Oahu losing a gem

After 58 years, popular Kakesako Brothers Jewelers will close

Tommy Kakesako, co-founder of Kakesako Brothers Jewelers with his brother Kenneth, "always said it's a happy business," said Marjorie Nishimura, store manager for about 30 years.

"When someone comes in and purchases something or we repair for them, they go out walking with a smile," she said.

After making customers happy for 58 years, the jewelry store -- a landmark at 923 Alakea St. -- will have a going-out-of-business sale Monday.

Lorna Kakesako, wife of Michael Kakesako, last of five brothers, said she plans to dispose of a fairly large inventory and close the business by mid-June.

She cited the economic times and said no family members are "versed in the trade, so we're really not prepared to take it over." It was hoped Nishimura would continue it, but she decided against it for economic reasons, Kakesako said.

With airlines and other businesses folding, Kakesako said, "People think twice about spending for luxury items. It's really sad to reach this stage. The family feels bad about it. We just don't want to close."

She expressed thanks on behalf of the family to loyal customers over the years.

One is Lillian Shiraki, who has been going to the store since it opened. "It's pretty sad to hear they're going to close," she said.

"Kenneth was a personal friend of my husband's and we got to know Tommy," she said. "They were so honest and sincere that we have patronized them all the way."

Kenneth Kakesako died in April 1992 and Tommy died Aug. 3 last year. Michael Kakesako and sister Joyce Inao are surviving siblings.

Michael Kakesako, former state corrections director, is the jewelry store's board chairman. Lorna Kakesako, former business manager for the Hawaii State Teachers Association, stepped in to help close the business. "Tommy was a very generous person and the books maybe reflect that," she said, noting there is a large debt.

Tommy Kakesako followed brother Kenneth to the Elgin Watch College in Elgin, Ill., and the Institute of Gemology, then worked with Kenneth at a jewelry store.

After serving in Europe with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Company L, during World War II, Tommy Kakesako rejoined his brother and they opened Kakesako Brothers Jewelers in 1950 at its current location.

U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, in a Star-Bulletin interview last August, said it was one of the first jewelry stores in Hawaii to allow time payments. "That's why you would see gals wearing big rocks and wonder where in the world they got them," he said. "Tommy was trusting in that sense."

"Making people happy, that's what we remember," Nishimura said. "And customer service is very important, which we try to do. It's like a family and in turn they appreciate it."

Realtor Artie Wilson, on the TV broadcast team for University of Hawaii basketball games and a former UH basketball player, said he's been a customer of the Kakesako jewelry store for more than 20 years.

"The brothers were very good to me during my young life, as far as buying jewelry and just stopping by the store on Alakea for many years," he said.

Wilson said he'll be "very sad" when it closes "but it's more disappointment that a really solid small company is no longer existing." He said it had "soul," which is often missing in "real nice fancy jewelry stores.

"The way they treated customers and clients, friendships developed. You had a certain degree of trust and loyalty."