WAIMEA —After nearly 90 years of service, westside staple Ishihara Market will permanently shut its doors on Saturday evening, citing lingering fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic as a contributing factor.
Since 1934, Ishihara Market in Waimea has provided Kaua‘i with groceries, ono meat and seafood lunches, and friendly customer service. While the Ishihara family sold the property in 2018, the store has continued to operate under Kalama Beach Corporation, a subsidiary of Foodland’s Sullivan Family of Companies.
However, the corporation announced this week that the store’s decades of operations would come to a close at 6 p.m. Saturday.
“We were truly honored to have the opportunity to take over this store and continue the Ishihara family’s 80-plus year legacy of serving the Waimea community,” said Brian Luna, general manager of Kalama Beach Corporation, in a press release. “We had high hopes for this store and invested time and resources in hopes of ensuring the store’s success.”
Luna said supply chain disruptions, staffing shortages and “other pandemic-related issues” made it challenging to operate the store to the high standards the community deserves.
“We are truly grateful to our Ishihara Market team, who have worked tirelessly to serve our customers well,” he continued. “They were the heart and soul of this store and we appreciate their dedication and care.”
All 45 employees were informed of the closure on Monday, according to the release. Kalama Beach Corporation says all of the store’s employees will be offered opportunities at other affiliated locations on Kaua‘i.
Customers say goodbye
Despite its mostly empty shelves, customers piled into Ishihara Market on Friday to wish the store one last farewell.
Mark, 67, and his wife Akemi — have visited Kaua‘i from Virginia annually for over 20 years, and would always stop at Ishihara Market during their trips.
After overhearing the store was permanently closing this weekend, the two immediately made plans to stop by.
“It’s always been a staple,” Mark said. “We’ve been coming here for so many years — we always come here to buy food and go up Waimea Canyon.”
Mark continued, noting that he and Akemi were always excited to buy the market’s fresh poke, shrimp or octopus during their visits.
“It’s going to be hard to go by and not stop,” Mark said. “We’re going to miss them.”
“Really miss them,” Akemi added.
Fred and Julie Patricio noted while the market’s closing would most directly impact the westside, its absence would be felt from mauka to makai.
“The guys are gonna miss this place,” Fred said. “A lot of people come from the Kapa‘a side — ride motorcycles and all. They park right over there, and then they come all to the store and buy food here.”
For Julie, the announced closure was more personal, as she had worked at the market after Hurricane Iniki struck.
“It’s a soft spot for me,” she said.
Julie also emphasized the kindness that the Ishihara family has shown the community throughout their time as the store’s owners.
“I just talked to a friend last night,” she said. “She said they weren’t very well-off, so when they used to come here, the owners would help her out and say, ‘Pay when you can.’ That’s how it was.”
Before leaving with their groceries, the Patricios noted Waimea won’t be the same without Ishihara Market.
“Everybody on the westside is going to miss this place,” Julie said. “Especially the sushi.”
“We’re gonna miss that sushi, boy,” Fred added.
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Jackson Healy, reporter, can be reached at 808-647-4966 or jhealy@thegardenisland.com.
