Ace builds foundation with aloha

PRINCEVILLE — Island Ace Hardware’s anniversary of new ownership has arrived.

Mark Schulein and Matt Fales took over as owners in March 2018. For over 20 years, the hardware store was previously owned by Terry Caplan.

Schulein wants to make sure that certain inventory is in stock at the Princeville Shopping Center store so everyone has everything they need just down the street.

“It’s all about the community. We are passionate about the communities we serve,” Schulein said.

The anniversary of the change in ownership closely follows the anniversary of the April 2018 flood. When Schulein and Fales took over the store, they quickly put plans in motion to make sure those recovering from the flood could cleanup and repair.

Ace Hardware staff also did what they could to provide supplies to help people prepare for hurricane season.

Roy Smith, store manager, said there was more advance warnings about the threat of hurricanes, and so they focused on stocking up on flashlights, batteries and generators.

Since the flood happened unexpectedly and quickly caused extensive damage, staff and owners had to prepare in what seemed like spur of the moment, so customers could purchase supplies in a timely manner.

“We ordered an emergency container and added an insane amount of products,” Smith said. “For me, I wasn’t used to the rain inventory. There’s deadlines we had to keep up with.”

Rain and mud equipment and anything related to water management and cleanup due to the storms were priority.

Mud boots, rain jackets, respirators and masks, bleach and other cleaning supplies were in high demand at the time.

In reaction to the floods, Schulein and Fales donated $10,000 each to Hale Halawai in Hanalei and to Aina Ho‘okupu in Kilauea.

Island Ace Hardware raises money by encouraging customers to “round up,” or have customers round up the price of their sale. Additional money from these sales go to causes including Monster and Sea and Kapiolani Children’s Hospital with the Children’s Miracle Network.

Nicknaming it “miracle water,” Schulein said proceeds from their Kangen Water machine go to Kapiolani Children’s Hospital.

Funds for Monster and Sea were given to cancer patients, families, and anyone impacted by the illness.

“There’s need everywhere. Everyone’s been touched by cancer,” Schulein said.

When it comes to the change in ownership, staff members seem to be enjoying the transformation. The office is now a third of its size, there are new displays and products, while others have been rearranged or stored elsewhere.

“Overall, they, the owners, added about 5,000 different things to the inventory,” said Judith Cabulisan, employee and supervisor.

“We have great incentives, we get bonuses if we exceed our sales,” she said with a smile. “We feel like we matter. The owners are very involved. They’re just a call away.”

Cabulisan said Island Ace Hardware is community-minded.

“It’s about the satisfaction of helping people, it’s not about the money,” she said.

Regular customer Ryan Forster said his shopping experience at the hardware store is always positive.

“I love coming here. I run a nonprofit and get items here. They help me by telling me how to use the products,” he said.

“They tell me where everything is and how to use it in the drop of a dime.”

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Monique Rowan is a Wainiha resident who writes periodically for The Garden Island.