Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell Reopens After Major Renovations

HONOLULU, Hawaii — The City and County of Honolulu announced Monday that the Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell has completed a six-month renovation, with its first live performance set for March 26.

The renovation, costing $585,000, aimed to enhance the venue’s functionality and audio experience. According to city officials, the project, which began on October 1, 2024, included a complete electrical service upgrade and modifications to the former orchestra pit.

“Listening to people reminisce about their favorite memories at the Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell… reinforced our resolve to continue investing in the maintenance of such an iconic facility,” said Dita Holifield, Director of the Department of Enterprise Services, in a news release.

The upgrades involved several local contractors. ECS designed the electrical enhancements, while Ridgeway Construction handled the replacement of outdated switchgear at a cost of $380,000. The orchestra pit received improvements in drainage and seating, designed by Pacific Architects and constructed by Molina Engineering. The latter efforts totaled $205,000.

“We are extremely fortunate to have such a charming outdoor venue where we are able to host an array of live performances,” Holifield added. The venue officially reopens with Kehlani‘s Crash World Tour performance on March 26 and a show by Boyz II Men slated for April 26.

Despite the renovations, the longstanding Kilohana Hula Show, which was relocated to the Kuhio Beach Hula Mound last September during the refurbishment, will not be returning to the Shell. City spokesperson Scott Humber noted the decision was made by the show organizers, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, due to logistical concerns.

“My guess is they didn’t want to bounce back and forth,” Humber said regarding the Kilohana Hula Show’s ongoing presence at Kuhio Beach.

With a legacy dating back to its opening in 1956, the Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell has hosted a wide array of events, cultivating a cherished place in Honolulu’s cultural landscape.