Ala Moana, which means path to the sea in the Hawaiian language, is a residential and commercial district within the district of Honolulu, Hawaii. Located in the southern shores of Oahu, it features a wide stretch of reef-protected white sand beaches. The Ala Moana Center, which was once the biggest shopping center in the United States, currently serves as its civic center. It is also recognized as the world’s biggest open-air shopping center. The wide bus platforms on either sides of Ala Moana Center also make this district a major transfer point in the bus system of Honolulu.
Ala Moana Shopping Center
The Ala Moana Shopping Center is located in close proximity to Waikiki so it has become a very convenient place for tourists. Shuttles run every ten minutes, seven days a week. It also offers enough parking for those who wish to bring their cars, and it is only a few minutes away from the pristine Ala Moana Beach Park. Residents and locals also enjoy the mall because it includes a post office, a grocery store, and a popular night club called Pearl Ultralounge. A huge international food court and fine dining facilities are also located in this area.
The mall remains unique to other shopping centers because it features open-air corridors that are lined with tropical vegetation and palm trees. It also features a center stage for performances that include dancing, singing, and other forms of local entertainment. The Royal Hawaiian Band, a performance group accompanied by hula dancers, usually plays at Center Stage. As the biggest amphitheatre in Hawaii, Center Stage also presents fashion shows and fireworks for special celebrations. Down its walkways, residents and tourists can also sit on the rocks of fish ponds and relax.
Things to do in Ala Moana
The Ala Moana Shopping Center is not the only place that tourists and residents usually visit. Tourists who wish to get around town easily usually stay at the Ala Moana Hotel, which is close to attractions such as the Ala Moana Shopping Center, the Ala Moana Beach Park, and the Atlantis Submarines. Within a short walk from the hotel, world-class restaurants also serve everything from distinct Hawaiian delicacies to other menu items that have creatively fused the flavor of various cultures. Ala Moana Hotel’s on-site dining locations are always open to both visitors and guests.
Food lovers will also enjoy eating in the sushi restaurants the surround the district. Genki Sushi and Shokudu Japanese Restaurant offers several menu items such as sashimi, tempura, sushi, and a variety of specialty drinks like green tea floats and Japanese sake. Rokkak, another popular restaurant, serves authentic Japanese cuisine such as grilled Japanese beef, rice with sea urchin, and steamed egg custard with shark fins. The Pagoda Floating Restaurant also offers selections of mixed Hawaiian, Western, and Asian influences and allows guests to dine at a beautiful garden setting embellished with relaxing koi ponds.
Locals and tourists can also hang out in the Ala Moana Beach Park. This public 100-km park on Oahu also showcases a wide, gold-sand beach that stretches over 800 meters long. Its calm waters are protected by outer reefs, making it ideal for small children and long-distance swimmers. The park also has grassy areas, palm trees, and banyans than make it a good place for barbecue parties, ball games, and jogging. Honolulu residents usually take their entire family to the Ala Moana Beach Park to spend more time together or watch various cultural events in the Magic Island.
These are only some of the activities that both locals and tourists enjoy doing in Ala Moana. Whether you are planning to move to Hawaii or you just want to spend a holiday in Hawaii’s popular tourist attractions, Ala Moana will always have something in store for you.
