Longtime Kauai family business sold

A Lihue-based company established in 1958 has been purchased by Aloha Petroleum Ltd. for undisclosed terms. 

The parent company of Aloha Petroleum is Texas-based Sunoco LP.

Kauai’s MFM Inc., led by Charles and Derek Kawakami and Kurt and Gertrude Toma among other officers, is the parent company behind more than a dozen familiar Kauai trade names such as Menehune Food Mart, the Kukui Nut Tree Inn Restaurant, Kauai Kitchens, and others.

The Aloha Petroleum acquisition includes the Shell station and Shell Food Mart in Kapaa; the Shell station, Menehune Food Mart and Subway restaurant in Kilauea; the Menehune Food Marts in Kapahi and Kekaha, and the Subway restaurant in Eleele Shopping Center. 

Aloha Petroleum will continue to operate under the current retail brand names for the time being, and is offering jobs to all existing employees.

“The acquisition is a great opportunity to grow our retail store operations on the island of Kauai, and we look forward to continuing to service and cater to the needs of the local residents,” said Richard Parry, president and chief executive officer of Aloha Petroleum, Ltd., in a statement.