#1 Furnishing the Dorm Room
If your son or daughter is heading to the University of Hawaii on Oahu, you’ll want to make sure their dorm room feels like home! Here’s a guide to the best stores near Waikiki for dorm furnishings, complete with addresses and hours of operation. Plus, I’ll add a checklist of must-haves to ensure nothing is forgotten.
1. Target Honolulu
- Address: 4380 Lawehana St, Honolulu, HI 96818
- Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- What You’ll Find: Target is a great one-stop shop for dorm essentials like bedding, storage solutions, desk supplies, mini-fridges, and decor. It’s affordable and conveniently located near Waikiki, making it easy for last-minute purchases.
2. Walmart Honolulu
- Address: 700 Keeaumoku St, Honolulu, HI 96814
- Hours: Monday – Sunday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- What You’ll Find: Walmart is ideal for budget-friendly dorm furnishings, school supplies, and basic groceries. You can pick up items like bed linens, lamps, laundry baskets, and snacks to stock the dorm room.
3. Bed Bath & Beyond
- Address: 1200 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96814
- Hours: Monday – Saturday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- What You’ll Find: Known for a wide selection of home goods, Bed Bath & Beyond is perfect for picking up comforters, pillows, bath towels, storage bins, and small kitchen appliances. They often have college-specific deals, making it easier to get everything in one trip.
4. Costco
- Address: 333A Keahole St, Honolulu, HI 96825
- Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:30 PM, Saturday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM, Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- What You’ll Find: Costco is a great place to stock up on bulk items such as snacks, water bottles, toiletries, and cleaning supplies. They also carry larger items like mattresses and dorm furniture, and they have tech essentials like laptops and headphones.
5. Ross Dress for Less
- Address: 333 Seaside Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
- Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- What You’ll Find: Ross offers discounted home goods, including bedding, rugs, mirrors, organizers, and decorative pieces. It’s perfect for affordable dorm room decor and essentials.
6. TJ Maxx
- Address: 1450 Ala Moana Blvd #1101, Honolulu, HI 96814
- Hours: Monday – Saturday: 9:30 AM – 9:30 PM, Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- What You’ll Find: For stylish but affordable dorm accessories, TJ Maxx has everything from throw pillows and blankets to wall art, storage, and kitchen gadgets. It’s a great spot for adding personal touches to the dorm.
7. City Mill
- Address: 1212 Wilhelmina Rise, Honolulu, HI 96816
- Hours: Monday – Friday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Saturday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- What You’ll Find: A local favorite for hardware and household items, City Mill is a great option for picking up practical dorm supplies like fans, lighting, shelves, and toolkits.
8. Fisher Hawaii
- Address: 450 Cooke St, Honolulu, HI 96813
- Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Saturday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, Sunday: Closed
- What You’ll Find: Specializing in office and school supplies, Fisher Hawaii is where to go for binders, notebooks, pens, and other study essentials.
9. Home Depot
- Address: 421 Alakawa St, Honolulu, HI 96817
- Hours: Monday – Saturday: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Sunday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- What You’ll Find: Home Depot has all the basics for dorm DIY projects, small furniture, and tools. It’s also a good spot for organizing solutions and practical items like laundry baskets and shelves.
Where to Stay During Visits or Graduation
For parents and siblings visiting throughout the year, or for graduation, LoveWaikiki.com offers excellent and affordable accommodation options. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or planning an extended stay, they provide a variety of places to stay in Waikiki that fit every budget and need. It’s worth checking out for convenient, comfortable lodging both near the beach & your student’s dorm!
Final Dorm Room Checklist: Must-Have Essentials
Here’s a checklist to ensure nothing is forgotten when furnishing your son or daughter’s dorm room:
Bedding & Comfort:
- Twin XL sheets (2 sets)
- Comforter or duvet
- Pillows (at least 2)
- Mattress topper
- Extra blanket or throw
Storage & Organization:
- Under-bed storage bins
- Closet organizers (hangers, shoe racks)
- Desk organizers (pen holders, trays)
- Laundry hamper or basket
- Small trash bin
Study Supplies:
- Desk lamp with adjustable brightness
- Extension cords & surge protectors
- Laptop stand or riser
- Notebooks, binders, folders, and pens
- Sticky notes, highlighters, and index cards
Kitchen Essentials:
- Mini-fridge
- Microwave (if allowed)
- Reusable water bottle
- Coffee maker or electric kettle
- Utensils, plates, and bowls
- Dish soap and sponge
Personal Care:
- Towels (bath and hand towels)
- Shower caddy and toiletries
- Flip flops for the shower
- First aid kit (band-aids, ibuprofen, etc.)
- Laundry detergent and stain remover
Cleaning Supplies:
- Disinfecting wipes
- Paper towels
- Broom and dustpan or small vacuum
- Air freshener
Decor & Comfort:
- Wall art or posters
- Rug (small area rug for comfort)
- Desk chair cushion
- Curtains or blackout blinds (if needed)
Tech & Miscellaneous:
- Phone charger and extra cables
- Headphones or earbuds
- Fan or portable AC unit (if needed)
- Alarm clock
- Flashlight and batteries
With these stores close to Waikiki and a checklist in hand, you’ll have no trouble getting your student’s dorm room set up and comfortable for their time at the University of Hawaii!
Go Hawaii! #LoveWaikiki #UH #islandstudies