If you're staying nearby, there aren't too many cheaper grocery stores nearby and Costco is a 30 minute drive for bulk items so if you need small items, there are only a handful of general stores. This is one of them. It's a bit pricier but that's expected I guess because of the convenience. We got staples here - milk, butter, spices etc. They also have souveniors. We also got some other indulgences - ice cream, etc. They are open a little later if you need an emergency supply run. read more

This store has a little of everything you need. My sunglasses broke--no problem. Dole whip dessert--got it. Sammy from the deli--yep. Chips, snacks and white claws for your room--got that too. Souvenirs--for those. Whatever you need, they've got it. Like a Whole Foods and ABC store had a baby. read more

Great store to come get some souvenirs from. They also carry my favorite water here. The store employees are very nice and they will help you find the perfect items. I definitely recommend swinging by you'll find some thing that you'll love. read more

See all

Cashier's attitude of terrible. Gave attitude for having drinks inside the store. There wasnt a sign at the entrance. Put a sign at the entrance if you want people to follow specific rules. read more

Lydia threw a fit after I made a mistake because my kid gave me two things instead of one and I didn't realize until right before I paid. she kept on grunting and muttering under her breath and she threw the product that I told her I didn't want in the end. Horrible customer experience. read more

Pricey and mainly full of overpriced souvenirs. Go across the street to Island Gourmet Markets for a better variety of affordable souvenirs and a million times better food/market. read more

Nice selection of souvenirs and some food and snacks. The souvenir section has great items, some horribly overpriced, but other items come at a fair price when you compare stores. You can definitely find some nice things to take home, they also have a small section of local food, coffee and products to take home. read more

Before the pandemic. Still in sticker shock at prices through the roof at the general stores in Hilton's Waikoloa Village? If you have a car, you can drive 23 miles past Kailua Kona to Costco. But you will have to pay $39 to valet park the car each day of your stay at Hilton Waikoloa Village. Even at Costco, one gallon of milk will be $4.49, and a gallon of POG $4.99. And there is the supermarket in Waikoloa Village a couple of miles away. Walk a mile down to Whalers General Store, one of dozens throughout the Hawaiian islands. This one is located in King's Shops shopping center. The usual souvenirs, Aloha T-shirts, a whole lot cheaper than the Dancing Dolphins general store in HWV. Also the usual books, magazines at standard prices as the mainland. Come here early enough in the morning and pick up a sushi and musubi spam $2.89, Yakisoba $5.49, Breakfast bento $6.99, Loco moco bowl $6.59, $3.99 cooked hot dog on bun with fountain soft drink . They run out quick, so quick that all I saw were bare shelves at 9am. No ABC store here. Other snack items: 24 oz fountain soda $1.19, 32 oz fountain soda $2.49, $4.99 half gallon passion orange nectar , $7.99 half gallon milk, $2.49 6oz Yoplait. 20 ounce bottle of coke for $2.50, 12 oz Lucky Charms $4.99. Sounds good, until you try buying fruit. $1.99 for a single Fuji Apple, $2.29 for a single orange, $0.99 for a single banana, product of Ecuador. Same prices as the Whaler's store in Poipu, Kauai. Walk another quarter mile to Island Gourmet Market in Queen's Market shopping center for lower priced fruit, a far wider selection of groceries, and snacks at about the same price as Whalers. Just remember you can use the HWV bus trolley shuttle to haul everything to the hotel entrance. Even if you have a car, it's another quarter mile walk hauling everything from the HWV tram exit to your room in the Ocean Tower. And no instacart nor grocery delivery in this part of the big Island! read more

See all

We were browsing the shops at Kings Place after getting a starbucks drink for my boyfriend and the honey display at the entrance caught my eye and we entered the store. We saw a cute hat and as I was trying it on, I notice the cashier was glaring at me. I assumed she was afraid I was going to shoplift so I made sure to keep the hat in visible view at all times. We went up to pay for the hat and she immediately gave us the biggest stink face and glare and didn't say anything or take our items. My boyfriend asked her what was wrong and if she was feeling ok. She then muttered something super inaudible and we had to ask her to repeat herself. Only then did she very quietly tell us that "outside drinks are not allowed." We immediately apologized, as we had not seen any sign. It was only on the way out did we notice that on top of the honey display was a sign that looked like it was some sort of store promo, but was actually a sign that said "No outside drinks or food please." We had been too focused on the honey that was below the sign to look up at the top of the honey display. My suggestion to the store is to create a much larger freestanding standalone sign for the "No outside food or drink", so that other visitors don't accidentally walk past it unnoticed. The cashier's attitude was really awful and I can't imagine what international tourists who may not be fluent in English must feel when she behaves so rudely to them in that manner. The cashier is an older asian woman with gray hair. read more

Please don't waste your money and time at this place. Go across the street to the Island Gourmet Market and you will love what you find. read more

See all

Just did a quick stop for some drinks and souvenirs. Didn't have any hot foods and it's one of the few stores open in that shopping center during the pandemic read more

I am a vendor at the Kings' Shop Tuesday Farmers Market. I sometimes buy my lunch at the Whalers General Store because I'm too lazy to cook and bring my own lunch. My usual fare use to be a bento or a musubi. I say "use to be" because I was told Whalers is phasing out these local delicacies because they just sit in the display case. Apparently tourists don't know what a bento or a spam musubi is and are not willing to try a local food. I hope Whalers will reconsider their decision because Japanese visitors know what musubis are and they are a huge tourist market. Mahalo. read more

I really enjoy visiting this little general store whenever I visit. We always make our customary trip to Island Fish and Chips but I always tell people to skip their drinks and head over to the general store across the way to get what they need. Whenever I need a drink, souvenir or even some alcohol, there are only a handful of places around that are able to accommodate. Whalers is located in the Kings Shops and is conveniently located within walking distance to the Marriott and Hyatt. We like to get our Aloha Hawaiian drinks here (best fruit juices around!). They have awesome fruit snacks, chocolates, coffee goods and souvenirs for those who forgot to get something for loved ones back home. It's probably not the cheapest place around but certainly a convenient one for location and its proximity to one of our favorite restaurants (Island Fish and Chips FTW!). Come by and get something cool to eat, drink or give away! read more

Expensive tourist stuff like you find at the airport. Not much I needed since I shop at the KTA store nearby. Okay if your rich or don't have a car but nothing I was willing to spend that much on. read more

Island Gourmet Market in the Queens' shops might be larger, but Whalers General Store has everything you need. Located to our Resort and the only store in both Kings' and Queens' shops with books and magazines. Vincci the cashier's cheerful demeanor was contagious! He genuinely cared about giving every customer the best possible experience. read more

if you're surprised that things are more expensive here... Well, you shouldn't be. You're in resort central. 7 t shirts for $20 as family souvenirs. Can't beat that. That's all. read more

Beware tourists: you are about to be ripped off if you decide to buy anything, especially alcohol. I have spent $5 on a 40oz at this place. Why? Because I am a damn fool. read more

Only place in Waikoloa I could find a paperback novel to read on vacation!! So glad someone still carries actual books

You'll find a few good deals on tshirts and similar gifts but while Whalers was the only game in town for years, that's not the case anymore and they have not caught up. If you need more than a couple items to bring home, try the large market at the queen shops which has way more selection. For better prices and range on food, try foodland at the Mauna Launi. And of course if you really want options or to price down, head to Kona or better yet, Hilo, But as other reviewers have said, if you think the prices are high... Know that while whalers is above the other options by a few percent, not only is everything coming via boat but this is smack in resort central. read more

Spent most of my time & money shopping here. Reasonable prices on toiletries for being in a high end resort area. Bought a reusable folding cooler bag to take picinic to the beach. Deceptive pricing on some chocolate covered macadamia nuts. Make sure you pay the price you think you should be paying. read more

Whaler's General Store in the King's Shops is well stocked with snack items and souvenirs, plus some groceries and other essentials. Prices are very high; you will pay for the convenient location on the Waikoloa Resort. If you're looking for grocery store items, and have transportation, the prices and selection are much better at the Waikoloa Village Market (15-20 minutes up the Waikoloa Road to Waikoloa Village) or the Foodland Farms market at the Mauna Lani resort (about 10 minutes north). Island Gourmet, which is across the road at the Queen's Shops, is another option for well stocked gourmet and fresh foods, plus souvenirs. It's a bit pricey as well, because of its location, but has an excellent selection of fresh and prepared foods. read more

This place is so expensive. Sure, I should not be surprised cause it is in a resort area. Still, I can usually find some good deals anywhere. Over here, I did not though. I bought a couple of souvenirs here because it was not as high as the hotel gift shop hence the 3 star rating. If you want to save money though, then don't shop here. For the convenience though, then this is the place to come to in the area. read more

Supplying the staples. This store amazes me with the sheer variety of merchandise they carry. If you're vacationing on Waikoloa Drive, you can stop by to pick up groceries, booze, and items you thought you packed but didn't. They also stock a ton of souvenirs. I love that you don't have to drive there from the hotels and condos nearby. It's located in the Kings' shops, so it's not a bad walk even from the opposite end of the drive, or you could take one of the shuttles. read more

Not bad. You're paying for convenience. Prices high, but some good options. Sure it's better to drive into Waikoloa for the regular grocery store, but hey, you're not making that drive now are you. read more

I went this store 2 times so far. I bought a cute Christmas ornament and today some grocery. Everytime I go there, people are nice and helpful. And they give out paper bags for free if you buy a lot. I was very grateful today when I bought several things unplanned and they gave me a paper bag for them. I for sure go back again! MAHALO read more

This place makes no qualms about what it is, including that it has a lot of souvenirs. I didn't spend much time in there, but along with your soda and the small variety of average foods, you can get sunglasses, a keychain with your name in English and in Hawaiian, and coconuts carved into monkeys. I just wanted postcards, and the regular 4x6 ones were 5/$1, which is pretty good. And they had some unattractive ones of lava spilling across roads; not so scenic, but perhaps for your sciencey friend... read more

This store is overpriced. If you can drive to Foodland Farms in Mauna Lani your pocketbook will thank you. I came here to buy a few gifts for friends and ended up overpaying. Also pay close attention to food you purchase here. I bought some papaya salad dressing only to realize once I got to the car that it was expired. I went back in to exchange for a better code and saw all dressings but one on she lf were expired. This isn't a big deal but the lady that I interacted with who had just rung me up acted put off as and rude as he'll when I asked if I could exchange the item. She didn't seem to understand that the dressing was expired despite my careful explaining. ( I also work at a grocery store) Anyway she finally told me to just leave with no apology for the inconvenience. This is one of my top ten rude interactions. read more

The Whalers General Store offers a little less crap than the ABC Stores do these days but, not by much. There are a few fun things to choose from but, not much. At least they put their Christmas merchandise on sale after the holidays --- still, if you are in the islands just after Christmas and want to get a great deal on Hawaiian-themed items you're better off going to Target. read more

Best deal here is 7 t-shirts for $20. Otherwise, make sure you find get what you need when in Kona.

Expensive but convenient. Fountain soda machine although ice was sometimes a problem.

go here for the essentials that you forgot, and the hotel won't provide, or the things like soda, beer, chips or whatnot. but be forewarned, it's gonna cost you a pretty penny. only get stuff here if you are landlocked and don't have access to your rental car nor the will to drive yourself into kailua to go to safeway, walmart, or costco. i originally wanted to give this a 2, but considering its the only thing around, on a mere location basis, it gets a 3. read more

We came here twice during our vacation as it is the closest grocery-type store to the Marriott. Got a few souvenirs and some beer to save some $ on the hotel prices. Still, things are pricey compared to a regular grocery store but its worth the convience. read more

This place is WAY cheaper than Islands! Good selection of the essentials. Plus the people working there were very nice.

Located in the Kings shops, this is an awesome general store. They have a ton of everything, from food, drinks, booze, souvenirs of all kinds, apparel, groceries, and medicine. We grabbed some gourmet nuts and a few souvenirs in here, and were helped quickly at he register. This place is also pretty large, could take some time exploring it. Highly recommend stopping in here if you are in need of basically anything on your vacation. Short trip away from where we were staying at the four seasons, and was a perfect spot to kill a little time and spend a few bucks before our dinner at roys. They even have tables and chairs in front to enjoy a beverage, snack, or meal. read more

I love this place! They have everything you could possibly need. If they don't carry the exact brand, they'll have something adjacent to compensate for it. The staff is always super friendly even though they have to deal with tourists ALL DAY. read more

Good selection of do-dads to get for other people or the kids. Good place to buy presents for the people back home.

It's less of a tourist trap than Island Gourmet. Very easy to get in and out with the essentials.