THREE LOCAL BUSINESSES RELOCATE WITHIN WARD VILLAGE®
Kamitoku Ramen, Johnny’s Dog Spa and Sweat + Soul open in new locations as Layton Construction establishes a new office in the neighborhood
HONOLULU (September 3, 2026) – Kamitoku Ramen, Johnny’s Dog Spa and Sweat + Soul are now welcoming customers to newly renovated spaces at Ward Village, the award-winning destination in the heart of Honolulu to live, shop, dine and explore. The renovations provide more room to serve longtime customers while welcoming new visitors throughout the neighborhood. Layton Construction is also preparing to open a new project office at Ward Entertainment Center.
“These businesses have each become part of daily life in this neighborhood, and we’re glad their customers can continue to enjoy them, just a few blocks from where they were,” said Marc Higuchi, Vice President of Management and Operations at Ward Village. “Ward Village has always been a place the community comes back to, and we want that to hold true — the familiar favorites alongside everything still ahead.”
Kamitoku Ramen
Kamitoku Ramen first opened at Ward Centre in 2021, bringing its signature gyu-kotsu, or beef-bone, ramen to Ward Village. Rooted in a more than 60-year tradition originating in Tottori Prefecture, Japan, Kamitoku is known for its distinctive beef-bone broth and menu of ramen and Japanese favorites, including its popular Beefy Wild ramen.
“Ward Village has been an important part of our story in Hawai‘i, and we’re incredibly grateful to the customers who have supported us over the years,” said Atsushi Shimizu, general manager of Kamitoku Ramen. “Moving to South Shore Market into a larger space gives us an opportunity to introduce Kamitoku Ramen to even more people while remaining close to the community that has supported us from the beginning.”
New location: South Shore Market, 1170 Auahi St., in the former Scratch Kitchen space. Open 5 to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 5 to 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Johnny’s Dog Spa
Johnny’s Dog Spa has served Ward Village’s four-legged community since 2021. The Japanese professional dog grooming salon provides personalized grooming and care for dogs of all breeds, building lasting relationships with pets and their owners throughout the neighborhood.
“We’ve had the privilege of caring for so many dogs and getting to know their families over the years, and those relationships mean everything to us,” said Yuki Tsuji, Grooming Manager and Vice President of Johnny’s Dog Spa. “We’re so happy to continue serving the neighborhood from our new home and look forward to welcoming both familiar faces and new furry friends.”
New location: 320 Ward Ave., in Ward Village’s West Village. Open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sweat + Soul
Locally owned fitness studio Sweat + Soul has cultivated a supportive fitness community at Ward Village since 2024 through small-group classes designed for a range of fitness levels. The studio offers its signature barre classes along with cardio, strength and high-intensity workouts centered around movement, connection and community.
“We’re grateful to continue growing alongside the community we’ve built at Ward Village,” said Melissa Rota, Founder and Owner of Sweat + Soul. “Our new studio gives us a fresh space to continue offering the small-group classes, personal connection and supportive environment our members have come to know.”
New location: 320 Ward Ave., Suite 201. Full class schedule available at sweatandsoulstudio.com.
Layton Construction Opens New Office at Ward Entertainment Center
Layton Construction, one of Hawaiʻi's largest general contractors, will open an office in the former 12,556-square-foot Buca di Beppo space at Ward Entertainment Center, bringing nearly 45 employees into the heart of Kakaʻako once construction is complete by the end of 2026. Layton has worked in the islands since 2005 and employs more than 70 people across its Oʻahu and Kauaʻi offices, with more than 100 completed projects statewide, including Aeʻo Ward Village and Kalae, currently under construction.
For more information, visit wardvillage.com.
Media Kit (courtesy of Ward Village)
About Ward Village®
Ward Village is an award-winning Howard Hughes community in the heart of Honolulu, located between downtown and Waikīkī. Named “Best Planned Community in the United States” by Architectural Digest, the 60-acre Ward Village has evolved into a thriving mixed-use neighborhood, combining expansive open green spaces with striking architecture to deliver high-quality housing, culture and arts, and popular shopping and dining options. Honoring the distinct history of its land, Ward Village is a LEED-ND Platinum-certified master planned community, committed to responsible, sustainable development and investing in public benefits and amenities for the Honolulu community. Ward Village quickly sold out its first eight mixed-use residential towers—Waiea®, Anaha®, Ae‘o, Ke Kilohana®, ʻAʻaliʻi®, Kō‘ula®, Victoria Place®, and Ulana Ward Village®. New residential buildings in development or under construction include The Park Ward Village®, Kalae, The Launiu Ward Village®, ‘Ilima Ward Village and Melia Ward Village. For more information, visit WardVillage.com.
About Howard Hughes Communities™
Howard Hughes Communities, the real estate platform of Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HHH), develops, owns, and operates the nation’s premier large-scale master planned communities and mixed-use developments. The company’s award-winning assets include The Woodlands®, Bridgeland®, and The Woodlands Hills® in Greater Houston; Summerlin® in Las Vegas; Teravalis™ in Greater Phoenix; Ward Village®in Honolulu; and Merriweather District® in Columbia, Maryland. The Howard Hughes Communities portfolio is strategically positioned to meet and accelerate development based on market demand, resulting in one of the strongest real estate platforms in the country. Dedicated to innovative placemaking, the company is recognized for its ongoing commitment to design excellence and to the cultural life of its communities. For additional information, visit communities.howardhughes.com.
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