MEDIA RELEASE

The Kurohara Family, owners of Creative Arts Hawaii, and Parker Ranch, Inc.(PRI), two local companies with a long and successful working relationship have agreed Nov. 1, 2010, the Kuroharas will assume ownership of the Parker Ranch Store.

PRI’s Corporate Secretary & Administrative Manager, Nahua Guilloz said “Since completing PRI’s transition out of real estate brokerage and visitor related operations; the Ranch is prepared to take the next step out of retail operations.”

“We are pleased to find a local company with strong retail experience and an appreciation for ranch culture to purchase the store” Guilloz said.

This sale completes PRI’s transition out of non-core businesses and its primary focus now will be livestock production and land resource management.

“Creative Arts Hawaii is a well-respected and established company which has the capacity to continue the retail traditions of the Ranch and grow the Parker Ranch brand. Although we will miss our Store employees, we are encouraged by the new opportunity before them,” Guilloz said.

Randy Kurohara, owner of Creative Arts Hawaii said, “Our Company has been in business on the Big Island for over 38 years, during that time we established a very positive working relationship with the staff at the Parker Ranch Store. We are honored to be in a position to assume ownership of the Parker Ranch Store, a local business with such a long history, cultural richness and excellent customer service.”

He added, “It is our goal to perpetuate the legacy of the Parker Ranch name and its brand as a world renowned ranch, and historical treasure. We are also interested in promoting local farming and ranching lifestyles, and local products.”

Serving Hawaii since 1972, Creative Arts Hawaii has grown to become one of Hawaii’s finest screen printing, embroidery, promotional products and graphic design companies with a customer base that spans the entire state.

They supply many markets, such as schools, businesses, non-profit and community organizations, festivals and events, family reunions, and team sports with customized apparel and promotional products.

In addition, they design and market preprint collections for retailers such as Sears, Wal-Mart, Navy Exchange, and more.

Through a licensing agreement with Parker Ranch, the Kuroharas plan to continue to use the Parker Ranch and Parker Ranch Store names on their products.

Parker Ranch is the fifth largest ranch in the United States, spanning approximately 130,000 acres across the Big Island. It surrounds the town of Waimea and spreads between the Kohala and Mauna Kea mountains.

The ranch is owned by the Parker Ranch Foundation Trust for the benefit of four local charities: North Hawaii Community Hospital, Hawaii Preparatory Academy, Parker School Trust Corporation and the Richard Smart Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation.

— Find out more:
wwwparkerranchstore.com