LIHU‘E — Hawai‘i-based Central Pacific Rebuilders opened its first Kaua‘i outlet in Lihu‘e this July. The Hilo-based company has five locations on four islands. The company rebuilds parts for automobile, marine and small engines. “We rebuild starters and alternators,” said
LIHU‘E — Hawai‘i-based Central Pacific Rebuilders opened its first Kaua‘i outlet in Lihu‘e this July.
The Hilo-based company has five locations on four islands. The company rebuilds parts for automobile, marine and small engines.
“We rebuild starters and alternators,” said CFO/Controller Courtney Fulton, who is also the Hilo branch manager.
“We do everything but aircraft,” she said. “Auto, marine, ATV, motorcycles, heavy duty trucks, bulldozers, school buses and even lawn mowers.”
John Allen, manager of the new Lihu‘e store at 4371 Rice St., does his own repair and rebuild work.
“People bring in units to repair or trade,” said Allen.
If something is not in stock, the store is supported by the Neighbor Island outlets.
“If we don’t have one in stock we can ship it from one of stores on the other islands,” said Cale Ekhoff, Honolulu manager.
The difference is that the parts are rebuilt on the islands, he said. The other option is to buy a rebuilt part from another store that, in most cases, is shipped all the way here from the Mainland, Ekhoff said.
The business is owned and operated by Mike and Courtney Fulton. The couple started their business on O‘ahu in 1999 and soon had locations on Maui in 2003, and two locations on the Big Island with Kona opening in 2010 and Hilo in 2011.
“We started in Kane‘ohe and grew from there,” Fulton said.
Alternator and starter parts that move or carry an electrical current will eventually wear out. A rebuilt one will likely have replacement bearings, resisters, rectifiers, diodes, brush assemblies, springs and voltage regulators.
But diecast metal and plastic casings are more durable and just need a cleaning.
“The frame on the outside stays the same,” Fulton said. “We clean them up and if it’s broken then we replace it.”
Fulton said that some people don’t realize that refurbished alternators and starters are the standard. If you go to an auto parts store and buy one there, chances are it has been re-manufactured, she said.
A car owner who needs a replacement will often find that a mechanic replaced the part with a rebuilt product, Fulton explained. The savings are passed on to the customer in reduced parts costs. A weekend mechanic can accomplish the task. Most people won’t have the time, tools or want to risk not doing it right the first time, Fulton said.
