Renovations are under way at Aina Haina Shopping Center for the first time in at least 50 years.

The 70,000-square-foot center, which was acquired two years ago from the Hind family by American Commercial Equities of Malibu, Calif., is being transformed into a more modern venue with a central food court.

“;It's a cleaner, smarter, updated look,”; said Fred Noa, senior vice president at CB Richard Ellis, which handles leasing for the center.

ACE considers the center on seven acres a long-term investment, according to Noa, and is putting plenty of capital into infrastructure upgrades, including electricity and plumbing.

In + Form Design is designing the new center, which will remain one level.

The center is home to about 30 longtime shops and restaurants, including the U.S. Postal Service and a library, with varying leases.

While some of the stores will stay and some will go, or have already gone, ACE—in response to the Aina Haina Community Association—said it would keep some mom-and-pop stores.

Wayson Chow, president of the association, said it was most concerned at the loss of mom-and-pops, with several lost and another seven that have not signed leases yet.

Among the ones the association says has not signed yet are Doe Fang, Clay Cafe and Flowers and Sunshine.

Some tenants—like Chuck E. Cheese, American Savings Bank and Komokata Japanese Restaurant—have gone. Scoops ice cream shop will be leaving.

Others, including Jack's Restaurant, First Hawaiian Bank, Wet Feet, Subway and Cupcake Couture, will stay.

Foodland recently closed its 25,000-square-foot store, and will be reopening as the more upscale Foodland Farms in January.

Genki Sushi, meanwhile, is finishing up a new concept restaurant slated to open next door to Foodland sometime this month.

At the heart of the center will be a food court featuring flagstone pavers, a tentlike awning and a seating area for customers.

Three restaurants will fill the food court, including Korean Hibiscus BBQ, which will move from its current location. Noa is in negotiations with a cafe and frozen-yogurt operator for the other two spaces.

There is also a 50-50 chance there will be a drugstore, Noa said.

The former Chuck E. Cheese space and former U.S. Taekwondo Center space next door will be rebuilt into a new retail area as part of the first phase of renovations.

The 76 Gas Station, owned by Mid Pac Petroleum, will begin remodeling in October and reopen in December. McDonald's will move to space formerly occupied by American Savings Bank and build a new restaurant featuring its new coffee concept.

The current McDonald's site, meanwhile, will be demolished and redeveloped into a small retail strip, part of the second phase of renovations.

The first phase should be completed next year, while the second phase is expected to be done in the first half of 2011.