At 5:00 p.m. I met Erica and her co-worker Jasmine. Erica had recently accepted a job as the Tourism Director for the Ala Moana Center. (I couldn't for the life of me understand why a mall would want a Tourism Director.) Jasmine is the Marketing and Promotions Director for Ala Moana Center.
After we exchanged greetings, Erica and Jasmine asked me what I thought of the mall. I told them that I really wasn't a mall person and explained the negative impression I had of the mall from my visit years before. I explained that I still found the Lower Level somewhat confusing. I didn't like the rather dark parking garage, I found that there weren't enough places for people of my age to sit and rest and I absolutely found the mall maps confusing.
Rather than brush off my comments, they made note of them and actually agreed with some of my criticisms. They explained that more seating was in the plan. The maps were awful and needed reworking. The pointed out that there was actually much more outside parking available above street level. As for the mall itself they explained that the Ala Moana Center had been built in the late 1950's and the lower level was part of the original construction. They were eager to show me what sat above me on the Upper Levels, especially the top area of the Center which now featured lots of great restaurants.
