VIDEO: Target Celebrates Groudbreaking of Pu‘unēnē Shops

Pastor Laki Ka‘ahumanu leads the blessing at the groundbreaking of the Pu‘unēnē Shopping Center. The center will house Maui’s first Target store. Photo by Wendy Osher.

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJBWKgFUwao /] By Wendy Osher

Developers celebrated the groundbreaking and blessing today on the Pu‘unēnē Shopping Center in Kahului that will be anchored by Maui’s first Target store.

Target District Team Leader, Gina Pohlabel said she looks forward to sharing the company’s “expect more, pay less” brand of service on Maui.

“Target has long wanted to open a store on Maui since our market entry in 2009,” said Pohlabel who noted that the retailer currently operates stores in Honolulu and Kapolei on Oʻahu, and Hilo and Kona on Hawaiʻi Island.

“We’ll work very hard to reflect the community we serve. It will start with wonderful Maui team members… and of course we hope to offer a special selection that our Maui guests expect and want from us.”

According to Pohlabel, construction is expected to generate 200 jobs, and once the store is open, it will employ upwards of 200 people.

The California-based Property Development Centers, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Safeway Inc., celebrated the groundbreaking of the Pu‘unēnē Shopping Center today.

Representatives from Target join Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa (center) in celebrating the groundbreaking of the Pu‘unēnē Shopping Center. The center will house Maui’s first Target store. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Company chief operating officer David Zylstra said he’s excited to begin work on the project.

“This new retail development will allow us to provide Maui residents with a variety of new and convenient shopping options, as we continue to strengthen our relationship with the local community,” said Zylstra in a press release announcement.

According to Property Development Centers representatives, the company already does business on Maui after acquiring the Lahaina Cannery Mall in West Maui in 2012.

The Pu‘unēnē Shopping Center is the second major project to move forward this week after the groundbreaking yesterday of the Hokulei Village Shopping Center in Līhue on Kauaʻi.

Council Chair Gladys Baisa and Council Member Don Couch at the groundbreaking of the Pu‘unēnē Shopping Center. The center will house Maui’s first Target store. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa was among the local dignitaries that spoke at today’s ceremony saying the journey toward project completion started before he got on the council with decades of work going into planning concepts for the community.

He said the retailers will add to the quality of life by adding to the labor force with long-term job opportunities. “This is another shopping option for our residents and a great sign that our local economy is growing healthier all the time,” said Mayor Arakawa.

Groundbreaking of the Pu‘unēnē Shopping Center that will house Maui’s first Target store. Photo by Wendy Osher.

“Stores like Target will help our residents to stretch our dollars,” said Maui Council Chair Gladys Baisa who said it will especially help those having a hard time making ends meet.

Baisa called it a “great investment for Maui,” saying, “we can tax a shopping center more than we can tax an acre of sugar cane.”

The new center is located at the corner of Mokulele Highway and Hoʻokele Street near Zippy’s on 24.45 acres of land that will include 275,000 square feet of retail space and approximately 1,425 parking stalls.

Developers say Goodfellow Bros. has been selected as the general contractor. Work is slated for completion in March 2015.

Groundbreaking of the Pu‘unēnē Shopping Center that will house Maui’s first Target store. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Groundbreaking of the Pu‘unēnē Shopping Center that will house Maui’s first Target store. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Groundbreaking of the Pu‘unēnē Shopping Center that will house Maui’s first Target store. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Groundbreaking of the Pu‘unēnē Shopping Center that will house Maui’s first Target store. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Groundbreaking of the Pu‘unēnē Shopping Center that will house Maui’s first Target store. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Groundbreaking of the Pu‘unēnē Shopping Center that will house Maui’s first Target store. Photo by Wendy Osher.