By Andrew Gomes
Advertiser Staff Writer
McDonald’s Corp. is replacing its restaurant at Koko Marina Center with a new restaurant at nearby Hawaii Kai Shopping Center, though the company may maintain a scaled-back version of the fast-food eatery at Koko Marina.
 |
| Amazon Construction razed a bank building at Hawaii Kai Shopping Center to make way for a McDonald's.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser |
The owner of Hawaii Kai Shopping Center tore down an empty former bank building yesterday to make way for the new restaurant and drive-through fronting Keahole Street.
Melanie Okazaki, marketing manager for McDonald’s in Hawai‘i, said the new location offers better consumer traffic and customer access.
The new restaurant likely will be operated by a franchisee, though one has yet to be selected, and is expected to open in early to mid-June. At that time, the Koko Marina McDonald’s is due to close. However, there are preliminary discussions to maintain a scaled-down version of the restaurant at Koko Marina, according to Jo Ann Mau, center property manager.
"It’s still in the negotiation stage," Okazaki said.
Carl Johnsen, Hawaii Kai Shopping Center general manager, said the change is part of the natural evolution of restaurants in the East O‘ahu community, which is seeing a flurry of new residential construction and dining options.
In addition to the McDonald’s relocation and possible expansion: Outback Steakhouse plans to open March 6 at Hawaii Kai Towne Center next to Roy’s Restaurant; a Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream & Desserts is scheduled to open next week at Koko Marina; and Papa John’s Pizza expects to open a Koko Marina outlet at the end of July.
Andrew Gomes can be reached by phone at 525-8065, or by e-mail.
Correction: Outback Steakhouse in Hawai‘i Kai is scheduled to open March 6. An incorrect date was given in a previous version of this story.
[back to top] |
