About Hasegawa
The exterior of the store has seen better days, but don’t let appearances hold you back from checking out this historic Hana landmark for a bit of shopping in Maui. Just as Paul Weston sang, this 100-year-old-plus fourth generation family run business really does have a wonderful variety of merchandise.
Their eclectic mix of merchandise includes groceries, snacks, shirts, hats, postcards, sunscreen, wine and spirits, souvenirs, doorknobs, fishing rods, books, wall art, cutting boards, bags, balls and more! With such a variety, it’s definitely some of the more interesting shopping in Maui! Need some cash? Then their ATM machine will come in handy too.
If you’ll be staying in a Hana, Maui condo for a while, you might want to pick up some of their farm fresh local produce – when we were there, it looked beautifully fresh and tasty – perfect to stock up your kitchen! For a delicious start to your morning, try a taste of the Hasegawa Hana Blend Gourmet Coffee.
Only Found in Hana, Maui
As you browse the aisles, keep an eye out for “Uniquely Hana” tags on the merchandise – these are items that you won’t find anywhere outside Hana, Maui, so if you like it, be sure to snap it up before you leave! Also worth a look are their custom printed t-shirts with designs that are only found here at Hasegawa’s.
The Oldest Family Run Business on Maui
The Hasegawa General Store was founded by 2 brothers, Shoichi and Saburo Hasegawa, back in 1910. At the time of this writing, this is the oldest family run business on the entire island of Maui, Hawaii! Back in 2007, this one-stop-shop was honoured by the Small Business Association by being awarded the “Maui Family Business of the Year.”
Directions and Hours of Operation
They are located in the town of Hana, Maui, at 5165 Hana Highway. To get there, drive south through town on the Hana Highway. Continue past Keawa Place, the Travaasa Hotel Hana and Hauoli Street. Just past the turn-off to the Hana Ranch Restaurant, you’ll see the Hasegawa General Store on your left. If you’re lucky, you may even see what I call the “store greeter” (picture on the right) keeping an eye on you as you park in their parking lot!
You can go shopping in Maui here Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Their telephone number is 808-248-7079 or 808-248-8231.
HASEGAWA GENERAL STORE: TIMELINE
1910 Brothers Shoichi and Saburo Hasegawa start their own store at the present site of The Hasegawa Gas Station. Toshimasa Hasegawa is born in 1910, the first child of Shoichi and Kiku.
1919 Shoichi and Kiku take Toshimasa (9) and their four children back to Japan. Saburo continues to run the business.
1926 Saburo and his oldest son Kengo go to Japan to ask Toshimasa if he would come back and help with the store. Toshimasa (15) comes back to Hana and finishes his schooling at Hana School.
1932 Toshimasa marries Shizuko Hirose.
1933 Saburo returns to Japan with his family and Toshimasa continues to run the business.
1934 Harry is born, the first of four sons to Toshimasa and Shizuko.
1958 Toshimasa builds the brick store which later becomes The Hasegawa General Store remembered in postcards and photos.
1961 Paul Weston writes the song “The Hasegawa General Store.” The song becomes popular when it is sung by Pua Alameida on the radio show “Hawaii Calls.” Other artists that have sung it through the years are: Hilo Hattie, Ed Kenney, Haunani Kahalewai, Arthur Godfrey, Jack Demello & his orchestra, and more recently Jim Nabors and Carol Burnett, as well as local musicians, George Paoa, Jessie Nakaoka & The Hoopii Brothers. Next time you’re at a luau, ask the musician if he knows the song. You might be pleasantly surprised.
1961 Harry returns to Hana after graduating from the University of Colorado at Boulder and serving in the Army. He marries Nita Nebrija, a school teacher from Oahu.
1963 Neil, the only son, is born followed by two daughters, Susie & Kelly.
1988 Neil returns to Hana after graduating from the University of Redlands to help Harry run the store.
1990 The Hasegawa General Store and Hana Gas Station are set ablaze.
Aug. 14 The gas station suffers minor damage while everything is lost at The Hasegawa General Store. Keola Hana-Maui offers the use of the Old Hana theater to the Hasegawa’s.
1991, February: The Hasegawa Service Station opens for business: The only place where you can have photos developed, rent a movie and fill your car with gas, all at the same time.
1991, August: After renovating the old Hana Theater, The Hasegawa General Store is back in business. Through the entire rebuilding process the Hasegawa staff was kept fully employed. Now some 85 years later, three generations of Hasegawa’s as well as 12 employees operate this Hana landmark.
2000 Sept: Toshimasa Hasegawa dies at age 90.
2002, June: Brayden Hasegawa is born to Neil and Mitzi Hasegawa.
2005 Oct: Caelyn Hasegawa is born to Neil and Mitzi Hasegawa.
2007 Hasegawa General Store wins Small Business Associationls “Maui Family Business of the Year”
2009 June: Shizuko Hasegawa dies at the age of 95.
2010 Hasegawa General Stores celebrates their 100th year serving the Hana Community. They are the oldest family owned business in Hana and one of the very few surviving family owned businesses on Maui.