You swam with the honu, watched in awe as migrating whales spouted and played in the waters offshore, you feasted like Hawaiian ali‘i, played the best round of golf of your life, and felt your heart soften as the sky turned a hundred shades of orange each day at sunset.
A trip to Hawai`i creates memories that last a lifetime, whether this is your first visit, or you’re a Big Island regular. Preserving those amazing memories of your travels, sharing them with friends and family back home, is in many ways just as important as the trip itself, because through them you are able to live the experience again and again.
There are many retail stores and specialty shops found around Waikoloa Beach Resort where you can find exactly the right gifts, souvenirs, and mementoes to help you do exactly that. Whether you’re looking for macadamia nuts, Kona coffee, aloha shirts and resort wear, original works of art, island-made jewelry, or a comfy new pair of “slippahs,” you’ll find something that fits the bill right around the corner.
“Waikoloa Beach Resort has more than just accommodations, great weather, and golf,” says Margo Harumi Mau Bunnell, sales and operations manager, “we also have fantastic shopping. From national brand name stores, to luxury goods, to a wide range of locally owned mom and pop shops, the Waikoloa shopping experience is one that everyone can enjoy.”
Two distinct shopping centers — Queens’ MarketPlace and Kings’ Shops — provide resort guests options…lots of options. Queens’ MarketPlace property manager Dawn Deehan lists the cornucopia of options: “We have it all, from groceries to great movies, bikinis to board shorts, t-shirts to tours, dolls to diamonds, hats to haircuts, sculptures to snorkels, bikes to boogie boards, a food court to fine dining, and frappuccinos to furniture. It’s really easy to have a great time at Queens’ MarketPlace.”
A must-visit Queens’ MarketPlace store is Island Gourmet Markets, where in addition to delicious packaged and prepared foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, and a wide selection of beer and wine, shoppers will find aisles packed with souvenirs and fun trinkets to take home with them.
“Queens’ MarketPlace has something fun for the whole family,” Deehan says. “People play, shop, and dine here, then stay for the ambiance and entertainment. Live music, hula dancers, beautiful landscaping, unique shops, and friendly folks…you can’t beat it!”
Across the street from Queens’ MarketPlace is Kings’ Shops. “Resort guests will discover an extraordinary selection of luxury brand stores such as Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., and Coach along with upscale boutique shops like Cinnamon Girl and Mary Jane’s, and famous retailers such as Tommy Bahama, Macy’s, and Maui Divers,” says Becky Ryan, marketing manager. “Our restaurant experiences range from excellent fine dining to delicious take out.
“Genesis Gallery is just one of the many exquisite galleries that present a lineup of international, national, and local artists in a variety of different mediums that are sure to impress even the most selective collector. Martin & MacArthur features the finest koa wood furniture and beautiful home accessories which are all made in Hawaii.
“In addition, our weekly Farmers Market offers locally-grown produce and flowers along with many one-of-a-kind gifts visitors can take home as souvenirs,” says general manager, Steve Schwartz.
Guests at Hilton Waikoloa Village and Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa will find shops close to their rooms or in their hotel lobbies; and golfers can shop at the Kings’ Clubhouse to take home logo items such as shirts and golf balls to commemorate their rounds on the Beach and Kings’ courses.
In this issue of Naupaka News, we introduce our new Shopping Guide (see pages 6), your roadmap to all the many wonderful shopping discoveries you can make at Waikoloa Resort. Enjoy!