New CU Branch Signage Honors Hawaii Store Founded in 1924
The store’s last owner, 102-year-old Gilbert Awong, visits the HFS FCU location that now bears his family name.
HFS Federal Credit Union recently hung a new sign at its branch in Honoka’a, Hawaii, located on the state’s Big Island, in honor of what was once housed there – the historic, family-owned Awong Brothers Store.
Lettering that spells out “AWONG 1924” now sits above the $880 million, Hilo, Hawaii-based credit union’s name and logo on the outside of the building, which is the oldest structure in Honoka’a and listed in the National Register of Historic Places with the United States Department of the Interior. What’s more, 102-year-old Gilbert Awong, the last owner of the Awong Brothers Store, recently met with an HFS staff member along with his daughter, Beverly, and had the opportunity to see his family’s name displayed on the branch, according to HFS.
HFS opened its Honoka’a branch in 2016 when it merged with another credit union that maintained a branch at the location, the credit union said.
“The Awong Store holds a special place in Honoka’a’s history and we are honored to be able to continue serving the financial needs of the community from this historic building,” HFS FCU President/CEO Nathan Abe stated. “We recognize the immense historical significance of the Awong Brothers Store and are committed to being responsible stewards of its preservation.”
Gilbert Awong’s father, Alfred – who was also a local fisherman, rancher, cane planter, Hamakua County Band bandmaster and Honoka’a Library founder – opened the store in 1924 with his brother Henry. Upon Alfred’s death in 1956, his son took over.
According to HFS, Awong recalled selling $0.31 loaves of bread and serving as a one-stop shop for anything the community needed, including coffins. In addition, he said portions of the building were rented out at various times to establishments, including a beer parlor for Marines and a warehouse.