HONOLULU (KHON2) — The upper Halawa lot at the Aloha Stadium is looking much different today. Newly paved and painted, the new space for the Swap Meet is taking shape.
Parking for the Swap Meet will shift to the lower Halawa lot, which means the entrance will change.
“They’ll come in through Kahuapaani Street, which is the Ice Palace side, so they’ll enter there, park along any of the stalls we restriped down there and then they will walk down the pedestrian bridge,” explained Samantha Spain, Community Relations for Aloha Stadium.
An entertainment stage and rest area will also be going in. Brand new restrooms were also added on June 20.
“This is a shipping container that we’ve repurposed and we actually have running water,” Spain said.
Come Aug. 2, all vendors will move to this new area on the stadium property. The move was originally scheduled for July 1, but was pushed back a month.
“There was some delays that we had in regards to the infrastructure and then we wanted to give the vendors time as well to be able to move into the location without feeling rushed,” Spain said.
To prepare for the shift, vendors were choosing their stall space at the new location. For those we spoke with today, it’s a change that comes with more anxiety than excitement.
“That’s the only thing. No more trees, and it’s going to be too hot. We have to bring our own fan, I think,” said Felita Tabula, a produce vendor.
“I just don’t like the changes right now,” said Marco Acosta, a vendor who also was concerned about the new location. “We’re going to try it for one month. If we don’t like it, we’re out of there.”
Stadium officials acknowledge the transition won’t be perfect and they’re prepared to make changes along the way. They also said they’re committed to working with the vendors to improve the set up and address their concerns as they come up.
“We appreciate that. We just wish that all the plans and where we’re gonna be put is kind of permanent. I understand with everything going on they can’t really do that,” said Shaunara Bitanga, a long time vendor who sells toys and collectibles.
As for the stadium, demolition is planned for later in August.