‘Heartbroken’: Ward Centre prepares to close after more than four decades

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – After more than four decades serving shoppers, Ward Centre is nearing its final chapter. The longtime shopping destination is set to close by the end of the month.

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Walking through Ward Centre, some storefronts are already empty. Chairs once filled with shoppers now sit vacant while remaining businesses pack up and prepare to leave.

For many tenants, the closure is bittersweet.

Kamitoku Ramen, which has operated at Ward Centre for the past five years, is preparing to shut its doors on June 21.

“We’re closing soon this month, around the 21st. The 21st is our last day here,” said Kee Situ, manager of Kamitoku Ramen. “I feel a little bit sad because many people, they love our ramen.”

Situ said many employees are also struggling with the transition.

“Most of our coworkers also feel bad,” he said.

Other businesses have called Ward Centre home for much longer.

Noa Noa has been part of the shopping center since 1983 and is now selling off inventory during its final days.

“I feel really sad, really sad,” said Maryann Barnett, general manager of Noa Noa. “But the world moves on.”

Barnett said the store’s lease was originally expected to run through the end of the year.

“Our lease would have ended at the end of this year,” she said.

Still, she said the business is trying to stay flexible during the transition.

“We’ll just go with the flow,” Barnett said. “It’s not something I always agree with, but it is what it is.”

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Frequent visitors say losing Ward Centre feels personal.

“There’s a lot of mixed emotions, kind of heartbroken, obviously, have a lot of fond memories here,” said Marvin Fisher, a frequent Ward Centre shopper.

Fisher said stops at Try Coffee and BoxJelly had become part of his daily routine.

“It’s going to be hard to replicate that and replace that,” he said. “Definitely a bit heartbroken for the small businesses that are kind of closing up shop abruptly as well.”

In a statement, Doug Johnstone, president of the Hawaii region and national condominium development at Howard Hughes Communities, said the company recognizes Ward Centre’s significance to the neighborhood.

“We have fond aloha for Ward Centre and its important role in the history of our neighborhood,” Johnstone said. “As plans move forward for redevelopment on the site, we look forward to announcing details about the next phase.”

Redevelopment plans call for two condominium towers with about 369 housing units, 20,000 square feet of retail space and a new one-acre public park.

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A specific timeline for demolition and redevelopment has not yet been finalized.