Maplewave and Hawaiian Telcom Unveil New Fioptics Experience Store at Ka Makana Aliʻi
Maplewave is proud to announce the opening of the new Fioptics by Hawaiian Telcom retail store at Ka Makana Aliʻi Shopping Center in Kapolei, Hawaiʻi.
The project, led by Maplewave consultant and retail expert Will Gibson, brings together Maplewave’s telecom retail expertise and Hawaiian Telcom’s market-leading fiber network to create a functional, journey-based store that reflects the natural beauty and culture of Hawaiʻi.
Designed Around Telco Journeys
From the outset, the goal was to build a highly functional environment tailored to telecom customer journeys – from learning about fiber, to choosing the right plan, to getting support.
The new store layout supports:
- Welcome & discovery zones where visitors can learn about Fioptics and compare plans – including a fiber-enabled race car simulator and immersive gaming stations.
- Consultation spaces designed for one-on-one conversations with local fiber experts.
- Service and care areas that make it easy to handle billing questions, upgrades, and troubleshooting in a single visit.
“Telco stores work best when every square foot is organized around real customer journeys,” said Will Gibson, Maplewave consultant and retail expert. “In Kapolei, we set out to create a space where customers can move naturally from curiosity to understanding to confident action, all in one seamless experience.”
Showcasing the Beauty of Hawaiʻi
A key objective for the project was to combine telecom functionality with a strong organic presence that celebrates Hawaiʻi.
The design incorporates:
- Natural materials, textures, and tones that echo Hawaiʻi’s landscapes.
- Open sightlines and warm lighting that make the store feel welcoming and relaxed.
- Visual storytelling elements that connect Fioptics’ cutting-edge technology to life in Hawaiʻi’s homes, neighborhoods, and businesses.
By blending modern technology with organic, local design cues, the store feels less like a traditional telecom outlet and more like a community space where residents can explore what’s possible with next-generation connectivity.
A Collaborative Approach
The Kapolei project was a close collaboration between Hawaiian Telcom’s team and Maplewave’s retail and experience designers.
Explaining his approach to the store, Will Gibson says “Hawaiian Telcom came to the table with a bold vision – not just to talk about the fastest internet in Hawaiʻi, but to let customers experience it in a space that feels authentically local. Our role was to translate that vision into a store design that works operationally for telco, while honouring the look, feel, and spirit of Hawaiʻi.”
Chris Raker, Director of Consumer Sales at Hawaiian Telcom, adds “We’ve raised the bar to meet the expectations of Hawaiʻi consumers, who are increasingly internet-savvy and informed. Our stores serve as interactive showcases of the latest products and services, all made possible by our fiber internet.”
About
Hawaiian Telcom
Hawaiian Telcom is Hawaiʻi’s leading provider of integrated communications, including fiber-optic internet, video, voice, and other solutions for homes and businesses across the islands. Through its Fioptics brand and continued investment in fiber infrastructure, Hawaiian Telcom is committed to delivering some of the fastest internet speeds in the state and making Hawaiʻi a fully fiber-enabled state.
Maplewave
Learn more about Maplewave at: https://www.maplewave.com/about/about-us
Learn about our store design services at: https://www.maplewave.com/consulting/store-design
