Post #627565 by christiki295 on Sun, Mar 4, 2012 12:39 PM

On 2012-02-27 12:46, Kaiwaza wrote:
. . . . There was ONE plan that was actually good..keeping everything open aired, building a large stream, a sunken "hula performance' garden, and an increased 2nd level boardwalk. . . . I think the kiosk, marketplace has works for decades here..it is the center of Waikiki and one feels like one is in a tropical jungle...enough said. I don't need another freaking GUCCI or PRADA, OK??? It's sickening.

That sounds like a good plan.
The trick is to maximize revenue by charging astronomical rents by making the IMP a destination, like the Ala Moana.
My personal thought is that the IMP needs to have Hawaiian themed restaurants, with free torch lighting and hula shows,
and then carve out part of the space for a high-rise condo/timeshare development.

It would seem tmere already is too much commercial on Kalakau Drive for the IMP to compete.
Not every shop/restaurant on Lewers Beachwalk survived which suggests that there has to be an additional draw, in addition to shopping,
but shopping is the draw at the Ala Moana.

I was astounded a few years ago when I was catching a taxi at the Royal Hawaiian that almost each of the 5 taxis ahead of me was going there.
I couldn't comprehend why anyone would leave the old school, magical Pink Palace to go to a mall. But they did.

Maybe everyone went to Ala Moana because the Royal Hawaiian mall was under construction.
Now, the Royal Hawaiian features 110 shops and restaurants and is one of Hawaii's largest shopping malls.