How can you justify only having one cashier open during the middle of the afternoon. then not to do anything about it despite several employees seeing the line was starting to wrap around the store. rediculous. read more

Safeway - Grocery Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

The Bakery at Safeway Hamakua is excellent. They filled an order for 2 dozen cupcakes for our son's birthday party. I asked for the cupcakes with green frosting, mentioning off hand the Minecraft theme for the party. When I picked up the cupcakes, I was pleasantly surprised to see they created the exact shade of green and frosted the edges delicately in black, which matched the theme perfectly. The cupcakes were moist and delicious. Not to mention the excellent value for the price! The Bakery exceeded my expectations, and I will be placing future orders with Safeway Hamakua. read more

Mahalo to employee , Ian! I wanted the 12ft. Santa Claus. Unfortunately, the only one available was the display model. Ian took down my information, contacted the manager, Byron, who agreed to take down the display for me to purchase. read more

This review is not for the store overall but for this store's 8 piece dark meat country fried chicken. It appears that the four pieces of thighs were either in the heater for far too long or reheated in the oven prior to packaging. The drumsticks were lighter in color and were fine. If this is their quality control then I would question their other prepackaged deli products. This deli product was purchased last night and consumed yesterday and today. I heated the first portion in the oven for approximately 4 to 5 minutes at 350 degrees. Which yielded the dry chicken and got the same results heating under normal setting for 3 minutes. Again the drumsticks were not dry like the thighs. I have taken a photo of the chicken after heating in the microwave oven for only 3 minutes on regular setting. It was not even on high. I'm writing this review to alert others regarding this store's deli food quality. You really need to look closely as you may end up with substandard food here. Don't let the appearance of the deli fool you. read more

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I really like the Kailua Safeway (200 Hamakua Dr.) Particularly, I want to give a "shout out" to Kathi Clawges, working in the Deli section. She makes the BEST sandwiches ever!! She is very personable, and wants to give people the EXACT sandwich you want. ( I have a favorite, so I made her a laminated card with all the specs listed). She does a fantastic job ! I wish the rating could go up to 15 instead of "only" 5. Kailua Safeway can be very proud of this lady. She is a MAJOR draw for me to do my shopping there. I place my order with her - go do my shopping, go back and pick up my my" custom" made to order sandwiches, and check out, fast and easy. read more

I went to Safeway yesterday with my daughter. After loading our groceries into our car, i put the cart away in the parking lot, WITH MY PURSE still in the cart. I LEFT. 8 minutes later I realized my purse was missing. Racing back to the store we found out, an employee saw a young man running up to the cart and going through the purse. He yelled at him and took the purse. I am so grateful to this young man. I was so upset that I didn't get his name, and I was not allowed to give him a reward..... All I lost was the little cash I had in my purse, however my IPHONE, wallet, checkbook, camera......all was in my purse. He has no idea how much money and never mind my ID's , he saved me. I am so grateful. THANK YOU THANK YOU. It was a day for a Vodka Shot at 11 AM!! lol read more

Drive Up & Go is a joke. They say to choose your earliest pickup time, then tell you not to leave for the store until the actual pickup time. Waited over an hour for my order and could've shopped myself and been done in less than 1/2 that time. I've ordered from Safeway on the mainland multiple times from multiple locations and have never had my order not ready at the pickup time. For a service that is supposed to be convenient, what an utter inconvenience! read more

This review is for their customer service Department. I usually like writing star reviews but their customer service deserves NO stars. I usually park in the handicap stall but none was available, so I parked farther. I did my shopping, came out, sandwiched between 2 large trucks. I had to leave my cart unseen for some moments as I wiggled into my car, and by the time I got groceries in, my phone with EVERYTHING in it was gone from the cart! Frantic, I hobbled back to the store to tell the CS cashier CHASE. He had 2 people, I said "someone stole my phone can I have help or did anyone turn one in??" Not even looking up or acknowledging me, Chase says "You'll have to wait, I'm with customers"! WHAT?!! I told him "Everything and $200 was in it, is there someone else that can help me?" Chase still wouldn't look at me and said " I'm the only one with a key to the safe and busy right now, you'll have to wait". I was flabbergasted. The customers tried to help me, so I went to the cashier that I was at and couldn't find it in her area, even the customer in line looked. I went back to CHASE, and said "Can I use your phone to call my husband ?" And his response " I'm almost done". NEVER looked at me, called for another Manager to help, ask the customer if he minded if he could wait a moment ( he said he would've to me!). After Chase was done, he just handed me the phone, didnt ask for my name or number if they find it, I had to TELL him to take my name and number and all he asks is what color is it, after I told him my ID and CCs are in there with my name! Never called me back to tell me he asked around or that they did or didn't find it. I want to go back and tell the Manager of the store, he was the WORST Customer Service representative ever, he wouldn't even look at me to say wait your turn!! Not only that I have to go back because they overcharged me AGAIN because of wrong pricing issues! Plus they ran out of there advertised SPAM and when I asked one worker, he couldn't help because he had to "stay in his own little area" Argh!!! Clean store with the worst service, I will not be shopping here again, and parking is terrible. read more

Did the self checkout. I was having issues. Worker came and fixed the problem, didn't say a word, had a disgusted look on her face. Didn't say goodbye. Very disappointed with Safeway. I was there at 948am. Was there for $5 Friday. read more

Love this neighbor hood store, employees are great with helping where ever is needed. I've been shopping here since the 90's, love that fact that I can do my banking and pick up my prescription all in the same location. read more

Every so often when I am in Kailua I will stop by the Safeway on Hamakua Drive to pick up my groceries before I head back home in town. Right in the heart of Kailua town, this location is convenient with plenty of parking available and open 24 hours. Although some items are slightly higher in price than Don Quiote, they do have a nice selection of fresh produce where the other day I bought some of their extra large nectarines on special. The nectarines were the size of an apple. They were HUGE! Inside Safeway is a deli, bakery, florist, pharmacy, fresh fish counter and even a Bank of Hawaii where I can do my banking (opens at 10 am). Safeway provides excellent customer service. They are not only friendly but also helpful by offering to take my groceries to my car which is something that all grocery stores should provide to their customers. read more

I really like this Safeway location. They have a plethora of items available and I really enjoy the large selection. This is my fave location because they have a deli, fish section, bakery, bank and pharmacy all in here! It's pretty convenient. The Just4U program is pretty awesome also, and I get some good personalized deals on my phone when I downloaded the app. I never have any problems locating what I need and the store is just the right temperature. (I know that sounds weird but some stores have AC that is up wayy too high, but not this one.) Lots of parking too! The store is always clean and they are open 24 hours! (The best part.) It is true, some of the customer service reps aren't always super friendly or happy but I mean come on - they might have had a long shift (they are open 24 hrs) or just the fact that they are working at safeway might be a little bit of a bummer - whatever it is, I like to give them a break and I am not as picky as some of these other reviewers in regards to customer service at Safeway. They probably won't smile at you or show you where to find something, but they are quick at the lines in check out and I don't really need someone walking through my grocery process so it's all good with me. If I break it down, it looks like this: Selection: 5 stars Ambiance: 5 stars Customer Service: 3 stars Overall, a good spot and I will continue to do my weekly shopping here. read more

These stores are a disgrace. Expensive, dirty and unorganized. Pricing inaccurate, Service sort of mild neglect and a always dred goi g to Safeway. Conditions of each Safeway are more like FOOD FOR LESS. Except they are nice, great quality and clean stores. read more

Safeway is a little expensive when you want to go grocery shopping compared to the NEX. But other than that they do have a wider variety of certain items there. read more

Several weeks ago we started planning a small cake for our beach wedding. I couldn't find a local bakery in Kailua but I found a Safeway. I forgot about the time difference, me being in Arizona. Mona answered the phone even though she was already off for the day. She was very sweet and told me about my cake options. She took down my phone number and said she would text me so she could send me some pics of cake options. She sent me pics and we texted back and forth about my likes and dislikes. She was so kind and professional and just wanted us to be happy with the finished product. I messaged her a couple days before the wedding to make sure everything was finalized and she assured me that it would be ready by noon on the 6th. My sister went to pick up the cake and sent me a picture. I was in awe of how beautiful the cake was. Mona told me that Mari was the decorator. It was also so delicious. The top was white cake with lemon filling with fresh strawberries. The bottom cake was chocolate with chocolate mousse filling with fresh strawberries. Yummy! Thank you to Mona & Mari for making our wedding cake so special! read more

Safeway - Grocery Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

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This review is specific to the delivery service. I switched from a different grocery delivery to Safeway because I have had a long history using Safeway as my main supermarket. I have never been so disappointed in a service. Every single time I have ordered there has been a problem. The problems range from not showing up to missing items and a plethora in between. The employees who represent the service have been of little, to no help. Last week I called about a missing item. Had I not suggested bringing the item to me which still has not occurred, which means Safeway successfully stole from me, the employee would have just stuck with the awkward apology she gave when I told her the issue. When there are items such as potatoes, an item which comes in many varieties, when its not what you ordered, the correction most often is to not contact and don't purchase. Rather than, contact customer and ask to satisfy. I think there is a management issue in the quality assurance of the delivery program. It is failing to track results and improve performance. At least from my armchair. Tonight 30% of the items I ordered were supposedly out of stock. Cooking oil, not included in my dinner tonight because the specific brand was not in stock and "same size, similar brand" becomes synonymous with the definition of zero. read more

I have to rave about my service last night. So, my son is turning 19 today and he never asks for special things. But, after he's said no need for a cake, several times... he mentions he misses the chocolate mousse cake from Safeway. It's 24 hours before his dinner celebration, and I am so bummed that I can't make that happen. But, after calling several stores I get in touch with Aikahi Bakery and they suggest I try one more location: the Hamakua Drive Safeway. So at 730pm, when the bakery should be long closed I chanced it. And Carla actually answers. She's super polite (even though my phone connection sucks) and puts me on hold for less than two minutes to physically check if there's a cake able to be ready by 5pm the next day. I tell you, I was so happy and relieved to find out she could make it happen. So, for once in the last 19 years my son is gonna have the exact birthday cake he asked for. Shes even gonna have happy birthday written on it and have it ready when i get off work. I'm so extremely grateful for Carla and the super helpful girls who answered my frantic calls last night. I'm super impressed by them. And had to give them kudos! Thank you guys so so much!!! read more

It was weird to walk into such a familiar place while being out of town. The groceries are more expensive but they do have safeway member deals. There is a redbox inside the store and a water dispenser machine outside. read more

The Pharmacy is getting worse. They have run out of items, not followed through on things and have neglected to inform you when things are ready. The four stars are for the grocery end if their business. The store manager, Allen, is great and always helping out wherever needed. read more

this was my very first time to shop at this location. I was surprised that they had a self checkout line, which made very fast and easy versus standing in the long lines. I was glad to see that this location gained a self checkout line, which wasooooo good and quick. This location was a well organized layout of the store and it was good to have a great idea to have self checkout in this area of the store and it is very quick and easy to use, which you can scan the Safeway club card first, then you scan or key in the items code and then you can pay. Once you are ready to leave the store, make sure that you get your change from the dispenser and then you are done. I really appreciate having a self checkout area so that way i don't have to stand in long lines and it will make it quick and easy so that way you can be on your way. I recommend checking out this location when you go shopping for your needs and if you need money, they have a in branch bankoh inside, which was sooooo good to have in case you need $$. read more

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Terrible customer service ! Trying to call the store and no answer. I was on hold for 20 minutes . How can you run a store like this without having someone to answer a phone call from your regular customer ? Just poor management. read more

Great food selection and friendly staff. Open 24/7 too... There's 3 Safway's to choose from in Kailua, but this one is the largest and has the best inventory. Convenient pharmacy with full service bakery, fish counter, and deli read more

JANA ROCKS!!! This Safeway always has what I need, but more importantly, I continue to return due to Miss JANA! She is AMAZING!! I'm a night owl, so I typically do my shopping at night which is when I see her. I hope this message gets to corporate Safeway and in turn rewards her hard work and dedication. She ALWAYS has a smile on her face no matter what time it is! I appreciate businesses with employees who remember my face, really care, and make it a personable experience. As long as JANA is on the other side of the register, I will absolutely continue my business at Safeway Kailua. read more

I can honestly say this is the best Safeway in Kailua, unfortunately this isn't saying much for Safeways in Kailua. You have a slightly better chance of finding the food you want here, but you still may go home empty handed. I have no idea why anyone would purchase precooked food from the deli. If you want precooked food, this store is not the right place. It doesn't even look appealing. I do pick up quite a few medications from the pharmacy. I learned my lesson about going right after I got the automatic phone alert telling you that your medications are ready. It's a lie! They are not ready! They are trying to meet this criteria of filling prescriptions within a certain timeframe. I believe that another well known pharmacy chain is doing the same thing. As long as you know that this is happening, it will save you aggravation. Their produce is usually very fresh. It's not always as local as I'd like. For that I have to go to Foodland. The prices on produce can be quite reasonable. Their parking lot can be an issue as Kailua has gotten so busy. Timing is everything. I will continue to shop there, but I know the items that are good and those that are not so good. read more

Safeway - This Safeway is pretty nice - Grocery Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

***review highlight: roaches in unsealed bread bags*** now my long sob story: this safeway is convenient to my apt ,and open 24 hours, but last night was the last straw: last night.... I stood patiently in line while earlier customer insisted his dog food was priced wrong... without verification, cashier then sold customer $20 bag of premium dog food for about $5.... then cashier refused to accept my $10 safeway coupon I had earned on one of their previous promotions. (he kept the coupon though). but not taking my $10 off Safeway coupon was just the last straw... on previous visits: -roaches found in unsealed bread bags from bakery dept.. they sit out all night so anything can crawl in them... I bought a loaf that had sesame seeds on it.... boy was I surprised when some of the "sesame seeds" darted out of the bag at high speed under their own power as I was unpacking my groceries... their juiciness upon being smashed with an open palm revealed that they were not in fact new GMO mutant sesame seeds but simply plain old roaches. -eggs in a weird display stacked on their side facing forward and stacked high so they are easily and often cracked...expensive and confusingly unpriced as well. no reason for this but laziness... this way they don't have to actually unpack the egg boxes and rotate the stock -one night I had to bag my own groceries while two young safeway employees sat on milk crates in the aisle in plain view reading magazines off the magazine display FOODLAND HERE I COME ! read more

Yay products and sale items! Boo cashiers and courteousy clerks! You will notice my check-ins on Yelp at Safeway (6) and my check-ins at Foodland (130-Duchess status), That is because of the obviously unfriendly. non-customer-friendly faces I see when I walk in to this store. These people would all rather be outside smoking a cigarette than helping you get the things you need. The store is fully stocked with everything I could possibly need. However because it is SO UNFRIENDLY i don't EVER shop at any Safeway. Well, I went to the Beretania one once cause it was new but only cause I wanted to try out those cute mini carts. But that's a whole 'nother review. If you're grouchy to Foodland Kailua. read more

This review is only about the Pharmacist, went in today, omg this person has zero social skills. Talked with a few people after, sad they all knew who I was talking about. Definitely will be going elsewhere. read more

I often shop at the Safeway's in town. This one in particular has a good selection and good fresh deli products. However, I have noticed at least 3 separate times now their packaged deli cheeses (Lucern, Sargento, etc.) are moldy. Huge amounts of mold right in the packages, in a very messy display. I've pointed this out to managers, who assure me they will look at it - yet it keeps happening. Seems to me there is a lack of attention to detail in this Safeway, that makes me wonder about other sections. read more

Overpriced. Target is right next door and prices are always lower. Also the cashier at the self checkout is very rude and unfriendly. I think her name is Leilani read more

I remember when Kailua Town Safeway opened in the 80's. It was so exciting! A newer, bigger, better Safeway! The store was shiny and clean, the employees were friendly, the prices were low. Flash forward 30+ years... The parking lot is heavily pitted and you're treated to Mr. Toad's wild ride with your cart on the way to and from your car. The opening of the store is too small. For the amount of people who shop there it is silly that only one person with a cart can fit through the door at one time. I would recommend moving the entrance to where the cold cuts/cheese section is (a wall big enough for a far larger opening door) and relocating those items to the alcove that is the current gauntlet, maze-like entrance. There is an employee stationed at the self-checkout at most times of the day, however a shopper is hard pressed to elicit even a kind look. A bored semi-1000-yard stare is the customary facial expression. A while back Safeway seemed to be attempting to better their customer experience by having employees interact with the customers more... I felt like I was being pounced on every time I shopped there and their queries were disingenuous. That lasted a few short months and then it was back to 99% of the employees looking bored, unhappy and seemingly could care less if you shop there or not. They definitely seem to have no workplace pride. I recently did a price comparison for items I bought often. Coffee mate creamer:$8.99. (6.99 at Foodland) Foster farms ground Turkey: $7.99 (4.99 at Times) Roman Meal 12 grain bread: $5.79 (4.79 ) The lines can be long at the checkout and it takes some pointed stares from the snake-like line before they add a checker. I was shocked when I went in last week and the cashier was texting while checking out my items. TEXTING!!! My opinion is that phones can be left in the employee locker room and looked at during break... NOT while waiting on customer. It's bad form to allow customers to encounter an employee surfing the net or texting someone when they are working. I was flabbergasted! Safeway needs to clean house. The vast majority of this particular stores employees are dour, unfriendly, slow moving and sometimes rude (TEXTING!!). Stop by Whole Foods... Employees are happy, they thank you for bringing your reusable bags (and credit you 10¢... Safeway? .00), the employees restocking in the aisles are friendly and helpful but unobtrusive. (Nary a cell phone in sight! ) Granted WF is a young, hip company... But it makes for a wonderful shopping experience. Foodland has a smaller selection but their prices are often better, their checkers are always genuinely friendly, the store is bright and clean, updated, great lighting, and I love the gourmet section in R Field. There's a sense of hominess to that store. Times has the best looking produce and the prices are usually half of what Safeway charges. I was justifying my shopping trips to Safeway because of its 20¢ /gallon with Chevron promo... But the money I save shopping elsewhere, even stopping at two different stores, in addition to the unpleasant environment and the aloof employees, has convinced me that SAFEWAY in Kailua Town is a last option shopping stop for me. read more

Reality tiny Safeway with the basic necessities. Because of that, parking is lacking. Staff are friendly and helpful.

If you watch for the sales then its about the best prices you can get although certain items right next door are regularly cheaper. $5 Fridays will have things for sale NOT listed in the ads so you have to cruise through the isles to find them but they can be very good deals. Lately I think they turned down the temperature in the store so I bring long sleeves at the very least! read more

Local help NOT friendly! I asked a woman "where are the refrigerated pickles Vlasic or Claussen", she didn't answer but pointed towards the canned goods. I repeated my request and even gave her the name brand,again. Without saying a word, she walked towards the refrigerated section where I was heading ....and when she found them....she said" how about those?" As if I was an idiot and should have found them on my own. This is about the tenth time someone has been rude in this store. I only go here for the one item I forgot at Whole Foods or Foodland. Most of the checkers are so surly/unfriendly its as if they hated me, or the store, or their job. I always sware I'll never go there again, but I live close by!!!!!!! Pharmacy is great tho.! read more

I called this safeway asking if they had the hamburger that was on sale and when I first called the person that answered was very rude and once she answered my question, she hung up without asking if we had any other question. We then called back which they took a long time to answer and someone different answered and we asked them our second question got an answer with attitude and once again without seeing if we had another question, the worker said "k bye". read more

We shop Safeway on the west coast as well and never have had any complaints. The prices are always competitive and their stores nice and clean. read more

As much as I like to bag my own groceries, it would be nice if the cashier would bring down the items instead of having myself reach for it.

This rating is for the bakery only, as the rest of the store was a bit disorganized and in need of stronger leadership (an unfortunate standard for Hawaii). Usually when you have to go to a bakery at a grocery store your scraping the bottom of the barrel, and I was dreading doing this. I knew I messed up not ordering from an actual bakery in advance, or so I thought. However, it's not often when you run into an obviously educated, intelligent, well mannered and literate worker in any business in Hawaii, let alone a bakery in a Safeway of all places. Imagine my surprise when that was exactly what I found. Mona was an absolute problem solver for me. She helped me select an already decorated cake and even added the happy birthday message and name for free. She also decorated some cupcakes for me to match. I was super impressed with Mona I could see she was running a tight ship and her workers were focused and productive. I think with the experience and education she has, she should be running the store not just the bakery....are you listening Safeway, if not you should be. read more

Good grocery store. Almost always have everything I need. The deli is really good too! I love their sandwiches! Open 24/7. Just make sure you have a Safeway card for the good savings, it'll also give you a good amount off of Chevron gas the more it racks up. read more

I've been a loyal customer of this Safeway for 17 years. In the last 6-9 months, overall cleanliness and appearance has greatly deteriorated, inside and out. The worst, though, is the refrigerated milk case. It's always had a slight odor, but for the last 6-9 months, it has had crusty dried yellow brown milk in the case. Appears it is never washed. Tonight was the worst -- brown slime (I'm guessing spoiled milk) was dripping from an inside portion of the rack onto new product below. I'm taking my business elsewhere. Very disappointed at this store's deterioration. It is an eyesore in our community, from the faded sign above to the old linoleum inside. read more

While the employees at this Safeway are friendly and helpful, the exterior environment is terrible, particularly on the Aoloa/Hamakua side. Honking (not just beeping, but honking) trucks enter that side all night long, despite the 11-7 good neighbor rule, and trash bins and grocery carts litter the place. There is no attempt to beautify the place, despite the fact that this Safeway borders a residential area. It is an eyesore, as well as an earsore: no landscaping, no flower wall, frequent litter and abandoned grocery carts, loud music from the cars late at night, occasionally incessant car alarms. It is a real blight on the neighborhood. I don't understand why the property owners are so oblivious and I would think that the Safeway managers would have a say in the exterior environment. This is not a reflection on the service folks, though. read more