Field Guide: The old Blaisdell Hotel

This former hotel is bustling with activity from old and new businesses alike.

July

Wai Ho Jewelry

With 28 years of experience, Amy Chung and her husband have built a reputation with their downtown customer base. “People make special trips to come here,” says Chung. The small shop specializes in diamond engagement rings, jade and other fine jewelry, including repairs and custom pieces. “We get a lot of young guys coming in,” she says. She works with couples’ budgets and personal tastes. “I get to work with many of them through their family cycle; it’s very rewarding.” 1160 Fort Street Mall, 538-6612.

The old Blaisdell hotel Elevator

Upon walking into the old hotel, you immediately encounter Javier Fombellida, who has been running the state’s last manually operated elevator for seven years. “I get to meet so many interesting people,” says Fombellida, who says he’s made up to 200 trips in the elevator in one day. Fombellida has a knack for knowing what businesses first-timers are going to see, whether it’s the barber or the psychiatrist. “People really open up to me,” he says. He even decorates for holidays, with a mini Christmas tree and lights, or scares people with a fake, furry rat for Halloween.

Fritz Andre

Fritz Andre has been cutting hair since he was 14. Now 78 years old, this old-time barber, trained in Germany, has been cutting in the old Blaisdell Hotel since 1971. He’s had the same clients for even longer. The day we visited, Andre was cutting the hair of Elliot Loden, a local attorney who’s been coming to Andre for decades. “He’s the best barber for downtown execs,” says Loden. Andre also witnessed the hotel’s transitions over the years, from fancy hotel to HPU-student hangout, to small businesses. If you happen to come in while Andre is cutting another customer’s hair, you can peruse a stack of Playboys and Hustlers. You won’t find that at Supercuts. 1154 Fort Street Mall, Suite 306, 255-3397.

Island Health & Beauty Clinique

At Island Health & Beauty Clinique, owner and registered nurse Kate Butterfield specializes in colonics. She also performs electrolysis for hair removal. Butterfield chose the Blaisdell 16 years ago because "it was a place with character and flaws," she says, adding that the building is safe and popular with young business owners. 1154 Fort Street Mall, Suite 416, 523-7505.

Humanhand

Humanhand was initially started by Justin Cravalho (above right), Warren Daubert (center), and Jon Borgonia (left), as a way of artistically unwinding after their 9 to 5 jobs. It’s evolved into a full-fledged design firm. (Daubert works at HONOLULU’s parent company, PacificBasin Communications, and Cravalho does occasional projects for PBC.) Humanhand develops marketing materials and Web sites for its clients. Says Cravalho, “Anything creative starts with the hand,” explaining the meaning behind the company’s name. “The Blaisdell never feels deserted, there’s always life somewhere,” says Daubert, the group’s resident night-owl. Humanhand is part of the hotel’s growing list of artistic tenants, from photographers to musicians. 1154 Fort Street Mall, Suite 403, 333-7492.