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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 3:24 p.m., Friday, February 27, 2009

GRIDLOCK IN AISLE 6
What recession? Hundreds flock to Costco opening in Kapolei

By Gordon Pang
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Crowds packed the aisles at the new Kapolei Costco, which opened today. Shoppers were lined up at 6, two hours before the doors were to open, and the parking lot was filled by 9. Designer bags priced at $2,000 were among the best sellers.

RICHARD AMBO | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Hundreds of people jammed into the newest Costco store that opened in Kapolei this morning.

Store general manager Max Ramos estimated more than 300 people trudged through the entry way in the first 15 minutes after the store opened at 7:42 a.m., 18 minutes ahead of schedule.

The first shoppers were in line from 6 a.m.

By 9 a.m., the 700-stall parking lot was completely full. Latecomers were eyeing leaving customers not only for parking stalls, but for an equally precious commodity this morning: shopping carts.

Among the hottest selling items were two-for-one cartons of 18-pack eggs that caused a traffic jam in the produce area and $2,000 Chanel leather flap bags. The designer bags, which retail for $3,000, were expected to sell out by the end of the day.

The 160,000-square-foot store is larger than the Iwilei store by 5,000 square feet and is the only Costco on Oahu with an indoor snack area.