Honolulu is bracing to say goodbye to one of its brightest pink landmarks. Tamashiro Market, the neon-hued fish-and-grocery mainstay in Kalihi-Palama, will shut its doors at the end of April after nearly 80 years in business. The three-generation family operation says it will stay open through April 30, 2026, as the owners head into retirement. The shop, which employs about 18 people, has long been a go-to neighborhood stop for fresh fish and poke.
According to KHON2, brothers Guy and Cyrus Tamashiro told staff and customers that they had decided to retire and will close the Palama-King Street market on that date. The station reports that the Palama location was first run by family patriarch Chogen Tamashiro, then by his son Walter, and later by Walter’s sons Guy, Cyrus and Sean. KHON2 also notes that the family posted messages thanking customers "for many years of loyal patronage" as they announced the shutdown.
Three Generations And A Pink Crab
The Tamashiro story stretches back to Hilo, where Chogen Tamashiro opened the family’s first store in 1941. A devastating 1946 tsunami pushed the business to relocate to Oʻahu, according to Tamashiro Market's own history. From there, the enterprise grew into the North King Street shop at 802 N King St, a spot that became instantly recognizable for its vivid pink facade and the oversized pink crab perched above the storefront. The market’s site also highlights its longtime focus on fresh seafood and made-to-order poke.
What People Came For
Regulars have long turned to Tamashiro for freshly cut fish, dozens of poke preparations and tanks of live shellfish. Its role in Honolulu’s seafood scene is well documented. Wikipedia notes that the market was one of the early retailers to sell poke at scale and that fresh fish sales make up the bulk of the business. For many locals, that bright pink building doubled as both daily landmark and reliable source for island-fresh seafood.
Guy and Cyrus say they are stepping away this spring, leaving their crew and the broader neighborhood to absorb what the closure will mean. KHON2 reports that about 18 employees will be affected and that the family again thanked regulars for decades of loyalty. The announcement urged customers to come by before the final day, April 30, 2026.
The market’s website lists the Palama location at 802 N King St, Honolulu, and provides contact details for anyone seeking hours and updates. Tamashiro Market remains the family business’s official online presence. With that final April 30 date on the calendar, longtime patrons say the closure marks the end of an era in Kalihi-Palama.
