In 1997, Hawaii's revenues from 2,106 wholesale trade establishments amounted to $7.7 billion. A total of 7,722 retail establishments had sales totaling $13 billion in 1997. Retail sales totaled $15.7 billion in 1998. The leading shopping centers, all on Oahu, are the Ala Moana Center, Pearlridge Center, and Kahala Mall. Food stores, automotive dealers and service centers, and eating and drinking establishments accounted for 11%, 7.5%, and 34% of store genre, respectively. Food sales and merchandise sales totaled $2.3 billion each in 1997.
Hawaii's central position in the Pacific ensures a sizable flow of goods through the Honolulu Customs District. Exports exceeded $276 million. Hawaii's major trading partners are Japan for exports; and Japan, Singapore and Indonesia for imports. Hawaii's Trade Zone no. 9 is one of the most successful trade programs in the US. In 1998, the zone was used by 279 businesses, handling $2.1 billion worth of merchandise, and providing 6,370 jobs.