[2023 GUIDE] The Best Places for Shopping in Kona, Big Island

Shopping in Kona offers some of the best shopping experiences on the Big Island, Hawaii. Shopping here is a great place to find handbags, jewelry, produce home decor, and many other items. 

For an upscale shopping experience, visit the King’s Shops at the Waikoloa Beach Resort. Here you can find high-end shops like Tiffany’s, Coach, and many other jewelry and clothing stores, along with a variety of other retailers.

Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo offers a mall shopping experience. You can find Macy’s, clothing stores, surf shops, and more here. Jungle Love in Pahoa is worth checking out for a unique collection of accessories and trinkets.

The Best Places to Go Shopping in Kona, Big Island

1. KING’S SHOPS AT WAIKOLOA VILLAGE

The King’s Shops, located in the Waikoloa Beach Resort along the sunny Kona coast, offers an array of shopping and dining choices. Numerous retailers include Baron & Leeds, Coach, L’Occitane, Louis Vuitton, Maui Divers, Royal Gold, Solstice Sunglass Boutique, Sunglass Hut, Tiffany & Co., and Tommy Bahama. Dining options include Pacific Rim cuisine, Island Fish & Chips, Merriman’s Market Cafe, and Roy’s Waikoloa Bar & Grill.

The King’s Shops measures 75,000 square feet of prime retail property, with plans for an additional 25,000 square feet. It has some of the highest sales per square foot in Hawaii. This makes it one of the top shopping destinations on the island.

2. Kona Inn Shopping Village

Kona Shopping Village is situated on the waterfront along Ali’i Drive and is a quaint shopping destination full of Hawaiian charm. It was once a hotel where wealthy visitors, who arrived by steamship, stayed. Since 1980, the boardwalk shopping village has been home to shops, art galleries, and boutiques that offer unique memorabilia and Aloha wares.

There is also a supermarket and drug store for the convenience of visitors. The Kona Inn Restaurant is a great spot for dinner, offering stunning sunset and ocean views as well as Asian, Hawaiian, and American food. After dinner, visitors can stroll along the shoreline and, if lucky, spot dolphins and other marine life.

3. Queens’ MarketPlace

Queens’ MarketPlace is a resort-style mall located within the Waikoloa Beach Resort. It consists of more than 35 shops, a cineplex, and a supermarket. The supermarket is especially well-stocked with fresh produce, food, and drinks, so visitors can stock up on all the necessities for their stay. 

Shopping options at Queens’ Marketplace vary greatly, ranging from Hawaiian boutiques to international stores. Additionally, galleries featuring works by local artists are available, and gift shops offer plenty of Hawaiian-inspired souvenirs that are perfect for living room décor or to bring back home. 

The food options at Queens’ Marketplace are just as varied as the shopping. Visitors can enjoy freshly made poke, sushi, baked goods, and other Hawaiian and Asian-inspired dishes and mainland cuisine from restaurants, food courts, or the supermarket deli. On some days, hula dancers and live bands perform in the evenings, adding to the festive atmosphere.

4. MAKU`U FARMERS MARKET

The Maku`u Farmers Market is a bustling Sunday morning staple in Lower Puna. Located on Highway 130 at Maku`u Drive, it takes place every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike. People come to shop, find treasure, eat, and socialize. It’s an experience that’s accentuated by the live music playing throughout the market.

The market features a wide variety of goods, including clothing (both new and used), home decor, housewares, garage sale-like items, plants and kids’ toys, fresh produce, and an abundance of ready-to-eat food. Whether you’re looking for something new or a unique find, the Maku`u Farmers Market will surely have it. It’s no wonder that the market is always packed with people and continues to grow each week.

It’s a one-stop shopping experience and easily the Best Shopping spot in Lower Puna. Don’t miss out!

5. Keauhou Shopping Center

Keauhou Shopping Center is the perfect place to pick up your necessities while staying there. The huge supermarket offers a deli with freshly made musubi, sushi, and Hawaiian food. There are also several eateries to choose from. The variety of shops ranges from drugstores to clothing stores, plus specialty shops for souvenirs and local products. Notable attractions include a cinema, care clinic, and heritage center.

On Fridays, guests can enjoy free Hawaiian cultural performances at 6 pm. Saturdays are a great time to visit the mall, as a farmers’ market is set up with vendors selling fresh produce and fish. From time to time, the shopping center also hosts local cultural events.

6. Kona Commons

Kona Commons, located in West Hawai`i, has been voted “Best Shopping Center” for 11 consecutive years. It provides an array of amenities, shops, and eateries, both national and locally owned. This shopping center offers a variety of activities and experiences for everyone to enjoy.

Kona Commons hosts a selection of free, family-friendly events throughout the year. These include monthly artisan markets, movie nights, and events in partnership with local non-profits. You can find something to do no matter what your interests are.

7. HILO FARMERS MARKET

The Hilo Farmers Market is a classic Hilo attraction. Over 200 vendors of all kinds frequent the market, making it a bustling place to socialize or window shop. It’s open daily, but 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, fresh flowers, clothing and home decor, food, ready to eat and to bring home and cook. Along with browsing the market, visitors can explore the surrounding area of Downtown Hilo, which is known for its hip mix of boutiques and shops. 

The Hilo Farmers Market is recommended for one of the best shopping in Big Island because it offers a wide array of interesting goods.

8. ALI’I GARDENS MARKETPLACE

Located just a mile south of Kailua Pier, the public market is the perfect place to find gifts for those who couldn’t make it to the Big Island. Here, shoppers can find handmade baskets and hats, black pearl necklaces, wood carvings, fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, and Kona coffee beans. It is recommended for the best shopping because it offers a huge selection of unique goods.

When shopping at the public market, remember to bring a reusable shopping bag to join the locals in their venture towards a sustainable future and going green. Additionally, take a moment to separate the locally made goods from the imported ones. With its wide selection of local goods, the public market is the perfect place to take home a souvenir.

9. Prince Kuhio Plaza

Prince Kuhio Plaza is the biggest mall on Big Island, providing plenty of entertainment for the whole family. With 74 retailers, the mall offers a vast selection of clothing, footwear, jewelry, and gifts. If you’re feeling hungry, there are a variety of restaurants, snack booths, and cafes to choose from, with international, American, and Hawaiian fusion food.

When you need a break, the mall provides a few options to relax. Catch a flick at the cinema, take a seat on one of the massage chairs, or take your kids to the arcade for a fun time. Prince Kuhio Plaza is a great place to spend time on rainy or hot days, with enough to keep everyone occupied.

10. KONA COAST SHOPPING CENTER

Kona Coast Shopping Center is just minutes from Kona Airport, making it the perfect place to stop when you first arrive. This unbeatable shopping center has a variety of department stores, specialty shops, and restaurants. You can find apparel for the whole family, delicious eats, and more. 

The selection 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, and Pier 1 Imports. 

Kona Coast Shopping Center is recommended for Best Shopping because it has all the basics. From gorgeous jewelry to electronics, this shopping center has it all.

11. PRINCE KUHIO PLAZA

Prince Kuhio Shopping Plaza is the most modern mall on the Big Island and is home to a variety of stores. Department stores like Macy’s and Sears and popular specialty shops like Foot Locker, Gamestop, Claire’s, American Eagle Outfitters, and Pacific Sunwear can be found within the Plaza. The nine-screen Prince Kuhio Stadium Cinemas also provides a great rainy-day activity. The Plenty Fun Family Entertainment Center near the food court will surely be a hit for younger kids.

The food court offers the usual mall food options, and a supermarket and drug store on the same property but not adjacent to the building provide additional convenience. Although the mall is small compared to mainland malls, it is the biggest on the Big Island and is a great shopping destination.

12. KONA INTERNATIONAL MARKET

The Kona International Market offers shoppers a unique experience, combining the feeling of outdoor shopping with the comforts of indoor. You can find boutiques, art, unique gifts, and locally made crafts in one place. The market also features a business center and a coffee shop for your convenience. Furthermore, the farmer’s market and Asian market provide a variety of unique finds for shoppers.

The International Food Court is another great feature of the Kona International Market. It provides an extensive selection of cuisine, from local staples to international favorites. Parking is free, and a free shuttle 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, with an on-site stage. This is a great place to shop and support local businesses.

For these reasons, the Kona International Market is recommended for Best Shopping.

13. KONA FARMERS MARKET

The Kona Farmers and Crafts Market is a must-see while on the Big Island of Hawaii. Located on Alii Drive in the heart of Kailua Kona, the outdoor market gathers forty vendors Wednesdays through Sundays from 7 am. to 4 p.m. The huge selection of locally grown produce, flowers, hand-made arts and crafts, Kona coffee, and many more local items makes it an easy stop while exploring Kailua on foot, as it is located across the street from the ocean, in the midst of many other shops and restaurants.

This market is recommended for some of the best shopping on the Big Island because it supports local farmers and crafters. The Kona Farmers Market is a great opportunity to pick up unique items and support local businesses.

14. VOLCANO ART CENTER

The Volcano Art Center was founded in 1974 to preserve and promote worldwide awareness of the Hawaiian Islands’ rich artistic history. It hosts a variety of monthly exhibits and art sales featuring paintings, wood sculptures, baskets, jewelry, and Polynesian-influenced masks. The exhibition gallery is in the historic Volcano House Hotel, which dates to 1877.

The Volcano Art Center and the Kilauea Visitor Center offer some of the same souvenir gear, but if you’re looking for something more unique, the Art Center is the place to go. It is recommended for Best Shopping because it offers a beautiful array of local arts and some of the best things to purchase.