Hawaii’s Natural High, a longtime seller of smoking paraphernalia and accessories, will close its Kapahulu store by June 30 as the state’s first medical marijuana dispensaries prepare to open, one just several blocks away.
After 36 years, owner Greg Azus, also a local entertainment promoter, said he plans to close the shop where he works at least 60 hours a week, to concentrate more on his promotions business and his 14-year-old daughter. The store, known for its commercials featuring comedian Tommy Chong of the marijuana-themed Cheech &Chong films, was in Waikiki for 32 years before moving to 465 Kapahulu Ave. four years ago.
“It’s not a good time to decide to bow out, but there are other factors. I’m getting older. (My daughter) is a big reason because she’s going to start high school and I know I need to be home more,” said Azus, a 62-year-old single dad who lives in Hawaii Kai. “My heart has to be all into it and at this point, I know I need to have a change. I’ve done it for long enough. You want to enjoy some part of your life at this point.”
Azus moved to Hawaii from Chicago 40 years ago with $2,500 in his pocket. He hustled and worked at flea markets before eventually opening the store known for its tie-dyed shirts, incense, pipes and other trinkets. The business, which generates annual revenue of about $125,000, saw sales grow 10 percent to 15 percent percent in 2016.
Over the years, Azus has owned Pipeline Cafe as well as other boutique shops.
He said he is open to selling the business, but so far nothing has come up.
“If the right opportunity presented itself, I’d like to see the business continue,” he said. “If someone came up and had an interest in buying the merchandise, name or both — that would be great. In the meantime, I’m proceeding with closing at the end of the month. I think it’s a good opportunity (for another owner). You have a dispensary opening three blocks down from us. That’s going to be a big opportunity because they don’t sell paraphernalia there. Once dispensaries open … more people will come and buy that stuff. This is a good location.”
