Nishimoto Store
The Nishimoto Store, built in 1910, was adjacent to Yamagata Camp, on the makai side of Mamalahoa Highway.
One of Nishimoto Store's patrons, Pearl Yamamoto, shares her childhood memories through an essay, "Lasting Memories".
I hurriedly crossed the bridge in Ninole, as I approached this "mom and pop" store, with endless shelves filled with almost anything a small rural community needed. My two quarters jingled in my red plastic coin purse, which dangled from a short silver chain. I could hear the sound of the hand crank adding machin - "Ka chang, ka chang". As I walked through the door, the old wooden floor creaked. Mrs. Nishimoto, a kind and patient silver-haired woman, was washing dishes in the back section of the building where they lived. She greeted me with her usual warm smile and said, "Hi Pearl - you came by yourself today for bread?" The sound of the adding machine also stopped and there was a moment of silence. Mr. Nishimoto took off his glasses and looked up. He left his pile of paperwork and asked, "Pearl, you dad wen catch fish last night? I saw him going about dark." I quickly answered, "Yeah" and it seemed to answer both questions. I wanted to choose my "treat", because a loaf of bread only costs 25 cents plus tax and I could splurge the rest.
A 1987 Star Bulletin article, "Friendly old store closes after 77 years", provides insight into the role of the store in the community. The store closed on August 23, 1987.
