MEDIA RELEASE

HONOLULU — The State of Hawai`i’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) is warning consumers that unredeemed credit or gift cards from KB Toys Inc. will soon be worthless. The bankrupt toy store chain — which has Hawaii stores on Oahu at Windward Mall, Kahala Mall, on Maui at the Queen Kaahumanu Center and on the Big Island at the Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo — has agreed to honor gift cards and merchandise credits at least through the close of business Jan. 11. “Consumers holding the gift cards must use them immediately, otherwise they’ll end up with nothing besides a worthless piece of plastic,” said Stephen Levins, executive director for OCP.

The company has agreed to several terms to protect consumers in connection with its store closing sales, including a promise that it will honor all warranties and accept returns of defective merchandise sold during the store closing sales.

KB operates 277 stores nationwide, including its four in Hawai`i.