HILO - The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has signed a lease agreement that will lead to the construction of Safeway and Target stores in Hilo.
Development will be on department land near Prince Kuhio Plaza, Hilo's largest shopping center. The stores are expected to open in 2011.
Target's 120,000-square-foot store is expected to employ about 300 people. About 200 people are expected to work at Safeway's 60,000-square-foot store.
DHHL Director Micah Kane says the agency is committed to building homes for Native Hawaiians, but also wants to improve the quality of life for those in the surrounding area.
