Talking Story with Kit Okimoto

Okimoto Corp. is one of Hawaiʻi’s great family–owned independent food retailers. Their first location, The Waianae Store, has been a fixture on the Waianae Coast for over 75 years and Okimoto Corp has been a part of HFIA since its inception. As Kit Okimoto steps into the role of Chair he brings a lifetime of experience, deep community connections, and a proactive approach to facing the challenges of our industry. We had the chance to talk story with our incoming chair and hear more about the legacy of Okimoto Corp, and his vision for the future.

Can you tell us a little about the history of Okimoto Corp and each of your stores?

We got started back in 1949 when our grandparents David and Betty Okimoto opened The Waianae Store.  David was a carpenter by trade, and he and his brothers built the original store with a bunch of scrap lumber.  Nanakuli Super opened in 1973 around the time our parents Ken and Margaret and our aunties Gail and Janis started to take over, and Kyle, Kris, and I came back around the early 2000s.  The Egusa family opened Friendly Market Center on Molokai in 1953, and they became part of our ʻohana in 2017.

How long have you been involved in the business?

I remember stocking shelves and grabbing carts since I was a little kid, probably getting in the way more than anything else, and I started getting paid when I was 13.  My full time career began in 2004 after college.

Did you and your brothers always want to be part of the family business?

Depends on who you ask!  I think Kyle and Kris intended to, but I can’t say I did.  I’m glad I came back though.

What roles does everyone in the family play in the business today?

Kyle is in charge of HR and operations, Kris handles facilities and maintenance, and I’m responsible for sales and finance.  Whatever needs doing gets done, and we’ve all done a bit of everything over the years.

Your stores are each very important in their communities. Can you tell us a little about these communities and how Okimoto Corp serves them?

We’re very fortunate to be in such loyal communities as many of the families in Waianae, Nanakuli, and Molokai have supported us for generations.  Although each is distinct and unique, our communities share a strong sense of ʻohana and are full of Aloha.  We do our best to be an integral part of that fabric and strive to provide quality groceries and general merchandise that our customers need at competitive prices in order to maintain their trust.

What are some of the challenges of being an independent grocery in Hawaii?

Being small can be challenging in any industry, but the thin margins in grocery compounded by Hawaii’s high cost of doing business leave little room for error.  Like any other company we have to be profitable to stay in business and move forward, however over the years it has become more difficult to compete with mass merchandisers and free shipping.  Luckily, as an independent we’ve always been a little scrappy having to fight for our fair share from our suppliers, so we intend to continue to push and remain relevant.

What do you love about it?

The people!  Our people, the people in our communities, and our industry people.

What are some of the most significant changes you’ve seen in the food industry in recent years?

Mergers and acquisitions have changed the retail landscape, as have brand acquisitions and divestitures by manufacturers.  What we buy from where changes often and can be confusing; I still have a hard time remembering which Kraft cheese Kraft Heinz owns!

What challenges do you think are coming that the industry should be prepared for?

GLP-1 medications are going to change consumer wants and needs in ways and on a scale that remains to be seen.  Additionally, tariffs and the uncertainty around them will likely continue to disrupt our industry, or maybe not!

What are you looking forward to in the future?

The uncertainty and looming challenges ahead keep me up at night, but not always in a bad way.  That we solve these challenges and adapt to our ever-changing environment is the key to us sticking around, and I look forward to those solutions.

How long has Okimoto Corp been a part of HFIA?

We’ve been a part of HFIA from the beginning when Dick Botti went around knocking on doors.  Our grandpa and dad did their best to support Dick in whatever way they could as a small independent.

What do you value about the Association?

The fact that everyone has a seat at the table, including a small independent like us, says everything about the Association’s commitment to support everyone. It’s truly a privilege that our company has the honor of leading the Association.

What are your plans, goals, or priorities for your time as chair?

I’d like to make sure that all of our members value and get value from their membership.  It would also be great to finally get a G.E.T. exemption for groceries and necessities!