Costco plans store on Kaua'i

By Andrew Gomes
Advertiser Staff Writer

Discount gasoline and buy-in-bulk merchandise will be available on Kaua'i if plans are approved for Costco Wholesale to build a warehouse store and gas station on 15 acres in Lihu'e.

The members-only retailer hopes to build a 150,000-square-foot store and 16-stall gas station that could open late this year or early in 2006 if permitting applications and a land sale can be completed, a Costco representative said.

Costco is buying three parcels near regional mall Kukui Grove Center and Home Depot from Grove Farm Co. for an undisclosed price. A sale is expected to be finalized next month.

A public hearing on Costco's plans, which require zoning approval, is scheduled before the Kaua'i County Planning Commission on Feb. 8.

If completed, the store would bring new competition for retailers and gas stations on the Garden Isle, while offering consumers and business owners discounts on everything from food to furniture.

The Kaua'i Costco would be the Issaquah, Wash.-based company's sixth store and fourth gas station in Hawai'i.

The company also has been exploring potential store sites in Hilo on the Big Island, and is trying to expand its Hawai'i Kai store on O'ahu with more space and gas operations. A gas station was planned for the warehouse club on Maui, but has not been built.

Reach Andrew Gomes at 525-8065 or agomes@honoluluadvertiser.com.