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Open on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays the Swap Meet is always crowded with hundreds of shoppers. Part of the Swap Meet's attraction is the fact that shoppers can find just about any type of merchandise at bargain prices. The market wraps around the whole of Aloha Stadium. If you're planning on coming here you should wear comfortable walking shoes and probably bring a bottle of water to drink out of since it get's hot.
A browse through the Aloha Flea Market reveals dozens of t-shirt booths, Hawaiian jewelry booths, fresh produce, music, local snacks such as Li Hing Mui and Poi Mochi, children's toys, Hawaiian wear and just about anything else.
Cheap, quality t-shirts are among the dozens of bargains at the swap meet. Typically, shirt prices, depending on the individual vendor, range from 5 shirts for $20 to 8 shirts for $20.
| Another popular selection at the swap meet is the variety of Hawaiian jewelry boothes. Many local artists and crafters sell their goods at the swap meet. Depending on which booth you go to you may be able to get items such as seed leis for as low as $5. Jewelry boothes typically sell seed leis, Koa bracelets and Koa necklaces among other things. By browsing around you can probably find some great bargains. |  |
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Another popular type of booth you may want to check out for some true local style experience is the several "Li Hing Mui" and "Cracked Seed" booths that the swap meet has. There are a few of these booths lying around the swap meet grounds that sell the popular local styled "Li Hing Mui" and "Cracked Seed." Among the items sold at these booths are Li Hing Mui dried fruits and candies, dried nuts, fish and other local favorites. These are popular snack foods among island residents. If you've never tried them before they'll take some getting used to, particularly the "Li HIng-ed" goods, but it's worth a try if you want to get into the "local" experience. |
Overall, if you're looking for bargain goods at bargain prices to take back home, then the Swap Meet "Aloha Flea Market" at Aloha Stadium is the place for you to check out. The swap meet has a lot more to offer then what's been profiled here. If you're interested do stop by and take a look for yourself.
If you're driving out of Waikiki you can get to the Swap Meet by getting onto the H-1 Freeway West bound. Stay in the left hand lane on H-1 west. Eventually it will take you onto Moanalua Freeway. Cross over to the middle lane once you're on the Moanalua Freeway. Stay on the Freeway until you come to the "Halawa Stadium" exit. Take the cut-off and stay in the left hand lane. You'll be making a left turn onto Salt Lake Blvd. Once you make the left stay in the right hand lane. You should be heading toward the ocean. Aloha Stadium is on your right hand side. You should be able to see the entrance gate on your right hand side.
If you're going by bus you can take the number #47 as it will take you to Aloha Stadium. You can also go back to Ala Moana by taking the #19, 20 or 47 on Kuhio Avenue and transfer to any 'Ewa bound country bus as they all go by Aloha Stadium. The 'Ewa bound buses are routes #48, 49, 50, 52. If you have any doubts, ask the driver if he goes by the "Flea Market."
The Virtual Guide to O'ahu Created by:
Jonathan Wong and Randy Gomabon
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