International Market Place Will be horribly razed

Righteous. That was my hood. Don't change it. Bankrupt Amerika has its virtue.

There is so much shopping already in Waikiki that there aren't enough chains to fill them!

There is so much shopping already in Waikiki that there aren't enough chains to fill them!

There is so much shopping already in Waikiki that there aren't enough chains to fill them!

I was okay with the second set of plans that called for an open air kiosk based shopping area with an open air food court w/ hula performance area and a stream running through...keeps the original feeling. However, yeah, I mean, do we need any more Prada and Gucci in Waikiki?? PLEASE!

Leave it ALONE !

I say make it a Historical Landmark, preserve it, maintain it, cherish it. Maybe have more "hand made" goods vendors there, but otherwise, it's a landmark, and should be treated us such.

Waikiki has enough "upscale shopping" for 10 cities.

I was fortunate enough to stroll through I/M at just around sunset a couple of years ago and then again at Sunrise the next day. It was a quiet, VERY exotic place in the heart of hotel sprawl. Too bad it can't be renovated and saved. At least those of us who got there can vouch for it's relaxed tikiness. Sorry to see you go I/M

Here's the latest...

http://www.hawaiimagazine.com/blogs/hawaii_today/2009/6/30/Waikiki_International_Market_Place_Update

This bad news is at least softened by the intent of the non-profit property owner that funnels all income to caring for the people of Hawaii. I really do want them to have the most money they can, but - I will never feel Waikiki is like 'home' once the International Marketplace is gone. The whole street has sold out to such a degree that Waikiki would no longer hold the magic it once had. What a bummer.

Sad news, but I wonder if the financing will be there.
There already is soooo much commerical retail development in walking distance and Ala Moana Mall is just down the street. To build and a hotel or 2 & some condos wouldn't seem to justify the expense of buying allll that land.

Waikiki & the Marketplace looked real fine in "2012" with nearby Diamond Head going off in eruptions. Don't worry. Gecko, along with the surviving Kailuans & Lanikites will rebuild the shoreline with a solid wall of Tiki stretching from Downtown to Hanauma Bay!

On 2009-07-01 10:48, Rum Balls wrote:
Here's the latest...

http://www.hawaiimagazine.com/blogs/hawaii_today/2009/6/30/Waikiki_International_Market_Place_Update

The article states:
the landowner, Queen Emma Land Co., has requested new proposals from developers—not just for the Market Place, but for a 6.48 acre parcel which also includes the Waikiki Town Center (the three stories of shops on the Kuhio Avenue end of the Market Place), plus Perry’s Smorgy and the Food Pantry on Kuhio.

Developers can, at their option, also include the adjacent 352-room Miramar Hotel.

I strongly suspect the hotel will be hte biggest leasehold; and generate the most profit.
However, the hotel market, particularly in Waikiki, may not be so lucrative to support necessary financing:

Hawai'i has more troubled hotel debt per room than any other state, about $23,256 compared with $5,083 in California and $5,345 in Florida, according to a recent Wall Street Journal story based on data from Real Capital Analytics. The story said Hawai'i's distressed debt tied to hotels totals nearly $1.6 billion.

"Right now is an absolutely horrible time to be in the hotel business," said Ben Thypin, senior market analyst for market research firm Real Capital Analytics.

What happens when a hotel loan goes bad? Banks are much less willing to seize them than houses because running a hotel requires know-how. But some hotel owners are just handing back the keys where property values have plummeted.

In most cases, it is investment funds falling behind on payments, not major hotel companies. They generally don't own much property, instead franchising brands and earning a percentage of sales.

Most of the 1,231 U.S. hotels and casinos with troubled financing are remaining open. So, in the short term at least, consumers can expect to see deals on room rates for at least another year. Executives at STR Global, the hotel research firm, expect demand to rise 1.6 percent in 2010, but average rates to drop 3.4 percent.

Not in the 20 years the firm has collected hotel data has supply and demand been so far apart — not even in the early 1990s recession or after Sept. 11, 2001.

Hawai'i properties that have gotten into debt trouble include the Maui Prince Resort, the Fairmont Orchid Hawaii and the venerable Ilikai on O'ahu. The Maui Prince was placed in receivership in September after its monthly operating losses had reached $1 million.

http://www.hawaiimagazine.com/blogs/hawaii_today/2009/6/30/Waikiki_International_Market_Place_Update

In a sentence, there is a huge possiblity that a 352 hotel may not be profitable, so there may not be financing for the development.

My last night on Oahu i was in the IMP and projected on the wall of the old Don the Beachcombers location which im sorry to report is now Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville were alot of vintage black and white pictures of Don with captions that i had never seen before. These photos were massive taking up the whole side of the building. I only got a chance to take a few pictures before my camera went dead. If someone local gets a chance to go over there and capture some of those images alot of you folks would be stoked. These are the ones i got before my camera went pau.

Really wish a Waikikian would read this and post some of the pics they were projecting on the side of the old Dons at the IMP. I sat there for about 30 minutes watching an amazing montage of incredible pictures while i held my camera with a dead battery in my hand.

I'll get your shots next month and post them.

It will be really sad if the International Market Place is destroyed. While there are run-down sections, and it definitely needs some love and attention, it was easily one of my favorite spots when I visited Oahu back in February. I'm glad I got to see it before they get rid of it. There is a lady who sells angel Christmas ornaments there that she makes by hand. She's been vending there for over 20 years. She was a complete delight to talk with, and I came away with something that was made locally with local products by someone who truly loves what she does. Hawaii needs more of that and fewer generic chains. What a shame that so many gems are being destroyed in the name of progress.

I checked the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and didnt see anything recently on the redevelopment plans.

There seems to be a luau inside of the IMP now. Hopefully the movement to keep a local vibe continues. Its in the heart of Waikiki so they have to somewhat cater to tourists. The luau does seem a little to modernized though. No Hawaiian shirts on the musicians and a flat screen t.v. with song lyrics. It needs a little tweaking and aloha, but its better then a tear down and dull every town strip mall. They can use what they have existing and create an oasis in the heart of the city.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIbe0d31tBk

[ Edited by: Mongoloid 2010-08-12 18:56 ]

Nice post, Mongoloid.

At $95 pp, the Queen Emma Foundation, should be making several thousand dollars profit a night.
More convenient, too!
And, it will draw in business to the IMP vendors.
All good, all the way around.

However, is it enough to hold off destruction of the IMP for another mall with chain stores who can afford high rent?

Here is the luau's link:
http://www.returntowaikiki.com

Hey,

Not exactly an old school style Luau, but, it's nice to see the IMP still trying to be relevant, instead of planning a mini mall and letting it deteriorate.

I picked up this matchbook from the Tobacconist Hut that was located in the International Market Place. I always liked the graphics on this one.

I have never seen a photo of this place, I'm thinking that it may have had some Tiki.

DC

Aloha,

Good one DC. I'd intended to use that matchbook in Waikiki Tiki: Art, History and Photographs, but couldn't find a place for it.

BTW..the "luau" had a rather limited run..I think it was in business for about 6 months. It's gone now. In it's place is one of those giant hamster ball in water things.
They also run a farmer's market there on Thursdays, which is nice.

On 2010-08-13 08:51, tikiyaki wrote:
Hey,

Not exactly an old school style Luau, but, it's nice to see the IMP still trying to be relevant, instead of planning a mini mall and letting it deteriorate.

So sad that its gone.

On 2009-04-05 11:22, christiki295 wrote:

Tuesday, September 23, 2008 | Modified: Wednesday, September 24, 2008
New plan for International Market Place announced
Pacific Business News (Honolulu) - by Janis L. Magin

For the second time in five years, the Queen Emma Land Co. on Tuesday unveiled plans to redevelop the 50-year-old International Market Place in the center of Waikiki.

The nonprofit landowner, which was created to provide funding for The Queen’s Medical Center, is seeking a master developer to redevelop 6.48 acres along Kalakaua and Kuhio avenues into a “contemporary mixed-use resort destination that includes shopping, dining and entertainment.”

The organization hopes to generate funds to continue and expand operations at The Queen’s Medical Center, the largest private hospital in the state. The company is the real estate arm of The Queen's Health Systems, which owns some 12,000 acres statewide, including 18 acres beneath hotels and the International Market Place in Waikiki.

In September 2003, Queen Emma announced plans for a $100 million renovation of the International Market Place with construction to begin in 2005.

But there were internal disagreements over the scope of the plans and their cost, as well as changes in management of the then-Queen Emma Foundation.

The latest plans call for the redevelopment of the 2.9-acre International Market Place, the 75,000-square-foot Waikiki Town Center retail building on Kuhio Avenue, as well as the Perry’s Smorgy Restaurant and Food Pantry on the mauka side of Kuhio.

The plans may also include the Miramar Hotel property on Kuhio Avenue.
Retail ground leases at the properties expire in 2010

“You want to create a thriving center where future generations will be able to enjoy the rich heritage of these properties while maintaining a Hawaiian sense of place,” said Mark Yamakawa, president of Queen Emma Land Co., in a statement. “We recognize that we have a responsibility to do our part to help enhance Waikiki for both locals and visitors, not only for the obvious benefits to the community, but also to enhance Waikiki as a destination and strengthen Hawaii’s economy.”

The Queen Emma properties are next door to Kyo-ya Ltd.’s Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel, which is slated for redevelopment in the next several years.

But the good news is that this development does not appear to be moving forward.

Talking to Robert Van Dorpe this weekend he mentioned the International Market Place. He said the current developers had submitted a plan that was rejected. I think he said it was a mid-western located group and they had no clue about Hawaii. The place must retain a spirit of Hawaii for their plan to be accepted. He mentioned Queen Emma, saying they would never sign off on a plan that was not "Hawaiian" in theme. They were so clueless that much time was spent tracking him down to ask if he would get involved to put them on the right track.

Bob was close friends with Donn Beach and used to have his own key to the Tree House. He has done may projects on the islands. But he is 84 years old!

So, they are coming to Hawaii to show their presentation to his colleague and maybe he can help them.

[ Edited by: Swanky 2012-02-27 08:58 ]

There have been quite a number of plans presented in the local news during the past five or six years for the International Marketplace & every one of them has fallen through. 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. Every other plan has basically STUNK of an upscale California mall-ish nightmare. We have ENOUGH "upscale" in Waikiki now people..ENOUGH!! I don't mind a "remodel" if they must, but PLEASE...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.

Aloha,

What the International Market Place needs is a Preservationist. Someone that knows the past of the space and has a vision for the future...

I do know such a person...

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.

*On 2012-02-27 12:46, Kaiwaza wrote:*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.
It's 'worked' for these recent decades only as a shadow of it's former '50s/'60s glory. Once it started transforming from it's golden era style into the kiosk era, that was the beginning of the end, as locals started staying away from the new age sham and leaving it to the tourists who mostly had no clue of what once was. Even tourists that returned decades later and couldn't wait to see it again came away disappointed and disgusted, having their memories of the glorious acreage spoiled. Those amazing days are gone. Even reinstituting an Ulu Mau Village experience would most likely be a futile attempt, as the vast majority of locals have long stayed away and will continue to no matter what is done. The old Hawaiian style that attracted billions of dreamers to Hawaii starting 100 years ago is no more, no matter how hard it's tried to reenact it. Trust me, I live the dream to this day, and know when it rarely succeeds, or comes close, and when it falls flat. The old Hawaiian minds and hearts are too far removed to bring it back, no matter how much the the silly 'sense of place' buzz word is used to try.

Ala Moana Center? While millions of Hawaii's citizens still go there per year, just as many find little to no use for it now, and increasingly havn't for a long time. They usually go out of habit and concentrated ease of shopping, but that's lessening greatly annually. If it wasn't for tourists mindlessly flocking, it would have collapsed financially a long time ago. Charging rediculously higher and higher and higher rents chased out the small time opperators that gave the earlier AMC local flavor and being worthy of shopping there. We're now seeing even SEARS succumbing to the financial pressure and closing, but also due to bad local business decisions as well. The corporation that runs AMC says that space will now be filled by small shops, but who thinks it will be of the kind that will be anything but even more junk that's common now? Corporate mind sets just don't get it, and we've been on the losing end of all that for decades, with no end in sight.

My wifes Grandparents went to Oahu multiple times over the years
and recently sent me this photo they took.
It's dated May 1966

Worst sound ever, slurp of an empty tiki mug through my straw!!!

[ Edited by: hang10tiki 2012-04-12 12:50 ]

Aloha,

Yup, that temporary barrier was probably for a floral parade... You can barely make out the Brownlee carvings (my primary interest in photographs of the Kalakaua side) from your photo.

UPdate: Look's like they are Serious this time. This can't be good.

Nope. Better come to Hawaii soon if you want to see it.

Waikiki Tiki; Art, History, and Photographs.
Available now from Bess Press Hawaii.

[ Edited by: Phillip Roberts 2012-04-13 17:50 ]

[ Edited by: Phillip Roberts 2012-04-13 17:53 ]

The Queen Emma Foundation has more than enough $$$ for this foolhardy development, immediately to be in competition with
yet another large scale commercial development:

"If the Queen Emma Land Co. and TRG complete all the required planning and permitting on schedule to start construction in 2013, the project will happen at the same time Kyo-ya Co. Ltd. is expected to start work on its $700 million redevelopment of the neighboring Sheraton Princess Kaiulani and Westin Moana Surfrider hotels."

The dismissive reference to the beloved tropical environment and huts is abhorrent:

"The EIS preparation notice for the International Market Place project makes clear that the dated, obsolete structures need to be replaced in order “to be competitive in today’s dynamic retail and hotel markets serving Oahu and Waikiki generally."

How many shopping malls can Waikiki tolerate?
It already has:

1. Ala Moana
2. Royal Hawaiian Center
3. DFS Galleria
4. Waikiki Shopping Plaza
5. Beach Walk
6. Kahala Mall

Not to mention that Waikiki is merely two miles long and a little over a half mile at its widest point.

Aloha,

On 2012-04-18 12:57, christiki295 wrote:
How many shopping malls can Waikiki tolerate?
It already has:

6. Kahala Mall...

Is in Kahala... and technically, Ala Moana is (just) outside of Waikiki. Right on the border, if you consider the Ala Moana Hotel and the Hawaiian Hut the dividing line as I do...

Once, I think in the 1950's Donn Beach proposed Waikiki should be it's own city, but the city council wouldn't allow it.

So, how long before they close it to the public and start ripping it all down ?

Aloha,

All I can really get out of them is "Early 2013." :( If anything changes, or I find out more, I'll post it here.

http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2011/12/27/large-part-of-waikiki-will-be-razed.html

Lines that broke my heart:

• "... three-level retail, dining and entertainment center" (aka, a big damn building)
• "...including a seven-story structure... that will consist of several retail levels and five levels of parking"

Don't get me wrong, I have no delusions about Waikiki being some sort of "authentic Hawaiian experience", and I fully understand the irony of a haole mainlander grieving over the loss of a few acres of one form of tourist dominated space to another form of tourist dominated space. I just prefer the more primitive aesthetic to what I fear will be put in its place.

Have there been any concept drawings or layouts released to the public yet?

The loss of the International Marketplace would truly be tragic. Sure, it's a hodge-podge of stuff. But it's also the BEST place I found to get Hawaiian shirts, leis, jewelry, kukui nut necklaces, and many other great things we all love and need in our lives. This place is "it" - quick and efficient and inexpensive one-stop-shopping for the Hawaii visitor. And the food court offers a very diverse selection of fast food, not to mention the very rare and hard-to-find Dole Whip. I spent more time eating and shopping here than in all of the other higher-end shopping and dining places in Waikiki combined, bar none. There is a very important place for what I would call "lower-end shopping and dining" in Waikiki, and the International Marketplace nails it. Where else can you actually haggle for your souvenirs and tiki memorabilia? And take nice photos too? And eat well for cheap, and fast, before moving on to your next destination? They've been talking about razing this place for a long time, and honestly, I hope it NEVER happens. It's time for someone to find a "secret and long-lost Hawaiian burial ground" in the middle of the property to prevent the loss of this great place. Loss of the International Marketplace could potentially anger the gods to the point that Diamond Head may erupt again, and then where would we be? Not good... :wink:

I find it equally tragic that it's been allowed to devolve into essentially a slum when it was once vital and could be revived, but won't. That the bar has been lowered to such depths and yet still evokes sentimentality by many speaks volumes of what could be.

As trite, and cheesy as it is now, compared to it's heyday, whenever me and the misses go to Oahu, we spend lots of time there...it's just a fun place with a nice old world charm. As far as the kiosks go, I still buy stuff from them...Got me a killer large puka shell necklace from there for about $30, which is pretty cheap for the large pukas.
The little tiki themed coffee shop upstairs is a nice place to relax, and the waterfall in front of the big banyan tree is always a great spot to take photos, and just sit and listen people watch.

Especially now , with all the gucci and prada, high end shopping surrounding the IMP, it's a nice little escape from all that....like a little time capsule refuge in the middle of all that crass Beverly Hills BS that's on Kalakaua.

Bottom line is, it just feels nice to be in there.

I have a few old tourist photos of the poles in front of the International Market Place.

Hope to see it some day before it goes away entirely.

DC

Aloha,

Oh my! Those are GREAT, DC. Wish I'd had those for Waikiki Tiki. Great Edward M. Brownlee carvings! Those are soooo hard to find GOOD pictures of... And bottom pic of the Brownlee GABLE carving (long Missing from the EWA end of the Kalakaua Entrance) at the Don The Beachcombers!

Great pix, pal!

On 2012-04-24 10:47, msteeln wrote:
I find it equally tragic that it's been allowed to devolve into essentially a slum when it was once vital and could be revived, but won't. That the bar has been lowered to such depths and yet still evokes sentimentality by many speaks volumes of what could be.

Yes, it could use investment, but turning it into yet another high-end shopping mall seems to be selling its soul.
One would think that the Queen Emma Foundation would have a historical preservation sensibility.