Waikiki is calling all shoppers

As Hawaiian Airlines and Jetstar fight it out to lure us to Waikiki the question of where to shop inevitably comes up. You'll probably be a family group going for just a week or two so it's important to get your priorities right, especially for female team members.

And hopefully the $A will hold up against the US greenback.

So we're indebted to Trip Advisor aficionados for their help in totting up the shopping places to go on Ohau island, which is where you'll land. Hilo Hattie's (www.hilohattie.com) is the place to buy colourful muu muus, T-shirts, shorts and skirts and all kinds of gifts.

Flagship store is at 700 N. Nimitz Highway in Honolulu but there's another store at the Ala Moana shopping centre, which has over 260 shops and restaurants, reached by shuttle bus from 10 different locations in Waikiki.

You can get by bus to the amazing Aloha Stadium Swap Meet held on Wednesdays and weekends from 6 am to 3 pm. There's plenty of parking if you have hired a car.

Souvenirs prices are generally lower than Wakiki stores. But locals also arrive ready to sell all kinds of stuff. It's best to shop early.

The Aloha Tower Marketplace on Honolulu Harbor is a "festival marketplace" with clothing, art, jewellery, perfume etc and outdoor performers.

Outlet stores are generally great value in the US so try Waikele Premium Outlets for top brand names. Pick up the shuttle bus near Waikiki's Royal Hawaiian Hotel (www.premiumoutlets.com/vip).

Arriving in Hawaii, a taxi to Waikiki will be about $35 to $40, SpeediShuttle $12 one way or $20 roundtrip. Of course you'll go see the USS Arizona Pearl Harbor Memorial before shopping.

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