while he's cutting you out of paper and does really good quality stuff. Once you enter, go towards the right and then somewhere behind the banyan tree, that's where you'll find him.
The International Market Place will always be very special to me. I would normally have given it 3-4 stars for the great people watching, fun bargaining at random kiosks, and the great food court, but the International Market Place served as the venue of one of my fondest memories of Hawaii.
For a quick background, my friends and I went on this random funny psychic run when we were younger and it's always been something we did for $**ts and giggles...and after dinner in the area we decided to walk around the International Market Place and if we saw a psychic to go. We were there for my friend's wedding and so we were randomly walking around and what do we stumble across? Yes...a psychic planted right in the middle of all the kiosks. It was a cheesey set up and we knew it was probably a complete hoax, but we couldn't resist.
My friend and his fiance went first and while I waited (it was a 30 minute reading for couples) for my turn, I ran into a mother and daughter visiting from Canada. They also wanted to check out the psychic and so we sat there and talked for a while.
When I finally had my chance to sit down with the psychic, she told me a lot about myself, which was oddly accurate. One thing that stood out from all that she said was that I was really good at meeting women and was very charming...among other things that I will tell you if you send me a private message (ha!).
To make a long story short, I really hit it off with the daughter and after I had my reading, I nearly chickened out and walked away. I ended up coming back and interrupting her session to give her my phone number. The pyschic just smiled and gave me that "I told you so" look. I was leaving the next day, so nothing came of it, but I did get a text when I arrived home from,well...let's call her Canada. Her text said something along the lines of "Hey, its Canada! We met at the psychic at International Market. This is my #." I still keep in touch with the girl, just as friends, even though we live in different countries and time zones away.
So, thank you International Market Place for giving me a story (although this is the quick version) to tell about my Hawaii trip. You are now more to me than just a place to shop...
I really love International Marketplace!
I don't usually come here to shop for the souvenirs, but more to people watch and just hang out. Food court is awesome for less expensive eats, especially if you're a bit tipsy after a Sunset Sail catamaran cruise on the Na Hoku II in Waikiki! Sometimes they have live entertainment with singing and/or hula.
A great place to shop for souvenirs. It's almost like a swap meet. They have booths, kiosks left and right that sell cheap little gifts, knickknacks, and jewelry. If you have a craving for some Dole whip, there is a little dessert shop/vendor inside here where you'll find Dole whip to satisfy that craving. It's not that bad for you considering it's only 20 calories per ounce. I'm guessing a small order is about 100 calories.
I never really buy anything here, but it's fun to do some window shopping, bargaining with the cart owners even though I'm not going to buy anything, and grabbing snow cones and carmelized macadamian nuts for snacking while doing it.
They have almost the same thing in every cart. But if you walk down the alley way, there's a whole line of carts that sell brass knuckles, knives, nunchucks, penis-shaped ash trays among other things.
There's also a food court. Our mornings in Hawaii were usually spent at the food court. They have all the asian cuisines available for your choosing. The best thing about it was you get variety. We didn't have to sit around and figure out what everyone wanted to eat. The food court saved us a lot of time. The workers can get very VERY rude though so be careful. I think they hate tourists.
I give it 4 stars because we always make it fun.
Cheap crap made in China.
The prices ranged $2-3 for the same thing from store to store.
Tonight I found myself desperately searching for nic-nacs for my coworkers. This was the place to find kinda cheap trinkets.
Although I did spend $40, not really sure how I managed that, I don't really like my coworkers that much....
The best part of this marketplace is the huge trees and the koi pond at the base of it. Otherwise, mostly junky shops with nothing really good to look at. We got a pineapple whip in the food court that was not as good as what we got at the Dole Plantation, but maybe that's to be expected.
Oh man. This place is like heaven to a tchotchke freak like me! Souvenirs galore! My brain was on overload!
Co-worker and I went here a couple of times. I've never bargained before, and the peeps here love to do it. The ladies were even bargaining with me after I decided to buy something:
Them: 12 dolla. You like? You buy?
Me: OK, I'll take it. Thanks!
Them: Oh good! I give it to you for 10!
Also, I got a really pretty piece of lavender jade here for like, $5.
At the very least, it is an interesting way to spend 30 minutes of your life. I recommend at least one trip here. You'll have a good time!
HAGGLE! HAGGLE! HAGGLE!
Do not go to this place if you've left your bargaining skills at home as your wallet will be devoured by those kiosks that sells sweet nothings.
You can get kukui nut lei's, fake puka shell (no matter what they tell you it's fake) necklaces, bracelets, anklets, gems and stones (i don't know how to validate their authenticity), warrior heads (so awesomely nice to give as a souvenir/ gift) and whatnots.
The food within the area is cheap and appetizing as well. They have Dole whip (huwippp!) somewhere along the foodcourts.
It's good to walk around and see how low they can go.
The sellers are not Hawaiians by any means.
Just remember - if you want one thing..it's pretty much the same shit, different prices @ each kiosk. Make sure you walk around and made the best possible deal.
From tees to necklaces to pareaus and ukeleles...they have it all.
very convenient on the strip and decent prices for the souveneirs. its easy to get lost in the area. its huge. but make sure to save a day to go to aiea swap meet, youll get better deals there.
1. Shop at the Swap Meet and not here.
2. If you MUST shop here-most have the same thing so price compare.
3. Stay AWAY from the pearl ladies.
My husband's sisters wanted a black pearl each. We go up to the ladies-yes OK let's choose a pearl. We say we want a black one. What do you know we do get a black pearl! Then BAM she drills a hole in it. Cheapest setting now is $90. And the setting is probably worth $10 if that. So, she says that we can have 2 more pearls for free and she goes underneath the cabinet and pulls out a box that is marked "black pearl" on it and she got two more shells that had TWO black pearls each in them. These of course we did NOT get set into anything. Five pearls and a setting for $100 plus tax. And we started with a $15 choose your own pearl! SCAM
And as I said at the Maui Diver review-go to the ABC store and you will still get a way better deal on a real pearl bracelet or necklace for the cost of this sham! Bracelet with the same pearls is $5.
I have to preface my review with the fact that I went to the Aloha Stadium Swap meet prior to going to the International Market. I started at the food court and was happy with the great selection of different kinds of food. the vendors had decent prices, but were the same as the vendors at the Aloha Stadium swap meet. The Swap Meet had even better prices for most of the same exact items. The great thing about the International Market is that it is open everyday and right in Waikiki.
I love this place, I recommend that you come at night, because it's way more beautiful at night. I also recommend that you first browse throughout the whole marketplace before you buy something, because there is always a better deal somewhere else. I learned that the hard way.
I don't remember getting lost when I was little. I sure remember getting lost a few months ago when I was big though.
It's not fun to be lost and tired here. I think I would only go back if I specifically needed something. My Sister likes to go here for those drippy candle figurines. I don't really wish for anything here.
I guess if you go, you better take some ribbon and mark your trail, otherwise you'll get so lost, you won't know how to leave and you just be stuck there for hours and hours.
Touristy spot, not so hot on the food selection. Next time, I need to Yelp the food before I hit the location.
Honolulu, HI
Category: Shopping
Honolulu, HI
Category: Shopping Centers
Wahiawa, HI
Category: Local Flavor
Honolulu, HI
Category: Hotels
Haleiwa, HI
Category: Swimming Pools
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