Longs Drugs finally notices Waikiki

Locals have long enjoyed the convenience and variety offered by Longs Drugs stores — and it looks like soon tourists in Waikiki will, too.

Longs is planning to open its first Waikiki store at the former Teddy Bear World site on Kalakaua Avenue. The company is keeping mum on details for now, but the store is expected to be two stories with a pharmacy.

Of course, mainlanders are already familiar with the CVS brand, which is Longs’ parent company, so it’ll be interesting to see how the store gets branded — and the range of items it’ll stock. The pharmacy is sure to be a magnet, but will local produce like bok choy and papayas be offered?

Not all stakeholders had their say

There is some logic behind the proposal to reopen public access to the Haiku Stairs, with the public directed to park on state-owned property at Windward Community College.

It would acknowledge the lure of the ridge-climbing stairs leading to a breathtaking Koolau view, which draws hikers in the wee hours to trespass through private property before a guard arrives to stop them.

Neighbors should surely be happy about this plan.

But although City Councilman Ikaika Anderson extols the efforts of the stakeholders in the working group, at least one stakeholder seemed to be out of the loop: the college. Its officials seemed surprised by the group’s report and are seeking a written proposal.

One more seat at the table, please.