It was 50 years ago today, August 13, 1959. Ala Moana Shopping Center opened it's doors as the islands first and the largest shopping mall in the US. A ground breaking event, set on 50 acres of what use to be swamp-land, Ala Moana proudly celebrated with more than 80 retail merchants, 11 of which remains the original merchants ~Sears and Shirokiya (anchor stores), Longs Drugs, Foodland, Crack Seed Center, Dairy Queen, Reyn's, Slipper House, US Postal Service, Territorial Savings Bank and Watumull's. Eight days later, Hawaii would become the 50th State!
A special costume exhibition called "Fifty Years of Fashion In Hawaii" is one of the special features to celebrate Ala Moana's milestone. There are over 50 garments from the University of Hawaii-Manoa's Historic Costume Collection. The influential designs range from swimwear, men's and women's aloha attire and fashions from the 1950's to the 1990's.The pieces represent designers and retailers that have made an impact on Hawaii's fashion and style for over 50 years~Alfred Sheehan, Miss Hawaii, Kamehameha, Carol and Mary and Tori Richards, to name a few.
A small room in the corner of the exhibition are photographic displays of Ala Moana before and after its construction, a timeline of events, vintage photographs of store fronts and shopping center ads.
Although Ala Moana no longer is the largest shopping center, it remains the largest outdoor shopping center in the US with well over 290 retail stores and over 2.1 million square feet. That's really something special to be proud of for an island in the Pacific~Hawaii, our 50th State.
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