ala moana

March 19 2014

Starbucks on #327

Gee Why Addiction ala moana, coffee, hawaii, starbucks

After hearing about the future Starbucks kiosk at Ala Moana near Centre Court, I had to take a peek. This is the view from above on the third floor.

The kiosk is on the main floor of Ala Moana, technically level two. It’s not exactly where Aroma Caffe was, more towards Nordstrom, but it is huge for a “kiosk.” I’m guessing there will be outdoor seating but coverage from the sunlight would be needed. There may be some seating under the roofed area but can’t really tell yet as construction is on-going. And that nice black, shiny roof will be covered in bird poop soon enough.

I gotta say though, I love how Starbucks goes head-to-head with other coffee purveyors. Diagonally above this spot is the longtime Honolulu Coffee Company kiosk. If you’re seated in their outdoor seats, you have a clear view of this Starbucks. Coffee competition will get fierce starting on opening day of March 27.

If you have any pics of the progress, be sure to tweet them out using the hashtag #sbux327.

March 17 2014

Starbucks in 10 Days

Gee Why Addiction ala moana, coffee, hawaii, starbucks

Fellow caffeine addict, Yoda808, spotted this sign at the Macy’s Starbucks location in Ala Moana (yes, that crowded one). A new Starbucks kiosk opening on March 27.

There was mention of another Starbucks in Ala Moana near centre court, but if you looked in the area, you saw no visible signs of its arrival. There was the construction of Aloha Gelato that I thought could be a Starbucks, but it actually was Aloha Gelato.

So in 10 days, a new Starbucks will have risen. Keep an eye out!

March 2 2014

Gelato Is Mightier than Tea (and Coffee)

Gee Why Life, Pulp ala moana, gelato, hawaii

Who knew the power of the gelato? Here I thought this unconfirmed construction on the upper floor, center stage area of Ala Moana might be a new Starbucks stand. Once the site of the seemingly popular Planation Place Tea Garden, neither tea nor coffee could hold this high ground, yielding to Aloha Gelato.

(Darn you Twitpic for making your embedded images so tiny!)

Truthfully, looking at their menu, Aloha Gelato does serve tea and coffee and gelato of course, so all of these guesses are correct in a way.

Thanks to the watchful eye of @yoda808 for the heads up.

February 19 2014

Where’s the New Starbucks at Ala Moana?

Gee Why Addiction ala moana, coffee, hawaii, starbucks

Just where will the new Starbucks location at Ala Moana be? The Sears location closed along with Sears, and the Macy’s location is usually slammed, so some relief is in order. According to the Ala Moana online map, there’s a Starbucks location on mall level 2 near center court.

But if you’ve happened to be in this area (the former location of Aroma Caffe), you know there’s absolutely nothing going on. But interestingly, on level 3 diagonally, there is work being done.

ala-moana-sbux-possible2 — Is this the future home of Aloha Gelato?

The same online map states that this is the home of Aloha Gelato. It very well could be, but this structure kinda has a Starbucks vibe to it. And Starbucks has the cash to completely reconstruct a space if needed, and it also has the moxie to go head to head with other coffee vendors (the Honolulu Coffee Company stand is directly across).

February 12 2014

Confusing Parking and Driving Lanes at Ala Moana

Gee Why Life, Pulp ala moana, hawaii, humor, parking

I won’t get into the details of the confusing parking situation and driving lanes at Ala Moana. Just be ready and go with the flow. But check it out, this confusion even extends inside the mall stores. If you wanted to enter (or exit for that matter) the Brug bakery in Shirokiya, make sure you don’t head for that opening. You’ll get denied.

February 12 2014

Even Less Parking at Ala Moana

Gee Why Life, Passion ala moana, hawaii, parking

Wow, there’s even less parking at Ala Moana now with a block of stalls unavailable near Macy’s and Shirokiya. The whole former Sears parking side is a complete mess with all the renovations, but the other end of the mall is getting in the act. Not sure why or for how long this parking stall outage will last, but I guess it’s better to get the work done now after the holidays and before summer.

February 4 2014

Nordstrom Ala Moana Moving

Gee Why Passion ala moana, hawaii, shopping

Wow, didn’t see this coming. Nordstrom in Ala Moana is not just renovating their six-year old store, they’re moving the entire location to the new expansion formerly occupied by Sears. Yes, Bloomingdales will still be there as well, but now so will Nordstroms.

I have to re-evaluate my coffee strategy with the migration of Nordie’s two eBars and their Mexican and Italian Mochas. What happens with the great “secret” parking of the Nordstrom structure? Will there be a dedicated parking structure in its future spot? Maybe now the Marketplace Cafe will have a better view than the bus stop.

Update: Astute Pulpy reader @dkMOMUS points out that the new rail system will be on Kona St, neighboring the existing Nordstrom location. High class couture and rail don’t mix assumedly. 😉

December 25 2013

Gilly Hicks Ala Moana Closing

Gee Why Life, Passion ala moana, hawaii, shopping

The unthinkable is approaching in 2014. Gilly Hicks is closing its doors, and not just the Ala Moana location, but all its stores. While the GH line of intimates will live on virtually, the physical stores will be extinct.

It was a short run for Gilly Hicks in Hawaii with a dramatic opening in 2012. Last Christmas, the store seemingly toned it down. Even though, the store is still young and full of vitality, apparently it couldn’t compete against the “jugs of nought” known as Victoria’s Secrets. Aren’t you going to miss the distinct scent of Gilly Hicks that permeates that wing of Ala Moana?

December 7 2013

Ramping Up the Holiday Shopping

Gee Why Life, Passion ala moana, hawaii

Went to Ala Moana on the Black Friday weekend to start the holiday shopping craziness. Here’s some of what I saw.

Free coffee from Nordstrom’s eBar (if you had an email invitation). Really though I wanted to try their Italian Mocha.

Although some of the stores were already open, the LEGO store was not. Had to wait a few minutes in the rain while drinking my coffee.

The wait was worthwhile since I found new LEGO City sets for Christmas gifts.

alamoana-xmas-13-03 — New LEGO City sets

I then headed upstairs on the new-ish wooden stairwell. There’s now some netting to protect climbers from the rain.

alamoana-xmas-13-04 — Protected from the rain

Footlocker had some fresh gear like this Gary Payton “Glove” inspired AF1s.

And these socks for ballers.

In the Apple Store, it seems lighting is a holiday fad.

alamoana-xmas-13-07 — Smart lights for your life

How about a smart basketball that retains stats? I’d rather have the baller socks.

What say you, Princess Leia or Daenerys Targaryen?

alamoana-xmas-13-09 — Battle of the bobbles

Of course, with all this shopping, we qualified for a commemorative Santa bobble head.

How’d you fare on Black Friday (weekend)?

November 1 2013

That’s One Way to Do It

Gee Why Life, Pulp ala moana, escalator, hawaii

Both you and I know that the heavily used escalators at Ala Moana need some TLC. While many are being repaired, this is one way to prevent any more escalator issues.

By the former Sears, eventually Bloomingdales, there’s a new stairwell built. This definitely comes in handy to get to the upper level with all the construction on-going.

September 5 2013

I Have No Fear Pack

Gee Why Life, Passion air jordans, ala moana, footlocker, kicks, shoes, sneakers

Not a winner

Aw bummer, I didn’t win the chance to purchase the Air Jordan Fear Pack from Ala Moana Foot Locker. I thought the signs were in my favor, especially with a raffle ticket ending with #23. But checking the winning numbers, I was denied both the AJ3 and the AJ5.

Oh well, the kicks gods were against me today, or maybe this is a message that I need to listen to Macklemore and not let consumerism define me. Nah, I’d still rather have a fresh pair of Jordans.

September 2 2013

Aroma Caffe No Longer at Ala Moana

Gee Why Addiction, Life ala moana, coffee, food, hawaii

On a recent trip to Ala Moana, I made my rounds then headed to Aroma Caffe for a caffeine pick-me-up. With a location in the center court area, this cafe is typically empty which makes for short waits. Let’s be honest, the Starbucks end caps in Macy’s and Sears are just way too crowded and your drink takes forever. I never got into the Honolulu Coffee Company even with their convenient locations. So Aroma Caffe was perfect – good location, short waits, decent prices, and I personally liked my espresso drinks.

But on this day, the location was vacant with no trace of the colorful Italian themed kiosk. Maybe they relocated in the mall due to all the construction? I couldn’t find their relocation using Foursquare or Yelp so instead I headed to my backup coffee spot, the eBar at Nordstrom’s.

Looking online, Aroma’s site still lists Ala Moana, but Ala Moana’s web site does not show them as a vendor. On Facebook, there are pictures of a new storefront with no location given, but on Yelp, a recent review places Aroma at the Ilikai Hotel. Aw bummers, looks like I lost my coffee oasis in Ala Moana. 🙁 Thanks for the memories, Aroma Caffe.