Ala Moana Shopping Center is the largest shopping center on Oahu with over 260 shops and restaurants and IS the largest open air shopping center in the world.
(Picture to the right is the Koi pond in the middle of the third floor open air shopping mall. Koi; also known as decorative carp represent peace and tranquility)
A little history of Ala Moana Center:
(Left: Water fountain leading to Koi Pond in the middle of Ala Moana Shopping Center)
February 6, 2008- General Growth Properties also owns Ward Center Shopping Mall (2002) just a few blocks down from Ala Moana. They proposed a plan to redevelop 60 acres in this area called Kakaako with a mix of 4,000 residential units, shops and a pedestrian friendly malls and such. This planned community would take about 20 years to complete but bring beauty, residential units, shops and more to this community. Currently, there are many dilapidated buildings and a good cleanup may be just what this area needs to brighten up the place.
Of course the Hawai'i Community Development Authority has to approve of the plan as well as hold a public hearing. They will also have to take into consideration that there will most likely be plenty of ancient burial sites/bones in the area.
In my previous article Purchasing Hawaii Vacant Land? Ancient Hawaiian Burial Sites and Laws I discussed how 'It is a known fact that all our Hawaiian Islands have many burial grounds and sites that have still not been discovered.'
Back in 2004 Walmart broke ground for construction on our island of Oahu on Keeaumoku Street (Kakaako District) and then they discovered ancient bones. Construction ceases and they await direction from the State Historic Preservaton Division. They call the Honolulu Police Department and an archeaologist at the same time as well. Specialists in Hawaiian culture are called in to handle the remains and/or artifacts. In this case 42 sets of human remains were found. After a process, Walmart resumed the construction and it opened in October of 2004.
Many things to consider when presenting a plan for major reconstruction in any area in the islands don't you think?
Need more info on Military Relocations to Hawaii? Would you like a Hawaii Relocation packet?
Century 21 Liberty Homes, Mililani, Hawaii
Hawaii Relocations, Hawaii Military Relocation Move PCS. Listening to YOUR needs for your Hawaii Home Buying or Hawaii Home Selling experience for a smooth & successful landing! © 2008
Baby You Can Drive My Car: Waikele Hawaii Neighborhood from the Dashboard
Ewa Gentry- Market and Area Report - Honolulu County Hawaii
Bathroom & Kitchen Leaks- Responsible Condo Living in Hawaii
Buyer & Seller Guidelines: Code of Ethics or Fantasy?
The Legend of the Spouting Horn
Waimea Canyon on Kauai - It Took My Breath Away....Literally
Launani Valley Mililani Condos Homes-Hawaii Relocation Schofield Barracks, Wheeler AAF
Presentation for the Hawaii Home Seller (The Epiphany) UPDATED
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2008 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
Sally, I LOVE Koi fish, it is so lovely to see them swimming free. Here they are in ponds that are created. I remember reading about how Hawaii honors ancient symbols and bones while building and some sites are sacred. It was facinating. The Ala Moana Center sounds as if it will be wonderful...thank you for the wonderful tour!
Carole: I love when you come and visit...I know you enjoy these....of course you are surrounded in a diverse community too and are interested in a lot of the things I am. Thanks Carole!
Wal-Mart in Hawaii. Who would have thought it.
Is there any place Wal-Mart isn't???
Aloha! Can't wait to come back to "The land of Aloha". What a beautiful place. People too. Alooooooha.
Sally Jo, Target would likely be more cooperative with the "bones" and stuff- WalMart doesn't belong on your island. Tar-jay has better stuff, and is a much more fun place to shop.
Hi Sally,
Now I feel like going shopping! Btw, little one calls it War-Mart....LOL! :)
Good one. I think the Kakaako plan will be a big improvement too.
Lenn: Target is coming up...walmarts all over...you'd be surprised how many LARGE shopping centers. In Mililani we have three :)
Kenneth: Wonderful...when you comin? :)
Laurie: Walmart is already built....they're talking about a whole reconstruction with blocks of units, shops etc.
Suzanne: Ha...that's cute. Wars go on during Christmas lol!
Georgina: I think it just may be too. Some of those car fix it places etc are an eye sore.
Goodness, Sally, only you can make a shopping center seem interesting for anything other than its shops and restaurants. You set a bar on this - 'not sure I can measure up!
Sally - I love the juxtaposition of nature and "beings" everywhere. My favorite memory of Lana'i is early morning coffee beside the koi pond. I really appreciate that at the airport also, there are gardens with greenery and fragrance in between the jetways. SO much better than concrete!
Sally now that looks like my kind of shopping mall. I could go fishing while the wife is shopping. Can you eat those big orange fish? :)
Margaret: We ate at a fourth floor Japanese buffet restaurant....wonderful!!! From that floor we could see the yacht harbor :)
Sharon: No kidding. I love the flowers along side the water...they do a beautiful job to not only make it an open shopping area...but enjoyable.
Sally .............. LOL
George: You're too funny....if you stick your finger into the water they come up and kind of suck on your finger...pretty cool. Like they're kissing the finger....or else they're hungry!
Thank goodness for the laws that force the builders to stop and allow the remains to be properly excavated!
I've spent MANY a $ at the Ala Moana mall in hopes of boosting Hawaii's economy, I hope to be back soon to do more of the same! One time we eat at "Forrest Gump's" (is that the name of the place? is it still there? it was on the 3rd or 4th floor)
Lisa: Now that part I think is sooo important. They'll also have the place blessed and stuff.
Mary: Bubba Gumps. Maybe Forrest ate there lol! It's on the fourth floor where we went to eat at a Japanese buffet. Make sure and give me a ring if you do!
That is a wonderful historical account. I am glad that there is a process to make sure that the artifacts are preserved. Thanks for sharing a bit more of the history of your beautiful state.
Thanks Joan....there's history in every place. Glad you enjoyed!
Ala Moana used to be the place. Now, you guys have so many other options. It's wonderful that you have so much available in Honolulu, yet just a few miles and you're in the country. I so enjoyed my recent visit. One of the best days was the day we rented a car and drove to the North Shore. What a wonderful paradise you call home. Mahalo again for your wonderful hospitality.
Sally - that's it! Maybe Bubba is Forrest's brother? You will be the first to know if (no, that's WHEN we visit again!)
Sally, your localism is to "die for". I just mean it is sooo well done. Love to read and learn. Wonderful post and photos. Wow!!
Marlene: Everything in one place...gotta love it! I know where we live it's central to any which way. I love going to the North Shore and looking at mountains, valleys, ocean and streams all in one place too! Aloha Oe.
Cheryl: Thanks there! We all have history...just gotta bring it forefront so we all can educate :)
Mary: I will look forward to that day!
Sally girl: The colors in Hawaii are so "vivid" and beautiful. Koi ponds are so cool. Great article and wonderful photos.
Karen: Thanks for the nice compliment! I too love to read and learn about other areas.
Teri: Thanks...I love these peaceful and graceful creatures.... :)
Sally- I remember going to Ala Moana shopping center to buy my clothes and jewerly as a young adult, or old teenager. Love that place. I remember most of all they had this one natural sandwich cafe that sold this awesome avocado and sprout sandwich on whole wheat back in the day that is was not so popular to do so! Even back then in 1976 it seemed so huge to me, but then again, I did not have much to compare it to. It was only the second of that type of shopping center I had ever been to. It looks like it has even grown grander since the 70's. I am glad Whole Foods is coming and then you just need a Target because I do not shop at Walmart, I do not support their mistreatment of labor or their selfish motives in business and their lack of giving back. You make me homesick!
Katerina: Target has had labor complaints as well....I presume many companies will continue to get "heat" although this story isn't about certain stores. I shop wherever the deals are going to be good....with kind of good quality. I don't even buy much at any of those luxury stores at Ala Moana or Ward Center anyway.
Sally, I had no idea that Hawaii even had swamp lands. I guess that is not one of the things that comes to mind when we think of Hawaii. Your pictures are beautiful and they obviously turned the swamp land in to a beautiful shopping center.
Marchel: Yup...they sure did...a lot they did with coastline...even Waikiki Beach....they have to have sand pumped from the ocean floor and dumped on the beach every so often to bring in good clean sand :)
Slly...everyone needs Wal Mart for when they arrive at their destination and the plane has lost their luggage!
Joan: Why of course! In fact, my hubbie went to a conference in Dec. and another manager had lost her luggage. They all took a trip to walmart! I don't get into singling out any company because you know what? We don't know all the dirty little secrets of all the companies in the world and hey...I want stuff...not dirty laundry :)
Sally - One of these days I hope to put your post to very good use ( a trip to Hawaii would be very nice)
A couple of years ago when they were doing sewer repairs in Waikiki they found ancient bones while digging up Kalakaua Ave (The main street in Waikiki). The road was built right over them.
Randy: They didn't move them? You see? Now I have to go look for this.
Sally.... I put a very small pond in my parents back yard about 16 years ago... I started with Koi in the pond, but the birds or animals would get them. On another note, I like your 2 new buttons... how did you make these? thanks