Page 4 - Hawaii Island MidWeek - Aug 10, 2022

4 HAWAI‘I ISLAND MIDWEEK AUGUST 10, 2022
With general manager David Cianelli at the controls, WPearlridge Center is fast approaching its 50th year
of serving as Hawai‘i’s gathering place.
hen Pearlridge Center made its debut 50 years ago, it was hailed as the state’s largest indoor mall, a designation it holds to this day. Four years later in 1976, it marked another monumental milestone as home
to Hawai‘i’s first monorail system that’s been part of the iconic shopping center’s image for decades. Though meant to serve a utilitarian purpose of transporting shoppers from one area of Pearlridge to the next, the only monorail on the island remains a beloved pastime for many young children.
Pearlridge Center celebrates five decades of service in Hawai‘i with a concert featuring Crossing Rain from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 19 at Wai Makai’s second level. The local boy band will perform for shoppers and will be on-hand for a brief meet-and-greet until 8 p.m. (Also performing is DJ Anit from noon to 2 p.m. at Wai Makai Center Court.)
And, in true Pearlridge Center fashion, there’s free food for the com- munity, too. L1 Iniki Popcorn has whipped up a custom flavor blend specifically for the shopping mall’s anniversary, and it’ll be available during mall hours while supplies last at Wai Makai Center Court.
“It has a great view of Pearl Harbor,” says general manager David Cianelli. “It’s unique and very fun, and I still get a kick out of watching the kids get on and ride it. They have big, happy, smiling faces; it’s such a cool thing for them.”
A staff of 16 management employees led by Cianelli keeps the 60-acre shopping mall at 98- 1005 Moanalua Road operation- al and thriving, all while making sure its approximately 240 ven- dors have everything they need to succeed.
There’s a wide variety of things, and I really believe Pearlridge is the hub of the community,” notes Cianelli, who’s particu- larly excited about the coming of Japanese restaurant Sakura, which will open in the former 7,500-square-foot Monterey Bay Canners space next summer.
From the outside, this behe- moth of a railway system stands as an icon of Pearlridge Center, but at the heart of what makes this one-of-a-kind mall truly spe- cial are the businesses that call it home.
“There’s so much to do here besides just shopping. We have great local and national retailers, plenty of places to eat, and we also have a Satellite City Hall, health care (Pali Momi), gro- cery shopping at Down to Earth.
Part of having such a wide family of businesses is Pearl- ridge’s commitment to entrepre- neurs and it serves as an incuba- tor for local retailers who want
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