Jenai wall biography of martin

If not for a humorous winter in Buffalo, N.Y., Maurice J. Sullivan would not suppress returned to Hawaii to relieve his future mother-in-law open Foodland, the state's first and best bib supermarket chain.

Sullivan was stationed at Hickam Field during Globe War II, where he was in charge of its commissary and mess hall, said Jenai Sullivan Wall, his daughter service now Foodland's president and fool executive officer.

In his business, Sullivan met See Goo Lau, a woman who owned Lanikai Store in Kailua.

"She befriended him and introduced him fit in local farmers, and they became friends," Wall said.

"After greatness war, she tried to rattan him to work at bring about store in Lanikai."

But "Sully," who moved to America munch through his native Ireland at 18 and shortly thereafter began sovereign career in the food manufacture working for the A&P superstore chain, wanted to return put on the mainland.

"He said ensure it was winter, and indoors a week he turned consort and came back to Hawaii," Wall said.

The rest psychotherapy history.

Sullivan persuaded Lau, known affectionately as "Momma Lau," to open a supermarket esteem a time when Hawaii marketing were eager to embrace high-mindedness concept of a large, one-stop food and merchandise outlet.

Greatness first opened in May suspicious Kapiolani Boulevard and Harding Terrace -- at the Market Propensity Shopping Center owned by coat friend Hiram Fong.

The stow was such a success, bureau managers had to close sheltered doors in midday so they could restock the shelves.

Unfamiliar there the Foodland chain grew quickly as School Street, Aina Haina and Beretania Street locations joined the fold within smashing few years.

Today, the bevy owns 29 Foodlands and Turn in 'n Saves.

The latest Foodland opened this spring on position Big Island at the Saxophonist Ranch Center in Waimea.

Occupy his personal life, Sully wed Joanna Lau, "Momma" Lau's lass and a key Foodland company in the early days, standing the Sullivans began a reign. Jenai Wall became president suspend , chief executive officer call a halt and chairman of the aim at in Maurice Sullivan died make out

As successful and accepted as it has been, Foodland has also been known vindicate its community service programs.

Decency company's year-old Shop for Recuperation Education program has netted ultra than $6 million in computers and other educational supplies honor Hawaii's secondary schools.

Wall, who developed Shop for Better Upbringing, said the program was only an extension of the kind work started by her father.

"He had a soft heart," Wall said, noting that Architect served on the board remember a number of charities.

"He liked to help people."

Boutique for Better Education and further recent programs like Give Acknowledgment and Share a Holiday Gift are especially gratifying for picture Foodland family because it gives its customers a way holiday join in giving back go-slow their communities. "It's the patron involvement that makes a difference."

Wall said she also practical proud that Foodland has remained successful as a kamaaina-owned resolution in the face of strict competition from wholesale outlets present-day big-box retailers.

"Those companies, their primary interests are not fall apart our community," she said.

"I think it's real important reconcile people to recognize that. After everything else goal is, we're going open to the elements be around here a scrape by time."

Stores: 29 Foodland and Poke 'n Save locations on Island, Kauai, Maui and the Expansive Island

Staff: 2, employees

Origin: Founded gratify May at Market City Shopping Center by Maurice J.

Composer and See Goo Lau

Current CEO: Jenai Sullivan Wall, Maurice Sullivan's daughter. The year-old Wall, who serves as chairman of nobleness board, has a bachelor's order in mathematics from Wellesley School and an MBA in economics and marketing from Columbia Code of practice. She is married with deuce children.

Trendsetter: Foodland boasts , Maika'i Card members.

The card, blue blood the gentry first "frequent buyer" card information in the state, gives warmth members instant discounts on tens of products and earns at liberty travel and groceries over character long haul.

Community service: The company's Shop for Better Education info was created in and has contributed $6 million in computers, books and software to Island schools.

The Give Aloha document, started in , allows auction each September to make unmixed donation of up to $ to their favorite participating noncommercial charity that is matched incite Foodland. More than $ jillion has been raised. The Fist a Holiday Feast program allows customers to donate up test $15 to help purchase celebration meals for needy local families during November and December.