Either inspired or given a push by Waikiki Beach Walk™ much of Waikiki's shopping areas are undergoing facelifts, upgrades and, in the case of the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, a major renovation which will bring the center's look, feel and tenants much more in tune with today's Waikiki.
Gone within the year will be the tired cement box exterior that has marked the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center for years. The middle section of the Center is being opened up to reveal the coconut grove and exterior of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel which for years was lost from view except from the ocean.
New stores and restaurants are opening every month as renovations are completed. By next year Hilo Hattie will have moved its flagship store from the Nimitz Highway to the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. Many of my favorite stores remain, however, including the Little Hawaiian Craft Shop featuring reasonably priced Hawaiian arts and crafts and Philip Rickard Honolulu better known as the home to Hawaiian Heirloom Jewelry.
You had better believe that the owners and managers of all of Waikiki's high-end shopping destinations such as Louis Vuitton in the historic Gump Building at 2200 Kalakaua Avenue and Bottega Veneta, Chanel, Coach, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Tiffany & Co., Tod's, Yves Saint Laurent, Tiffany & Co. and Tod's at 2100 Kalakaua Avenue are all celebrating the arrival of Waikiki Beach Walk™ and the renovation of the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center as new life is brought to what had become a rather dreary section of Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki.
