Costco Plans Second Oahu Location in Kapolei With 2027 Opening

Costco Wholesale Corp. announced plans Wednesday to open a second Oahu location in Kapolei, marking the first expansion of the warehouse retailer on the island in more than two decades.

The 148,000-square-foot store will be built on a 15.5-acre site in the Kapolei Commons development area, with construction expected to begin in late 2025 and doors opening to shoppers in early 2027.

The West Oahu location will serve the rapidly growing communities of Kapolei, Ewa Beach, Ko Olina, and surrounding areas that have long relied on the single Costco warehouse in Iwilei for bulk shopping needs.

“We’re excited to better serve our West Oahu members who have been traveling across the island to shop with us,” said Regional Vice President Sarah Kim in a statement. “This location will provide convenient access to our quality products and services for families and businesses in one of Hawaii’s fastest-growing regions.”

The announcement comes as West Oahu continues its transformation from agricultural land to bustling suburban communities. Kapolei’s population has nearly doubled since 2000, reaching approximately 21,500 residents, while the broader Ewa Plain has become home to more than 70,000 people.

Addressing Traffic and Travel Concerns

For many West Oahu residents, the weekly Costco run has meant navigating H-1 freeway traffic to reach the Iwilei warehouse near downtown Honolulu. The 20-mile journey can easily stretch to 45 minutes or more during peak hours.

Ewa Beach resident Maria Santos, a Costco member for eight years, said the new location will be “life-changing” for her family’s shopping routine. “Right now, we have to plan our whole Saturday around going to Costco because of the drive and traffic,” Santos said. “Having one right here in Kapolei means we can pop in after work or on weekends without it being this big production.”

The Kapolei store will feature Costco’s standard warehouse format, including a gas station, pharmacy, optical center, and food court. The company expects to hire approximately 200 full- and part-time employees for the location.

Economic Impact for West Oahu

City Councilman Brandon Elefante, who represents the Ewa-Kapolei district, called the announcement “fantastic news” for West Oahu’s economic development.

“This represents exactly the kind of major retail investment our community has been advocating for,” Elefante said. “It will create jobs, generate tax revenue, and reduce the burden on families who currently spend time and gas money traveling to town for bulk shopping.”

The Kapolei Commons site sits along Kamokila Boulevard, near the intersection with Kapolei Parkway. The development area already houses several major retailers including Target, Home Depot, and Lowe’s, making it West Oahu’s primary shopping destination.

Construction of the warehouse will require approval from the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting. Costco officials said they expect to submit building plans by mid-2025.

Meeting Growing Demand

Hawaii currently has three Costco locations statewide — the Iwilei warehouse on Oahu, plus stores in Kahului, Maui, and Kailua-Kona on the Big Island. The Iwilei location, which opened in 1985, has long been among the company’s highest-volume stores nationally due to Hawaii’s isolated location and residents’ preference for bulk purchasing.

Costco’s expansion plans align with broader retail growth in Kapolei, where several national chains have established West Oahu outposts in recent years. The area’s central location also makes it accessible to residents of the North Shore and Central Oahu who might find it more convenient than traveling to Iwilei.

The warehouse club model has proven particularly successful in Hawaii, where shipping costs make bulk purchasing attractive for both families and small businesses. Many local restaurants and retailers rely on Costco for inventory, making the West Oahu location potentially valuable for the region’s growing business community.

For Honolulu residents, the Kapolei Costco represents more than just convenient shopping — it signals the continued maturation of West Oahu as a self-contained community with the amenities and services that reduce dependence on urban Honolulu. As traffic congestion worsens and housing development pushes further west, retail options that keep residents closer to home become increasingly valuable for quality of life across the island.