There is little better than enjoying fresh fruits and vegetables grown in the Aloha State. Unfortunately, because so much of the food produced here gets exported, the produce we find at grocery stores in Hawaii has often been shipped to the islands. Nestled inside the walls of a former pineapple cannery, Pauwela Store is the exception – specializing in fresh, locally-grown produce, as well as a variety of other goods.

America is home to countless incredible small businesses worthy of our patronage, and OnlyInYourState's annual Small Business Spotlight series recognizes the often-overlooked work of business owners nationwide – including the Aloha State. 

When pineapple was king, the Pauwela Cannery was a busy hub of activity: The train came and went, delivering canned pineapples for shipment to the mainland and transporting workers. Today, it is the site of various manufacturing warehouses, surfboard shapers, art galleries, a hardware store, and more.

Pauwela Store opened its doors in 2017 in a space formerly occupied by a video store to provide locals with healthy, organic groceries that were difficult to find unless you drove into town.

The store was sold in 2019 and, under its current ownership, still prioritizes local and organic food, but has expanded to be so much more than your average health food store.

“This little gem of a store was loved by its faithful customers, but my family knew it could be something more,” says Kimberly Kriegh, Pauwela Store President and CEO.

“We pivoted slightly, and while still having organic groceries as our primary focus, we also introduced a variety of other items from locally crafted goodies, jewelry, and clothing and moved on with a ‘something for everyone’ approach so that we could serve all aspects of our local client base while showcasing local vendors,” Kriegh explains.

Serving this rural Hawaii community provides unique opportunities to connect with its community in more ways than one.

The owners have an internal message board for customer requests – we all know how difficult it is to source quality items and have them shipped to Hawaii – and are regularly changing their strategy to best serve their community: "Our economy is ever changing and the demands on people are changing with it, they need a small local business that cares about them and their time," says Kriegh. "By making a conscious choice to listen to our customers and deliver on their needs, ultimately defines our stores success."

The Pauwela Store owners also support other local businesses as well: “By providing and showcasing other local businesses, we are able to breathe life back into small Hawaii based businesses so that we can all succeed.” All types of Hawaii-based businesses are featured at Pauwela Store – from tiny companies like Coconut Glen’s, Maui Chili Chili Oil, and Vitalitea Hawaii to more well-known brands like Ocean Vodka and Maui Brewing Company.

In just a few short years, Pauwela Store has become a beloved cornerstone of its community.

“We are the late-night ice cream stop when all other businesses are closed. We are the local store where you can pick up a last-minute gift for a friend or loved one or a fancy bottle of champagne or French wine for a celebration, a bite to eat or food for dinner, and even a place to visit with your neighbors and local travelers,” explains Kriegh.

This one-stop-shop may not look like much from the exterior, but as soon as you step inside, you'll discover a wide variety of delicious and healthy options – whether you live on Maui or are stopping by on the Road To Hana.

There aren’t many independent grocery stores to be found across the Hawaiian Islands anymore, but their food selection is only part of what makes Pauwela Store truly exceptional.

"We love that Pauwela Store is more than just a small neighborhood grocery store; it's a vibe, it's aloha, and it's something we will continue to evolve," says Kriegh.

Mahalo to Kimberly Kriegh, President and CEO of Pauwela Store, for sharing the story of this small Aloha State Business with us. For more information about our new favorite place for grocery shopping in Hawaii, visit the Pauwela Store website or follow Pauwela Store on Facebook.

Pauwela Store is just one of many small businesses in Hawaii that are worthy of our patronage – please nominate your favorites for a chance to be featured in a future Only In Hawaii Article. You’ll also want to follow Only In Hawaii on Facebook and Instagram for more Aloha State favorites that dig deeper than the tourist blogs.