LIHUE — Though Chevron Dealer Glen Konishi acknowledges his chosen profession is “hard work,” and technological advances might eventually put gas-station owners out of business, he’d support his son in a second if Kevin Konishi decided to continue the family
LIHUE — Though Chevron Dealer Glen Konishi acknowledges his chosen profession is “hard work,” and technological advances might eventually put gas-station owners out of business, he’d support his son in a second if Kevin Konishi decided to continue the family business into a third generation.
Kevin Konishi is studying finance at the University of Idaho, and though his father would prefer his son pursued a career with a more secure future, of course he would welcome him home and into the family business once his college career is over.
“I would prefer my son find something with a better future,” but if Kevin Konishi wants to take over the family business, no one would be prouder than his father, Glen Konishi said.
“If he chooses to come here, then, that would be his choice. I would welcome that,” Glen Konishi said. “It’s hard work, though.
“I don’t know too much about what he wants to do,” Glen Konishi said of son Kevin, 20. “I know my older daughter wants to come back to Kauai.”
Kevin Konishi said, “ideally,” he’d like to come back at least to Hawaii, if not Kauai, for work after his school days.
He hopes there is a market for someone with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He got into the major because he was interested in learning about money, saving and investing.
With technological changes, cars already available that run on either electricity or gas, and hydrogen, fuel-cell powered vehicles being developed, Glen Konishi knows his may be an industry on the way out.
“The fuel industry, I guess, it’ll be declining. I think technology is going to take over, and there will be a lesser demand for fuel, gas,” said Glen Konishi, 48.
Again this summer, though, patrons of Gary’s Service, Inc., on Kuhio Highway here, could if they choose to decide which of the three generations of Konishis will pump their gas.
Gary Konishi, 75, who has officially retired as the station’s namesake but still insists on showing up for work nearly every day to help out, is there by the full-service pumps.
Glen Konishi manages the day-to-day operations of the station, which includes a three-bay service area.
Kevin Konishi pumps gas, helps out the mechanics, washes cars, and does other work like any other summer hire in this 20-employee operation.
Gary and Kevin Konishi work the morning shifts, on duty until noon.
Chervon Hawaii leaders earlier this year announced they would be getting out of the station-ownership side of the gasoline business, offering to sell their properties to dealers operating them, or to others if the existing dealers aren’t interested in purchasing the properties.
Gary’s will be one of the last to be appraised, as it is on land leased from the estate of Harry and Jeanette Weinberg, which owns the property under the station.
Glen Konishi is waiting on that appraisal to see what the asking price might be, and could decide to purchase the station if the terms are suitable, he said.
Asked if he ever thought about being part-owner of the station, or otherwise being involved in the operation should the family decide to purchase it, Kevin Konishi said, “I never really thought about it that much.”
Carol Konishi, Glen’s sister, is also involved in the family business.
The station is open from 5 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday, and 24 hours a day on weekends and holidays.
Business Editor Paul C. Curtis can be reached at mailto:pcurtis@pulitzer.net or 245-3681 (ext. 224).
