Family-run Kaneohe shop puts people ahead of profits

Even though Domenico’s Motorcycles specializes in repairing and selling two-wheeled vehicles, it’s the people that count at this cozy neighborhood shop that’s been around the Windward side for the past 46 years.

"When I came to Domenico’s 10 years ago," recalls Thomas "TC" Charters, 75, manager at large, "I was pretty much done with the big-box aspect of the industry. But since this place is family-run, I want to stay. I wouldn’t work anywhere else."

Kelli Inouye, 23, who grew up hanging around the store as a child and is now its parts manager, agrees. "I love the people, especially Paula."

Paula Grupido is the owner and widow of its founder, Domenico Grupido. "Motorcycles were Domenico’s life — he’d be working on them even after hours," remembers the Kaneohe resident, 74. "He was a natural mechanic — he could fix anything!

"And he would do anything for people. I remember one time a young boy brought his bike to show Domenico. Domenico said it was a pile of junk, and he had the mechanics rebuild it on the spot, for free.

"He was a good friend."

Domenic, as his buddies knew him, was from Caulonia, Italy, and moved with his family to Michigan in 1958. Homesick for Europe, he enlisted for three years in the Army hoping to be stationed there but instead got sent here to Schofield Barracks.

After serving in Vietnam, Domenico decided to return to Hawaii alone, still speaking little English. In the mid-’60s he got a job as a mechanic at Yamaha of Hawaii in Kailua, then quickly became its service manager, and when the company gave up the store in 1969, Domenico bought it and renamed it after himself.

In the early ’80s the shop moved to Kaneohe, and, after a few more moves around the area, in 1998 settled into its current location on Kahuhipa Street (the company owns the building).

Both previously married with children, Paula, a former administrative assistant for developer Chris Hemmeter, met Domenico in 1978 on the Windward side, and they later married.

Sadly, in 2006, Domenico died of a suspected aneurysm atop his Yamaha ATV that he used to go up and down the driveway to get the mail and the paper. "He died on his bike," said Grupido.

"He was so well respected, there were over 2,000 people at his funeral. There were bikers lining the road for 2 miles to get to John DeSoto’s ranch in Hale­iwa for the reception. Then they threw his ashes over the mountain in Kahuku and marked it with a granite marker and his helmet.

"He did so many nice things for people. If there was a two-day motocross race and someone broke their bike on the first day, Domenico would just take a bike off the floor and give it to them so they could finish the second day.

"There was one 92-year-old customer whose dream was to own a motorcycle. Domenico just asked the man to pay $10 once a month to ‘hold’ the bike, and he would come in every day with his friends to sit on the bike and say it was his. When the customer passed away a few years later, Domenico just gave his money back to the family."

The shop has weathered the ups and downs of the economy: "We’ve had bad times before, such as the 1978 energy crisis and the 2008 furloughs. In 2010 the Harley factory became territorial and wanted everything to go through the dealership in town. But still, I’d say business now is 25 percent better than in the past."

The store has a loyal following of not only its original customers, but also their kids and grandkids.

Since his death, Grupido has been trying to carry on Domenico’s legacy of friendly, reliable sales and service. "For the past two to three years, we’ve been ranked the top KTM dealer in the western U.S.," said Grupido proudly.

"We have three mechanics who can service any brand of bike. Don Mattice has 38 years’ experience in motorcycle repair, and I think he’s the best Harley mechanic in the entire state.

"And every Saturday we have a customer appreciation day, with free pastries, iced tea, coffee and dog toys."

As for the future, although none of her or Domenico’s children are interested in taking over the business, it’s possible some of the employees might.

The spry-looking Grupido — who does aerobics three times a week and doesn’t smoke or drink — wants "to hang on for at least 10 more years" on the job.

"I might die in my seat, like Domenic," she said.