Neighbors concerned
about future Wal-Mart

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By Gordon Y.K. Pang
gpang@starbulletin.com

A newly formed group of neighbors of a proposed Wal-Mart and Sam's Club complex on Keeaumoku Street are voicing their objections at Honolulu Hale.

The 200-member Citizens Against Reckless Development said it wants the city to delay construction of the 300,000-square-foot project at the "superblock" bounded by Keeaumoku, Rycroft, Sheridan and Makaloa streets, three blocks mauka of Ala Moana Center.

The group has collected 1,100 signatures from people raising concerns about the project.

Roy Nakamura, 62, said he has lived at nearby Cedar Street all his life and worries about the traffic dangers that would accompany customer and delivery vehicles converging on the site. A Wal-Mart traffic study showing the project bringing 1,000 cars an hour to the area is understated, he said.

"They promised us they're not going to deliver at certain times, but we don't have it in writing," Nakamura said.

He wants access to the store limited to Keeaumoku to cut down on the impacts to the Sheridan Tract neighborhood Ewa of the superblock.

Jim Becker, who lives on the Kaheka Street side of the superblock, said his area would also be affected by traffic and noise from a 24-hour commercial operation.

"We're talking about the world's largest Wal-Mart," Becker said. "That's six or seven Safeways on one property."

Becker said his group realizes that the property is zoned for commercial use, but simply wants the city and Wal-Mart to better assess the situation and address the residents' concerns.

"All we're asking is for them to slow things down."

Wal-Mart officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

City spokeswoman Carol Costa said the Department of Planning and Permitting is reviewing Wal-Mart's applications for foundation and grading permits. The company has not yet applied for a building permit.

Costa said the agency is looking at the traffic concerns brought by the residents.