A sister company of Hawaii’s largest grocery chain, Foodland Super Market Ltd., has acquired a family-owned grocery store in rural Haiku, Maui, and plans to reopen the market next week.
Foodland affiliate The Kalama Beach Corp. bought Haiku Grocery Store Inc. for an undisclosed price from Ray and Bobbi Nakagawa. The Nakagawas opened Haiku Grocery in 1995 and also previously operated Paia General Store and Paia Drive-In.
“My wife and I have been part of Maui’s north shore for more than 33 years, and it saddens us to say farewell,” Ray Nakagawa said in a statement. “I want to thank our employees, customers and friends for their support of Haiku Grocery Store over these last 20 years.”
The Nakagawas got into the retail industry in 1982 with Paia General Store and Paia Drive-In, which they closed in 2004.
Haiku Grocery closed July 15, though Kalama Beach plans to reopen it under the name Haiku Market on July 29 as work continues on remodeling that will convert some kitchen space in the 14,000-square-foot store into an area featuring fresh-made deli sandwiches and poke.
Kalama Beach said the store’s 27 former employees are encouraged to apply to work at Haiku Market, and that the number of jobs is expected to increase to between 30 and 35.
Haiku Market becomes the sixth grocery store under Kalama Beach, which operates five stores under the Malama Market name. There are 32 stores under the Foodland umbrella which include Foodland Farms and Sack N Save. Another related company, Food Pantry, operates two grocery stores under that name and one called Napili Market. All three companies — Foodland, Food Pantry and Kalama Beach — are affiliated with Honolulu-based The Sullivan Family of Cos., which also operates coffee shops, gift stores and apparel stores.
“Haiku Grocery Store has been an important part of life in Haiku, and we are committed to continuing its history of great service to the community at Haiku Market,” Alan Tsuruda, vice president of operations for Kalama Beach, said in a statement. “We are pleased to have this opportunity to serve Maui’s north shore customers and we applaud the Nakagawa family for all they have done for this community since opening their store 20 years ago.”
