Windward Mall will close nine fast-food restaurants tomorrow to make way for a mid-January demolition and renovation that will more than double the size of its existing food court and complete the center's first major renovation since the early 1980s.

The new 18,590 square-foot food court, which is slated to open prior to the 2009 holidays, will feature a total of 10 food-court tenants and 206 additional seats, bringing the total seating area to 408.

“;This renovation will transform Windward Mall's food court by providing enhanced functionality with more tenant bays, increased seating and updated utilities,”; said Catherine Camp, the retail development manager for mall owner Kamehameha Schools.

Following the renovation, which will be completed by Honolulu-based Next Design LLC and general contractor Gateside Inc., food-court tenants will have direct access to the mall's center court. The design will incorporate the Koolau mountain range, Kaneohe Bay and other elements such as the fish pond, streams, springs, flowers and wild life that reflect the legacy lands of mall owner Kamehameha Schools founder Princes Bernice Pauahi Bishop.

The food court, which has not been altered since the mall was completed in 1982, will be renovated in keeping with a $23 million overhaul of the mall that began in 2006. At the time, owner Kamehemeha Schools was not able to include the food court due to lease constraints

  “;We are excited to complete the work that we began during Windward Mall's initial 2006 renovation when we updated the common areas of the majority of the center,”; said Jonathan Kim, general manager of Windward Mall. “;The food court was the only section of the mall that was not renovated in that initial phase due to leasing commitments.”;

The shutdown plans will displace nine tenants including: Blazin' Steaks, Cafe Rein, Chinatown Express, Cinnabon, Cookie Corner, Golden Curry House, I Love Country Cafe, Little Tokyo and Mama Woo's Bar B Q.

Kim said that a few of the previous food court tenants would be coming back after the renovation, but declined to reveal them or to give an estimate of project costs. Leasing announcements will begin in mid-January, he said.

“;We are working diligently to secure a great mix of national and local food court tenants to continue a tradition of exciting dining options at Windward Mall,”; Camp said.

The renovation is expected to further invigorate the regional mall, said Kirk Belsby, vice president of endowment for Kamehameha Schools.

“;Windward Mall has enjoyed a significant renewal since renovations began two years ago and we continue to see even greater potential in this important commercial property that serves the Windward community and beyond,”; Belsby said.

During the renovations, shoppers will have the option of dining on food from some 20 other tenants that offer snacks, quick-service meals and table-service dining at the mall.