The Life In Business: Devin McHugh Optical

This is the story of a globe-trotting farm boy from upstate New York who became a bartender, a deejay, an insurance agent, a pilot in the West Indies, solar salesman and a thoroughbred horse farm manager. He was working at a ski resort when his house burned down and a waitress where he worked took pity on him. As fate would have it, a little while later the two were married. Kevin became an optician with an apprenticeship in Pennsylvania.

Hawai‘i was calling, though, and to make a long story short, after working at several more optical labs, plus operating his own, all in New York, they made the move to Kona.

Now an experienced optician and vision center manager in Hawai‘i for 14 years, Kevin has put his name on the door at Kevin McHugh Optical. He’s happy about being independent, he says, because there are a lot of new options and more selections than ever in the vision business.

“We have seen exciting strides in our industry in the past 25 years. As a family owned business without corporate ties, we can offer a more varied selection and higher quality products. We wanted to be able to give our customers choices and information, time and attention. And with our in-house lab, we have total control of quality and turnaround.”

Kevin McHugh Optical is conveniently located above Costco in a building with other health-related offices, lots of parking and easy accessibility. They can help anyone from children (keiki) to seniors (kupuna) who need help with their vision in a home-like atmosphere with personal attention. Many choices in designer frames and different kinds of lenses and contacts are available there.

“We still get excited when we help someone find the perfect pair of glasses, and then get to make the glasses right here!” says McHugh. You can contact the vision center at 808.327.2020.