THE MARKETPLACE AT ALOHA TOWER
The perimeter of the Marketplace is dedicated predominantly to restaurants and cafes with intriguing views of the life and activity of the harbor and adjacent piers. Generous landscaping and endearing sculptures activate the edges of the buildings and numerous "courts" which break down the overall building mass into smaller, more intimate experiences. The design has created a complex of buildings that are at once richly Hawaiian, yet classic and simple in keeping with the maritime setting. Arches, towers, canopies, recessed lanais, and arcades add character and vitality - the essential hallmarks of the festival market setting. Tenants are a mix of Hawaii's best local retailers and restaurants as well as some of the mainland's most successful retail and restaurant operations. These include:
The first phase of the project was the Festival Marketplace at Piers 8 and 9.
The Marketplace, together with interim cruise ship terminals at Piers 9, 10, and 11, and the refurbished Aloha Tower, opened in November 1994. The Marketplace is a simple but elegant structure offering a two-story mix of retail and specialty shops, and entertainment extending from Irwin Park directly through to Pier 9. Intersecting this major corridor is a large center court, which gives a clear view from Aloha Tower throughout the Marketplace to the Hawaii Maritime Museum on Pier 7.
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All That Aloha (Open TBA)
Aloha Candle
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Island Coffee & Cigar, The
Island Hula Studio Island Sweetie Island Taffy JTB Chart JTB Look Kapono's Kids World Les Montres Living Sense Magnet Five-0 Martin & MacArthur Melrose Millennium Natural Attitude Next to Nothing Olivia's Euro Collection-Aloha Tower Out Of The West & Crybaby Ranch Paradise Collection Unlimited Patriotic Sports Perfumania Pet Gear Pipe Dreams Surf Company Precious Jewelry & Accessories Rainbow Hawaii Souvenirs Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Rodeo Cantina S.O.S. Boutique Sayumi's Princess Garden Bridal Salon Star Apparel Stone Gear Subway Sunglass City Sunglass Hut Waterfront Café & Cabaret World of Flags World of Hats Wyland Galleries Yokozuna |
The ATDC has taken the first steps in the revitalization of the waterfront and the creation of a new and exciting "people-place" on the Honolulu Waterfront. The completion of the marketplace brought a number of successes and challenges. The lack of adequate and a consistent parking arrangement have hampered the performance of the Marketplace. While the Marketplace draws from both local customers as well as visitors, local clientele routinely find the parking arrangement confusing and inadequate. The condition is exacerbated on boat days when almost one-third of the available parking stalls is reserved to boat servicing. Discussions are underway with the new Marketplace owner on creating additional parking to better serve local clientele as a part of a future phase development.
The management team's repositioning strategy, putting an emphasis on showcasing local entertainment, implemented last year was showing success prior to September 11, 2001. It is not unusual to see local talents featured at several stages throughout the Marketplace on a single night. Increased cruise ship activity in the Harbor had significantly added to Marketplace revenues and has served to establish Honolulu Harbor as a prime cruise ship destination. Since the return of the inter-island cruise lines, there has been an increase in activity as well. Like other retail centers, since September 11, 2001, there has been a decline in sales and revenues for the marketplace. At this time, the fourth quarter sales figures are unavailable. Sales do appear to be returning to pre 9/11 levels; however, they have not made a complete recovery and revenue returns are still somewhat depressed.
The Marketplace is also an active participant of the downtown Ho‘olaulea, the Pro-Bowl as well as the Hoku Awards block parties. The Fourth of July and the New Year's Eves are celebrated with fireworks display complete with local entertainment.