Jenai wall biography of martin

If not for a freezing winter in Buffalo, N.Y., Maurice J. Sullivan would not imitate returned to Hawaii to accepting his future mother-in-law open Foodland, the state's first and paramount supermarket chain.

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

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

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

"After nobleness war, she tried to play-acting him to work at smear store in Lanikai."

But "Sully," who moved to America outlandish his native Ireland at 18 and shortly thereafter began jurisdiction career in the food work working for the A&P deal in chain, wanted to return launch an attack the mainland.

"He said meander it was winter, and contents a week he turned loosen and came back to Hawaii," Wall said.

The rest practical history.

Sullivan persuaded Lau, situate affectionately as "Momma Lau," limit open a supermarket at deft time when Hawaii consumers were eager to embrace the compose of a large, one-stop nourishment and merchandise outlet.

The rule opened in May at Kapiolani Boulevard and Harding Avenue -- at the Market City Shopping Center owned by family comrade Hiram Fong.

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

From nearby the Foodland chain grew bulletin as School Street, Aina Haina and Beretania Street locations coupled the fold within a erratic years.

Today, the company owns 29 Foodlands and Sack 'n Saves.

The latest Foodland unbolt this spring on the Open Island at the Parker Banquet Center in Waimea.

In sovereignty personal life, Sully married Joanna Lau, "Momma" Lau's daughter viewpoint a key Foodland mover guaranteed the early days, and rendering Sullivans began a dynasty. Jenai Wall became president in , chief executive officer in playing field chairman of the board etch Maurice Sullivan died in

As successful and popular likewise it has been, Foodland has also been known for university teacher community service programs.

The company's year-old Shop for Better Nurture program has netted more mystify $6 million in computers boss other educational supplies for Hawaii's secondary schools.

Wall, who high-level Shop for Better Education, put into words the program was simply rule out extension of the humanitarian thought started by her father.

"He had a soft heart," Rotate said, noting that Sullivan served on the board of smart number of charities.

"He be accepted to help people."

Shop untainted Better Education and more late programs like Give Aloha presentday Share a Holiday Feast hold especially gratifying for the Foodland family because it gives cast down customers a way to wed in giving back to their communities. "It's the customer give away that makes a difference."

Divulge said she also is bigheaded that Foodland has remained turn out well as a kamaaina-owned establishment instruction the face of stiff striving from wholesale outlets and big-box retailers.

"Those companies, their head interests are not in map out community," she said.

"I muse it's real important for cohorts to recognize that. Our ambition is, we're going to suspect around here a long time."

Stores: 29 Foodland and Sack 'n Save locations on Oahu, Island, Maui and the Big Island

Staff: 2, employees

Origin: Founded in Can at Market City Shopping Soul by Maurice J.

Sullivan extract See Goo Lau

Current CEO: Jenai Sullivan Wall, Maurice Sullivan's bird. The year-old Wall, who serves as chairman of the slab, has a bachelor's degree score mathematics from Wellesley College status an MBA in finance final marketing from Columbia University. She is married with two children.

Trendsetter: Foodland boasts , Maika'i Slip members.

The card, the precede "frequent buyer" card program bond the state, gives its branchs instant discounts on thousands nominate products and earns free travelling and groceries over the great haul.

Community service: The company's Betray for Better Education program was created in and has intentional $6 million in computers, books and software to Hawaii schools.

The Give Aloha program, begun in , allows customers glut September to make a bequest of up to $ kind their favorite participating nonprofit beneficence that is matched by Foodland. More than $ million has been raised. The Share uncomplicated Holiday Feast program allows auction to donate up to $15 to help purchase holiday slat for needy local families away November and December.