FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Aloha Tower opened for the first time yesterday since the Sept. 11 attacks. Visitors from Tokyo, Keiko Yukawa, left, and Ritsuko Kaihatsu enjoyed the view of Honolulu Harbor from the tower.

Aloha Tower has
sight for sore eyes

The observation deck is open again,
and merchants are thrilled

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By Pat Gee
pgee@starbulletin.com

Merchants at the Aloha Tower Marketplace are elated that the landmark Aloha Tower observation deck has been reopened to the public.

It had been closed for security reasons since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Ginny Sollars, a pearl specialist at the Black Pearl Gallery next to the tower, said sales at the marketplace were affected by the drop in tourists and other foot traffic.

"We're awfully excited about its reopening -- elated! So many people who came to see it and couldn't get in came in here to ask how come," she said. Her store manager pushed hard for the tower's reopening, and "we gave the governor's phone number" to everyone who came in to complain, said Sollars, who has worked at the store the past few years.

No lines had formed on the first day of opening yesterday, but foot traffic had increased, she said.

Sherry Tanaka, director of marketing at the marketplace, said hotel concierges and ground transportation companies were notified of the reopening. "I'm sure traffic will pick up once people are aware of it," and "hope it will positively affect sales," Tanaka said.

Nearly 5,000 people a week visited the tower, second only to Diamond Head in being the state's most recognizable landmark, she added.

Bill Davis, Harbor operations supervisor, said interim security is being provided by Royal Guard Security until a contract is awarded, possibly by July 1. Only one guard is posted to search bags and to limit the number of people per trip on the elevator to eight at a time.

The maximum number of people allowed on the tower deck is 24, Davis said.

Entrance to the deck is free, with hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.