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Lilly Pulitzer + Target @ Kailua

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So thankfully, I missed it all. Heck, I didn’t even know about it but just happened to be at Target when the Lilly Pultizer collaboration released. Fashionistas had known about this day, lining up outside retail stores early in the morning or swarming Target.com. By the time, I was at the Target in Kailua, this is what remained of the Lilly clothing line.

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Actually, when I first walked by the rack, it was completely barren. But seems like a few items made it back to the rack. In the back of the store, there was another section for home items, mostly towels at this point. Sorry no pictures, and sorry to the fans who missed out on the Target + Lilly line that supposedly is not being restocked.

Not sure if it was related, but the in-store Target guest wifi network wasn’t behaving as well. Once you connected to that network, Internet traffic was super slow and yes, Target.com and its app just would keep throwing errors. Taking a look at the hashtag of #LillyforTarget, you can still get a glimpse of the nationwide craziness and the unhappiness of empty handed shoppers. In the store, I felt compelled to move some of these pastel colored goza mats into the Lilly Pulitzer section just to see what would happen.

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Looking at the Lilly line on-line, personally, I’m not sold. Oh, I’m definitely sold on the hype of the product line, loving and hating brands that can create enormous buzz (looking at Apple and Nike). For my tastes, I described the Target + Lilly line as “Easter Hawaiian,” meaning Hawaiian style prints in Easter pastel colors, but some items are eye catching.

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But really who am I trying to kid? While I may not be a fan of the Lilly designs I saw, if there was a collaboration between Lilly Pulitzer and Nike, I’d definitely be open minded and would consider rocking the “Nike + Lilly.”

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Retrain Your Brain at Starbucks Kailua

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Not too long ago, the Starbucks location in the heart of Kailua town closed for renovation. That was then, this is now.

Regular patrons, what do you notice right away? Yes, you have to retrain your brain and walk to the far end to place your order. It’s no longer the drink pickup area that’s now near the entrance.

You now go counterclockwise and pass by the counter of goodies.

Not sure what’s so special about this special edition Starbucks card. The “renovation complete” commemorative edition?

The small interior tables have been replaced with a higher seating capacity counter.

And look at the newest edition, the first Clover brew in Kailua!

I like the main lighting in the store…

Along with the accent lights over the Clover.

The reclaimed wood look prevalent in other Starbucks is here.

 But something else is different. What is it?

Oh yeah, I know… There’s no longer a second doorway! The street facing entrance is now a picture window framing the condiment bar.

So go ahead and retrain your brain on your next visit.

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The Local and Mahaloha Burger New to Kailua

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The new year has spurred on new small local businesses in Kailua with the opening of The Local and soon, Mahaloha Burger. Located down the street from the new Target, these businesses are poised to benefit from increased foot traffic in the area.

The Local is a hybrid store selling clothing items in one half and shave ice in the other. The shave ice is flavored with natural syrups such as Mountain Apple, Kona Coffee, Chili Peppa, and 4 Kine Lime.

I haven’t yet sampled their goods, but I want to pick up one of their shirts.

From The Local, head towards Target, and you’ll come across Mahaloha burger. Like The Local, natural is the motif of Mahaloha’s burgers. It’s a two-story location and construction looks well incomplete. Their signs advertise a loco moco burger which I’m surprised I haven’t seen done before.

So next time when you’re in the 96734, you have a few more places to check out.

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Target Kailua Soft Opening

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The Target location in Kailua had their soft opening today with the grand opening scheduled for Sunday, March 8. Open to the general public for the first time, the people of Hawaii didn’t disappoint. There was an expected line to get in as many thought today was the official grand opening.

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The shopping carts were quickly snapped up as the people kept on coming.

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I didn’t grab a cart but instead, opted to zip around unencumbered, and you know what? From what I saw, this Target looks like any other Target you’ve been to. Check out the familiar bath section.

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Here’s the electronics section.

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The groceries.

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Although I love the layout of the milk containers. Reminds me of the Matrix movie for some reason.

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The toy section was happening as serious Hot Wheels collectors picked through the virginal batch of cars. I found the latest Lego Minifigures series along with the newest line of Lego Elves.

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Some of the sale items advertised in last Sunday’s ad were wiped out already on the first day of shopping.

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Sadly, no new flavors of Mountain Dew Kickstart were available like at the other locations. Just the usual ones.

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The Target dog wasn’t on-hand today but his replica was. But I didn’t take a selfie.

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The Starbucks inside wasn’t as crowded as I expected, and there is another location just down the block.

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All shopping carts were accounted for, and you had to hunt for one.

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The plentiful parking disappeared as well. The connecting lane joining Safeway was still blocked off. All I can say is that Boots and Kimo’s is gonna be nuts with this Target (and its parking) open across the street.

Be sure to watch the local news tonight for in-depth coverage. Every channel was there. Anyways, here are more of my rushed pics. I didn’t want to stay too long as more and more people entered the building. Although I must say that since this location is so huge, even with all the shoppers, the store didn’t actually feel cramped or crowded. It was a comfortable shopping experience despite the craziness.

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Target Kailua Almost

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The newest Target in Kailua is set to open this week, and here are a few more pictures before the opening.

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Coming (oh so) soon

 

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Doors open March 8

 

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Interesting parking lot covering

 

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Lots of parking in-between

 

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Tons of parking in general

 

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Like the design touches

 

High Wind Damage

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The wind’s been whipping through Hawaii this Valentine’s weekend causing all kinds of damage. Check out the Windward side.

Fence down.

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More missing fence sections around the corner.

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Lots of broken branches.

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Blown out vinyl planks.

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Trees downed on the Pali.

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This is actually renovation being done at an McD. Not related to the winds as I initially thought.

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How’s the damage in your neighborhood?

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Target Kailua Coming Soon

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The sign is officially up – COMING SOON. And “Coming Soon” for the Target location in Kailua actually means two months with the opening set for March 8, 2015. It’s been a long time in the making with first rumblings of Target taking over the Don Quijote location back in 2009. Over this six-year journey, the pace has picked up greatly over the recent months to include neighboring road work to repave and re-stripe the lines and install a new traffic light. Only three months ago did the official Target signage go up.

While the exterior looks complete, the interior is still bare. The shelving is being installed, but there’s no inventory on the floor yet. Workers are busily getting the store ready and yes, there is police officer stationed there all the time.

Some highlights of this Windward location. The roadway entry is nicely decorated. There are touches of Hawaii to go along with the iconic red Target logo.

Speaking of that red Target logo…

The store itself is immense. You don’t realize how much real estate this location takes up until you walk from the Safeway side to the Post Office.

Accordingly, the parking lot(s) are huge as well. There are plentiful spaces on both sides of the main road entryway, and there are even more stalls on the Safeway side (maybe reserved for employees?). The paved grave material looks rough and rocky though.

No explanation needed for what this logo means. Looking in the window, the cafe area appears huge with space for lots of tables.

Living walls are only now beginning to take root.

Yes, there are two stalls for electric vehicles (sorry, there’s a coffee cup on top of the charger, but not mine).

The most significant change in my opinion? Connecting the Safeway parking lot. Yes, soon enough you can drive to the adjoining lots.

Just don’t mind the wild, free range chickens that’ll eventually roam the Target parking lots.

I can’t wait to check out the store in operation in March. Until then, here are a few more pictures of Target in late January.

Update: the Star Advertiser is reporting a March 4, 2015 opening date.

I’ve Eaten at a Conditional Pass Yellow Food Establishment

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And I’m okay. All around Hawaii, the Department of Health placards on are display at restaurants, and I actually found a location with a conditional pass aka “the yellow card.” The areas of improvement dealt with food temperatures and cross contamination of food (not sure what that means).

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But I’m here to say that after eating a Thai Chicken Pizza and a BBQ Chicken salad, me and the family are fine. Did you know that even green placards could mean a single infraction whereas two infractions warrant a yellow? Restaurants with a yellow card usually get a followup inspection within two days so hopefully, a green card will be displayed this week.

Target Kailua on Target

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The new Target location in Kailua is slowly coming together. I had a hidden hope that the store would be ready by year’s end, but there’s still a lot of work to be done. But the store is shaping up and looks on target to open in March of 2015.

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The bonus part? The interior lights are working and during the evenings, you can see an illuminated green mermaid logo in the window of Target. Yep, there’s a Starbucks inside of the store which is across the street from Starbucks.

Anyone got the ins with Target? I wouldn’t mind taking a tour of the work in progress or attending a soft opening. 😉

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