Island Grocery Depot marks 40 years with October events in Kahului, Lahaina

Island Grocery Depot is holding a month-long 40th anniversary celebration in October at its Kahului and Lahaina stores, the company announced.

The celebration includes weekly sales, product demonstrations and in-store and online giveaways at both locations, according to a company news release issued Sept. 30.

The company will close out the month with live events and giveaways at both stores in partnership with its longtime radio partner, 99.9 KISS FM. The events will feature Ed & Patty:

• Kahului store: Oct. 30, noon to 2 p.m.
• Lahaina store: Oct. 31, noon to 2 p.m.

“In 1986, my parents, Roy and Lorraine Okumura, opened a small store behind our warehouse called Cash N’ Carry,” said Nelson Okumura, president of VIP Foodservice and Island Grocery Depot. “Over the years, that small store grew and became what is now Island Grocery Depot. From the beginning, it was always about serving the needs of our Maui community. Forty years later, that same commitment remains at the heart of everything we do.”

This milestone holds special meaning for generations of customers and employees.

“For 40 years, we’ve had the privilege of serving Maui and generations of families. This milestone is really about celebrating the customers, employees and community who have been part of our journey through the years,” said Brian Arakaki, Kahului store manager.

“We are proud to be part of the West Maui community and grateful for the relationships we have built through the years. We look forward to continuing to serve Maui for many years to come,” said Jon Yasutake, Lahaina store manager.

Island Grocery Depot is open to the public and does not require a membership, the company said. It sells local specialty products and national brands in individual and bulk sizes. The company describes itself as locally and family-owned.

Island Grocery Depot and VIP Foodservice are divisions of Valley Isle Produce, which Roy and Lorraine Okumura founded in 1951.

The Kahului store is at 90 Amala Place, and the Lahaina store is at 58 Kupuohi St. Both are open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. More information, including a full anniversary schedule, is available at islandgrocerydepot.com/anniversary. The company also posts updates on Facebook and Instagram.