Safeway’s Property Development Centers will break ground for its long-anticipated Hokulei Village shopping complex on Jan. 29, at the center site on the corner of Nuhou Road and Kaumualii Highway in Lihue. A 56,000-square-foot Safeway Lifestyle store is the anchor
Safeway’s Property Development Centers will break ground for its long-anticipated Hokulei Village shopping complex on Jan. 29, at the center site on the corner of Nuhou Road and Kaumualii Highway in Lihue.
A 56,000-square-foot Safeway Lifestyle store is the anchor tenant of the 14.25-acre complex. The supermarket will join a Walgreens pharmacy, a Petco pet supply store, a Jack in the Box restaurant, other restaurants, a fuel station, a major financial institution and other retail and commercial entities that are in lease negotiations.
“We are pleased with the response from the public and retailers, and for the support of the County of Kauai,” said Gerry Wolfe, vice president for development with Property Development Centers, a Safeway affiliate. “Hokulei Village will employ the most advanced concepts in retailing design and energy conservation.”
The Hokulei Village project has been planned since 2008, after surveys indicated a strong demand for the retail, finance and other opportunities it will offer. Its development was delayed by a number of factors, including the national economic slowdown.
“Safeway is excited to be able to contribute to the expansion of retail opportunities on Kauai through Hokulei Village, and to bring Safeway’s unique shopping experience to the Lihue area,” said Keith Turner, Safeway’s spokesman.
Installation of underground infrastructure should begin following the groundbreaking. Vertical construction should start in the middle of the year. The Safeway Lifestyle store should open late this year, with remaining tenants opening around that time or early 2015.
The project will include significant buffer areas and setbacks from existing roads, will be heavily landscaped and will preserve viewplanes to the scenic Haupu Range. The project will also connect to existing walkways throughout the area. Hokulei, a peak on the Haupu Range from which the center takes its name, lies almost directly south of the site.
The new Hokulei Village Safeway store will be an example of the national retailer’s Lifestyle Store concept. It will carry an expanded selection of regular and organic produce and will showcase Safeway’s Select, Signature and O Organics brand products along with specialty departments.
The Safeway at Hokulei Village will join Safeway Kapaa as the island’s second Safeway, and will be the 22nd Safeway store in Hawaii.
