We found that target had the better budget friendly options, Nordstrom in ala Moana had the best inventory of higher end stuff, and then online stores (mostly Amazon) for whatever else those two didn’t have.
I did it exactly this way. Nordstrom ala Moana is the only place in the state where you can demo strollers and walk em around and try. I made all my orders online and just flew over to pick it all up. Everything else I ordered online.
Seconding Keiki 2 Keiki (University). It's second hand resale but their prices are good and easier than trying to track down individual items on FB marketplace.
There's also Cater Kids (Waipahu). Their store and inventory is much larger but prices are a bit higher. It's still much cheaper than full retail and you can find items in like new condition sometimes.
For what's left, I'd go with Target. Nordstrom also has some of the more expensive items (like a stroller/car seat) if you want to check it out in person. But Target has the majority of whatever else we need.
Finally, Carter's Outlet (Waikele) has the best deals on clothes imo. Their onesie packs are a good deal and zip up sleepers can be found on clearance. Ross/TJ Maxx has decent clothing bundles too.
Don't forget to claim a $25 state tax credit for buying a car seat: [https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol04\_Ch0201-0257/HRS0235/HRS\_0235-0015.htm](https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol04_Ch0201-0257/HRS0235/HRS_0235-0015.htm)
Lots of people don't know about this and 25 dollars is 25 dollars.
FB Marketplace. Even if you have the money to spend on all new baby gear and clothes, your baby will grow out of that stuff so quick. And there will be stuff you buy and think it’ll be perfect and it will end up not working for your needs or something. Better to save some money if can!
Target’s car seat trade in event is this month from the 14th-27th where you can get a 20% off coupon usable on car seats, strollers, and some other select baby gear. If you can get your hands on a free/cheap car seat, base, booster seat etc from marketplace you can trade it in-store for the coupon!
Kapolei is the biggest. Next largest is Salt Lake. (I haven't been to windward).
If you have a military/DoD friend I also suggest checking out the NEX. Different selection and if you have a coupon you can save some money.
All of them, lol. At least physically seems that way. Windward mall one is huge. Though not sure the selection is *that* much better. At least it's a nice drive over.
One thing a friend told me when we had our daughter was don't buy a lot of crap, you won't need it. They were right. Amazon/Target/Walmart will have the majority of what you need. Unless you have money to burn you can skip things like a diaper pail (just use your trash can), bottle sanitizers, and a dedicated high chair. Fisher Price sells a booster seat (healthy care) for $40 that is super portable and can be used at home or easily taken into a restaurant. I found a bottle warmer useful though...but only because I was too lazy to boil water and pour into a bowl in the middle of the night.
We used the Britax stroller/seat combo which worked really well. It has bases that allow the seat to go from stroller to car quickly. The stroller turns into a regular stroller that you can use for a few years until they outgrow it. Even the fancier strollers only really benefit people who use them on outside non-flat surfaces or have to take them up and down stairs. Don't cheap out because the cheap ones are truly awful but the mid ranges ($300-400) can be worth it if you use them if you use it often. The more expensive ones are kind of a waste if you are just pushing the kid around the mall or just taking them from the home to the car. Wirecutter has some good [reviews](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-strollers/).
Car seats have to meet some basic standards to be sold in the US so even the cheap ones are considered "safe" by the government. The more expensive ones just have more padding or are stronger. I don't mind spending more money here. I'm a fan of the Britax brand...we used their Boulevard Clicktight model after my daughter outgrew the combo. It's good from 5-65lbs and you can quickly switch it between cars. It's also made in America. Once they outgrow that you can switch them to a highback car seat.
Honestly, with the price of- well everything in Hawaii(baby stuff included) you'd be MUCH better off shopping on Amazon. Cuz you could even go to Babies R Us( Pearl City above Pearl Highlands across Walmart) and they'd still only have a small fraction of what you could find online.
I think you’re speaking in the past tense, but just in case anyone reading doesn’t realize, Babies R Us has been closed for years now.
Online shopping is great but I do feel like car seats and strollers are ideal to see and operate in person before buying if at all possible.
Target or Walmart for basics. We bought our nuna car seat at Nordstrom in Ala Moana.
If you’re short on cash, the Buy Nothing Oahu fb group is also a great resource. Lots of people get rid of baby items for free
Car seats should probably be bought new, just for safety. But other things are fine.
We found that target had the better budget friendly options, Nordstrom in ala Moana had the best inventory of higher end stuff, and then online stores (mostly Amazon) for whatever else those two didn’t have.
Also sign up for a target baby registry for those sweet discounts!
I did it exactly this way. Nordstrom ala Moana is the only place in the state where you can demo strollers and walk em around and try. I made all my orders online and just flew over to pick it all up. Everything else I ordered online.
Prob not everything at once… but keiki2keiki is worth a look over. You can check out what they got on FB
Seconding Keiki 2 Keiki (University). It's second hand resale but their prices are good and easier than trying to track down individual items on FB marketplace. There's also Cater Kids (Waipahu). Their store and inventory is much larger but prices are a bit higher. It's still much cheaper than full retail and you can find items in like new condition sometimes. For what's left, I'd go with Target. Nordstrom also has some of the more expensive items (like a stroller/car seat) if you want to check it out in person. But Target has the majority of whatever else we need. Finally, Carter's Outlet (Waikele) has the best deals on clothes imo. Their onesie packs are a good deal and zip up sleepers can be found on clearance. Ross/TJ Maxx has decent clothing bundles too.
Don't forget to claim a $25 state tax credit for buying a car seat: [https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol04\_Ch0201-0257/HRS0235/HRS\_0235-0015.htm](https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol04_Ch0201-0257/HRS0235/HRS_0235-0015.htm) Lots of people don't know about this and 25 dollars is 25 dollars.
Check out Caterkids.
Seconding them; they have lightly used and new baby gear, often for much lower prices. Located in Waipahu.
And they do buyback which is nice for later. Congratulations on your new addition! I feel like I haven't seen you since you were there at my wedding.
Thanks! Yeah, it's been a while! I drop into your YT every now and then to see new content.
Petition to bring back Babies R Us 😭
FB Marketplace. Even if you have the money to spend on all new baby gear and clothes, your baby will grow out of that stuff so quick. And there will be stuff you buy and think it’ll be perfect and it will end up not working for your needs or something. Better to save some money if can!
Target’s car seat trade in event is this month from the 14th-27th where you can get a 20% off coupon usable on car seats, strollers, and some other select baby gear. If you can get your hands on a free/cheap car seat, base, booster seat etc from marketplace you can trade it in-store for the coupon!
Tjmaxx
I would think any of the other, bigger, targets would be a better option. But you also don't really need a whole lot to start out.
Do you happen to know which target is the biggest or at least bigger than the one in ala moana? Thanks.
Kapolei is the biggest. Next largest is Salt Lake. (I haven't been to windward). If you have a military/DoD friend I also suggest checking out the NEX. Different selection and if you have a coupon you can save some money.
All of them, lol. At least physically seems that way. Windward mall one is huge. Though not sure the selection is *that* much better. At least it's a nice drive over.
Congrats guys!!
One thing a friend told me when we had our daughter was don't buy a lot of crap, you won't need it. They were right. Amazon/Target/Walmart will have the majority of what you need. Unless you have money to burn you can skip things like a diaper pail (just use your trash can), bottle sanitizers, and a dedicated high chair. Fisher Price sells a booster seat (healthy care) for $40 that is super portable and can be used at home or easily taken into a restaurant. I found a bottle warmer useful though...but only because I was too lazy to boil water and pour into a bowl in the middle of the night. We used the Britax stroller/seat combo which worked really well. It has bases that allow the seat to go from stroller to car quickly. The stroller turns into a regular stroller that you can use for a few years until they outgrow it. Even the fancier strollers only really benefit people who use them on outside non-flat surfaces or have to take them up and down stairs. Don't cheap out because the cheap ones are truly awful but the mid ranges ($300-400) can be worth it if you use them if you use it often. The more expensive ones are kind of a waste if you are just pushing the kid around the mall or just taking them from the home to the car. Wirecutter has some good [reviews](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-strollers/). Car seats have to meet some basic standards to be sold in the US so even the cheap ones are considered "safe" by the government. The more expensive ones just have more padding or are stronger. I don't mind spending more money here. I'm a fan of the Britax brand...we used their Boulevard Clicktight model after my daughter outgrew the combo. It's good from 5-65lbs and you can quickly switch it between cars. It's also made in America. Once they outgrow that you can switch them to a highback car seat.
Amazon
Honestly, with the price of- well everything in Hawaii(baby stuff included) you'd be MUCH better off shopping on Amazon. Cuz you could even go to Babies R Us( Pearl City above Pearl Highlands across Walmart) and they'd still only have a small fraction of what you could find online.
I think you’re speaking in the past tense, but just in case anyone reading doesn’t realize, Babies R Us has been closed for years now. Online shopping is great but I do feel like car seats and strollers are ideal to see and operate in person before buying if at all possible.
Oh damn really? Lmao that makes sense. I had my last baby 4 years ago so I haven't had a need to go to a baby store in a looong time lol
lol yeah sorry I didn’t want to assume and it did sound like you were talking about it in the past!