Is the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet Worth the Visit? A TL;DR Review

Your TL:DR Guide to Shopping on Oahu

TL;DR: The Aloha Stadium Swap Meet has been a meeting place for vendors, locals, and tourists since 1979. Filled with an array of sellers, the swap meet hosts three markets throughout the week. Bring cash for the entrance fee and consider eating elsewhere. The Swap Meet is perfect for browsing and finding great deals.

Recently, I spent some time on the Island of Oahu – and it was beautiful (as you might expect).

As you may know, I do love a good local market – so I had to visit the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet while I was in town.

While there, I came across a few things that I felt would be helpful to know before heading out. So, whether you are a market-enthusiast, deal hunter, or just looking for some things to do in town, read on for my Aloha Swap Meet tips!

What Makes the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet Special?

The Aloha Stadium Swap Meet has been running in Hawai’i since 1979 and can feature 400+ vendors.

Since its opening in the 70s, the stadium has seen many, many tourists and locals over the years.

The swap meet has been and continues to be the place to find great deals and check-out a large number of local sellers.

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The Logistics

At a Glance

Address:

99-500 Salt Lake Blvd Aiea
Honolulu, HI 96701
United States

Swap Meet Hours:
Wednesday (8AM-3PM)
Saturday (8AM-3PM)
Sunday (6:30AM-3PM)

Entry Cost: $2 per person (cash only); Discount for military and locals. Kids under 11 get in for free

99-500 Salt Lake Blvd, Aiea, HI, United States

Parking Cost: Free (included with entry)

Accessible Parking: Limited (by accessible parking, I mean spots located right up-front. And those are very difficult to get. You’ll either need to plan to drop someone off before parking or anticipate a walk across the lot).

Transition to the new Aloha Entertainment District

Aloha Stadium has been the largest sports venue on the Islands for years. However, it closed at the end of 2020 due to declining structural integrity of the facilities. Now, the once-historic stadium is set to be demolished at some point in the future – and replaced with an upgraded stadium. All of this is a part of the “Entertainment District” that will center around the new and improved stadium.

During this transition, the swap meet details may shift. However, a cursory look online tells me that the stadium’s/district’s timeline – and even development details – have continuously shifted, so exactly when these changes will actually occur is difficult to say. You can visit the stadium’s website here or check-out their instagram page to stay on-top of any updates.

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What to Bring

Firstly, chances are it will be HOT. A large portion of the swap meet is uncovered (although there are a few trees and some covered tables). So while Oahu does get its fair share of rain and wind, chances are you will have to face the sun at some point during your shopping travels. Below, I’ve written a beginner’s check-list for this swap meet.

A Beginner’s Checklist for the Swap Meet

Water
Sunscreen
Cash
Hat/Umbrella
Reusable Bag

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What to Buy & Getting Around the Swap Meet

The Layout

Using the Stadium as a grounding point, the vendors are spread out around the outside edge of the stadium walls, in three distinct rows.

When you first walk in from the parking lot, you will find (what I call) row one. This first row is the most popular – and probably where tourists will spend most of their time. it’s filled with the typical vendors with clothing items or handmade goods, fresh cut fruit, and hot-food stalls.

The second row/middle row will be a mix of some produce goods, a few second-hand sellers, and a few overflow vendors that would otherwise fit into the first category. The second row is a catch-all row.

And the third and final row (closest to the stadium) is the smallest and consists of some farmers and a few vendors selling second-hand items. Here you may find standard everyday items and a few treasures laid out on a blanket on the ground. This row is usually shopped by locals.

Hot food vendors and food trucks are located in the middle.

The Vendors

The first thing I noticed is there are a lot of similar vendors/items. Understandable, of course, but it does affect the browsing experience as, at some point, you realize you are seeing shades of the same thing. However, if you are into searching for your classic tourists finds, then you’ll be happy to know there is a wide selection of items that fit your shopping list!

I did find a few unique items and stalls that piqued my own interest. I liked the bamboo stickers (the artwork is cute and the concept unique) and there is a small group of farmers in the back corner. One seller had some beautiful quilts and another a wide collection of Barbie’s. There also are some great Aloha-wear sellers and various palm-leaf hats/bag stalls.

Now, a note about food: I did grab some snacks for my stroll around the stadium and unfortunately the food didn’t live up to my hopes. While you are able to find coffee beans for purchase, I recommend bringing your own coffee or tea to sip on while you shop. I did find some great freshly-cut fruit to fight away some heat, but I opted to eat lunch outside of the swap meet. Honolulu and the Aiea area have some great options.

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The Final Verdict

Is the swap meet an essential destination on your trip to Oahu? I very rarely say this, but I would say no – although it ultimately depends on YOU and your preferences. If you are looking for unique, local artisans or fresh food for your week, you might be better served visiting one of Oahu’s many farmers markets or roadside stands.

However, you will be hard-pressed to find a market that features such a wide-array of vendors and can house so many people – which certainly makes for a fun day of perusing. You also will find much cheaper prices than at other places. If you go into the day with the right expectations, then I think you could certainly enjoy your time here! It may be worth a stop if you are in the area, otherwise I’d consider some other excursions – like visiting Manoa Falls. However, when the market does shift after the new Entertainments District is built, I’ll definitely venture over to check-it out.

Have you visited this Swap Meet? What was your experience like?