Most of the traffic at Aina Haina Shopping Center these days is dressed in safety-colored T-shirts, jeans and work boots. It's more construction zone these days than shopping and dining destination. There are establishments striving to stay busy despite the temporary character change in clientele.

Optimism prevails among tenants. Recently, there was a commercial shoot for Central Pacific Bank with Wet Feet, the surfboard and Stand-Up Paddle board shop that I used to frequent before I got my own SUP board.

Foodland just announced its 59-year-old original store will be renovated over the next few months, with employees parsed about other locations. The parking lot is a refrigerator fixture graveyard, an indication of what used to be for those of us anticipating Foodland Farm and the promise of gourmet, organic and locally grown foods at competitive prices.

Genki Sushi is putting the finishing touches on its spot neighboring Foodland Farm. Cake Couture Cupcakes has been relocated to a more prominent location, looking very chic and busy.

At the east end of Aina Haina Shopping Center is the previously cacophonous Chuck E. Cheese space. Now silent, as is the neighboring former martial arts dojo, these two spots may soon become very desirable once the shopping center regains its momentum and its tenant list is fleshed out.

Uncle Clay of Doe Fong recently lamented that the center is but a glimmer of its former self, but his own location is quite popular. He has done his own interior remodeling from a dime-store destination to a cafe. It is always bubbling with activity. Credit that to Uncle Clay as both a charming and magnetic force of East O'ahu.

What had been feared most by 'Aina Haina residents, and, according to CBR Ellis Realtor Fred Noa, won't ever materialize, is a conversion to a multi-level center.

"We never intended to do that with Aina Haina Shopping Center," Noa said. "Our commitment to the entire community is to clean it up, beautify it, and make it a safer pedestrian destination."

That includes more pedestrian-friendly walkways, something Noa said they have been talking over with the Medical Center principals, which is not part of the renovation project.

Noa also said that in a few weeks the 76 service station will be razed and rebuilt with a new streamlined and aesthetically pleasing station, housing the same tenant, just with a better fit with the rest of the center.

As a mother of two school-aged children who spent quite a few afternoons at Chuck E. Cheese, a place I loathed but considered a necessary evil, I do understand the need for a destination. But, as I said, I loathed it. The pizza wasn't bad, but the merchandise our keiki would turn in their baby brother for was pure garbage.

The former Chuck E. Cheese and the dojo are pretty nice locations. I'm eager for something terrific to move in. And I'm not talking Dave & Buster's. Let's have something a little less Vegas and a little more East O'ahu.