Big Box Tool Kit

Award-winning author, Stacy Mitchell -- "Big-Box Swindle: The True Cost of Mega-Retailers and the Fight for America's Independent Businesses" -- has posted our Community's story to her website.  We are thankful for the national support our Community is being offered not only from Stacy Mitchell, but also from Al Norman.  Visit Stacy's website to educate yourself on the negative impacts big box stores like Target bring to communities like ours.

Kailua, HI (Nov. 21, 2010)

Hoping to smooth the way for a proposed 130,000-square-foot store in this small Hawaiian town, Target officials organized an "open house" at a local elementary school. But the event was quickly overtaken by more than 200 opponents, who showed up armed with signs, pointed questions, and their own bullhorn.

Several grassroots groups have sprung up to block the store, including Keep It Kailua, No Target Kailua and Choose Kailua.

Opponents complained that the "open house" format, a common tactic used by big-box retailers, gave citizens no opportunity to publicly voice questions and concerns about the development. As one resident said, "Why wouldn't you want to hold a meeting? An actual meeting, like a public meeting, where somebody's up there and we can ask questions?"

If approved, the Target store will destroy Kailua's small-town feel, create excessive traffic, and undermine the local economy, opponents contend. They note that the Kailua Sustainable Communities Plan prohibits big-box stores. Whether this plan carries the force of law is now in dispute.