Mom-and-Pop Shops

[Pomai]

The Honolulu Advertiser published a very interesting article today on Hawaii's mom-and-pop businesses (http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080427/BUSINESS17/804270327&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL), and how these hardworking first and second generation owner/operators struggle to find a suitable successor to continue it on.

One of the most notable transactions recently was the sale of Liliha Bakery (http://tastyisland.wordpress.com/2007/05/07/liliha-bakerys-famous-coco-puffs/) by the Takakuwa family to Peter Kim, the man behind Yummy's Korean Barbecue restaurant chain. So does that mean we'll start seeing Kim Chee-flavored Coco Puffs? :eek: lol

Other businesses talked about in the article include Matsumoto's (Shave Ice) Grocery Store and Watanabe Florist.

It's good to see Gulick Delicatessen (http://tastyisland.wordpress.com/2007/03/30/gulick-delicatessen-now-on-king-street/) carrying on their Okazuya legacy as their children expand the business to a second location at the former King's Bakery/Makino Chaya location on King street.

[scrivener]

Good topic. Also see this thread (http://www.hawaiithreads.com/showthread.php?t=7599) and this one (http://www.hawaiithreads.com/showthread.php?t=4649).

[Frankie's Market]

So does that mean we'll start seeing Kim Chee-flavored Coco Puffs? :eek: lol

I'm trying to reconcile the idea of a Liliha Bakery opening up,... in Hilo? :confused:

Other businesses talked about in the article include Matsumoto's (Shave Ice) Grocery Store and Watanabe Florist.

Good insightful article on why it is not easy for many family businesses to be passed on from generation to generation. For many mom-and-pop establishments (even one as famed as Matsumoto's), it's a lot of hard work, plain and simple. It's not glamorous. Instead of owning the business, many children look at it as the business owning them, if they have to work 6-7 days a week and more than 10 hours a day in order for the business to remain profitable.

And then you have the larger businesses that fall victim to family squabbles or mismanagement. I think this is why it is so important for business owners, if they want their children to successfully take over in the future, need to have their kids start at the bottom of the business and to work their way up. Whenever its the opposite way around, I hear too many sad stories about employee work conditions suffering and customer service going downhill.

[Pomai]

Good topic. Also see this thread (http://www.hawaiithreads.com/showthread.php?t=7599) and this one (http://www.hawaiithreads.com/showthread.php?t=4649).Dang. I ran an HT search using the keywords "mom and pop" and "mom & pop" to no avail. Those are indeed good already-started threads on the subject. Sorry about the duplication.

Anyways, I'm curious how the new ownership of Liliha Bakery will affect the loyalty of established patrons. The article mentions that Mr. Kim plans to expand locations, which would be kinda' weird, but cool too, to have a "Liliha Bakery" in, oh, Pearl City. Kinda' like having a Haleiwa Joe's at Haiku Gardens in Kaneohe.

[D'Alani]

[quote=Pomai;193435]The Honolulu Advertiser published a very interesting article today on Hawaii's mom-and-pop businesses (http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080427/BUSINESS17/804270327&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL), and how these hardworking first and second generation owner/operators struggle to find a suitable successor to continue it on.

One of the most notable transactions recently was the sale of Liliha Bakery (http://tastyisland.wordpress.com/2007/05/07/liliha-bakerys-famous-coco-puffs/) by the Takakuwa family to Peter Kim, the man behind Yummy's Korean Barbecue restaurant chain. So does that mean we'll start seeing Kim Chee-flavored Coco Puffs? :eek: lol

I'm sure Peter Kim will keep Liliha Bakery as local as it is; after all he is a local boy. He is the Peter Kim that was the place kicker at the University of Alabama under Bear Bryant. His first restaurant was called "Bears" and opened at Ala Moana Shopping Canter a few years back. I think he was either first team or second team All American.

[Pomai]

Did anyone here catch the Kalo Awards (http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008805210364)? It aired this past Wednesday evening at 9pm, following the grand finale of American Idol. Perfect timing!

There were two HT members on the show! Hilo Artist (Layne) was interviewed on how he helped a big island school with the videography.

Also Creative-1 (Bob) was shown, as he was on the panel of judges.

This Year's Kalo Awards featured Mom-and-Pops shops, where high school students were given the task of creating a television commercial to feature their chosen place of M&P business.

The winner was the Myron B. Thompson Academy of Honolulu, who did the now-closed New Uptown Fountain (Bourdain!) IMO, the production and creativity was fantastic, but it was a bit too hip-hop New York'ish, and didn't have enough island flavor. Especially for a place such as Uptown Fountain.

The Ukulele-backed jingles created for most of the commercials was nice.

Gotta' tell da' St. Louis boyz, brah, nevah mind St. Louis Drive In.. go next door to St. Louis Delicatessen (Okazuya)!

[tutusue]

Yup, saw the awards show! Extra kudos to Layne for driving from Hilo to Kona for ONE student...ONE. And, the student had no experience with a camera, production...nuthin'. That's how I remember it, anyway! Layne, correct me if I'm wrong!

Also saw Creative-1! High 5 for participating, Bob.

I really liked the New Uptown Fountain spot. It was, to me, the most creative. I just love it when young people get involved in such a creative endeavor.

[Creative-1]

Yup, saw the awards show! Also saw Creative-1! High 5 for participating, Bob.

Hazel Reyes, who conceived and produced the whole thing, met me at Helena's and roped me into being a judge. She is AMAZING. She has such energy and passion.

She was able to get three dozen schools into action as well as an outstanding crew and impressive cadre of judges. Imagine asking for (and getting) the hour AFTER American Idol on KHON as a donation!

The Uptown Fountain spot was in a class by itself. It was the only one I rated a 10, although most were very good.

Imagine the level of work these kids will be doing in 5-10 years!

One benefit, I believe, of the program is that the kids at these schools now have a higher appreciation for these stores and restaurants that have fed them for, in some cases, 40-60 years.

Conversely, the Kalo Awards was a way for the kids and community to say thank you to these stores and families that have toiled very hard for most of their lives.

BTW, many of our largest companies were once Mom & Pop companies, such as Y. Hata, Servco, ABC Stores, Robert's Hawaii, C.S. Wo, and KTA (Big Island).

I was honored to be able to participate in the Kalo Awards.

[scrivener]

My students produced the G-String Ukulele spot. I thought it was pretty good, especially considering the fact that the students were all tenth-graders, most of whom had no experience with video editing before this school year. Plus, they only had Wednesdays to work on it. :)

edited: I shouldn't say *my* students, since it sounds like I worked with them on this video. They are my students, but other teachers worked with them on this project.

[Hilo Artist]

Pomai & Tutu Sue

That was a really nice awards show! I am glad to have participted in that and it is a new direction I have taken in my life to give back to my community through my own time and resources.

Tutu , you are correct that the student had no experience. He caught on quickly and shot like a seasoned pro!

Hey Pomai, I no longer have that sleek look , put on 20 pounds and need to go back on my diet. I cringed when I saw myself on TV as it automatically added an extra 10... I have been enjoying the culinary fare for awhile now, no chicken breast for almost a 8 months!

On a serious note, I would like to thank Hazel Rayes for a tremendous great job on this project! I was also honored to be a part of this project and look forward to continuing on with it next year!

Aloha
Layne

[MyopicJoe]

Wow, the Kalo Awards is a great idea. Good for the kids and the local businesses. Too bad I missed it. Hope it happens again next year.

[oceanpacific]

Is KHON considering a re-telecast of the program?

[cezanne]

I watched the Kalo Awards too. It was a great relief from being forced to watch AI with the wife. I kinda liked the one that was all visual... no voiceovers or anything. The graphics alone got its point across for me. I don't think it made top three tho.

Yeah props to Layne for taking the time to mentor and fulfill that kid's endeavor.

[Pomai]

Hazel Reyes, who conceived and produced the whole thing<------------>She was able to get three dozen schools into action as well as an outstanding crew and impressive cadre of judges. Imagine asking for (and getting) the hour AFTER American Idol on KHON as a donation!Holy moly... a donation? Wow! I can't even fathom what the monetary value of that FOX prime time, post-AI season finale spot was $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

BTW, many of our largest companies were once Mom & Pop companies, such as Y. Hata, Servco, ABC Stores, Robert's Hawaii, C.S. Wo, and KTA (Big Island).So true. Imagine back when Zippy's was just one small little plate lunch stand on S. King street. I've also heard Oceanic cable started as a very small operation in a garage? somewhere in town.

Layne, you still looked trim to me. Maybe not "Kikaida" trim, but trim enough! :cool:

Is KHON considering a re-telecast of the program?The only information I could dig up was at their website...

www.KaloAwards.com (http://www.kaloawards.com)

There's a nice promotional video linked on that page. It shows clips from some of the commercials the students produced. It also mentions a "Life in These Islands" tandem show, but I couldn't find when that show will (or already did?) air.

Leslie Wilcox, who co-hosted the show with Ron Mizutani has her own blog (http://leslienotes.typepad.com/). You might be able ask her for rebroadcast info there. Or hopefully the producer can offer a DVD copy. Or maybe someone here (or that you know) DVR'd it!

[Hilo Artist]

Cezanne

Thank you my friend, I really apreciate your thoughts!

Pomai

You are much to kind as well with your comments... My struggle to keep on a diet has really been a burden as of recently. Food is just one of my passions as well as chocolate anything!

Regarding the Kalo Awards, I am sure they will broadcast again and I will keep everyone updated...

Aloha
Layne