Ala Moana Center
Retailer / private label
UnclaimedA major open-air shopping center in Honolulu and one of the world's largest open-air retail complexes.
Last updated August 21, 2026
Overview
Ala Moana Center is a large open-air shopping center in the Ala Moana neighborhood of Honolulu, Hawaii. It is a destination retail complex serving local residents, domestic visitors, and international tourists, and is particularly associated with Honolulu's role as a gateway between the United States and the Asia-Pacific region. Brookfield Properties owns and operates the center through General Growth Properties. The complex is widely presented by its owner as the world's largest open-air shopping center and is among the largest and most valuable shopping malls in the United States. The center occupies land that was originally part of a wetland. Coral dredged from nearby construction projects led by Walter F. Dillingham was used to reclaim the area, and Dillingham acquired the property from the estate of Bernice Pauahi Bishop in 1912. His son and successor, Lowell Dillingham, initiated the shopping-center project in 1948. Construction began in 1957, and Ala Moana opened in 1959 with 87 stores and approximately 4,000 parking spaces. Its scale made it the largest shopping mall in the United States at opening, and its success helped shift Oahu's commercial center of gravity away from downtown Honolulu. The original design was developed by Don Graham. Unlike many waterfront developments, the center was oriented away from the Pacific Ocean, a choice that attracted criticism before opening. The plan used multiple levels of retail and parking and was subsequently modified through numerous expansions. Early tenants included Sears, Roebuck and Company, F. W. Woolworth Company, Foodland, Longs Drugs, and Shirokiya. The Ala Moana Office Building was added in 1961, and the Diamond Head wing followed in 1966 with JCPenney and Liberty House. Later projects introduced additional retail levels, luxury stores, dining areas, and major department-store anchors. Ala Moana's ownership changed substantially over time. A partnership of the Japanese corporation Daiei and an insurance company acquired the center in 1982; Daiei became sole owner in 1995. General Growth Properties, which had previously served as a management vendor for Daiei, purchased the property in 1999 after Daiei entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. General Growth Properties later became part of Brookfield Properties, which remains the center's owner and operator. The center has repeatedly adapted its tenant mix and physical layout. A 1987 renovation added the Makai Market food court. A 1990 project created a third retail level in the central portion and introduced more high-end stores. Neiman Marcus became an anchor in 1998, while additional upper-level space for stores and restaurants was developed in 1999. The former JCPenney location was redeveloped after the retailer left Hawaii in 2003, producing the Ho'okipa Terrace restaurant and entertainment level in 2005. The Mauka wing opened in 2008, and a major Ewa wing redevelopment opened in 2015 with Bloomingdale's and a relocated Nordstrom. Target opened its first mall location in Hawaii at Ala Moana in 2017. The current center combines department stores, specialty retailers, restaurants, services, and public amenities. Its tenant mix has included Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Nordstrom, Target, Marshalls, Ross Dress for Less, Uniqlo, Foodland, Liliha Bakery, and many other local and international brands. A satellite city hall and a United States Postal Service branch provide civic and practical services beyond conventional shopping. Ala Moana Centerstage, a public performance venue in the complex, hosts hula, local music, school performances, appearances by the Royal Hawaiian Band, and television productions. Hawaiian and Asia-Pacific design references, including the center's historically prominent koi ponds, are part of its visual identity, although the accumulated architecture of successive expansions has also drawn criticism for its complexity and lack of stylistic unity.
History
The site of Ala Moana Center was formerly wetland. Coral generated by dredging and nearby construction projects associated with Walter F. Dillingham was used to fill the area. Dillingham acquired the land in 1912 from the estate of Bernice Pauahi Bishop. His son, Lowell Dillingham, initiated the shopping-center project in 1948, and construction began in 1957. Don Graham designed and developed the center. His decision to orient the complex away from the Pacific Ocean, together with its large two-level retail and parking plan, was questioned by critics before opening. Those doubts were not borne out: when Ala Moana opened in 1959, it was the largest shopping mall in the United States and quickly became a major commercial destination. Its growth helped redirect Oahu retail activity away from downtown Honolulu. The original center included 87 stores and approximately 4,000 parking spaces. Sears, F. W. Woolworth Company, Foodland, Longs Drugs, and Shirokiya were among the early tenants. The property expanded in 1961 with the Ala Moana Office Building, which included La Ronde, and in 1966 with the Diamond Head wing, anchored by JCPenney and Liberty House. A 1982 acquisition by a partnership of Daiei and an insurance company began a period of Japanese ownership. Daiei became sole owner in 1995. General Growth Properties, which had previously managed the center for Daiei, acquired it in 1999 after Daiei filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. General Growth Properties subsequently became part of Brookfield Properties, which now owns and operates the center. The center's later development proceeded through several phases. Phase Three, completed in 1987, included renovations and the Makai Market food court. Phase Four in 1990 created a third central retail level and introduced more luxury-oriented space. Neiman Marcus was added as an anchor in 1998, followed by further upper-level stores and restaurants in 1999. After JCPenney withdrew from Hawaii in 2003, its former space was divided for new tenants. Ho'okipa Terrace opened above that area in 2005 with restaurants and an open-air bar. A large northern area was cleared in 2006 for the Mauka wing, which opened in 2008 with a two-level specialty-retail concourse and Nordstrom as its original major anchor. The next major transformation was the Ewa wing redevelopment. Announced in 2013, the project replaced the existing western wing, incorporated the former Sears area, and opened in 2015 with Bloomingdale's and a relocated Nordstrom. Target opened in 2017 in Nordstrom's former Mauka location. Ala Moana's architecture has continued to evolve through successive expansions. Its design vocabulary incorporates modern Hawaiian references and Asia-Pacific motifs, reflecting Hawaii's multicultural population and geographic position. Koi ponds were a longstanding visual feature. Critics have described the resulting complex as visually overbuilt or stylistically inconsistent because of its many modifications, but the center's approach also became a model for other shopping-center renovations by its owner. Beyond retail, Ala Moana functions as a public gathering and entertainment venue. Ala Moana Centerstage presents hula, local artists, school groups, the Royal Hawaiian Band, and television productions. The complex also contains restaurants, food halls, a grocery store, postal services, and a satellite city hall. This combination of shopping, dining, civic services, cultural performance, and tourism has sustained its role as one of Honolulu's defining commercial landmarks.
- 2017
Target opens at Ala Moana
[1]Target opened its first store in a Hawaii shopping mall at Ala Moana.
- 2015
Ewa wing redevelopment opens
[1]The western redevelopment opened with Bloomingdale's and a relocated Nordstrom.
- 2008
Mauka wing opens
[1]The Mauka expansion added a large two-level specialty-retail concourse.
- 2005
Ho'okipa Terrace opens
[1]A new upper level with restaurants and an open-air bar opened above the redeveloped former JCPenney space.
- 1999
General Growth Properties acquires the center
[1]General Growth Properties purchased Ala Moana Center following Daiei's bankruptcy filing.
- 1998
Neiman Marcus joins as an anchor
[1]Neiman Marcus became a major department-store anchor.
- 1987
Makai Market food court added
[1]A major renovation phase introduced the Makai Market food court.
- 1959
Ala Moana Center opens
[1]The center opened as the largest shopping mall in the United States.
- 1957
Construction begins
[1]Ground was broken for the shopping center.
- 1948
Shopping-center project initiated
[1]Lowell Dillingham initiated the Ala Moana Center project.
Showing the 10 most recent.
Products and positioning
A destination open-air shopping center that combines large department stores, luxury and specialty retail, dining, entertainment, services, and Hawaiian cultural programming in a high-traffic Honolulu location.
Retail · 1959
Department-store and specialty retail
Ala Moana's core offering is a broad tenant platform spanning department stores, luxury labels, fashion, beauty, accessories, electronics, home products, and locally focused merchants. Major anchors and junior anchors have included Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Nordstrom, Target, Marshalls, and Ross Dress for Less. The tenant mix changes over time as large spaces are redeveloped and retailers enter or leave the market.
Food and beverage · 1987
Dining and food destinations
The center offers food courts, restaurants, bakeries, cafes, and grocery retail. Makai Market is a major food-court destination, while restaurants and dining terraces have been incorporated into later expansions, including Ho'okipa Terrace. Foodland and Liliha Bakery are among the named food-oriented tenants associated with the complex.
Entertainment and cultural programming
Ala Moana Centerstage
Ala Moana Centerstage is a public performance venue within the shopping center. It presents hula, local music, school performances, appearances by the Royal Hawaiian Band, and television productions. The stage extends the center's role beyond commerce and provides a visible platform for Hawaiian and community cultural activity.
Services
Civic and convenience services
In addition to retail and dining, the complex includes practical services such as a satellite city hall and a United States Postal Service branch. These facilities support local users and reinforce the center's position as a multipurpose urban destination rather than a purely commercial mall.
Marketing campaigns
- Ala Moana Centerstage cultural programming
Hawaii · United States
The center uses its public stage to present recurring hula, music, school, community, and Royal Hawaiian Band performances. The programming supports Ala Moana's identity as a Hawaiian cultural and visitor destination.
Outcome. Established a recurring public-performance function within the shopping center.
Brand decisions
2017
Target enters the centerProduct launchBackground
A large former anchor location became available following Nordstrom's relocation to the Ewa wing.
Action taken
Target opened a store in the former Nordstrom location.
Aftermath
The center added a major value-oriented mass retailer and Target's first Hawaii mall location.
2015
Ewa wing redevelopmentGeneration changeBackground
The western end of the center, including space associated with the former Sears location, was targeted for replacement and expansion.
Action taken
The existing wing was replaced with a larger Ewa wing anchored by Bloomingdale's and a relocated Nordstrom.
Aftermath
The project refreshed the center's western gateway and added a major new department-store configuration.
2008
Mauka wing expansionGeneration changeBackground
The owner sought to increase the center's specialty-retail capacity through a major northern expansion.
Action taken
A new two-level Mauka wing opened with specialty merchants and Nordstrom as its initial major anchor.
Aftermath
The expansion materially increased the center's retail footprint and changed its internal circulation.
2005
Ho'okipa Terrace developmentGeneration changeBackground
The former JCPenney anchor space required redevelopment after the retailer exited Hawaii.
Action taken
An upper level containing restaurants and an open-air bar was added above the former JCPenney area.
Aftermath
The project diversified the former department-store footprint into dining and leisure uses.
1999
General Growth Properties acquisitionM&ABackground
Daiei filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after a period of ownership and management involvement.
Action taken
General Growth Properties purchased Ala Moana Center.
Aftermath
The property entered the General Growth Properties portfolio and later became part of Brookfield Properties.
1990
Central mall reconfigurationGeneration changeBackground
Ala Moana was being repositioned to support additional retail levels and a more upscale tenant mix.
Action taken
The central area was reconfigured with a third level of retail and additional high-end stores.
Aftermath
The center gained more leasable space and a stronger luxury-retail presence.
1987
Phase Three renovation and Makai Market additionGeneration changeBackground
The center continued to expand its retail and dining offer through phased redevelopment.
Action taken
A renovation added the Makai Market food court and refreshed parts of the complex.
Aftermath
The project strengthened the center's food-and-beverage role and prepared it for later expansions.
Recent events
- 2017
Target opens its first Hawaii mall store at Ala Moana[1]
Product launch
Target opened in the former Nordstrom space, adding a major mass-market anchor to the center's tenant mix.
- 2015
Expanded Ewa wing opens[1]
Product launch
The redeveloped Ewa wing opened with Bloomingdale's and a relocated Nordstrom, replacing the former western wing and incorporating the former Sears site.
- 2013
Sears closes its Ala Moana location[1]
Other
The Sears store permanently closed on June 2, ending one of the center's longest-running anchor tenancies.
- 2013
Bloomingdale's announced as anchor for the Ewa wing redevelopment[1]
Product launch
The owner announced a major Ewa wing project that would include a new Bloomingdale's store and replace the existing western wing.
- 2012
Sears announces closure of its Ala Moana store[1]
Other
Sears Holdings announced that its Ala Moana store, present since the center opened, would close as part of a wider sale and store-closure program.
- 2008
Mauka wing opens[1]
Product launch
The Mauka wing added a two-level retail concourse and specialty stores, initially including a large Nordstrom anchor.
- 2003
JCPenney exits Hawaii and its Ala Moana space is redeveloped[1]
Other
JCPenney closed its Hawaii stores, including its long-running Ala Moana location. The four-level space was subsequently divided and redeveloped.
- 2001
Ala Moana Center closes temporarily after the September 11 attacks[1]
Other
The center temporarily closed on September 11, 2001, following the attacks in the United States.
- 1999
General Growth Properties purchases Ala Moana Center[1]
M&A · Bankruptcy
General Growth Properties acquired the property after Daiei entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.
- 1995
Daiei becomes sole owner[1]
M&A
Daiei consolidated ownership of the shopping center.
Showing the 10 most recent.
Sources2 sources
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