Hawaii’s Aloha Stadium Swap Meet
As of 2023, Aloha Stadium is closed, BUT the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet has not. While the plan is unclear, it seems that the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet will continue to open in the Aloha Stadium parking lot until the demolition of the stadium begins in early 2024.
Even though I was born and raised in Hawaii, I had never been to the famous Aloha Stadium swap meet (flea market) until just a few days ago. I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but it was definitely worth the experience.
After paying the entrance fee of $1 per person ($2 for visitors), we gained access to all of the booths surrounding the entire stadium. They sold all sorts of items (catered mostly to tourists) at surprisingly cheap prices! (Many of the booths sold 7 T-shirts for $20!)
There were, of course, items like leis, surfboards, ukuleles, and tikis, and some vendors were even making these items on the spot!! There were even some expected items, like eel skin wallets at Aloha Stadium.
But my favorite part was definitely the food. Hawaii has a very interesting food culture, mixing flavors from the native Hawaiians, other Pacific Island cultures, as well as Asian cultures.
Amidst all of the fun, touristy items sold in the booths at the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet, you can definitely spot glimpses of the true culture of Hawaii.
*Note: It can get pretty hot here, so bring a pair of sunglasses and some water with you, or you could always buy some.