50 Years of MacNaughton: Turning Vision into Reality: How MacNaughton & the U.S. Navy Made Moanalua Shopping Center Happen

Some projects take careful planning. Others take an act of Congress.

Developing Moanalua Shopping Center was one of the most unique and ambitious retail projects in MacNaughton’s 50-year history, primarily due to our partner and the act of Congress needed to make it happen. Located near Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, the shopping center was envisioned as a vibrant hub serving both military families and the surrounding community. Making that vision a reality required an unprecedented partnership with the U.S. Navy—and a federallegislative push to bring it to life.

Working alongside the United States Department of the Navy, MacNaughton helped navigate the complex process of securing approvals, structuring the development, and ensuring the project aligned with both military and community needs. The result was a retail destination that not only enhanced quality of life for service members and their families but also introduced new shopping and dining options for local residents. And we developed for the U.S. Navy an office building for its use as well.

Bringing Moanalua Shopping Center to fruition is a testament to MacNaughton’s ability to work with significant partners to take on bold, transformative projects—even those that require working at the highest levels of government to make it happen.

MacNaughton is known for its partnerships over the years – including with Starbucks (for its introduction into the Hawai`i market), General Growth Partners (for ONE Ala Moana), Brookfield Properties (for Park Lane Ala Moana) and more.

As we celebrate 50 years of impact, we’re proud to reflect on projects like this that continue to serve Hawai‘i’s communities, drive economic growth, and redefine what’s possible.