Nisshodo Candy Store

2021 is a mon It's celebrating 100 years in business. But over the last century, few times have been as grueling for the small family business as the pandemic. Nishoto Candy Store is tonight's hardworking Hawaii. The small shop is hidden, tucked away in a warehouse in Kalihi. From the outside, the sign is faded. But don't let that fool you. Because when you step inside the tiny storefront, color is all you'll see. A lot of it is trying not to deviate from the traditional recipes that my grandfather started. Tradition, that's what Nishoto Candy Store is all about. Michael Harato's grandfather started the business 100 years ago. He was from Hiroshima, came in with the idea of a sugar plantation. They started to hire workers, immigrants. He was one of those that came over. Making mochi by hand isn't easy. Harato's family put him to work when he was just a kid. When I was younger, were at the old location near Alapark. My main job, I recall, was to yell in the back when customers came in. Over the last century, Nishoto Candy Store found success, and not just with the locals. Social media Chichidango is Nishoto's most popular product. To put the demand into perspective, pre-pandemic, they were making about 1,800 pounds of this every week. Now because of COVID, they're only doing about a thousand. I'm sure you heard this from everybody you interview. It's been tough. It's very tough. We notice the drop-off a lot from, as And so we have to rely on the walk-ins. And we've been very thankful that they do walk-in. One, two, three, four. The global pandemic is also hurting Nishoto Candy Store in another way. Suppliers in Japan stopped carrying some of the items Harahou needs to run his business. So now I'm scrambling to figure out how I'm going to get certain things to keep our product lanes open. In the business's 100 years, there have been few times as tough as the COVID-19 pandemic. But just as Harahou's family did during the Great Depression and World War II, they're going to push through and live up to the name Nishoto. What does Nishoto mean? That's a good question. My father basically said it has to do with the business that the son never sets on the business. I appreciate it. Thank you so much. Okay, make it a great day. Now, the owner tells me their location is also a challenge in getting new customers. Nishoto Candy Store is hard to see off Dillingham Boulevard, so he is so grateful for every customer that has supported them throughout this pandemic.