Star Advertiser - article

August 06, 2010

Kailua the latest aim for new Target store

The retail giant hopes to overcome residents' traffic concerns before building its fifth outlet

By Kristen Consillio

Target Corp. plans to invest $40 million to build what would be its fifth Hawaii store in Kailua.

The Minneapolis, Minn.-based retailer has acquired the lease on Hahani Street land where a Don Quijote now sits to build a 130,000-square-foot store scheduled to open in July 2012.

However, traffic could be a deal breaker, according to Mitch D'Olier, president and chief executive officer of landowner Kaneohe Ranch Management Ltd. Target is conducting a traffic study because of residents' concerns about the already congested main thoroughfare.

"Target will not go forward if traffic doesn't work," he said. "We're all working to see if we can make it work, but it's not a done deal. It doesn't make any sense for Target to open a store where nobody can get to them."

Traffic is the biggest concern among residents in Kailua, which already has roughly 120 retail stores. Another mainland chain, Whole Foods Market, plans to open a 32,000-square-foot store at Kailua Town Center next fall.

Kailua Neighborhood Board member Derrick Fenske, 41, who lives in Coconut Grove, opposes the retail giant's entry in the beachside community.

"The town is too crowded with cars, and this is only going to add to that problem," Fenske said. "The character of Kailua is constantly being degraded."

Target is particularly sensitive to retaining Kailua's "unique village feel" in the store's architectural character, said Sarah Bakken, Target's communications manager.

"We want to make sure we really fit into kind of the fabric of the area," she said. "This particular site has not seen a lot of reinvestment in the past year. Target will help drive positive and long-term economic development in Kailua."

If traffic is workable, Target will complete its design and seek building permits, D'Olier said.

"If we thought that this would hurt small businesses, we would not proceed because that's like doing something against our own economic interests," he said. "Quite frankly what makes Kailua special is all the great little tenants we have. Target would just provide a lot of new shopping convenience for Kailua residents."

D'Olier estimates the project would generate between 100 and 200 jobs for 12 to 18 months of construction and more than 100 permanent positions. He also said the big-box chain is looking at other sites for expansion on Oahu.

"If it's going to create more jobs in Kailua, then it would be something that we look forward to," said Enchanted Lake resident Jon Chinen, 29, also a member of the Kailua Neighborhood Board.

The Kailua store would be significantly smaller than typical Target stores. In Hawaii they range between 150,000 and 160,000 square feet in Kapolei, Salt Lake and Kona. Target plans to open another store about the same size next year in Hilo.

"It's essentially village size rather than metropolitan area size," said Kailua Neighborhood Board member Debbi Glanstein, who has lived in Kailua for 47 years. "I've seen many, many changes—this is not the worst one. I'm kind of looking forward to it."

Eight tenants near Don Quijote will likely relocate as part of Target's plans, D'Olier said.

Kaneohe resident Bob Twogood, owner of Twogood Kayaks Hawaii Inc., which leases about 1,600 square feet, said the move will make operating his business, which opened in 1981, more challenging.

"There is no place in this world where you can go to where change will not happen," he said. "The nature of life is going to be change. You do what you can to direct it, and what you can't direct, you adapt to."

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.

Hawaii News Now - article

August 5, 2010

Kailua residents speak out about planned Target store

By Brooks Baehr - bio | email

KAILUA (HawaiiNewsNow) - National retailer Target plans to open a store in Kailua in July of 2012.

That news drew vocal opposition from Kailua residents at a neighborhood board meeting Thursday night. While some spoke in favor of the big box store, a majority of those who spoke expressed displeasure with the retailer's plan.

Opponents signed a petition urging Target to stay away, and said Target does not mesh with the rest of the town.

"They want to be the one stop shop for Kailua, and that's everything that Kailua is not about. Kailua is a place you come to. You wonder. You go to specific destination places," said Kailua businessman David Kim.

There are, however, people who welcome the retail giant.

"I think if anything you look at Kailua's nature in the first place, they are kind of progressive. I think this relates to the progressive nature of Kailua. I'm pretty sure you are going to see some of those people who are against that store, they are going to be shopping there," said Kailua resident Kealii Flood.

Target plans to build on property owned by Kaneohe Ranch and currently occupied by Don Quijote. In late July Target acquired Don Quijote's leasehold interest in the property.

Target gave members of the Kailua Neighborhood Board a statement saying, "... we remain focused on ensuring we build a store that can be embraced by and meets the needs of local residents."

Target already has three stores in Hawaii. It has two stores on Oahu and one on the Big Island. It is also opening a store in Hilo.

Kim said those places may be a good fit for Target, but Kailua is not.

"I like jumping on H3 and driving to Target. I have nothing against that. The target in Salt Lake is not necessarily smack dab in the middle of a neighborhood. It's the old Costco site. It was planned for that," Kim told Hawaii News Now.

"You've got your pros and cons, but I believe they are a perfect set for that area that you have back there. It's kind of dilapidated. You've got holes all over the place (in the pavement in the parking lot). I think if you are looking at somebody that can be responsible, take care of that area, get it done as quickly as possible, Target is your person to do it," Flood countered.

The Kailua site is already zoned for commercial use, so even if a majority of people are against Target, there seems little they can do to stop it from coming.

"Really and honestly I must inform the community that unless Target seeks a zone change or unless Target seeks any type of variance for the property, which they've told me at this point they will not be seeking either, they will not have to come before the City Council (for approval)," said City Councilman Ikaika Anderson.

Target will have to do a traffic impact study. That study will have to be approved by the city before the retailer can open.

Kailua Chamber of Commerce - Survey

Target Store survey results: click here


http://www.kailuachamber.com/blog?mode=PostView&bmi=436326

Sign Waving - archive

Tuesday, August 10th
4:00pm - 6:00pm

Windward Oahu News - article

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Shopper urges traffic study for Kailua Target

Editor’s note: This letter originally was sent to Mayor Hannemann in June.

Editor,

Kailua is a small, wonderful community, which is why I chose to live here. But there are few roads coming into Kailua, and traffic is difficult at times.

Target is exploring moving into Kailua where Don Quijote’s is located at 345 Hahani St. This already is a very congested area, as Safeway is on one side, the post office is on the other, and the streets always are busy. An independent traffic study by the city should be done now before plans progress any further.

My daughter lives in Portland, Ore., across the street from a large Target at Washington Square, one of the largest malls in the greater Portland area. We both like to shop there, but the traffic always is a problem. This Target is located on a four-lane road and just off of the exit from a freeway. Although Target installed a traffic light on the main road so people could safely get in and out of the parking lot, traffic remains a problem. I just cannot imagine what it would be like in Kailua. Horrible.

Target has said that it’s having a traffic study done, but that would certainly be biased toward them. Please have an independent traffic study done by the City and County of Honolulu.

Thank you.
Claudia L. Webster
Kailua

MidWeek - Letter to Editor

Wednesday - July 28, 2010

Shopper urges traffic study for Kailua Target

By MidWeek Staff

Editor’s note: This letter originally was sent to Mayor Hannemann in June.
Editor,
Kailua is a small, wonderful community, which is why I chose to live here. But there are few roads coming into Kailua, and traffic is difficult at times.
Target is exploring moving into Kailua where Don Quijote’s is located at 345 Hahani St. This already is a very congested area, as Safeway is on one side, the post office is on the other, and the streets always are busy. An independent traffic study by the city should be done now before plans progress any further.
My daughter lives in Portland, Ore., across the street from a large Target at Washington Square, one of the largest malls in the greater Portland area. We both like to shop there, but the traffic always is a problem. This Target is located on a four-lane road and just off of the exit from a freeway. Although Target installed a traffic light on the main road so people could safely get in and out of the parking lot, traffic remains a problem. I just cannot imagine what it would be like in Kailua. Horrible.


 

Target has said that it’s having a traffic study done, but that would certainly be biased toward them. Please have an independent traffic study done by the City and County of Honolulu.
Thank you.
Claudia L. Webster
Kailua

KHON - article

 May 19, 2010

Kailua Don Quijote store could be replaced by Target

Target is looking to build in Kailua on the site of the current Don Quijote store.
On Tuesday night target presented their plans to Kailua residents - many of which had concerns about traffic.
"The main road, goes, skirts the outside and it doesn't go through the main business district of the town. So if they created a traffic jam, not just in their area but if they expect to draw people from Kanehoe, it's faster for people who lives in Kanehoe to go to Salt Lake," said Kailua resident Clinton Abe.
"Because we understand the, you know, the unique feel of Kailua, we're actually going to be building our smallest store in Hawaii," said Ed Padgett, a Target representative.
"Traffic is not only a concern for Kailua residents, it's also a concern for Target."
Target hopes to begin construction in 2011.
When complete, the store would have between 250 and 300 employees.

KITV - article

May 19, 2010

Residents Voice Concern About Target Moving Into Kailua

Construction Expected To Start 2011


HONOLULU -- At a meeting Tuesday night, Kailua residents received the news many in the room didn’t want to hear.

A Target representative explained to the packed room, the company’s plans to open where Don Quijote is currently located in the middle of Kailua town.

The majority of residents opposed the chain store moving into Kailua, but there were some residents who welcome Target in their neighborhood.

“If you live in Kailua, Don Quijote sells they offer a lot of things you can’t find anywhere else unless you want to go to Chinatown or like where am I going to find a bamboo steamer at 10 p.m.,” said Kailua resident Steve Parker.

Many residents fear the big box store will draw heavy traffic, which residents said the roads aren’t capable of handling.

But Eric Padget, a spokesperson for Target assured the crowd the company is conducting a traffic study to determine how traffic congestion can be reduced.

Amid those against Target moving into Kailua, was a longtime Kailua resident who welcomes the store.

“I still think its going to be very good for Kailua. It’s going to provide jobs people need them here. I love what they’re doing with this huge parking lot and turning it into something appealing,” said Sandra Kelley.

The company plans to start demolishing the Don Quijote building, along with several other stores in the strip mall, in the summer and be ready to open in the summer of 2011.

The company expects to hire 250 to 300 employees. Target said Don Quijote employees will not get preference.

There is no word yet on when Don Quijote will close.

KITV - article

February 8, 2010

Source: Target Reaches Agreement On Kailua Lease

Retailer Could Take Over Don Quijote Lease In August

KAILUA, Hawaii -- A source close to the deal told KITV 4 News that Target entered into an agreement to take over Don Quijote's lease in Kailua.

Target is making sure it has all the information it needs to proceed with the transaction, sources said. If both sides agree, Target could takeover by August, sources tell KITV.

Employees of Don Quijote and neighboring businesses they've been on the edge since Target announced its interest in the Kailua location. They said they believe closure is imminent.

"It is finalized from what we know. We are going to close," Kaleolani Ane said.

Ane is head cashier at the Kailua Don Quijote. Management from the Kaheka Street store notified staff of the closure, Ane said.
"They did tell us it's going to happen this year," she said. "We were informed that we could collect unemployment."

Employees said they have questions but no answers.

"We are suppose to be closing in March, but we don't really know for sure. August is suppose to be when everything is suppose to be out of the store,"

"But as far as when we are going to get layoff the staff we have no idea

Don Quijote's lease with landowner Kaneohe Ranch runs through 2022. The lease includes a strip of shops that would likely close if Target moves in.

The news brought mixed reactions from customers.

"I don't like the idea," customer Nona Simao said. "Its just like all of Kailua is disappearing."

"It would be spectacular. I would love it," customer Elaine Dewhurst said. "I have to go all the way over the other side to get what I want from Target."

Employees said they continue to work with no net, hoping for information.

"Right now, we are just left in the dark, and hopefully we'll get news soon," Ane said.

Two businesses along the strip mall recently moved out.

Representatives from both Don Quijote and Target did not return phone calls from KITV 4 News on Monday.