Kailua

Kailua is in the midst a $35 million makeover by major landowner Kaneohe Ranch Co. that will bring in Whole Foods in addition to other national chain stores that already are open, which include Pier 1 Imports, the quick-service version of California Pizza Kitchen called CPK ASAP, and Cold Stone Creamery.

Chains are not new to the area, but Kailua’s commerce equation is largely local.

“I think the smaller boutiques that are family owned, locally owned … entices the residents to stay and shop in the area,” said Debbie Ah Chick-Hopkins, who owns the Global Village boutique along with her mother Sharrie and sister Dawn.
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WHEN Bob Weller decided to move his family from Stevens Point, Wis., to Hawaii in 1976, he subscribed to both Honolulu newspapers for a year to get a feel for what was going on. In particular, he paid attention to the real estate sections to get an impression of Oahu neighborhoods.

And so, when the family moved, they already knew they wanted to live in Kailua. “It seemed the best place to be,” said Weller. “Stevens Point is a pretty small place, and so we didn’t want to be in the big city or by freeways.”

Kailua fit the bill. It was big enough to have all the amenities but “small enough that you get to know everybody,” said Weller. “It also was small and flat enough, and there wasn’t a ton of traffic, that I could get around town easily on a scooter.”
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