The Honolulu Police Department was swamped with calls yesterday about a rumor that the Wal-Mart on Ke'eaumoku Street would become a target for gang violence.

HPD spokeswoman Michelle Yu said the rumor was circulated broadly by e-mail. "According to snopes.com, this is an urban legend that has been around since 2005," Yu said.

Yesterday, 911 operators were swamped with calls about the rumor, which said gang members would attack people at the Wal-Mart as part of an initiation.

Wal-Mart spokeswoman Kelly Cheeseman declined to say whether the Honolulu store received calls about the rumor, but she said the company was made aware of it and is "working with local authorities to enhance our security efforts at our stores in the area."

She also said, "While we take these types of situations seriously, we regard this as being only a rumor, much like similar rumors that have circulated via e-mail in previous years."

Cheeseman declined to elaborate on what extra security measures the store had put in place.

Yu said that more information on the Wal-Mart urban legend can be found at www.snopes.com/crime/gangs/walmart.asp.