Shapiro ignores big differences
David Shapiro is missing important points in his column about the Target vs. Don Quijote stores ("1 giant store to replace another in Kailua, ho-hum," Star-Advertiser, Nov. 24).
Comparing those two is strictly apples and oranges. Target is a big-box, deep-discount retail outlet that will draw shoppers from miles around into the busiest street in Kailua. Don Quijote has limited appeal and few customers who drive long distances to get there.
Target's plans to mitigate traffic address only the street immediately fronting the site. It will do nothing to improve the congested roadways that lead into Kailua, most of them narrow, two-lane streets winding through residential neighborhoods -- bumper-to-bumper traffic even without the addition of 20 percent more cars coming to a Target.
The real problem for Kailua is the growing controversy with Kaneohe Ranch and its expansionist agenda. No, it was not OK to bring a huge Whole Foods business and building into Kailua any more than to insert a giant Target into a town that does not have the infrastructure or carrying capacity to handle either. Community groups have been spontaneously springing up to protest and other long-established groups have come out in opposition.
Mollie Foti
Kailua
Comparing those two is strictly apples and oranges. Target is a big-box, deep-discount retail outlet that will draw shoppers from miles around into the busiest street in Kailua. Don Quijote has limited appeal and few customers who drive long distances to get there.
Target's plans to mitigate traffic address only the street immediately fronting the site. It will do nothing to improve the congested roadways that lead into Kailua, most of them narrow, two-lane streets winding through residential neighborhoods -- bumper-to-bumper traffic even without the addition of 20 percent more cars coming to a Target.
The real problem for Kailua is the growing controversy with Kaneohe Ranch and its expansionist agenda. No, it was not OK to bring a huge Whole Foods business and building into Kailua any more than to insert a giant Target into a town that does not have the infrastructure or carrying capacity to handle either. Community groups have been spontaneously springing up to protest and other long-established groups have come out in opposition.
Mollie Foti
Kailua
Another point lost on Mr. Shapiro. At their meeting Target said they will be creating 200 jobs. When I asked their representative if that took into account the jobs lost when Don Quijote closes or the jobs lost when small stores close in town because of competition, I was met with a blank stare and no answer.
ReplyDeleteKeoki,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment and sharing your thoughts with us. We also agree that Target "creating jobs" will not add up to the amount of jobs it will affect if they were to open a store in Kailua.
We also felt that the "open house" was very poorly done and have found that there has been many other incidences with other community members who also got no answers and blank stares.
We encourage you to write letters and voice your concerns to all the people on our 'CONTACTS' list. The continuous support is important to let these people know that this Target store is not a good fit for our Kailua Town!
-notargetkailua
Gimme a break, This is Apples to Apples. A little more business in Kailua is just what we need...Last I checked, there are vacant store fronts all over Kailua road...we need a little more traffic. Shoppers of Target will patron other businesses in Kailua...ever think of that? We need to stop being so close minded an phobic of change. The same fears came with the H3.
ReplyDeleteDear Matt,
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately you are ignorant to the facts and have been hood-winked by the propaganda from both Kaneohe Ranch and Target. Additionally, your apples to apples reference is void because you, in the same post, compare a Big-Box store in Kailua to the H3??? Do yourself a favor and educate yourself on the destruction Big-Box stores bring to small communities. There are several references available written by very smart people. Here's a link you can start with: http://www.bigboxtoolkit.com/index.php (try #3)-- Don't let big business like Kaneohe Ranch and Target pollute your mind. They are in it for the money
.... your money.