Consumer Report
Readers’ picks
Best car wash/detailer
McKinley Car Wash
Washing your own car isn’t particularly backbreaking work. It’s somewhere between loading the dishwasher and cutting the grass. That said, it’s one of those tasks few people actually look forward to. Which is why we have car washes. And McKinley Car Wash is your favorite. Not that we needed your votes to tell us this. We’ve all seen–and been in–those long lines leading to the car wash on Saturday mornings.
1139 Kapi’olani Blvd, 596-2609
Best place for a manicure/pedicure
Home
Like changing the oil, why pay somebody to do something you can do easily yourself? That said, if you’re going to give yourself a mani-pedi, be sure to keep the windows open. The fumes from the polish will make you see things. Delightful delightful things.
Best outlet store
Ross Stores
Here’s the beauty of Ross: Let’s say you’re looking for a pair of slacks on the cheap, but you don’t want to sacrifice quality for a bargain basement price. More often than not, at Ross you’re going to find name-brand items at cheaper than department store prices. Yeah, that skirt might not be in season, but what the hell, a skirt’s a skirt.
Several island locations
Best place to buy non-rubber slippahs
Slipper House
Not that there’s anything wrong with rubber–we don’t want to anger the Michelin Man and we sure as hell don’t want to piss off Trojan Man–but when it comes to slippahs, well, rubber might be comfortable and cheap, but it wears out pretty quickly. Which is why they make slippahs out of more durable material, like leather, cork and hemp. And when it comes to all things sandal-like, chances are the Slipper House has it.
Ala Moana Shopping Center
949-0155, [slippershawaii.com]
Best place to buy imported beer
Liquor Collection
Let’s say you’re a big fan of Chimay, that high-alcohol-content beer made by the monks at the Scourmont Abbey in Belgium, but you’re also a fan of cheap-ass domestics, like say, PBR. Where can you get them both? Why, the Liquor Collection, the spot Honolulu Weekly readers chose as their favorite place to buy imported beer.
1050 Ala Moana Blvd, 524-8808
Best place to buy local fruits and vegetables
Tie: KCC Farmers’ Market, Chinatown
Put down the Li Hing Mui watermelon chews. Pass on the mac salad. What you need to eat more of are fruits and veggies. The problem is, the big chains are big on imports. What if you want to go local? Easy. Head to the KCC Farmers’ Market on the weekend and Chinatown during the week.
Best place to buy organic pet food
Zippy’s
Really? This is just wrong on so many levels, the most evident being Zippy’s lack of a commitment to organic food. But, hey, when you order a bucket of Zippy’s tasty chili what’s the harm in letting your kitty lick the bucket clean. Just be prepared for the end result.
Editors’ picks
Best place to buy gifts that aren’t coffee or macadamia nuts
Red Pineapple
Instead of selling things to take back to the mainland, Red Pineapple owner Nalani McLaughlin Holliday stocks her shop with all the things we ask people to bring back from the mainland. The little corner store in Ward Centre is a haven for all things beautiful, cute, trendy and completely unnecessary. Who needs a set of four polka-dotted cappuccino cups or Dean & Deluca cinnamon? No one and everyone, because although we can get cinnamon at Safeway, it’s tastes so much better when it comes in a sleek silver cylinder. Most of the merchandise is marketed to the shopper via magazine articles whose pages hang alongside the products in the store and reveal that the Lollia perfume is Cameron Diaz’s favorite and the boho-chic waterproof totes are Oprah’s favorite. If it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for us.
Ward Centre, 593-2733
Best place to buy supplies for a surprise birthday party on the fly
Price Busters
And by surprise, we mean, it’s a surprise for you. You should have known about it–after all, it’s your romantic partner–but it slipped your mind. What to do? Head on down to the nearest Price Busters, buy all of your birthday party supplies and fake it like you’ve been planning the party for months.
Various locations on the island
Best place to get a two-wheel tune-up
McCully Bicycle and Sporting Goods
You’ve given up the automobile for a more Earth-friendly method–the least the universe can do is give you a good deal on maintaining the bike. The folks at McCully Bicycle promise to keep you street-ready for $35. Drop off your ride and pick it up the next day ready to take on the streets.
2124 S. King St., 955-6329
Best place to buy Hawaiian music online
[Mele.com]
If you’re looking for the hottest new Jawaiian release from Big Every Time or something from the glory days of the tiki bar, Martin Denny’s Exotica perhaps, forget Amazon and iTunes. Go to [Mele.com]. When it comes to Hawaiian music–in all of its endless varieties–they’ve got it, the good, the bad and the ‘ukulele.
Best reason to reuse and recycle
Stylus
The clothing and music exchange makes recycling look and sound amazing. Buy used clothes (we’re not talking gym shorts circa 1984–unless that’s your thing, of course) and CDs (we’re not talking Rick Astley–unlessÖnever mind) for low, low prices. It’s the squarest way to be hip.
2615 S. King St., 951-4500
Best to place to scan the cover of nudie mags while acting like you’re looking at cross word puzzle books
King Fort Magazine Shop
OK. Got your attention. Truth be told, the King Fort newsstand has one of the best magazine selections in town. You’ve got a niche interest, chances are King Fort carries the magazine dedicated to it. And they’ve got a solid assortment of comics, puzzle books and, yes, nudie mags.
1122 Fort Street Mall, 538-0266
Best of intro
Civic doodies
Eat and drink
Great outdoors
Cultcha
Night life
City life
