Walmart initially planned to convert its Lihue, Kauai, store into Hawaii’s first Walmart Supercenter. Unfortunately for them, the Kauai County Council banned all “big box” stores shortly after the island’s first Costco store opened. This ban includes any new developments that exceed 70,000 square feet. Walmart then said they would fight the ban, arguing that it would allow them to expand from their inception. But even this does not seem to be enough to allow their supply to expand.
Last week, the Kauai County Commission met and agreed that Walmart could not afford to renovate its store to 185,000 square feet from the current 120,000. The new space included a larger grocery area with more food items.
It is possible that Walmart could overturn the government’s decision to meet its requirements. These requirements include a traffic study that would explore how a larger Walmart would affect the roads and traffic conditions in the area. There are several residential neighborhoods surrounding the Walmart, including several blocks of housing directly across from the main entrance of the Walmart.
One concern is that if Walmart expands, the current intersection and road system will become far more crowded. Because Walmart is centrally located in Lihue, the island’s main business and business district, the increase in traffic congestion in the area is a big factor in It would have other Walmart businesses surrounding it, including the island’s main hospital and airport.
Walmart is arguing for an original building permit to allow it to expand, and the company’s public relations firm Kauai residents. He believes that it will be successful in expanding. In a survey of island residents, a majority supported Walmart’s expansion, citing lower prices and more choices as the main reasons for wanting Walmart to expand.
What is this new Walmart? In addition to the major product section mentioned in this article above, the future Walmart Supercenter center would have an eye and vision, a photography studio a> and an automotive section with a central miter. Such expansion is a direct response to the opening of Costco, which has become a popular shopping stop for Kauai residents.
Emotions in support of Walmart Supercenter are strong. “I think it’s stupid that the county doesn’t allow Walmart,” says one island resident. “If they’re worried about traffic, they’re obviously blind to all the new high-rise developments and neighborhoods that are going up all over the island and are already blocking our roads. If the county is serious about making Kauai better pleasure to live, focus on housing. and meet the sector, not limiting our consumer choices like the communist nation.
Walmart plans to come to Kauai again in 1992. Fifteen years later he was in the midst of growing pains. Whether it will be successful or not, remains to be seen.
