Wal-Mart to open Kapolei store in 2008

The store will be similar to the chain's Pearl City outlet

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced yesterday it is moving forward with plans for its fifth Oahu store, in Kapolei.

The new Wal-Mart -- on Farrington Highway and the mauka-Diamond Head corner of Makakilo Drive -- is expected to open in 2008, after scheduled road improvements are completed.

"We believe in Kapolei's future as Oahu's second city and we want to be a part of it," Wal-Mart spokesperson Kevin McCall said. "At the same time, we also understand that traffic is a major issue for people who live and work in the area, so we are timing the project with consideration to the next round of regional traffic improvements that are scheduled to be completed."

The new Wal-Mart will be similar in size and format to the one that recently opened in Pearl City, according to Brian Halsey, Wal-Mart's Hawaii market manager.

The Pearl City Wal-Mart store, which opened in January, measures about 148,000 square feet. It was designed to look like a sugar mill.

The Kapolei Wal-Mart is intended to blend in with the Kapolei community, according to Halsey, and will include "green features."

Wal-Mart operates eight discount stores and two Sam's Clubs in Hawaii. It employs about 4,500.