With landlord Howard Hughes Corp.’s blessing, Maile Meyer, owner of Na Mea Hawai‘i — which has moved from its 20-plus-year home at the Ewa end of the mall to its center — started filling vacant shops with temporary art galleries to prevent the center from looking like a ghost town during the last months of business.
Bringing life to the Ewa end is Aupuni Place, which she opened to replace her relocated Na Mea. The space has been divided into a series of artists’ studios, galleries and community areas for author talks and workshops ranging from outrigger canoe model building and lau hala weaving to fishing net making.
“We were deciding whether to close it, then decided to keep it as a DIY space,” Meyer said. “We find the community wants more than just to shop; they want to do things, learn from each other. It’s a different quality of experience, because there’s more to life than just shopping and being entertained. I’m Hawaiian, and I think the best form of exchange is relationships.”
When the end comes for Ward Warehouse, Na Mea Hawai‘i will move to Ward Centre.
Here’s where some Ward Warehouse tenants, many of which are small, locally owned businesses, are finding new homes:
>> Cinnamon Girl: Moved to Hyatt Regency Pualeilani Atrium Shops
>> Clay Cafe: Still looking for a new location for clay-painting classes
>> The Cut: Designers Allison Izu and Summer Shiige will reopen as Allison Izu/Ten Tomorrow Design House at 1114 11th Ave. in Kaimuki. A grand opening is planned for 2 to 6 p.m. July 22.
>> Eden in Love: Moved to Ward Village’s South Shore Market. A second location will open Aug. 1 in the Town Square Las Vegas, 6671 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
>> TheFaceShop: A move nearby is planned. For now, its other shops are at Kahala Mall, McCully Shopping Center, Waimalu Plaza and Windward Mall.
>> Honolulu Cookie Co.: Opened its newest location at International Market Place, ground floor
>> Island Guitars: Moving to Nimitz Center, 1130 N. Nimitz Highway, 2nd floor
>> Island Soap & Candle Works: Shop at Royal Hawaiian Center or online at honolulusoap.com.
>> Kaypee Soh: The designer is relocating his business to California but intends to return frequently. His collections will be available online at kaypeesoh.com. His accessories and homewares will also be available at T Gallery by DFS in Waikiki.
>> Kincaid’s: Some of the restaurant’s most beloved dishes have already migrated to the menu of Ryan’s Grill at Ward Centre. The dishes include seafood Louie salad, rock-salt-roasted prime rib, warm brie with macadamia nut crust, Asiago-almond-crusted scallops, roasted Dijon chicken, Broadway pea salad and burnt cream (brulee).
>> Loco Boutique: Shop at store locations at Ala Moana Center or 358 Royal Hawaiian Ave., or online at locoboutique.com.
>> MORI by Art & Flea: Moved to Ward Village’s South Shore Market
>> Nohea Gallery: Opening next month at Hyatt Regency Pualeilani Atrium Shops
>> Ocean Queen: Still looking for a new location to sell Himalayan/Tibetan handcrafted items. The Haleiwa store at 66-208 Kamehameha Highway remains open.
>> Old Spaghetti Factory: Moving to the former Chai’s Island Bistro space at Aloha Tower Marketplace
>> Rix Island Wear: Reopened at Ala Moana Center’s Ewa Wing, third floor
>> Wedding Cafe: Opening soon at 814 Ilaniwai St.
