ABC Stores opens location on Molokini

KAHULUI –- ABC Stores, the state’s ubiquitous convenience store chain, opened its newest location this week on the tiny islet of Molokini. The store will provide visitors on day excursions to the island a place to purchase snacks, sundries and the popular “Hunks of Hawaii” calendar.

Wednesday’s opening ceremonies included traditional hula, an appearance by comedian Carrot Top and a performance from the cast of Cirque du Soleil’s “O.”

“I so needed another six pack of Mike's Hard Lemonade and a lighter that said ‘Hawaii’ on it,” said Becky Vasquez, a visitor from Los Altos, Calif., who was among the location’s first customers. “I don’t even mind that it says ‘made in China’ on the bottom. Or that they spelled Hawaii wrong. It was all just so convenient.”

The store is the result of an unprecedented collaboration between local business and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources. Though protected as a state seabird sanctuary since 1978, the DLNR extended an emergency special-use permit to the Oahu-based company to establish its business on the previously uninhabited island.

“There was an overwhelming need for another ABC store,” said DLNR spokesman William Travares. “I was out there myself last month when I got the fever for the flavor of a Pringle and there wasn’t anything I could do about it. I don’t want to see that happen to one of our visitors.”

The Molokini location is the chain’s 950th store in Maui County.