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KAWS x Sesame Street x UNIQLO @ Ala Moana

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Did you cop your KAWS collaboration with Sesame Street and UNIQLO? If not, I highly suggest you do so soon. Launched Thursday night online, physical stores started selling these graphic tees on Friday, including the Pop-Up location at Ala Moana.

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While stock remained strong, there definitely was a steady stream of customers, all exiting with their neatly taped up UNIQLO bag. I didn’t get a picture of the people, but at times, the check out line almost reached the store entrance. The entire store had been rearranged with all the KAWS items at the back of the store to funnel people in.

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From another fan, supposedly the Count shirt is popular and is sold out online. There were some at the store but less than all the other designs. Also, I had a hard time finding XL sizes. Not sure if they just weren’t put on the shelves or what. The stacks of folded shirts were small, medium, or large with a couple of XL mixed in.

I don’t know if this collaboration series is limited but judging by the traffic and popularity on day one, these shirts are not going to last long.

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Stopped by UNIQLO Ala Moana

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So I finally got to visit the new UNIQLO Pop-Up store in Ala Moana, and as expected, it was crowded. For the most part, inventory was good except for this Doraemon shirt that was only available in medium. For a temporary space, this location is big-ish, but it is small for a UNIQLO.

To keep shopping easy, this store focuses on shirts, mainly the collaboration series. Missing from the store are the dressier clothing items, socks, underwear, and activewear. There are sections for men, women, and kids. Just think of this store as introducing Hawaii to the UNIQLO brand via its shirts.

I liked the ramen series along with the Jump 50th shirts. But I’m holding out for the upcoming KAWS x Sesame Street collaboration. Available only in select stores, I’m hoping they find their way to the 808. I had asked one of the store employees about this and while he knew the series was coming out shortly, he couldn’t definitely say if they would be available in the pop-up. I guess I just need to stop by to find out. I think this KAWS Cookie Monster would go well with my blue Air Jordan 1.

Here are a fe more pics from the UNIQLO Pop-Up at Ala Moana.

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Missed the UNIQLO Preview Event

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Yeah, I’m a little disappointed that I missed out on the UNIQLO Pop-up Preview event at Ala Moana this afternoon, but… kids finishing the school year and spending the day with them was the right call. The day would have been even better if JR Smith at least hoisted up a shot after his rebound, but there were many other factors before then – the reversed charge call on LeBron, Steph’s 3 to end the half, Hill’s missed free throw.

Anyways, UNIQLO opens on Friday, June 1. I forgot to ask if the KAWS x Sesame Street collection would be available (currently coming soon online), but the Barry McGee collection is certainly in store.

 

Uniqlo Pop-Up Coming to Ala Moana

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In just under one week, Uniqlo is opening a pop-up location at Ala Moana. Before it’s permanent location is opened, the pop-up gives shoppers a taste of what’s to come.

To find the pop-up location, head to the Center Stage and take the escalators to the third floor. The pop-up will be right there.

You know this place will be packed for weeks to come. That’s just the way Hawaii works. But now I see the foresight and sagacity of Ala Moana’s management… To control the impending throngs of visitors to the Uniqlo pop-up and redirect foot traffic to enter from various pathways throughout the mall, this safeguard is in place.

Yes, the main Center Stage escalator right outside the pop-up is not in operation. Akamai!

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“For Safety”

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It’s been awhile, but I just got denied entrance to yet another store while walking in with a drink. For this instance, the store was Ross at Ala Moana, and I was enjoying my half done Starbucks iced caramel macchiato.

The greeter pointed out the no food or beverage sign on the door.

I asked if there was a holding area for drinks, and she said the trash. Of course, I wasn’t about to trash a $7 drink full of body-infusing caffeine. I faux-ly and incredulously asked if she was serious about no drinks since pretty much every store has that no food or beverage sign but does not enforce it. She replied no drinks… for safety.

Now mind you we’re in the front of the store next to the cash registers which are next to all food and drink items at Ross. But I knew it was a losing battle, so I did leave. But I took a pic of my drink in the store.

Mauna Kea Mist, the Newest Instagram Hotspot

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The next hotspot for viral Instagram pics has to be Mauna Kea Mist inside of the Shirokiya Village Walk, Ala Moana. What’s all the fuss about? It starts with the frozen colorful balls that’s like cereal, not ice.

Then you pop one in your mouth and watch the mists of Mauna Kea arise.

The fun of @maunakeamist

A post shared by Greg Yamane (@geewhy) on

In the Shirokiya Village Walk, head towards the back wall and look for space #32. You’ll probably find customers waiting in line or in front of the location, exhausting frozen mist for all of social media to see.

Mauna Kea Mist serves other cold goodies like mochi ice cream, F’real shakes, and my favorite, the Hawaiian Honey Cane. Like the Jipangyi that I missed out in Korea, this corn pop tasting tube is filled with vanilla soft serve for a crunchy yet soft experience.

One last word of warning – do not drink the liquid nitrogen.

Comings and Goings at Ala Moana

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While at Ala Moana today, I saw some changes happening. There’s a new coffee place, Island Brew, where Gloria Jeans was. Not so sure about this choice since um, Gloria Jeans went out of business seemingly not too long after opening.

While we wish Island Brew good luck, we also need to say farewell to ivivva. Specializing in activewear for girls, the brand is moving to the cloud, closing down its retail locations and focusing on online sales. ivivva Ala Moana closes its doors on August 20, 2017.

One thing that hasn’t changed and is comforting in an odd kind of way is this all-too-familiar scene. It’s for “preventative maintenance.”

Ross Ala Moana Grand Opening

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Short story. I missed the grand opening of the new Ross at Ala Moana.

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Downstairs by Old Navy, I got to the store at 7:30 hoping it would be open according to the posted store hours. But grand openings being grand openings, this event’s timeline superceded regular store hours. So although patrons were waiting for the store to open at 7:30, the Ross management informed us that the store would open around 9am after the opening celebration.

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Not wanting to wait 90 minutes to return items, I left the now-open-but-not-yet-opened Ross.

 

Mr. Tea Ala Moana Now Open

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Nitrogenie closed for business only in the beginning of February, but already its space has been occupied. Mr. Tea is open for business, and although the store interior does look a little Spartan, customers are exiting with drinks in hand.



I don’t know about Mr. Tea or if there are other locations, but with a name like that, I was hoping for some kind of rtheme based on the larger-than-life Mr. T who starred in Rocky and the A-Team. But no, I did not see workers sporting Mohawks or adorned with gold chains. And I doubt the marquee drink is called the “I pity the fool.”

In any case, I’m hoping this business survives in the challenging food environment of the Ewa Wing. Looks like shave ice will be finding its way in the former Magnolia kiosk.

 

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Starbucks Evenings on Oahu

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Heh, I didn’t realize that there’s a Starbucks on Oahu featuring its Evenings Menu. Even though the Evening program has been officially cancelled, it still lives on across from Rumours in the Ala Moana Hotel.


The Evenings Program pairs alcohol offerings along with the coffee and espresso lineup with the idea of bringing in customers during the evenings. Although the program is cancelled, it sort of lives on in upscale Starbucks Roastery locations.

If you want to experience the Evenings experience, head on over to the lobby of the Ala Moana Hotel and look for the spacious Starbucks. I’m sure the lines get long when guests visit, but during (daylight) off hours, it’s a pleasant visit compared to the crowds in the mall locations.

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The Beauty of Bankruptcy

Sadly, the Ewa Wing of Ala Moana has been brutal to food-based businesses. The first (and quick) casualty was Gloria Jeans Coffees. Then around the end of 2016, Magnolia Bakery closed, both the cupcake-serving kiosk and the sit-down eatery. Its mainland success just couldn’t be replicated here in Hawaii it seems.

Formerly Gloria Jean’s Coffees

Most recently, popular Nitrogenie also shut its doors. Tied to Magnolia, the ice cream from magic couldn’t make up for the cupcake losses.

I must say though that Ala Moana does its best to mask the ugly side of bankruptcies. Notice any empty storefronts all have facades of beauty and style.

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