CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM Steve Potuzak explained to his wife, Soi, yesterday how the sound of thunder alerts customers that the produce is about to be automatically misted at the new Safeway store on Kapahulu Avenue.

Supermarket offers preview

Kapahulu residents got a sneak peek of a new Safeway store that is the largest in Hawaii.

Many were pleased with the spacious interior and offerings within walking distance, but the next-door neighbors at the Holiday Parkway planned to picket the store today at its grand opening.

The apartment building residents say they have tired of dust and noise from construction for the past 13 months.

Doug Olivares says a major hang-up is the placement of a new stoplight that backs up traffic on busy Kapahulu Avenue, which then blocks the Holiday Parkway's driveway.

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CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM Courtesy clerk Gary Duarte held a sign yesterday to lure customers to the new Safeway store on Kapahulu Avenue. The "elite lifestyle" super-store had a preview opening yesterday and celebrates its grand opening today.

Excitement ran high for shoppers who charged through the doors yesterday of the new Kapahulu Safeway, the largest in Hawaii, but some area residents were planning to picket the store's grand opening today.

"We never objected to the market, but we didn't know it was going to be that big," said Doug Olivares, who lives at the Holiday Parkway, an eight-story apartment building next door.

The Kapahulu supermarket held a preview party yesterday from 4 to 8 p.m.

Olivares said he and some of his neighbors will demonstrate outside the Safeway at today's grand opening.

Olivares' biggest beef is that a traffic light was installed on Kapahulu Avenue, backing up traffic and blocking his building's driveway. Kapahulu Avenue, a gateway into Waikiki, is often jammed with cars.

He said Safeway never asked the residents how they felt about it. "It's a safety issue and somebody's going to get injured," he said.

Holiday Parkway residents say they have had to put up with 13 months of concrete dust and debris, damaged or dirtied cars, apartments and the swimming pool filled with dirt, as well as construction noise.

The company listened to residents and pulled plans for gas pumps, widened Kapahulu Avenue and installed a left-turn lane into the store parking lot and traffic signal, said Brian Dowling, vice president of public relations for Safeway.

The company offered car-wash vouchers, and one vehicle that was subjected to paint overspray was taken care of, a Safeway official said.

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM Courtesy clerk Terry Dun handed out coupons yesterday at the door of the new Safeway on Kapahulu Avenue.

McMillan said the company is listening to Olivares, who suggested putting up a "do not block driveway" sign and other pavement markings to help the Holiday Parkway's residents.

Dwayne Cruz, Nordic Construction project superintendent for the store, said he was relieved that they met their deadlines.

But some residents who live in the Holiday Parkway were not complaining. One man said he thought if the traffic lights were synchronized, the problem would clear up.

Randall Carvalho, 44, who lives three buildings from the store, said the lights are a "good thing" because they slow down cars and allow pedestrians to cross busy Kapahulu Avenue.

"They speed like maniacs," he said.

Area residents walked to check out the Safeway.

"I live right behind Safeway," said Joan Lakins, 64, who waited to get in. "It's exciting. I'm gonna look all around, then decide (what to buy)."

Her son works at the Kapahulu Safeway as a courtesy clerk, and another one of her children works at the Manoa store.

Many visitors said they enjoyed the large aisles.

Royal Oshiro tasted a free steak sample and said, "We might change from Foodland (at Market City Shopping Center). Whoever gives the best service, quality of product. We'll see how it goes."

Francis Mansinon, 60, walked from Olokele Avenue. "It's so convenient to me," he said.

"It's amazing," he said. "It's a big store, but everything was laid out so beautiful.

"I'm kinda partial," he admitted. "My wife started working here, also."