JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM Kalihi resident Rogelio Marquez checked out the burned warehouse at 916 Puuhale Road yesterday afternoon.

Kalihi fire devastates beloved hula supply business

Ze-Kraft, known for its discounts, was celebrating its 30th anniversary

They started dropping by before daybreak, offering Jose Teves Sr. hugs and words of encouragement. By late afternoon more than 30 patrons -- from halau and florists around the island -- had made the trip.

"We lost everything," Teves said yesterday as he stood outside what was left of Ze-Kraft Inc., a popular, low-priced hula supply and craft store in Kalihi, after an early-morning blaze. "But customers have come."

The fire, which is under investigation, started at about 1:06 a.m. yesterday and caused more than $300,000 in damage. It took 40 firefighters more than 30 minutes to bring the flames under control, Fire Capt. Emmit Kane said.

Many small halau on Oahu frequented the Puuhale Road warehouse for deals, buying in bulk to cut costs. Now, Teves' customers say they are scrambling to find hula supplies elsewhere at comparable prices.

"I do a lot of my shell lei purchases there," said Sue Eldredge, who heads Kulani Dance Studio in Ewa Beach and has been going to Ze-Kraft for nine years. "For a small business, we try to keep our costs down. They were great for that."

Sheila Kaho'okele, kumu hula of Halau Hula O Ulumeanani, said she goes to Ze-Kraft about five times a year to pick up decorative shells or leis. She also sends visitors there for inexpensive souvenirs.

JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM Fire gutted this warehouse at 916 Puuhale Road, site of a noted hula supply and craft business, early yesterday. Police and fire officials are still investigating the cause of the blaze.

Kane said fire investigators worked yesterday to try to find a cause of the blaze and were expected to return today.

The process has been slow and tedious, he said, because investigators must sift through burnt piles of inventory at Teves' warehouse.

Teves said the business was celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

As he stared into his burned-out warehouse yesterday, scanning piles of blackened lau hala mats and charred kukui nut leis, Teves gave thanks that no lives were lost in the blaze. He sometimes sleeps at the warehouse, as does his son.

But on Thursday night, Teves went home. His son is vacationing in the Philippines and plans to hurry back to help rebuild, he said.

Teves said his son took over ownership of the business a few years ago.

It is unclear, he said, whether they have up-to-date insurance to cover the costs of the fire. Teves also did not know if they will be able to stay at their current location, where they have been for more than a decade.

At about 3 p.m. yesterday, Penny Apilando of Florist and Gifts in Kaneohe visited Teves' warehouse after hearing about the blaze from a friend.

"I'm so sorry," she told Teves as she gave him a hug. Apilando said she sells Teves' lau hala boxes and other crafts in her shop. She is not sure where she will go for the items while Teves is working to regain his inventory.

Meanwhile, Teves said he is trying to notify customers about the fire but has had trouble getting in touch with those on the mainland and neighbor islands. All of the store's documents -- including his contact lists -- were lost in the fire.