Hilo-based Puna Plantation Hawaii Ltd., parent company of KTA Super Stores, KTA Express and KTA Pharmacy, will officially take over the K. Takata store in Kapaau on September 23.

The sale includes the Takata store property at 54-3627 Akoni Pule Hwy. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Takata Store, a family-owned, independent grocery store, is a long-standing business in the North Kohala community. Keizo and Hatsuko Takata founded the store in Hawi in 1923 before the family moved it to its current 10,625-square-foot building in Kapaau in 1992. Keizo and Hatsuko’s son, Shiro, and Shiro’s wife, Clara, took over.

Brothers Rayton and Jerry Takata, sons of Shiro and Clara Takata, took over the business in the 1980s after returning home from college. Now nearing retirement, they have arranged to sell to Puna Plantation so the business can continue to serve the needs of the community.

“It has been a joy for our family and employees to serve the Kohala community for over 100 years,” said Rayton Takata, the older brother. “Our mission has been to support Kohala by providing products and services to our local customers. You know, here in Hawaii, we use ‘local’ to describe and define many aspects of our lives.

“In 2010, when the Kaneshiro store in Honokaa closed, we no longer had a way to receive our goods cost-effectively and in a timely manner. Knowing the impact the closure would have on the smaller grocery stores, KTA offered to share the cargo space in their containers with us.

“The result was an uninterrupted supply of goods to the people of North Kohala.”

Toby Taniguchi, president of Puna Plantation and KTA, said the Takata trademark and brand would be retained “for continuity” in the business.

“They’re, like us, independent grocers and independent grocers are a dying breed,” Taniguchi told the Tribune-Herald on Friday. “The Takata store is a cornerstone of the North Kohala community, isn’t it? And when they talked to us, we said, ‘Yeah, we think we’d like to pursue that opportunity.’

“We didn’t know at the time whether it was going to happen or not. We didn’t know what their specific needs were or what we expected. But it had been a conversation for some time.”

Taniguchi pointed out numerous similarities in the history of the Takata Store and KTA, which began with over a century of service to the community.

KTA began in 1916 as K Taniguchi Shoten, a 500-square-foot grocery and dry goods store on Lihiwai Street in Hilo’s Waiakea Town neighborhood. While Rayton and Jerry Takata are the third generation of the family to operate the Takata store, Taniguchi is the fourth generation to run KTA – now an islandwide supermarket chain – which was founded by his great-grandparents, Koichi and Taniyo Taniguchi.

“Ultimately, it is an honor for us to continue the Takatas’ legacy of service and commitment to their community,” Taniguchi said.

The Takata Store has a smaller format and a smaller product selection than the KTA Super Stores. Therefore, KTA Super Stores coupons, special offers and loyalty points will not be offered, validated or honored in the Takata Store.

Puna Plantation plans to continue operations with a focus on convenience and high-demand items and intends to retain all current staff.

“We have already made offers to bring their employees with us,” Taniguchi said. “The heart of any organization is its people. We place a high value on promoting within our team, so I think it’s only fitting that we bring their team with us.”

An internal promotion has already been announced. Manuel “Mano” Gusman has been named the new Takata Store Director. Gusman worked his way up the company after starting as a store clerk 24 years ago.

Rayton Takata said that while KTA’s ownership in North Kohala is new, the company has long been a community benefactor, starting with a shared shipping container.

“Indirectly, KTA has been involved in supporting our community for the past 14 years,” he said. “Although we compete in the same market segment, KTA has favored Kokua over the competition, and that is my definition of ‘local.'”

“I would like to warmly welcome home an old friend.”

Taniguchi said it is a privilege to be part of “a cherished landmark and trusted part of the North Kohala community.”

“We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to continue Takata’s legacy and continue to earn the trust of the community,” he concluded. “And we want to thank all of their employees and all of our employees, supporters and business partners who have helped make this possible.”

Email John Burnett at [email protected].