Post #698763 by AceExplorer on Fri, Nov 8, 2013 4:10 AM

A very good question! You would think that in a down economy there would be someone else with underused space who would welcome the vendors and provide a place to relocate. Simply relocate what you can to a new place, call it a "historic district" or something similar so as to be a nod to "old Waikiki." And do this in the similar manner that Kalakaua Street, Chinatown, Maunakea Streets, etc. have become known for their consolidations of lei stands and specialty shops. So if we can't prevent the loss of the IMP, then perhaps someone can profit by providing an alternate location and building a new destination-of-interest. (Profit is required to keep most things open, right?) I'm actually surprised I haven't heard anything from the local Chamber of Commerce or tourism promoters -- or do they all think the IMP became some sort of blight in the heart of Waikiki and needed to be permanently eradicated? I am a bit puzzled that the IMP didn't have a few alternate locations proposed, but I may have missed out on all that discussion if it happened.