Legacy of Takamiya Market: the man behind the Maui market

Aug 30, 2026

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.

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