james kodama is one of the most successful local businessman in hawaii. james started island snow around 30 years ago and has taken his company from a small shave ice shop in kailua to big mainstream stores in ala moana shopping center and the royal hawaiian shopping center. i met james not too long ago but feel like i’ve known him for years. he’s smart, nice, and really easy to talk too. that’s probably the reason why he got to where he is today. anyway, to make a long story short, james has come full circle. he decided to retire at such a young age and enjoy what life has to offer. here’s a copy of his retirement letter. he couldn’t have written it any better. when i retire, i’ll probably copy this letter. haha… but all joking aside, i wanted to congratulate james kodama on a successful career and wish him the best to come…. here’s the letter:
Life Imitating Art ??????
I???ve always been known to do things a little different. Taking ???The Road Not Taken??? has been the story of my journey through life. I followed this mantra in my business as well. Combining a shave ice store with cool clothing, pioneering streetwear along side of surfwear, building a thriving snowboard business in of all places, Hawaii ???.. the list goes on. Well, here I go again.
I have decided to relax, enjoy life, and chill. Go paddling when I want, go snowboarding when I want, and travel where I want.
As the title of the classic poem by Robert Frost reads, I have decided again to take ???The Road Not Taken.???
The literal interpretation of this poem is a true declaration of personal freedom and independence and fits well with where I came from and where I am going. The poems last lines seem to say it all. ???Two roads diverge in the woods, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.???
After almost 30 years in business, I have decided to leave behind the hustle, flow and success of two of Hawaii???s busiest retailing communities and retreat back to my little slice of paradise called Kailua. ??My road has come full circle and I am looking forward to spending more time with my wife Lisa, and my youngest son Adam. I also look forward to spending more time in the waters right off my backyard that I was practically raised in. ???And of course what has got me most excited to start this new phase in my life, is the freedom to be able to take family trips to the mainland to go boarding with my oldest son Brockton who is a student in Colorado.
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As Hawaii???s premier snowboard supplier and fashion leader, people may think I???m crazy downsizing my business and giving up these successful high profile locations. To this, I again reference Frost???s poem which emphasizes the CHOICE made and not the opportunities foregone. ??
My wife Lisa will oversee our beach store in Kailua, and as for Island Snow and SRF (both brand of which have been protected and nurtured dearly), they will be available on a very exclusive, limited basis. Something I will have fun with.
If YOUR personal journey someday leads you through the Pali tunnels, and down the road to Kailua, please swing by and check us out.
Thank you for your support all these years and most of all, for your friendship, which I hope will never fade.
***CLICK HERE FOR ISLANDSNOW.COM….
