Life would not be
the same without
Daiei, residents say

Reports that Daiei may close
or sell its 4 stores on Oahu
upset local customers

News that Hawaii retail icon Daiei (USA) Inc. may close or sell its four Oahu stores shocked longtime shoppers.

"That would be really sad," said social worker Jan Takata.

Takata and many other shoppers interviewed yesterday outside Daiei's Kaheka Street store said they had been loyal customers since the 1972 opening of the first store and continued to shop in the stores Daiei purchased from Holiday Mart in 1980. The Holiday Mart stores were renamed Daiei more than a decade later.

Several Japanese media outlets reported Thursday that Daiei's corporate parent, Kobe-based Daiei Inc., was planning to close or sell the four Hawaii stores. A local spokeswoman said the stores would operate as usual, while a Tokyo spokeswoman said no decision has been made regarding the Hawaii stores.

Fuyu Street said it would be "very lonely" were Daiei to close as the store serves as a place to meet friends and have lunch, as well as to shop.

The Kaheka Street location is "very handy," she said, adding that she was supposed to go to Marukai yesterday morning but wound up at Daiei instead.

Marukai Corp. operates both members-only wholesale stores and Marukai 99 Cents Superstores, which are open to the public.

Street is a Marukai member but goes to Daiei more frequently because it is more convenient, she said.

She and a friend had finished their shopping and stopped in for lunch at Ezogiku, a Japanese noodle and gyoza shop which is among the many quick-service restaurants next to the store.

Fellow Ezogiku diner Miriam Nakaura, a self-employed makeup artist, hopes nothing will change.

"I've been coming here since it was Holiday Mart," she said. Shopping habits ingrained since childhood are not the only reason she is still a customer. Nakaura returns for good deals in items from electronics to groceries.

"I mostly come for the food. The prices are good and they have good sales."

Lorrin and Rosalie Tam of Honolulu usually hit the store for groceries but also have shopped for household appliances at Daiei. Its selection of Japanese merchandise is also a draw, they said. They are also members of Marukai Wholesale who enjoy shopping at both stores.

"Between the two, I like this place," Rosalie said. "There are more things to choose from."

Takata, the social worker, is drawn to Daiei for its sales. "Of course, I love their dollar store," which is its store-within-a-store where items cost $1 each.

Ezogiku General Manager Hiroshi Sugino was concerned about the possibility of losing such a successful anchor tenant that draws customers to the restaurant.

It would be "no good" if Daiei were to close -- "it brings business," he said. Sales at the Kaheka Ezogiku, one of six he oversees, benefit from strong Daiei customer traffic. "This is a good location."

Aside from habits built over generations, Nakaura may understand the key to Daiei's isle success.

"It's like a smaller version of Wal-Mart," only geared toward the local community, he said. "That's why I come here."