July 19, 2005
Contributed by Shawn Nakamoto
The Center sits on the grounds of Helumoa, a former residence of Kamehameha the Great and later a place of retreat for Hawaiian ali'i, including Bernice Pauahi Bishop, founder and benefactor of Kamehameha Schools. Helumoa was once the center of government for O'ahu and was lush with a grove of 10,000 niu (coconut) trees.
Pictured left to right: Kahu Kordell Kekoa; Lt. Governor James "Duke" Aiona; Dee Jay Mailer, CEO of Kamehameha Schools; Rosalind Schurgin, Executive VP for the Festival Companies; and Diane Plotts, trustee for Kamehameha Schools.
According to Dee Jay Mailer, CEO of Kamehameha Schools, "The Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center is the single largest real estate investment in our portfolio. With its historical link to our Hawaiian ali'i and specifically to Princess Pauahi, the revitalization of the Center plays an important role in helping us meet one of our key goals of perpetuating 'Ike Hawai'i, which means to promote the knowledge, wisdom and ways of the Hawaiian people."
A look at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center after the revitilization project has been completed.
"Our goal is to preserve this important land legacy and create a place where we can bring our 'ohana to share the rich history of Waikiki. We also plan to use the Center as a venue for Kamehameha Schools to share its educational and cultural programs with the community," said Susan Todani, director of investments for Kamehameha Schools.
From a financial standpoint, the revitalization of the Center will further strengthen its position in the retail market and will provide an increased return on investment, which ultimately benefits the educational mission of Kamehameha Schools. According to Kirk Belsby, vice president for endowment, "It is critical that we find opportunities to enhance our commercial assets so that our endowment can continue to support our educational programs and campuses. The revitalization of Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center is a great example of how we can take an existing asset and improve its earning potential while staying true to our Hawaiian values and to our mission."
Kamehameha Schools and The Festival Companies are committed to incorporating "ho'okipa" or Hawaiian hospitality at the Center. The concept of ho'okipa is to create a harmonious relationship between the "host, the guest, and the place." This means not only making the buildings and architecture relate better to their Waikiki environment, but also in providing a wonderful relationship between our retailers, Hawaiian community and visitors. The goal is to provide a fun and interactive setting with good food and entertainment that attracts both visitors and kama'aina to Waikiki.
The Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center consists of 290,000 square feet along a three-block stretch on Waikiki 's famed Kalakaua Avenue. The center fronts the Sheraton Waikiki and Royal Hawaiian Hotels. This is the first major renovation for the 26-year-old center.
Kamehameha Schools is a private charitable trust founded and endowed by the legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop and is the sole beneficiary of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Estate, which has an estimated value of $6.6 billion. Kamehameha Schools operates a statewide educational system and currently more than 6,500 students of Hawaiian ancestry are enrolled in K-12 campuses on three islands and at 32 preschool sites statewide. More than 57,000 additional Hawaiian learners are also being served through a range of other Kamehameha Schools outreach programs, community collaborations and financial aid opportunities in Hawaii and across the continental United States.
Kamehameha Schools’ policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.
