Waikele Premium Outlets - Activities On Oahu Waipahu, Hawaii

The Waikele Premium Outlets is a shopping mall that specializes in "outlet" or discount style stores of your favorite brand names. If you see the ads or listen to the hype you'll think it's an exciting shopping destination that's on par with Ala Moana Center.

They claim to have around 50 stores but it feels much smaller when you are there. Most stores they do have are what you'll find at most malls anywhere else like a Sunglass Hut, Zales, Armani Exchange, Juicy Couture, and so on, but supposedly have cheaper offerings (sales, close out items, etc).

We've been here many times and it can be handy for some things but hard to see as a true shopping destination. Sure, the stores here will have some sales or deals but it isn't what I think of when I think of a real outlet mall where you should be able to get real deals.

With recent updates and renovations, the Waikele Premium Outlets now offer a few eating options but it still lacks in the food department.

What amazes me is watching the tour and shuttle buses dropping off tourists in huge numbers. Most of these tourists came from the Waikiki area and traveled 30+ minutes to get here when they could have been to Ala Moana Center (or other Waikiki area offerings) in just a few minutes with five times the offerings.

Parking here is usually pretty bad, even though they have a lot of spots. One look at the parking lot and you'd think there are fire sales going on at every store! The spots are incredibly small which only makes it worse.