Levi’s Says ‘Aloha’ to Hawaii
Honolulu’s Ala Moana Center is home to the latest Levi’s store.
Levi’s celebrated the grand opening earlier this month with live painting and laser engraving. It is Levi’s only brick-and-mortar store selling its main line in Hawaii. The brand has an outlet store at the Waikele Premium Outlets, also located on the island of Oahu.
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A retail, dining and entertainment hub for tourists and locales alike, the Brookfield Properties-owned Ala Moana Center is world’s largest open-air shopping center with 2.4 million square feet of retail space. Levi’s joins other denim players including Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle, Gap, Madewell and Reformation at the mall.
“As a popular location and prime tourist destination, the Ala Moana Center in Honolulu is the perfect location to not only deepen connections with current Levi’s fans but also build lasting, memorable experiences with new consumers. It’s a beautiful store in a beautiful location, and I’m extremely proud of the team’s flawless execution to bring the store to life,” said Steve Cano, Levi’s brand senior vice president of U.S. direct to consumer.
The store is one of approximately 80 new owned and operated stores the heritage brand plans to open this year, including 15 Levi’s Next Gen stores in the United States. In the first quarter, the company opened 25 Levi’s stores globally and five mainline doors in the U.S.
“We’re thrilled to bring the elevated Levi’s brand experience to Hawaii and further expand our physical footprint across the U.S.,” Cano added.
To celebrate the new locale, Levi’s teamed with Hawaiian-born artist Aaron Kai to create 24 custom pieces using 501 jeans and Trucker jackets. The pieces were sold throughout the store’s grand opening weekend while Kai did live customization for consumers shopping in the store.
“It means a lot to be working with a brand that’s known worldwide…and to be a native Hawaiian and getting the opportunity to put on and showcase my talents on such an iconic product like a Levi’s 501 jean and Levi’s Trucker jacket,” Kai stated. “It means a lot to be chosen to represent Hawaii, and I take that with a lot of kuleana and responsibility.”
