Sunset Beach loses sole gas station
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser North Shore Bureau
SUNSET BEACH — High gasoline prices, "big box" competition and shrinking profit have forced John and Lynn Pahk to close the only gas station in Sunset Beach after 27 years in business.
That means residents will have to drive five to eight miles out of Sunset to buy gas and make special arrangements for repairs and safety inspections.
But the Pahks' contribution to the community went beyond that. The Sunset Beach Chevron station provided jobs and trained youths in the automotive field, and John Pahk taught them the right way to do things.
"He taught me a lot," said Junior Mangati, 28, lead mechanic at Midas Auto Service Experts in Wahiawa. "That's why I got into the industry."
Mangati said Pahk, 54, not only taught youths about auto repair but also made sure they had the right attitude and provided good customer service.
Franklin Brillante, 32, worked at the station for six years and was among those stopping by on Tuesday, some in search of gasoline, others to express dismay.
"It's hard to see a part of your life go away," said Brillante, adding that he felt like a part of North Shore history was coming to an end.
Old customers remembered Brillante, who is now assistant manager for the Wahiawa Midas, which has employed several people who have worked with John Pahk.
Many people have stopped by since the closing on Saturday, Pahk said during a break while cleaning the facility. Emotions ran high: Some people cried, many asked why the business closed.
Having struggled for years to make ends meet, Pahk said gasoline sales dropped dramatically four months ago when Costco began selling gasoline in Mililani. But other factors contributed, including high gas prices and federal and state regulations, he said.
"The economy, the expense of doing business and the margin of profit don't add up," Pahk said. Costco competition forced him to reduce prices, but that cut profit.
"Your profit margin is in the pennies already, so it goes down to almost nothing," he said, adding that he's not the only gasoline retailer who would like to walk away from the business.
Chevron tried to work with Pahk, but rebates and other help couldn't save the business, which employed five people.
Albert Chee, public affairs manager at Chevron, said Pahk recently notified the company that he could not uphold his lease, which had about a year to go. The company's main concern is to initiate a smooth transition and restart service, said Chee.
"It is our plan to reopen as soon as possible in order that the North Shore residents aren't affected adversely," Chee said.
Lynn Pahk, 54, said life is a bit scary now that she and her husband are unemployed, but she worries for his customers because there are no nearby repair shops.
"Throughout the years everyone depended on my husband," Lynn Pahk said. "He's so honest sometimes he'd check a car and not charge."
Denise Antolini of Pupukea bought all her gas at the Pahks' station and took her car there for repairs. She said the Pahks are well-regarded in the community and their services will be missed. Buying gas anywhere else or trying to get a car serviced will be a hassle, she said.
"A lot of people went there for gas and excellent repair service," Antolini said. "It was a really valuable community resource and the Pahks were very caring and ran a good business, so I think it's a real tragedy for the community."
