HALE‘IWA, HI (January 14, 2015) – In a culture that embraces the surf and sea, Hale‘iwa welcomed the opening of its newest establishment, Hale‘iwa Store Lots, in December of 2014. Currently, businesses include Matsumoto Shave Ice, Global Creations, Malibu Shirts, Kahala Sportswear, and T&C Surf, all of which saw increased foot traffic during the highly anticipated surf event season celebrated across the North Shore.
Various surfing events held in December included the Surfer Poll Awards, Vans Triple Crown (Reef Hawaiian Pro, Vans World Cup of Surfing, and Billabong Pipeline Masters), Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau and more.
The store lots pay homage to the plantation and surf culture of the area with its architecture and community-focused development. The project was intended to support local merchants and reinforce the “mom and pop” nature of small businesses that populate this tightly knit community.
“With the surf season starting and Hale‘iwa Store Lots being open, more and more people are coming to see what’s new. They want to check it out. The surf season really brings people in, and I have seen more and more traffic in front of the store. The surf brings people to Hale‘iwa and they’re deciding to stop here. The number one comment people make is they are so surprised with how this place turned out,” says Collette Harris of Global Creations, one of the longtime Hale‘iwa businesses operating in the store lots.
Hale‘iwa Store Lots is now open with seven stores: Matsumoto Shave Ice, Global Creations, Malibu Shirts, Kahala Sportswear, T&C Surf, Whalers General Store and the Hale’iwa Fruit Stand. Later this month, five new tenants will open their doors, including Teddy’s Bigger Burgers, Mahina, Guava Shop, Splash! Hawaii, and Island Vintage Coffee. In the coming months, five more include Rajanee Thai Cuisine, Clark Little Galleries, Greenroom Hawaii, Uncle Bo’s Pupu Bar & Grill, and Fatboy’s.
As part of Kamehameha Schools’ North Shore Plan, created with input from area kūpuna and other longtime residents, Hale‘iwa Store Lots is a Hawai‘i-owned retail and dining experience that will provide ongoing returns to fund the Schools’ educational mission.