Best Buy aims for '05 opening
By James Gonser
Advertiser Staff Writer
After working to overcome community objections, Best Buy now expects to open its 'Aiea store — its first in Hawai'i — in early 2005.
• WHAT: The city Department of Planning and Permitting will hold a public hearing on Best Buy's request for a special management area use permit for its proposed 50,000-square-foot store at the former Tony Honda site on Kamehameha Highway in 'Aiea. • WHEN: 10:30 a.m. Feb. 20. • WHERE: 'Aiea Recreation Center, 'Aiea District Park, 99-350 'Aiea Heights Drive.
The electronics giant has outlined its plans before a number of groups, and Bill Clark, chairman of the 'Aiea Neighborhood Board, believes that the company has heeded the community's concerns.
Public hearing
"There has been some movement by Best Buy to change their original plan," Clark said. "It should be a little more compatible to the community."
The company has worked to address concerns over aesthetics, traffic and the impact on the Pearl Harbor Historical Trail that runs along the shoreline behind the lot at Kamehameha Highway and Kanuku Street, according to project manager Tom Smith.
Best Buy's architectural plans have been redrawn to rearrange the building and parking placement and make the design look less like a warehouse.
"There will be Hawaiian elements on the facade facing Kamehameha Highway," said architect Matt Gilbertson. "It won't be a blank wall. We are mixing contemporary design with Hawaiian elements to make it more attractive, more appropriate, and going well past what you would consider a standard Best Buy. It will be more sensitive to the community."
After hearing worries about increased traffic in the congested area, Best Buy hired a consultant to explore what changes could be made, Smith said.
That stretch of Kamehameha Highway is a trouble spot for traffic, as residents use Kanuku and Hekaha streets as arteries into upper Waimalu and Royal Summit and take Ka'ahumanu Street into Waiau and 'Aiea.
"We will be making improvements at three intersections to help ease some of that congestion," Smith said. "They are turn-lane improvements basically. Creating some double lanes."
Smith said Best Buy will add amenities to the Pearl Harbor Historical Trail, including a rest stop area and landscaping.
Best Buy is seeking a zoning change and has filed applications for permits for a 50,000-square-foot store that would be built on the site of the former Tony Honda and Nissan dealership. The zoning request is pending before the City Council, with the next reading of the proposal scheduled for Jan. 28, Smith said.
The city department of Planning and Permitting held a public hearing on Best Buy's request for a special management area use permit Friday, but no residents attended. Another hearing on the request will be held Feb. 20.
Once permits are approved, the company expects construction to take less than a year.
About 150 people will be employed at the store, which will cost between $8 million and $10 million to build and will include 260 parking stalls.
"We want to make it easy for the customers to get in and out and not worry about parking," Smith said.
Best Buy has secured a 20-year ground lease from property owner Healani Land Co. Inc.
Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.
