KHON - article

August 5, 2010

Kailua Target Schedule to Open July 2010

Reported by: Ron mizutani

After months of speculation, landowner Kaneohe Ranch received confirmation Wednesday that big-box retailer Target is its newest tenant.
The discount-store will build its fourth Hawaii location on the site of the current Don Quijote Store in Kailua.
The new Target store is scheduled to open in July 2012. Don Quijote in Kailua will remain in operation until next March.
Kailua is home to dozens of family-owned stores and businesses.
"We have so many businesses in Kailua that are nowhere else, they are from Kailua and unique to Kailua," said Kailua resident Barrie Morgan.
But big brother appears to be moving in. On July 29th, Don Quijote's leasehold interest was officially transferred to Target Corporation.
"This is an important step toward bringing Target to Kailua and we remain focused on ensuring we build a store that can be embraced by and meets the needs of local residents," said Target Communications Manager Sarah Bakken.
"What is best for the community," asked Rosie Goo one of hundreds of windward Oahu residents saying no to Target. "Everything that this unique place can be is more important than cheap, bigger and easy."
"There will be a lot of businesses that will be put out of business by the under-cutting prices of a large discount store that is subsidize by a mainland corporation," said Morgan.
"Ultimately I think this will be good for small businesses, I think it will be great for restaurants," said Mitchell D'Olier, President and CEO of Kaneohe Ranch. "The thing that I like from a convenience point of view about the Target idea is that it fills in the merchandise categories that force Kailua to leave Kailua."
"We believe that a new Target store in Kailua not only makes good business sense, but will meet the needs and wants of the community by providing a one-stop-shop experience, featuring high-quality products at a great value," said Bakken.
"You get the benefits that come with Target ,it's a big merchant and I'm sure they have their benefits, like I said going bring a lot of people over here," said Kailua resident Chris Naluai.
Target is working on a traffic study.
"If you need what Target has there are Targets on the island you can zip right over the H-3," said Goo.
Community members will voice their concerns at the Kailua Neighborhood Board meeting Thursday night at Kailua District Park.