Posted on: Sunday, June 23, 2002

Macy's sign plan opposed

By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser East Honolulu Writer

KAHALA — Macy's wants to put its name in lights on the penthouse portion of its Kahala store, just like Liberty House did.

The request is generating opposition from the neighborhood board and the Outdoor Circle. They say the sign will violate the city's sign ordinance.

"We believe that the sign ordinance should be followed as written," said Mary Steiner, the Outdoor Circle's chief executive officer. "We don't have a specific problem with Macy's; it's the signage variance request."

Macy's wants to replace a sign that was taken down after Macy's replaced Liberty House, said Russell Pang, a spokesman for the company. The Liberty House sign was grandfathered in under the city's sign law, Pang said.

Steiner said the old Liberty House sign could be seen above the freeway, and a similar Macy's sign would be in violation of the sign law.

Macy's wants to put up a sign similar to what it has on the walls of the mall building now, with the letter lit from behind.

The store is in the process of obtaining city approval for a sign variance, Pang said. Its proposal went before the Wai'alae-Kahala Neighborhood Board Thursday night, and members voted to oppose the request until it received more information from the company.

"If we let this one through, then everyone could put up their sign," said Richard Turbin, neighborhood board chairman. "The parking lot will be filled with signs."

Macy's owner Federated Department Stores bought out financially troubled Liberty House last year.