KAILUA-KONA — The owner of a Naalehu Shopping Center hopes to bring new life to the aging center.
Nalu Aio LLC, owned by father and son real estate investors Duane and Robert Kurisu, purchased the Naalehu Shopping Center in May from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg’s 300 Corp.
The 150,892-square-foot complex, built in 1925, is the current home to a laundromat, Will and Grace Filipino Variety Store, Parents Inc., Bee Boys and the Land Office LLC. It’s assessed value is $1.4 million.
Its anchor store, Island Market, the only area grocery store, closed in February 2015.
The next closest grocery stores to the town are in Ocean View and Pahala.
Duane Kurisu said they are seeking a new anchor tenant before making any additional plans for the building.
Kurisu’s La‘i LLC also owns Punaluu Bake Shop down the street from the shopping center. The popular bakery, famous for its Punaluu Sweet Bread, includes a lunch counter with sandwiches and plate lunches, a visitor’s center and gift shop.
The 300 Corp. still maintains ownership of the adjacent Naalehu Theatre, which has sat empty and deteriorated since 2006.
Kurisu said he would like to see the shopping center become “a center for the community to congregate to build a better Naalehu.”