KALIHI (HawaiiNewsNow) – Alicia’s Market has been a staple in Kalihi for decades, and serves as the go-to lunch spot for many working and living in the neighborhood.
“I’ve been coming to Alicia for the past 30 years already,” said David Howard of Kalihi.
“I come and get roast pork mostly,” said Derek Sayegusa, who works in the area.
Alicia’s Market has been run by the same family along Mokauea Street for nearly 80 years.
Leonard Kam’s parents, Raymond and Alicia Kam, started the business in 1949.
“He met my mom in China,” said Leonard Kam. “It was kind of like picture bride and that’s how he brought her over. She couldn’t speak any English. My father could speak English, but my mom was the cook. My father was a businessman.”
Leonard Kam said his parents borrowed money from an uncle and purchased the property. The first store was built in the parking lot and then it was moved into the two-story building where it’s currently standing today.
Leonard Kam is one of six and is the only boy.
His oldest sister was manning the register at the age of 5 and he would stack the groceries and beer.
“Under my parents, it was under a regime,” said Leonard Kam. Not easy, but that’s how I learned how to become probably a better person, you know?”
Alicia’s Market initially sold groceries and Chinese comfort foods.
The menu later expanded to poke.
“We actually learned how to make poke and sashimi from a butcher that we hired at one time long ago when aku was popular,” said Leonard Kam.
Alicia passed away in 2016.
Despite the 2018 fire and COVID pandemic, the Kam family never gave up.
They temporarily worked just a few doors down during renovations and returned to their original spot last November.
Leonard Kam continues to work with his wife, Gerri, and sons, Chris and Brad.
Like their dad, they grew up in the shop as well.
“My first job was to prepare the boiled peanuts to be boiled,” said Brad Kam.
“I would bring food in the back for them to cook for me, and my grandma would make stuff for me,” said Chris Kam.
The brothers plan on carrying on their family’s legacy through Alicia’s Market.
“I do feel a sense of responsibility of taking over what my grandma started,” said Brad Kam.
“It’s been a really long time. I’m kind of surprised that it’s been this long,” said Chris Kam. “Hopefully, my kids will come and take over. My daughter and my son are always here.”
Alicia’s Market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
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