About Hawaii Candy
The company's founder of Hawaii Candy Soichi Ohta, trained as an apprentice in Japan in the early 1930s where they learnt how to make Senbei (Japanese Tea Cookies). Soichi and his wife Kinuyo established a little neighborhood manufacturing and shop in 1933 using their newly acquired skill. Soichi bought Nakano Candy Factory in 1941 and changed the name of his little business to Ohta Candy Factory. They moved and created the Red Coconut Balls on Nuuanu Avenue. Additionally, Hawaii Candy produced a wide variety of sweets, such as Cinnamon Balls, Lemon Drops, Chestnut Drops, and Candy in the shape of Fish. They bought the business that is currently known as them in 1954. The candy-making equipment was acquired along with the business.