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Aloha Tower Marketplace
Category: Shopping Shopping Centers Shopping Centers [Edit]
1 Aloha Tower DrHonolulu, HI 96813
(808) 566-2337
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot, Valet
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
40 reviews for Aloha Tower Marketplace
Review Highlights
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"...sure to get your parking ticket validated at the store or..." In 3 reviews -
"...have a private lot and street parking, but it gets full..." In 2 reviews -
"...Tower has recently become the place for concerts and events." In 4 reviews
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40 reviews in English
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Review from Don D.
Since this location can be so general, this will be one of my shortest reviews of all.
Anyway, Aloha Tower isnt like it used to be. I went recently to see what was new and what changed.
I noticed there were MORE vacancies than EVER. To me, this is a problem. Now I know why I probably visit the Aloha Tower Marketplace an average of once a year.
Is rent to high? Is the place not marketed well? I think something needs to be done because all the vacant spots doesnt look good! -
Review from Jacob N.
There is so much potential here at this marketplace. The current shops are quite touristy, and none usually catch my interest enough to stop in. I usually just come here for the dining/drinking experiences (Gordon Biersch and Hooters). The view of Honolul harbor is great from many spots on the piers, so I figure it would be a great place for higher scale restaurants to open up. Parking is ok. The small lot hear the entrance of the marketplace is pretty tight, so be cautious if you drive a large car or truck. The more spacious parking lot is a short walk past the Hawaii Maritime Museum.
With such a unique location and view I would think that this place could really become something awesome, but as it stands now, it needs a lot of work to bring life into the place. Hopefully one day that will happen. -
Review from Chad Y.
Que the crickets chirping, the tumbleweeds blowing across the halls from the sea breezes, and of course the spiderwebs doting the corner and you will understand how slow the Aloha Tower Marketplace is. It ultimately is a hodgepodge of knick knack tourist shops, national food chair restaurants, and ultimately the lone standout: Chai's Island Bistro.
The marketplace features some of the best views of Honolulu Harbor and that view can be had from a number of the restaurants that remain at the complex. Other than that...that's where the good pretty much ends. Bathrooms which function but are a tad dirty and lacking paper towels isn't a good sign, nor is the fact that there is more empty space than filled shops.
Parking can be a struggle depending on when you go. Note: the Irwin Park lot which fronts the center isn't valet and you can pull in there if you just pass the valet area. Make sure you get your ticket validated other wise you could be in for a hefty parking bill. -
Review from Steve B.
Bellevue, WA
Sad.............sad because this used to be an awesome place in the 90s! There was no cooler place to visit than Aloha Tower Marketplace back then and even into the 2000s. But now it has become basically a ghost mall with hardly any shops. For a while they were promoting it as a Japanese tourism hub but likely that died out as well! It has so much potential, I'm surprised someone has not come along and made this place back in to the jewel it used to be.
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Review from Jay L.
Honolulu, HI
These two words can easily describe what Aloha Tower Marketplace is all about: "tourist trap". Yes that's right, this place is a tourist trap and rightfully so it's a tourist trap from the get-go because of the many different shops they have available and whatnot. A lot of the things they have here are things tourists would wanna buy such as cheesy souvenirs from all these different kinds of shops that's not worth definitely not worth going to.
Besides the cheesy souvenir shops, Aloha Tower Marketplace is also known for many good restaurants people would wanna eat at. As far as I know, there's Chai's Island Bistro, Hooters, The Villas, Gordon Biersch, Don Ho's, and Bikini Cantina. Those are all the restaurants and bar places they have at this marketplace and the only place I've actually been to was Gordon Biersch back in the summer of 2006 for my best friends high school graduation party.
I wouldn't bother wanting to eat at the other restaurants they have here at Aloha Tower Marketplace. There're pricey and not worth eating at unless you don't care about where to eat at whether it's by yourself or with friends and family. The only awesome thing about this place is the Waterfront, and what's so awesome about the Waterfront is that this is where most concerts are held including New Found Glory from earlier this year in February, Paramore in September, and 30 Seconds to Mars in October.
As for parking at Aloha Tower Marketplace, I'm not too familiar with that since I've never drove to this place. What I do know is that there's valet parking service, but even I don't know how much valet parking is at this place. If anything, I'd rather rely on public transportation such as taxi or TheBus getting to here rather than parking because I assume the parking fare must be kinda pricey as well as valet parking. Honestly, you'd have to ask someone else about the parking situation because I have no clue whatsoever nor will I ever have a damn clue since I hardly ever come to this marketplace.
If anything, I'd stay well away form Aloha Tower Marketplace if you don't wanna deal with a tourist trap place like this marketplace. Cheesy souvenir shops, expensive restaurants, and loads of tourists. No wonder why many local residents don't like coming here because of everything being too touristy, overrated, and expensive. Sounds familiar with Ala Moana Center and Waikiki doesn't it? It sure does. -
Review from Ed L.
I stopped here on the way home after giving blood at the Blood Bank of Hawaii. Realizing that I was near Aloha Tower and having not been there for a while, I decided to stop by and see what was going on. To be honest, Aloha Tower Marketplace - like Ala Moana and Waikiki, are catered to the tourist folk and not the kamaa'ina in mind. Well, maybe the spendy kama'aina. That ain't me. The restaurant options were lax and everything seemed to be closed on a Saturday midday. I dunno.
Got here on the bus, so there are options via public transportation. Limited parking, but there are choices. The shopping market itself is small, so you can see pretty much everything, including Aloha Tower itself in 15-20 minutes. Sad. -
Review from Stephanie B.
Honolulu, HI
I was shocked when I went here after hearibg so much hype about it. We got here at 6:04 on a Saturday night. Parking was crowding and the lots ate really tight. The place was a ghost town. There seemed to be more empty shops then occupied ones. Notice I said occupied.....cause all the shops closed at 6 except for places to eat. Seriously people, it is Saturday night what's up with that? The shops I did see seemed very touristy. I was very disappointed.
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Review from Jennifer G.
Honolulu, HI
This is a very touristy spot. There are only a few things that redeem it in my eyes.
PROS:
-The Brewery that looks out at the water at the end of the market place is kinda nice if you're in the area. Get the seasonal beer samplers.
-It's a good spot to hang out at before concerts at the Aloha Tower Stage.
-It's fun to go hang out in the belly dancing studio there, and ask for music or dancing.
-Valet is optional and not at such a bad price, but there is better self-parking right next to the marketplace. Way better.
-Lots of benches to sit at, and upper floor is almost empty every time I'm there.
CONS:
-Bus loads of tourists are pulling up and getting out to flood the place... constantly.
-Parking fills up fast for events, so get there early.
-Most of the stores there are tacky, non-authentic, cheap. -
Review from Bryan K.
Elmhurst, NY
The only reason to ever, everrrr end up here is to either to goto Gordon's for a good burger, or an event. Showing up to shop makes you wonder why you showed up at all. Just go to Ala Moana, its not that far away. ;) The other restaurants in here make you shrug. Pretty sure Hooters Honolulu is the worse Hooters in the country. And thats just going by the food. There are many empty stores in this place, new places pop up, then disappear.
So unless its for a good burger at Gordons or an concert/event, no sense in coming here. Nothing worth nothing. Also, get your ticket validated. Or you're going pay lots and lots of money to park. Kind of like a slap in the face when you realize this place sucks for shopping and you have to pay $20 for parking. -
Review from Annie K.
*Dust ball rolling down the aisle* OMG! It's a ghost town. Empty spaces begging to be leased. Colorful stores crying for attention. What happened!? This use to be this crowded, lively tourist attraction. Now, it's just an empty pier. Other than Gordon Biersch and Chai's Bistro, there's really nothing there. I hope that Aloha Tower Marketplace gets a fresh new look soon.
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Review from Nicole C.
Discovery Bay, CA
Living across the street at Marin Towers for the first 2 months of my stay in Honolulu in what you could term an inspiration of the 2011 Movie "The Roommate" type situation lets just say that I escaped to the closest refuge many-a-times in that two months here to Aloha Tower.
Touristy is the best way to describe it. If you want to see if you can achieve a World Guiness Record of photographing the largest amount of people in ABC store quality Aloha Shirts just go here when the cruise ships dock...
Its good if you're a scared college student trying to seek refuge from your crazy college roommate...but I don't ever make an attempt to check this place out when I go back home to visit. -
Review from Rebecca C.
Honolulu, HI
a really nice strip mall but lots of turn over for the past 10 years... now its basically empty except for maybe 10 stores and 2 restaurants. :(
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Review from Emi H.
As other reviewers have written, the shopping at Aloha Tower Marketplace is mediocre and that's being generous. It's this weird hodge podge of surf shops, knick knacks, dress stores, and cheesy touristy items you'd find at the swap meet. I guess you'll enjoy it if you're a tourist who's docked there after being on a cruise ship but it's certainly not a destination worth going out of your way for.
There are still some decent food and drink options there which are worth checking out. Here's the quick and dirty for you men out there:
+Hooters, Don Ho's, Bikini Cantina: If you're a single guy who is living in your bachelor pad and are not nearly ready for a real relationship. This should be entertaining.
+The Villas: When you're a guy who wants to look at girls wearing dresses which are too small for them and you are still not really ready for a real relationship. You're all about those fake boobs.
+The Waterfront: You go here for a concert after a girl who works at Hooter's, who you met at the Villas, has broken your heart and has made you realize that fake boobs are not all they're cracked up to be. Why were you such an idiot?
+Chai's: For when you want to take a girl on a romantic dinner date because you have now realized that if you don't get into a real relationship with someone of substance you may die sad, soul-less and alone.
+Gordon Biersch: For after you're married and you just want to have a fun afternoon drinking beers with your guy friends. You have to be home by 8 pm or your wife will kill you. -
Review from Min K.
I use Aloha Tower to park. Basically it's $250.00 a month to park in my office building and it's a loss for me since I'm rarely at work. So the times I am at work, Aloha Tower is only two buildings and a walkway down, and it's relatively cheap if you know what you need.
So with a green stamp, which are stores, cafes, coffee shops, or anything non-restaurant, it's three hours for $2.00. If you have a pink stamp, which are restaurants, it's also three hours for $2.00. Now if you have both, it's six hours for $2.00! How great is that!
The only pain for me is to go back and forth to both places; hence you see me a duke at Hooters, of all places, and Island Vintage Coffee.
By the way, if you want a stamp at Makino, it's a dollar. -
Review from Scott K.
Aloha Tower has recently become the place for concerts and events. The shopping honestly has got to have a make over. The stores are not what you would expect to be shopping at but it does fill the space.
Besides concerts and events, it has also become home to Villa.....the newest addition to the night life clubs.
Chais is still a favorite for dinner and cocktails. GB's is also a crowd favorite for the relaxing happy hour of beer and cheap food. The Sushi stand serves up some great sushi, almost as good as sit down sushi places.
Parking is great. If your lucky you can self park, but for the convenience I would recommend getting your car valet as its easier and just as fast. -
Review from Kit H.
"Hello? Uhhh, Yo, is anybody home?"
Dang, it's empty 'round Aloha Tower Marketplace on a Monday at 2 p.m.
"Hellooo! Are you open?"
Well, of course, the joint was open. It just weren't jumpin'. But that's ok. I had the run of the place. I, thus, explored unencumbered.
Did a little window shopping. Some store slots empty & vacant. Other store slots had cute little shops, boutiques, and eateries. Admired great view of Sand Island across the harbor. Dined at Don Ho's. Got drunk at Don Ho's. Rode the glass elevator. Twice. Used the GINORMOUS second level lavatory. Twice. (Wasn't at it's cleanest, I hope). Sat, sobered up, and chilled on the outdoor wooden stage on Pier 10. (Or was that Pier 9?) And bought some cool n' kitschy homemade candles at a kiosk alongside the beautiful Aloha Tower (1926) itself.
Ho hum. A relaxing, no pressure exploration, indeed. Shoppers wary of the hordes invading Ala Moana Center, this is a good time to visit. Although your shopping selections are limited by comparison.
It's the lovely locale on the bay that makes this place most palatable for me. Other than that, it's just another tourist magnet south of Downtown Honolulu. Not too unlike Baltimore City's Harbor Place & Gallery or other collections of shops & eateries of this model built to lure tourists. Nice airy layout inviting the outdoors in sets this one apart.
Not great. But not bad. Was everything I expected. Enhanced by that great view and great location.
I wouldn't mind coming back when this joint's a-jumpin' and exploring more of it's eateries. Or simply to relax on the pier watching ships cruise in and out near Hawai`ian Maritime Center.
"Yo, Matt K, how's Friday or Saturday night sound? What? Too many touristy hordes, you say?"
Hm. Maybe I'll stick to Mondays.Listed in: Touristy, But True in Honolulu, Maller Baller
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Review from Pat S.
Denton, TX
Went to Aloha Tower Marketplace while on vacation on Oahu. Overall the place was nice, though plenty of the shops were vacant.
Go to the top of the tower - a very cool 360-degree view from the top. That was a nice free activity. Got some awesome wide-angle photos from up there.
There were some good restaurant choices there, though we didn't dine at any of them. The shops were a mix of surf shops, art galleries and places selling touristy junk.
We didn't get our parking ticket validated since we didn't want to buy anything and we didn't eat there. The worst part was we stayed just longer than the initial time limit (1 hour maybe?) and had to pay $6 to leave! I felt pretty ripped off, especially since we could have bought some crappy souvenir and gotten the ticket validated for less money.
Except for the view from the top of the tower - which was awesome - this place was kind of a letdown. -
Review from Jonn D.
Honolulu, HI
Rating: 2/5
Date(s) visited: 12/16/2010, 11/06/2010, many times before.
Service: 2/5
Atmosphere: 4/5
Price: 3/5
Parking: 2/5
It looks like so many shops have pulled out of this location to do business. It feels so empty. Even now during the Holiday season, there's not much people. Something needs to be done to this place to keep it going, or there will be no businesses here.
Atmosphere:
I love waterfront shops! Kinda like being one with the water. Make me want to spend some money.
Price:
It's a tourist stop, so go figure.
Parking:
They have a private lot and street parking, but it gets full fast. Although it's a validated lot, I think you shouldn't have to pay to park here if you shop here.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/6/2010
Rating: 2/5
Date(s) visited: 11/06/2010
Service: 2/5
Atmosphere: 4/5
Price: 3/5
Parking: 2/5
I was very… Read more »
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11/6/2010
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Review from Jennifer T.
Honolulu, HI
This is for Gordon Bierch. Beer expensive and not great. Food expensive and not great. Service ok. I had the ahi fish tacos. 2 small tacos for $17.00. My BF had the pork schnitzel with spaetzel and saurkraut for oktoberfest. All were pretty bland and tasteless. We shared the lobster bisque. Not great. Only reason I was here was I had friends in town who picked here instead of Hooters. I would have gone for Hooters.
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Review from David D.
"Honolulu" means "sheltered bay."
"Aloha" means "hello," "goodbye," and "love." The literal translation is "the breath of life."
This is the greeting point, the hello and goodbye, the ocean terminal for the sheltered bay. It is also a pleasant shopping center, with quite a few interesting bars, restaurants, and souvenir stores. While two cruise ships were docked at the Aloha Tower the day we came in, and cab traffic was consequently very heavy, we found the inside of the marketplace cool, inviting, and uncrowded. High ceilings, open breezeways, and a small performance stage gave us our first refresher in island architecture.Listed in: Waikiki
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Review from Brian F.
Rockaway, NJ
We stopped here during a walking tour of downtown Honolulu. There was really nothing here to do or see. A lot of the storefronts were empty. We went to lunch at one of the restaurants and were not impressed with that either. This is an example of a property that with some work by its management company, could be a vibrant location. Unfortunately its not now. We had a limited amount of time in Honolulu and regretted stopping here.
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Review from Koala B.
Honolulu, HI
If you are visiting Hawaii, you may want to stop by this place and take a look at Honolulu Harbor from the lookout on the top of the Aloha Tower (9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free). The view is a spectacular 360 degrees panorama that you will not forget. There is not any large retail store here but there are a few boutiques specializing in jewelry, crafts and other items visitors are interested in. The parking lot is located behind the power plant. If you are staying in Waikiki, you can get here easily via Ala Moana Blvd. From here, you can get to Pearl Harbor in about 30 minutes via Nimitz going west.
"Aloha Tower was the tallest structure in Hawaii when it was completed in 1926 at a cost of $190,000. It is now the most recognized building in the state and second only to Diamond Head as Hawaii's most famous landmark." Source: http://alohatower.com -
Review from Thi L.
Plano, TX
Lovely view and a short walk from Chinatown.
You can see some fish right where the ships dock.
It's not very busy with tourists, some little shops there. -
Review from Mark P.
LOVED: Valet Parking, Makino Chaya
Came here as a last minute decision for my birthday. It was pretty decent. The service was friendly and fast. There was a variety of food to choose from. Open air. It sat our large group of 10 pretty easily.
But like all buffets there wasn't really any one food that stood out. These types of places are really for quantity and fall short on the quality. I'd stick with the seafood like the crab legs, lobster tail, and mussels.
Great for eating binges.
3 Stars -
Review from Donna W.
Bothell, WA
Weird! I lived in Hawaii 15 years ago and worked on the Navatek - we used to pick up our passengers for our dinner cruises here - my how things have changed. Back then there was no shopping/restaurants. I even saw Winger at the tower once - they had some high school type bleachers set up and the rest was standing room - some guy hoisted my young skinny ass up on his shoulders and I threw up my horns and screamed 'I love you Kip' - aw good times.
Here's what happened this time around:
my friend - do you want to go up in Aloha Tower
me - no, I don't want to pay to go up in the tower or wait in a long line to do so
Well, I lost so we went up to the tower thinking with the new marketplace and everything there would be a big line and a fee - nothing, no one, etc. Some guy sitting at a card table directing the few people who wanted to go up. It was free. We got some really stunning photos - I recommend it if you are traveling on a budget! And they have a bathroom up at the top! -
Review from Michael C.
Honolulu, HI
Well, I don't have much to offer in terms of a "review" as there isn't much to say about this place.
Self parking or valet is available for a fee, so make sure to get your parking ticket validated at the store or restaurant you're visiting. The bathrooms are located on the 2nd floor for those of you who are wondering where they're located. There are 2 bank machines, 1 for BOH and another for FHB located on the ground floor.
Other than that, there really isn't much to do here in terms of shopping since the shops located here cater mostly to tourists. And quite frankly, I honestly don't know how shops survive here because when I was here one afternoon meeting a friend, there was hardly anyone, tourists or locals, around at all.
Bottom line: Don't come here if you're looking to do any kind of shopping. -
Review from Cobra K.
Colorado Springs, CO
What? I have to pay 4 bucks to park here? There's nothing here of that great interest that should justify the 4 dollar valet service. Go to the Ala Moana Center instead.
Theres gotta be something wrong with this place since noone else was there. Felt compelled to stay there longer than I wanted to because I paid for valet.Listed in: A Week In Oahu
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Review from Dexter C.
Honolulu, HI
Are you a visitor, having a party, just want something to do - check it out at the market place; tour ships docking as the many travelleres arrive viewing the island, want to fish tons of boats to choose from, go on the sub ride as it makes you feel like it submerges to the coral reefs, get on a glass bottom boat and tour the island on board, go to fancy dining, go to drinking parties somewhere on the terrest, listen to great music or maybe go to get a massage, the price can be steep, go shopping the place is jumping with excitement and never stops! Good Luck and joy yourself! Dexter C.
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Review from Janelle W.
Detroit, MI
I try really hard to like this place because it looks so nice with its open, breezy architecture, and I love the concept of a shopping & dining complex on a waterfront. But sadly, there's just not much at Aloha Tower Marketplace beyond the facade and idea.
There are a good number of stores and boutiques, but they all fail to impress because they're not unique and they're overpriced. There is a good assortment of restaurants, but again, nothing to write home about. And it shows... the Marketplace is a dead zone during the day, with very few people walking around. Their biggest draw is probably the bars and nightclubs, which are pretty busy on Friday and Saturday nights. -
Review from Matt K.
San Jose, CA
My first experience to Aloha Tower was not the best. We went on a Saturday night and it absoloutly packed! It took us about 30 mins just to get to the parking lot where we were then turned around because they were full. We parked across the street at a deck and then walked over.
Despite the many restauraunts that were there, there were huge lines at every place and long wait times. The crowds of people were annoying and the shops were nothing special.
I did like the Aloha Tower itself. It was a beautifully lit tower at night and I did get some nice pictures of it.
Overall, Aloha Tower Marketplace except for the Tower itself. I would recommend not going on a Friday or Saturday night, instead maybe during the day...during the week might be better. -
Review from Lofa L.
I'm not a fan of this shopping spot and usually do not visit unless required to. The parking sucks and parking at the second lot is not worth the price as I could park the same distance in downtown for free. The stores are super lame and the prices are for tourists. The eateries are pretty good and nice change of pace from the plate lunch route. If you don't have out of town guests with you and no dope concerts are happening then you can drive by without regretting it. Unless you craving Hooters.....or Gordon Biersch garlic fries.
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Review from Mallory C.
Mountain View, CA
I hadn't been to Aloha Tower in about 5 years and I went a few weeks ago. It was a sad sight to see compared to how hip it was 5 years ago. Lots of places are empty and "For Lease" signs are everyplace. And to top it off, a cruise ship was docked in the water and a bunch of old white people were mesmerized by a few hot local girls doing a hula dance in the center of the shopping area.
Aloha Tower: my love affair with you has officially ended. -
Review from Daniel L.
Honolulu, HI
Its a great spot to eat and hit up a few spots. Hooters, Gordon Bierch, Bikini Cantina, Don Hos, and a few concerts on the waterfront make this place a chill spot to go to. Go during the day and u can access the famous Aloha Tower.
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Review from Kanoelani C.
HI
I usually avoid this place because I associate Aloha Tower with "no parking" but this time was different. There was a parking attendant walking around the parking lot that fronts the Marketplace. She new where all the open spots were and directed us to a vacancy as soon as we drove in. Genius idea, Aloha Tower. Thank you.
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Review from W L.
Los Angeles, CA
this place was built for the gigantic cruise ships docking at the pier and for all the eager tourists therein.
the worst $3 i spent all week was for parking for 15 minutes at this boring place. i didn't remember much of anything to do/eat/drink/buy here, but had to make a stop as part of the complete showing-the-haole-bf-from-the-mainland tour. i couldn't even score a validation (only $1 off) anywhere without a purchase, but i didn't wanna buy anything!
boo you, aloha tower marketplace. -
Review from Margret C.
Las Vegas, NV
Shopping's not so great here as some vendors are rude (not acknowledge your presence in the store) or away (not in the store) besides the prices are a little high, to compensate. The free observation deck is pretty cool, though. The hours are until 5 pm. There is a spot overlooking the water, that seems to be a hot spot for picture takers. There is one sports store, I should mention. The layout of the shopping center is pretty spread out. The choice of dining is good though- Don Ho's (happy hour) and Gordon Biersch. If it weren't for the ships docking here, this place would be really empty. Sure miss the Honolua store, though.
Listed in: 808 Trips
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Review from Sarah C.
Came here twice. Came back here because the first time the aloha tower was closed. This place is deserted and really boring. There are a number of stores here but none of them were able to draw us in. There is no wifi here either. The bathrooms are located on the second floor.
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Review from warren k.
Honolulu, HI
More than the shops, my hubby & I like to feed the fish there~ They are sooo big, colorful & right there so close! Its amazing!!! they have fish food u can buy for a quarter & we got it like 100 times~! We also want to try the restaurants.
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Review from Marlon I.
Waipahu, HI
My first experience wasnt so good.
I came here for my brothers jerkn Performance,
and when I wanted to go see the observation deck,
It was already closed.
Almost alot of the stores began closing early,
since it was a sunday. So we left at around 6,
and as we were leaving we forgot to validate our ticket.
So our options was Pay 12 Bucks, or go back and validate. Of course like what other filipinos try to do, We tried to save money.
So when we decided to go back. There was a whole bunch of other cars behind us. And some of the cars had a few inpatient a**holes, who couldnt wait.
Maybe it'll be better next time -
Review from Alden C.
Fort Collins, CO
This place is fine for tourists but as far as getting into the underground scene of Honolulu this place is probably not the best place to start. LOL! Nonetheless it is ok and kills time when you are in the guise of a tourist.
