Legacy of Takamiya Market: the man behind the Maui market
A Maui family market that has fed the island since 1946 is marking a milestone, as its best-known figure turns 95 — a warm moment for a community losing small local shops.
- Jimmy Takamiya, known on Maui as Uncle Jimmy, turned 95 and was honored by hundreds at a celebration at the Maui Beach Hotel.
- His family opened Takamiya Market in Wailuku's Happy Valley in 1946, feeding workers from the nearby sugar mill.
- He served in the Korean War as a Marine cook, learned butchering, then came home to help run the store.
- He added prepared food out of a small kitchen behind the market — hamburger and teriyaki are still top sellers, alongside the bentos and poke people line up for.
- Surfer Kai Lenny, who stopped in recently, said mom-and-pop spots like this are disappearing and are what hold island culture together.
Outlook: Jimmy has retired, and his children and grandchildren now run the market.