The trip up and down the Waianae coast was pretty cool, checking out the scene on a brisk Saturday morning in April 2017. I ended up at the Waianae Mall for eating options and to check the mall out. It was a nifty experience, but then again...
For all intensive proposes, it was a way to leave Honolulu and just enjoy the rest of what Oahu has to offer. I knew I wanted to check this mall out, just because it's basically the last vestige of commercialism before hitting Makaha and Kaena Point further north. To the east, Kapolei would be the big hot spot. In between Waianae and Kapolei, is basically Koolina, Nanakuli, and Maili, which are essentially residential neighborhoods - along with the resort properties on the coast. Most of the community would come here because it is the closest thing to a mall to get daily essentials and to have a place to just hang out or whatever without having to drive to Kapolei. For what it's worth though, the Waianae Mall does have ways to go and definitely could use a spruce up here and there. You may want to take your kids here, but keep them close in hand. For the most part though, the Waianae Mall does have its perks, but it's a general community mall for those who work and live in Waianae, Makaha, and Nanakuli.
The overall experience here at the Waianae Mall was that of convenience. I was here for a pitstop from a morning of traveling on TheBus and playing some Pokémon Go here on the west side of Oahu. The mall carries decent amount of merchants, so that's a good thing really. They have the basic familiar stores you've come to know and love, like Longs Drug stores (CVS Pharmacy). There is a cluster of eateries here, as well as fast food options for those of us who are ballin' on a budget and need that value for the price we pay for meals on the go. For the most part though, the Waianae Mall is basically open air and a basically like Hawaii Kai Towne Center, where it's like a strip mall in a lot of ways with multiple buildings strung together to look like a commercial center of shops and other merchants showcasing their wares and services. Many long time merchants are here to serve you, but there is always room for those who want to set up shop here in Waianae. Good local businesses are here at the Waianae Mall for your convenience and the mall itself is pretty much centrally located, right off the main artery. You can't miss it at all. Waianae Mall shopping center is located at 86-120 Farrington Highway in the heart of Waianae.
Many merchants here accept credit card payments for their services, so check with each individual tenants for their payment policies. The mall itself seems small, compared to others around the island, but this mall has a lot of heart and community support. To me though, if you are not living or working in the area, there is no use to be here. It's always great to explore and discover new places, even in your back yard. The Waianae Mall has plenty of parking here for y'all who drive. For those of you who are like me, TheBus routes "C" Country Express and route 40 is basically the two routes you'd use to travel here from Ala Moana shopping Center and downtown Honolulu to come to the Waianae coast and this mall. On any given day, you could just sit here and hang out. Nothing much happens here. Life tends to slow down a little and that is a good thing. Live life at your own terms and being here in Waianae helped me see that aspect of life, even on a Saturday morning. Life's crazy this way, but you can find good places to eat here at the Waianae Mall. Plus there's a couple of banks and a handful of service oriented business here at the mall.
Overall, I felt like this place did not WOW me or anything. Sorry, just your typical community mall, which services area residents. 3.5 stars. Might be in need of a major renovation work to revitalize the entire neighborhood.
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