Will Kailua's new Target store hurt local businesses?
By Ashley Moser
Just a little more than a month to go until Target opens its doors in Kailua. It will be the store’s sixth location in Hawaii, but will it fit with Kailua's local charm?
“It’s becoming less and less like the special Kailua we know and more generalized suburbia,” said Sarah Connelly, a Kailua resident.
Connelly says she longs for the days when her neighborhood felt more like a small beach town, but there's nothing small about a 130,000 square foot Target on Hahani Street.
Store owners across from the new megastore say their biggest concern is traffic.
“I think when they have their grand opening it’s going to be a nightmare. There are going to be so many cars coming here,” said Leigh Tonai, CEO of Hawaiian Island Creations. "During the holidays this place is a very hard place to maneuver. It’s gridlock over here.”
Target officials say the layout of their new parking lot marks an improvement over the last tenant at that location.
“We reduced the in and out entrance from five down to two. The first one is the intersection and the second one is a right in and a right out only,” said Drew Santos, Target Kailua Store Manager.
The company partnered with the City and County to add a new traffic light at the intersection of Hahani and Hekili Streets. They say this it will make for a safer area for pedestrians and drivers.
Store officials say they're trying to maintain a local feel inside.
“We have approximately 30 local vendors that Target has sought after to allow us to bring a greater partnership within the community and to allow great local products to be sold in our store,” said Santos.
But some residents ask about the effects on local businesses outside the store.
“It’s obviously drawing business away from some local vendors, but maybe with the people coming to Target they’ll notice the nearby local business as well,” said Connelly.
“Even if it’s only like 5 percent of the people come by, that’s going to increase our traffic for sure. I’m sure the whole east side community is going to come visit Target,” Tonai said.
The Kailua Target is opening up to the public March 4.
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