Posted on: Thursday, March 20, 2003

Maki Nakamura, of Maui, founder of potato chip brand, dead at 106

Advertiser Staff

Maki Nakamura, an immigrant from Japan who toiled in pineapple fields before becoming the founder of Maui's famed Kitch'n Cook'd potato chip brand, died March 13 in Wailuku. She was 106.

Nakamura, of Kahului, was born Sept. 14, 1896, in Japan. After emigrating to Hawai'i, she worked for Maui Pineapple, retiring as a trimmer. Her home-cooked potato chips became legendary across the state and inspired imitators making "Maui-style" well-browned chips with a hard texture.

She is survived by her son, Jerry; daughters, Marian Yokomoto, Alice Tobita and Jane Yonamine; 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and daughter-in-law, Aiko Nakamura.

Funeral services will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday in Kahului Jodo Mission. Casual attire.