Page 4 - MidWeek East - April 21, 2021

4 APRIL 21, 2021
East O‘ahu’s Kāhala Mall Has Been A Part Of The Community For 50 Years
(Top left) Kāhala Mall opened to the public in 1971 and, this year (top right), celebrates 50 years of service. (Above) Over the years, the mall has offered many events for local ‘ohana, like Keiki Day, during which nonprofits teach people about what they can do to help protect the ocean. PHOTOS COURTESY KĀHALA MALL
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“Kāhala Mall was de- signed with sophistication and featured wall-to-wall carpet- ing, large crystal chandeliers from Europe, doorless store entries to encourage an open feeling and customer flow, and lush tropical landscaping throughout the property,” says Everett.
half of the merchants are all locally owned.
In the summer of 1970, the majority of Kāhala Mall opened to the public and it was so popular, in fact, that the center’s first leasing agent Allan Beal, who was president of Hawaiʻi Shopping Center Corp., stated that roughly 50 merchants had to be turned away.
With more than 100 mer- chants, more than half are locally owned and have been anchored at the center for the last decade, while many have been there for at least 25 years. For instance, Kāhala Barber is a tenant of the for- mer Waiʻalae Shopping Cen- ter, and Marion Oki, the sec- ond-generation owner, turns 90 this year and still gives haircuts seven days a week.
In the years since, a myr- iad of things have changed. However, Kāhala Mall’s com- munity-centered outlook has remained the same.
“It’s the personal rela- tionships that our merchants have with the communi- ty that makes Kāhala Mall so unique,” shares Everett. “Where else can you shop and the majority of store owners or longtime managers personally help you or know your entire family? The genuine care and service level from our mer- chants is what makes all the difference. Our merchants are happy to be a part of the com- munity, they continue to suc- cessfully evolve and they’re just really thankful and appre- ciative of their customers for supporting them through the years.
“The initial vision for Kāhala Mall was to become the focal point of the East Oʻahu community — a safe, go-to destination, with the perfect mix of national re- tailers and exclusive locally owned stores, restaurants and services. It was to become a place where people could enjoy spending time with their friends and family, and experience everything from educational, civic and cultural activities, art exhibits to fash- ion shows or simply watching a high school band perform.
“When people visit Kāha- la Mall they feel a part of the community, they feel welcome, it’s an enjoyable, relaxed experience,” she con- tinues. “This is a generation- al mall that most customers remember coming to as chil- dren, with their parents or grandparents or on vacation, and they enjoy the memories they make here.”
“The center has always primarily focused on the lo- cal customer and that hasn’t changed.”
“This vision has carried throughout its 50 years. To- day, Kāhala Mall is the gath- ering place in our community and our goal is to provide the safest environment and most enjoyable experience possi- ble for our customers. With so many changes, constant large developments emerging on our island, when you’re at Kāhala Mall, there is a sense of familiarity that people love. There is still a strong mix of international stores and nearly
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