Hilton Hawaiian Village Gets Green Light for New AMB Tower
Waikīkī’s skyline is about to change again. Hilton Hawaiian Village has gotten its approval for a brand new 36-story AMB Tower that will add about 515 rooms to the resort’s already massive campus. Construction is expected to begin in 2026 and finish by 2029.
Image Rendering from Pacific Business News
What’s Coming
Eight-level podium with lobby, parking, retail shops, restaurants, bar, and a recreation deck with pool.
Public features: a new sculpture garden and monthly cultural festivals hosted by Hilton, spotlighting local artisans, musicians, and food.
Replaces aging retail buildings, a closed restaurant, and a rental car lot along Ala Moana Boulevard.
What’s Going Away
We are saying goodbye to the Old Kobe steakhouse (great memories here) and these shops.
The Old Kobe Steakhouse, 1841 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96815.
GOOFY Cafe & Dine, Sacred Art Tattoo Waikiki & Kpop Donuts Hawaii.
Why It Matters for Locals
Jobs: Nearly 500 full-time positions are expected, plus construction work.
Gateway facelift: The project is pitched as a way to upgrade the ‘ewa entrance to Waikīkī with a more appealing, state-of-the-art welcome.
Community events: Hilton says the cultural festivals and public garden will be open to kamaʻāina as well as visitors.
What It Means for Travelers
More availability: With 500+ new rooms, Hilton Hawaiian Village will be even larger, and that could open up more standard rooms for Hilton Honors points redemptions.
New amenities: Modern tower, updated retail and dining, and better recreation options compared to some of the older towers.
Central location: Right at the Ala Moana side of Waikīkī, easy for both business travelers and families heading to the beach.
Scottie’s Take
This tower is a big bet on Waikīkī’s future. For locals, it’s a mixed bag, new jobs and cultural festivals sound great, but three years of construction along Ala Moana won’t be fun.
For Hawaii travelers, though, the expansion is positive. More Hilton inventory usually means better award night options and sometimes even competitive pricing. I’ll be watching closely to see if Hilton uses this as a chance to roll out more kamaʻāina offers when the tower opens.
