Jelly’s

THE «Go-​To» best place to buy used CD’s and Vinyls. Good prices and the staff is always helpful and nice. My teenage daughter loves to search their selection. It isn’t a fancy store or anything, they’ve been around since I was a kid.

I came here for cassette tapes and they had plenty of them. I was so excited! They have a lot of variety here so that’s just what I was looking for.
They also have a big variety of cds, vinyls, and books in the back. They will even let you listen to the cds as well. However, they didn’t have a cassette player so I had to listen to the cd first to see if the cassette was worth purchasing.
The prices weren’t too expensive for me, but depending on what cd you were wanting to purchase.
I like the variety here. I will be back.

I am neither a vinyl or an animé or comic book dork.
I am, however, a normal book dork and collect books far faster than I read them.
Owning smart books makes me feel smart. I’m pretty sure that’s not how it really works but whatever. Let a busy mom have her delusions.
Inspired by some internet article I was recently compelled to read all of the classics (i.e. put old books on my bookshelf and feel good about my potentially growing intellect) I have not yet read. Or at least the important ones. Some of which are, incidentally, frighteningly long.
So down to Jelly’s I went to seek out my books and I was actually shocked at how expensive they were. Fortunately I was armed with a few gift certificates from a Christmas past, but many of the books were outrageously priced. I don’t typically enjoy paying $ 7 for a clearly used paperback and am much more accustomed to the prices at the Book-​off and, even better, Savers. Heck, I could even buy many of the titles brand new from amazon for less.
I understand the nostalgia of Jelly’s and the treasure trove other sorts of dorks find there, but for purely book purchases I would not recommend the place. Unless, of course, you have a gift certificate. Because then it is free. Yes, my math skills are exceptional.
I would give it two stars for the used book prices, but I’m going to up it to three as I recognize there is more to this store than I am aware of. Can you recognize something and not be aware of it? Recognized the lack of awareness? Yes. That is what I speak of.
This is why I need to read more.

Back in the days, you either bought music cassette tape, CDs, and records (vinyls) from Tower Records and or Jelly’s if you the cool kid.
I am so glad Jelly’s is still around in Coral Commercial Center. It’s about a block away from Fisher’s Hawaii. Most of their inventories are used. You can find books, comics, cassette tapes, 8 track (that’s really before my days), vinyls or records (jumbo version of cds).
It’s a big music/​book hobby store. People here are helpful and nice. They really know about music too.
Parking is free but marked with store names.

If you’re an avid bookworm like I am, Jelly’s is a must visit location! Norm and his staff do a good job of stocking gently used books, DvDs, CDs, LPs and all sort of goodies. For comic fans, never fear, they always have a good supply of vintage comic books and action figures. The store is always neat with books carefully filed by author and subject. If you don’t see what you want, just ask one of the staff. I’ve always found them to be very courteous and helpful. They have two different locations, with one in town on Auahi and a second in Pearl City. I’ve visited them frequently and never been disappointed by what they have. If the truth be known, I frequently end up with more than I was going to originally buy. (Do me a favor and don’t tell my wife.) For good quality used books at a fair price, stop by Jelly’s. It’s worth a trip!

Jelly’s
Keeping up with my music theme– music stations/​music venues/​music UYE/​now music stores.
The Iron DJ Challenge had a bonus points question: What is the longest running music store in Hawaii? And the buzzed in DJ answered Amoeba, really — they are not even in HI they are in California– granted a good store but not even here. Correct answer– Jelly’s.
Even though they have moved locations– still the same store. It is not Red Tower Records but a mix of used music mostly and some new in package music. There are tons of records to flip through– as a DJ looking for vintage vinyl there may be no other place to go to in HI other than Jelly’s.
Could I find something that I wanted– YES! Could I find something specific — no, probably not all the time.
The store is then also a long road of different types of stores, there are DVDs/​VHS sections, Comic Books, Used Books, used music equipment and a whole lot more. Is this good or bad? It gives me more to look at that is for sure– but I could get lost in hours of hours of browsing… I feel bad doing this– at Red Tower I do not feel bad at all standing looking, reading music back covers.
DJs for sure need a Jelly’s here in HI. Music is so important — too important to leave music only in the hands of Walmart. Walmart now sells the most albums to the masses between 20~30% of all album sales in America. But Walmart doesn’t care about music as it is only 1~2% of their net sales overall. So they keep cutting the prices and sell only the top selling mainstream music because they get the most return on investment.
Mom and Pop music stores carry the true pillars of music because those are the small albums that are needed by people in general.
We do need a Jelly’s and I appreciate going, browsing, and getting great music.

One of the few used book and media stores in Honolulu, this is a fun place to spend an hour rummaging for things you never realized you had to own. They have a great selection of vinyl, VHS, DVD, blu-​ray, books, comics, and some toys and musical instruments. The staff is small and friendly. If you’re looking for something specific, they can get it from their larger store or order it for you if you aren’t in a rush. They have countless books from which to choose. The store is large and clean.
Located in Kaka’ako, it’s definitely an area under development. There are great places to eat nearby and plenty of free parking. My only issue is many things feel overpriced for the condition or age (many books are ½ cover price, which is considerably more than many used book stores and thrift shops).
A fun place to check out!

If you are looking for used music (CDs, records, etc) books, comics and the like, you need to go to Jelly’s. The store has ben around forever — just in different locations. They hae a great selection of new and used items to choose from.
I was searching for a Hawaiian CD that is now out of print, and went to Jelly’s. Although I didn’t find what I was looking for, I did find 3 other CDs that I thorougly enjoyed. The sales lady at the front even helped me call the other Jelly’s location (Pearl Ridge) to see if they had what I was looking for so I didn’t have to make a needless drive.
Prices here are a bit expensive. But, I’m guessing that someone has to make a living and they have hard to find items. I’m OK with it.

Unilocal 365 Challenge #244/​365
Remember back in the 1990’s when there was Kathy with a K and Norman from Radio Free Hawaii?
Remember how all the good bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Faith No More, and the bands (Stone Temple Pilots, Tool, etc) that came down for the first Big Mele at Kualoa Ranch and how we stood in line at the Pearl Kai Shopping Center to buy those tickets?
Remember how this was one of the go-​to places besides Tower Records?
Then, Radio Free fizzled out because… they only started playing Ska music *thumbs down*
However, Jelly’s clung on tenaciously as a business, selling old records, collectibles, comics, toys and books. Note: They also sell musical items too!
I am familiar with their Pearl City location but the town location-​I finally ventured into their little shop.
We were early to the Nerdy Dance event and decided to check out Jelly’s. Of course, I’m excited because I love me some books and headed straight to the back while Dan looked through the albums, CDs and DVDs.
I have made a note to return here because they have a lot of military history books that caught my interest especially with the mark down prices. As I walked around the different topics, I stumbled upon an Iolani Yearbook in the Hawaiiana Section. A YEARBOOK!!! And it wasn’t a recent yearbook but a yearbook from the 80’s-90’s era.
I think we were browsing there for about an hour and I have to share it was like running into an old friend again and trying to catch up with what they have been up to since the last time we seen each other. And I have to say… that Jelly’s is doing not bad-they’re still around and still has the ability to shock you when you find an old Kiss album that you played air guitar to when you were eight years old.
Visit them-you’ll have fun like we did.

Unilocal 100 Challenge #25/​100
For as long as I can remember I’ve been following around Jelly’s. It’s like that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow where you can find some used lost treasures for music, books, comics, etc.
When they were across from Ala Moana, to their new location at Coral street, Jelly’s has been my go to place for used CDs, records, books, DVDs, Blu-​Ray discs, etc.
Back in the day when Nintendo was the gaming console of choice I would buy and sell my games there. I remember the days when there were 45s to purchase and they had some awesome mixed tapes. I know some of you are like, «What is a 45?» Anyhow, time moves on and they have a great $ 1 CD selection. Sometimes I would find some Jazz CDs that are real gems for just $ 1!
Depending on how much you spend they will give you a coupon to use and is only good for a certain amount of time. You can actually use it that day. How cool is that?!
Overall, Jelly’s has been around for a while and I hope they stay around for a long while more. Mahalo and Aloha Jelly’s!