HawaiiStories: Hawaii's Independent Book Stores

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Posted by helen on February 8, 2003 10:46 AM:

I tend to buy my books from Waldenbooks, mainly because of the discount card that they have.

Ever since Jellys left the Keeaumoku area in the early 90's it is hard to go to them and if I did it was mostly for comics and board games.

Posted by Linkmeister on February 8, 2003 2:36 PM:

I have Waldenbooks at the bottom of the hill and Jelly's about four blocks away from the bottom of the hill. For gifts I go to Waldenbooks (although independent it ain't, considering it's tied to Brentano's and I think now has Amazon running a web purchasing system for it); the fun old used stuff I go to Jelly's.

Posted by Albert on February 9, 2003 7:58 AM:

I very rarely buy books anywhere but at Cheapo's, Pucks Alley. Their fifty cent/one dollar bargain table provides most of my reading, aside from what I get at the State Library.

But grumbles about chain stores aside, I do think Borders at Ward is by far the best (and most friendly) bookstore in town.

Posted by Linkmeister on February 9, 2003 9:54 AM:

You know, Albert, that's interesting. I've only been in the Ward version maybe four times; I've been at the Waikele one a couple of dozen times. Waikele has been so crowded the times I've been there that I'd never classify it as "friendly." I wonder if that's geography, the type of stores surrounding it (thus the shoppers inside), or something else.

Posted by Albert on February 9, 2003 11:48 AM:

Linkmeister, I guess what I mean by "friendly" is that there's never any pressure at Borders Ward if you sit there and read a book or browse a magazine or spend time at the listening stations in the (definitely best in town) CD area. And if you do buy something (which I more often do in the music part of the store than in the book part), you don't get the crap you get at Waldenbooks about becoming a frequent-flier member (or whatever). And if you just want information about something they don't have there, the salesclerks have always been very helpful and their computerized system seems most efficient.

Thinking about this thread later, I have to mention the bookstore I miss the most ... the Book Cellar downtown, back when it was its full size. Talk about a friendly store ... and with big, comfy armchairs where you could sit happily with a book for hours. Then it shrank in half and is now, I think, completely gone.

Posted by Bill on February 9, 2003 6:30 PM:

I tend to like Borders the best, mostly because they tend to have a decent selection of, well, everything, and they have great Hawaiian music sections. Even the Borders stores in California have good Hawaiian sections.

Anyone have any good independent bookstore suggestions for Maui or the Big Island?

Posted by lemurs on February 9, 2003 11:05 PM:

I think one of the reasons that people seem to like Borders is that they have the most convenient locations of the major bookstores in the area.

The Borders Group (formerly owned by Kmart, of all things), which includes Waldenbooks/Brentano's, is apparently a good place to go and hang, but not such a great place for employees. Most people I know that have worked at both major bookstores (B&N/B.Dalton and Borders Group) say that Borders is definitely a less happy place to work.

Of course, I have my own opinions, working at a Bookstore, as I do. I think it's sad that a lot of this discussion is revolving around major chains instead of locally owned booksellers. It's the old argument all over again -- should we make an effort to patronize our local stores or should they make an more of an effort to gain our dollars?

Posted by Ryan on February 9, 2003 11:10 PM:

The worst things I've heard about Borders, as lemurs noted, are labor related. As for shopping atmosphere, though, it puts Waldenbooks to shame.

In fact, after a few rude employee encounters and more than a few "you want what for this book?" moments, I've sworn off Waldenbooks entirely.

I do like used books, though. I make the "Friends of the Library" book sale at McKinley an annual tradition. I also stop in at Rainbow Books and Revolution Books when I'm stopping at Cheapo's at Puck's Alley (where I buy used CDs).

I've also unloaded some titles and picked up some new ones through the power of the web with Swappingtons (created by Andrew of Diaryland fame). Most of my energy there goes toward postcard swaps and DVDs, though.

If you sign up, tell 'em ryanozawa sent you!

Posted by Albert on February 10, 2003 7:34 AM:

I think it's sad that a lot of this discussion is revolving around major chains instead of locally owned booksellers.

There just aren't very many locally owned booksellers and most of those specialize in a limited area of interest (like Revolution and Native Books). For a wide selection of current publications and classic literature, not much choice but to patronize the big chain stores.

Posted by lisa on February 10, 2003 8:42 AM:

I like BookEnds in Kailua. Everyone there is always friendly and helpful, and there's no pressure to buy anything. You can sit and read for hours if you like.

The prices on the used books could be a little lower, I think, but the selection is usually good.

I don't like Ward Borders much. I've sworn off the cafe there since the last time I went, I was served by a girl with dreads, multiple piercings, a halter top and jeans that were so low you could see her thong. Honestly, the effect was so unhygenic that I lost my appetite. What happened to dress codes??

Posted by Jon on February 10, 2003 9:01 AM:

Surly could describe the Borders Waikele staff on their best days, but I think they are understaffed so I'll let it slide. Those crowds appearing out of nowhere happens way to often at that location.

I've also found a few gems at Rainbow Books in Aiea; never in the Manoa store.

Jelly's Aiea is good for rare music, but the book selection is average.

Although it's clearly not an indie bookstore I often find good deals on books at Tower Records. Who looks for books there, right? I saw a half dozen copies of McSweeney's Issue No. 8 at the Kahala store just this past weekend (I'm stinkin' broke and couldn't get one).

If anyone see's McSweeney's Issue No. 10 around in the coming months please email me!

Posted by Doctah on February 10, 2003 11:40 AM:

I know I should be sad that Honolulu Book Shops went out of business a few years ago, but I'm not. They were small and cramped, although I spent quite a bit of time in the Pearlridge location back in the day.

Posted by Linkmeister on February 10, 2003 2:22 PM:

Hmm. The Doctah's mention of Honolulu Book Shops reminds me that several of their locations were taken over by Booksellers; unfortunately, the Pearlridge one was not. Anyone had any experience with them?

Posted by Albert on February 11, 2003 7:53 AM:

Who looks for books there, right?

Another unlikely place to look for books is Shirokiya at Ala Moana, but it's true, they now have a selection of used paperbacks for a dollar each.

Posted by Glen Miyashiro on February 11, 2003 9:18 AM:

Gee lisa, that's... uh... terrible. Could you tell me what shift she was on? That way I can make sure to... ah... avoid going there at those times, yeah, that's it. :-)

Posted by Linkmeister on February 18, 2003 11:02 AM:

According to the headline in the S-B today (I saw it at Safeway; doubt if it's posted on the website yet), Cheapo's parent has filed for bankruptcy.

Posted by Nightfall on February 27, 2003 7:19 PM:

Speaking of the happy band at Borders Waikele ... I used to go there quite often, and the sales staff was almost never on the floor. Their method of categorizing children's books was amazingly confusing, and one afternoon a bunch of parents were milling around, trying to find some things. In desperation, I picked up the phone at the vacant children's help desk, and dialed, I think, 0. I politely asked for some help in the children's department. "Can't send you anyone," a surly voice snapped. "Everyone's busy." "But there's no one here," I replied. "Huh?" was the response. I patiently repeated, "But there's no one here. We're all trying to find books for our children, with no luck." "What?" the person sputtered, "You're a customer? Get off this line!"

I hung up, quietly gathered an armload of books, and took my children to the carpeted stairs at the back of the section and read books to them. A lot of books. On many weekends. If they weren't going to treat the place as a serious place of business, then I decided I would just treat it as a library.

Thanks, Borders Waikele!

Posted by alex dobos on September 4, 2003 8:37 PM:

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Preview at: http://bigadventures123.com
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Posted by Dan on January 14, 2004 4:51 PM:

On books in Hawaii, I have been following this discussion and wonder what has happened to rare book collectors in Honolulu. Are there any left?

Posted by William A Schultz on March 8, 2004 3:46 PM:

I am a mainlander, but I am visiting the islands again this may or june and I would love to have a list of all the over the counter book stores in Hawai`i. If you could email me a list it would make my research project go much quicker.
email-williamaschultz@peoplepc.com

Posted by Linkmeister on March 8, 2004 9:30 PM:

O-T-C bookstores? Huh? William, try Googling for "Hawaii bookstores"...c'mon.

Posted by salaz on September 19, 2004 4:37 PM:

so for a girl who worked in an awesome indie book/music store for a number of years and just moved to honolulu in search of one can anyone tell me if there is an independent book/music store (or just books) that seems appealing to work at. i'm trying to avoid the borders/B&N route but i love working in bookstores

Posted by Less on January 25, 2006 11:17 AM:

I have noticed the small book stores that dotted downtown and other places are just about gone. :(

Jelly's is hard to find if you dunno where to look. Off Kam Hwy. behind Goodwill in the warehouses back there. He's got a wide selection of everything, but no rares or antiquities that I would love to find on the East Coast. His music selection is great, and the comics are good. He does have an AWESOME collection of gaming miniatures! Best I've seen in years!

OtherRealms is an awesome gaming/comic shop. Their selection is recent and they have good collectible issues as well as gaming books. They are @ Ward.

The Book Cellar was where I did most my lunches... I cried when I found out they had gone. They were great for rares and antiques.

I've noticed Walden's went poof from Pearlridge, to be replaced by Borders :(

Otherwise, I hit the swap meets. Great collecting for rares and antiques there. I found a 1927 encyclopedia set at the Kam Drive In Swap Meet. :)

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Hawaii's Independent Book Stores

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