‘Sad to see local store going away’: Petland closing after 86 years

HONOLULU (KHON2) — From selling goldfish in a barrel to becoming the first tenants at Ala Moana Center, a beloved community pet store is closing its doors after 86 years.

Owner Kenneth Matsui said, “We are incredibly grateful to our loyal customers, dedicated employees, and partners who have been part of our journey.”

Petland is another family business communities have known by name since 1946 and now another one that is soon to close sometime in September.

“I’ve bought several pets here. I bought all my fish here,” said Ariana Kakugawa, a regular at the shop. “It’s very upsetting. You’ve been here all your life and it’s kind of sad to see your local store going away.”

The shop was founded by Jiro Matsui, Kenneth’s father who started the business selling goldfish from a wheelbarrow in Chinatown. Jiro had returned from WW2 as a proud veteran of the 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team, according to the family.

The first Petland was on Union Street downtown. It then became one of the first tenants at Ala Moana and was called Birdland. Today, the Kahala location is the last remaining Petland.

“My grandfather had such a special talent with pets,” stated Richard Matsui, the owner’s son. “His unique personality and traits of just having a green thumb and then being good to the animals really coincided well with like his economic needs of, of course, building a business that would care for his family.”

Now after more than eight decades, the family said the decision to close was difficult.

“My father had a bit of a health scare,” said Richard. “From that standpoint, nothing clarifies more or less priorities than having one of these health scares.”

Richard also mentioned the family’s economic concerns with keeping the business.

“We have some real doubts about our ability to survive in the era of Amazon and same day delivery,” said Richard. “I think it’s going to be a challenge that both local businesses will need to grapple with.”

The store will have a special closing sale starting Aug. 12. Most items will be 30% off for customers to have one last walk through and grab pet supplies before the shop officially closes.