Welcome to Waikiki Week. The 2.5 mile strip of silver sand and resorts known as Waikiki Beach, also has another name. The World’s Longest Shopping Center. Maybe it is, and maybe it ain’t. Here’s why shopping in Waikiki will bring tears to your eyes.

It’s FUN. Yes, Virginia, shopping is just fun, period. Shopping in Waikiki is special. There’s soooooo much to see. Imagine four or five of the largest shopping malls you’ve ever been to. String them out along a two block area from the beach, and, Presto. Shopping in Waikiki.

Of course, all the major mall-type establishments are here. The influx of Japanese tourists in the past 20 years, loaded to the gills with greenbacks and a desire for name brands, ensures the prominence of name-brand stores in Waikiki.

There’s more.

Beyond the larger shopping centers such as Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center (obscures the picturesque and pink Royal Hawaiian Hotel) and Duty Free’s Galleria, you’ll fund hundreds of smaller shops that carry a little of everything you’ve never seen before.

Did I say, “fund” instead of “find”?

Same thing.

Waikiki is made up of two long streets that go from Ala Wai Canal to Kapiolani Park and the Honolulu Zoo at the other end. Kalakaua Avenue which runs one way and along the beach. Kuhio Avenue runs two way and one block off the beach. Both are loaded with hotels, restaurants, shopping centers (small ones), stores, stores, and a few stores.

Waikiki shopping locations of note:

Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center (along Kalakaua Avenue) is long, loaded with stores, and decidedly “city like” in the shopping atmosphere. Still, you’ll find stores and goods and gifts you won’t find elsewhere.

Down the block and on the other side of the street is Duty Free Shoppers’ Galleria. Again, this is a “theme” shopping center with a decidedly South Pacific aura. Shopping is good here. If you have a passport, it’s even better.

Now the fun begins.

Down the block and closer to the beach is the International Market Place. Think of this as the world’s first Tree House shopping center. It’s a one-stop-shop-till-you-drop mini-mall of everything that’s glitzy, glittery, touristy about Hawaii. It’s an acre of tree house fun (you can’t miss the huge banyan trees which make up the core of the center)—and candlemakers, shirt makers, shops, psychics, juice squeezers, pushcart stores, and everything that’s delightfully “tacky” about shopping as a tourist.

Don’t miss it. It’s great.

Want to know the best places to eat in Hawaii? Click over to Ono Dining for totally biased reviews on Hawai's best (and not so best) restaurants.