Business is looking up on Kauai. So much, that it reflects the strong confidence in this island today and down the road. And a key to economic growth is confidence — of investors, business owners and consumers. When you consider
Business is looking up on Kauai. So much, that it reflects the strong confidence in this island today and down the road. And a key to economic growth is confidence — of investors, business owners and consumers.
When you consider the projects in the works, this should be a good year for the local economy. Nothing fuels the economic engines like construction, and there’s plenty of that about to start here. First, there’s the McDonald’s in Waipouli Plaza. The $2.4 million project is expected to be completed later this year.
Next week, Safeway Property Development Centers will break ground on its Hokulei Village shopping complex at the corner of Nuhou Road and Kaumaulii Highway. The 56,000-square-foot Safeway Lifestyle store will be the anchor tenant of the 14-acre complex. Along with it, there will be a Walgreens pharmacy, a Petco pet supply store, a Jack in the Box, and other restaurants and businesses. The Safeway Lifestyle store should open late this year, with remaining tenants opening around the same time or early 2015.
There is more good news.
Sports Authority is coming to Kauai and is expected to open this spring at the Kukui Grove Center in the space once filled by the Sears electronic store. Pier 1 is also expected to open in the former Borders Books and Music location.
There is also a major renovation underway at the Kauai Marrott Resort, which means more construction, more jobs, more spending.
These developments are critical, because without growth, without new businesses coming in, the economy will stall. Construction creates jobs. The businesses standing once construction is complete provide more jobs.
Kauai is dependent on tourism, and tourism is strong right now. When it slows, however, we don’t want our economy to be devastated as it was in the last recession. As much as possible, our economy must try to diversify. New construction of places like Safeway and Walgreens is where it starts. We support such developments.
There will always be some who oppose such growth and new construction because they believe it takes away from what makes this island special. They have a point. We don’t want to overbuild. But plain and simple, there are many people here who need jobs. Controlled, planned growth can provide them. We should continue to bring in strong, viable businesses. The confidence of investors in Kauai is evident with these new projects — they like what they see here. So do we.
