Ed L.
Yelp
Enchanted Lake Shopping Mall is the other major shopping mall in Kailua, although the Aikahi Shopping complex may have gripes about this assessment. Nevertheless, this shopping mall is as cozy as they come, as it is nestled within the residential confines of Kailua - off the beaten path from the thoroughfare of Oneawa / Kailua / and Kuulei roads. The 57 and 57A public bus routes breeze through here, so there is an alternative mode of transportation to this shopping center, if you so desire. Coming here on a whim on a day trip from downtown Honolulu, is great, since there are plenty of places to go to on the bus.
Compared to Kailua Shopping Center, this place is like Koko Marina and Aina Haina Shopping centers in East Oahu. Humble businesses for the every day consumer, rather than the glitz and glamour of high end retailers like Gucci and Bebe (i.e. Waikiki and Waikele Premium Outlets). I like the fact that most of the tenants at the Enchanted Lake Shopping Center is mostly eateries. McDonald's, Subway, and Starbucks are my favorites, although the Saigon Noodle House was my pick of the day, when I ventured in there to get my daily helping of Pho with beef and beef balls. The parking situation is fluid, although I can imagine that it can get tight to the max during peak times.
The atmosphere is peaceful, as most are being set in a residential neighborhood. Well, a good, low crime area anyway. I felt safe here and wish I could live in and around Kailua / Lanikai sometime in the future.
B++