Oʻahu · Business · Military Service

Herbert Sakai

Kalihi · 1930s

Second-generation machinist who built a family shop in Kalihi after returning from service.

Conversations

1. A shop is a promise to your neighbors

   8/6/2026

   Herbert Sakai recalls opening a machine shop in Kalihi in 1961, and the unwritten rules of doing business in the neighborhood.

   Recording not yet released for this conversation.

   Read transcript

   Nobody signed anything. If you told somebody Tuesday, it was Tuesday. One time I worked all Sunday night because I said Tuesday. That is the whole business right there.

   Open the full story page

Shared publicly with written permission. Read our kuleana.