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As
a young man starting college, Mike broke his neck in a football
impact which left
him paralyzed. He had to leave college and faced the prospect of
never walking again. However, he never gave up hope – and
somehow he regained full movement. Perhaps as a result of facing
down his fear, Mike lives with a sort of fearlessness which has
helped make him a successful Honolulu businessman. Risk-taking
helped him develop an unconventional business model and enabled
him to corner the market in legacy local food brands.
From
a small location on Liliha Street, Park's Brand Products began
production in 1985 under its new owner, Mike Irish, a
Korean/Haole local boy. The Park family had an established
Korean sauce and products company that was popular among the
Hawaiian local community. As production increased, Mike was soon
approached by Halms, another family company that wanted their
product perpetuated. Thus began the trend and the real story of
Halms Enterprise.
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As
a businessman, Mike was driven to succeed. Many of the
local products that the people of Hawaii had grown up
with, were run by family owned businesses, and most of
the family members had grown and moved on to other
things. These families, one by one, began approaching
Mike, to hopefully sell their business and perpetuate
their products. Keeping the recipes and flavors intact
were a top priority, and today, over 60% of the kim chee
and pickled vegetable market is provided by Halms
Enterprise. Our brands include Halms Kim Chee, Kohala
Kim Chee, High Max Kim Chee, Kewalo Pickle, Koko, Waimea
Takuwan and A-1 Products. These items line the shelves
of our supermarkets here in Hawaii. Our BBQ and Teriyaki
sauces by Man Nani, Park's Brand Products and Hawaiian
Pride are excellent, as well as our Taegu, Kim Chee
Sauce, Ko Choo Jang and Hawaiian Chili Water. |
Today,
Halms Enterprise shares a large facility with its sister
companies, Keoki's Laulau and Diamond Head Seafood and is still
providing many of the unique flavors of Hawaii. And to think,
this all began with a trusting handshake.
Further,
Mike has developed residential and apartment development as well
as investments of industrial and commercial properties over a
span of 30 years in Hawaii.
His steadfast positive attitude coupled with his
entrepreneurial spirit has led many to believe “never to doubt
Michael Irish”.
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