Apple Store Kahala Opens Saturday

Apple Inc. will open its second Hawaii retail store on Saturday. The Apple Store Kahala will offer 5,000 square feet of gleaming, geeky goodness at Kahala Mall (about 25 percent bigger than its counterpart at Ala Moana). The Grand Opening celebration includes a week of free presentations, demonstrations and workshops, a drawing to win a “Digital Lifestyle Collection” black MacBook and accessories valued at over $2,500 or ten ProCare memberships, and — of course — a free Apple T-shirt to the first 1,000 people through the door.

I was there for the Ala Moana store opening in May 2003, and of course treasure my Ala Moana T-shirt as much as the memories. The question is, how early will Apple fans start lining up in Kahala, and how likely will it be that my family will tolerate such a geeky expedition this weekend?

I’m certainly planning to visit the new location sooner, rather than later, and I think Mac heads and iPod lovers won’t be the only people cheering Apple’s arrival at Kahala Mall.

Considering the recent water woes at the East Honolulu shopping center, a surefire draw like an Apple Store will no doubt be music to its new neighbors’ ears. Apple, though, is notoriously picky about its retail locations, and I’m sure the comparatively lower foot traffic will be a concern. Kahala Mall general manager Ron Yoda isn’t worried, though. He told the Honolulu Advertiser that he expects the company’s “loyal following” to generate a “huge traffic increase.”