Hall-of-Fame

Tribute

Hall Of Fame Tribute

If an organization forgets its history, it forgets its heritage. It must be grounded in the present while looking to the future. For these reasons, the Hawaii Food Industry Association is looking back to the eight inductees of its Hall of Fame. These individuals are in a class of their own, born out of a different era of the food and beverage industry, encapsulating within their stories an earlier era of innovation, tenacity, growth, and change. Now HFIA, in its 40th anniversary year, will begin to induct other exceptional individuals to its Hall of Fame which will speak to the present, and build on this heritage for future generations.

2022 Inductee

Derek Kurisu

Executive Vice President at KTA Super Stores

During his decades in Hawaii’s food industry Derek has been a tireless advocate for local food. As Executive Vice President at KTA Super Stores he spearheads their Mountain Apple Brand, a unique line of Hawaii made and grown products. He also produces and hosts two shows celebrating the people and culture of Hawaii: People Living in Paradise and Seniors Living in Paradise.

Over the years he has lent his talents to HFIA in many ways. He is one of the association’s longest standing members of the Executive Committee and has led the association twice as Chair. During his second term, Derek initiated the HFIA Legislative Talk Story. By creating spaces for legislators and industry leaders to meet, Derek helped create a positive dialogue that enables cooperation on shared goals. Derek is extremely generous with his time and knowledge. Every year, over the past few decades, Derek has donated his time and energy to light up the stage of Made in Hawaii Festival, as the event’s emcee. People from all over the state come to enjoy his personality and warmth.

Derek’s genuine love for local food and happiness in sharing it with others is evident to everyone who has had the pleasure of meeting him. Through all his many contributions to our industry, Derek shows each day the hard work he is willing to do to promote made in Hawaii products, feed Hawaii families, and make local food more accessible to everyone.

2017 Inductee

Charles Kawakami (Oct 1941 - Dec 2016)

PRESIDENT BIG SAVE STORES AND MENEHUNE FOOD MART INC.

Those who knew Charles Kawakami say he was a consummate businessman who had a deep connection to the Garden Isle. “He definitely was a person of the community,” said Randy Francisco, small business coordinator for Creative Industries and former president of the Chamber of Commerce. “As busy as he was, he was always about giving back because he never forgot where he come (from) or whom he served and stores and the company himself.”

2016 Inductee

Glenn Muranaka

MEADOW GOLD DAIRIES, PRESIDENT & CEO

For Glenn Muranaka, it’s all about absorbing knowledge to gain wisdom—wisdom that would turn a company around from a tough period in its history. Muranaka didn’t start out that way; his beginnings were pretty rough. But HFIA’s 2016 Ni‘o Award of Excellence honoree and Hall of Fame inductee had a life-changing spiritual awakening that shaped his life and rise to become President and General Manager of Meadow Gold Dairies—a company that has been a part of the fabric of Hawaii for 119 years. But Muranaka takes no credit. Instead, he lives a life of gratitude for what he has, and for Meadow Gold’s success. The company’s success has allowed Meadow Gold to have serving the community as a top priority—or rather, Muranaka would perhaps say that success comes in part by serving the community.

2015 Inductee

Barry Taniguchi (Mar 1947 – Sept 2019)

KTA SUPER STORES CHAIR OF THE BOARD AND CEO

Being in the spotlight is not Barry Taniguchi’s style. He was a bit embarrassed about the attention he was receiving as the newest inductee to the HFIA Hall of Fame. There is little to nothing that the KTA Super Stores Chair of the Board and CEO will take credit for when it comes to accomplishments, instead pointing to a group effort, or laughing it off when others would consider him a financial whiz… What he does acknowledge are the family values that have shaped him, some of which have become even richer and more meaningful as he discovered things about his family’s history much later in life.

2014 Inductee

Herbert Tamura

CHAIRMAN OF TAMURA ENTERPRISES

The story of Tamura Enterprises is rooted in four generations of family history. It began with a 600 square foot store – Tamura Shoten – opened by Makitaro Tamura on the Old Government Road, the main street of Waianae. In 1994, Herb and son Glenn decided to start a new father and son business venture independent of Tamura Super. So in January of 1995, they established Tamura Enterprises, Inc., they soon purchased Big Way Super Market in Wahiawa. In 1998, with Glenn as president and Herb as Chairman, they decided to try a niche market venture in Kakaako called Tamura’s Fine Wines & Liquors. After a three and a half year trial with positive growth, they found a permanent home for the new store at 10th and Waialae avenues in Kaimuki. New opportunities kept coming. In 2003, the Tamuras purchased property for a warehouse and outlet store. In 2004, the opportunity to buy Big Way Drive In presented itself. Today is known as Tamura’s Kitchen. At the end of 2003 the father and son team also opened Tamura’s Market in the Hauula Shopping Center. Four years later, a second Tamura’s Fine Wine & Liquors opened in the Aikahi Shopping Center in Kailua. A year later, another opened in Aiea. Then came Tamura’s Market Kalaeloa. In 2013, Tamura Enterprises ventured to Maui with a liquor store in Kahalui. More construction on Maui is underway!

2013 Inductee

Sidney and Minnie Kosasa

ABC STORES

The first of the ABC Stores opened in 1964, but the chain of stores can be seen as a part of a business evolution that traces across three generations to the early part of the 20th century. Sidney and Minnie Kosasa played the pivotal and leading role in this evolution. It started with a grocery store established by Sidney’s parents to a chain of pharmacies to the ABC convenience stores, and now full circle to some gourmet markets.

2012 Inductee

Roger Godfrey

A very active member of Hawaii Food Industry Association and past President/Chairman of HFIA, Rodger Godfrey had an incredibly impressive career in Hawaii’s food industry. During his tenure as HFIA’s Chairman from 1996-1997 Godfrey was Division President of Fleming Companies, Inc where he was honored with the Chairman’s Award, Fleming’s highest honor.

His career took him from San Jose to managing wholesale grocery operations in Hawaii, and then a move to Foodland Supermarkets as Director of Distribution. After Fleming Mr. Godfrey took an offer from the Teruya family, owners of Times Supermarkets, to help them sell the supermarket chain. He agreed to work as a consultant for John Quinn but realized that significant changes would need to take place so he became president in 2002 and agreed to work with Quinn for five years.

Past Inductees

HFIA

Richard Botti

Richard "Dick" Botti saw an opportunity, sought out those that could provide direction, and ran with the ball, creating the Hawaii Food Industry Association. His sales ability and determination helped create a financially stable organization that has the respect from within and without the industry, the consumers, and government. Dick has devoted most of his adult life serving our industry and creating solutions to our problems, while constantly working to improve both his own operation and our industry.

RAINBOW SALES & MARKETING

Bill Prideaux

Although Bill Prideaux was not a founding member of the HFIA, by using his leadership, he created the greatest changes in HFIA. One example was creating the most lavish upscale conventions in the Hawaii Food Industry. Bill Prideaux worked together with Stan Sheriff to mold the Rainbow Fever Program into what it is today. He served as President of the HFIA in 1984-85, and has been an active participant in the HFIA Presidents' Council. Bill has also created more controversy than any other Director in his pursuit to enhance HFIA and its goals.

STAR MARKET

John Fujieki, Sr.

RA founding member of HFIA in 1971, John Fujieki Sr. provided continued support of the Hawaii Food Industry Association through Star Markets for twenty five years, and served as HFIA president for two consecutive years.

FOODLAND

Maurice Sullivan

Maurice J. "Sully" Sullivan, who founded Foodland Super Market, Ltd., the state's largest grocery retailer, in 1948, was known as one of the most successful entrepreneurs in Hawaii's history. He opened a total of more than 175 retail stores in the state and abroad. Sullivan also set the example as a dynamic and outstanding leader whose philosophy of giving back to the community touched many lives and made a difference in the quality of life for the people of Hawaii.

TIMES

George Miura

George Miura, on behalf of Times Supermarkets, a founding member of the Hawaii Food Industry Association was the association's first president, and held the position of President for three terms, which has been unsurpassed. George will always be remembered for his humor, golf, and special technique for handling volatile situations.

TIMES SUPERMARKET

Takeo Takara

Takeo Takara was both a personal supporter and unofficial director and staff member of HFIA for over twenty years. Takeo unselfishly donated his personal time and energy to support HFIA functions while sacrificing golf to do so. His dedication is unsurpassed at HFIA Conventions in the capacity of HFIA Hospitality-Store Manager, even after his retirement.

Tom Okuyama

Tomoo "Tom" Okuyama, past HFIA President, Chairman and CEO of Sure Save Super Market, was the visionary who moved the family business from the successful Okuyama Meat Market in Waiakea Town to the supermarket business in 1953. The company eventually became the second largest food retailer on the Island of Hawaii, and operated supermarkets, convenience stores, a grocery store, and lastly, a state of the art distribution center, all on the island of Hawaii. Tom was very active in the community as a leader in business, cultural affairs, and HFIA's past presidents' council.

KTA SUPERSTORES

Tony Taniguchi

Tony Taniguchi was a founding member of the HFIA and provided continued support as a Director and Legislative Consultant for both HFIA and the Hawaii food industry during his tenure as a Director. The president and CEO of the oldest grocery chain on the Big Island, Tony was also a very active community volunteer, involved in more than 20 community groups. He was a behind-the-scenes person who was there when it counted.