Sears, Roebuck & Co., Honolulu | architects: Guy N. Rothwell and Edmund C. Abrams

7/23/2025 11:14:00 PM

In the 1950s, Sears in Honolulu was a comfortable cornerstone of daily life, blending retail convenience with island charm. Located near Ala Moana, the store welcomed shoppers with open aisles, polished counters, and the hum of early air conditioning. Locals would browse the catalogs, pick out radios and household goods, and grab a cold soda before heading out into the tropical sunshine — making it more than just a store, but a familiar part of the neighborhood rhythm.

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IN appearance a two-story building, this Honolulu store has three selling levels and a total of about 200,000 ft of floor space. It was pushed a full story underground to keep it in scale with its contemporary neighbors.

Truck ramp and freight entrance are on the principal street front (left). Off-street parking areas can accommodate 500 cars.