KILAUEA — With the new ‘Ahuimanu Shopping Center now 98% leased, Kilauea shoppers can look forward to the addition of some well-established Kaua‘i businesses and new brands.
Hanalei Surf Company is one of the local companies looking forward to setting up shop at the ‘Ahuimanu location.
“Kilauea has always been our largest customer base,” said Charlie Cowden, owner and founder of Hanalei Surf Company. “More of our customers live in Kilauea than anywhere else on the island, so it just felt like (the Kilauea expansion) was a natural thing to do when the space became available.”
Cowden and Hanalei Surf Company President Kathy Must are still developing the new store’s concept but look forward to having a new space to cater to residents’ needs, though Cowden expects that the store will see many visitors as well.
“(Residents and visitors) all want the same thing. You know, they just want to go down at the beach and have fun,” Cowden said.
Joining Hanalei Surf Company at the ‘Ahuimanu location will be Scotty Browns at Kilauea. The restaurant will be the first Hawai‘i location for Browns Restaurant Group, which is based in Vancouver, Canada.
Chairman &CEO of Browns Restaurant Group, Scott “Scotty” Morison is now a part-time Hanalei resident and is very excited for the opportunities the restaurant will bring as he grows roots here.
“It’s a passion project for us,” Morison said. “It’s more than just a business, it’s a lifestyle. I live and breathe restaurants. It’s all I’ve ever done and having the chance to do a store up in Kilauea … I just can’t tell you how excited we are.”
The menu at Scotty Browns has not yet been developed, but, according to Morison, food will be “premium casual,” using locally-sourced ingredients to put a new spin on recipes popular at other locations. Diners can expect to see items like salads, burgers and bowls on the menu. They are planning a large patio area for outdoor dining.
Both sites expect their Kilauea locations to open between mid-to-late 2022.
Construction on Kaua‘i Athletic Club’s ‘Ahuimanu location, Kilauea Phys Ed, is well underway and expected to open by the end of this year. Currently, there are no traditional gym facilities available to the public on the North Shore.
“I’m excited to open up this facility for the kama‘aina up there on the North Shore. I think it’s been a long time coming,” said Kaua‘i Athletic Club owner Josh Nations. “We look forward to not only being a fitness resource but a gathering place for the whole community. There is no real replacement for the social connection people form in gyms.”
Kilauea Phys Ed is planned to have a range of commercial equipment designed to meet the needs of adults of all ages, abilities and genders. According to Nations, gym users will have access to cardio machines, strength machines, free weights, and functional areas with functional equipment. The gym will also offer full personal training services.
In the coming months, ‘Ahuimanu will also welcome Avalon Gastropub, Kenji Burger, North Shore Chiropractic Clinic and the real estate companies Hawai‘i Life and Compass Realty.
