Why did you choose to make Kona your home?
It all started with an invitation. In 1997, I was working at a restaurant in Portland, Oregon where I met Cameron Healy, the owner and founder of the Kona Brew Pub. He asked me if I wanted to come to Kona and be the general manager. I thought, why not? Upon arriving in Kona, I completely fell in love with the Aloha spirit and the vibe here. The emphasis on family and community resonated with me.
How did the vision for Brewery Block evolve?
As we were growing Kona Brew, we had the opportunity to acquire the property. It seemed like a great idea to be able to control our own destiny by being our own landlord. As time went on, I started thinking of how we could entertain the 1,000 plus people that were coming in every day. In 1999 we had our first concert – John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers – it was a hit! With so much energy building around Kona Brew, we knew the next step was to bring in more small business partners. We began acquiring the properties surrounding us to realize this vision – a hub for locals and visitors in a discoverable location. That’s part of what makes it unique. It’s not on the corner of Main and Main, it’s a little off the beaten path.
Local community seems to be the centerpiece of your businesses. Where did that value come from?
I believe in having a mindset of abundance. My philosophy is that there is plenty to go around and everything is more fun with friends. For instance, at the Brewery Block, we have five restaurants right next to each other. Some might think that’s bad for business. However, we aren’t competing; we’re feeding each other. This is how I was raised growing up in Spokane, Washington. I have fifteen siblings. Our home was a constant revolving door of friends, relatives, and community members.
You value small business. Are you dreaming about ways to help support local start-ups?
We currently have thirty-five small business partners and are always looking to add new businesses to our ‘ohana who share our values. I feel like we’ve done a good job of creating a place where people can come to work and play…but what about to live? Looking ahead, I’d love to find a way to create more housing options in Kona. This is an issue that affects all businesses and especially start-ups – affordable space for your team and their families to live.
I believe in having a mindset of abundance. My philosophy is that there is plenty to go around and everything is more fun with friends.