Summer vacation is coming to an end in Hawaii for public schools. Meanwhile, schools in Japan have finally started their summer vacation. On July 21, the first day of school vacation, the number of visitors to Hawaii from Japan was approximately 3,200, an increase of nearly 1,000 from the previous day, July 20. Certainly, Japanese families with children were often seen in Waikiki.
On July 15, DFS, one of the symbols of central Waikiki, reopened. The building was closed due to a pandemic in March 2020. The tower has since been acquired by a major investment company and will be developed. Will it be a hotel? Will it be a hotel? Rumors abounded as to whether DFS would reopen or become a hotel?
After the decision to re-open, then when? Spring? Summer? After it was decided to reopen, there were whispers of “When will it reopen?
In fact, only the first floor is currently in soft opening, and the grand opening will be in mid-September. However, the interior appears to be renovated. Let’s go inside.
There was also a corner set up that appeared to be an Instagram-worthy spot. The store used to have a clean and stylish image, but it now has a different overall taste.
They say it is a duty free store, but only alcohol and cigarettes are duty free. You need to show your passport and plane ticket (international flight).
The product lineup includes cookies, coffee, coffee mugs, bags, and other items that can only be purchased here at DFS.
As you walk around the store, you will find other items that are exclusive to DFS in Hawaii. It’s a bit of a dizzying experience, but you can’t miss them because the same items are available everywhere. Many of the items are “buy 3 get the 4th free,” so buying in bulk is the best way to save money.
I wondered why I was seeing so many surfboards, and then I realized that these are part of a sustainability initiative. A local non-profit organization that educates children about their connection to the ocean and ocean safety and protection, in cooperation with DFS, is upcycling more than 70 used surfboards and using them as decorations. They also use environmentally friendly paint for the painting.
The interior of the store is more fully Hawaiian than before, so it may be fun just to walk around and take pictures.
Entering from Kalakaua Avenue, go to the back of the building and you will find a space with a variety of unique Hawaiian sweets and a children’s clothing store.
The new delicious café is a welcome addition to the area, with workers in the neighborhood saying, “There are not many cafes in Waikiki, so now there are more places where I can have a casual cup of tea! The new café has been well received by the people who work nearby. Bean About Town, a well-known coffee shop in Kaimuki, offers a wide variety of original coffees.
In addition to Kona coffee and Maui coffee beans, there is also a lineup of Hawaiian flavored beans and specialty coffees from other countries. The packaging is also carefully designed and makes a great souvenir.
DFS has a surprisingly long history, with the first store opening in Hong Kong in 1960 and the first store here in Hawaii, Honolulu, in 1968. It is still possible to browse the world’s top brands in the cool, air-conditioned store, with clean restrooms (in the same location as before) and in a comfortable space, as part of a trip to Hawaii. Open from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. It is also a good place to stop by after dinner for a leisurely stroll.
© Source travel watch
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