Lion dancers are headed our way (and a new restaurant, too!)

January 2026 newsletter

Happy New Year, neighbors and friends!

We are excited to welcome back the talented performers from Wah Ngai Lion Dance Association to help us celebrate the Lunar New Year on February 7. It’s always a lively and fun event for the whole family.

As we bid “aloha” to Subway after 30-plus years at Kapolei Shopping Center, we look forward to welcoming a new gourmet sandwich shop in the coming months.

Get the details below, along with information about another new year celebration organized by our friends at Ulu A’e Learning Center: The annual Makahiki Ma Kapolei event on January 31.

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Celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year!
Sat, Feb. 7 | 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Free family event

Get ready for soaring leaps and pounding drums as members of Wah Ngai Lion Dance Association help us ring in the Chinese Year of the Horse and summon an abundance of good fortune for 2026.

The action begins at 10:30 a.m. near Sushi Bay as lion dancers perform breathtaking leaps atop elevated platforms. Then follow the lion troupe as they parade throughout the shopping center, stopping to bless merchant locations and invite good luck for the year ahead.

Spectators can join in the tradition by “feeding” the lions and capturing unforgettable moments on camera.

Complimentary fortune cookies will be shared with attendees while supplies last.

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A fond ‘aloha’ to Subway, and a warm welcome to Timmy T’s

Timmy T’s, a locally owned and operated sandwich shop founded in Kailua, is coming to Kapolei Shopping Center! This will be the fourth Oahu location for this popular restaurant known for its gourmet grinders and commitment to quality.

Timmy T’s hopes to open their doors for business in the coming months in the space formerly occupied by Subway for more than three decades.

Subway was one of the original tenants when Kapolei Shopping Center celebrated its grand opening in 1993. The Kapolei franchise was owned by the Basse family, which also owns other Subway shops on Oahu.

We are grateful to the Basse family and the many years that their Kapolei restaurant served our community!

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Ulu A’e Learning Center
9th Annual Makahiki Ma Kapolei Event
Sat, Jan. 31 | 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Free family event

Ulu A‘e Learning Center invites the community to gather for the 9th Annual Makahiki Ma Kapolei, a free, family-friendly cultural celebration honoring the Makahiki season – an ancient Hawaiian tradition marking the new year. The evening will feature traditional games, Hawaiian music, and workshops.

Find more information here.