After sitting idle for more than a year, work has begun at the 18-acre Costco site at Kalaeloa Boulevard and Kapolei Parkway.

A dust screen went up last week on the lot, which is across the street from the Home Depot on one side and The Honolulu Advertiser's production plant on the other. Construction began a day or two later.

Michael Chu, a consultant and local representative for Costco, said the project for West Kapolei has obtained mass grading and foundation permits and "work is getting under way."

Both Chu and officials with Kapolei Property Development confirmed that Kapolei Property Development, successor company to the James Campbell Co. and the major landowner in Kapolei, had closed the sale of the property with Costco on April 30. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Chu declined to say how long it would be before the Costco would open. But historically, the warehouselike big-box retailer has been known to open for business as little as six months after beginning work.

Kapolei Commons, which will feature one of the state's first two Target stores, is scheduled to open in March across Kalaeloa Boulevard and next to The Advertiser building.

The complex is also expected to include a Circuit City, Borders, Pet Depot and other major retailers.

Local retail analyst Stephany Sofos said "a lot of synergy" is being created in that section of Kapolei.

"It's going to create jobs and convenience of shopping in that area," Sofos said.

Even in a slowing economy, "Costco always works because it's priced right," she said.