Posted on: Tuesday, November 9, 2004

Safeway considering store site in Kapahulu

By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser East Honolulu Writer

The Safeway grocery chain is planning to build a store in Kapahulu, but it probably won't be built for at least two years.

After two community meetings, the grocery chain is still researching the possibility in the area that is served by many mom-and-pop stores but not by any major grocery stores.

The site Safeway is considering is on Olu Street and Kapahulu Avenue, said spokeswoman Teena Massingill, and the store under consideration would be 66,000 square feet — larger than Safeway's store on Beretania Street. The average size store for Safeway is 55,000 square feet.

Rooftop parking is planned, with an accompanying pharmacy and gas station, according to the preliminary plan.

"The area is under-served by a major supermarket," Massingill said. "This is mid-way between our Beretania and Manoa stores. The area isn't served by a major supermarket. Honolulu has been a good area for us."

So far, Kapahulu residents have not objected to the plan. But the major concerns are noise and traffic in a community crammed with businesses and parking problems, said Karen Ah Mai, a chairwoman of the Diamond Head/Kapahulu/ St. Louis Heights Neighborhood Board.

"No one is screaming in great negativity," Ah Mai said. "I don't think some of the smaller retailers realize that this is being planned. The major concern is traffic and noise from the retail delivery trucks."

The chain hasn't applied to the city for any permits yet, Massingill said.

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com or 395-8831.