LIHUE — Jayson Rosales is not going home. During last Friday’s blessing celebrating the completion of a “freshening” project of the Lihue Walmart, Rosales was promoted to assistant store manager. “We’re keeping him,” said Crystal Fernandes, manager of the Lihue
LIHUE — Jayson Rosales is not going home.
During last Friday’s blessing celebrating the completion of a “freshening” project of the Lihue Walmart, Rosales was promoted to assistant store manager.
“We’re keeping him,” said Crystal Fernandes, manager of the Lihue Walmart.
Rosales came to the Kauai Walmart in August for the remodeling project, the first in five years and considered a “freshening” of the store.
“This is a pretty good place,” Rosales said.
During the remodeling, the store’s exterior and interior were repainted, new tile floors were installed, and the bathrooms were remodeled.
New counters, including self-checkout, replaced some of the cashier lines and other counters appeared in layaway, pharmacy and the courtesy desk areas.
The grocery section was remodeled with more refrigeration units, both freezer and chill, being added for a more streamlined and wider variety in that department. The refrigeration units, during its installation, created excitement when helicopters were utilized to set the units, which use energy-saving Light Emitting Diode technology.
Other departments were streamlined and, in some cases, relocated to make room for the expanded grocery offerings.
Kahu Mokihana Powers of the Kapaa First Hawaiian Church presided over the small blessing ceremony celebrating the completion of the Kauai “freshening” project which took place outside the store.
During the fiscal year ending in 2012, Walmart spent more than $227.8 million for merchandise and services with 409 suppliers, and supported 21,986 supplier jobs throughout the state of Hawaii.
The Lihue Walmart is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. until midnight.
• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
