U-Haul International Inc. is converting a former Kmart store in Kahului to the company’s first self-storage facility on Maui.

“I’m excited that we finally have a U-Haul-owned location on Maui,” Kaleo Alau, president of U-Haul Co. of Hawaii, said last week. “The Kahului community is bursting at the seams. Residents are having a hard time finding available self-storage for their belongings. This state-of-the-art store will satisfy that demand.”

U-Haul acquired the 107,520-square-foot building on the corner of Hana Highway and Dairy Road on Oct. 17. U-Haul is currently using the property as a temporary showroom, offering truck and trailer rentals and moving supplies.

Kmart was closed by parent company Sears Holding Corp. on June 18.

Alau said he plans to hire 10 employees for the new operation.