The Life in Business: Down to Earth
Down to Earth is a Hawaii-born pioneer of healthy eating. It was started in 1977, when a group of friends in Wailuku, Maui, turned their vision into a business dedicated to improving the health of Hawaii’s island communities. Since then, Down to Earth has become the largest, locally operated natural food store chain in Hawai‘i. It has five locations: Hilo on the Big Island; Honolulu, Kailua, and Pearlridge on O‘ahu; and Kahului on Maui.
Joe Houlahan is manager of the store’s new Hilo location.
“We don’t sell products that are bad for people,” says Houlahan. “Customers know that Down to Earth’s primary concern is to help them enjoy better health, and to assist those who are struggling with serious health issues, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity.”
The company adopted a new slogan in recognition and respect for its host culture: E Mālama I Ka ‘Āina, E Ola Pono (Cherish the Land, Live in Health and Harmony). It’s an adaptation of the slogan, “Love Life! Eat healthy, Be Happy!”
The store has a wide selection of natural foods, as well as other natural and organic products, and offers free cooking classes and nutritional seminars.
“We offer great values and we sell only healthy products that are good for you and the environment,” Houlahan says. “Many of Down to Earth’s customers are vegetarians who will not be comfortable shopping in a store that sells and promotes meat. Those moving towards a vegetarian lifestyle appreciate the health and environmental benefits, too. For example, adopting a vegetarian diet is dramatically more effective in reducing global warming than any other action an individual can make in their daily life.”
Houlahan has been in the natural food industry for 14 years. He has a degree from Colorado State University in horticulture and has extensive experience in the organic production of vegetables and medicinal herbs. He has been a vegetarian for 18 years and lived on the Big Island for more than 10 years.
The company supports local businesses, and each year purchases about $2.5 million in products from 400 local vendors including over 150 farmers and growers. “The trust and loyalty we have developed with them means we will continue to have access to the freshest local fruits and vegetables.”
Down to Earth
Next to the former Border’s store and across from Wal-mart in the Waiakea Center, Hilo.
Phone: 808.935.5515
Website: www.downtoearth.org
