The new owner of the Maalaea Harbor Shops & Restaurants said he will reposition the shops to be more “island centric” and “island flavored” in its tenants, merchandise and what is offered to tourists.
In an email, Paul Cheng of Maui Harbor Shops LP, which purchased the mini-mall for $13.4 million in late July, said he would like the shops to be “more destination oriented.”
He added that in the coming months the new management will be painting and updating the shops. Cheng said a “world-class design firm” has been hired to design an upgrade for the shops. That work is almost completed.
“We are going to put in authentic tiki columns and new signage package upon approval by the county, which would bring back true island flavor to the center,” he said.
The shops complex is discussing new restaurant tenant possibilities with successful chef candidates, said Cheng. One of the Maalaea Harbor Shops’ largest restaurants, Saltimbocca, closed in July.
The shops houses tourist-related stores and eateries. Tenants include the Pacific Whale Foundation’s Ocean Store and Beach Bum’s BBQ & Grill. The complex is a popular stop for tourists getting off whale-watch cruises at nearby Maalaea Small Boat Harbor.
The new owner of the mini-mall also heads up Cheng Investments, which is based in Texas. It has developed more than $1 billion in commercial and residential projects since 1978, according to the company’s website. Most of the company’s work has been in Texas, although some of its projects have been in New York and other states.
Cheng added that the shops complex has started working with the Maui Ocean Center “on a number of initiatives to add traffic and have the centers be more green and sustainable.”
Tapani Vuori, Maui Ocean Center’s general manager, said the aquarium welcomes and embraces the improvements to the shops next door.
He added that the new owner presents an opportunity to support the local economy by increasing job opportunities and supporting local business.
“We’ve been very delighted to work with Paul Cheng for he has been dynamic and innovative. Paul has created a positive experience, and we look forward to working with him to continue to improve the Maalaea community,” Vuori said in an email.
Vuori said the aquarium is working on “exciting endeavors” that include parking and landscaping improvements, collaborating with new organizations and expanding the aquarium’s Seascape Ma’alaea Restaurant offerings to include happy hour and dinner.
The Maalaea Harbor Shops is upgrading its parking lot lights, which are being repaired, along with improvements to its stairwells that lead to the Maalaea harbor waterfront.
The new owners are creating a new social Web presence for shops tenants, Cheng said.
Cheng has hired Robert Vafaie as the on-island manager. He is getting the mall cleaned up and ready for further upgrades.
The 3.8-acre Maalaea Harbor Shops off Honoapiilani Highway has three buildings and has been assessed at $11.7 million, according to Maui County tax records.
Maui Harbor Shops LP purchased the mall from DMP Maui, a California limited-liability company, and Jarvis Maui, a Hawaii limited-liability company, deed records show.
The two companies purchased the shops in 2007 for $12.9 million from the Maalaea Triangle Partnership, a Hawaii partnership, records show.
* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.
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