By Gavin Arucan | Staff Writer
Ka Makana Aliʻi, a new mall located in Kapolei, opened more than 40 of its stores and restaurants for its grand opening on Friday, October 21.
The mall greeted customers and Kapolei residents with a Hawaiian blessing, hula performances, and a late-night fireworks show along with its brand new retailers. Despite having more than 100 stores open or soon to open, this 1.4 million square-foot mall is only the first phase of the West O‘ahu mall.
Macy’s was the first store to open at the mall and is also the first Macy’s in Kapolei. (Photo by Gavin Arucan)
One of the first stores to open was Kapolei’s first Macy’s. Many other clothing retailers opened on Friday including H&M, Forever 21, Old Navy, Rip Curl, and Victoria’s Secret with several more opening soon. Aerie, Hollister, and A’Gaci are projected to open in Spring 2017.
Consolidated Theaters opened up its first luxury multiplex, ʻŌlino theaters. The cinema boasts comfortable reclining seats, a Titan XC screen, a booming Dolby Atmos sound system, and an elevated gourmet menu. ʻŌlino also doubles as a restaurant serving the theater’s concession menu, which includes the exclusive ʻŌlino burger, Hawaiian Pie Co. mini pies, macarons from Macarons by Tiffany, and coffee from Kai Coffee Hawaii.
Consolidated Theaters presents the luxury theater, ʻŌlino. (Photo by Gavin Arucan)
Of course there are other places to eat at the mall. The food court contains a Panda Express, Oʻahu’s second Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Nagoya Ramen & Bakery, Magnolia Ice Cream, and more. Other restaurants include California Pizza Kitchen and Kickin Kajun, a Cajun seafood restaurant. Koa Cafe, Moena Cafe, Johnny Rockets, Infinitea, Limon Rotisserie, Applebee’s, and Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken among others will be opening soon.
Ka Makana Aliʻi also has Farmlover’s Market, which features several local vendors at the mall’s center court.
Guests who stay at the new Hampton Inn & Suites are conveniently already at a shopping mall. (Photo by Gavin Arucan)
Customers may even book a room at Hawaiʻi’s first Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton, located directly on mall property. Guests may enjoy a comfortable bed, free WiFi, a fitness center, swimming pool, and a complimentary hot breakfast with their stay as well as the convenience of being mere steps away from 100 retailers and restaurants.
Ka Makana Aliʻi draws many similarities to Ala Moana Center with its trendy architecture, a Hawaiian themed aesthetic, and the fact the two share many of the same stores. However, Ka Makana Aliʻi provides a similar shopping experience for the residents of West Oʻahu, who may not be able to drive all the way out to Ala Moana to do their shopping. If the nearly full parking lot is any indicator, the new mall has proven to be a big draw for West Oʻahu residents. During its opening weekend, Ka Makana Aliʻi was packed with many curious locals rather than the tourists that shop at Ala Moana, but that is sure to change as more visitors stay in the Hampton hotel.
To learn more about Ka Makana Aliʻi, visit their website.
Ka Makana Aliʻi is located at 91-5431 Kapolei Pkwy, Kapolei, HI 96707, near Kroc Center and University of Hawai‘i at West Oʻahu.
To read all of Gavin’s stories, click here. Gavin can be reached at garucan@hawaii.edu.
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