Q+A with Micah Teruya of Okuhara Foods and CPB’s Lori Honda

Q+A with Micah Teruya of Okuhara Foods and CPB’s Lori Honda

Lori Honda, Central Pacific Bank’s Vice President and Senior Business Banking Officer, talks story with Micah Teruya of Okuhara Foods. Micah is now running Okuhara Foods, a locally owned and operated family business, that is celebrating over 72 years of fishcake! Kamaboko (steamed fishcake), chikuwa (broiled fishcake), uzumaki (steamed fishcake), gobo (fried fishcake) and tempura (fried fishcake) are some of the delicious products Okuhara Foods offers!

Lori Honda (LH): First up, although many of us in Hawaii are familiar with Okuhara Foods, could you share a bit about the company for those who may not be as familiar?

Micah Teruya (MT): Okuhara Foods has been a familiar name to Hawaii for over 72 years now. Our fishcake products are in Times Supermarkets, Foodland, Safeway, Costco, Don Quijote, Commissary, Longs Drugs, Sack N Save, Tamura’s, Marukai (Hawaii and California), Uwajimaya (Washington and Oregon). We’re also at some of your favorite restaurants, Lori – like Zippy’s, Ezogiku, Side Street Inn, Sumo Ramen, Like Like Drive Inn, Tanaka Saimin, L&L, and some others as well!

LH:Haha. You’re definitely correct. Those are some of my favorites! Why don’t you share with us some of your background?

MT: Sure. I was born and raised on Oahu and attended Maryknoll High School. After graduating from UH with an accounting degree, I immediately joined the family business at Okuhara Foods.

LH: Wow! I can imagine that has been interesting. What would you say has been the greatest change in your business in the last two years and how did you address the change?

MT: The greatest change in our company was the change in ownership to the third generation of the family. Our company has many long-time employees and having new family members (myself and my siblings) enter into leadership positions and make necessary changes was not easy. To address this change we constantly demonstrate to the employees that we are just as dedicated to the business as the first generation was.

LH: Succession planning isn’t easy, so I’m sure that change in leadership wasn’t easy but it sounds like you are working hard to overcome this. How do you balance being a small business owner and your personal life?

MT: Balancing being a small business owner and having a personal life is quite challenging. There are certain times in the year when business picks up and requires working long hours. Having a supportive family and friends helps me to balance both.

LH: Was being in the family business your initial plan for when you were graduated from UH?

MT: Actually, it wasn’t in the cards. Initially, I didn’t plan or really want to join the family business but after witnessing my grandpa’s commitment and unyielding work ethic, I decided I wanted to perpetuate his efforts. At the age of 95, he was still working and I wanted him to feel confident that his legacy would be preserved.

LH: Wow. That is really inspiring! What would you say has been your greatest joy of being a business owner?

MT: I’d have to say that it’s being able to carry on the family business.

LH: That’s definitely a great joy, not just for you but the family. On the flip side, what has been the biggest challenge of owning your own business?

MT: For us, the biggest challenge in our business is food safety. In the food manufacturing industry we have to continuously do our due diligence to ensure that we are always in compliance with food regulations and standards.

LH: What would you say that CPB has been able to provide for you along the way?

MT: CPB has helped us to navigate the complexities of small business financial management. Even though I have a degree in accounting, CPB’s help is really important for the day-to-day.

LH: I’m glad we’ve been able to help you folks throughout the years. It’s incredible to see how the business has continued through different generations. As a younger business owner, what advice would you give to young people thinking of starting their own business?

MT: I would share that it requires passion and perseverance. Being a business owner entails working long hours, making many personal sacrifices and taking on unexpected responsibilities. Having passion for what you do and a never-give-up attitude are important traits of a business owner.

LH: You’ve shared a lot of wisdom and insight with us. One last question for you, Micah. If you could give advice to your younger self, what would that be?

MT: Learn to ask better questions and find the right people to answer them. It will lead to new ideas, opportunities and relationships.