Shop owners, neighbors, and community representatives gathered in Mōʻiliʻili on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, to bless Waiānuenue ma Kapaʻakea, a newly completed 20,000-square-foot retail hub near the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. The renovated property is expected to bring Paris Baguette, Wingstop, and several local eateries into a single commercial area after construction began in 2024.
The project occupies 1.5 acres and incorporates the former Varsity Center, the East-West Building, and 2535 Coyne Street, according to Waiānuenue ma Kapaʻakea. KHON2 reported that the blessing emphasized stewardship and shared responsibility as the property begins its next phase as a commercial site.
A Name Rooted in Royal Springs
The name Waiānuenue is connected with wai and pays homage to Mānoa rainbows. Images of Old Hawaiʻi discusses Kapaʻakea Spring. Queen Victoria Kamāmalu and other members of the royal family reportedly swam in the springs.
Calvin Mann, director of planning and development at Ke Kula ʻo Kamehameha, said the renewal honored the significance of the land and reflected Native Hawaiian knowledge, per the same KHON2 account. Mann added that the artwork and design elements are inspired by the stories of the place and honor connections to the land and Mōʻiliʻili's diverse cultural histories. That commitment to storytelling extends beyond murals: the property also features an interactive virtual experience letting visitors view digital historical renderings of the land's original natural landscape, according to Kamehameha Schools.
Murals and Money Behind the Mission
The three artists' work is distributed throughout the commercial space, according to KHON2. Kamehameha Schools, which operates Ke Kula ʻo Kamehameha, has described the redevelopment as part of its broader effort to connect the property with the history and culture of the surrounding area.
Who's Moving In, and When
The tenant roster includes Paris Baguette, Wingstop, Asukaya, Shaka Shaka, Aloha Island Manapua, Phuket Thai University, The Well, Morning Brew, Local Boy Sushi, Broke Da Mouth Grindz, and Oakberry Hawaiʻi, according to KHON2. Most businesses do not yet have announced opening dates, although Oakberry Hawaiʻi is scheduled to hold its official opening on September 26, according to Kamehameha Schools.
Paris Baguette is among the businesses expected to open at the hub. Broke Da Mouth Grindz, which lists locations in Kailua-Kona and Kapolei on its website, will add another Oʻahu storefront.
A Longtime Community Gathering Spot
Mōʻiliʻili Summer Fest is among the neighborhood activities associated with the area.
Growth Around UH Mānoa, and a Safety Backdrop
The redevelopment is also taking shape amid pedestrian-safety concerns in the surrounding corridor.
Planned Connections Beyond the Site
Transportation planning for the area includes a proposed Ala Wai Bridge. According to the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization, the pedestrian and bicycle crossing would connect Waikīkī, McCully, and Mōʻiliʻili with nearby businesses, parks, schools, and recreational activities. The agency says its Transportation Alternatives program also provides set-aside funding for smaller projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, recreational trails, and safe-routes-to-school improvements.
