Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 12, Number 5, 1 May 1995 — Warehouse operator builds business with building materials [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Warehouse operator builds business with building materials

by Patrick Johnston We eat off of it, we store

stuff in cabinets made from it, we live in houses built using it, but most of us don't know exactly what it is or where it eame from. For loan fund recipient John Pahia, it's his job to know what "it" is and to make sure he has a good supply when clients eome calling. Pahia owns and operates Maui Laminates, a warehouse distributor in Kahului that supplies Maui contractors and cabinet makers with a variety

of specialty building materials. These include plastic laminates, used for counter tops and cabinet work, and high quality plywood used for home furnishings. Maui Laminates also carries a number of other accessories and some specialty tools. Pahia began his business five years ago following eight years as a supervisor at an O'ahu City Mill lumber yard. He got his start after the president of Olahu-based Nahonal Laminates, also a distributor supplying building materials, approached him about starting a similar warehouse business in Maui. National Laminates, along with family and Pahia's own savings, provided start-up resources for Maui Laminates. Pahia runs his business with a staff of five. He is president of the company but says he treats his staff like family and he feels like an employee. "I love work," he adds, "I don't ever regret starting a business." Pahia received financing from OHA

in 1 99 1 and used it for working capital and to increase inventory. "I'm real grateful for them loaning me the money," he says. "I needed the inventory. If I didn't have the stuff then customers would go someplace else." Pahia has plenty of competition in Maui but he believes his prices and service keep his company competitive.

One look in his warehouse and you ean tell he runs a tight ship. Pahia explains, "I learned a lot from working at City Mill. It taught me about tidiness, inventory and recordkeeping." It also taught him about the human side of

running a business. "Good relations with employees and customers are very important," he points out, adding it is essential to know what people's "needs are and to follow through." Maui Laminates ean be reached in Maui at 871-6500. For information about the Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund eall 594-1888.

Maui Laminates President John Pahia

Outside Pahia's warehouse in Maui. Photos by Patrick Johnston