Raymond Kam, market operator in Kalihi Kai, dead at 88

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Raymond Kam immigrated with his family from China when he was 10. Although he would attain only a third-grade education, Kam had enough smarts to keep a mom-and-pop market flourishing in Kalihi Kai for more than 50 years.

Raymond Kam founded Alicia's Market in Kalihi Kai.

Gerri Kam, who married Raymond Kam's son and works at the store, said the secret to Kam's success was simple.

"Friendly customer service, really happy regular customers and good food," Gerri Kam said.

Kam was born in China in 1914 and the family moved to Hawai'i when he was young. He left school after the third grade and worked for his father and later an uncle at Kalihi Queen Super Meats.

When World War II broke out, Kam joined the Army and served on Guadalcanal and Saipan. After the war, Kam returned to Hawai'i and bought an old wooden store on Mokauea Street. The store was named after his wife, Alicia.

The Kams tore down the old store and expanded operations at an adjacent site. Alicia's Market has grown over the years, but the service has remained the same.

Alicia's specializes in home-cooked-style food, such as roast beef, char siu, varieties of poke, boiled peanuts and seasoned steak. Alicia Kam makes her own crackseed sauce and still cooks her popular chow mein and fried rice.

Other family members, including two daughters and son Leonard, continue to carry on the family tradition at the store. A grandson works full-time in the meat department.

Although he was ill for nearly a year, Raymond Kam continued working until about two weeks ago.

"He's famous for greeting the customers and taking them in the back to have a free sample," Gerri Kam said. "His famous line was, 'Hello young man. Hello young lady.' "

Kam is survived by his wife, Alicia; daughters, Cynthia Kam Mori, Laureen Kam Chu, Kareen Kam Mau, Raynette Kam Dang and June Kam Chow; son, Leonard; and 13 grandchildren.

Services are pending.