After nearly 100 years of service, B. Ikeuchi & Sons True Value Hardware will closing its doors in Honokaa this year.
Four generations of Ikeuchis have been part of the hardware store that has provided Honokaa and surrounding communities with hardware and other necessities since the business was created in 1926.
The store, located in the well-known blue building on the corner of Mamane and Lehua, and is run by Alan Ikeuchi.
Ever since taking up ownership after his parents in 1987, Ikeuchi has worked in the store consistently six days a week.
“My grandparents started this store. I grew up here and have been around it my whole life,” Ikeuchi said. “I don’t think I’ve ever held another job.”
Hidekichi Ikeuchi, originally a farmer from Hiroshima, Japan, immigrated to Hawaii in 1906, where he began operating a restaurant and boarding house in Honokaa. His wife washed laundry for boarders and cooked meals in the restaurant.
In 1912, Alan Ikeuchi’s grandfather, Bunso Ikeuchi, followed his parents to Honokaa from Japan to help with his family’s businesses until he was employed by Kwong Yee Chong, whose general merchandise store was on Mamane.
In 1926, Bunso Ikeuchi opened and operated his own plumbing and hardware company in the Andrade Building on Mamane, where he was also a tinsmith and general contractor, living with his employees behind the store and erecting buildings all along the Hamakua Coast.
Over time, the Ikeuchi store moved several times before finally settling into the property at the intersection of Mamane and Lehua Street.
In 1965, the business officially became B. Ikeuchi & Sons when Bunso’s sons, Harold Hideo and Walter Karou, Alan Ikeuchi’s father, became owners and partners.
Although the choice to close has been difficult, Alan Ikeuchi is ready for a change of pace — and retirement.
“Actually, at first I was somewhat apprehensive, but now I feel pretty relieved,” Ikeuchi said. “It’s time to do something else after so much time. My wife wants to travel, and once it’s safer, we’d love to have time for that.”
Ikeuchi frequently spends his days talking with the community and making sure his store has all the things people need.
“Being part of the community has been one of the best parts of the business and watching people change over the years,” Ikeuchi said. “People’s needs change, but despite change, it’s nice to have a group of core customers that come into support our business.”
The store served the Honokaa community through the sugar plantation days and made drastic changes after the plantations closed, while always changing along with the people.
“It has always been a challenge, because we were based around the plantation needs, and then they closed,” Ikeuchi said. “After recessions and COVID-19, we’ve been able to survive by listening to the community and getting them what they need.”
Ikeuchi did not want to leave Honokaa without another option for hardware, so when he decided it was the year to retire, he reached out to a local True Value owner Jaycob Chilton.
Chilton inherited the Sunshine True Value Store in Kohala from his parents in 2010. His parents knew Ikeuchi well, and Chilton grew up going to both stores.
“I called Alan a while back and said if he ever wanted to retire, that I would be happy to open a store in Honokaa to fill the gap,” Chilton said. “This year, surprisingly to me, he gave me a call.”
Chilton plans to open the Hamakua True Value Hardware store in the space next to Tex Drive In in Honokaa this September.
“Both Alan and I wanted to make sure that Honokaa didn’t have any downtime, and that the store will be there with supplies available,” Chilton said. “Hardware is one of those things that even when times change, everybody breaks things and needs essentials right away.”
Hardware stores in rural areas, like Honokaa and Kohala, are significant to the people who may need a quick fix, can’t drive far, or who are working on projects the require plenty of supplies.
“We will have the same products as Alan and will try to make sure we emulate his business model. There’s some pressure, but it’s exciting to be part of a new community,” Chilton said. “We’ve expanded our store in Kohala as our customers have changed. They always let us know what we need.”
Chilton decided to open the store in a different location so Ikeuchi and his family, who live behind the building, could have time after retirement to decide what they want to do.
“Some people are disappointed that we’re going to be closing the store in this location since it’s been part of the town for so long,” Ikeuchi said. “But when I mention another local business owner will be opening a new store right away, they seem more excited.”
Although Ikeuchi has not marked a date for his retirement, he is ready for this year to be his last in the hardware business.
“I’ll miss the many interactions I’ve had with customers and being a stable part of the community,” Ikeuchi said. “We’ll still be living here, though, and I think this is the time to retire.”
“Alan has been a staple in Honokaa for years, and we’ll do our best to follow in his and his family’s footsteps,” Chilton said. “The community has been blessed by the Ikeuchi’s presence for generations, and we look forward to serving Hamakua for generations to come.”
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
