Post #280737 by Kaiwaza on Wed, Jan 24, 2007 2:25 PM

I wasn't displeased with the plans that had been in the papers earlier about the marketplace renovations as it sounded ok..open air kiosks, a sunken hula stage, a stream meandering through and a new food court with open kitchens. But I had thought that was all on hold, but now the food court is closed....hey, I eat there alot! Relatively cheap eats in Waikiki.
I'm not surprised to see the treehouse buildings go as they haven't been used for anything but storage for years apparently.
Well, I don't like to see all the changes but I agree the place has become a bit of a dump and needs a face lift. Unfortunatly the present native political climate isn't too cool on "tikified" designs, so things end up looking generically tropical-Miami.
It will be interesting to see what happens in 2010. The other locations mentioned are actually across the street and I'm not sure about that becoming one massive complex of some kind, but I can definately see them working up something with the Miramar Hotel and the IMP as they are right together.
Interestingly, there was a bit of an uproar here earlier when they originally announced plans to close the market altogether and build something there. They then went back and made plans for a remodeled IMP that was then put on hold.
Time will tell, but I do hope WHATEVER happens they leave it open aired. It's really one of the last places in Waikiki to feel that you are in a bit of a tropical jungle and i would hate to loose that regardless of whatever kind of merchandise is pedaled there.
I think the saddest commentarty of all though is that directly across the street from the marketplace is the busiest, highest volume Cheesecake Factory in the United States. Sad really, but such is life.

[ Edited by: Kaiwaza 2007-01-24 14:28 ]