Waikiki Shopping Plaza

Parking can be expensive and a pain in the ass. But this review isn’t for the parking or for the mall itself, but for the security an maintenance guys, specifically Mike and Elliot (security), and Marcelo (maintenance).
Why them? Because my car’s entire front right wheel decided to take a field trip off the suspension as I rounded down the 5^th floor. It was a loud and jarring metal clang and bang, and my Volvo suv came to a sudden stop. Not ten seconds after this, a service door directly ahead of me opened, and out peered Marcelo, who saw my shocked and confused expression. He motioned for me to stay put and that he would call for help. Apparently, he had just started his shift when he heard the commotion! I put on my emergency lights and e-​brake, and stepped out of my car to see that the wheel had come off the ball bearing entirely and that the weight of my car was squarely on my crooked wheel.
To make a 4.5 painful saga of failed tow trucks and woeful roadside service short, Mike and Elliot were with me within minutes, making sure I was okay and started directing traffic around me from 6pm until past 10. They also had Marcelo retrieve cones to facilitate traffic around my disabled vehicle. Mike in particular was very caring and periodically checked on me to see the status of the tow trucks, and he was very understanding and compassionate to my predicament. Every time I tried to apologize for the inconvenience, he would assure me that all they wanted to do was make sure nothing happened to me while I was waiting for a tow truck. I know it’s their job, but Mike’s sincerity was genuine and allowed me to be a bit less stressed. He also reminded me that I was very lucky that this happened in a parking garage rather than while out driving on the road. At the time I was sitting there for hours waiting for a tow truck, it sure didn’t feel lucky, but I was grateful for the view of a silver lining.
When I finally did get rescued by Liberty Towing, Mike also made sure that I didn’t get charged for parking after 6, because I had been stuck another 4 hours in the garage beyond my control. I was so relieved for that unexpected bit of kindness!
If the owners/​managers of this building and parking garage ever read this, I want you to know that Mike, Elliot, and Marcelo are phenomenal gentlemen. They were so kind, quick-​thinking, respectful, and comforting during such a stressful time. Not once did they make me nor let me feel bad for my car crapping out in the parking deck! Please give them due commendation. I can’t thank them enough for ensuring mine and the other drivers’ safety!

This is a horrible excuse for a mall. It’s pretty much completely deserted and I can see why. The stores are mainly businesses, like travel agencies or wireless phone shops. They have a FEW actual shopping stores, but they’re all fobby and catered towards Japanese tourists, I think. Definitely not worth visiting!

The shopping center it’s is fine. It’s a great place to park being right in the middle of Waikiki. When it came to getting our parking validated no one in any store knew who validated. Each store would tell us another store validated and when we asked, they did not and would tell us somewhere else. It was very frustrating that each store does not know who validates in their building.

There were a cheap, nice clothing store on the basement level and a Chinese restaurant on the 5^th floor but they closed. There are some souvenir shops, business offices, a restaurant etc… but not so much things going on right now…

Couldn’t find an individual rating for the starbucks here, but don’t come here if you want to work. I got kicked out when there were no customers at all for sitting for more than an hour. For the fleeing customer only.

Love Culture died … Tried having morning starbucks there … The music is on a loop and is a mix of Whitney Houston and slack key makes me want to jump in front of the noisy tour buses that pollut Kalakaua… Just now Polynesian Hospitality bus must have been doin 50 … Makes me want to move to Maui

This 5-​level shopping mall is a mix of businesses — travel services, restaurants, clothing, jewelry, and other retail. The vibe is very quiet and dreary compared to other malls in Waikiki. The interior décor is reminiscent of buildings in Asia with boring white tile everywhere.
HIGHLIGHTS:
— Armani Exchange
— Tanaka of Tokyo
— Love Culture
— Victoria’s Secret
— U.S. Post Office

Starbucks on the center of the complex. 2^nd floor has some shops. 3^rd floor kiosks of all sort of gifts

It’s really stepping it up as far as stores that are in this plaza. There will be a Mexican restaurant opening up very soon. As an employee in this plaza, I like how every floor has a bathroom & a beautiful break room for plaza employees.

One reason to go there anymore, since they took away the food court. The place is empty now. Didn’t the new owners know the only reason people went there was for the food.

Starbucks moved from the former lower level food court to the Kalakaua street level at the Waikiki Shopping Plaza. New location is much nicer!
Love Culture now located at former food court location of the Waikiki Shopping Plaza.

A multiple level shopping centers with some souvenirs shopping. There use to be a food court downstairs, but now it is gone. More and more expensive stores that cater to Japanese tourist is changing Waikiki in not a good way. Sigh. Nonetheless, walk in and find additional stores that you can’t see from the sidewalk outside.

The shopping plaza is definitely targeted to the tourist realm. The stores are upper class and therefore highly priced. I’m not too thrilled with the food court here, limited… no dessert! It’s very clean and the workers everywhere are nice and welcoming. It’s huge, there’s three different buildings, A, B, C and its multi levels. I’ve been up to the fourth floor of building B. don’t know if all the buildings have 4 levels. If you park in the structure get it validated !

This is only for the food court.
Grylt is gone, the musubi cart is gone, the ramen place seems to be closed a good amount of time. Honestly, all that’s left are Arby’s, Subway, Pearls, the dimsum place, Island Café, and the health foods store.
Don’t waste your time, there’s nothing that amazing about the food stalls that are left. Just go across the street to the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center’s food court.

I didn’t even get to enjoy the shopping plaza because of the extremely rude and unpleasant parking staff.
I have a parking pass for the Waikiki Trade Center and accidentally made a wrong turn, ending up at the parking garage for Waikiki Shopping Plaza. When I spoke to the parking attendant about my current situation and asked if I could go through the gate and make a u-​turn, he rudely told me to REVERSE DOWN A NARROW ONE WAY RAMP WHERE THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY TO SEE ANY INCOMING VEHICLES. How dangerous is that? Not only that, but how unbelievably stupid is the parking attendant for forcing me to do that because he wouldn’t open the gate? When I told him that it’d be easier and safer if he opened the parking gate, all he did was look the other way and continue doing absolutely nothing. I’ll never park at Waikiki Shopping Plaza, that’s for sure.

Not a lot of businesses that I’d shop for in the Plaza, but there’s a convenient ABC store! The food court has a lot of good selection, but the prices are hiked up because of its location. If you work there, you might be able to get discounts at other shops/​restaurants as well, but you may have to ask around.
Tip (s):
1) The escalator going to and from the bottom floor goes in reverse to the ones going up. There’s not too much to explore unless you want to buy Hawaii items that you’ll more than likely find on the sidewalk stands anyway.
2) Nightly shows in the lobby and/​or the usual street performers.

Small shopping plaza with a few good shops.
This review is for the free Polynesian show which is on Tuesday nights. They first have a short show on the first floor then they go up to the third floor to continue to show. I think its a way to draw business to the kiosks on the third floor. No one stopped by to check out the kiosks, I don’t know how they survive running a kiosks on the third floor at WSP, the rent must be really cheap there.

This place is rather filthy. Beware if you are eating at their basement food court because you will see baby roaches crawling on the table and little birds sitting on the other side of the table glaring at your food. They have decent food selections, such as Korean, bentos, and sandwiches so I suggest you take out and eat it else where. (Like at the Royal Hawaiian food court: P)
I haven’t really had the chance to explore the entire mall, but with the addition of Sephora, the mall looks a little better. The other side still looks old and icky though… I saw that they will be opening Victoria’s Secret in the Fall (which probably means next summer) so high hopes for that. :)

The best part of this place is the walk-​down food court– Aqua Café (one of our favorites), Subway, Baskin Robbins, China Express– chinese food kiosk, Pearl’s Korean BBQ (had it in Maui– very good), and Pizza Hut/​Taco Bell.
The sidewalk level has LesportSac, Guess, and this is where the weekly events are held (contests, hula demos). The second level has Local Fever (good place for cute cheap clothes, kinda like Forever 21) and Alter Ego (high priced novelty t-​shirts). One level– Big Kahuna’s Marketplace– has a tourist trap feel with its overpriced items at about twenty-​five kiosks– some appear empty but the employees are manning multiple kiosks. One level is apparently at a price war with each other and the prices for little gifts are pretty competitive. One restaurant that is really good and not bad if you use a coupon, is Tenaka of Tokyo– similar to Benihana, but way cheaper.
Undergoing a massive addition, Sephora (ooh) is set to open in September 2010.

The old Waikiki Shopping Plaza is a slightly odd place. For the most part it’s populated with fast food chain restaurants and smaller privately owned shops. It has an Asian-​esque arcade type feel with all the lights and such which surround central eating areas. Almost all people just walk on by without taking a look inside. For the most part, I would say this may be a good idea, with a few notable exceptions:
Hapa Dog (
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Located right at the opening down the escalator is a great alternative Hot Dog with a Asian spin on things. My favorite is the «Wassap» Dog. It’s only really open weekdays for the working lunch crowd, so time your visit accordingly.
Kiwame Ramen (
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One of many pretty good ramen shops in the Waikiki area. Kama’aina discount with ID. Ume Dip Noodles seem to be a draw here.
Alter Ego (
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This store that mainly sells Japanese brand t-​shirts with the kid with a huge afro and pick in them also sells local brands like «Flip the Bird.» It’s a good place if your looking for more trendy Japanese omiyage.