Your guide to Black Friday

Black Friday madness once again is upon us, and some stores are starting even earlier, turning Thanksgiving evening into prime time for anyone looking to score a doorbuster deal.

Despite the lines and crowds, with the right planning and preparation, Black Friday is a great way to save money, especially on large and expensive items. I asked several seasoned shoppers to share their personal strategies to help you get ready for the biggest retail day of the year.

Strategies

Caron “One for me, one for you” Ling
Start time: 3:30 a.m.

Strategy: I have a list of who I’m shopping for, then look at the ads to see if there’s anything specific I need to buy. I then put the items in order of importance or by store popularity thinking ahead to what might run out first or is the best deal.

I love doorbusters. I shop for myself and others at the same time and sometimes buy two of the same thing. You have to be specific and focused or you’ll miss out on many opportunities for great gifts and freebies.

I shop at Toys R Us, Macy’s, Sephora, Apple, L’Occitane, Lululemon, Best Buy, Eden in Love and Dolce. I usually shop on my own until my friends or my mom wakes up to meet me. I get my morning doorbusters done first thing in the morning and spend time with friends at varying points in the day.

It’s really a science in timing, focus and going after what you want with ferocity and laser-beam focus. My advice is to embrace the shopping experience, have fun and always do it with style and grace.

Toby “Social Media Shopper” Tamaye
Start time: 5 a.m.

Strategy: I shop alone because I need to move as fast as possible. During the times I’m in line, I’m usually posting to the hashtag #BFHI on Twitter and Instagram about sales and lines, so I would be an antisocial shopper on Black Friday with friends. I always go to Waikiki as they have the same stores with less crowds and now H&M and Urban Outfitters (opening this weekend). I see social media to get the best updates on Black Friday shopping in Hawaii and follow #BFHI. In addition to shoppers, many of the major Oahu malls use that hashtag.

My Black Friday 12-hour timeline:
5-8 a.m. Ala Moana Center
8-9 am. Breakfast
9 a.m.-12 p.m. Waikiki (Royal Hawaiian Center, T Galleria, Kalakaua Ave.)
12-1 p.m. Lunch
1-5 p.m. Back to Ala Moana Center

Jennifer “Organized and Efficient” Cho
Start time: I refuse to give up my Thanksgiving dinner, so I probably won’t be going to any Thursday openings.

Strategy: I make a list of people to buy gifts for with a few ideas of gifts or stores each person likes categorizing them by store or age groups. I collect all the Black Friday ads, checking deals and other doorbusters that might be happening at certain times to create a timeline. With several stores moving around, it’s good to map out the stores to know the exact location and layout.

A few days before Black Friday, it helps to do a trial run scoping out certain items or trying on clothes ahead of time. The last thing you want to do is waste time comparing different items or waiting for a dressing room.

I always go with friends or family to cover more stores and sales. Even a husband, boyfriend or other non-shopping friend is helpful for an extra set of hands to help hold all the shopping bags or stand in line at the register (make sure to buy them lunch or at least a drink after!).

Kelly “After Christmas” Tokuhama
Start time: 9 p.m.

Strategy: I start at Waikele at 9 p.m., head to Target at 11 p.m. and then continue on to Ala Moana. Last year, most sales started early in-store and online from Monday through Wednesday, so I hit those sales first.

I try to avoid places at doorbuster times unless I really need a deal and always go with people so I can tag-team-shop and stand in line. If you wait until after doors open, there’s no waiting line outside to get in.

Last tip – Macy’s usually has a bigger sale the day after Christmas than Black Friday.

Misa “Caffeine” Sadoyama
Start time: Midnight (depending on Thanksgiving dinner)

Strategy: I’m playing it by ear this year. I’m planning to go to Ala Moana first and try to finish by 4 a.m. At that point, I’ll start heading over to Kahala Mall. After four hours of shopping I’ll definitely need my caffeine fix. To avoid long lines at the mall Starbucks, I’ll try to pick up coffee at a different, less crowded, location.

A lot of Black Friday is spent waiting in line, so I always make sure I fully charge my phone since I’ll be needing it to coordinate with friends, price check and even do on-the-go online shopping.

Store/Mall Hours

Ala Moana

Thursday, Nov. 27: Select stores open-4 p.m. (Old Navy), 6 p.m. (Macy’s), 8 p.m. (Disney Store, Gap, Gap Kids, Blue Hawaii Surf), 10 p.m. (Hawaiian Island Creations, Victoria’s Secret)
Friday, Nov. 28: Midnight-9 p.m.
See Black Friday deals

Parking tip: The Hawaii Convention Center will offer $10 Black Friday parking (midnight-9 p.m.).
Ala Moana parking and traffic updates

Best Buy

Thursday, Nov. 27: 5-11:59 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 28: Midnight – 1 a.m.; 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
See Black Friday deals

Downtown Shop Around

Thursday, Nov. 27: Closed
Friday, Nov. 28: Most stores open at 7 a.m.
See Black Friday deals

Kahala Mall

Thursday, Nov. 27: Select stores open – 4 a.m. (Starbucks); 5 a.m. (Whole Foods Market); 10 a.m. (The Compleat Kitchen, Fun Factory); 10:30 a.m. (Kahala Theaters); 6 p.m. (Macy’s, Sunglass Hut)
Friday, Nov. 28: Midnight (Gamestop, Tricked Out Accessories); 6 a.m. (Champs Sports, Zales); 8 a.m. (Apple, Carousel Candyland); 9 a.m. (Liang of Hawaii); 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. (all others)
See Black Friday deals

Kmart

Thursday, Nov. 27: 6 a.m. – 11:59 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 28: Midnight – 11 p.m.
See Black Friday deals

Macy’s

Thursday, Nov. 27: 6 p.m. – 11:59 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 28: Midnight – 9 p.m.
See Black Friday deals

Pearlridge

Thursday, Nov. 27: 5 p.m. (Toys “R” Us); Select stores open – 6 p.m. (American Eagle Outfitters, Claire’s, Forever 21, Hot Topic, Icing by Claire’s, Journeys, Macy’s Sears); 8 p.m. (Vans); 11 p.m. (T&C Surf Designs); 9 p.m. (Radio Shack); 11 p.m. (Cinnamon Girl, T&C Surf Designs)
Friday, Nov. 28: Midnight – 9 p.m.
See Black Friday deals

Royal Hawaiian Center

Thursday, Nov. 27: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 28: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
See Black Friday Deals

Sears

Thursday, Nov. 27: 6 p.m. – 11:59 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 28: Midnight – 9 p.m.

Sports Authority

Thursday, Nov. 27: 6 p.m. – 11:59 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 28: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
See Black Friday deals

Target

Thursday, Nov. 27: 6 p.m. – 11:59 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 28: Midnight – 11:59 p.m.
See Black Friday deals

Toys “R” Us

Thursday, Nov. 27: 5 p.m. – 11:59 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 28: Midnight-11 p.m.

Urban Outfitters Waikiki grand opening

Saturday, Nov. 29: Enjoy drinks from organic Wow Wow Lemonade and pupu from The Pig and the Lady. Original mural and tote bag designs will be available for purchase by POW! WOW! Hawaii artists, Kristin Farr. PangeaSeed, a shark and marine conservation organization, and Paiko Hawaii, a botanical boutique, will also be there to celebrate the grand opening.

Waikele Premium Outlets

Thursday, Nov. 27: 9 a.m. – 11:59 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 28: Midnight – 10 p.m.
See Black Friday deals

Walmart

Thursday, Nov. 27: 6 p.m. – 11:59 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 28: 12 a.m. – 11:59 p.m.
See Black Friday deals

Ward Village

Thursday, Nov. 27: Closed
Friday, Nov. 28: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Windward Mall

Thursday, Nov. 27: 6 p.m. (Aeropostale, Charlotte Russe, Claire’s, Hot Topic, Lids, Macy’s, PacSun, Sears, Spencer Gifts (6 p.m.-2 a.m.), Sports Authority (6 p.m.-midnight), Sunglass Hut (6 p.m.-1:30 a.m.), Toys R Us Express (6 p.m.-midnight); 8 p.m. (Jeans Warehouse, Jeans Warehouse Kids); midnight (Children’s Place, Gamestop, Journeys, Know1, Local Motion, T&C Surf Designs)
Friday, Nov. 28: 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.
See Black Friday deals