Ala Moana Shopping Center is the Most Expensive Mall on Oahu

One of the first things that people want to do when they come to Hawaii is go shopping. They are already on the look out for cool gifts or souvenirs to take back home for family and friends. And don't worry; there is a lot of stuff you can buy to take back with you, but you might end up shelling out more money than you expected.

The biggest mall on the island of Oahu is called Ala Moana Shopping center. It is tourist central as it only a few blocks from historic Waikiki. However, you must be forewarned that because it is the largest mall on the island and because of its close proximity to Waikiki, you will find that items there are dramatically over priced.

It is not uncommon to find T-shirts priced well over $20 or board shorts, better known as surf shorts hovering near $60. To the uninitiated, the price may not seem too bad, as there is really nothing else to compare it to close to Waikiki. Just about a thirty minute drive from Waikiki, near Aloha Stadium is the town of Aiea. One quick fact about this city is that it is the only city with only vowels in its name. Here you will find where all the locals shop, a mall called Pearl ridge Center.

Pearl ridge Center is a good-sized mall itself having two sections to it. One area being called uptown while the other being called down town. You can find many of the items that you were seeing at Ala Moana, yet it is much less than you would have paid.

While Ala Moana has much more shops and caters more to visitors, it does have its upsides besides being over priced. There are many specialty shops that you can find at Ala Moana; there is a huge food court and many restaurants on the top level of the mall. Sometimes you forget that you are in a mall because of the restaurants.

The next time you are in Hawaii be sure to check out Ala Moana, but if you want to save some money then you know where else to go. Check out Pearl ridge Center; it is just as good as Ala Moana. Spend some time talking to people and seeing what other options are out there for you and you will find that you can save a lot of time and money.