Barnes & Noble

Closed–
it is said that a Ross will be opening soon at this location.
The Handicapped stalls are now painted over white so that any one can park there. There is construction wood covering the doors and windows for repairs.
I too will miss this location– and hope that the bathrooms will still be there when it reopens– many a time I had a last resort needing to use the facilities.

I’m deeply saddened by the closing of this Barnes and Noble location, one of only two on the island – and a five-​minute drive from my place! I have many memories of hanging out at the café, working on some freelance project; or browsing through the aisles of books, CDs and magazine racks, sometimes finding something I wouldn’t have found any other way. Nothing compares to that kind of discovery and experience.
Since they’ve been having a clearance sale (items half off), the aisles at the front of the store have been almost picked clean. I couldn’t even find an anthology of Sherlock Holmes stories — those classic books were part of the clearance sale, naturally.
Barnes and Noble Kahala’s last day is December 31, 2013 (New Year’s Eve). They close at 6 pm that day. As a new year dawns, the sun sets on yet another bookstore.
P. S. A shout-​out to all the employees there. They have always been extremely helpful, especially a woman in particular who works in the media section in the back!

I will be as extreme to say that it is an atrocity that yet another bookstore is closing down on the island. I love Barnes and Nobles and my children love it here, too. Forget the toys, my kids love the books. Their eyes light up with awe and wonder as they peruse through the endless rows of books.
As an avid reader, I have an electronic reader. However it pales in comparison to holding a real book with pages that I can turn. I liken this movement in closing bookstores to the novel Fahrenheit 451. I know it’s a little extreme since books aren’t being burned, but still yet. I take pride in seeing my children get excited over books and in seeing my children having fun in a bookstore. If the Ala Moana store closes too, where will we go?

ALL PAU!!! STORE CLOSING END OF DECEMBER 2013!!! (Source:
…)
LAST BASTION
Dis store is one of da last bastions of brick-​and-​mortar bookshops which have gone da way of da dinosaurs, video rental stores (remember Blockbuster?), and Miley Cyrus (give it ’nuff time).
INVENTORY LIQUIDATION = SALES!
Meanwhile, da days are counting down, so if you’re looking fo’ a good deal, NOW is da time fo’ check it out!
MY BOOK IS MO’ BETTAH DEN YOUR E-​READER!
I will personally miss dis place since I’m «old school kine» who prefers to read an actual textbook vs. purchasing an e-​reader + paying fo’ a virtual text. I grew up small keed time to now being fascinated + utterly absorbed fo’ hours on end in a library … or a bookstore. E-​books aren’t da same … you drop your Kindle Fire or Nook on a hard floor & say «aloha» to your reading capability & virtual library! I can take my paperback and/​or hardback book drop it on da floor several dozen times, pour watah on it, sit/​step/​fart on it, and maybe throw it at my husband (only wen angry) & it’d survive through it all.
ROSS DRESS FOR LESS TO REPLACE IT?
As I look into my Magic 8 Ball (aka da «Interwebz»), it shall be forthcoming …
Source:
REVIEW #240

I wanted to visit Barnes and Noble Kahala before they closed. My daughter is the age where she is into books and I wanted to find some before they were gone.
I love bookstores so it is definitely sad to see gone. Barnes and Noble was once of those places where you can sit on the ground go though several books and take your time in finding the right book.

It’s a pleasant place to visit, browse the books, meet in the café to chat over coffee and dessert, WHEN the goods are fresh. They weren’t this last visit. But, as is commonplace, B&N Kahala suffers from the most pervasive illness of American businesses, poor customer service.
When you’re the ONLY person on line to pay and there are two employees behind the counter, and you’re waiting, and waiting, and waiting to make your purchase while they fumble around with the register tape, you can’t help but wonder WTF? Why isn’t taking money from customers WHO WANT TO PAY YOU, the FIRST PRIORITY of retail business?
I’ve been kept waiting on line while the cashier restocks bags of snacks behind the register (Diamond Head Grill), and yes, she saw me, and no, I don’t give them my money anymore. Or the line goes on forever and one of three cashiers closes up to take a «mandated» break. OK, maybe state law IS that inflexible, so have one or more of the several employees puttering around the front desk open up more registers. Or hire or schedule more employees!
The register ran out of tape? There’s a whole bank of cash registers at B&N. Fire up another one and get back to replacing the paper tape AFTER you separate the customer (s) from his or her money! Bookstores are dying because it’s easier to order on-​line, which is what I decided to do after waiting and waiting and waiting. If I’m going to be forced to wait, I prefer to do so in the comfort of my home. Can probably find it cheaper, too. And I just did!
Will miss one of few places open past 9 pm where you can enjoy a light snack, chat with a friend, and browse the stacks, but their game is slipping anyway, so why go on? Personally, I miss Borders more.

Yes, it is sad that Barnes and Nobles Kahala is closing and that it is going to be replaced by yet, ANOTHER Ross in Honolulu.
I was told that Barnes and Nobles doesn’t want to leave Kahala. It is the Kahala Mall Management that is refusing to renew their lease, that is why they are being forced to leave…
#baddecision

My favorite and only bookstare left. Closing.
So sad.
Love the peeps and café too!

Ever since I was little, Barnes and Nobles has been a part of my life. From late night home work crams supplied by diabetes in cup lattes from the café to reading for hours in the kids section with a large stack of books next to me, this book store has almost become like a second home to me. And sadly, it’ll be closing on January of 2014. I feel like Kahala will just not be the same after and there’ll be a feeling of something missing, something in which a store like Ross will just not be able to replace.
Reading has always been one of my favorite pastimes and Barnes and Nobles has one of the best atmospheres for it. Plus, there’s free wifi so I can study and do my homework there. The staff are usually very pleasant (though I hate it when they tell me to stop sitting on the ground).
All in all, Barnes and Nobles will be greatly missed by me and I plan on spending as much time as possible there in the months preceding its closing.

Of course, when considering Barnes & Noble, you must remember this quote:
Karen Smith: «Gretchen, I’m sorry I laughed at you that time you got diarrhea at Barnes & Nobles. And I’m sorry for telling everyone about it. And I’m sorry for repeating it now.»
Mean Girls aside, I love Barnes & Noble. I can’t say anything negative about a place that sells real, live books. I’ve been coming to this B&N since way back as a little kid. I remember sitting on the wooden Café booths before my feet could touch the ground, a stack of books piled high on the table. The children’s section was a wonderland. When I got older and I started messing around with iPads, I forgot what it felt like to have a leisure book in my hot little voracious-​reader hands. This past summer, I rekindled my love affair with books, reading 16 in 6 weeks, all of which were purchased at B&N. I will continue supporting B&N Kahala till it closes, but until then, everyone should go and try to get lost in a book.

Picture book section in children’s book area is not that big but yet they do have many great books! You can find many favorite children’s classics and some great new books with wonderful vibrant pictures!
Nice little area where people can sit and read where they also once a week have a children’s storytime!
It is very rare to find a Barnes and Noble staff in the children’s section to help assist if you have any questions!
They have some great markdowns on items in the store from books to other items even games at times!
You can find great educational items for all ages, toys, games, movies, books, music and just so much more that makes it a great place for gift shopping if you are trying to find a gift for most occasions!

It’s sad to think that Barnes and Noble will close their doors January 2014. Even though I like Ross Dress for Less, I’d rather Barnes and Noble stay. Bookstores like Borders and Honolulu Book store have folded, as more and more people buy their books online. I’m scared to think that by Barnes and Noble closing this Kahala location it’s a sign that they too will go completely out of business.
They have a cute reading area in the children’s area.
(See uploaded picture:)
My daughter also loves going to their Toddler time on Friday’s at 11am. They have storytelling and fun crafts for the keiki. So long Barnes and Noble Kahala, you will be missed!

So peaceful! Love this bookstore… heard it’s gonna close… bad…
Nice selection, knowledgeable people. just joined the discount club… oh well… our children need to have books!

If it’s one thing people don’t really know about me is that I love to read books and I love the feeling of just being at bookstore! For me it’s very therapeutic and relaxing. As much as I want to get a Kindle cause I know how much more convenient it would, I still like having the feeling of a book and being able to turn the pages. I guess I’m just old school like that: P
The Kahala Barnes & Nobles has a pretty good selection of books and I usually find whatever it is I’m looking for. It’s clean, air conditioned and nicely organized. I also like the selection of their journals/​diaries. This is where I typically get mines from.
It’s conveniently located on the top floor of Kahala Mall. Parking is never really a prob for me when I come here. I love B&N and my books :)

This is solely based on the lady who works at the customer service kiosk in the middle of the store.
She is unbelievably rude, catty, and insensitive towards foreign language speakers. The first time I encountered this, I was waiting in line for help, I could hear her speaking in a very loud slow tone to the customer before me, as if she could not understand a word of English. I looked up to see what was the commotion and I see this Japanese lady trying to pronounce a book. I was appalled by the insensitively of this lady so I decided to leave.
And then it happened again, and unfortunately it was towards me. I needed help find two books, and just my luck, I got her to help me. English is indeed my second language, but my friends can tell you that I don’t really have an accent. I do, however, pronounce certain words incorrectly, but my friends usually get the gist of it. So here I am trying to let her know the book I was looking for and she tells me, no, we don’t have it. She then proceeded to ask if I knew the author and I told her no but I knew the genre. Then she finally understood what it was and she made a big deal of my enunciation of the title. She kept ridiculing me, saying remarks like, «oh, I didn’t think it was that hard of a word to pronounce». I felt so embarrassed by her ridiculing me that I just snapped back and told her I don’t need the book anymore and walked away.
I should of asked for her name because I really felt hurt by her insensitivity towards foreign speakers. I work in customer service and I admit, I do have a soft spot for those trying to speak English and I am extremely patience with it. This lady needs a slap on the face with some customer service skills because I refuse to go back to the store because of her.
Beware, this long hair brunette middle-​age lady hates those who do not speak English well.

My review of Barnes & Noble will be short since most people know what this bookstore is like. I like to go here when I’m just killing time, waiting for a movie at Kahala Mall.
I wish there were more bookstores around, haha, I know, I should use the library. BUT libraries don’t have manga you can just sit around and read, and coffee while you’re doing it. haha. Nobody bothers you.
If you want to find a specific book, as the customer service desk. It’s better than wandering around by yourself, especially in a rush.
4-​starts, because there’s nothing really bad about this place other than the price and selection of older hardcover books.

I love being able to walk around a cool air conditioned store and browse books. You just can’t beat the feeling of holding a book in your hands and flipping through the pages. You can still do that here at Barnes & Noble.
They have a large selection of books in just about every category you can think of. The magazine section is always well stocked with both magazines and people flipping through them. There is a little café in the corner where you can get your caffeine fix, and maybe even sit down if you can find an open table. There are also chairs scattered throughout the store for your relaxation.
There is also a section for music and movies in the back of the store. I seldom visit this section of the store as the prices for these items are fairly inflated even compared to other physical retailers around town.
Unfortunately I usually see more people sitting and reading rather than purchasing books and magazines. True, this is a great place to come and kill some time, and they practically invite you to have a seat with a good book, but if we all stop buying these books our beloved store will be forced to close.
I’m sad to say that this is one of the few remaining handful of brick & mortar bookstores left. Slowly we’ve been seeing independent and large retail chain bookstores closing all over the place. This is due in large part to low priced online retailers, rising costs in rent and shipping, and eBooks. Come and shop here while you still can!

I am afraid that the days of mega bookstores may come to an end soon. When I come here my heart is heavy for fallen stalwarts like Borders.
I grab a Yoga Journal, get an iced tea and have a nice time. I remember all the times I have killed hours in here while in the Kalaha area. I’ve even deliberately driven here to listen to music back in the day.
The place is still here. Still doing business. Still a great place to bring a date and kill time. Maybe even a place to buy an occasional book. You know, those hard rectangle things with pages that make you smarter.
Tick tock, tick tock.

Unilocal 365 Challenge #101/​365 (Kahala Mall Location)
Sweeeeet! If I could run in the middle and dance around with my arms wide open and sing, «The booooksss are alivvveeeee with Barnes and Nooooobleees» with angels and birds singing in the background I would because I need the tangible FEEL of a book and turning its pages.
You know, I wouldn’t be this way if Border’s didn’t shut down. But, when this island only has 2 bookstores (minus the small.er.wait, is there a small, local bookstore?) located towards townside. I am excited like a little kid at Christmas.
Seriously, who doesn’t love walking in a bookstore that instantly zaps you with feeling intellectual as well as cozy because there is the aroma of coffee beckoning at your nose to buy a book, newspaper or magazine and sit at the café to drink your coffee and read.
This is a pretty good location because I noticed that I can take the freeway cutoff or the Waialae Avenue Cutoff and the ramp entrance to Barnes and Noble is right there. I LOVE IT. Parking? It was the bomb diggity of bomb diggities because I didn’t have to roam around and around.
Mind you, it is part of Kahala Mall but it is situated within close vicinity in a building with other businesses on its own. I like that. You can park your car near Barnes and Noble, shop for books and if you are inspired to brave the masses of people shopping for clothes, going to the movies, eating, etc… it is only a short walking distance away.
The service? Very friendly and down to earth. Need assistance? They have a customer service kiosk in the middle.
As soon as you walk in, you’ll see books galore but you won’t feel cramped or claustraphobic at all. There is a nice feel to the surroundings. The feeling is similiar to the feeling of when you just finished eating a very good meal with dessert and you feel content and warm.
The prices are reasonable especially if you have a Barnes and Noble membership especially the sales/​clearance items.
Kids section? SPACIOUS and just right.
What can I say? Everything about this location is great. I know I’ll be coming back here again and again… and again.
*Bookworms unite*

It’s been awhile since Barnes and Noble joined the Honolulu literary landscape and while it didn’t fundamentally change the way we purchase books in our fair city, it certainly has offered a different experience that offers a good selection, good service, and most importantly decent pricing!
The selection at B&N is hard to beat, especially now that Borders is gone. They offer one of the most comprehensive selections on the island and offer a good inventory of the books they offer. Whether its a textbook or a book on Indian eating habits, they are sure to have a book that will meet your needs. If not, they can certainly order the book you need to meet your needs.
The layout of the store is organized and easy to follow based on the genre or topic that you are looking for. Being built on the upper level of Kahala Mall, it is somewhat set away from the rest of the stores and gives off the independent store type of feel while still having that connection to the rest of the mall should the need to buy a new outfit or a new iPod strike.
Service is generally good with the staff knowing where books are or can point you in the right direction. While they aren’t librarians, they are certainly very helpful and pleasant to chat with. The cashier lines can quickly fill up, however the staff can clear the line pretty quickly so that your wait won’t be too long.