New Kapahulu Safeway
to have 8 gas pumps

The supermarket chain plans
to open a store and a fuel station
at the former Love's site

Safeway Inc. is moving forward with its plans for a new grocery store and gasoline station in Kapahulu.

The Pleasanton, Calif.-based grocery store chain said it will apply for building permits next month for a 62,000-square-foot store and eight-pump, self-service gas station at the former Love's Bakery site on Kapahulu Avenue.

Safeway also plans to demolish a strip mall next to the vacant Love's Bakery site, Safeway said through a local spokeswoman.

The strip mall and the Love's Bakery property is owned by the Stanley Gouveia Trust, which is selling the land to Safeway.

Safeway officials have been meeting with local residents and the local neighborhood board over the past several months to discuss its plans for the Kapahulu location, which will be Safeway's' 19th in Hawaii.

Last week, company representatives appeared before the Diamond Head/Kapahulu/St. Louis Heights Neighborhood Board to provide an update on the new grocery store.

Safeway officials said they plan to begin construction next year after they obtain approvals for their building permits. The project, whose costs were not disclosed, will be completed in 2007.

Safeway said that the new store will include more than 9,000 square feet of additional retail space as well as roof-top parking.

Tenants at the soon-to-be demolished retail center, which include Dunkin' Donuts, are being encouraged to apply for the additional retail spots, the company said.

Safeway said that the new gas station -- the company's first in Hawaii -- will operate under the Safeway brand.

The retailer -- which operates about 200 gas stations on the mainland -- said that Safeway club card holders are eligible for discounts on gasoline purchases.