Chick-fil-A planned for Kailua draws resident concerns

Oct 03, 2026

A new Chick-fil-A is coming to Kailua, Hawaii, which worries neighbors who expect traffic jams and water runoff problems.

  • The chain has leased four parcels at a corner site in Kailua, including the lot behind an old sports bar now used for parking.
  • Construction is not set to start until 2028.
  • Neighbors fear the restaurant will be so popular that drive-thru lines will spill onto nearby streets.
  • The site sits next to wetlands and a marsh, so heavy rain could wash construction and demolition debris into the water.
  • The city has already looked at traffic and environmental reviews, and residents can send comments to the project's planners until October 23.

Outlook: Expect pushback over traffic and runoff during the comment period, with any real construction still years away.

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