When Ala Moana Center first opened on Aug. 13, 1959, it consisted of 80 stores and was the largest shopping mall in the world. Over the last 50 years, it has increased in size by almost 2 1/2 times and now houses 290 merchants, including 70 restaurants. The mall has served as a leader in Hawaii fashion and a favorite place for residents and visitors to shop, dine, and be entertained.

It's hard to imagine that at one time, nary a soul thought the land that Ala Moana Center now occupies would someday be of any value. In 1912, Walter F. Dillingham purchased the 50-acre site, deemed unusable swampland, for a mere $25,000. Today, Ala Moana Center is one of the top grossing malls in the U.S. and welcomes 42 million shopping visits per year. At least 1 million of those visits are guaranteed to be from yours truly. I always seem to find myself at Ala Moana, whether it be to catch up with girlfriends at Panya Bistro, shoe shop at Nordstrom, pick up groceries at Foodland, or imbibe in happy hour at Pearl or Mai Tai Bar. 

The center celebrated its birthday with a bang. Hundreds of people lined up to see the center's 11 original retailers (Sears, Shirokiya, Crack Seed Center, Dairy Queen, Foodland, Longs Drugs, Reyn's, Territorial Savings Bank, The Slipper House, US Post Office, and Watumull's) honored by the current GM and mayor's office, as well as witness taiko drumming, Chinese lion dancing, hula dancing, and music by The Brothers Cazimero. In Willy Wonka-like fashion, the mall handed out 1,959 chocolate bars, five of which contained a golden ticket redeemable for a $250 gift card. 

Chinese lion dancers and a few thousand customers helped Ala Moana Center celebrate its 50th birthday on Aug. 13, 2009.


The Brothers Cazimero serenades Hauoli La Hauau ("Happy Birthday" in Hawaiian) to Ala Moana Center customers, dignitaries, and owners from the 11 stores that have been at the center since 1959. One of the mall's original developers, Donald Graham, was in attendance at 95 years old. When I met him, he simply stated, "I built this place," and could still sketch the mall's blueprint by memory.

As part of the birthday, the mall will host "Fifty Years of Fashion in Hawaii," a free exhibit showcasing Hawaii fashions over the last five decades, with the help of the University of Hawaii at Manoa Costume Collection and Hawaii Fashion Incubator. 

From muumuu to Miu Miu, everything from aloha attire, swimwear, and eveningwear is on display from Aug. 13-31, 2009. Old advertisements and photos complete the eye-catching exhibit.

In addition to the fashion exhibit, Ala Moana Center will offer a slew of 50th anniversary themed products, gift with purchases, and special sales. Centerstage will host performances from 50+ acts that have performed over the decades. Even the post office is getting in on the action with an Ala Moana Center cancellation stamp. Consult Ala Moana's 50th anniversary homepage for the full rundown.

Happy birthday Ala Moana, and thanks for all of the memories! 

--RAP