Walgreens says “Aloha” to Hawaii

HONOLULU Walgreens opened its first Hawaii store on Thursday with a traditional Hawaiian blessing.

The new store, a former Tower Records site, is the first of four Hawaii stores Walgreens plans to open in the next year. The nation’s largest drug store chain plans eventually to open as many as 30 stores in Hawaii.

The chain intends to place stores in Kalihi and Kaneohe on Oahu, and in Lahaina on Maui.

The 9,000-square-foot store, which will be open 24 hours a day, is smaller than typical Walgreens stores. The other stores planned on Oahu and Maui will be new constructions.

“More than 100 years ago our founder, Charles Walgreen Sr., would remind his customers, ‘You’re always welcome at Walgreens,’” Dana Psomas, Walgreens district manager for Hawaii, said in a statement. “Today, as we open our doors in Hawaii for the first time, we’re adapting that saying to, ‘E komo mai.’”

Clark Fujihara, Walgreen’s district pharmacy supervisor for Hawaii, emphasized the importance of having Walgreens present in the state, citing the ever-increasing demand for pharmacy services, and stated that services that are not currently offered in the state will be, such as drive-through pharmacies.