Joe the Barber

Joe the Barber has moved out of the FAMOUS Kawamura Store Building. On Saturday, November 23, 1996, Joe came to our house saying he wanted to move out. He explained that business had gotten so slow that he was afraid he wouldn't be able to pay the rent. He knew our family would let him stay for as long as he wanted whether he paid the rent or not. We talked for awhile and it eventually came out that he wants to start "taking it easy" (he's 89 years old).

With so few customers walking in, it seemed to me that Joe was bored and that he'd rather be home working on the yard. He seemed both happy and anxious to go so, promising me that I could keep getting my hair cut by him, I helped him, his grandson and his daughter pack up his business onto his truck. By that Saturday afternoon, that corner spot of our store was empty.

Some history: No one can really remember exactly when he moved in. Joe thinks soon after a trip to the Philippines sometime in 1972 or 1973. He had already been next door to Big Save for roughly 15 years. In fact, his large black sign (which simply read "JOE'S") was displayed at his old location (donated by Big Save) and was later brought to our building. Unfortunately, the sign disappeared after Iniki. Almost everyone knew him as "Joe" but few knew his real name was Jose Alaibilla.

He went on a one-year "vacation" after the hurricane when our building was damaged. He was even featured in several newspaper and magazine articles showing him cleaning up just days after. But he was ecstatic when he returned to his new barber space which was furnished with two sinks and counter space. And I was lucky to be the first person to get his hair cut.

So it now turns out that I'm also Joe's last cut in our building too. Joe's truly a fixture in Kapaa Town and he'll be missed. But it was his decision and he's proud of it. Somehow, it feels like he broke his life-time lease with our family after only 22 years! We thought that he would outlive us all. Well the only thing we can say to Joe is...RELAX!