Foot traffic at the mall does seem to be picking up as the weeks go by, but it’s much less crowded now than during the peak holiday season. Hoping more businesses can weather the prolonged COVID economic impact.

Walking through the mall was mellow but colorful.

While I was there, I had to do the obligatory escalator check. Were they all in service? Most were.

Stores were ready for the crowds with stanchions for queues but only a handful of stores had customers waiting at 7:30am.

The Makai Wing had the most customers with people waiting to get in Zara, Uniqlo, and Lululemon. I didn’t really pick up anything this morning other than this Salted Caramel Mocha from the Nordstrom’s eBar.

I did hear that Ala Moana got crowded after lunch. I guess everyone had to wake up from their Thanksgiving meal coma, do some online shopping, then headed to the mall.

Here’s what I saw at Famous Footwear and Nordstrom.

Tie-dye, yellow, and a white Crocs sans jibbitz were in store, but really, the appeal is those custom charms. That’s why all these Crocs collabs sold out so fast.

The escalators were also shut down, assumedly to save on operations, maintenance, and cleaning.

Hoping these closures of the small businesses are only temporary. But the real prize of this dreary visit is the patbingsu from Jejubing Dessert Cafe. Recently opened during the height of COVID breakouts on Oahu, the cafe is still open for takeout and is well worth the drive and eat in the car.

This is the green tea regular size, but I think I’ll stick with the tiramisu. Mango is good albeit a little sweet, and you can’t go wrong with the kinako bingsu.

Don’t recall how long they lasted, but lines were long for some time.

The inside of the Starbucks Reserve is like a mixed maze of graduation celebration.

But the saddest sight had to be this – the former location of Banana Republic.

For years, Banana Repeblic held that corner spot marking the near end of the mall before the Ewa Wing ever existed. More importantly, Banana served as the hidden pathway between the second and third levels using their wooden staircase.

The Apple Store is open, and there are several workers outside explaining how to get inside and also taking your temperature.

Details are sparse at the moment, but just know that Hawaii will have a Swatch Destination watch for the islands come December. Periodically, Swatch creates watches based on themes from geographic locations. For the United States, New York City, Miami, and Las Vegas are the only cities with a Swatch Destination design, but in early December 2019, Hawaii is joining the Swatch Destination family.

I haven’t yet seen an accurate image of this upcoming watch, and you’ll have to go to the Swatch store in Ala Moana to see and buy this Hawaiian exclusive. But this makes for a fun gift with an uniquely local flair.

With the Footlocker reservation system, good customers get a head start on buying shoes, and I was hoping for  luck on these Yeezy Clouds. But… after making a change to my reservation size selection, the signup system changed from reservation to sweepstakes. Yup, the regular ole lucky number ticketing system. Go to the store, sign up, and get a ticket and then hopefully a call back saying your ticket is a winner. I’ve won once so I can’t complain (too much), but I would have preferred my chances with a reservation.

While I hope a reservation shows up in-app for upcoming sneakers, the delay in shipping to Hawaii has got to be a factor why this system won’t work for the 808. The digital reservation might reset by the time the shoes arrive.

By the way, the Yeezy Citrins that drop the following week are sweepstakes for Ala Moana and Waikiki Footlockers.

Luckily Ross shares your love, and you might be lucky enough to find a HOPA shirt on their racks. Now the shirt may not have a security tag nor a price tag… hey wait a minute, Santa sees you HOPA fan who likely “traded” shirts. Talk about dressing for less…

Update: Recently read about recent thefts from HOPA.

Are you ready for UNIQLO in full effect? Airism and Hawaii-exclusive LifeWear!

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.

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.

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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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.

Featuring Hawaii exclusives as well!

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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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.

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 Aug 19, 2017 at 5:11pm PDT

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.

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.”