Kokua Market, which passed its 50th anniversary a couple of years ago, quietly closed its doors earlier this month, according to a statement posted on its website.
Kokua Market was the trade name of the Kokua Country Foods Cooperative, first registered to do business on December 11, 1970.
Surprisingly, there doesn’t seem to have been a peep in the news about the final collapse of this alternative local institution.
From its website:
For over 50 years, Kokua has filled a unique role on Oahu — thought and practice leadership in sustainable food systems; supporting small farms and food producers; and offering consumers a meaningful healthy alternative to corporate food merchandisers. Your board of directors is deeply grateful for your loyalty over the last half century. We could not have existed this long without your support.
Unfortunately, market forces today have rendered the co-op financially unable to continue under the present business model, at the present location. Regrettably, it is time — indeed, it is necessary — to stop the bleeding, step back, evaluate the alternatives, and decide whether there are other options. We will pursue that evaluation and make that decision as promptly and responsibly as possible.
After very careful consideration, the Board of Directors has decided to close Kokua Market at King Street this Saturday, September 9th at 5 p.m.
Supporters had gathered on July 8 in a last-minute attempt to generate the support necessary to keep the store afloat.
“Without community support, this event could be a “last hurrah” for Hawaii’s original natural foods cooperative,” organizers said in a press release.
After an earlier near-death experience in 2019, supporters had stepped up and raised more than $100,000 in a few days to keep Kokua Market in business.
This time around, though, it was too late. Covid, and “market forces,” had continued to take a toll over the past four years, leading to the difficult decision to close.
It’s really the end of an era. Kokua Market was grounded in the spirit of the 60s counterculture and its rejection of the corporate world.
We can only hope that it’s not the end of that vision of a community-owned, community-based, participatory and non-profit alternative.
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I worked Saturdays as a volunteer and learned about healthy foods vs not so healthy foods from the comments I heard from patrons. In due time, I and my family changed our diet to fresh foods, locally grown and raised if possible. Fifty years of healthy eating! Thank you KCF and Laurie Carlson.
A loss both as a healthy food source and as a community builder. I’m sorry it is gone.
We all know S.A.D. stands for Sad American Diet. Television and radio ads are filled with ads for potions, pills, and lotions. Recent Wall Street Journal article reported on the multi-million acquisition of Hostess Brands, which makes Twinkies, Ding Dongs and Ho Hos, for a total value including debt of $5.6 billion. At the same time, the American diet pill industry is valued at $1.47 billion in 2022.
I discovered health food in Hawaii in the 90’s at Down to Earth and learned the difference between being a vegetarian and a vegan. But as I have gotten older, and I hate say this, I know people in their 70’s with a whole host of health problems that did everything right: diet, regular exercise, no alcohol and definitely no smoking. And I know others that begin their day with a cigarette, end it with a night cap, and are in their 70’s and 80’s and the only drugs they take are an occasional pain reliver.
Finally, and this will probably elicit negative comments, but I consider the fruits and vegetables at Safeway to be as good as the one’s sold at any local farmer’s market. In fact, I would challenge the most ardent health food fanatic to a blind tasting and I predict the store bought fruits and vegetables would score just as high as the “organic” items.
I could go on, but I think people make too much of a big deal over food that is supposed to be “fresh”, “organic”, “non-GMO”‘, “locally grown”. etc.
PS: am blown way how Down to Earth can do so much with tofu.
I totally understand where you are coming from, but, on the safe side, I’d rather eat stuff not sprayed to death with pesticides for the sake of looking prettier. One thing that I do notice with “organic” produce, vegetables, chicken etc. is that they tend to taste better. Maybe a bit of the pacebo effect, but the locally available chicken tastes better to me. There is a limit for me on how much extra I’ll spend to get that benefit.
I did the logo with the apple O about 1975 predating Whole Foods by a good 5 years.
Should have had a word with the big boys.
Alas, that is very sad news. We were faithful customers of Kokua in our Honolulu days. Here in Hilo, we shop regularly at Abundant Life. It is privately owned, but it’s owners and young staff do a wonderful job, and the vibes are good. The Big Island also has Island Naturals, owned by Russell Ruderman, which has stores in Hilo, Pahoa, and Kailua-Kona. The Hilo store is quite large and always seems to be quite busy.