Honest service brings customers to auto shop for decades

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Fork out a take a look at to Kaimuki Automobile Restore and it’s like stepping again in time to the early 1970s when the station initially opened. Extensive in advance of computer systems dominated the globe.

Alan Nakamura grew up at this Waialae Avenue station and started operating below appropriate out of superior school.

He mentioned the mission statement has never adjusted: continue to keep it like it’s often been.

“This is like how it was back in the 70s. The early 70s when my father commenced it. All the stations were named services stations. Gasoline and support we offer repairs gasoline and service,” spelled out Nakamura.

Although numerous spouse and children organizations are battling to survive Nakamura sees a vibrant long run for the automobile shop.

Because his daughter Laurie Marcouiller, who also grew up at the station, is hopeful to carry on the family’s legacy.

“We grew up here doing very little items like counting dollars or standing close to although her mother and father are listed here performing. It is variety of been an ongoing issue,” Marcouiller reported.

Even though she graduated with a diploma in kinesiology, Marcouiller has been working total-time at the auto shop for the last 15 a long time.

She reported she’ll hold doing work below if she can obtain many others to stick it out with her.

Though fuel stations have graduated to a self-support design, Kaimuki automobile nonetheless presents self, mini and even entire-services. One thing Nakamura said he’ll never give up because it helps maintain his link to his consumers.

“I think which is the key right there — acquiring that personal relationship,” reported Nakamura. “And which is the enjoyment section about it all. I wouldn’t do it any other way and I explained to my daughter when she ways in you will be the issue person you choose more than and you take care and you get to know every one particular of the buyers.”

Extended-time client Dave Kaneshiro mentioned, “honest reliable provider. I hardly ever get cheated here. 100% safe…Old university Hawaii. Trustworthy folks — you simply cannot get.”

And it is that feeling of trust and community that Nakamura said makes just about every solitary working day worthwhile.

“Appreciating your clients — having an fantastic crew. My head mechanic has been listed here (for) more than 30 years he’s fantastic. He’s one of the key emphasis and my loved ones and everybody’s family members in excess of here.”