Located adjacent to the new Courtyard Marriott Hotel, Laie’s newly built fast food chain is going to be back in business. According to Envision Laie, the targeted soft opening day will Sept. 17. The closest McDonald’s restaurants to Laie are located in Haleiwa and Temple Valley, but now students and community members alike won’t have to travel very far at all to get their McDonald’s fix.
Zephan Mukki, a landscaper with Innovative Landscapes Inc., has been working on features around the property in preparation for the opening. “From start to finish it will have taken us about two months to finish. But the end is near.” Mukki said the company is contracted to landscape all of the McDonald’s on the island, as well as most of the military installations.
Jim Derramas, a construction worker for Associated Builders Inc., said, “We are winding down the work. All that is left to do is finish the floors, and some of the electrical wiring.” Derramas explained after their portion of the construction is done, maintenance crews will arrive on scene and add the finishing touches. “Everything has got to be clean and well-presented so that this place can become functional.”
According to Derramas, McDonald’s has been carrying out trainings and interviews at their franchise in Kaneohe. “When the McDonald’s becomes functional here in Laie, so will the employees because of their previous training in Kaneohe.”
Brett Solomon, superintendent of Associated Builders Inc., said his company outbid several others for this project. “It’s a unique project.” Solomon said this McDonald’s isn’t like the others. Hawaii Reserves Inc., the land management company for the Church in Hawaii, had particular specifications it wanted to add in order to help enhance the community and give it “a local feel.”
Solomon explained, “The roof on the Laie McDonald’s isn’t typical of others that you see. Another change that HRI implemented was the plaster finish on the outside walls.”
According to Solomon, there will be some familiar aspects to it as well, such as a McFlurry machine, free Wi-Fi for all the guests, and a similar interior. This project will not include a playzone.
Solomon stated HRI had requested McDonald’s close its doors on Sundays, but a special contract was made giving McDonald’s the right to stay open. “McDonald’s will pretty much be the only place open on Sundays here in Laie. I think because of that it will drum up a lot of business,” he said. “It seems like everyone here is excited about the opening of McDonald’s. I haven’t heard much opposition,” stated Solomon as he was comparing other developments in the area.
Sarah Maddock, a junior studying social work from Utah, said she was sad to see the old McDonald’s torn down but is excited to see the new one that has been constructed. In reference to her experience at McDonald’s, Maddock jokingly stated it means “7 bucks taken from my wallet and some heartburn.”
Cecilyn Crosby, a junior studying music from Texas, is excited about the reopening but isn’t too excited about the effects. “McDonald’s means straight gains,” she said, commenting on possible weight gains.
McDonald’s is expected to open its doors to customers starting early next week. Solomon stated the grand opening will come later, so this “soft opening won’t overwhelm the employees.”
McDonald’s is recruiting and training people to help staff the Laie branch. Positions are starting out at $9 an hour.