Best of HONOLULU Family 2020: SHOP
Our readers’ and editors’ picks for the best places to shop for your family in Honolulu.
Businesses may be temporarily closed because of COVID-19. Check with each winner for reopening plans.
Best Local Play Sets
Photo: Courtesy of Keiki Kaukau
EDITORS’ PICK
Keiki Kaukau
Dreamed up by local mom April Hail (a former teacher and au pair), Keiki Kaukau’s adorable wood toys encourage creativity and learning while celebrating some of our favorite elements of Island life. Made from eco-friendly wood and nontoxic paint and felt, the play sets are themed around shave ice, tropical lei and local kine grindz—think too-cute poke bowls, lau lau and Spam musubi. And several pieces can be broken apart and reassembled, sparking fun and developing motor skills at the same time.—Brie Thalmann
EDITORS’ PICK
Best Hands-On Succulent Nursery
Photo: Courtesy of Suzanne Sasaki
EDITORS’ PICK
Once Again Nursery
As if breathtaking views of the Ko‘olau Mountains aren’t amazing enough, family-run farm Once Again lets you get your hands dirty picking and potting succulents, air plants, and cactus to enjoy at home. Choose from a treasure trove of repurposed containers and hundreds of low-maintenance plants—and let your creativity flow at this mountainside oasis.—Suzanne Sasaki
41-829 Kakaina St., Waimānalo, (808) 389-6966. onceagainhawaii.com
EDITORS’ PICK
Best Local Brand for Kids Clothes
PHOTO: Aaron K. Yoshino
READERS’ PICK
Coco Moon
Amber Thibaut first became known to local moms for her super soft and sweetly patterned blankets for babies. The mom of two started her business in 2015 when she was wrapping her little one in a pareo. A few years later, she branched out from her signature bamboo fabric swaddle clothes to adorable rompers and onesies, and just last year expanded to mommy-and-me robes and blankets big enough for everyone to cuddle in.—Christi Young
Finalist: Local Motion. Multiple locations. localmotionhawaii.com
Best Place to Get an Outfit For You and Your Dog
PHOTO: Aaron K. Yoshino
2019 HONOLULU Magazine EDITORS’ PICK
Roberta Oaks
Shoppers in Chinatown can pick up stylish bandanas for pups, literally cut from the same cloth as their favorite aloha shirts. The local brand crafts a perfect slim fit for both men’s and women’s shirts as well as smart summer-weather dresses, all of which can be matched with your dog’s duds.—Katie Kenny
19 N. Pauahi St., (808) 526-1111. robertaoaks.com
THE REST OF THE BEST
READERS’ PICKS
Best Back-to-School Shopping
WINNER: Target. Multiple locations. target.com
Finalist: Fisher Hawaiʻi. Multiple locations. fisherhawaii.biz
Best Place to Buy Gifts for Teachers
WINNER: Target. Multiple locations. target.com
Finalist: Starbucks. Multiple locations. starbucks.com
Best Place to Get Educational Toys
WINNER: Thinker Toys. Ka Makana Aliʻi, 91-4351 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei, (808) 628-4719. Kāhala Mall, 4211 Waiʻalae Ave., (808) 735-6323. thinkertoyshawaii.com
Finalist: Target. Multiple locations. target.com
Best Place for Kids Furniture
WINNER: Flexa. 885 Queen St., Suite B, (808) 955-4434. flexahawaii.com
Finalist: HomeWorld. Honolulu: 702 S. Beretania St., (808) 543-5300. Kapolei: 707 Manawai St., Kapolei, (808) 792-3201. homeworld.com
Best Shopping Center for Families
WINNER: Windward Mall. 46-056 Kamehameha Highway, Kāneʻohe. windwardmall.com
Finalist: Pearlridge Center. 98-1005 Moanalua Road, ʻAiea, (808) 488-0981. pearlridgeonline.com
