1955 aerial view of the Ala Moana property. Walter F. Dillingham purchased what was once marsh land in 1912 from the Bishop Estate for just $25,000. Walter’s son, Lowell, initiated the Ala Moana Center project in 1948.

Construction of Ala Moana Center began in 1958. Prior to this, the area was considered unproductive swamp land. Dillingham’s Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company brought coral and sand from dredging projects to fill the swamps, making development possible.

An aerial view of the completion of Phase I of Ala Moana Center, which originally started with just two levels when it opened in 1959. 

Sears played an integral part in the success of Ala Moana Center. They were previously located on Beretania Street in the 1940s. As the largest retailer in the country at the time, their commitment in 1958 to move to the Center meant construction could finally begin. Sears served as one of the Center’s anchor tenants for 54 years until closing in 2013.

Sears’ ad in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin on August 12, 1959, announcing their sale at the opening of Ala Moana Center the next morning.

The Ala Moana Building, seen behind Sears, was completed in 1961. It replaced the Aloha Tower as the tallest building in Hawaii with 25 floors of office space and the famous restaurant La Ronde at the top. This was the first ever revolving restaurant in the United States.

A directory in 1959 boasted over 80 merchants on two levels. Its success after opening shifted the center of retailing from downtown Honolulu to Ala Moana Center in part because of the 4,000 free parking stalls available for shoppers.

The original Ala Moana Center logo design was based on the feathered cloak of ancient Hawaiian warriors. It represented progress as Hawaii became the country’s newest state and Ala Moana became a central part of the rapidly changing times.

Thousands of people arrived early for the opening ceremony of the much anticipated and largest shopping center in the United States with over 80 stores and 4,000 free parking stalls.

Watumull's is one of a few original tenants still open in the Center. They were eager to be part of Ala Moana Center after learning that Sears committed to become an anchor store in 1958. Originally located on Mall Level 2, Watumulls has since relocated to Street Level 1. 

Longs Drugs was one of the original tenants of the Center. The store is still operating in the same location, serving both locals and visitors alike. 

The Ala Moana Center branch of the US Post Office, located on Street Level 1, Ewa Wing, has remained an essential fixture in the Center, serving the community for generations.

Territorial Savings & Loans offered customers the novelty of banking while shopping, all in one convenient location. Now called Territorial Savings Bank, it's still operating in its original location on Street Level 1, Ewa Wing.

Thom McAn, a retail chain, was an original tenant of the Center and became a favorite shoe store for local residents for many decades. 

Sidewalk sales never failed to bring large crowds to the Center. In its first year, approximately 30,000 shoppers visited the Center on weekdays and 40,000 on weekends, spending more than $40 million. 

Ed & Don’s opened an ice cream and candy store at Ala Moana Center in 1959 on Mall Level 2, approximately where Gucci is today.  They later moved to Street Level 1, near Centerstage, where customers enjoyed their Hawaii-made treats for many years. 

Ala Moana Center’s iconic Big Santa can be seen in the background as workers plant one of many trees that helped beautify the Center’s landscape. In all, over 100 palm trees, more than 40 monkey pod trees and hundreds of tropical plants were integrated throughout the Center to create an exotic and uniquely Hawaiian shopping experience.

A multitude of koinobori (carp streamers), donated by Shirokiya, blow in the wind from the parking lot in the 1960s. Free parking was a key factor in the success of the Center. With modernization, more residents became car owners and parking to shop in downtown Honolulu became increasingly difficult. Conversely, at Ala Moana Center, shoppers were thrilled with the ease of parking so close to stores.

Art installations have been and still are integral to the experience the Center seeks to provide shoppers. On the Diamond Head side of Phase I stood “The Fountain of the Gods.” On each side of the column was an abstract mosaic design representing one of the four major Hawaiian gods. This water feature also provided a place for visitors to gather and socialize.

Ala Moana Center has always been intent on providing visitors a fun experience while shopping. Attractions were built throughout the Center, including the Aviary, a large cage of tropical birds next to Shirokiya and Liberty House (now macy’s). Unfortunately, high maintenance costs, among other things, contributed to the closure of the Aviary.

Hula shows, including keiki hula shows, were and still are a regular entertainment attraction of the Center. This center courtyard was where shoppers gathered around on both floors to watch the entertainment. The open-air design, surrounding palm trees and tropical plants provided an exotic, uniquely Hawaiian backdrop.

The sandbox, located on Street Level 1, was where parents could take their keiki to have fun. American sculptor, Edward Brownlee, known for his modernist architectural creations, designed the bronze and steel sculptures that were intended for climbing and exploration.

The Grand Opening ceremony of the completion of Phase II in 1966. The expansion doubled the Center from 700,000 square feet of shopping with over 80 merchants and 4,000 parking stalls to 1.3 million square feet with over 150 merchants and 7,800 parking stalls.

The Travelator on the Diamond Head side of the mall, next to Liberty House (now macy’s) took shoppers up and down the Center’s two levels. On the right, the Waiola sculpture, Hawaiian for “Living Waters,” can be seen. It’s one of the original art installations, from the completion of Phase II in 1966, that is still standing today, located on Street Level 1 near Assaggio.

Shirokiya was an original tenant of the Center, a Japanese-based department store occupying two levels, originally on the Ewa side of the Center. They relocated to the Diamond Head end across from Liberty House (now macy’s) in 1966 after the Center’s Phase II was completed. In 2016, the new Shirokiya Japan Village Walk opened on Street Level 1, offering shoppers a unique experience as a “theme park village” reflective of a traditional Japanese town.

J.C. Penney and Liberty House opened as new anchor department stores in 1966 with the completion of Phase II. 

In the 1980s, waves of tourists from Japan started arriving and helped to boost sales of many Ala Moana Center merchants.