LIHU’E — Health education was one of the great passions of Sachi Kanenaka. And as long as Holly Kanenaka could remember, her mother was always trying to bestow knowledge about the subject to the rest of the family. In October
LIHU’E — Health education was one of the great passions of Sachi Kanenaka.
And as long as Holly Kanenaka could remember, her mother was always trying to bestow knowledge about the subject to the rest of the family.
In October of 2003, Sachi Kanenaka passed away and left money for Holly.
Holly decided to use the money to further educate the people here on Kaua’i.
“I thought it would be a good idea,” Holly said. “I didn’t know where to put it but I knew that this was something close to her heart.”
Holly was friends with Sherrie Rodi who owned and managed the Vim N’ Vigor health food store on Rice Street. In November of 2003, Rodi decided against re-leasing the store location on Rice Street.
Vim N’ Vigor closed its operations a month later and it appeared as though the store would no longer have a presence on the island.
Before the store closed in December, Holly and Sherrie conferred and decided to form a business partnership in order to keep Vim N’ Vigor on Kaua’i.
Holly used the money, given to her after her mother had passed away, to help relocate the store to 3122 Kuhio Highway in Lihu’e.
On Saturday, Holly and Rodi held a soft opening with a grand-opening celebration planned for the early spring.
“The main objective is to serve the people in this community,” said Rodi. “We feel that there is a great need for this here. It is our way to give back to them.”
The focus of the store, according to the owners, is to help promote health education. Holly and Rodi will sell various supplements including vitamins, herbs, sports drinks and nutritious food items as well as refrigerated supplies at the 1,000 square foot location.
In the future, the owners also plan on offering pre-made sandwiches. According to Holly, 10 percent of monthly sales at the new store will be dedicated to her mother’s church, Kauai Bible.
Janice Hensley and Sherry Knowles will manage the new store which is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9-5 p.m. on Saturday and 10-4 p.m. on Sunday.
In 1967, the first Vim N’ Vigor store opened in Kapahulu.
“Hippies” and surfers on their way to the beach came from all over the island. This location included a juicebar which served the “stretch-da-mouth” sandwich on stone-ground whole wheat bread.
The store has been in existence for over 30 years.
Today, Vim N’ Vigor has four stores throughout Hawai’i and recently opened a store in Asia.
Business Editor Barry Graham may be reached at 245-3681 Ext. 251 or mailto:bgraham@pulitzer.net
