New Hilton Hawaiian Village Ala Moana tower gets approval to proceed

[Tamaradarann]

Sounds like BART extensions in the Bay Area

Cheers.

I think your point is that to be fair to Honolulu the BART extension is delayed. The 2nd Avenue Subway in NY is also taking more time than was orginally planned. My real requistioning of the Rail is not how long is is taking it is where they started. You mentioned BART extentions; Those extenions are probobly away from the Downtown San Francisco to allow people who are further away from the Downtown area take advantage of the BART they are being built much later than the original BART. The Oringinal BART started in downtown San Francisco. The Honolulu Rail started in the middle of nowhere and initially went to nowhere. I would have started in Downtown Honolulu which when started and moving downtown will probably bring more delays than they are planning already. But when they gets there it hopefully will be looked on, by those that sit in traffic for many hours waiting in traffic to get to Downtown Honolulu, as a benefit and the advantage to the Rail.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

OK, anyone / everyone who has been to HHV recently tell us how many CLOSED or "CLOSING" commercial businesses you saw within HHV. I think I was there in February and I saw at least 6 I think. Hotel guests are far more likely to spend $$ at the shops and restaurants than TS guests are. The issues I see:
A) the "public" should have made them build a nice pedestrian overpass over AMBlvd as part of this project. I'm sure Hilton prefers the guests stay on the HHV side of AMB though
B) will these 515 rooms have their own GYM and maybe a POOL. The single GYM in HHV could become a disaster if it has to service another 250 people per day

We were just at HHV last month, and although I didn't count them, there are still quite a few empty shops, particularly in the International Bazaar section. At one point, I thought I remembered reading they were going to tear that down and put in a new tower there, but this new tower does not seem to include that area, so I think the plans changed. In any event, they could definitely improve the shopping and dining options.

A pedestrian walkway would be nice, but it would be expensive and may only add to the resistance from some locals who oppose the tower. My employer added an overhead walkway connecting our newest building when we had to add across the street. Even in downtown San Jose, where there are not really views to block, there was some opposition to our overhead walkway.

 

[Tamaradarann]

We were just at HHV last month, and although I didn't count them, there are still quite a few empty shops, particularly in the International Bazaar section. At one point, I thought I remembered reading they were going to tear that down and put in a new tower there, but this new tower does not seem to include that area, so I think the plans changed. In any event, they could definitely improve the shopping and dining options.

A pedestrian walkway would be nice, but it would be expensive and may only add to the resistance from some locals who oppose the tower. My employer added an overhead walkway connecting our newest building when we had to add across the street. Even in downtown San Jose, where there are not really views to block, there was some opposition to our overhead walkway.

I agree with you that the HHV could have addtional dining options. However, a short walk just outside of the HHV right across Ala Moana Bouevard at the 4 way walk red light there are so many small restauants as well as a Country Market with great take out food that can be eaten at some small outside tables or brought back to your timeshare. There is Italian and Sushi also right there and IHOP, Korean, Indian and BBQ places a little further away walking to the left, there is even a Waikiki Brewery a block away to the right.

 

[ljmiii]

...as well as a Country Market...

We SOOOO miss Wailana Coffee House. Best darn 4AM breakfast in Waikiki... (that's 10AM EST by the way...;-))

 

[Tamaradarann]

We SOOOO miss Wailana Coffee House. Best darn 4AM breakfast in Waikiki... (that's 10AM EST by the way...;-))

We miss it also. The Coffee House needed alot of renovations to keep functioning. The Country Market provides a great addition to the Hilton Hawaiian Village Food Offerings.