Big & Small Business Memories

[Pomai]

Re: Oceania Floating Chinese Restaurant

Wasn't there a floating dim sum restaurant right across from the downtown power station? Was it called Oceania? Whatever happened to the actual floating barge?

Yup, it was called the Oceania Floating Restaurant, and was moored at Pier 6 (where the Navatek is currently operating) during the 70's. Here it is...



I vaguely remember it, as I was very young at the time.

IIRC, it was towed to Hong Kong. How it could have made that voyage from Hawaii without falling apart is beyond me. I understand it was known to be infested with rats, and didn't do that well, business-wise.

[joshuatree]

Re: Big & Small Business Memories

Wasn't there a floating dim sum restaurant right across from the downtown power station? Was it called Oceania? Whatever happened to the actual floating barge?

[Kalihiboy]

Re: Big & Small Business Memories

KB Toys at Kam Shopping Center is closing 12/31.

My wife recalls seeing movies at the Holiday Theater located at that same location 25 years ago.

Aj

[Punaluu_kid]

Re: Big & Small Business Memories

• Liberty House
• AMFAC
• GEMS
• Pete's Model Craft in Kamehameha S.C. - I think it's a Bale Sandwich Shop
• Kenny's Burger House in "K.S.C.". - A newly built McDonalds sits there now. Remember their 10¢ Teri-burgers?!
• King's Bakery - It's now Makino Chiya Japanese Restaurant
• Yuki's Coffee House on School St. - Just heard they recently closed. They had a very unique Okazuya selection. The stuffed shrimp was so ono!
• Wisteria on King St. - Coming soon.. 7-11 and a Gas Station


Oh man you bringin' back da memories.... here are some I remember....

Fat Daddy's Pizza - outcompeted by da mean guy Magoo's

The Snowfire Drive-Inn in Haleiwa. Nothing says Hawai'i like "snowfire" eh? It's a spaghetti'n'meatballs place now and full of loud Mainland Haoles

Buying Made In Occupied Japan tea cups in Kaya's Store in Punaluu. Kaya's still there, but no more "department store" all jammed in there with a butcher shop too. We got "go for broke" school notebooks too.

Sav-Mor gas in Haleiwa, "I'm sorry, we have gas, but we're under 6 feet of water right now" - remember the Haleiwa flood?

The "Feed Store" in Pupukea, I watched that buggah go from an abandoned building with a pay phone to a small store selling horse and chicken feed, and lollipopes. Then sodas, then cigarettes, then snack stuff, it got pretty big. I was back in 03 and it's a Foodland.

Pancho Goldstein's mexican food lunch truck around the surfing spots on the North Shore.

The Esmond, when it was green.

Kress in Wahiawa.

Joe Pacific Shoe Findings in Ala Moana (they'ved moved) when I was a kid I thought they'd look at your shoes and find out stuff about them or something.

I'm sure I can think of plenty more!

[1stwahine]

Re: Big & Small Business Memories

What was located at the now closed Hotel Street Pizza Hut/Taco Bell location many years ago?

Aj

heheheh

The old Kramers Store. Up and Bottom.

Auntie Lynn

[DannyWilliams]

Re: Big & Small Business Memories

What was located at the now closed Hotel Street Pizza Hut/Taco Bell location many years ago?

Aj

I believe Walden Books occupied that space at one time and possibly (I could be wrong) the now defunct Honolulu Book Shops was there also.
There were here at one space for couple of months then moved again to this space before settling at their final one before closing up.

[Kalihiboy]

Re: Big & Small Business Memories

What was located at the now closed Hotel Street Pizza Hut/Taco Bell location many years ago?

Aj

[Honoruru]

Re: Big & Small Business Memories

Speaking of Taco Bell, the former stand-alone location at the corner of Sheridan (I think) and King St., just before Koreamoku st.., is just finishing some major face-lift renovations, but I didn't see who was going in there.

I pretty sure I saw a sign saying it's the future location of Shokudo restaurant and bar. I don't know if that means it's going to be their second restaurant or the one on Kapiolani is moving.

... I have heard similiar figures for the Ala Moana location too and the sales they rake in is pretty high too.

I can vouch for Ala Moana McD being pricier than other McDonald's on Oahu. I haven't been to Discovery Bay, so I can't make a comparison there.

[Kalihiboy]

Re: Big & Small Business Memories

That McD will be within a coupla blocks of the Discovery Bay McD which, as I understand it, is the most expensive McD in the State (nationally?). If not a rumor, it'll be interesting to compare prices between the 2 locations. Everytime I'm in the DB McD I hear both tourists and locals talk about how expensive it is. I let 'em know about the dollar menu that's not posted! And senior drinks cost the same as other McDs!

A few years ago when Shaq was in town as member of the Lakers I saw him and a few teammates eating at the Discovery Bay MCD's since it is located relatively close to the HHV where they were staying at the time. Of course money is no option with those guys!

If that location is the most expensive McD possibly in the state or nation I have heard similiar figures for the Ala Moana location too and the sales they rake in is pretty high too.

The Keeaumoku St. McD's should be ready by January I'm guessing.

Aj

[tutusue]

Re: Big & Small Business Memories

I'm willing to bet if that rumor is true, it will also play host as a McCafe, to stay on top of the SBux crowd.[...]

It'll be interesting to see what happens...esp. since there are 2 SBux in the 'hood...HHV and Discovery Bay.

[Pomai]

Re: Big & Small Business Memories

That McD will be within a coupla blocks of the Discovery Bay McD which, as I understand it, is the most expensive McD in the State (nationally?). If not a rumor, it'll be interesting to compare prices between the 2 locations. Everytime I'm in the DB McD I hear both tourists and locals talk about how expensive it is. I let 'em know about the dollar menu that's not posted! And senior drinks cost the same as other McDs!

I'm willing to bet if that rumor is true, it will also play host as a McCafe, to stay on top of the SBux crowd.

I'm guessing the lease rent at this Kalakaua/McCully space is MUCH HIGHER than at that corner space in DB. Jack in the Box must have locked in a killer deal while they were there, which explains their "out of Waikiki" value priced menu. When their lease was up for renewal (with a likely astronomically-increased rate), they were outta' there.

So if McD's goes in there, that would be the 4th McDonald's in Waikiki. The other ones being Discovery Bay, Kuhio Ave. (near iHop), and Kalakaua ave (just past the substation).

There used to be one at the end of Lewer's on Kalia Rd. (across Halekulani), but they had to move to make way for Outrigger's (and Trump Tower) redevelopment.

Gosh, I remember as a kid, my dad would take me and a few friends to McD's and we'd all walk out full after spending just under $3 covering everyone, including dad! 10 cent burgers. Nice!

[tutusue]

Re: Big & Small Business Memories

[...]rumor has been spreading that the former Jack in the Box-turned-Oriental Buffet in Waikiki at the corner of McCully and Kalakaua will become... drum roll please... McDonald's![...]

That McD will be within a coupla blocks of the Discovery Bay McD which, as I understand it, is the most expensive McD in the State (nationally?). If not a rumor, it'll be interesting to compare prices between the 2 locations. Everytime I'm in the DB McD I hear both tourists and locals talk about how expensive it is. I let 'em know about the dollar menu that's not posted! And senior drinks cost the same as other McDs!

[Pomai]

Re: Big & Small Business Memories

Speaking of Taco Bell, the former stand-alone location at the corner of Sheridan (I think) and King St., just before Koreamoku st.., is just finishing some major face-lift renovations, but I didn't see who was going in there. Whoever it is, is doing a bang-up job, architecturally-speaking, making it look totally NEW and nothing like its former Taco Bell design.

Speaking of architectural design and fast food chains, rumor has been spreading that the former Jack in the Box-turned-Oriental Buffet in Waikiki at the corner of McCully and Kalakaua will become... drum roll please... McDonald's! Now you KNOW they'll totally either change the archecture inside and out, or demolish the old building and put up a new one. A McDonald's look like it was a Jack in the Box? That would be a corporate crime! lol

Cool though. Now I can get my fillet-o-fish, fries, apple pie and hash brown fix (my favorite items) with great convenience!

[Kalihiboy]

Re: Big & Small Business Memories

Saw that the Taco Bell/Pizza Hut combo restaurant which always was packed back when I worked downtown at Fort Steet Mall closed its doors recently.

Now with Burger King's closure a few years ago, which is now Fisher office supplies and KFC closing a few months back, only McDonalds and Jack in the Box appear to be the well known fast food restaurants still around downtown.

Aj

[Pomai]

Re: Big & Small Business Memories

Yes, there was a gas station at the corner of Makaloa and Poni (don't know if it was Texaco). They tore it down to put in more parking spaces. In recent years, a small portion of that space has been rented out to various small food vendors (Tae's Teppanyaki, a Taco Truck, and now a Steak truck).

Pretty sure I mentioned this before, but on the corner of Makaloa and Kalakaua, next door to Holiday Mart>Daiei>Don Quijote's parking structure, where Palama Market now stands, used to be GAS 'N GLO. It was a gas station that also had a large automated car wash where all the large tour vans would go since it could accommodate them. They also had plenty coin-op car vacs. I'll never forget that day this one ch... oh never mind.