The developer of Ka Makana Alii, a 1.4-million-square-foot regional shopping center under construction in Kapolei, held a media tour Thursday as the mall tenants slowly begin opening to the public.

The state’s first Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton opened Wednesday at the mall, and California Pizza Kitchen will open its newest Hawaii location today at the center.

The CPK opening is part of a statewide expansion expected to more than double the number of the pizza chain’s restaurants in Hawaii in the next five years. The CPK at Ka Makana Alii is the sixth for the chain.

Macy’s, the anchor tenant of the estimated $800 million center, started doing business on Sept. 1, and will have a grand opening today.

At least half of the more than 100 planned stores at Ka Makana Alii will open in October, with the rest coming online in 2017, representatives of Florida-based DeBartolo Development, which is building the project, previously told the Star-Advertiser.

Among the businesses opening Oct. 21 are an upscale Consolidated Theatre with luxury recliners, H&M, Forever 21 and Old Navy.

“It’s been an over 10-year journey to this moment,” Rich Hartline, DeBartolo’s vice president of development, said Thursday during the media tour. “We’re super excited. Construction has been a journey not without its challenges and trials and tribulations.”

Originally, DeBartolo anticipated opening an initial phase in 2009, but the project was delayed several times due to permitting, lease negotiations with the landlord, the state Department of Hawaiian Homelands, and other development issues. The project is expected to generate more than $1 billion in revenue over the life of a 65-year lease agreement with DHHL to support the construction of thousands of new homes for Native Hawaiians.

Tenants anticipate substantial sales in Kapolei.

“We think this is going to be a really strong location for us,” CPK President Chris Morris said Wednesday night at a friends-and-family preview dinner. “It’s a market that’s been on our radar for quite some time.”

He said the corporation likes to position new restaurants in bustling retail developments, and sees the potential of being in a mall with a movie theater and a large Macy’s. “We think that’s going to create a lot of traffic.”

Other tenants include Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, Skechers, Foot Locker, Kay Jewelers, 24 Hour Fitness, Hoala Salon and Spa, Applebee’s, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Luibueno’s, AT&T, Zales, Zumies, Rix Island Wear, Town & Country Surf Designs, Famous Footwear, PetSmart, Reyn Spooner, Plus Interiors, Bonchon, Sura Hawaii, Jollibee, Da Cove, Magnolia Ice Cream, Papa John’s Pizza, Infinitea, Yummy Korean BBQ, Nagoya Ramen, Kickin Kajun, Koa Pancake House, Wendy’s, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, Panda Express, Subway, Auntie Anne’s and Cinnabon.

Betty Shimabukuro contributed to this story.