This elegant mall bridges glitzy Kalakaua Avenue and up-and-coming Kuhio Avenue. Its heart: a treehouse in an enormous Indian banyan tree. The tree was planted around 1850 and briefly owned by Queen Emma; at one point, one of its tree houses contained a radio station. A $500 million renovation overhauled the market place, a Waikīkī classic, in 2016. Now ten restaurants and 75 retail stores preside here, anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue—the first in Hawaii. While the International Market Place has lost its manic, Mad-Man-era, free-for-all vibe, it maintains quite a bit of character for a mall with touches like a three-story waterfall. Visit at sunset to catch traditionally dressed performers singing, dancing, blowing conches, and lighting the Lamakū Torch Tower.
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Souvenirs for Sale!
*Unfortunately this market has closed to make way for new development. It might surprise you to know that one of the best places for your touristy Hawaiian Islands souvenirs is at the International Market; smack dab in the middle of Waikiki. Jewelry, postcards, magnets, aloha shirts, and macadamia nuts are all in one colorful place across the street from Waikiki Beach. Beyond the souvenirs, you will also find the closest things I have found in the United States to Singapore‘s hawker markets with all sorts of ready-to-eat cultural foods and beverages from gyros and hawaiian fare to shave ice and bubble teas.
Great Food Court and Souveniers
This place was near our hotel and the kids’ favorite place to shop for souvenirs. Leis, silver charms, ukuleles and a host of other stuff, the prices here were competitive and the selection fantastic. There was also an excellent food court! One place will juice a whole pineapple, pour it back into the shell/peel and stick a straw in it (delish!) there is also the Blue Market Fish and Shrimp Company, which made fantastic platters. There was a selection of Vietnamese, Thai, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese food here too, as well as burgers, pasta, and pizza. Our party of nine split two large platters from Blue Market and had an outrageously good dinner.
